Document:

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                                  EXHIBIT 10.77

                       PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of
December 13, 2000, by and among MicroGenomics, Inc., a New Jersey corporation
(the "Corporation") and The Immune Response Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Investor").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                               - - - - - - - - - -

         SECTION 1 ISSUANCE AND SALE OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK.

                  1.1      AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
The Corporation shall adopt and file with the Secretary of State of the State of
New Jersey on or before the Closing (as defined below) the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
"Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation").

                  1.2      SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK. Upon the terms and subject
to all of the conditions set forth herein, the Corporation agrees to issue and
sell to Investor, and Investor agrees to purchase from the Corporation on the
date hereof an aggregate of 487.5 shares of Series A 7% Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), of
the Corporation, having the designations, rights and preferences set forth in
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and being such number of
shares of Preferred Stock as is convertible into an aggregate of Twenty-Five
percent (25%) of the Corporation's Common Stock on a fully diluted, as converted
basis, including 168 shares in the reserve for employees, in accordance with,
and subject to, the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.

         SECTION 2 CONSIDERATION FOR SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK. In full
consideration for the issuance and sale of the Series A Preferred Stock by the
Corporation to Investor as set forth in Section 1 hereof, on the Closing Date
(as defined in Section 7.1), Investor shall issue to the Corporation
unregistered shares of Investor's common stock ("Investor Common Stock") as
provided in Schedule 1 attached hereto.

         SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CORPORATION. Except as
qualified by the schedules attached hereto (the "Schedule of Exceptions"), the
Corporation represents and warrants as follows:

                  3.1      ORGANIZATION; CAPITAL STOCK. The Corporation is a
corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of New Jersey and has the corporate power to carry on its business as
it is now being and contemplated to be conducted. As of the Closing Date, after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby,

                           (a)      the authorized capital stock of the
                                    Corporation will consist of 2,500 shares of
                                    common stock, no par value per share (the
                                    "Common Stock") and 1,250 shares of
                                    preferred stock, par value

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                                    $.01 per share, of which 1,250 shares have
                                    been designated as shares of Series A
                                    Preferred Stock, and

                           (b)      807 shares of Common Stock, no Preferred
                                    Stock undesignated as to series and 975
                                    shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be
                                    issued and outstanding, all of which will be
                                    owned of record by the persons listed on
                                    Schedules 1 and 3.1, respectively, and, in
                                    the amounts listed next to the name of each
                                    person;

                           (c)      168 shares of Common Stock are reserved for
                                    issuance pursuant to the Corporation's Stock
                                    Option Plan dated April 1, 1997.

All of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation is duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and is owned of record
and, to the best knowledge of the Corporation, beneficially by the persons, and
in the amounts, set forth on Schedule 3.1. All the issued and outstanding Common
Stock of the Corporation has been issued and sold in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act")
and all other applicable federal and state laws relating to the issuance and
sale of securities which are applicable to the Corporation or any holder of
Common Stock. Except as contemplated hereby and except for relevant state and
federal securities laws, there are no restrictions on the Corporation's ability
to transfer shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than certain
provisions of the agreements set forth in Schedule 3.1. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.1, the stockholders of the Corporation own their respective shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock free and clear of any mortgage, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or
other), or preference, priority, charge or other security interest or
preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without
limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any capital
lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and
the filing of any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or
comparable law of any jurisdiction in respect of any of the foregoing) (each, a
"Lien"). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1 or as expressly set forth in, or
contemplated by, the Ancillary Documents (as defined in Section 6.4 below), but
for the Corporation's Stock Option Plan, there are no authorized, outstanding or
existing:

         (i) proxies, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings with
respect to the voting of any capital stock of the Corporation;

         (ii) securities convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock
of the Corporation;

         (iii) options, warrants or other rights to purchase or subscribe for
any capital stock of the Corporation, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for any capital stock of the Corporation;

         (iv) pre-emptive rights or rights of first refusal of any holder of
capital stock, or agreements of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital
stock of the Corporation, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any
such options, warrants or rights; or

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         (v) stockholders' or similar agreements with respect to the voting
and/or transfer of capital stock, or agreements of any kind that may obligate
the Corporation to issue or purchase any of its securities.

                  3.2      SUBSIDIARIES. The Corporation has no Subsidiaries.
The term "Subsidiary" means any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the shares
of stock, or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (including
stock or such other ownership interests having such voting power only by reason
of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors
or other managers of such corporation, limited liability company, partnership or
other entity, are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, or both, by the Corporation.

                  3.3      CORPORATE POWER, ETC. The Corporation has all
requisite power and authority, and all necessary licenses, permits, franchises
and other governmental authorizations necessary to own and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted, except where the failure to do so would not have a material adverse
effect on the business, assets, financial conditions or results of operations of
the Corporation taken as a whole.

                  3.4      DUE AUTHORIZATION; NO CONFLICT. This Agreement and
each of the Ancillary Documents (as defined in Section 5.4) have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate and stockholder action of the Corporation.
Neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Document, nor the consummation of the
transactions provided for herein or in any Ancillary Document, conflicts with or
violates (i) any provision of the Corporation's Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation or By-laws, (ii) any agreement by which the Corporation or its
stockholders, or any of its or their respective properties, is bound in any
manner that, individually or in the aggregate, would have material adverse
effect on the business, assets, financial conditions or results of operations of
the Corporation as a whole, (iii) to the Corporation's knowledge, any federal or
state law, rule or regulation or judicial order, or (iv) to the Corporation's
knowledge, any local law, rule or regulation in any manner that, individually or
in the aggregate would have material adverse effect on the business, assets,
financial conditions or results of operations of the Corporation taken as a
whole. This Agreement is, and each Ancillary Document will be, when duly
executed and delivered, binding on the Corporation and enforceable against the
Corporation in accordance with their respective terms except as may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer,
preference and other laws and equitable principles affecting the scope and
enforcement to creditors' rights generally, and are also limited by Investor's
implied covenants of good faith, fair dealing and commercially reasonable
conduct, and by the effects of judicial discretion on the availability of
remedies and realization of benefits under and enforceability of this Agreement
and the Ancillary Documents in all respects as written.

                  3.5      SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK. The Series A Preferred
Stock to be issued and sold pursuant to Section 1 hereof, and all Common Stock
to be issued upon conversion thereof, has been duly authorized, and when issued
and sold by the Corporation will be fully paid and non-assessable (assuming
payment by the Investor of the consideration set forth in Section 2

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hereof), and free and clear of any Lien, claim or right of any other person. The
Corporation has reserved for issuance the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock as may be required upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock to be
issued and sold pursuant to Section 1 hereof.

                  3.6      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.

                           (a)      The Corporation has delivered to the
                                    Investor its unaudited financial statements
                                    (balance sheet, statement of operations and
                                    statement of changes in shareholders'
                                    equity) for the period from inception to
                                    October 31, 2000 (the "Financial
                                    Statements").

                           (b)      The Financial Statements are complete and
                                    correct in all material respects and have
                                    been prepared in accordance with generally
                                    accepted accounting principles consistently
                                    applied, except for the omission of
                                    footnotes. Except as set forth in the
                                    Financial Statements or on Schedule 3.6(b),
                                    the Corporation has no liabilities,
                                    contingent or otherwise, other than (i)
                                    liabilities incurred in the ordinary course
                                    of business subsequent to the date of the
                                    last Financial Statements and (ii)
                                    obligations under contracts and commitments
                                    incurred in the ordinary course of business
                                    and not required under generally accepted
                                    accounting principles to be reflected in the
                                    Financial Statements, which, in both cases,
                                    individually or in the aggregate, are not
                                    material to the financial condition or
                                    operating results of the Corporation. The
                                    Corporation is not a guarantor or indemnitor
                                    of any indebtedness of any third party.

                  3.7      MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.7, since October 31, 2000, there has not been any change in the
properties, business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of
the Corporation which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or may
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties,
business, prospects, results of operation or financial condition of the
Corporation taken as a whole.

                  3.8      LITIGATION; NO DEFAULT. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.8, there are no claims, actions, suits, investigations or proceedings
pending against or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, threatened against the
Corporation or any of its officers or employees (in their capacities as such) or
its businesses, properties or assets, or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, by any person, governmental body or
agency or by any securities exchange or national securities association, nor is
there any basis known to the Corporation for any such action, suit,
investigation or proceeding. There is not in existence any order, judgment or
decree of any court, governmental authority or agency or arbitration board or
tribunal enjoining the Corporation from taking, or requiring the Corporation to
take, action of any kind with respect to the business of the Corporation. To the
Corporation's knowledge, the Corporation is not in violation of any laws or
governmental rules or regulations except where such violation would not have a
material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial

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conditions or results of operations of the Corporation taken as a whole. To the
Corporation's knowledge, the Corporation is not in default under any contract or
commitment to which it is a party or by which its assets are bound, which
default would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial
conditions or results of operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

                  3.9      TITLE TO ASSETS. The Corporation has good and
marketable title to all the property which the Corporation purports to own, free
and clear of all Liens, except as set forth on Schedule 3.9. Such assets,
together with the assets leased by the Corporation, are the only assets used by
the Corporation in the conduct of its businesses as presently conducted. The
Corporation enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases under
which it is operating, and all such leases are valid and subsisting and in full
force and effect.

