Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.29

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 21st day of March, 2002,
by and between Texas Biotechnology Corporation, a Delaware corporation having
its principal executive office at 7000 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030 (hereinafter
referred to as the "Company"), and Bruce D. Given, M.D. (hereinafter referred to
as the "Executive").

                                 WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive in an executive
capacity and the Executive desires to enter the Company's employ.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises,
covenants and obligations contained herein, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

1.       Certain Definitions.

         As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings
prescribed below:

         Affiliate is used in this Agreement to define a relationship to a
person or entity and means a person or entity who, directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such person or entity.

         Annual Bonus shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.2
hereof.

         Base Salary shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1
hereof.

         Beneficial Owner shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Rule
13(d)-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, and without limitation, that
any individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other person or
entity that has the right to acquire any Voting Stock at any time in the future,
whether such right is (a) contingent or absolute or (b) exercisable presently or
at any time in the future, pursuant to any agreement or understanding or upon
the exercise or conversion of rights, options or warrants, or otherwise, shall
be the Beneficial Owner of such Voting Stock.

         Cause shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.3 hereof.

         Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service thereunder, all as
in effect from time to time during the Employment Period.
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         Common Stock means the Company's common stock, par value $.05 per
share.

         Company means Texas Biotechnology Corporation, a Delaware corporation,
the principal executive office of which is located at 7000 Fannin, Houston,
Texas 77030.

         Competing Business means any individual, business, firm, company,
partnership, joint venture, organization, or other entity that markets or has
entered clinical development of any product addressing the same disease target
as a product discovered by, or licensed to, the Company which is either (i) in
Phase III of clinical development, (ii) pending approval at FDA or (iii)
marketed by the Company or its licensee.

         Confidential Information shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 8.2 hereof.

         Date of Termination means the earliest to occur of (i) the date of the
Executive's death or (ii) the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, or
such later date as may be prescribed in the Notice of Termination in accordance
with Section 5.6 hereof.

         Disability means an illness or other disability which prevents the
Executive from discharging his responsibilities under this Agreement for a
period of 180 consecutive calendar days, or an aggregate of 180 calendar days in
any calendar year, during the Employment Period, all as determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors of the Company (or a committee thereof).

         Effective Date means March 25, 2002.

         Executive means Bruce D. Given, M.D., an individual residing at 23
Stafford Lane, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921.

         Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder, all as in effect from time to time during the Employment Period.

         Employment Period shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3
hereof.

         Good Reason shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.5
hereof.

         Initial Term shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3
hereof.

         Notice of Termination shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5.6 hereof.

         Vacation Time shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.3
hereof.

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         Voting Stock means all outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors; provided,
however, that if the Company has shares of Voting Stock entitled to more or less
than one vote per share, each reference to a proportion of the issued and
outstanding shares of Voting Stock shall be deemed to refer to the proportion of
the aggregate votes entitled to be cast by the issued and outstanding shares of
Voting Stock.

         Without Cause shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.4
hereof.

2.       General Duties of Company and Executive.

         2.1 (a) The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive
         agrees to accept employment by the Company and to serve the Company as
         its President and Chief Executive Officer. The Executive will also be
         elected as a member of the Board of Directors during the Employment
         Period. The Executive shall report to and be subject to the direction
         of the Board of Directors. The Executive shall have the authority,
         duties and responsibilities that are normally associated with and
         inherent in the executive capacity in which Executive will be
         performing, and shall have such other or additional duties which are
         not inconsistent with the Executive's position, as may from time to
         time be reasonably assigned to the Executive by the Board of Directors
         (or a committee thereof). While employed hereunder, the Executive shall
         devote full time and attention during normal business hours to the
         affairs of the Company and use his best efforts to perform faithfully
         and efficiently his duties and responsibilities. Executive agrees to
         cooperate fully with the Board, and other executive officers of the
         Company, and not to engage in any activity which conflicts with or
         interferes with the performance of his duties hereunder. During the
         Employment Period, Executive shall devote his best efforts and skills
         to the business and interests of Company, do his utmost to further
         enhance and develop Company's best interests and welfare, and endeavor
         to improve his ability and knowledge of Company's business, in an
         effort to increase the value of his services for the mutual benefit of
         the parties hereto. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a
         violation of this Agreement for Executive (i) serve on any corporate
         board or committee thereof with the approval of the Board, (ii) to
         serve on any civic, or charitable boards or committees (except for
         boards or committees of a Competing Business unless approved by the
         Board), (iii) deliver lectures, fulfill teaching or speaking
         engagements, (iv) testify as a witness in litigation involving a former
         employer or (v) manage personal investments; provided, however, any
         such activities must not materially interfere with performance of
         Executive's responsibilities under this Agreement.

             (b) Executive represents and covenants to Company that he is not
         subject or a party to any employment agreement, noncompetition
         covenant, nondisclosure agreement, or any similar agreement or covenant
         that would prohibit Executive from executing this Agreement and fully
         performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any
         manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect the duties and
         responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Executive
         hereunder. The Executive further

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         represents and warrants that he is not presently subject to any legal
         actions, claims or administrative proceedings, including bankruptcy
         proceedings or IRS audits or proceedings, which would effect his
         ability to perform his responsibilities hereunder. The Executive and
         the Company agree that they have each reviewed and discussed with each
         other the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics agreement dated January 8, 2000
         signed by the Executive, and that the execution and performance of this
         Agreement by the Executive will not, to the best of their respective
         knowledge, violate or conflict with the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics
         Agreement.

         2.2 The Executive agrees and acknowledges that he owes a fiduciary duty
of loyalty, fidelity and allegiance to act at all times in the best interests of
the Company and to do no act and to make no statement, oral or written, which
would injure Company's business, its interests or its reputation.

         2.3 The Executive agrees to execute and comply at all times during the
Employment Period with all applicable policies, rules and regulations of the
Company, including, without limitation, the Company's Code of Ethics and the
Company's policy regarding trading in the Common Stock, as each is in effect
from time to time during the Employment Period.

         2.4 The Executive will, as soon as possible, but in any event within
six months of the date of this Agreement, relocate his permanent residence to
Houston, Texas.

3.       Term.

         Unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions hereof, the
Executive's period of employment under this Agreement shall be a period of one
year beginning on the Effective Date (the "Initial Term"). After the expiration
of the Initial Term, the Executive's period of employment under this Agreement
shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year terms on each anniversary
of the Effective Date (the Initial Term and any and all renewals thereof are
referred to herein collectively as the "Employment Period"), unless written
notice of nonrenewal is delivered by one party to the other at least 60 days
before the end of any such one-year renewal term.

4.       Compensation and Benefits.

         4.1 Base Salary. As compensation for services to the Company, the
Company shall pay to the Executive from the Effective Date until the Date of
Termination an annual base salary of $325,000 (the "Base Salary"). The Board of
Directors (or a committee thereof) will conduct an annual review of the
Executive's compensation and, in its discretion, may increase the Base Salary
based upon relevant circumstances. The Executive's first annual review will
occur on or before March 31, 2003, and any increases in compensation provided by
the Board of Directors from that review will be effective as of March 1, 2003.
The Base Salary shall be payable in equal semi-monthly installments or in
accordance with the Company's established policy, subject only to such payroll
and withholding deductions as may be required by law and other

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deductions (consistent with Company policy for all employees) relating to the
Executive's election to participate in the Company's insurance and other
employee benefit plans. The Executive will receive no additional compensation
for serving as a director.

         4.2 Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be
awarded, for each fiscal year until the Date of Termination, an annual bonus to
be determined by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof), in its sole
discretion (the "Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be payable at a
time to be determined by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) in its
sole discretion. The Company's Incentive Program for senior executives, as
presently in effect and which is subject to change at the sole discretion of the
Board of Directors (or a committee thereof), is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
The Company agrees that the Executive's Annual Bonus for calendar year 2002 will
be a minimum of $244,000.

         4.3 Vacation. Until the Date of Termination, the Executive shall be
entitled to four weeks paid vacation during each one year period commencing on
the Effective Date (the "Vacation Time"). Any Vacation Time not taken during the
applicable one year period will not accrue and will expire on the applicable
anniversary of the Effective Date.

         4.4 Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. Until the Date of
Termination, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in and shall receive
all benefits under all executive incentive, savings and retirement plans and
programs currently maintained or hereinafter established by the Company for the
benefit of its executive officers and/or employees.

