Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.111

                                DRKOOP.COM, INC.

                           PLACEMENT AGENCY AGREEMENT

Commonwealth Associates, L.P.
830 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
                                                                   July 27, 2001

Gentlemen:

        This Placement Agency Agreement (the "Agency Agreement") confirms the
retention by drkoop.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), of
Commonwealth Associates, L.P., a New York limited partnership ("Commonwealth,"
or the "Placement Agent"), to act as the sales agent, on a best efforts basis,
in connection with the private placement of the Preferred Units (as defined
below) of the Company, on the terms set forth below.

        The Company proposes to offer for sale solely to "accredited investors,"
in a private placement (the "Offering"), up to 50 units (the "Preferred Units")
at $100,000 per Preferred Unit, each Preferred Unit consisting of 10,000 shares
(the "E Preferred Shares") of the Company's Series E 8% Convertible Preferred
Stock (the "Series E Preferred Stock") having the rights and preferences set
forth in a Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock (the "Series E
Designation") attached as Appendix A hereto and incorporated by reference
herein. A minimum of 30 Preferred Units ($3,000,000) (the "Minimum Offering")
and a maximum of 50 Preferred Units ($5,000,000) (the "Maximum Offering") will
be sold in the Offering. The Maximum Offering may be increased by up to 10
Preferred Units ($1,000,000) at the option of the Placement Agent and the
Company in the event of over-subscription (the "Over-Allotment Option"). The
Preferred Units will be offered pursuant to those terms and conditions mutually
acceptable to the Placement Agent and the Company as reflected in a Confidential
Private Placement Memorandum prepared by the Company in form and substance
satisfactory to the Placement Agent and its counsel (the "Offering Memorandum").
The Minimum Offering will be made on a "best efforts - all-or-none" basis and
the balance of the Offering will be made on a "best efforts" basis. The
Preferred Units will be offered in accordance with Regulation D promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

        The (i) Offering Memorandum, as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time (including any documents incorporated therein by reference or
otherwise), (ii) the form of subscription agreement between the Company and each
subscriber for the Offering (the "Subscription Agreement"), and (iii) the
exhibits which are part of the Offering Memorandum and/or the Subscription
Agreement, are collectively referred to herein as the "Offering Documents."

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        The Company will prepare and deliver to the Placement Agent a reasonable
number of copies of the Offering Documents in form and substance satisfactory to
the Placement Agent and its counsel.

        Each prospective investor subscribing to purchase Preferred Units (each,
a "Subscriber" and collectively, the "Subscribers") will be required to deliver,
among other things, a Subscription Agreement and a confidential purchaser
questionnaire ("Questionnaire") in the form to be provided to offerees.
Capitalized terms used herein, unless otherwise defined or unless the context
otherwise indicates, shall have the same meanings provided in the Offering
Documents.

        1. Appointment of Placement Agent.

            (a) Commonwealth is hereby appointed exclusive placement agent of
the Company (subject to Commonwealth's right to have selected dealers ("Selected
Dealers") in good standing with the National Association of Securities Dealers
("NASD") participate in the Offering) during the offering periods for the
Offering herein specified for the purposes of assisting the Company in finding
qualified Subscribers in the Offering. The offering period for the Offering (the
"Preferred Offering Period") shall commence on the day the Offering Documents
relating thereto are first made available to Commonwealth by the Company for
delivery in connection with the offering for sale of the Preferred Units and
shall continue until the earlier to occur of: (i) the sale of the Maximum
Offering (plus the Preferred Units included in the Over-Allotment Option, unless
waived by the Company); or (ii) August 17, 2001. If the Minimum Offering is not
sold prior to the end of the Preferred Offering Period, the Offering will be
terminated and all funds received from Subscribers will be returned, without
interest and without any deduction. The day that the Preferred Offering Period
terminates is hereinafter referred to as the "Preferred Termination Date." The
Preferred Termination Date may be extended for up to thirty (30) days by mutual
agreement of the Placement Agent and the Company.