                  3.10     TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY. Schedule 3.10 sets forth a correct and complete list of all
Intellectual Property used, held for use, or (as set forth in writing in any
document delivered to Investor) presently proposed to be used in the conduct of
the business of the Corporation. "Intellectual Property" shall mean each and all
of the following items: all United States or foreign patents, trademarks,
tradenames, servicemarks, and applications for any of the foregoing, copyrights
or other author's rights, proprietary rights and data, ideas, trade secrets and
know-how, whether or not patentable, registrable or copyrightable, and any
goodwill associated with any of the foregoing whether owned or otherwise
controlled by the person or entity using, holding for use or proposing to use
any of the foregoing or whether the rights to the use thereof have been licensed
to or by such person or entity. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.11, to the
Corporation's knowledge, (i) the Corporation owns or possesses adequate licenses
or other valid rights to use (without the making of any payment to others or the
obligation to grant rights to others in exchange) all Intellectual Property
necessary to the conduct of its business as presently being or proposed to be
conducted and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
alter or impair any of such rights; (ii) the validity of such rights and the
title thereto of the Corporation have not been questioned or challenged in any
matter, nor, to the knowledge of the Corporation, is any such challenge
threatened; (iii) the conduct of the business of the Corporation as is now
conducted or (as set forth in writing in any document delivered to Investor)
proposed to be conducted does not infringe or conflict with any Intellectual
Property of others; (iv) the Corporation knows of no use by any other party of
any Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to the Corporation; and (v) no
infringement by others of any Intellectual Property owned by or licensed by or
to the Corporation is known to the Corporation.

                  3.11     MATERIAL AGREEMENTS. Schedule 3.11 contains a list of
all of the material agreements, leases, licenses or sublicenses, contracts or
other agreements, arrangements, understanding and commitments, whether written
or oral (each and all of the foregoing items being referred to as "Contracts"),
to which the Corporation is a party. For purposes of this Agreement, Material
Agreement shall include, without limitation, (i) contracts which provide for
payment to or by the Corporation of $25,000 or more and (ii) any license or
other agreement with respect to the Corporation's intellectual property or that
of third parties.

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                  3.12     CONSENTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, no
consent, approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or qualification
with, any governmental authority or any other person on the part of the
Corporation is required in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, or the offer, issue,
sale or delivery of the Preferred Stock.

                  3.13     TAXES. The Corporation has provided to the Investor
copies of all federal and state income tax returns of the Corporation in respect
of its fiscal year ending December 31, 1999. All income, gross receipts, ad
valorem, sales, use, franchise, property, employment and other tax returns
required to be filed by the Corporation in any jurisdiction have in fact been
filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon the
Corporation, or upon its properties, income or franchises, which are due and
payable have been paid. These returns and reports are true and correct in all
material respects. The Corporation has paid all taxes and other assessments due
prior to the time penalties would accrue thereon. The provision for taxes of the
Corporation is adequate for taxes due or accrued as of the date thereof. The
Corporation has not elected pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "IRC"), to be treated as a Subchapter S corporation or a
collapsible corporation pursuant to section 1362(a) or section 341(f) of the
IRC, nor has it made any other elections pursuant to the IRC (other than
elections that relate solely to methods of accounting, depreciation or
amortization) that would have a material effect on the Corporation, its
financial condition, its business as presently conducted or as proposed to be
conducted or any of its properties or material assets.

                  3.14     EMPLOYEE MATTERS; ERISA. Except for the Corporation's
Stock Option Plan and the employment agreement(s) identified on Schedule 3.14,
the Corporation has (i) no pension, profit-sharing, retirement, deferred
compensation, bonus or other incentive plan, or other employee benefit plan,
program, agreement or arrangement to which the Corporation is a party or by
which it is bound, or to which it contributes or in which its employees are
entitled to participate, or (ii) no employment agreement(s) with any officer,
director or employee to which the Corporation is a party or by which it is
bound.

                  3.15     BROKERS AND FINDERS. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.15, the Corporation has not incurred any obligation or commitment to any
person which could give rise to a claim for any finder's, broker's or other
middleman's commission or compensation in respect of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

                  3.16     LABOR AGREEMENTS AND ACTIONS. The Corporation is not
bound by or subject to (and none of its assets or properties is bound by or
subject to) any written or oral, express or implied, contract, commitment or
arrangement with any labor union, and no labor union has requested or, to the
knowledge of the Corporation, has sought to represent any of the employees,
representatives or agents of the Corporation. There is no strike or other labor
dispute involving the Corporation pending or, to the knowledge of the
Corporation, threatened, which could have a material adverse effect on the
assets, properties, financial condition, operating results or business of the
Corporation (as such business is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be
conducted), nor is the Corporation aware of any labor organization activity
involving its employees. The Corporation is not aware that any officer or key
employee, or that

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any group of key employees, intends to terminate their employment with the
Corporation, nor does the Corporation have a present intention to terminate the
employment of any of the foregoing. To its knowledge, the Corporation has
complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal
employment opportunity and other laws related to employment and immigration.
Subject to general principles related to wrongful termination of employees, the
employment of each officer and employee of the Corporation is terminable at the
will of the Corporation.

                  3.17     PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTION AGREEMENTS AND
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each employee, officer and consultant of the
Corporation has executed an Employee's or Consultant's Proprietary Information
and Inventions Agreement, as the case may be, in substantially the forms
previously provided to Investor. The Corporation, after reasonable
investigation, is not aware that any of its employees, officers or consultants
are in violation thereof, and the Corporation will use its best efforts to
prevent any such violation. Each holder of Common Stock of the Corporation has
entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement, which subjects the Common Stock
purchased thereby to four-year vesting and a right of first refusal in favor of
the Corporation.

                  3.18     REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Except as provided in the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Corporation has not granted or agreed to
grant any registration rights, including piggy-back rights, to any person or
entity.

                  3.19     INSURANCE. The Corporation has in full force and
effect fire and casualty insurance policies, with extended coverage, sufficient
in amount (subject to reasonable deductibles) to allow it to replace any of its
properties that might be damaged or destroyed. The Corporation has in full force
and effect products liability and errors and omissions insurance in amounts
customary for companies similarly situated.

                  3.20     ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY LAWS. To the best of its
knowledge, the Corporation is not in violation of any applicable statute, law or
regulation relating to the environment or occupational health and safety, and to
the best of its knowledge, no material expenditures are or will be required in
order to comply with any such existing statute, law or regulation.

                  3.21     SECTION 83(b) ELECTIONS. To the knowledge of the
Corporation, all individuals who have purchased unvested shares of the
Corporation's Common Stock have timely filed elections under Section 83(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code and any analogous provisions of applicable state tax
laws.

                  3.22     PURCHASE ENTIRELY FOR OWN ACCOUNT. This Agreement is
made with Corporation in reliance upon Corporation's representation to the
Investor, which by Corporation's execution of this Agreement Corporation hereby
confirms, that the Investor Common Stock issuable will be acquired for
investment for Corporation's own account, not as a nominee or agent, and, except
in connection with the contemplated registration statement to be filed pursuant
to Section 9.4 hereof, not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part
thereof, and that Corporation has no present intention of selling, granting any
participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this
Agreement, Corporation further represents that

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Corporation does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement
with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to
any third person, with respect to any of the Investor Common Stock.

                  3.23     DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. Corporation believes it
has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for
deciding whether to purchase the Investor Common Stock Corporation, including,
but not limited to Investor's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other information filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), further represents that it has had
an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Investor regarding
the terms and conditions of the offering of the Investor Common Stock. The
foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties
of Investor in Section 4 of this Agreement or the right of Corporation to rely
thereon.

                  3.24     INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE. Corporation acknowledges that
it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment and
has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Investor
Common Stock. Furthermore the directors and officers of Corporation have such
knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that they are capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Investor Common
Stock and fend for the Corporation. Corporation also represents that it has not
been organized solely for the purpose of acquiring the Investor Common Stock.

                  3.25     RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Corporation understands that
the shares of Investor Common Stock it is purchasing are characterized as
"restricted securities" under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are
being acquired from the Investor in a transaction not involving a public
offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may
be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited
circumstances. In this connection Corporation represents that it is familiar
with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale
limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

                  3.26     FURTHER LIMITATIONS ON DISPOSITION. Without in any
way limiting the representations set forth above, Corporation further agrees not
to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Investor Common Stock
unless and until:

                           (a)      There is then in effect a Registration
                                    Statement under the Securities Act covering
                                    such proposed disposition and such
                                    disposition is made in accordance with such
                                    Registration Statement; or

                           (b)      (i) Corporation shall have notified the
                                    Investor of the proposed disposition and
                                    shall have furnished Investor with a
                                    detailed statement of the circumstances
                                    surrounding the proposed disposition, and
                                    (ii) if reasonably requested by Investor,
                                    Corporation shall have furnished Investor
                                    with an opinion of counsel, reasonably
                                    satisfactory to Investor, that such
                                    disposition will not require registration of
                                    such shares under the Securities

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                                    Act. It is agreed that Investor will not
                                    require opinions of counsel for transactions
                                    made pursuant to Rule 144, except in unusual
                                    circumstances.