         4.5 Benefit Plans. Until the Date of Termination, the Executive and/or
the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible to participate in
and shall receive all benefits under each welfare benefit plan of the Company
currently maintained or hereinafter established by the Company for the benefit
of its employees. Such welfare benefit plans may include, without limitation,
medical, dental, disability, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs. The Company shall not be obligated to institute,
maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such
employee benefit program or plan, so long as such actions are similarly
applicable to covered employees generally. In addition, during the Employment
Period, the Company will provide the Executive at no cost, a term life insurance
policy in the amount of $500,000, assuming satisfactory evidence of insurability
of the Executive. Upon request, Executive agrees to take any physical exams, and
to provide such information, which are reasonably necessary or appropriate to
secure or maintain such benefits and insurance coverage.

         4.6 Reimbursement of Expenses. The Executive may from time to time
until the Date of Termination incur various business expenses customarily
incurred by persons holding positions of like responsibility, including, without
limitation, travel, entertainment and similar expenses incurred for the benefit
of the Company. Subject to the Executive complying with the Company's policy
regarding the reimbursement of such expenses as in effect from time to time
during the Employment Period, which does not necessarily allow

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reimbursement of all such expenses, the Company shall reimburse the Executive
for such expenses from time to time, at the Executive's request, and the
Executive shall account to the Company for all such expenses.

         4.7      Relocation Expenses.  The Company will provide for
reimbursement of moving and relocation expenses of the Executive and his family
as set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto.

         4.8      Stock Options/Stock Grants.

                  (a) Effective as of March 21, 2002 (the date that the
         Executive was elected as a director of the Company), the Company
         granted to the Executive options to acquire 425,000 shares of Common
         Stock, with the exercise price to be the closing sales price for the
         Common Stock on The Nasdaq National Market on the trading day
         immediately preceding the date of his election as a director. These
         options provide for vesting of one-third of the shares covered by the
         options on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the
         date of grant. The Company also hereby grants to the Executive
         additional options covering 125,000 shares of Common Stock. Because of
         the grant of these 125,000 options, the Executive will not be eligible
         for any option grants in 2003 as part of his annual compensation review
         of his performance in 2002, but will be eligible for any new stock
         option grants in 2004 as part of his annual compensation review of his
         performance in 2003. The 125,000 additional options granted pursuant to
         the preceding sentence will have an exercise price equal to the closing
         price on The Nasdaq National Stock Market on the trading day
         immediately preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement. These
         125,000 options will also provide for vesting of one-third of the
         shares covered by these options on each of the second, third and fourth
         anniversaries of the execution of this Agreement. Any options granted
         under this Section 4.8(a) (the "Options") will be granted pursuant to,
         and will be governed by the terms of, the Company's incentive stock
         plans as then in effect, and the provisions of this Agreement
         (including Section 6.3(e) hereof). At the request of the Executive, the
         Company will cause the Options covering 125,000 shares to be granted as
         Incentive Stock Options under the Code, to the extent permitted, and
         subject to the terms provided under, the Code. All Options will provide
         that they will not continue to vest after the breach (and failure to
         cure such breach as provided for therein) by the Executive of any of
         Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 of this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will grant the Executive ten shares of Common
         Stock for each one share of Common Stock the Executive buys from the
         Company or on the open market within 30 days after the date of this
         Agreement, up to a maximum grant amount of 50,000 shares. These shares
         granted by the Company will be issued as of the date of execution of
         this Agreement as "restricted stock" under the Company's incentive
         stock plans, and will vest on the third anniversary of the execution of
         this Agreement. Prior to vesting, these shares will be held by the
         Company and will bear the restrictive legends set forth in, and be
         governed by the terms of, the Company's incentive stock plans. This
         restricted stock will not be

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         transferable or saleable until vested, and all unvested restricted
         stock will be forfeited and cancelled by the Company if the Executive
         terminates his employment for any reason or is terminated for Cause by
         the Company prior to the third anniversary of their grant. Upon death
         or disability of the Executive, the restricted stock will vest in full.
         Upon the termination of Executive by the Company Without Cause prior to
         the third anniversary of their grant, the restricted shares will vest
         on a pro rata basis based on how much of the three year vesting period
         has expired prior to the Executive's termination Without Cause. All
         unvested shares of restricted stock will provide that they will be
         forfeited after the breach (and failure to cure such breach as provided
         for therein) by the Executive of any of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of
         this Agreement. Upon the vesting of these shares of restricted stock,
         the Company will cause the removal of the restrictive legends on the
         certificates representing such shares that relate to the vesting
         conditions described in this Section 4.8(b).

                  (c) The Company will cause the Options and restricted stock to
         be issued under the Company's 1999 Incentive Stock Plan (the "1999
         Plan") by the execution and delivery of agreements containing the terms
         and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the other terms and
         conditions of the Plan that are not inconsistent herewith. The
         Compensation Committee has, pursuant to the Plan, authorized such
         agreements to be issued on the terms set forth herein pursuant to the
         authority granted to the Compensation Committee to alter appropriate
         terms and conditions of the Plan when granting incentive awards under
         the Plan.

         4.9  Legal Expenses.  The Company will reimburse the Executive for his
reasonable legal expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and
execution of this Agreement.

         4.10 Termination and Indemnification Agreements. (a) The Company will
enter into with the Executive a Termination Agreement regarding compensation
payable to the Executive in the event of termination of employment following a
change of control of the Company, and an Indemnification Agreement regarding
indemnification of the Executive, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

                  (b) The Company will also cause the Executive to be covered by
         its director and officer insurance policies as they are in effect from
         time to time. A summary of the Company's current director and officer
         insurance policy is attached hereto as Exhibit D. The Company also
         represents and warrants that it is not presently subject to any legal
         actions, claims or administrative proceedings other than routine
         matters arising in the ordinary course of its business and the matter
         described on Exhibit D attached hereto, and to the best knowledge of
         the Company, no such legal actions, claims or administrative
         proceedings are threatened which would cause a Material Injury.

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5.       Termination.

         5.1 Death.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the death
of the Executive.

         5.2 Disability. The Company may terminate this Agreement, upon written
notice to the Executive delivered in accordance with Sections 5.6 and 12.1
hereof, upon the Disability of the Executive.

         5.3 Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement, upon written
notice to the Executive delivered in accordance with Sections 5.6 and 12.1
hereof, for Cause. For purposes of this definition of "Cause", the term
"Company" shall mean the Company and/or its Affiliates. For purposes of this
Agreement, subject to the notice provisions set forth below, "Cause" means (i)
the conviction (or plea of nolo contendere or equivalent plea) of the Executive
of a felony (which, through lapse of time or otherwise, is not subject to
appeal), (ii) the Executive having engaged in intentional misconduct causing a
violation by the Company of any state or federal laws which results in a
material injury to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations or prospects of the Company as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof (a "Material Injury"), (iii)
the Executive having engaged in a theft of corporate funds or corporate assets
or in an act of fraud upon the Company, (iv) an act of personal dishonesty taken
by the Executive that was intended to result in personal enrichment of the
Executive at the expense of the Company, (v) the Executive's refusal, without
proper legal cause, to perform his duties and responsibilities as contemplated
in this Agreement or any other breach by the Executive of this Agreement, and
(vi) the Executive's engaging in activities which would constitute a breach of
the Company's Business Ethics Policy, the Company's policies regarding trading
in the Common Stock or any other applicable policies, rules or regulations of
the Company which results in a Material Injury. If the Company desires to
terminate the Executive for Cause pursuant to the provisions of this Section
5.3, the Executive will be given a written notice by the Board of Directors of
the facts and circumstances providing the basis for termination for Cause, and
the Executive will have 30 days from the date of such notice to remedy, cure or
rectify the situation giving rise to termination for Cause to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Board of Directors (except in the event of termination for
Cause pursuant to subparagraph (i) above as to which no cure period will be
permitted).

         5.4 Without Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement Without
Cause, upon written notice to the Executive delivered in accordance with
Sections 5.6 and 12.1 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive will
be deemed to have been terminated "Without Cause" if the Executive is terminated
by the Company for any reason other than Cause, Disability or death or if the
Company delivers a notice of nonrenewal of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3
hereof..

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         5.5 Good Reason. The Executive may terminate this Agreement for Good
Reason, upon written notice to the Company delivered in accordance with Sections
5.6 and 12.1 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means (i) the
assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent in any respect
with the Executive's duties or responsibilities as contemplated in this
Agreement, provided that Executive specifically terminates his employment for
Good Reason hereunder within 120 days from the date that he has actual notice of
such material breach; (ii) any other action by the Company which results in a
material diminishment in the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities,
provided that Executive specifically terminates his employment for Good Reason
hereunder within 120 days from the date that he has actual notice of such
material breach; (iii) any breach by the Company of any of the provisions of
this Agreement, provided that Executive specifically terminates his employment
for Good Reason hereunder within 120 days from the date that he has actual
notice of such material breach; (iv) requiring the Executive to relocate to any
office or location other than Houston, Texas, without his consent, or (v) a 5%
or more reduction, or attempted reduction, at any time during the Employment
Period, of the Base Salary of the Executive unless such reduction is also
applied to all other senior executives of the Company.

         Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 5.5, if
Executive desires to terminate his employment for Good Reason, he shall first
give written notice of the facts and circumstances providing the basis for Good
Reason to the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee,
and allow the Company thirty (30) days from the date of such notice to remedy,
cure or rectify the situation giving rise to Good Reason to the reasonable
satisfaction of Executive.

         5.6 Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement by the
Company or the Executive, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the
other party hereto given in accordance with this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets
forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated and (iii) specifies the termination date, if such date is other than
the date of receipt of such notice (which termination date shall not be more
than 15 days after the giving of such notice, unless otherwise provided herein).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect to consider the Executive
as an employee after the Date of Termination for purposes of complying with the
provisions of Section 6 hereof.

6.       Obligations of Company upon Termination.

         6.1 Cause; Other Than Good Reason. If this Agreement shall be
terminated either by the Company for Cause or by the Executive for any reason
other than Good Reason (including delivery by the Executive of a notice of
nonrenewal of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3 hereof), the Company shall
pay to the Executive, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
Termination, the aggregate of the Executive's Base Salary (as in effect on the
Date of

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Termination) through the Date of Termination, if not theretofore paid, and, in
the case of compensation previously deferred by the Executive, all amounts of
such compensation previously deferred and not yet paid by the Company. All other
obligations of the Company and rights of the Executive hereunder shall terminate
effective as of the Date of Termination, except as provided for in any benefit
plans, incentive stock plans or other compensation plans and as otherwise
provided in this Agreement.

         6.2 Death or Disability. If this Agreement is terminated as a result of
the Executive's death or Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive or
his estate, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination, the
Executive's Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination) through the
Date of Termination, if not theretofore paid, and, in the case of compensation
previously deferred and bonuses previously earned by Executive, all amounts of
such compensation previously deferred and earned and not yet paid by the
Company. In addition, in the event of the Executive's death or Disability, the
Company will pay to the Executive or his estate the Annual Bonus the Executive
would have received, if any, pursuant to Section 4.2 above during the year of
his death or Disability, pursuant to and subject to the terms of any bonus plan
then in effect in which the Executive is eligible to participate; provided, that
such Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid at such time and in such amount as all
other Annual Bonuses are paid pursuant to the applicable bonus plan, and that
the amount of such Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid on a pro rata basis based
on the number of months during the year in question prior to the Executive's
death or Disability. The Executive or his estate shall also be entitled to
receive those death and Disability benefits to which the Executive is entitled
under the Company's benefit and insurance plans. All other obligations of the
Company and rights of the Executive hereunder shall terminate effective as of
the Date of Termination, except as provided for in any benefit plans, incentive
stock plans or other compensation plans and as otherwise provided in this
Agreement.

         6.3 Good Reason; Without Cause; Nonrenewal. If this Agreement shall be
terminated either by the Executive for Good Reason, by the Company Without Cause
(which includes delivery by the Company of a notice of nonrenewal of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 3 hereof):

                  (a)      the Company shall pay to the Executive:

                           (1) in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the
                  Date of Termination, if not theretofore paid, the Executive's
                  Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination) through
                  the Date of Termination;

                           (2) a lump sum equal to the product of (x) the Annual
                  Bonus which would have been paid to the Executive for the full
                  fiscal year during which the Date of Termination occurred in
                  an amount determined by the Board of Directors of the Company
                  (or a committee thereof) pursuant to the bonus program then in
                  effect for senior executives of the Company and (y) the
                  fraction obtained by dividing (i) the number of days between
                  the Date of Termination and the last day of the last full
                  fiscal year preceding the Date of Termination and (ii) 365,
                  which lump sum

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                  will be paid at the same time as bonuses are paid to all
                  executives for such fiscal year; and

                           (3) in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the
                  Date of Termination, in the case of compensation previously
                  deferred and bonuses previously earned by the Executive, all
                  amounts of such compensation previously deferred and earned
                  and not yet paid by the Company;

                  (b) the Company shall, promptly upon submission by the
         Executive of supporting documentation, pay or reimburse to the
         Executive any costs and expenses (including moving and relocation
         expenses) paid or incurred by the Executive which would have been
         payable under Sections 4.6 and 4.7 of this Agreement if the Executive's
         employment had not terminated; and

                  (c) during the 12-month period commencing on the Date of
         Termination, the Company shall continue benefits (other than disability
         benefits) to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal
         to those which would have been provided to them under Section 4.5 if
         the Executive's employment had not been terminated; and

                  (d) during the 12-month period following the Date of
         Termination, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in equal
         semi-monthly installments, the Executive's Base Salary (as in effect on
         the Date of Termination).

                  (e) During the 12-month period after the Date of Termination,
         all stock options (including the Options) and restricted stock held by
         the Executive will continue to vest and be exercisable in accordance
         with their terms in effect on the Date of Termination. On the
         conclusion of said 12-month period, all unexpired, unexercised options
         will be fully vested and all restricted stock will be fully vested.
         Thereafter, all such fully vested stock options will be exercisable by
         Executive until the earlier to occur of the expiration of the term of
         each stock option or 12 months after the date they become fully vested.

                  (f) Notwithstanding any of the above to the contrary, the
         Executive will not be entitled to any of the benefits or payments
         provided in Section 6.3(a)(2), (c), (d) or (e) if (i) the Executive
         breaches this Agreement including the provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10
         and 11 hereof, or (ii) the Executive fails to execute on or before the
         Date of Termination a release from liability and waiver of right to sue
         in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.

7. Executive's Obligation to Avoid Conflicts of Interest. For purposes of this
Section 7, all references to Company shall mean and include its Affiliates. The
Executive further agrees to comply with the Company's conflict of interest
policy, including the Business Ethics Policy, as in effect from time to time.

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8.       Executive's Confidentiality Obligation.

         8.1 For purposes of this Section 8, all references to Company shall
mean and include its Affiliates. Executive hereby acknowledges, understands and
agrees that all Confidential Information, as defined in Section 8.2, whether
developed by Executive or others employed by or in any way associated with
Executive or Company, is the exclusive and confidential property of Company and
shall be regarded, treated and protected as such in accordance with this
Agreement. Executive acknowledges that all such Confidential Information is in
the nature of a trade secret. Failure to mark any writing confidential shall not
affect the confidential nature of such writing or the information contained
therein.

         8.2 For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means
information, which is used in the business of the Company and (i) is proprietary
to, about or created by the Company, (ii) gives the Company some competitive
business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage or the
disclosure of which could be detrimental to the interests of the Company, (iii)
is designated as Confidential Information by the Company, is known by the
Executive to be considered confidential by the Company, or from all the relevant
circumstances should reasonably be assumed by the Executive to be confidential
and proprietary to the Company, or (iv) is not generally known by non-Company
personnel. Confidential Information excludes, however, any information which is
lawfully in the public domain or has been publicly disclosed by the Company.
Such Confidential Information includes, without limitation, the following types
of information and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced
to writing or designated as confidential):

                  (a) Internal personnel and financial information of the
         Company, vendor information (including vendor characteristics,
         services, prices, lists and agreements), purchasing and internal cost
         information, internal service and operational manuals, and the manner
         and methods of conducting the business of the Company;

                  (b) Marketing and development plans, price and cost data,
         price and fee amounts, pricing and billing policies, quoting
         procedures, marketing techniques, forecasts and forecast assumptions
         and volumes, and future plans and potential strategies (including,
         without limitation, all information relating to any acquisition
         prospect and the identity of any key contact within the organization of
         any acquisition prospect) of the Company which have been or are being
         discussed;

                  (c) Names of customers and their representatives, contracts
         (including their contents and parties), customer services, and the
         type, quantity, specifications and content of products and services
         purchased, leased, licensed or received by customers of the Company;
         and

                                       12
<PAGE>
                  (d) Confidential and proprietary information provided to the
         Company by any actual or potential customer, government agency or other
         third party (including businesses, consultants and other entities and
         individuals).

                  (e) Work product resulting from or related to the research,
         development or production of the drug development programs of the
         Company.

