Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

         CONSULTING AGREEMENT dated as of December 15, 2000 by and between
Novirio Pharmaceuticals Limited, a company organized and existing in the Cayman
Islands with a mailing address c/o Walker Secretaries, Walker House, Grand
Cayman, Cayman Islands (the "Company"), and Paul A. Brooke, with a mailing
address at 21 East 90th Street, #14AB, New York, New York 10128 (the
"Consultant").

                                    RECITALS

         1. The Company is engaged in the business of developing and
commercializing pharmaceuticals for the treatment of human viral diseases (the
"Business").

         2. The Company desires to engage the Consultant for and the Consultant
desires to provide the services set forth in this Agreement.

         3. In connection therewith, the Consultant and the Company mutually
desire to enter into this Agreement effective as of the date hereof and agree
that this Agreement will govern all of the work performed by the Consultant for
or on behalf of the Company.

         NOW,THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Consultant
hereby agrees as follows:

         1. Term. The Company agrees to engage the Consultant, and the
Consultant agrees to accept such engagement, to provide advisory, consulting and
other services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter provided,
commencing as of the date hereof and terminating on December 15, 2003 (the
"Term"), unless terminated sooner pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

         2. Services and Commitment.

                  (a)      Services. The Consultant shall provide consulting,
                           advisory and other services in furtherance of the
                           Business. Such services shall include, without
                           limitation, (i) performing the functions described on
                           Exhibit A hereto and (ii) such other responsibilities
                           as the Company and the Consultant may agree
                           (together, the "Services").

                  (b)      Commitment. Consultant agrees to make himself
                           available to render the Services at such times and
                           locations as may be mutually agreed provided,
                           however, that the Consultant shall not be required to
                           devote more than the equivalent of two days a month
                           to the performance of the Services.

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         3. Compensation and Expenses.

                  (a)      Compensation. In exchange for services to be rendered
                           by the Consultant, the Company will, subject to the
                           terms and conditions set forth in a Stock Restriction
                           Agreement dated as of the date hereof, issue to the
                           Consultant Sixty Thousand (60,000) Ordinary Shares,
                           par value $.001 per share (the "Ordinary Shares").
                           The Ordinary Shares will vest in three equal
                           installments to the extent of 20,000 Ordinary Shares
                           on each of the first, second and third anniversaries
                           of the date of this Agreement, provided that the
                           Consultant is as of the respective date then
                           providing Services to the Company. As of the date
                           hereof, the current per share fair market value as
                           determined in good faith by the Board of Directors is
                           $2.00 per share. The Company will make no cash
                           payment for the Services rendered by the Consultant.

                  (b)      Business Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall
                           reimburse the Consultant, in accordance with the
                           Company policy then in effect, for all reasonable and
                           necessary expenses incurred by the Consultant in
                           furtherance of the Business or in connection with the
                           Services, including without limitation, travel,
                           board, lodging, telephone and postage. To obtain
                           reimbursement, the Consultant shall submit to the
                           Company an itemized statement of such expenses along
                           with copies of bills and receipts.

         4. Non-Solicitation. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, at
all times during the Term, and for a period of eighteen (18) months thereafter,
the Consultant shall not:

                  (a)      induce or attempt to induce any customer, dealer or
                           distributor of the Company to reduce such customer's,
                           dealer's or distributor's business with the Company;
                           or

                  (b)      solicit any of the Company's consultants or employees
                           to leave the employ of the Company or hire or cause
                           to be hired any person who was during or for six (6)
                           months after the termination of the Consultant's
                           engagement by the Company, a consultant or employee
                           of the Company.