                           (c)      Notwithstanding the provisions of
                                    subsections (a) and (b) above, no such
                                    registration statement or opinion of counsel
                                    shall be necessary for a transfer by
                                    Corporation, a partnership, to a partner of
                                    Corporation or a retired partner of
                                    Corporation who retires after the date
                                    hereof, or to the estate of any such partner
                                    or retired partner or the transfer by gift,
                                    will or intestate succession of any partner
                                    to his or her spouse or to the siblings,
                                    lineal descendants or ancestors of such
                                    partner or his or her spouse, if the
                                    transferee agrees in writing to be subject
                                    to the terms hereof to the same extent as if
                                    he or she were an original Investor
                                    hereunder.

                  3.27     LEGENDS. It is understood that the certificates
evidencing the Investor Common Stock may bear one or all of the following
legends:

                           (a)      "These securities have not been registered
                                    under the Securities Act of 1933. They may
                                    not be sold, offered for sale, pledged or
                                    hypothecated in the absence of a
                                    registration statement in effect with
                                    respect to the securities under such Act or
                                    an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the
                                    corporation that such registration is not
                                    required or unless sold pursuant to Rule 144
                                    of such Act."

                           (b)      Any legend required by the laws of the State
                                    of California or other jurisdiction,
                                    including any legend required by the
                                    California Department of Corporations and
                                    sections 417 and 418 of the California
                                    Corporations Code.

         SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF INVESTOR. Investor
represents and warrants that:

                  4.1      AUTHORITY. Investor has full corporate power and
lawful authority to enter into this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to sell the
Investor Common Stock on the terms and conditions contemplated herein, and when
so sold against payment therefor as provided herein, the Investor Common Stock
will be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

                  4.2      DUE AUTHORIZATION. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the Ancillary Documents violates any agreement by which Investor is bound in any
manner that, individually or in the aggregate, would have material adverse
effect on the business, assets, financial conditions or results of operations of
the Corporation as a whole. This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents will,
when duly executed and delivered, be binding on the Investor, and enforceable
against Investor in accordance with its terms except as may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference
and other laws and equitable principles affecting the scope and enforcement to
creditors' rights generally, and are also limited

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by Corporation's implied covenants of good faith, fair dealing and commercially
reasonable conduct, and by the effects of judicial discretion on the
availability of remedies and realization of benefits under and enforceability of
this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents in all respects as written.

                  4.3      CONSENTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3, no
consent, approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or qualification
with, any governmental authority or other person on the part of the Investor is
required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement or any of the Ancillary Documents, or the purchase of the Series A
Preferred Stock, or the conversion or exercise thereof.

                  4.4      NO RELIANCE. In making its decisions to purchase the
Series A Preferred Stock, Investor has not relied upon any representations or
warranties, express or implied, except for the representations and warranties
expressly set forth in this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Documents, or in any
certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Corporation in
writing in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. The Corporation
has provided the Investor with such access to the books and records and
personnel and other representatives of the Corporation and to all such other
information as Investor has requested in order to enable Investor to make its
investment decision.

                  4.5      INVESTMENT INTENT. Investor is acquiring the
Preferred Stock, and the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the
Preferred Stock, for Investor's own account for investment and not with a view
to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof, nor with any
present intention of distributing or selling the same, and, except as
contemplated by this Agreement, the Stockholders' Agreement or the Registration
Rights Agreement, Investor has no present or contemplated agreement,
undertaking, arrangement, obligation, indebtedness or commitment providing for
the disposition thereof.

                  4.6      EXPERIENCE. Investor has carefully reviewed the
representations concerning the Corporation contained in this Agreement and has
made detailed inquiry concerning the Corporation, its business and its
personnel. To Investor's knowledge, the officers of the Corporation have made
available to Investor any and all written information which it has requested and
have answered to Investor's satisfaction all inquiries made by Investor, and
Investor has sufficient knowledge and experience in investing in companies
similar to the Corporation so as to be able to evaluate the risks and merits of
its investment in the Corporation and is able financially to bear the risks
thereof. With respect to the projections submitted to Investor by the
Corporation, Investor acknowledges that the projections contain forward looking
statements involving risk and uncertainties and are only the best estimates of
the Corporation's management of the expected performance of the business, but
projections are speculative in nature and the assumptions on which they are
based can and will change.

                  4.7      ACCREDITED INVESTOR. Investor is an "Accredited
Investor" within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

                  4.8      RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. Investor understands that
the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the
Preferred Stock may not, other than in

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accordance with Section 2.2 of the Stockholders Agreement, be sold, transferred,
or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Act or an exemption
therefrom.

                  4.9      SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The reports
filed by the Investor with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") (the "SEC Documents") since December 31, 1999 have
been provided to the Corporation. The SEC Documents conform in all material
respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules, regulations and
instructions of the SEC thereunder. The SEC Documents did not as of their dates
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. The
financial statements of the Investor included in the SEC Documents (the
"Financial Statements") comply as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations
of the SEC with respect thereto. Except as may be indicated in the notes to the
Financial Statements, the Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and fairly
present the consolidated financial position of the Investor and its subsidiaries
at the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the
case of unaudited statements, to normal, recurring adjustments). Except as
publicly disclosed, since September 30, 2000, there has been no material adverse
change in the condition or results of operations, financial or otherwise, of the
Investor and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  4.10     COMMON STOCK REGISTRATION. The Common Stock of
Investor is registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is
listed on The Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq"), and the Investor has taken no
action designed to, or, to the Investor's knowledge, likely to have the effect
of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or
removing the Common Stock from quotation on Nasdaq, nor has the Investor
received notification that the SEC or the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. is contemplating terminating such registration or quotation.

                  4.11     PRIVATE PLACEMENT. The Investor has not taken any
action inconsistent with the treatment of the sale of the Investor Common Stock
pursuant to the Agreement as a private placement exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
pursuant to the provisions of Section 4(2) thereof and Regulation D thereunder.
Assuming the accuracy of the Corporation's representations and warranties in the
Agreement and the compliance by the Corporation with all of its covenants and
agreements, the offer, sale, and issuance of the Investor Common Stock to the
Corporation as contemplated herein constitute transactions exempt from the
registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

         SECTION 5 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF INVESTOR. The
obligations of the Investor under this Agreement are subject to and conditioned
upon the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following
conditions:

                  5.1      REPRESENTATIONS; PERFORMANCE. The representations and
warranties of the Corporation contained in this Agreement and in the Ancillary
Documents (i) shall be true and

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

correct in all material respects at and as of the date hereof, and (ii) shall be
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the
same effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date. The Corporation shall
have duly performed and complied with all agreements and conditions required by
this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to be performed or complied
with by it prior to or on the Closing Date. The Corporation shall have delivered
to the Investor a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the
President of the Corporation, certifying, to his knowledge, to the foregoing and
that no material adverse change in the Corporation or its business has occurred
since October 31, 2000.

                  5.2      CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. All corporate and other
proceedings of the Corporation in connection with this Agreement and the
Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and
all documents and instruments incident thereto, shall be reasonably satisfactory
in substance and form to the Investor and its counsel, and the Investor and its
counsel shall have received all such documents and instruments, or copies
thereof, certified if requested, as may be reasonably requested.

                  5.3      CONSENTS. All consents needed for the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document shall
have been obtained.

                  5.4      ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS. Each of the following
agreements, instruments or documents (collectively the "Ancillary Documents")
shall have been executed and delivered, filed or adopted as the case may be and
Investor shall have received fully executed or certified copies thereof:

                           (i)      Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement
among the Corporation, its stockholders and Investor in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit B, (the "Stockholders Agreement");

                           (ii)     Amended and Restated Registration Rights
Agreement among the Corporation, the holders of its Series A Preferred Stock and
Investor in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, (the "Registration Rights
Agreement");

                           (iii)    A copy, certified by the Secretary of State
of the State of New Jersey, of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation; and

                           (iv)     One Series A Preferred Stock certificate
registered in the name of Investor, representing that number of shares of Series
A Preferred Stock purchased by Investor pursuant to Section 1 hereof.

                  5.5      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. There shall be no law, rule or
regulation and no order shall have been entered and not vacated by a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in any litigation, which (a)
enjoins, restrains, makes illegal or prohibits consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or by any Ancillary Document, (b) requires separation of a
significant portion of the assets or business of the Corporation after the
Closing or (c) restricts or interferes with, in any material way, the operation
of the Corporation or its business or assets after the Closing, materially
adversely affects the financial condition, results of operations, properties,
assets, business or prospects of the Corporation; and there shall

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

be no litigation pending before a court or administrative agency of competent
jurisdiction, or threatened, seeking to do, or which, if successful, would have
the effect of, any of the foregoing.

                  5.6      DUE DILIGENCE. If the Investor performs, at its
option, any legal or financial due diligence of the Corporation, the results of
such legal and/or financial due diligence of the Corporation shall have been
reasonably satisfactory to the Investor.

                  5.7      QUALIFICATIONS. All authorizations, approvals, or
permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United
States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance
and sale of the Series A Preferred Stock by the Corporation (and the underlying
Common Stock) to Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be duly obtained and
effective as of the Closing.