         8.3 As a consequence of the Executive's acquisition or anticipated
acquisition of Confidential Information, the Executive shall occupy a position
of trust and confidence with respect to the affairs and business of the Company.
In view of the foregoing and of the consideration to be provided to the
Executive, the Executive agrees that it is reasonable and necessary that the
Executive make each of the following covenants:

                  (a) At any time during the Employment Period and thereafter,
         the Executive shall not disclose Confidential Information to any person
         or entity, either inside or outside of the Company, other than as
         necessary in carrying out his duties and responsibilities as set forth
         in Section 2 hereof, without first obtaining the Company's prior
         written consent (unless such disclosure is compelled pursuant to court
         orders or subpoena, and at which time the Executive shall give notice
         of such proceedings to the Company).

                  (b) At any time during the Employment Period and thereafter,
         the Executive shall not use, copy or transfer Confidential Information
         other than as necessary in carrying out his duties and responsibilities
         as set forth in Section 2 hereof, without first obtaining the Company's
         prior written consent.

                  (c) On the Date of Termination, the Executive shall promptly
         deliver to the Company (or its designee) all written materials, records
         and documents made by the Executive or which came into his possession
         prior to or during the Employment Period concerning the business or
         affairs of the Company, including, without limitation, all materials
         containing Confidential Information.

9.       Disclosure of Information, Ideas, Concepts, Improvements, Discoveries
and Inventions.

         As part of the Executive's fiduciary duties to the Company, the
Executive agrees that during his employment by the Company and thereafter
following the Date of Termination, the Executive shall promptly disclose in
writing to the Company all information, ideas, concepts, improvements,
discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, and whether or not
reduced to practice, which are conceived, developed, made or acquired by the
Executive during the Employment Period, either individually or jointly with
others, and which relate to the business, products or services of the Company or
its Affiliates, irrespective of whether the Executive used the Company's time or
facilities and irrespective of whether such information, idea, concept,
improvement, discovery or invention was conceived, developed, discovered or
acquired by

                                       13
<PAGE>

the Executive on the job, at home, or elsewhere. This obligation extends to all
types of information, ideas and concepts, including information, ideas and
concepts relating to research and development of drugs, drug discovery and
manufacturing processes, new types of services, corporate opportunities,
acquisition prospects, prospective names or service marks for the Company's
business activities, and the like.

10.      Ownership of Information, Ideas, Concepts, Improvements, Discoveries
         and Inventions, and all Original Works of Authorship.

         10.1 All references in this Section 10 to Company shall mean and
include its Affiliates. All information, ideas, concepts, improvements,
discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, which are conceived,
made, developed or acquired by the Executive or which are disclosed or made
known to the Executive, individually or in conjunction with others, during the
Executive's employment by the Company and which relate to the business, products
or services of the Company or its Affiliates (including, without limitation, all
such information relating to research and development of drugs, drug discovery
and manufacturing processes, corporate opportunities, research, financial and
sales data, pricing and trading terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations,
acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the
identity of key contacts within the customers' organizations, marketing and
merchandising techniques, and prospective names and service marks) are and shall
be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Furthermore, all drawings,
memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models,
specifications, computer programs, maps and all other writings or materials of
any type embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements,
discoveries and inventions are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of
the Company.

         10.2 In particular, the Executive hereby specifically sells, assigns,
transfers and conveys to the Company all of his worldwide right, title and
interest in and to all such information, ideas, concepts, improvements,
discoveries or inventions, and any United States or foreign applications for
patents, inventor's certificates or other industrial rights which may be filed
in respect thereof, including divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part,
reissues and/or extensions thereof, and applications for registration of such
names and service marks. The Executive shall assist the Company and its nominee
at all times, during the Employment Period and thereafter, in the protection of
such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries or inventions, both
in the United States and all foreign countries, which assistance shall include,
but shall not be limited to, the execution of all lawful oaths and all
assignment documents requested by the Company or its nominee in connection with
the preparation, prosecution, issuance or enforcement of any applications for
United States or foreign letters patent, including divisions, continuations,
continuations-in-part, reissues and/or extensions thereof, and any application
for the registration of such names and service marks.

         10.3 In the event the Executive creates, during the Employment Period,
any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression which
is the subject matter of copyright (such as, videotapes, written presentations
on acquisitions, computer programs,

                                       14
<PAGE>

drawings, maps, architectural renditions, models, manuals, brochures or the
like) relating to the Company's business, products or services, whether such
work is created solely by the Executive or jointly with others, the Company
shall be deemed the author of such work if the work is prepared by the Executive
in the scope of his employment; or, if the work is not prepared by the Executive
within the scope of his employment but is specially ordered by the Company as a
contribution to a collective work, as a part of a motion picture or other
audiovisual work, as a translation, as a supplementary work, as a compilation or
as an instructional text, then the work shall be considered to be work made for
hire, and the Company shall be the author of such work. If such work is neither
prepared by the Executive within the scope of his employment nor a work
specially ordered and deemed to be a work made for hire, then the Executive
hereby agrees to sell, transfer, assign and convey, and by these presents, does
sell, transfer, assign and convey, to the Company all of the Executive's
worldwide right, title and interest in and to such work and all rights of
copyright therein. The Executive agrees to assist the Company and its
Affiliates, at all times, during the Employment Period and thereafter, in the
protection of the Company's worldwide right, title and interest in and to such
work and all rights of copyright therein, which assistance shall include, but
shall not be limited to, the execution of all documents requested by the Company
or its nominee and the execution of all lawful oaths and applications for
registration of copyright in the United States and foreign countries.

         10.4 The provisions of this Section 10 shall not supersede any
proprietary information agreement (the "Proprietary Agreement") between the
Executive and the Company which shall remain in full force and effect and,
moreover, this Agreement, the Proprietary Agreement and any such other similar
agreement between the parties shall be construed and applied as being mutually
consistent to the fullest extent possible.

11.      Executive's Non-Competition Obligation.

         11.1 (a) All references to the term "Company" in this Section 11 shall
         mean and include its Affiliates. During the Employment Period and for
         the 12 month period following the Date of Termination hereof, the
         Executive shall not, acting alone or in conjunction with others,
         directly or indirectly, in the United States and any other business
         territories in which the Company is presently or from time to time
         during the Employment Period conducting business, invest or engage,
         directly or indirectly, in any Competing Business or accept employment
         with or render services to such a Competing Business as a director,
         officer, agent, executive or consultant or in any other capacity;
         provided, however, that the beneficial ownership by the Executive of up
         to three percent of the Voting Stock of any corporation subject to the
         periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act shall not violate
         this Section 11.1(a). Notwithstanding the above, the Executive may
         serve as an officer, director, agent, employee or consultant to a
         Competing Business whose business is diversified and which is, as to
         the part of its business to which the Executive is providing services,
         not a Competing Business; provided, that prior to accepting employment
         or providing services to such a Competing Business, the Executive and
         the Competing Business will provide written assurances satisfactory to
         the Company that the Executive will not render

                                       15
<PAGE>

         services directly or indirectly for a 12-month period to any portion of
         the Competing Business which competes directly or indirectly with the
         Company.

                  (b) In addition to the other obligations agreed to by the
         Executive in this Agreement, the Executive agrees that for 12 months
         following the Date of Termination hereof, he shall not directly or
         indirectly, (i) hire or attempt to hire any employee of the Company, or
         induce, entice, encourage or solicit any employee of the Company to
         leave his or her employment, or (ii) contact, communicate or solicit
         any distributor, customer or acquisition or business prospect or
         business opportunity of the Company for the purpose of causing them to
         terminate or alter or amend their business relationship with the
         Company to the Company's detriment.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company fails to make the
payments to the Executive set forth in Section 6.3 hereof, then the terms of
this Section 11.1 will not be effective from the date of such nonpayment;
provided, that if the Company subsequently makes any such payments, this Section
11.1 will become effective in accordance with its terms for so long as the
Company continues to make the payments required by Section 6.3 hereof.