         5. Copyright. The Consultant acknowledges that all works of authorship
and all mask works that fall within the scope of the Services which the
Consultant is engaged to provide to the Company are owned by the Company and are
works made for hire. Accordingly, the Consultant agrees to assign and hereby
assigns to the Company any and all copyrights and mask work registration rights,
and all other mask work rights in all material prepared by him in the
performance of his Services hereunder. The Consultant further agrees to, to
execute and deliver both during and after the Term such assignments, instruments
and applications as may be required to allow the Company to perfect its rights
in copyrights, mask work registration rights and other mask work rights assigned
pursuant to this Section 5 by the Consultant to the Company. The Consultant
waives all "moral" rights to any copyrights and mask work registration rights,
and all other mask work rights in all material prepared by him in the
performance of his Services hereunder.

                                      -2-
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         6. Confidentiality. During the course of his engagement with the
Company, the Consultant may have access to, learn of, or participate in the
development of the Company's confidential information or confidential
information entrusted to the Company by other persons, corporations, or firms.
The Company's confidential information includes matters not generally known
outside of the Company, such as know-how, trade secrets, experimentation,
research and developments relating to existing and future products and services
to be or being marketed or used by the Company (whether or not such products or
services are actually realized or pursued by the Company), and also any
information which gives the Company a competitive advantage including, without
limitation, data relating to the general business operations of the Company
(e.g., sales, costs, profits, organizations, customer lists, pricing methods,
etc.). Confidential information shall not include information that may be
demonstrated by the Consultant to have been known by the Consultant prior to the
date hereof or which is otherwise disclosed to the Consultant by a third party
who is not under any confidentiality obligation preventing such disclosure. The
Consultant agrees to hold the Company's confidential information in confidence
and not disclose any such confidential information to any person, corporation or
firm (other than the Company). The Consultant further agrees not to make use of
such confidential information except on the Company's behalf whether or not such
information is produced by his own efforts. These restrictions shall apply to
all of the Company's confidential information whether such information is in
written, oral, magnetic, optical or in some other form. The Consultant
understands and agrees that his confidentiality obligations under this Section 6
shall continue during and after the termination of the Term hereof until such
confidential information becomes generally available to the public through
legitimate means. It is understood and agreed that specific information which
the Consultant may receive, observe, perceive, create, develop or learn while a
consultant to the Company shall not be deemed to be generally available to the
public merely because such specific information is embraced by more general
information which is generally available to the public.

         7. Return of Information. At the end of the Term or at any time upon
the request of the Company, the Consultant agrees to deliver to the Company all
records, drawings, notebooks, documents, computer disks and tapes and other data
in any and all forms (without retaining copies) which pertain to the Company's
confidential information (whether prepared by the Consultant or others), and
also to return to the Company any equipment, tools, computers or other devices
owned by the Company and in his possession, provided however that the Consultant
shall have the right to retain one copy of such materials for his personal
records (but in any event not to be used in a manner inconsistent with the terms
of this Agreement). The Consultant agrees that the above documents, data and
devices are the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be copied or
removed from the Company premises except in the pursuit of the Business and in
connection with the performance of the Services.

         8. Representations and Covenants.

                  (a)      The Consultant hereby represents that he is not
                           subject to any agreement, restriction, right or
                           interest in any way limiting the scope of this
                           Agreement or his engagement by the Company. The
                           Consultant covenants that he will not during the term
                           hereof enter into or grant to anyone any agreements,
                           restrictions, rights or interests that limit in any
                           way the scope of this Agreement or his engagement

                                      -3-
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                           by the Company. The Consultant will not disclose to
                           the Company, or induce the Company to use, any
                           confidential information of other persons,
                           corporations, or firms including his present or
                           former employers (if any).

                  (b)      Set forth on Exhibit B hereto is a list of all
                           companies, institutions, entities and individuals
                           with whom the Consultant has current representative,
                           consultant, employment, business partnership or
                           similar relationships or of which the Consultant owns
                           greater than 5% of outstanding voting securities, and
                           a description of all agreements with such parties.
                           The Consultant shall notify the Company in writing
                           promptly whenever there is any change to this list.