            (b) Subject to the performance by the Company in all material
respects of its obligations to be performed under this Agency Agreement and to
the completeness and accuracy of all representations and warranties of the
Company contained in this Agency Agreement, the Placement Agent hereby accepts
such agency and agrees to use its best efforts to assist the Company in finding
qualified Subscribers for the Offering. It is understood that the Placement
Agent has no commitment to sell the Preferred Units.

            (c) Subscriptions for Preferred Units shall be evidenced by the
execution by Subscribers of a Subscription Agreement. No Subscription Agreement
shall be effective unless and until it is accepted by the Company. The Placement
Agent shall not have any obligation to independently verify the accuracy or
completeness of any information contained in any Subscription Agreement or the
authenticity, sufficiency or validity of any check delivered by any prospective
investor in payment for Preferred Units.

            (d) The Placement Agent and/or its affiliates may be investors in
the Offering.

        2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
and warrants to the Placement Agent and each Selected Dealer, if any, as
follows:

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            (a) Securities Law Compliance. The offer, offer for sale, and sale
of the Preferred Units has not been registered with the SEC. The Preferred Units
are to be offered, offered for sale and sold in reliance upon the exemptions
from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The Company
will use its best efforts to conduct the Offering in compliance with the
requirements of Regulation D of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1933
Act, and the Company will file all appropriate notices of offering with the SEC.
The Company has prepared the Offering Documents. During the Preferred Offering
Period, the applicable Offering Documents will not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made,
not misleading. If at any time prior to the Preferred Termination Date or other
termination of this Agency Agreement any event shall occur as a result of which
it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the Offering Documents relating
thereto so that they do not include any untrue statement of any material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, the
Company will promptly notify the Placement Agent and will supply the Placement
Agent with amendments or supplements correcting such statement or omission. The
Company will also provide the Placement Agent for delivery to all offerees and
purchasers and their representatives, if any, any information, documents and
instruments which the Placement Agent deems reasonably necessary to comply with
applicable state and federal law.

            (b) Organization. The Company and its "Subsidiaries" (which for
purposes of this Agency Agreement means any entity (i) in which the Company,
directly or indirectly, owns 51% of the capital stock or holds an equity or
similar interest and (ii) which conducts substantive business activities or
holds material assets) are corporations duly organized and validly existing in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are incorporated,
and have the requisite corporate power and authority to own their properties and
to carry on their business as now being conducted and as described in the
Offering Documents, to execute and deliver this Agency Agreement and to carry
out the transactions contemplated hereby (if a party hereto). Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do
business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of
property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification
necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in
good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. As used in this Agency Agreement, "Material Adverse Effect" means any
material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, operations, results
of operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, or on the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Transaction
Documents (as defined below in Section 3(b)(v)(B)). A complete list of all
Subsidiaries of the Company with substantive business activities is set forth in
Schedule 2(b) hereto.

            (c) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital
stock of the Company prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby is set forth in Schedule 2(c). All of such outstanding shares have been
and are, or upon issuance will be, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2(c), (i) no shares of the
Company's capital stock are subject to preemptive rights under Delaware law or
any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by
the Company; (ii) there are no outstanding debt securities issued by the
Company; (iii) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to
subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of

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its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue
additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any
character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any
shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) there
are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under
the 1933 Act; (v) there are no outstanding securities of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there
are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (vi) there are no securities or
instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be
triggered by the issuance of the Securities as described in this Agency
Agreement; and (vii) the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or
"phantom stock" plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All prior
sales of securities of the Company were either registered under the 1933 Act and
applicable state securities laws or exempt from such registration, and no
security holder has any rescission rights with respect thereto except to the
extent any such rights would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

            (d) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. Since December 31, 1999,
the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), (all of the foregoing filed after December 31, 1999 and prior to the date
hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules
thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter
referred to as the "SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates, the SEC
Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934
Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable
to the SEC Documents. None of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed
with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of
the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material
respects with applicable accounting requirements of the SEC with respect
thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied ("GAAP"), during
the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial
statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim
statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or
summary statements), show all material liabilities, absolute or contingent, of
the Company required to be recorded thereon, and fairly present in all material
respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the
results of its operations and cash flows for the periods indicated (subject, in
the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). As of
the date hereof, the Company meets the requirements for the use of Form S-3 for
registration of the resale of the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Series E Preferred Stock.