         11.2     (a)      Executive hereby specifically acknowledges and
agrees that:

                           (1) Company expended and will continue to expend
                  substantial time, money and effort in developing its business;

                           (2) Executive will, in the course of his employment,
                  be personally entrusted with and exposed to Confidential
                  Information;

                           (3) Company, during the Employment Period and
                  thereafter, will be engaged in its highly competitive business
                  in which many firms compete;

                           (4) Executive could, after having access to Company's
                  financial records, contracts, and other Confidential
                  Information and know-how and, after receiving training by and
                  experience with the Company, become a competitor;

                           (5) Company will suffer great loss and irreparable
                  harm if Executive terminates his employment and enters,
                  directly or indirectly, into competition with Company;

                           (6) The temporal and other restrictions contained in
                  this Section 11 are in all respects reasonable and necessary
                  to protect the business goodwill, trade secrets, prospects and
                  other reasonable business interests of Company;

                                       16
<PAGE>
                           (7) The enforcement of this Agreement in general, and
                  of this Section 11 in particular, will not work an undue or
                  unfair hardship on Executive or otherwise be oppressive to
                  him; it being specifically acknowledged and agreed by
                  Executive that he has activities and other business interests
                  and opportunities which will provide him adequate means of
                  support if the provisions of this Section 11 are enforced
                  after the Termination Date; and

                           (8) the enforcement of this Agreement in general, and
                  of this Section 11 in particular, will neither deprive the
                  public of needed goods or services nor otherwise be injurious
                  to the public.

                  (b) Executive agrees that if an arbitrator (pursuant to
         Section 12.13) or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the
         length of time or any other restriction, or portion thereof, set forth
         in this Section 11 is overly restrictive and unenforceable, the
         arbitrator or court shall reduce or modify such restrictions to those
         which it deems reasonable and enforceable under the circumstances, and
         as so reduced or modified, the parties hereto agree that the
         restrictions of this Section 11 shall remain in full force and effect.
         Executive further agrees that if an arbitrator or court of competent
         jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Section 11 is
         invalid or against public policy, the remaining provisions of this
         Section 11 and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
         thereby, and shall remain in full force and effect.

                  (c) In the event of any pending, threatened or actual breach
         of any of the covenants or provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10 or 11, as
         determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, it is understood and
         agreed by Executive that the remedy at law for a breach of any of the
         covenants or provisions of these Sections may be inadequate and,
         therefore, the Company shall be entitled to a restraining order or
         injunctive relief in addition to any other remedies at law and in
         equity, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Should a
         court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator (pursuant to Section
         12.13) declare any provision of Sections 8, 9, 10 or 11 to be
         unenforceable due to an unreasonable restriction of duration or
         geographical area, or for any other reason, such court or arbitrator is
         hereby granted the consent of each of the Executive and Company to
         reform such provision and/or to grant the Company any relief, at law or
         in equity, reasonably necessary to protect the reasonable business
         interests of Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive hereby
         acknowledges and agrees that all of the covenants and other provisions
         of Sections 8, 9, 10 or 11 are reasonable and necessary for the
         protection of the Company's reasonable business interests. Executive
         hereby agrees that if the Company prevails in any action, suit or
         proceeding with respect to any matter arising out of or in connection
         with Sections 8, 9, 10 or 11, Company shall be entitled to all
         equitable and legal remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctive
         relief and compensatory damages, as determined by a court of competent
         jurisdiction.

                                       17
<PAGE>
                  (d) It is acknowledged, understood and agreed by and between
         the parties hereto that the covenants made by Executive in this Section
         11 are essential elements of this Agreement and that, but for the
         agreement of the Executive to comply with such covenants, Company would
         not have entered into this Agreement.

12.      Miscellaneous.

         12.3 Notices. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when (i) delivered by hand or
sent by facsimile, or (ii) on the third business day following deposit in the
United States mail by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to
the addresses as follows (provided that notice of change of address shall be
deemed given only when received):

                  If to the Company to:

                  Texas Biotechnology Corporation
                  7000 Fannin
                  Houston, Texas 77030
                  Attention: Chairman of the Board
                  Facsimile No. - (713) 782-8232

                  If to the Executive to:

                  Bruce D. Given, M.D.
                  Texas Biotechnology Corporation
                  7000 Fannin
                  Houston, Texas 77030
                  Facsimile No. - (713) 782-8232

or to such other names or addresses as the Company or the Executive, as the case
may be, shall designate by notice to the other party hereto in the manner
specified in this Section 12.1.

         12.4 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of
any provision of this Agreement shall neither operate nor be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach by any party. Except as expressly provided for
herein, the failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any
breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while
such breach occurs.

         12.5 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company, its successors, legal representatives and assigns, and
upon the Executive, his heirs, executors, administrators, representatives and
assigns; provided, however, the Executive agrees that his rights and obligations
hereunder are personal to him and may not be

                                       18
<PAGE>

assigned without the express written consent of the Company. Any reference to
"Company" herein shall mean the Company as well as any successors thereto.

         12.6 Entire Agreement; No Oral Amendments. This Agreement, together
with any exhibit attached hereto and any document, policy, rule or regulation
referred to herein, replaces and merges all previous agreements and discussions
relating to the same or similar subject matter between the Executive and the
Company and constitutes the entire agreement between the Executive and the
Company with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may
not be modified in any respect by any verbal statement, representation or
agreement made by any Executive, officer, or representative of the Company or by
any written agreement unless signed by an officer of the Company who is
expressly authorized by the Company to execute such document.

         12.7 Enforceability. If any provision of this Agreement or application
thereof to anyone or under any circumstances shall be determined to be invalid
or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without
the invalid or unenforceable provision or application.

         12.8 (1) Choice of Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

         12.9 Corporate Authority.  The Company has all corporate power and
authority necessary to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company.

         12.10 Defense of Claims. Executive agrees that, during the Employment
Period and for a period of two (2) years after his Termination Date, upon
request from the Company, he will reasonably cooperate with the Company and its
Affiliates in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or
against the Company or any of its Affiliates that affect his prior areas of
responsibility, except if Executive's reasonable interests are adverse to the
Company or Affiliates in such claim or action. To the extent travel is required
to comply with the requirements of this Section 12.8, the Company shall, to the
extent possible, provide Executive with notice at least 10 days prior to the
date on which such travel would be required. The Company agrees to promptly pay
or reimburse Executive upon demand for all of his reasonable travel and other
direct expenses incurred, or to be reasonably incurred, to comply, with his
obligations under this Section.

         12.11 Withholdings: Right of Offset. Company may withhold and deduct
from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a)
all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law
or governmental regulation or

                                       19
<PAGE>

ruling, (b) all other employee deductions made with respect to Company's
employees generally, and (c) any advances made to Executive and owed to Company.

         12.12 Nonalienation. The right to receive payments under this Agreement
shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge or encumbrance by Executive, his dependents or beneficiaries,
or to any other person who is or may become entitled to receive such payments
hereunder. The right to receive payments hereunder shall not be subject to or
liable for the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person
who is or may become entitled to receive such payments, nor may the same be
subject to attachment or seizure by any creditor of such person under any
circumstances, and any such attempted attachment or seizure shall be void and of
no force and effect.

         12.13 Incompetent or Minor Payees. Should the Board of Directors
determine that any person to whom any payment is payable under this Agreement
has been determined to be legally incompetent or is a minor, any payment due
hereunder may, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, be made in any one or more of the following ways: (a) directly to such
minor or person; (b) to the legal guardian or other duly appointed personal
representative of the person or estate of such minor or person; or (c) to such
adult or adults as have, in the good faith knowledge of the Board, assumed
custody and support of such minor or person; and any payment so made shall
constitute full and complete discharge of any liability under this Agreement in
respect to the amount paid.

         12.14 Title and Headings; Construction. Titles and headings to Sections
hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define
or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits referred to in
this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part
hereof for all purposes. The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and other
compounds of the word "here" shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any
particular provision hereof.

         12.15 Arbitration. (a) If any dispute or controversy arises between
Executive and the Company relating to (1) this Agreement in any way or arising
out of the parties respective rights or obligations under this Agreement on (2)
the employment of Executive or the termination of such employment, then either
party may submit the dispute or controversy to arbitration under the
then-current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association (AAA) (the "Rules"); provided, however, the Company shall retain its
rights to seek a restraining order or injunctive relief pursuant to Sections
11.2. Any arbitration hereunder shall be conducted before a panel of three
arbitrators unless the parties mutually agree that the arbitration shall be
conducted before a single arbitrator. The arbitrators shall be selected (from
lists provided by the AAA) through mutual agreement of the parties, if possible.
If the parties fail to reach agreement upon appointment of arbitrators within
twenty (20) days following receipt by one party of the other panty s notice of
desire to arbitrate, then within five (5) days following the end of such 20-day
period, each party shall select one arbitrator who, in turn, shall within five
(5) days jointly select the third arbitrator to comprise the arbitration panel
hereunder. The site for any arbitration hereunder shall be in Harris

                                       20
<PAGE>

County, Texas, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, and the parties
hereby waive any objection that the forum is inconvenient.