         9. Termination of Engagement. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
1, the Consultant's engagement hereunder shall terminate under the following
circumstances:

                  (a)      Death or Disability. The Consultant's engagement
                           hereunder shall immediately terminate upon his death
                           or disability. For purposes of this Agreement, the
                           Consultant shall be deemed disabled if in the good
                           faith opinion of the Company's Board of Directors,
                           the Consultant is unable to substantially perform the
                           Services due to illness, injury, accident or
                           condition of either a physical or psychological
                           nature for a period longer than ninety (90) days.

                  (b)      Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may
                           terminate the Consultant's engagement for "Cause"
                           after prior written notice to the Consultant setting
                           forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause.
                           For the purposes hereof, "Cause" shall be determined
                           in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors and
                           shall include (but not be limited to):

                           (i)      the conviction of the Consultant by a court
                                    of competent jurisdiction of any felony,
                                    misdemeanor or any criminal offense
                                    involving dishonesty or breach of trust
                                    against the Company or any subsidiary of the
                                    Company or misappropriation of any property
                                    of the Company or any subsidiary of the
                                    Company or the entering of a plea by the
                                    Consultant of nolo contendre thereto;

                           (ii)     the commission by the Consultant of an act
                                    of fraud upon the Company or any subsidiary
                                    of the Company;

                           (iii)    the Consultant's willful violation of any
                                    United States federal, state or local or
                                    foreign government law, rule or regulation
                                    relating to the Business or otherwise
                                    governing the operation of the Company or
                                    any subsidiary of the Company;

                           (iv)     failure of the Consultant to perform the
                                    Services, which failure continues for more
                                    than twenty (20) business days after
                                    Consultant is given notice setting forth in
                                    reasonable detail the unfulfilled
                                    obligations of the Consultant; or

                                      -4-
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                           (v)      any other material breach by the Consultant
                                    of this Agreement, which breach continues
                                    for more than twenty (20) business days
                                    after the Consultant is given notice setting
                                    forth in reasonable detail the nature of
                                    such breach.

                           (c)      Termination by the Consultant. The
                                    Consultant may terminate his engagement for
                                    any reason whatsoever upon thirty (30) days'
                                    prior written notice to the Company.

         10. Consequences of Termination. Upon the Consultant's termination, the
Consultant shall be entitled to receive from the Company only reimbursement of
expenses that have been incurred through the date of such termination in
accordance with the terms of Section 3 of this Agreement. Any Ordinary Shares
that have not vested as of the date of termination shall thereupon be deemed for
all purposes to have been forfeited as of such date, and the Consultant shall
have no further rights with respect thereto. All forfeited Ordinary Shares shall
be deemed to have been transferred to and redeemed by the Company without the
need for any payment to the Consultant or any action by the Company or any other
person as of the date of such forfeiture, and the Consultant shall, immediately
upon the request of the Company, deliver to the Company all certificates
evidencing the forfeited Ordinary Shares, duly endorsed for transfer to the
Company or its designee.

         11. Independent Contractor. Both the Company and the Consultant agree
that the Consultant acts as an independent contractor in the performance of his
Services under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to make
the Consultant an employee, partner or agent for the Company or any subsidiary
of the Company, nor shall either party have any authority to band the other in
any respect. Accordingly, the Consultant shall be responsible for payment of,
and shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless against, all taxes, including,
without limitation, federal, state and local taxes and taxes assessed by foreign
countries arising out of the Consultant's activities in accordance with this
Agreement, including by way of illustration but not limitation, federal and
state income tax, Social Security tax, a foreign country's income tax,
unemployment insurance taxes, Medicare taxes and any other taxes, or business
license fees as required.

         12. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications
provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing addressed to
the Consultant or if to the Company, to its Chief Executive Officer, and shall
be deemed duly given if delivered personally or sent by registered or certified
mail, postage paid, return receipt requested, and deposited in the U.S. Mail.
Any such notice shall be deemed to be given on the date of personal delivery or
as of the third day after the date mailed. Either party may, by notice in
writing to the other party, change the address to which notices to it or him are
to be addressed hereunder.