                  5.8      OPINION OF CORPORATION COUNSEL5.9 . Investor shall
have received from McCarter & English, LLP, counsel for the Corporation, an
opinion, dated as of the Closing, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

         SECTION 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF CORPORATION. The
obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement are subject to and
conditioned upon the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the
following conditions:

                  6.1      REPRESENTATIONS; PERFORMANCE. The representations and
warranties of the Investor contained in this Agreement and the Ancillary
Documents (i) shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of
the date hereof and (ii) shall be true and correct in all material respects on
and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made at and as of such
time. The Investor shall have duly performed and complied with all agreements
and conditions required by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to be
performed or complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date. Investor shall
have delivered to the Corporation a certificate, dated the Closing Date signed
by its duly authorized officer certifying (as to itself) to the foregoing.

                  6.2      PROCEEDINGS. All proceedings of the Investor in
connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, and all documents and instruments incident
thereto, shall be reasonably satisfactory in substance and form to the
Corporation, and its counsel, and the Corporation and its counsel shall have
received all such documents and instruments, or copies thereof, certified if
requested, as may be reasonably requested.

                  6.3      CONSENTS. All consents needed for the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document shall
have been obtained.

                  6.4      CERTAIN ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS. The Corporation shall
have received a copy of the Stockholders Agreement executed by the Investor.

                  6.5      QUALIFICATIONS. All authorizations, approvals, or
permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United
States or of any state that are required in

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the Investor Common Stock to the
Corporation pursuant to this Agreement shall be duly obtained and effective as
of the Closing.

         SECTION 7 THE CLOSING; TERMINATION; PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.

                  7.1      The Closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be held as soon as practicable after conditions hereunder have
been satisfied, but in no event later than December 31, 2000 (the "Closing
Date"). The Closing shall be held at the offices of McCarter & English, Four
Gateway Center, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey on the Closing Date or
at such other location as may be agreed upon by Investor and the Corporation. At
the Closing, the parties hereto will execute and deliver all documents and
instruments necessary to effect the transfers provided for herein and not
theretofore effected and to evidence their respective compliance with the
provisions of this Agreement.

                  7.2      Investor and the Corporation shall each have the
right, in the event that the Closing shall not be held by December 31, 2000, and
if such failure to close shall be attributable to any cause or event other than
a failure by it to perform an action required to be performed by it pursuant to
this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement on written notice to the other.

         SECTION 8 COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION. The Corporation covenants and
agrees that:

                  8.1      AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

                           (i)      CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. From the date hereof to
the Closing Date, except as expressly permitted or required by this Agreement or
as otherwise consented to by the Investor in writing, the Corporation will (i)
carry on its business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice, and
use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business organization,
maintain its properties in good operating condition and repair, keep available
the services of its present officers and significant employees, and preserve its
relationship with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with
it, to the end that its goodwill and going business as it exists on the date
hereof shall be in all material respects unimpaired on and after the Closing
Date, (ii) notify Investor of any governmental or third party complaint,
investigation or hearing (or written communication indicating that such a
complaint, investigation or hearing is or may be contemplated) which is material
to the business of the Corporation, and (iii) notify Investor if the Corporation
discovers that any representation by the Corporation set forth in this Agreement
was untrue when made in a material respect or subsequently has become untrue in
a material respect.

                           (ii)     ACCESS. The Corporation will permit
Investor, the Investor's accountants, counsel, consultants, employees and
agents, full access, during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, to
all documents, records, work papers and information with respect to all of the
properties, assets, books, contracts, commitments, reports, records, employees,
advisers, customers, and suppliers relating to the Corporation as Investor shall
from time-to-time request. In addition, the Corporation will permit Investor,
the Investor's accountants, counsel, consultants, employees and agents,
reasonable access to such personnel of the Corporation and its accountants
during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice as

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

may be necessary or useful to Investor in its review of the properties, assets
and business affairs of the Corporation and the above-mentioned documents,
records and information. The Corporation will keep Investor generally informed
as to the affairs of the Corporation. The Corporation will also cooperate with
Investor, in all reasonable respects, to afford Investor with reasonable access
to the customers, suppliers and other persons with business relationships of the
Corporation. All information, written or oral, obtained by Investor as a result
of the access described herein to the Corporation, its properties, assets,
books, contracts, commitments, reports, records, employees, advisors, customers,
suppliers, and other such means will be held by Investor in the strictest
confidence. Investor acknowledges that violation of this confidentiality
provision could cause severe damage to the Corporation and that Corporation will
pursue all means available to it to prosecute any misuse of such information by
Investor. Specifically, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Investor may not use any information gained through this access for any business
of its own, directly or indirectly, and may use such information solely for the
purposes of assessing and remaining informed as to its investment in the
Corporation.

                           (iii)    FURTHER ACTIONS. (A) The Corporation agrees
to use all reasonable good faith efforts to take all actions and to do all
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on the Closing Date.

                                    (B)      The Corporation will, as promptly
as practicable, file or supply, or cause to be filed or supplied, all
applications, notifications and information required to be filed or supplied by
the Corporation pursuant to applicable law in connection with this Agreement,
the Ancillary Documents, the issuance and sale of the Series A Preferred Stock
pursuant to this Agreement and the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

                                    (C)      The Corporation, as promptly as
practicable, will use its best efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, all
consents (including, without limitation, all consents, approvals,
authorizations, waivers, permits, grants, franchises, concessions agreements,
licenses, exemptions or orders of registration, certificates, declarations or
filings with, or reports or notices with or to any governmental authority and
any consent required under any contract) necessary to be obtained in order to
consummate the issuance and sale of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to
this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

                                    (D)      At all times prior to the Closing,
the Corporation shall promptly notify Investor in writing of any fact,
condition, event or occurrence that will or may result in the failure of any of
the conditions contained in Section 5 to be satisfied, promptly upon becoming
aware of the same.

                           (iv)     FURTHER ASSURANCES. Following the Closing,
the Corporation shall from time-to-time, execute and deliver such additional
instruments, documents, conveyances or assurances and take such other actions as
shall be necessary, or otherwise reasonably requested by Investor, to confirm
and assure the rights and obligations provided for in this Agreement and

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

in the Ancillary Documents and render effective the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

                           (v)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; BOOKS AND RECORDS.

                                    (A)      The Corporation will at all times
keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries
will be made of its transactions in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

                                    (B)      The Corporation shall deliver to
Investor if Investor still holds at least 25% of the Series A Preferred Stock
purchased by Investor pursuant to this Agreement, the following documents:

                                    (i)      a copy of the audited balance sheet
                                             of the Corporation, and related
                                             statements of income and cash flows
                                             within 120 days after the end of
                                             each fiscal year;

                                    (ii)     a copy of unaudited quarterly
                                             balance sheet of the Corporation
                                             and related statements of income
                                             and cash flows within 45 days after
                                             the end of each quarter; and

                                    (iii)    the annual budget approved by the
                                             Board of Directors of the
                                             Corporation at least 10 days before
                                             the beginning of the fiscal year
                                             set forth in the annual budget.

                           (vi)     MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE, ETC. The
                                    Corporation will at all times do or cause to
be done, and will cause each of its officers and employees to do, all things
reasonably necessary to maintain, preserve and renew its corporate existence and
all necessary licenses, permits, franchises and other governmental
authorizations necessary to own and operate its properties and carry on its
business, and comply with all laws applicable to the Corporation.

                           (vii)    INSURANCE. The Corporation will at all times
provide insurance against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured
against by corporations similarly situated, with reputable insurers, in such
amounts, with such deductibles and by such methods as shall be customary for
corporations similarly situated.

                           (viii)   PAYMENT OF TAXES. The Corporation will at
all times duly pay and discharge as the same become due and payable, all taxes,
assessments and governmental and other charges, levies or claims levied or
imposed; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall
require the Corporation to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged,
any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the Corporation in
good faith shall contest the validity thereof and shall set aside on its books
adequate reserves with respect thereto.

                           (ix)     BOARD REPRESENTATION. The Corporation shall,
at or prior to the Closing Date, cause the Board of Directors to consist of six
members.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                  8.2      NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

                           (i)      DIVIDENDS. The Corporation will not, at any
time prior to the Closing Date, (A) pay any dividends of any kind on any shares
in its capital of any class or series, (B) make any payments on account of the
purchase or other acquisition or redemption or other retirement of any shares in
its capital of any class or series or any warrants or options to purchase any
such shares, or (C) make any other distributions of any kind in respect of any
shares in its capital of any class or series or in respect of any warrants or
options.

                           (ii)     CERTAIN ACTIONS. The Corporation will not,
at any time prior to the Closing Date, (A) take any action or omit to take any
action, which action or omission would result in a breach of any of the
representations and warranties of the Corporation set forth in SECTION 3, or (B)
incur any indebtedness, other than accounts payable and other liabilities and
obligations arising in the ordinary course of the Corporation's business,
consistent with past practice.