                  (b) The party submitting any matter to arbitration shall do so
         in accordance with the Rules. Notice to the other party shall state the
         question or questions to be submitted for decision or award by
         arbitration. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 12.13,
         Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the
         Executive's right to be paid during the pendency of any dispute or
         controversy arising under this Agreement. In order to prevent
         irreparable harm, the arbitrator may grant temporary or permanent
         injunctive or other equitable relief for the protection of property
         rights.

                  (c) The arbitrator shall set the date, time and place for each
         hearing, and shall give the parties advance written notice in
         accordance with the Rules. Any party may be represented by counsel or
         other authorized representative at any hearing. The arbitration shall
         be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1 et.
         seq. (or its successor). The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law
         and the law of remedies, if applicable) of the State of Texas to the
         claims asserted to the extent that the arbitrator determines that
         federal law is not controlling.

                  (d) (1) Any award of an arbitrator shall be final and binding
                  upon the parties to such arbitration, and each party shall
                  immediately make such changes in its conduct or provide such
                  monetary payment or other relief as such award requires. The
                  parties agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be final
                  and binding and shall be subject only to the judicial review
                  permitted by the Federal Arbitration Act.

                           (2) The parties hereto agree that the arbitration
                  award may he entered with any court having jurisdiction and
                  the award may then be enforced as between the parties, without
                  further evidentiary proceedings, the same as if entered by the
                  court at the conclusion of a judicial proceeding in which no
                  appeal was taken. The Company and the Executive hereby agree
                  that a judgment upon any award rendered by an arbitrator may
                  be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or
                  in any other manner provided by law.

                  (e) Each party shall pay any monetary amount required by the
         arbitrator's award, and the fees, costs and expenses for its own
         counsel, witnesses and exhibits, unless otherwise determined by the
         arbitrator in the award. The compensation and costs and expenses
         assessed by the arbitrator(s) and the AAA shall be split evenly between
         the parties unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator in the award.
         If court proceedings to stay litigation or compel arbitration are
         necessary, the party who opposes such proceedings to stay litigation or
         compel arbitration, if such party is

                                       21
<PAGE>

         unsuccessful, shall pay all associated costs, expenses, and attorney's
         fees which are reasonably incurred by the other party as determined by
         the arbitrator.

         12.16 Survival of Certain Provisions. Wherever appropriate to the
intention of the parties hereto, the respective rights and obligations of said
parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in
Sections 8 through 11 and this Section 12 hereof, shall survive any termination
or expiration of this Agreement.

         12.17 No Strict Construction. The Executive represents to Company that
he is knowledgeable and sophisticated as to business matters, including the
subject matter of this Agreement, that he has read the Agreement and that he
understands its terms and conditions. The parties hereto agree that the language
used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by them to
express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied
against either party hereto. Executive acknowledges that he has had the
opportunity to consult with counsel of his choice, independent of Employer's
counsel, regarding the terms and conditions of this Agreement and has done so to
the extent that he, in his discretion, deemed to be appropriate.

         12.18 Superseding Agreement.  This Employment Agreement shall supersede
any prior employment agreement entered into between the Company and Executive.

                                       22
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound,
have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                              Texas Biotechnology Corporation

                                              By: /s/ JOHN M. PIETRUSKI
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                      John M. Pietruski
                                                      Chairman of the Board

                                              Executive:

                                              By: /s/ BRUCE D. GIVEN
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                      Bruce D. Given, M.D.

<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A

         Terms of current Incentive Program for senior executives of the Company

         o        Achievement of corporate goals triggers bonus program. Target
                  payout of 75% of Base Salary for achieving 100% of corporate,
                  financial and other goals as approved by the Compensation
                  Committee in advance of the payout. Maximum payout is 150% of
                  Base Salary for achieving 200% of these goals and minimum
                  payout is zero.

                  Example:

                  Base Salary x 75% of goals met (up to 200%) = Annual Bonus
                           100% of goals met: $325,000 x 75% x 100% = $243.75
                           60% of goals met: $325,000 x 75% x 60% = $146,251
                           Maximum: $325,000 x 75% x 200% = $487,500

         o        Annual Bonuses are paid 50% in cash and 50% in restricted
                  stock vesting in _ annual installments starting on the first
                  anniversary of the grant. Restricted stock is subject to
                  forfeiture upon termination for Cause or other breach of the
                  Agreement. Taxes are responsibility of Executive and may be
                  paid on date of grant or at time of vesting date.

         o        Annual Bonuses are paid upon completion of annual review of
                  performance goals during the prior year by the Compensation
                  Committee at its March meeting.

         o        Employee must be on the Company payroll at time of payout to
                  receive bonus award.*

         o        All restricted stock issued as part of Annual Bonus is subject
                  to the terms of the stock option plan under which it is
                  granted.

*        The Company agrees that Section 6 of this Agreement modifies this
         provision of the Incentive Program.

<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT B

         The Company will pay reasonable expenses of relocation of the Executive
and his family from Bedminster, New Jersey to the Houston, Texas metropolitan
area as follows:

         o        The Company will pay transportation of household goods and
                  vehicles, family (via coach airfare or automobile) and
                  temporary living expenses in Houston for a period of up to 120
                  days.

         o        The Company will pay realtor commissions (up to 6%),
                  inspections and document fees on sale of existing residence
                  and closing costs including origination fee (up to 1%), title
                  insurance, survey, document and legal fees on purchase of a
                  new residence. The Company does not pay points (other than the
                  origination fee noted above), interest, taxes or insurance in
                  any form.

         o        The Company will "gross-up" for income and Medicare taxes any
                  relocation expenses that are taxable for federal income tax at
                  the marginal income tax rates applicable for the Executive as
                  a resident of Texas. Social Security tax will not be grossed
                  up since Executive will meet Social Security maximum during
                  the year.

         o        The Company will reimburse two house hunting trips of up to
                  six days each for Executive and his family including coach
                  airfare, hotel, rental car and incidental expenses.

         o        Expenses will be promptly reimbursed in accordance with
                  Company policy regarding reimbursement of expenses.<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.6

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this 31st
day of July 2000 (the "Effective Date"), by and between LARK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
a Texas corporation (the "Company), acting herein by and through its officer
hereunto duly authorized, and CARL W. BALEZENTIS ("Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Company desires to employ Employee to serve in a managerial capacity
with the Company; and,

WHEREAS, Employee is willing to be employed by the Company and to render such
services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the compensation and other benefits to be
obtained by Employee by virtue of Employee's employment by the Company, the
Company's promise to provide Employee with initial and ongoing Confidential
Information (defined in paragraph 6 below) and the mutual promises and
agreements by and between the Company and Employee hereinafter set forth, it is
hereby agreed by the Company and the Employee as follows:

         1.   Employment: Employee is hereby employed by the Company and
              Employee hereby accepts such employment upon the terms and
              conditions hereinafter set forth.

         2.   Effective Date; Term of Employment: This Agreement and Employee's
              employment by the Company shall be effective on the Effective Date
              and shall continue in effect until terminated in accordance with
              the provisions hereof (the "Employment Period"). This Agreement
              may be terminated by the Company or Employee at any time, subject,
              however, to the termination provisions of Section 5 hereof and
              applicable law.

         3.   Duties: Employee shall serve as the Executive Vice President -
              Corporate Development of the Company with responsibility for all
              aspects of the Company's sales and marketing activities, and new
              business opportunities, during the Employment Period, on a
              full-time basis. During the Employment Period, Employee shall
              devote such time, attention, skill, energy and efforts as may be
              necessary for the faithful performance of Employee's duties
              hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall
              prohibit the Employee from devoting reasonable time to vacations,
              civic and charitable activities, and management of personal
              investments, all of which shall be at Employee's sole but
              reasonable discretion.

         4.   Compensation

              (a)    During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay
                     Employee, as compensation for his services, an annual base
                     salary of not less than One Hundred Thirty-five Thousand
                     and No/100 Dollars ($135,000.00), payable in accordance
                     with the Company's usual payment practices but in any event
                     not less often than monthly. The Employee's base salary
                     shall be reviewed by the Company at least annually in July
                     of each year for purposes of determining reasonable
                     increases thereof based on considerations of merit and cost
                     of living adjustments, and may be increased (but

<PAGE>

                     shall not be decreased) from time to time within the
                     Company's discretion. In addition, Employee shall be
                     eligible for an annual bonus in an amount at least equal to
                     25% of Employee's annual base salary in effect at the time
                     such bonus is determined, provided that revenue and
                     profitability goals for the Company meet the plan targets
                     mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Employee for
                     purposes of determining such annual bonus with the
                     opportunity of a maximum bonus in an amount not exceeding
                     50% of Employee's base salary in effect at the time such
                     bonus is determined, provided sales levels, mutually agree
                     upon by the Company and Employee for the year as to which
                     such bonus is being determined have been met by the
                     Company. The annual bonus for the calendar year 2000 will
                     be a guaranteed minimum bonus of Thirteen Thousand Five
                     Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($13,500.00). All such
                     compensation shall be subject to customary withholding
                     taxes and other employment taxes as required with respect
                     thereto. Employee shall also qualify for and be entitled to
                     obtain from the Company all rights and benefits for which
                     Employee may be eligible under any benefit plans offered by
                     the Company to its executives of comparable position and
                     responsibility, including, without limitation, life,
                     medical, health, and disability insurance, savings and
                     thrift plans, profit participation and stock option plans,
                     and other similar benefits which are provided for employees
                     generally.