         13. Miscellaneous.

                  (a)      Entire Agreement; Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement
                           contains the entire understanding of the parties
                           regarding its subject matter and any amendment to

                                      -5-
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                           this Agreement, and any waiver of any provision
                           hereof, shall be in writing and shall require the
                           prior written approval of the Chief Executive Officer
                           of the Company and the Consultant. Any waiver by the
                           Company of a breach of any provision of this
                           Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
                           waiver of any subsequent breach hereof.

                  (b)      Survival. Except as otherwise provided in this
                           Agreement, the obligations of the Company and the
                           Consultant contained in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12
                           of this Agreement and this Section 13 shall survive
                           the termination of this Agreement.

                  (c)      Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. The
                           Consultant agrees that any dispute in the meaning,
                           effect or validity of this Agreement shall be
                           resolved in accordance with the laws of the
                           Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to the
                           conflict of laws provisions thereof. The Consultant
                           hereby agrees to submit to the nonexclusive
                           jurisdiction of the courts in and of the Commonwealth
                           of Massachusetts and to the courts to which an appeal
                           of the decisions of such courts may be taken and
                           consents that service of process with respect to all
                           courts in and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
                           may be made by registered mail.

                  (d)      Enforcement. In view of the substantial harm which
                           will result from the breach by the Consultant of any
                           of the covenants contained in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and
                           8 of this Agreement, the parties agree that such
                           covenants shall be enforced to the fullest extent
                           permitted by law. Accordingly, if, in any judicial
                           proceeding, a court shall determine that such
                           covenants are unenforceable because they cover too
                           extensive a geographic area or survive for too long a
                           period of time, or for any other reason, then the
                           parties intend that such covenants shall be deemed to
                           cover such maximum geographic area and maximum period
                           of time and shall otherwise be deemed to be limited
                           in such manner as will permit enforceability by such
                           court. If any term or provision of this Agreement or
                           the application thereof to any circumstance shall, to
                           any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the
                           remainder of this Agreement or the application to
                           other persons and circumstances shall not be affected
                           thereby and each term and provision hereof shall be
                           enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                  (e)      Remedies. The Consultant agrees that his breach of
                           any of the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 of
                           this Agreement will cause irreparable damage to the
                           Company and that the recovery by the Company of money
                           damages will not alone constitute an adequate remedy
                           for such breach. Accordingly, the Consultant agrees
                           that such provisions may be specifically enforced
                           against him, in addition to any other rights or
                           remedies available to the Company on account of any
                           such breach.

                  (f)      Indemnification.

                           (i)      The Consultant will indemnify and hold the
                                    Company harmless, and will defend the
                                    Company against any and all loss, liability,
                                    damage, claims,

                                      -6-

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                                    demands or suits and related costs and
                                    expenses to persons or property that arise,
                                    directly or indirectly, from either acts or
                                    omissions of the Consultant, or material
                                    breach by Consultant of any term or
                                    condition of this Agreement which results in
                                    harm to the Company.

                           (ii)     The Company will indemnify and hold the
                                    Consultant harmless, and will defend the
                                    Consultant against any and all loss,
                                    liability, damage, claims, demands or suits
                                    and related costs and expenses to persons or
                                    property that arise, directly or indirectly,
                                    from breach by the Company of any term or
                                    condition of this Agreement, and from acts
                                    taken by the Consultant in furtherance of
                                    the Business and in connection with the
                                    performance of the Services if he (a) acted
                                    in good faith, in accordance with this
                                    Agreement and in a manner he reasonably
                                    believed to be in or not opposed to the best
                                    interests of the Company, and (b) with
                                    respect to any criminal action or
                                    proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
                                    believe his conduct was unlawful.

         (g)      Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
                  the Consultant, and inure to the benefit of, the parties
                  hereto and their respective heirs, successors, assigns and
                  personal representatives; provided, however, that the
                  Consultant may not delegate his obligations arising pursuant
                  to this Agreement.

         (h)      Attorney's Fees. If any action at law or in equity is
                  necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement,
                  the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable
                  attorney's fees, costs and necessary disbursements, in
                  addition to any other relief to which the party may be
                  entitled.