                           (iii)    SELLING RESTRICTION. The Corporation will
not directly or indirectly in any period of 30 consecutive days sell, assign,
transfer or otherwise dispose of, in the aggregate during such 30-day period,
more than 33% of the aggregate number of the shares of Investor Common Stock
issued to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the
restrictions set forth in this Section 8.2(iii) shall end and shall thereafter
be of no further force and effect if, following the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, (x) the average trading volume for the Common Stock of
the Investor as reported on Nasdaq for any twenty (20) consecutive trading day
period shall equal or exceed one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the average
trading volume for the Common Stock of the Investor as reported on Nasdaq for
the twenty (20) consecutive trading day period ending on the day prior to the
Closing Date and (y) the average closing price for the Common Stock of Investor
as reported on Nasdaq for such twenty (20) consecutive trading day period shall
equal or exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the average closing price for the
Common Stock of Investor as reported on Nasdaq for the twenty (20) consecutive
trading day period ending on the day prior to the Closing Date.

                           (iv)     ISSUANCE OF INCENTIVE BASED SECURITIES. The
Corporation will not issue securities to its directors, officers, employees or
consultants unless the securities being issued are subject four-year vesting
(subject to a one-year "cliff" vesting provision) and a right of first refusal
in favor of the Corporation, except as approved by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.

         SECTION 9 CERTAIN COVENANTS OF INVESTOR.

                  9.1      FURTHER ACTIONS. Investor agrees to use all
reasonable good faith efforts to take all actions and to do all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby on the Closing Date.

                  9.2      NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN FACTS OR OCCURRENCES. At all
times prior to the Closing, Investor shall promptly notify the Corporation in
writing of any fact, condition, event or

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

occurrence that will or may result in the failure of any of the conditions
contained in SECTION 6 to be satisfied, promptly upon becoming aware of the
same.

                  9.3      FURTHER ASSURANCES. Following the Closing, Investor
shall from time to time, execute and deliver such additional instruments,
documents, conveyances or assurances and take such other actions as shall be
necessary, or otherwise reasonably requested by the Corporation, to confirm and
assure the rights and obligations provided for in this Agreement and in the
Ancillary Documents and render effective the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

                  9.4      FILING OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The Investor shall
file, no later than ninety (90) days following the Closing, with respect to the
purchase and sale of the First Closing Shares (unless such registration is not
permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC), a registration
statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC under the
Securities Act to register the resale of the First Closing Shares; provided
however, that in the event the Investor fails (due to an action or inaction of
the Investor) to be eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, the
Investor shall file a registration statement on Form S-1. If necessary, Investor
shall file no later than ninety (90) days after the Anniversary Date with
respect to a purchase and sale of the Second Closing Shares, if any, (unless
such registration is not permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC), an amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional
registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act to
register the resale of the Second Closing Shares; provided however, that in the
event the Investor fails (due to an action or inaction of the Investor) to be
eligible to file an additional registration statement on Form S-3, the Investor
shall file a registration statement on Form S-1.

                  9.5      REGISTRATION EXPENSES. The Investor shall pay all
Registration Expenses (as defined below) in connection with any registration,
qualification or compliance under Section 9.4 above, and the Corporation shall
pay all Selling Expenses related to its sale of Investor Common Stock and other
expenses that are not Registration Expenses relating to the Investor Common
Stock resold by Corporation. "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses,
except for Selling Expenses, incurred by the Investor in complying with the
registration provisions herein described, including, without limitation, all
registration, qualification and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Investor, blue sky fees and expenses and the
expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration.
"Selling Expenses" shall mean all selling commissions, underwriting fees and
stock transfer taxes applicable to the Investor Common Stock and all fees and
disbursements of counsel for Corporation.

                  9.6      EXCHANGE ACT FILINGS. The Investor shall file with
the SEC in a timely matter all reports and other documents required of the
Investor under the Exchange Act.

                  9.7      NASDAQ NOTICE. The Investor shall promptly prepare
and file with Nasdaq a Nasdaq Stock Market Notification Form for Listing of
Additional Shares relating to the First Closing Shares and, if necessary, shall
promptly following the Anniversary Date prepare and file

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

with Nasdaq a Nasdaq Stock Market Notification Form for Listing of Additional
Shares relating to the Second Closing Shares, if any.

         SECTION 10 SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION.

                  10.1     SURVIVAL. The warranties and representations of the
parties hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon, notwithstanding any
investigation made by or on behalf of any party. Such warranties and
representations shall survive the Closing for a period of six (6) months from
the Closing Date, except that the representations and warranties contained in
Section 3.13 shall survive until the date upon which the time to assess any tax
related to the operations of the Corporation prior to the Closing ends, as such
date may be extended by consent of the Corporation and/or by operation of law.

                  10.2     INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION. The Corporation
covenants and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Investor, its
employees, agents and controlling persons (collectively, the "Investor
Indemnitees") from and against, and pay or reimburse the Investor Indemnitees
for, any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, fines, costs,
royalties, proceedings, deficiencies or damages (whether absolute or otherwise
and whether or not resulting from third party claims), including, but not
limited to, out-of-pocket expenses and reasonable attorneys' and accountants'
fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense of any of the same
that shall result in the successful assertion of their respective rights
hereunder (collectively, "Losses"), resulting from or arising out of:

                           (i)      any inaccuracy of any representation or
warranty made by the Corporation herein or in any of the Ancillary Documents or
in connection herewith or therewith;

                           (ii)     any failure of the Corporation to perform
any covenant or agreement hereunder or under any Ancillary Document or fulfill
any other obligation in respect hereof or of any Ancillary Document; and

                           (iii)    any claim by any person claiming through the
Corporation for any finder's, broker's or other middleman's commission or
compensation in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  10.3     INDEMNIFICATION BY INVESTOR. Investor covenants and
agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation, its officers,
directors, employees, agents and controlling persons (collectively, the
"Corporation Indemnitees") from and against, and pay or reimburse the
Corporation Indemnitees for, any and all Losses resulting from or arising out
of:

                           (i)      any inaccuracy of any representation or
warranty made by Investor herein or in any of the Ancillary Documents; and

                           (ii)     any claim by any person claiming through the
Investor for any finder's, broker's or other middleman's commission or
compensation in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 11 ENTIRE AGREEMENT: AMENDMENTS. This Agreement (and the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto, including, without limitation, the Ancillary
Documents) are intended by the parties as the final expression of their
agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement
and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter
contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein with
respect to the securities sold pursuant hereto. This Agreement and the Ancillary
Documents supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties
with respect to such subject matter hereof and thereof. No term, covenant,
agreement or condition of this Agreement may be amended, or compliance therewith
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), unless agreed to in writing by Investor and the Corporation.

         SECTION 12 NOTICES. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if: (a) hand delivered (in which
case the notice shall be effective upon delivery); (b) telecopied, PROVIDED that
in such case a copy of such notice shall be concurrently sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (in which case the
notice shall be effective two days following dispatch); (c) delivered by Express
Mail, Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight courier service
(in which case the notice shall be effective one business day following
dispatch); or (d) delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid (in which case the notice shall be effective
three days following dispatch), to the parties at the following addresses and/or
telecopier numbers, or to such other address or number as a party shall specify
by written notice to the others in accordance with this SECTION 12.

                  If to the Corporation:

                           MicroGenomics, Inc.
                           Route 22 West, Suite 304
                           Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
                           Attn: Wayne Pambianchi
                           Telecopier No.: 908-231-9692

                  with a copy to:

                           McCarter & English, LLP
                           Four Gateway Center
                           100 Mulberry Street
                           Newark, New Jersey 07102
                           Attn: David F. Broderick, Esq.
                           Telecopier No.: 973-624-7070

                           If to Investor:

                           The Immune Response Corporation
                           5935 Darwin Court
                           Carlsbad, CA 92008
                           Attention:  Howard Sampson

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                           Telecopier:  760-431-8636

                  with a copy to:

                           Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
                           50 Fremont Street
                           San Francisco, CA 94105
                           Attn:  Thomas E. Sparks, Jr.
                           Telecopier No.:  415-983-1200

         SECTION 13 SECTIONS AND COUNTERPARTS. The section headings contained in
this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute the same agreement.

         SECTION 14 GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

                  14.1     It is the intention of the parties that the internal
substantive laws, and not the laws of conflicts, of the State of New Jersey
should govern the enforceability and validity of this Agreement, the
construction of its terms and the interpretation of the rights and duties of the
parties.

                  14.2     Any disputes between the Corporation and Investor
will be attempted to be resolved by the parties. If the dispute cannot be
resolved in this manner, the matter shall be resolved by independent arbitration
in accordance with the following:

                           (i)      Three arbitrators will be appointed. One
shall be selected by each party within three weeks of notification of one party
to the other that arbitration has been selected. Those chosen arbitrators will
select a third within three weeks thereafter. If, within the stipulated time,
the parties cannot agree on the third arbitrator, one shall be appointed by the
American Arbitration Association.

                           (ii)     The appointment of the arbitrators will be
conditional upon their agreement to conduct the arbitration in a way that
ensures that the arbitration will be finalized and that the arbitration panel
will have made its decision(s) within 30 days following the appointment of the
third arbitrator.

                  14.3     In the event of any breach of any provisions of this
Agreement, the Parties shall have the right (upon proper proof) in addition to
any other rights and remedies existing in their favor under this Agreement, to
enforce their rights and the obligations of each of the other parties hereto by
an action or actions for specific performance and/or injunctive or other
equitable relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions
of this Agreement.