              (b)    Contemporaneously with and in consideration of the
                     execution of this Agreement, the Company shall grant to
                     Employee options to purchase 45,000 shares of the Company's
                     common stock at the market price at the close of trading on
                     the exchange on which such stock is listed on the Effective
                     Date hereof. As to such options, Employee shall be
                     immediately vested in options to purchase at least 10,000
                     shares of the common stock of the Company and the remaining
                     options covering 35,000 shares of such common shall vest in
                     Employee incrementally over the 4 or 5-year period (as
                     provided in the Company's stock option plan) commencing on
                     the Effective Date; provided, however, that all options
                     which have not vested at the time of any merger or takeover
                     of the Company by an unrelated third party, or upon the
                     dissolution or bankruptcy of the Company shall immediately
                     vest in the Employee, subject, though, to the provisions of
                     Section 5 if Employee's employment with the Company has
                     been previously terminated by the Company. Subject to the
                     foregoing, such options shall be granted pursuant to and in
                     accordance with the Company's Stock Option Plan, a copy of
                     which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A", and made a part
                     hereof for all purposes.

              (c)    Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement by
                     Employee and Company and in consideration hereof, the
                     Company shall also pay the Employee a one-time signing
                     bonus in the amount of Fifteen Thousand and No/100 Dollars
                     ($15,000.00).

              (d)    Contemporaneously with and in consideration of this
                     Agreement, the Company shall also provide financial aid, up
                     to Seven Thousand Five Hundred and No/100 Dollars
                     ($7,500.00) per calendar year, to the Employee in order to
                     enable the Employee pursue a Master's Degree in Business
                     Administration (the "MBA"). Employee agrees to not pursue
                     the MBA prior to January 2001, and further agrees that the
                     courses of study in which Employee enrolls in connection
                     therewith will be conducted after the Company's normal
                     business hours. Said financial aid must be reimbursed in
                     full should Employee terminate his employment with the
                     Company for any reason prior to July 31, 2005.

                     Education expenses must be for an approved, accredited
                     degree program (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or PhDs)
                     received at a regionally accredited college, university, or
                     junior college. Eligible expenses include the costs of
                     tuition, books, and related fees associated with an
                     approved degree program. Correspondence or video course
                     costs can also qualify, provided they are part of the
                     approved degree program and taken through an accredited
                     college or university. Costs for software, supplies and
                     other expenses are not eligible. Only courses with a final
                     grade equivalent of "C" or better for undergraduate
                     courses. Or "B" of better for graduate courses, are
                     eligible for reimbursement.

                     A request for reimbursement must be completed and submitted
                     to the president no later than 60 days after the successful
                     completion of each course. All required documentation
                     (including receipts and an official transcript for grade
                     report) must be provided along with your request.
<PAGE>

                      Reimbursement checks for non-taxable tuition
                      reimbursements will be sent directly to you from Lark. For
                      reimbursements that require taxes to be withheld
                      (currently reimbursements in excess of $5,250 in a
                      calendar year), payment will be processed through Lark's
                      payroll system instead and added to your payroll check
                      (minus tax withholdings)

         5.   Termination of Employment: Employee's employment and the Company's
              obligations under this Agreement may be terminated as follows:

              (a)    For good cause which, for the purposes of this Agreement,
                     shall mean:

                     (i)    the continued failure of Employee to perform
                            material duties assigned to Employee after a written
                            demand by the Company identifying the manner in
                            which it believes Employee has not performed his
                            duties and Employee's subsequent failure to cure the
                            identified problem within a reasonable time; or,

                     (ii)   A material breach of this Agreement by Employee; or,

                     (iii)  Employee's commission of a felony or fraud or
                            dishonesty against the Company or willful conduct
                            involving a third party which significantly impairs
                            the reputation of, or harms, the Company, its
                            subsidiaries or affiliates.

              (b)    For any other reason in the Company's sole discretion.

              (c)    For any reason in the Employee's sole discretion.

              Upon Employee's termination by the Company for any reason,
              Employee shall be entitled to continue such benefits for such
              periods of time as are customarily permitted by Company policy or
              by law to be continued by terminated Employees of the Company,
              such as insurance coverage. Further, in the event of a termination
              of Employee's employment pursuant to Subsection 5(b) above,
              Employee shall be entitled to continue to receive Employee's
              annual base salary in effect at the time of such termination for a
              period of twelve (12) months commencing on the date of Employee's
              termination. Additionally, if Employee is terminated by the
              Company pursuant to Subsection 5 (b) above within six (6) months
              prior to a change in ownership of the Company pursuant to a merger
              with an unrelated third party, or a sale of the majority of the
              common stock of the Company to an unrelated third party, or the
              dissolution or bankruptcy of the Company, then all options to
              acquire common stock of the Company shall vest in Employee
              effective as of the date of the Employee's termination of
              employment with the Company. If Employee is terminated by the
              Company under any circumstances within one (1) year after a merger
              with an unrelated third party, or a sale of the majority of the
              common stock of the Company to an unrelated third party, or the
              dissolution or bankruptcy of the Company, then the Employee shall
              be entitled to continue to receive Employee's annual base salary
              in effect at the time of such termination for a period of twelve
              (12) months commencing on the date of Employee's termination.

         6.   Confidential Information: The Company promises to provide Employee
              initial and ongoing Confidential Information (defined below),
              which Employee has not had access to or knowledge of before the
              execution of this Agreement. Employee agrees to keep confidential,
              except as the Company may consent in writing, and not to disclose,
              or make any use except for the benefit of the Company, at any time
              during or subsequent to the Employment Period, any trade secrets
              or confidential information, knowledge or data of the Company,
              including but not limited to that which relates to the Company or
              the Company's products, software, research, services, development,
              Inventions (as hereafter defined), processes, know-how, designs,
              formulas, test data, purchasing, accounting, customer lists,
              business plans, marketing plans and strategies, pricing strategies
              or other subject matter pertaining to any business of the Company
              or any of its clients, customers, consultants, licensees, or
              affiliates, that Employee may produce, obtain or otherwise acquire
              during the Employment Period (the "Confidential Information"),
              except as herein provided. Without limiting the generality of

<PAGE>

              the foregoing, Confidential Information shall include any
              materials or information stamped with the words "Confidential
              Information of Lark Technologies, Inc." Employee further agrees
              not to deliver, reproduce or in any way allow any Confidential
              Information to be delivered to or used by any third parties
              without specific direction or consent of a duly authorized
              representative of the Company.

         7.   Conflicting Employment; Return of Confidential Material: Employee
              agrees that, during the Employment Period, Employee will not
              engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other
              activity relating to the business in which the Company is now or
              may hereafter become engaged, or that would otherwise conflict
              with Employee's obligations to the Company. In the event of
              Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any
              reason whatsoever, Employee agrees promptly to surrender and
              deliver to the Company all records, materials, equipment,
              drawings, documents, and data of any nature pertaining to any
              Confidential Information or to his employment, and Employee will
              not take with him any description containing or pertaining to any
              Confidential Information that Employee may produce or obtain
              access to during the Employment Period.

         8.   Inventions: Employee hereby assigns to the Company all of the
              Employee's rights, title, and interest in and to all discoveries
              (the "Inventions"), whether or not patentable and whether or not
              reduced to practice, made or conceived by Employee (whether made
              solely by Employee or jointly with others) during the period of
              the Employment Period that (i) relate in any manner to the actual
              or demonstrably anticipated business, work, or research and
              development of the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) are developed
              in whole or in part on the Company's time or using the Company's
              equipment, supplies, facilities and Confidential Information, or
              (iii) result from or are suggested by any task assigned to
              Employee or any work performed by Employee for or behalf of the
              Company or its subsidiaries.