            (e) Absence of Changes. Since December 31, 2000, there have been no
material adverse changes in the financial condition, business, properties or
prospects of the Company or of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, other than changes referred to in the SEC

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Documents or in Schedule 2(e). Except as described in the SEC Documents or in
Schedule 2(e), since December 31, 2000, the Company has not incurred any
liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of
business, or entered into any transaction not in the ordinary course of
business, which is material to the business of the Company, and, except as set
forth in Schedule 2(e), there has not been any change in the capital stock of,
or any incurrence of long-term debt by, the Company, or any issuance of options,
warrants or other rights to purchase the capital stock of the Company, or any
adverse change or any development involving, so far as the Company can now
reasonably foresee, a prospective adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise), net worth, results of operations, business, key personnel or
properties which would be material to the business or financial condition of the
Company, and the Company has not become a party to, and neither the business nor
the property of the Company has become the subject of, any material litigation
whether or not in the ordinary course of business.

            (f) Title. Except as set forth in or contemplated by Schedule 2(f),
the Company has good and marketable title to all material properties and assets
owned by it, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances or restrictions,
except as are not significant or important in relation to the Company's
business; all of the material leases and subleases under which the Company is
the lessor or sublessor of properties or assets or under which the Company holds
properties or assets as lessee or sublessee are in full force and effect, and
the Company is not in default in any material respect with respect to any of the
terms or provisions of any of such leases or subleases, and no material claim
has been asserted by anyone adverse to rights of the Company as lessor,
sublessor, lessee or sublessee under any of the leases or subleases mentioned
above, or affecting or questioning the right of the Company to continued
possession of the leased or subleased premises or assets under any such lease or
sublease. The Company owns, leases or licenses all such properties as are
necessary to its operations as described in the Offering Documents.

            (g) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries
own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names,
service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent
rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental
authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective
businesses as now conducted. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(g), none of the
Company's trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations,
service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses,
approvals, government authorizations, trade secrets or other intellectual
property rights have expired or terminated, or are expected to expire or
terminate within two years from the date of this Agency Agreement, except where
such expiration or termination would not have either individually or in the
aggregate a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries do not
have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of
trademarks, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions,
licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade
secrets or other similar rights of others, or of any such development of similar
or identical trade secrets or technical information by others and, except as set
forth on Schedule 2(g), no claim, action or proceeding has been made or brought
against, or to the Company's knowledge, has been threatened against, the Company
or its Subsidiaries regarding trademarks, trade name rights, patents, patent
rights, inventions, copyrights, licenses, service names, service marks, service
mark registrations, trade secrets or other infringement, except where such
infringement, claim, action or proceeding would not reasonably be expected to
have either individually or in

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the aggregate a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(g),
the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which
might give rise to any of the foregoing. The Company and its Subsidiaries have
taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and
value of all of their intellectual properties except where the failure to do so
would not have either individually or in the aggregate a Material Adverse
Effect.

            (h) Litigation. Except as set forth in or contemplated by Schedule
2(h), there is no material action, suit, investigation, customer complaint,
claim or proceeding at law or in equity by or before any court, arbitrator,
governmental instrumentality or authority or other agency now pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company, the adverse outcome of
which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company
is not subject to any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree of any
Federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board,
bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign which have a Material
Adverse Effect.

            (i) Non-Defaults; Non-Contravention; Etc. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 2(i), neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agency
Agreement nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (i) result in a violation of its certificate of incorporation or any
certificate amendment thereto (collectively, "Certificate of Incorporation") or
its by-laws ("By-laws"); (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
require the consent of any party to, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement,
indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party; or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order,
judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or
asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except, in
the cases of foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), any conflict, default or
violation which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2(i), neither the Company nor its
Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of (i) its Certificate of
Incorporation, or its By-laws or their organizational charter or by-laws,
respectively, or (ii) any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company
or its Subsidiaries and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in default
under any contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument,
judgment, decree or order, except for such violations or defaults which would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
specifically contemplated by this Agency Agreement and except such as have been
obtained as of the date hereof, the Company is not required to obtain any
consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any
court or governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency in
order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or
contemplated by this Agency Agreement or the Offering Documents in accordance
with the terms hereof or thereof.