         SECTION 15 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
successors, assigns, executors, administrators and personal representatives. No
party may assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the other parties.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 16 REMEDIES. No remedy conferred by any of the specific
provisions of this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy,
and each and every remedy shall be cumulative of and shall be in addition to
every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in
equity or by statute or otherwise. The election of any one or more remedies by
an Investor or the Corporation shall not constitute a waiver of the right to
pursue other available remedies.

         SECTION 17 KNOWLEDGE OF THE CORPORATION. The phrase "knowledge of the
Corporation" means the actual knowledge of the executive officers of the
Corporation.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have either executed or caused
this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the
day and year first above written.

                                      MICROGENOMICS, INC.

                                      By: /s/ Daniel Tripodi
                                          --------------------------------------
                                              Daniel Tripodi, Ph.D.
                                              President

                             Investor:
                             --------

                                      THE IMMUNE RESPONSE CORPORATION

                                      By: /s/ Howard Sampson
                                          --------------------------------------
                                              Howard Sampson
                                              Chief Financial Officer

                                      -22-<PAGE>

                                                                         EX.10.6

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made as of this __th day
of _____ ____, by and between Universal Access, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and ____________ (the "Employee").

                                    RECITALS:

A.   The Company is in the telecommunications business.

B.   The Company desires to employ the Employee and Employee desires to be
employed by the Company as its ___________________ subject to the terms,
conditions and covenants hereinafter set forth.

C.   As a condition of the Company employing the Employee, and to the
Company's agreement to grant stock options to the Employee pursuant to the
Company's stock option plan, Employee has agreed not to divulge to the
public the Company's confidential information, not to solicit the Company's
vendors, customers or employees and not to compete with the Company, all
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

D.   NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the agreements,
covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Employee and the Company
hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   EMPLOYMENT

1.1   EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs, engages, and hires Employee,
and Employee hereby accepts employment, upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement. The Employee shall serve as the ________________.
The Employee shall have and fully perform the duties and responsibilities
required for such job title and position and to perform such additional
services and discharge such other responsibilities as may be, from time to
time, assigned or delegated by the Company.

1.2   ACTIVITIES AND DUTIES DURING EMPLOYMENT. Employee represents and
warrants to the Company that Employee is free to accept employment with the
Company and that Employee has no prior or other commitments or obligations of
any kind to anyone else which would hinder or interfere with the performance
of this Agreement.

1.3   Employee accepts the employment described in Article I of this
Agreement and agrees to devote his or her full time and efforts to the
faithful and diligent performance of the

<PAGE>

services described herein, including the performance of such other services and
responsibilities as the Company may, from time to time, stipulate. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Employee shall devote not less than
five (5) days per week to this employment, and shall be present on the Company
premises or actively engaged in service to or on behalf of the Company during
normal business hours Monday through Friday, excluding periods of vacation and
sick leave.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                      TERM

2.1  TERM. The term of employment under this Agreement shall be one (1) year
     (the "Initial Term"), commencing on the date of the Agreement. This
     Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one year terms
     thereafter (each a "Renewal Term") unless either party delivers notice of
     termination to the other party not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the
     end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term in question. The Initial Term and
     any Renewal Terms shall herein be referred to as the "Employment Term".

2.2  TERMINATION. The Employment Term and employment of Employee may be
     terminated as follows:

(a)  By the Company immediately for "Cause." For the purpose of this
     Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) conduct amounting to fraud,
     embezzlement, or illegal misconduct in connection with Employee's duties
     under this Agreement; (ii) the conviction of Employee by a court of
     proper jurisdiction of (or his or her written, voluntary and freely
     given confession to) a crime which constitutes a felony (other than a
     traffic violation) or an indictment that results in material injury to
     the Company's property, operation or reputation; (iii) the willful
     failure of Employee to comply with reasonable directions of the Company
     or any of the policies of the Company after (a) written notice is
     delivered to the Employee describing such willful failure and (b)
     Employee has failed to cure or take substantial steps to cure such
     willful failure after a reasonable time period as determined by the
     Company in its reasonable discretion (not to be less than 15 days)
     unless the Employee, after discussion with counsel, in good faith
     believes, that the directions of the Company (or its actions or
     inactions in response to the Employee's written notice) are illegal; or
     (iv) willful misconduct or a material default by the Employee in the
     performance or observance of any promise or undertaking of Employee
     under this Agreement, which willful misconduct or default has continued
     for a period of ten (10) business days after written notice thereof from
     the Company to the Employee.

(b)  Automatically, without the action of either party, upon the death of
     Employee ("Death").

<PAGE>

(c)  By either party upon the Total Disability of the Employee. The Employee
     shall be considered to have a Total Disability for purposes of this
     Agreement if he or she is unable by reason of accident or illness to
     substantially perform his or her employment duties, and is expected to
     be in such condition for periods totaling six (6) months (whether or not
     consecutive) during any period of twelve (12) months. The determination
     of whether a Total Disability has occurred shall be determined by the
     Company, in good faith, at its sole discretion. Nothing herein shall
     limit the Employee's right to receive any payments to which Employee may
     be entitled under any disability or employee benefit plan of the Company
     or under any disability or insurance policy or plan. During a period of
     disability prior to termination hereunder, Employee shall continue to
     receive his or her full compensation (including base salary and bonus)
     and benefits, subject to offset to the extent of any disability
     insurance payments received by the Employee pursuant to any disability
     insurance policy maintained by or paid for by the Company.

(d)  By the Employee upon ten (10) business days notice to the Company for
     Good Reason, which notice shall state the reason for termination. For
     the purpose of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any "Change in
     Control" (as hereinafter defined) or any material failure by the Company
     to comply with the provisions of this Employment Agreement, including
     but not limited to, failure to timely pay any part of Employee's
     compensation (including salary or bonus) or provide the benefits
     contemplated herein, and which is not remedied by the Company within ten
     (10) business days after receipt by the Company of written notice
     thereof from Employee; PROVIDED, that if such default is of a nature
     that it cannot be reasonably cured within ten (10) day period (but is
     curable), then if the Company shall have commenced an attempt to cure
     such default within such ten (10) day period, the period to cure the
     default shall be extended until the earlier of the date which is
     forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice or the Company has failed
     to diligently continue its efforts in a reasonable manner to cure its
     default.

     For purposes hereof, the term "Change in Control" shall mean the
     occurrence of any of the following:

     (1)  the Company: (a) consummates a merger or consolidation which
          results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
          immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
          remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities
          of the surviving entity) less than fifty percent (50%) of the total
          voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company of
          such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
          consolidation; and (b) following such event, the successor entity
          fails to employ Employee as follows (hereinafter, the "Same
          Terms"): on substantially identical terms as are

<PAGE>

          required per this Agreement for the remaining Employment Term, and
          the successor entity further continues to employ Employee in the
          same city and with job responsibilities of a level substantially
          equivalent to or greater than those presently in force and effect;

     (2)  a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for
          the sale or disposition by the Company of (in one transaction or a
          series of transactions) all or substantially all of the Company's
          assets is consummated, and following such event the successor
          entity (if any) fails to employ Employee on the Same Terms; or

     (3)  Company consummates a plan of complete liquidation of the Company
          or an agreement for the sale or disposition (in one transaction or
          a series of transactions) by the Company of all or substantially
          all of the Company's assets, and following such event the successor
          entity (if any) fails to employ Employee on the Same Terms;

          PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a public offering of the stock of the
          Company irrespective of the amount of voting securities owned by
          present shareholders after such offering shall not be deemed to
          constitute a Change of Control; and provided further that if
          Employee agrees to be employed by a successor entity on the Same
          Terms and the successor entity fails to do so, a Change in Control
          shall be deemed to have occurred.

(e)  By the Employee without Good Reason, and therefore in breach of this
     Agreement.

(f)  By the Company other than for Cause, Death or Total Disability, in
     which event Employee's sole remedy and compensation as a result of such
     termination shall be as set forth in Section 2.4(c) below.

2.3  CESSATION OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS: SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS. On the
date of expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Term for any reason,
all of the respective rights, duties, obligation and covenants of the parties,
as set forth herein, shall, except as specifically provided herein to the
contrary, cease and become of no further force or effect as of the date of said
termination, and shall only survive as expressly provided for herein.

2.4  CESSATION OF COMPENSATION. In lieu of any severance under any severance
plan that the Company may then have in effect, and subject to (i) the receipt
of a full and unconditional release from Employee and (ii) any amounts owed
by the Employee to the Company under any contract, agreement or loan document
entered into after the date hereof which relates solely to his or her
employment with the Company (including, but not limited to, loans made by the
Company to the Employee), the Company shall pay to the Employee, and the
Employee shall be entitled to

<PAGE>

receive, the following amounts within thirty (30) days of the date of a
termination of his or her employment:

(a)  VOLUNTARY TERMINATION/CAUSE/EXPIRATION OF TERM. Upon (i) Employee
     terminating his or her employment without Good Reason as provided in
     Section 2.2(e), (ii) the expiration of the Employment Term because the
     Employee or the Company elects to not extend the Employment Term, or
     (iii) a termination of the Employment Term for Cause by the Company as
     provided in Section 2.2(a), the Employee shall be entitled to receive
     his or her or her base salary (which shall include any of his or her
     unused vacation pay for the year of such termination) and expense
     reimbursements solely through the date of termination.