         9.   Disclosure of Inventions: Patents: Employee agrees that in
              connection with any Invention:

              (a)    Employee shall promptly disclose such Invention in writing
                     to Employee's immediate supervisor at the Company in order
                     to permit the Company to claim rights to which it may be
                     entitled under this Agreement.

              (b)    Employee shall promptly notify the Company in writing, in
                     order to permit it to exercise its right hereunder, of the
                     occurrence of any of the following events in connection
                     with any Invention: (i) any application for, official
                     action in connection with or grant of any patent,
                     trademark, service mark, copyright or master work
                     registration; or (ii) any license, sale or other
                     disposition of any rights whatsoever to any Invention,
                     including without limitation any manufacturing distribution
                     or other rights. Any such license, sale or disposition in
                     contravention with this Agreement of effected without
                     written notice to the Company as provided hereunder shall
                     be void.

              (d)    Upon written request from the Company, Employee agrees to
                     assist the Company or its nominee (at the Company's
                     expense), during and at any time subsequent to the
                     Employment Period, in every reasonable way to obtain for
                     the Company's own benefit patents, copyrights, and other
                     intellectual property rights for such Inventions in any and
                     all countries, which Inventions shall be and remain the
                     sole and exclusive property of the Company or its nominee,
                     whether or not patented or copyrighted.

         10.  Non-Solicitation Agreement

              (a)    To protect the Company's Confidential Information, and in
                     the event of Employee's termination of employment for any
                     reason whatsoever, whether by Employee or the Company,
                     Employee covenants and agrees that Employee will not,
                     directly or indirectly, either individually or as a
                     principal partner, agent, employee, or as a director or
                     officer of any corporation or association, or in any other
                     manner or capacity whatsoever, except on behalf of the
                     Company, solicit business, or attempt to solicit business,
                     in products or services competitive with products or
                     services sold by the Company, from the Company's clients or
                     customers, or those individuals or entities with whom the
                     Company did business during

<PAGE>

                     Employee's employment, including, without limitation, the
                     Company's prospective or potential customers or clients.

              (b)    The prohibition set forth in paragraph 10(a) in this
                     Agreement shall be for a period of one (1) year after the
                     date of Employee's termination from employment.

         11.  Non-Competition Agreement: Employee agrees that in order to
              protect the Company's Confidential Information, it is necessary to
              enter into the following restrictive covenant, which is ancillary
              to the enforceable promises between the Company and Employee in
              this Agreement including, without limitation, the Company's
              promise to provide Employee with initial and ongoing Confidential
              Information and specialized training. Employee agrees that for the
              period Employee is employed with the Company, and for a period of
              one (1) year following the termination of Employee's employment,
              Employee will not without the prior written consent of the
              Company, engage or become interested in any capacity, directly or
              indirectly (whether as proprietor, stockholder, director, partner,
              employee, agent, independent contractor, consultant, trustee,
              beneficiary, or in any other capacity), in any business in the
              United States selling, providing or developing products or
              services competitive with products or services sold or maintained
              by the Company. Employee acknowledges that, due to the nature of
              the products and services marketed by the Company, the Company's
              geographic customer base is nation-wide and, accordingly, a
              restriction of the described activities within the United States
              is reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's goodwill and
              Confidential Information.

         12.  Non-Recruitment Agreement: Employee agrees that during Employee's
              employment, and for a period of one (1) year from the date of any
              termination of Employee's employment, Employee will not, either
              directly or indirectly, or by act in concert with others, seek to
              influence or influence any Company employee to leave the Company's
              employment.

         13.  If a court concludes that any time period or area specified in
              paragraphs 10, 11, or 12 in this Agreement is unenforceable, then
              the time period shall be reduced by such number of months or the
              area shall be reduced by the elimination of such portion thereof
              or both so that the restrictions may be enforced in the area and
              for the time to the fullest extent permitted by law. If Employee
              violates any of the restrictions contained in paragraphs 10, 11,
              or 12 in this Agreement, the restrictive period shall be suspended
              and will not run in favor of Employee from the time of the
              commencement of any such violation until the time when the
              Employee cures the violation to the Company's satisfaction.

         14.  Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this
              Agreement, in view of the nature of the Company's business, are
              reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's legitimate
              business interests and that any violation of this Agreement would
              result in irreparable injury to the Company. In the event of a
              breach or a threatened breach by Employee of any provision in this
              Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary
              restraining order and injunctive relief restraining Employee from
              the commission of any breach, and to recover the Company's
              attorneys' fees, costs and expenses related to the breach or
              threatened breach. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
              construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other
              remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach,
              including, without limitation, the recovery of money damages.
              These covenants and disclosures shall each be construed as
              independent of any other provisions in this Agreement, and the
              existence of any claim or cause of action by Employee against the
              Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall
              not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of any
              portion of this Agreement.

         15.  Modification: No modification, amendment or waiver of any of the
              provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing
              and signed by the parties hereto.

         16.  Entire Agreement: This Agreement supersedes any and all prior
              employment and similar agreements, written and/or oral, between
              the Company and Employee, and Employee hereby waives and releases
              all rights and claims there under or with respect to thereto.

<PAGE>

         17.  Severability: In the event that any Section or provision of this
              Agreement shall be held to be illegal or unenforceable, such
              Section or provision shall be severed from this Agreement and the
              entire Agreement shall not fail on account thereof, but shall
              otherwise remain in full force and effect.

         18.  Assignments: This Agreement shall be freely assignable by the
              Company and shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon,
              the Company, it successors and assigns and/or any other corporate
              or other entity or person that shall succeed to the business
              presently being operated by the Company, but, being a contract for
              personal services, neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder
              are assignable by Employee.

         19.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
              in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without
              reference to conflicts of law principles, and any action to
              enforce or interpret the terms hereof shall be brought in a court
              of competent jurisdiction in Harris County, Texas.

         20.  Waiver. No waiver, termination or discharge of this Agreement or
              any of its terms or provisions will be binding upon either party
              unless confirmed in writing. No waiver by either party of any term
              or provision of this Agreement or of any default under this
              Agreement will affect that party's subsequent right to enforce
              such term or provision or to exercise any right or remedy in the
              event of any other default, whether or not similar.

         21.  Notices.

              (a)    All notices, consents, requests and other communications
                     under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be sent
                     by hand delivery, by certified or registered mail
                     (return-receipt requested), by facsimile or by a recognized
                     national overnight courier service set forth below:

                     If to Company:  Lark Technologies, Inc.
                                     9441 West Sam Houston Parkway South,
                                     Suite 103
                                     Houston, Texas 77099

                                     Ph.:     (713) 779-3663
                                     Fax:     (713) 779-1661

                     If to Employee: Mr. Carl W. Balezentis
                                     54 Pipers Meadow Street
                                     The Woodlands, Texas 77382
                                     Ph.:     (281) 298-5573

              (b)    Notices delivered pursuant to this Agreement will be deemed
                     given at the time delivered, if personally delivered; upon
                     facsimile transmission provided the transmitting party
                     receives confirmation by its facsimile of the transmission
                     and receipt by the intended recipient of such notices by
                     5:00 o'clock p.m. (recipient's local time); three business
                     days after being deposited in the mail, if mailed; and one
                     business day after timely delivery to the courier, if by
                     overnight courier service.

              (c)    Either party may change the address to which notice is to
                     be sent by written notice to the other party in accordance
                     with this Section 12.

         22.  Headings. The titles, captions and headings contained in this
              Agreement are inserted by convenience of reference only and are
              not intended to be part of or to affect in any way the meaning or
              interpretation of this Agreement.

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

<PAGE>

         24.  Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
              written instrument signed by Employee and by a duly authorized
              officer of Company.

         25.  Construction. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that they
              have each had the opportunity to be represented by legal counsel
              in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this
              Agreement and that the parties and their respective legal counsel
              have reviewed and revised this Agreement and that the normal rules
              of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be
              resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the
              interpretation of this Agreement or any exhibits or amendments
              hereto.

         26.  Attorneys' Fees. Should either party employ attorneys to enforce
              any of the provisions hereof, the party losing any final judgment
              agrees to pay the prevailing party all reasonable costs, charges
              and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees expended or
              incurred in connection therewith.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
         executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                    COMPANY:

                                       LARK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                       By:       /s/ DOUGLAS B. WHEELER
                                          ------------------------------------
                                       Name:         Douglas B. Wheeler
                                            ----------------------------------
                                       Title:        President and COO
                                             ---------------------------------

                                    EMPLOYEE:

                                                  /s/ CARL W. BALEZENTIS
                                             ---------------------------------
                                                      Carl W. Balezentis

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