         (i)      Public Disclosure. The Company shall have the right to
                  disclose the terms of this Agreement and the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement as well as to disclose the
                  Consultant's name and likeness in any regulatory filings and
                  publicity materials prepared by it and in presentations to
                  current or prospective clients, investor and other third
                  parties. Without obtaining the prior written consent of the
                  Company, the Consultant shall not use the Company's name in
                  any publications or publicity or other materials prepared by
                  or on behalf of the Consultant.

                                      -7-
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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
a sealed document on the date first above written.

                                       NOVIRIO PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

                                       By: /s/ Jean-Pierre Sommadossi
                                           _____________________________________
                                           Jean-Pierre Sommadossi
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                                       /s/ Paul A. Brooke
                                       _________________________________________
                                       Paul A. Brooke

                                      -8-
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                                    EXHIBIT A

                              DUTIES OF CONSULTANT

1.       Advise the Company's management in the preparation of such reports,
         prospectus, information statements, executive summaries, corporate
         and/or transaction profiles, due diligence packages and/or other
         material and documentation as may be reasonably necessary to properly
         present the Company in furtherance of its Business to other entities,
         individuals, investors and prospective investors.

2.       Advise the Company's management on matters related to corporate
         finance, including the nature, structure, extent and other parameters
         of any private or public offer(s) to be made to prospective investors,
         investor groups or their agents.

3.       Advise the Company's management in evaluating proposals and
         participating in negotiations with prospective investors, investor
         groups or their agents.

4.       Advise the Company's management regarding company operations, staffing,
         strategy, and other issues as the Company may reasonably request which
         relate to the building of shareholder value.

                                      -9-
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                                    EXHIBIT B

                              CURRENT AFFILIATIONS

                                      -10-<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit 10.9.1

                           STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT

         THIS STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made as of this 15th
day of December, 2000, between Novirio Pharmaceuticals Limited, a corporation
organized and existing in the Cayman Islands with a principal address c/o Walker
Secretaries, Box 265, Walker House, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
(the "Company"), and Paul A. Brooke, with a mailing address at 21 East 90th
Street, #14AB, New York, New York 10128 (the "Consultant").

                                    RECITALS

         In connection with the services rendered by the Consultant on behalf of
the Company pursuant to a Consulting Agreement entered into as of this same
date, the Company desires to issue to the Consultant, and the Consultant desires
to purchase from the Company, certain of the Company's Ordinary Shares, par
value $.001 per share (the "Ordinary Shares"), upon the terms set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the
mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

                                    SECTION 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Definitions. In addition to the other terms defined in this
Agreement, the terms below shall have the following respective meanings:

         (a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (b) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated
organization and any government, governmental department or agency or political
subdivision thereof.

         (c) "Sale of the Company" means a single transaction or series of
related transactions, other than a public offering of securities, pursuant to
which a Person or Persons other than the Company's existing shareholders (i)
acquires shares or other securities of the Company possessing the voting power
to elect a majority of the Board, (ii) consummates a merger, amalgamation or
consolidation with the Company as a result of which the shareholders of the
Company who own Ordinary Shares or other voting securities prior to such
transaction(s) shall own, directly or indirectly, less than fifty percent (50%)
of the voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent, or (iii)
acquires all or substantially all of the Company's assets (determined on a
consolidated basis with its subsidiaries).

<PAGE>

         (d) "Shares" means the Ordinary Shares issued to the Consultant
pursuant to this Agreement.

                                    SECTION 2

                               PURCHASE OF SHARES

         2.1 Issuance. The Company hereby issues to the Consultant, and the
Consultant hereby accepts from the Company, upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, Sixty Thousand (60,000) Shares in exchange for services
to be rendered by the Consultant pursuant to a Consulting Agreement dated as
December 15, 2000 between the Company and the Consultant (the "Consulting
Agreement"). The current fair market value of each Share as determined by the
Company's Board of Directors is Two Dollars ($2.00).