            (j) Taxes. Except as set forth in or contemplated by Schedule 2(j),
the Company has filed all Federal, state, local and foreign tax returns which
are required to be filed by it or otherwise met its disclosure obligations to
the relevant agencies and all such returns are true and correct in all material
respects. The Company has paid or adequately provided for all tax liabilities of
the Company as reflected on such returns or determined to be due on such returns
or pursuant to any assessments received by it or which it is obligated to
withhold from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or third party. There are
no unpaid taxes in any material amount

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claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers
of the Company know of no basis for any such claim. The Company has properly
accrued all taxes required to be accrued by GAAP consistently applied. The tax
returns of the Company have never been audited by any state, or Federal
authorities. The Company has not waived any statute of limitations with respect
to taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any tax assessment
or deficiency.

            (k) Compliance With Laws; Licenses; Etc. The business of the Company
and its Subsidiaries is not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance
or regulation of any governmental entity except for such violations the
sanctions for which either individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company has not received
notice of any violation of or noncompliance with any Federal, state, local or
foreign, laws, ordinances, regulations and orders applicable to its business
which has not been cured, the violation of, or noncompliance with which, would
be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has all
material licenses and permits and other governmental certificates,
authorizations and permits and approvals (collectively, "Licenses") required by
every Federal, state and local government or regulatory body for the operation
of its business as currently conducted and the use of its properties, except
where the failure to be licensed or possess a permit would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Licenses are in full force and
effect and to the Company's knowledge no violations currently exist in respect
of any License and no proceeding is pending or threatened to revoke or limit any
thereof.

            (l) Authorization of Agency Agreement; Enforceability; Etc. The
Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agency Agreement, the Subscription
Agreements, the Agency Warrants (as defined below) and the Fund Escrow Agreement
(as defined below). The execution and delivery of this Agency Agreement, the
Subscription Agreements and the Funds Escrow Agreement by the Company and the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have
been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company (the "Board of
Directors") and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company,
the Board of Directors or the Company's stockholders. This Agency Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the valid and
binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general
principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the
enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies.

            (m) Authorization of E Preferred Shares. Except as set forth in or
contemplated by Schedule 2(m), the issuance, sale and delivery of the E
Preferred Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action of
the Company. When so issued, sold and delivered in accordance with this
Agreement and the Offering Documents for the consideration set forth therein,
the E Preferred Shares will be duly issued and delivered and will constitute
valid and legal obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general
principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the
enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies, and, in each case, will not be
subject to preemptive or any other similar rights of the stockholders of the
Company.

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            (n) Authorization of Reserved Shares. Except as set forth in or
contemplated by Schedule 2(n), the issuance, sale and delivery by the Company of
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the E Preferred Shares
and exercise of the Agency Warrants (the "Reserved Shares") have been duly
authorized by all requisite corporate action of the Company, and the Reserved
Shares have been duly reserved for issuance upon conversion of all or any of the
E Preferred Shares and exercise of the Agency Warrants. When so issued, sold,
paid for and delivered for the consideration set forth in the Offering
Documents, the Reserved Shares will be validly issued and outstanding, fully
paid and nonassessable, and not subject to preemptive rights under Delaware law
or any other similar rights of the stockholders of the Company or others.

            (o) Exemption from Registration. Assuming (i) the accuracy of the
information provided by the respective Subscribers in the Subscription
Agreements and Questionnaires, and (ii) that all of the offerees and Subscribers
are "accredited investors" as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D
and (iii) that the Placement Agent has not engaged, nor will engage, in
connection with the Offering, in any form of general solicitation or general
advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D, the offer and
sale of the Preferred Units pursuant to the terms of this Agency Agreement are
exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company is not disqualified from the
exemption under Regulation D by virtue of the disqualification contained in Rule
507 thereof.