(b)  DEATH OR TOTAL DISABILITY. Upon the termination of the Employment Term
     by reason of the Death or Total Disability of the Employee, the Employee
     (or, in the case of Death, his or her estate) shall be entitled to
     receive his or her base salary (which shall include any of his or her
     unused vacation pay for the year of such termination) and expense
     reimbursements solely through the date of termination.

(c)  INVOLUNTARY.  Upon the termination of the Employment Term:

     (1)   by the Company for any reason other than Cause, Death or Total
           Disability, or

     (2)   by the Employee for Good Reason, the Employee shall be entitled to
           receive in a lump sum the balance of his or her base salary for
           the lesser of the remaining term of the Employment Term (exclusive
           of any renewals of the then existing term) or a period of 6 months
           (the "Severance Term"), together with prorated vacation pay and
           expense reimbursement through the date of termination. In
           addition, Employee shall be entitled to payment by the Company of
           the premiums for group health insurance coverage otherwise payable
           by Employee under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
           Act of 1985 ("COBRA") for the Severance Term. It shall be a
           condition to Employee's right to receive the payments described
           above that Employee shall be in compliance with all of the
           Employee's obligations which survive termination hereof, including
           without limitation those arising under Articles IV and V hereof.
           The payments described above are intended to be in lieu of all
           other payments to which Employee might otherwise be entitled in
           respect of termination of Employee's employment without Cause
           unless otherwise required by law or under other agreements between
           the parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
           herein, to the extent Employee receives any direct or indirect

<PAGE>

           compensation, consulting fees or health insurance from any Third
           Parties (as hereinafter defined) during the Severance Term or with
           respect to services performed during the Severance Term such
           compensation shall be credited dollar for dollar against the
           Severance Term payment obligations of Company under this Section
           2.4(c).

2.5      BUSINESS EXPENSES.

(a)  REIMBURSEMENT. The Company shall reimburse the Employee for all
     reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred by him or
     her in connection with the performance of his or her duties hereunder,
     including, but not limited to, ordinary and necessary travel expenses
     and entertainment expenses. The reimbursement of business expenses will
     be governed by the policies of the Company from time-to-time and the
     terms otherwise set forth herein.

(b)  ACCOUNTING. The Employee shall provide the Company with an accounting of
     his or her expenses, which accounting shall clearly reflect which
     expenses were incurred for proper business purposes in accordance with
     the policies adopted by the Company and as such are reimbursable by the
     Company. The Employee shall provide the Company with such other
     supporting documentation and other substantiation of reimbursable
     expenses as will conform to Internal Revenue Service or other
     requirements. All such reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to
     the Employee within a reasonable time after receipt by the Company of
     appropriate documentation therefor.

2.6  SOLE COMPENSATION. Employee shall not be entitled to any other compensation
from the Company than as set forth in Article II hereof as a result of
termination of Employee's employment.

                                   ARTICLE III

                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

3.1  COMPENSATION. During the Employment Term of this Agreement, the Company
shall pay Employee such salary and bonus as set forth on EXHIBIT A.

3.2  PAYMENT. All compensation shall be payable in intervals in accordance with
the general payroll payment practice of the Company. The compensation shall be
subject to such withholdings and deductions by the Company as are required by
law. On termination of the Employment Term, the Company shall be entitled to set
off against any monies owing by the Company to Employee the amount of any monies
owing from Employee to the Company.

<PAGE>

3.3  OTHER BENEFITS. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any
retirement, pension, profit-sharing, stock option, health plan, insurance,
disability income, incentive compensation and welfare or any other benefit
plan or plans of the Company which may now or hereafter be in effect and for
which the Employee is eligible. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company
shall be under no obligation to institute or continue the existence of any
such benefit plan.

                                   ARTICLE IV

           CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

4.1  NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee hereby acknowledges
and agrees that the duties and services to be performed by Employee under
this Agreement are special and unique and that as of a result of the
employment hereunder, Employee will acquire, develop and use information of a
special and unique nature and value that is not generally known to the public
or to the Company's industry, including but not limited to, certain records,
phone locations, documentation, software programs, price lists, contract
prices for purchase and sale of telephone access and telephone services,
customer lists, prospect lists, pricing on business proposals to new and
existing customers, network configuration, supplier pricing, equipment
configurations, business plans, ledgers and general information, employee
records, mailing lists, accounts receivable and payable ledgers, financial
and other records of the Company or its Affiliates, and other similar matters
(all such information being hereinafter referred to as "CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION"). Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential
Information is of great value to the Company and its Affiliates and that the
restrictions and agreements contained in this Agreement are reasonably
necessary to protect the Confidential Information and the goodwill of the
Company. Accordingly, Employee hereby agrees that:

(a)  Employee will not, while employed by the Company or at any time
     thereafter, directly or indirectly, except in connection with Employee's
     performance of the duties under this Agreement, or as otherwise
     authorized in writing by the Company for the benefit of the Company,
     divulge to any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, or
     organization, other than the Company (hereinafter referred to as "THIRD
     PARTIES"), or use or cause or authorize any Third Parties to use, the
     Confidential Information, except as required by law; and

(b)  Upon the termination of Employee's employment for any reason whatsoever,
     Employee shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company any and
     all Confidential Information or documents containing Confidential
     Information, including notes, drawings, notebooks, notes, records, keys,
     data and other documents and materials belonging to the Company or its
     affiliates which is in his or her possession or under his or her control
     relating to the Company or its affiliates, regardless of the medium upon
     which it is stored, and will deliver to the Company upon such
     termination of employment any other property of the Company or its
     Affiliates which is in his or her possession or control.

<PAGE>

4.2  NON-SOLICITATION COVENANT. Employee hereby covenants and agrees that
while employed by the Company and for a period of one (1) year following the
termination of Employee's employment with the Company for any reason,
Employee shall not (i) directly or indirectly, contact, solicit, interfere
with, or endeavor to entice away from the Company or its Affiliates any
person, firm, corporation, limited liability company or other entity that was
a customer of the Company at any time while Employee was an employee of the
Company or its Affiliates or who is a "prospective customer" of the Company,
or (ii) induce, attempt to induce or hire any employee (or any person who was
an employee during the year preceding the date of any solicitation) of the
Company or its Affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or its
Affiliates, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such
employee and the Company or its Affiliates. For purposes hereof, "prospective
customer" shall mean any person or entity which has been solicited for
business by Employee or any officer or other employee of the Company during
the one year period preceding the date of termination of Employee's
employment with the Company, or if Employee is still employed by the Company
within the one year period preceding the event in question.

4.3  NON-COMPETITION COVENANT. Employee acknowledges that the covenants set
forth in this Section 4.3 are reasonable in scope and essential to the
preservation of the Business of the Company (as defined herein). Employee
also acknowledges that the enforcement of the covenant set forth in this
Section 4.3 will not preclude Employee from being gainfully employed in such
manner and to the extent as to provide a standard of living for himself or
herself, the members of his or her family and the others dependent upon
Employee of at least the level to which Employee and they have become
accustomed and may expect. In addition, Employee acknowledges that the
Company has obtained an advantage over its competitors as a result of its
name, location and reputation that is characterized by near permanent
relationships with vendors, customers, principals and other contacts which it
has developed at great expense. Furthermore, Employee acknowledges that
competition by him or her following the termination or expiration of his or
her employment would impair the operation of the Company beyond that which
would arise from the competition of an unrelated third party with similar
skills. Employee hereby agrees that he or she shall not, during his or her
employment and for a period of one (1) year after the end of his or her
employment, directly or indirectly, engage in or become directly or
indirectly interested in any proprietorship, partnership, firm, trust,
company, limited liability company or other entity, other than the Company
(whether as owner, partner, trustee, beneficiary, stockholder, member,
officer, director, employee, independent contractor, agent, servant,
consultant, lessor, lessee or otherwise) that competes with the Company in
the Business of the Company in the Restricted Territory (as defined herein),
other than owning an interest in a company listed on a recognized stock
exchange in an amount which does not exceed five percent (5%) of the
outstanding stock of such corporation. For purposes of this Agreement, (i)
the term "Business of the Company" shall include all business activities and
ventures related to providing telecommunications services or products in
which the Company is engaged, plans to engage in the next twelve (12) months
following termination of Employee's employment or has engaged in during the
prior twelve (12) months, as determined at any time during the employment of
the

<PAGE>

Employee; and (ii) the term "Restricted Territory" means the geographical area
consisting of a seventy mile radius surrounding each city (and including such
city) in which the Company maintains either an office or a telecommunications
facility.

4.4  REMEDIES.

(a)  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that the
     Business of the Company is highly competitive and that a violation of
     any of the provisions of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 would cause immediate
     and irreparable harm, loss and damage to the Company not adequately
     compensable by a monetary award. Employee further acknowledges and
     agrees that the time periods and territorial areas provided for herein
     are the minimum necessary to adequately protect the Business of the
     Company, the enjoyment of the Confidential Information and the goodwill
     of the Company. Without limiting any of the other remedies available to
     the Company at law or in equity, or the Company's right or ability to
     collect money damages, Employee agrees that any actual or threatened
     violation of any of the provisions of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 may be
     immediately restrained or enjoined by any court of competent
     jurisdiction, and that a temporary restraining order or emergency,
     preliminary or final injunction may be issued in any court of competent
     jurisdiction, without notice and without bond.