         2.2 Investment Representations.

         (a) The Consultant hereby represents and warrants that the Consultant
is acquiring the Shares for the Consultant's own account as an investment only
and not with a view toward the sale or distribution thereof in violation of the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any
rule or regulation under the Securities Act.

         (b) The Consultant has had such opportunity as he has deemed adequate
to obtain from representatives of the Company such information as is necessary
to permit him to evaluate the merits and risks of his investment in the Company.

         (c) The Consultant has sufficient experience in business, financial and
investment matters to be able to evaluate the risks involved in the purchase of
the Shares and to make an informed investment decision with respect to such
purchase.

         (d) The Consultant can afford a complete loss of the value of the
Shares and is able to bear the economic risk of holding such Shares for an
indefinite period.

         (e) The Consultant understands that (i) the Shares have not been
registered under the Securities Act and are "restricted securities" within the
meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act; (ii) the Shares cannot be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of unless such Shares are subsequently
registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is then
available; (iii) the exemption from registration under Rule 144 is not available
and will not become available unless a public market then exists for the
Ordinary Shares, adequate information concerning the Company is then available
to the public, and other terms and conditions of Rule 144 are complied with; and
(iv) there is no registration statement currently on file with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to any Ordinary Shares or other
securities of the Company and the Company has no obligation to register the
Shares under the Securities Act.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 3

                                     VESTING

         3.1 Vesting Schedule. The Shares held by the Consultant will vest
ratably to the extent of Twenty Thousand (20,000) of the Shares awarded hereby
on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of this
Agreement provided that Consultant is in compliance with the terms of this
Agreement and the Consulting Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event of the closing of a Sale of the Company at a time when the Consultant is
in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, all
of the Shares shall be deemed to have been fully vested immediately prior to
such closing.

         3.2 Forfeiture Upon Failure to Vest. Any Shares that do not vest as of
the applicable date shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to have been
forfeited as of such date, and the Consultant shall have no further rights with
respect thereto. All forfeited Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred
to and redeemed by the Company without the need for any payment to the
Consultant or any action by the Company or any other Person as of the date of
such forfeiture, and the Consultant shall, immediately upon the request of the
Company, deliver to the Company all certificates evidencing such forfeited
Shares, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company or its designee.

                                    SECTION 4

                          REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS

         4.1. Confidentiality. During the course of his engagement with the
Company, Consultant may have access to, learn of, or participate in the
development of the Company's confidential information or confidential
information entrusted to the Company by other persons, corporations, or firms.
The Company's confidential information includes matters not generally known
outside of the Company, such as know-how, trade secrets, experimentation,
research and developments relating to existing and future products and services
to be or being marketed or used by the Company (whether or not such products or
services are actually realized or pursued by the Company), and also any
information which gives the Company a competitive advantage including, without
limitation, data relating to the financing or general business operations of the
Company (e.g., sales, costs, profits, organizations, customer lists, pricing
methods, etc.). Confidential information shall not include information that may
be demonstrated by Consultant to have been known by Consultant prior to his
engagement with the Company or which is otherwise disclosed to the Consultant by
a third party who is not under any confidentiality obligation prohibiting
disclosure. Consultant agrees to hold such information as strictly confidential
and not disclose any such confidential information to any person, corporation or
firm except for such of Consultant's agents, representatives and employees who
are subject to written confidentiality agreements containing substantially the
same terms as are contained herein and who have a need to know such information
solely in connection with the services rendered by the Consultant on behalf of
the Company. Consultant further agrees not to make use of such confidential
information except on the Company's behalf whether or not such information is
produced by his own efforts. These restrictions shall apply to all such
information whether

                                       3
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written, oral, magnetic, optical or in some other form. Consultant understands
and agrees that his confidentiality obligations under this Section 4 shall
continue both during his engagement and after termination of his engagement
until such confidential information becomes generally available to the public
through legitimate means. It is understood and agreed that specific information
which Consultant may receive, observe, perceive, create, develop or learn while
a consultant to the Company shall not be deemed to be generally available to the
public merely because such specific information is embraced by more general
information which is generally available to the public.