            (p) Registration Rights. Except with respect to holders of the
Preferred Units, and except as set forth in Schedule 2(p), no person has any
right to cause the Company to effect the registration under the 1933 Act of any
securities of the Company. The Company shall grant registration rights under the
1933 Act to the Subscribers and/or their transferees as more fully described in
the applicable Subscription Agreements.

            (q) Brokers. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors,
employees or stockholders has employed any broker or finder in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agency Agreement other than the Placement
Agent.

            (r) Title to Securities. When certificates representing the E
Preferred Shares have been duly delivered to the Subscribers in the Offering,
and payment shall have been made therefor, such persons shall receive from the
Company good and marketable title to such securities free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances and claims whatsoever (with the exception of claims arising
through the acts or omissions of the purchasers and except as arising from
applicable Federal and state securities laws), and the Company shall have paid
all taxes, if any, in respect of the original issuance thereof in the United
States.

            (s) Right of First Refusal. No person, firm or other business entity
is a party to any agreement, contract or understanding, written or oral
entitling such party to a right of first refusal with respect to offerings by
the Company.

        3. Closing and Fees.

            (a) Closing of the Offering. Provided the Minimum Offering shall
have been subscribed for and funds representing the sale thereof shall have
cleared, a closing (the "Initial Preferred Closing") shall take place at the
offices of the Placement Agent, 830 Third Avenue, New York, New York within
three business days thereafter (but in no event later than five days

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following the Preferred Termination Date), which closing date may be accelerated
or adjourned by agreement between the Company and the Placement Agent. At the
Initial Preferred Closing, payment for the Preferred Units issued and sold by
the Company shall be made against delivery of the E Preferred Shares comprising
such Preferred Units. In addition, subsequent closings of the Offering (if
applicable) may be scheduled at the discretion of the Company and the Placement
Agent, each of which shall be deemed a "Preferred Closing" hereunder. The date
of the last closing of the Offering is hereinafter referred to as the "Final
Closing" and the date of any Preferred Closing hereunder is hereinafter referred
to as a "Closing Date".

            (b) Conditions to Placement Agent's Obligations. The obligations of
the Placement Agent hereunder will be subject to the accuracy in all material
respects of the representations and warranties of the Company herein contained
as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date of the Placements, to the
performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following
additional conditions:

                (i) Due Qualification or Exemption. (A) The Offering will become
qualified or be exempt from qualification under the securities or "blue sky"
laws of the several states pursuant to paragraph 4(d) below not later than the
Initial Preferred Closing Date, and (B) at any Closing Date no stop order
suspending the sale of the Preferred Units shall have been issued, and no
proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened;

                (ii) No Material Misstatements. Neither the blue sky
qualification materials nor the Offering Documents, nor any supplement thereto,
will contain any untrue statement of a fact which in the reasonable opinion of
the Placement Agent is material, or omits to state a fact, which in the
reasonable opinion of the Placement Agent is material and is required to be
stated therein, or is necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

                (iii) Compliance with Agreements. The Company will have complied
in all material respects with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its
part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to each Preferred
Closing;

                (iv) Corporate Action. The Company has or will have taken all
necessary corporate action, including, without limitation, obtaining the
approval of its Board of Directors, for the execution and delivery of this
Agency Agreement, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder
and the Offering contemplated hereby;

                (v) Opinion of Company Counsel. At each Preferred Closing, the
Placement Agent shall receive the opinion of Latham & Watkins, counsel to the
Company, and the opinion of Richards, Layton and Finger, Delaware counsel to the
Company, in a form mutually agreeable to the parties and their counsel.

                (vi) Officers' Certificate. The Placement Agent shall receive a
certificate of the Company, signed on its behalf by the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer thereof, that (i) the representations and warranties
contained in Section 2 hereof are true and accurate at such closing with the
same effect as though expressly made at such closing and (ii) the Company has
complied with its covenants and agreements set forth herein.

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                (vii) Designation of Preferred. The Series E Designation shall
have been accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.