(b)  ENFORCEMENT. It is the desire of the parties that the provisions of
     Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
     under the laws and public policies in each jurisdiction in which
     enforcement might be sought. Accordingly, if any particular portion of
     Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 shall ever be adjudicated as invalid or
     unenforceable, or if the application thereof to any party or
     circumstance shall be adjudicated to be prohibited by or invalidated by
     such laws or public policies, such section or sections shall be (i)
     deemed amended to delete therefrom such portions so adjudicated or (ii)
     modified as determined appropriate by such a court, such deletions or
     modifications to apply only with respect to the operation of such
     section or sections in the particular jurisdictions so adjudicating on
     the parties and under the circumstances as to which so adjudicated.

<PAGE>

(c)  LEGAL FEES. The Employee shall reimburse the Company for all reasonable
     costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees,
     incurred by the Company in connection with the enforcement of the
     provisions set forth in this Agreement.

4.5  COMPANY. All references to the Company in this Article IV shall include
"Affiliates" of the Company, as that term is construed under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

4.6  CONSIDERATION. The undertakings of Employee pursuant to Sections 4.2 and
4.3 hereof are given to the Company in consideration for the payments, if
any, to be made pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof and the grant of the stock
options referenced in Exhibit A.

                                    ARTICLE V

                       ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

5.1  If Employee, during the course of his or her employment with the Company,
creates or discovers any patentable or potentially patentable invention or
design, within the meaning of Title 35 of the United States Code, any utility or
design patent that may be derived from any such invention or design created or
discovered by Employee during the course of his or her employment with the
Company shall be assigned to the Company. Employee agrees to fully cooperate
with the Company in obtaining any such patents, and Employee further agrees to
execute any and all documents the Company may deem necessary to obtain such
patent or to document such assignment to the Company. Employee hereby designates
the Company as his/her attorney-in-fact to execute any such documents relating
to any such patent or assignment thereof to the Company;

5.2  Employee agrees that any original work of authorship fixed in a tangible
medium of expression, including but not limited to literary works; computer
programs, software or other associated intangible property; network
configuration; musical works, including any accompanying words; dramatic works,
including any accompanying music; pantomimes and choreographic works; pictorial,
graphic and sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; sound
recordings; and architectural works, within the meaning of Title 17 of the
United States Code, created during the course of his or her employment with the
Company shall be a "work for hire" within the meaning of Section 201(b) of the
Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. Section 201(b), and that all ownership rights comprised
in the copyright shall vest exclusively in the Company. Employee agrees to fully
cooperate with the Company in obtaining registration of any such copyright,
except that the Company will be responsible for any and all fees and costs
associated with obtaining any such copyright registration;

<PAGE>

5.3  If Employee, during the course of his/her employment with the Company,
discovers, invents, or produces, without limitation, any information, computer
programs, software or other associated intangible property; network
configuration, formulae, product, device, system, technique, drawing, program or
process which is a "trade secret" as defined in his/her Employment Agreement or
within the meaning of the Illinois Trade Secret Act (irrespective of where
Employee is employed), such information, formulae, product, device, system,
technique, drawing, program or process shall be assigned to the Company.
Employee agrees to fully cooperate with the Company in protecting the value and
secrecy of any such trade secret, and further agrees to execute any and all
documents the Company deems necessary to document any such assignment to the
Company. Employee appoints the Company as his/her attorney-in-fact to execute
any documents the Company may deem necessary that relates to any such trade
secret or assignment thereof to the Company;

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

6.1  NOTICES. All notices or other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given, delivered and
received (a) when delivered, if delivered personally, (b) four days after
mailing, when sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested
and postage prepaid, (c) one business day after delivery to a private courier
service, when delivered to a private courier service providing documented
overnight service, and (d) on the date of delivery if delivered by telecopy,
receipt confirmed, provided that a confirmation copy is sent on the next
business day by first class mail, postage prepaid, in each case addressed as
follows:

         To Employee at his or her home address as set forth on the books and
         records of the Company.

         To Company at:    Universal Access, Inc.
                           233 South Wacker Drive - Suite 600
                           Chicago, Illinois 60606
                           Attn.:  General Counsel
                           Ph: 312-660-5000
                           Fax: 312-660-1264

Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving the
other party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

<PAGE>

6.2  ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS, ETC. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as
provided in SECTION 4.4(b), no modification, amendment, waiver or alteration of
this Agreement or any provision or term hereof shall in any event be effective
unless the same shall be in writing, executed by both parties hereto, and any
waiver so given shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which given.

6.3  BENEFIT. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
and shall be enforceable by, the heirs, successors, legal representatives and
permitted assignees of Employee and the successors, assignees and transferees of
the Company. This Agreement or any right or interest hereunder may not be
assigned by Employee without the prior written consent of the Company. No
implication shall be drawn in favor or against either party based upon the role
of such party's counsel in the drafting of this Agreement.

6.4  NO WAIVER. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in
exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or pursuant hereto shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder or pursuant
thereto.

6.5  SEVERABILITY. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law
but, if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under
applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision
or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. If any part of any covenant or
other provision in this Agreement is determined by a court of law to be overly
broad thereby making the covenant unenforceable, the parties hereto agree, and
it is their desire, that the court shall substitute a judicially enforceable
limitation in its place, and that as so modified the covenant shall be binding
upon the parties as if originally set forth herein.

6.6  COMPLIANCE AND HEADINGS. Time is of the essence of this Agreement. The
headings in this Agreement are intended to be for convenience and reference
only, and shall not define or limit the scope, extent or intent or otherwise
affect the meaning of any portion hereof.

6.7  GOVERNING LAW. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by,
interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois,
and the parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this
Agreement shall be brought in the courts of Cook County in the State of Illinois
or in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The parties
hereto hereby accept the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts for the purpose
of any such suit, action or proceeding. Venue for any such action, in addition
to any other venue permitted by statute, will be Cook County, Illinois. The
parties hereby waive their right to trial by jury on any such action.

<PAGE>

6.8  COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, whether by original, photocopy or facsimile, each of which will
be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the
same instrument.

6.9  RECITALS. The Recitals set forth above are hereby incorporated in and
made a part of this Agreement by this reference.

6.10 ARBITRATION. Except as expressly contemplated by Article IV, any dispute
arising between the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be submitted to
binding arbitration. Any arbitration proceeding involving any provision hereof
will be conducted in Chicago, Illinois. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all arbitration proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the
then current National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA"). One arbitrator shall conduct the
proceedings, and shall be elected in accordance with the procedures of the AAA.
The arbitrator shall allow such discovery as the arbitrator determines
appropriate under the circumstances. The arbitrator shall determine which party,
if either, prevailed and shall award the prevailing party its costs. Each party
shall bear his, her or its respective legal fees. The award and decision of the
arbitrator shall be conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement and
judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
parties acknowledge and agree that any arbitration award may be enforced against
either or both of them in a court of competent jurisdiction and each waives any
right to contest the validity or enforceability of such award. The parties
further agree to be bound by the provisions of any statute of limitations which
would be applicable in a court of law to the controversy or claim which is the
subject of any arbitration proceeding initiated under this Agreement. The
parties further agree that they are entitled in any arbitration proceeding to
the entry of an order, by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to an
opinion of the arbitrator, for specific performance of any of the requirements
of this Agreement. The parties further agree that the arbitrator shall provide a
statement of reasons explaining the basis of the decision rendered.

6.11 SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
terms of Articles III, IV, V and VI hereof shall survive any termination of this
Agreement and remain in full force and effect thereafter.

<PAGE>

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

                                    UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC.

                                    By: ___________________________
                                          Patrick C. Shutt

                                    Its:  Chairman, President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer

                                    EMPLOYEE:

                                    -------------------------------

                                    NAME: _________________________

<PAGE>

               EXHIBIT A - ECONOMIC TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                           UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC.

A.       COMPENSATION.

         1.    During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Employee
               such salary and benefits as shall be agreed upon each year
               between Employee and the Company. For the Initial Term, the
               Company shall pay Employee a base salary of $_______ per year.
               Thereafter, the Company shall review the Employee's base
               salary annually.

         2.    BONUS. The Company may, at the Company's sole discretion, in
               addition to Employee's base salary, pay Employee a
               semi-annual bonus based on the Company's bonus plan. Upon
               notification to the Employee, the Company may pay such bonuses on
               an annual basis.

         3.    OTHER BENEFITS. Employee shall be entitled to participate in
               any retirement, pension, profit-sharing, stock option, health
               plan, insurance, disability income, incentive compensation,
               vacation and welfare or any other benefit plan or plans of the
               Company which may now or hereafter be in effect and for which he
               or she is eligible.

         4.    VACATION. Employee shall be entitled to up to three (3) weeks
               of paid vacation in each calendar year during the
               Employment Term, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Employee's
               calendar year vacation shall be prorated for the portion of the
               calendar year remaining after the date hereof; Employee shall be
               entitled to carry forward from one calendar year during the
               Employment Term to the next calendar year up to one additional
               week's vacation, to the extent it was accrued and not taken in
               the previous year (i.e. not more than 4 week's total vacation can
               be taken in any year).

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