         4.2 Return of Information. At the end of his engagement or at any time
upon the request of the Company, Consultant agrees to deliver to the Company all
records, drawings, notebooks, documents, computer disks and tapes and other data
in any and all forms (without retaining copies) which pertain to the Company's
confidential information (whether prepared by Consultant or others), and also to
return to the Company any equipment, tools, computers or other devices owned by
the Company and in his possession. Consultant agrees that the above documents,
data and devices are the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be
copied or removed from the Company premises except in the pursuit of the
business of the Company.

         4.3 Representations and Other Covenants.

         (a) Consultant will not disclose to the Company, or induce the Company
to use, any confidential information of other persons, corporations, or firms
including his present or former employers (if any) except for such disclosure as
may be permitted by such Persons.

         (b) Consultant represents that he has not been debarred nor received
notice of any action or threat with respect to its debarment under the
provisions of the Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1992, 21 U.S.C. Section
335(a). Consultant agrees promptly to notify the Company upon receipt of any
such notice and further agrees, upon the Company's request, to provide a
separate written certification, on a form provided by the Company, to this
effect.

         (c) Consultant agrees and covenants that, as a condition to the
issuance and vesting of the Shares awarded hereby, Consultant will, for a period
to extend not longer than 180 days after the effective date of an underwritten
public offering of the Company's equity securities, execute and deliver to the
Company in connection with the Company's corporate financing activities, such
documents as the Company may reasonably request from holders of Ordinary Shares,
including without limitation, a joinder to the Amended and Restated
Stockholders' Agreement dated as of August 6, 1999 by and among the persons
named therein or such other documents which may subsequently amend, replace or
substitute for the Stockholders' Agreement.

                                    SECTION 5

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         5.1 Adjustments for Share Splits, Share Dividends, etc. If from time to
time during the term of this Agreement there is any share split-up, share
dividend, share distribution or other reclassification of the Ordinary Shares,
any and all new, substituted or additional securities to

                                       4
<PAGE>

which the Consultant is entitled by reason of his ownership of the Shares shall
be immediately subject to the provisions of this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent as the Shares.

         5.2 Tax Issues. The issuance of the Shares to the Consultant pursuant
to this Agreement involves complex and substantial tax considerations,
including, without limitation, consideration of an election BY THE CONSULTANT
under Section 83(b) of the UNITED sTATES Internal Revenue Code. THE CONSULTANT
IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTIONS
DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS
WHATSOEVER TO THE CONSULTANT REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONSULTANT'S
PURCHASE OF THE SHARES OR THIS AGREEMENT.

         5.3 Independent Contractor. Consultant acknowledges that he is a
consultant to the Company, and not an employee, partner, joint venturer or agent
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Nothing in this Agreement shall
render Consultant an employee, partner, joint venturer or agent of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, nor authorize or empower Consultant to speak for,
represent or obligate the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any way.

         5.4 Transferees. Each and every transferee or assignee of any Shares
from the Consultant (other than pursuant to a Sale of the Company) shall be
bound by and subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement on the
same basis as the Consultant is bound. So long as this Agreement is in effect,
the Company shall require as a condition precedent to the transfer of any Shares
by the Consultant that the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by, and
subject to, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and to ensure that such
transferees' transferees shall be likewise bound.

         5.5 Legends. The Company and Consultant agree that, so long as this
Agreement is in effect, the certificate representing the Shares will be stamped
or otherwise imprinted with legends substantially in the following form:

         THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AGREEMENTS,
COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS PROVIDED IN A STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT DATED
DECEMBER 15, 2000, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, BETWEEN NOVIRIO PHARMACEUTICALS
LIMITED AND THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE.

         THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AGREEMENTS,
COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS IN REGARD TO THE VOTING OF SUCH SHARES AND THEIR
TRANSFER, AS PROVIDED IN THE PROVISIONS OF AN AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS'
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 6, 1999 BY AND AMONG THE COMPANY AND THE
SHAREHOLDERS NAMED THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

                                       5
<PAGE>

         THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,
TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY TO
THE EFFECT THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

         5.6 Remedies.

         (a) The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative
and the use of any one right or remedy by any party shall not preclude or waive
its right to use any or all other remedies. Said rights and remedies are given
in addition to any other rights the parties may have at law or in equity.

         (b) Without limitation of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree that
irreparable harm would occur in the event that any of the agreements and
provisions of this Agreement were not performed fully by the parties hereto in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that money
damages are an inadequate remedy for breach of the Agreement because of the
difficulty of ascertaining and quantifying the amount of damage that will be
suffered by the parties hereto in the event that this Agreement is not performed
in accordance with its term or is otherwise breached. It is accordingly hereby
agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions
to restrain, enjoin and prevent breaches of this Agreement, such remedy being in
addition to and not in lieu of any other rights and remedies to which the other
party is entitled at law or in equity.

         (c) Except where a time period is otherwise specified, no delay on the
part of any party in the exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any exercise or partial
exercise of any such right, power, privilege or remedy preclude any further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy.

         5.7 Waivers and Amendments. The rights and obligations of the Company
and the rights and obligations of the Consultant under this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance, either retroactively or
prospectively, and either for a specified period of time or indefinitely) or
amended only with the written consent of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and the Consultant.

         5.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to
any conflicts or choice of law provisions thereof that would cause the
application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction).

         5.9 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the
parties hereto.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         5.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire
understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether
oral or written, with respect thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, the
Consultant agrees that the provisions of this Agreement fulfill all obligations
that the Company may have to issue to the Consultant shares, options or other
equity interests in the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

         5.11 Notices. Any and all notices provided for in this Agreement shall
be addressed: (i) if to the Company, to the principal executive office of the
Company; and (ii) if to the Consultant, to the address of the Consultant set
forth on the first page of this Agreement. Notices shall be deemed delivered
upon the earlier to occur of (i) receipt by the party to whom such notice is
directed; (ii) if sent by facsimile machine, on the day (other than a Saturday,
Sunday or legal holiday in the jurisdiction to which such notice is directed)
such notice is sent if sent (as evidenced by the facsimile confirmed receipt)
prior to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and, if sent after 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time, on the day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the
jurisdiction to which such notice is directed) after which such notice is sent;
(iii) on the first business day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday
in the jurisdiction to which such notice is directed) following the day the same
is deposited with the commercial carrier if sent by commercial overnight
delivery service; or (iv) the fifth day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal
holiday in the jurisdiction to which such notice is directed) following deposit
thereof with the U.S. Postal Service as aforesaid. Each party, by notice duly
given in accordance herewith, may specify a different address for the giving of
any notice hereunder.

         5.12 Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby, and each provision of this Agreement shall be enforced to the
fullest extent permitted by law.

         5.13 No Third Party Beneficiaries. There are no third party
beneficiaries of this Agreement.

         5.14 Duration. This Agreement shall be valid and continue in full force
and effect until the earlier of (i) the vesting of all of the Shares in
accordance with Section 3 hereof or (ii) the consummation of a Sale of the
Company or if later, the 181st day after the effective date of an underwritten
public offering of the Company's equity securities.

         5.15 Securities Act Exemption. The Company and the Consultant agree
that this Agreement constitutes "a written contract relating to the
compensation" of the Consultant within the meaning of Rule 701 under the
Securities Act.

         5.16 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections
of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be
considered in construing this Agreement.

         5.17 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
constitute one agreement.

                                       7

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Consultant have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

                                       NOVIRIO PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

                                       By: /s/ Jean-Pierre Sommadossi
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, Ph.D.
                                          Chief Executive Officer & Chairman

                                       CONSULTANT:

                                        /s/ Paul A. Brooke
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                           Paul A. Brooke

                                       8

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