                (viii) Fund Escrow Agreement. The Placement Agent shall receive
a copy of a duly executed escrow agreement in the form previously delivered to
the Placement Agent regarding the deposit of funds pending the closing(s) of the
Offering with a bank or trust company acceptable to the Placement Agent (the
"Fund Escrow Agreement").

                (ix) O&D Insurance. The Company shall have in place and full
force and effect at least $5,000,000 of officers and directors liability
insurance.

                (x) No Adverse Changes. There shall not have occurred, at any
time prior to the applicable closing (i) a general suspension of, or a general
limitation on prices for, trading in securities on the New York Stock Exchange
or the Nasdaq - Amex Stock Exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (ii) any
outbreak of major hostilities or other national or international calamity; (iii)
any banking moratorium declared by Federal or New York authorities; (iv) any
material adverse change in the business, properties, assets, results of
operations, or financial condition of the Company which materially impairs the
investment quality of the Preferred Units; or (v) any material adverse change in
the market for securities in general or in political, financial, or economic
conditions which, in the Placement Agent's reasonable judgment, makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the Offering.

                (xi) Capitalization; Indebtedness. At the date of each Preferred
Closing (i) there shall be no more than 177,200,000 shares of Common Stock
outstanding on a fully diluted basis (excluding shares issued or issuable in
connection with the Company's acquisition of the assets of IVonyx, Inc.); and
(ii) the Company shall have no outstanding indebtedness except for (w) accounts
payable, (x) capital lease obligations, (y) indebtedness to a bank or financial
institution under a senior secured working capital facility, and (z) up to
$3,000,000 of senior subordinated debt.

                (xii) Series D Waivers and Consents. A majority of the holders
of the Company's shares of Series D 8% Convertible Preferred Stock (the "D
Preferred Shares") shall have executed waivers of (i) Section 6(D) the
Certificate of Designation of the D Preferred Shares (the "Series D
Designation") that would result in an adjustment to the conversion price of the
D Preferred Shares as a result of this Offering, and (ii) Section 5(A) of the
Series D Designation with respect to the issuance by the Company of the E
Preferred Shares, which shall rank senior to the D Preferred Shares.

            (c) Blue Sky. Counsel to the Placement Agent will prepare and file
the necessary documents so that offers and sales of the securities to be offered
in the Offering may be made in certain jurisdictions in the United States. It is
understood that such filings may be based on or rely upon: (i) the
representations of each Subscriber set forth in the Subscription Agreement
delivered by such Subscriber; (ii) the representations, warranties and
agreements of the Company set forth in Section 2 of this Agency Agreement; and
(iii) the representations of the Company set forth in the certificate to be
delivered at each Preferred Closing pursuant to paragraph (vi) of Section 3(b).

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

            (d) Placement Fee and Expenses.

                (i) Offering. Simultaneously with payment for and delivery of
the Preferred Units at the Initial Preferred Closing, the Company shall: (A) pay
to the Placement Agent a cash fee of $300,000; (B) issue to the Placement Agent,
or its designees, seven-year warrants to purchase 36,000 E Preferred Shares at a
price of $10.00 per share (the "Agency Warrants"); and (C) reimburse the
Placement Agent for the Placement Agent Expenses (as defined below), which
expenses shall not exceed $150,000 in the aggregate and which expenses shall be
credited by $25,000 pursuant to a payment made by the Company to the Placement
Agency in connection with that certain engagement letter, dated June 11, 2001,
by and between the Company and the Placement Agent, as amended (the "Engagement
Letter"). The Company shall also pay all expenses in connection with the
qualification of the E Preferred Shares or Preferred Units under the blue sky
laws of the states which the Placement Agent shall designate, including legal
fees and filing fees not to exceed $5,000.

                (ii) Interest. In the event that for any reason the Company
shall fail to pay to the Placement Agent all or any portion of the fees payable
hereunder when due, interest shall accrue and be payable on the unpaid cash
balance due hereunder from the date when first due through and including the
date when actually collected by the Placement Agent, at a rate equal to four
percent above the prime rate of Citibank, N.A., in New York, New York, computed
on a daily basis and adjusted as announced from time to time.

            (e) Bring-Down Opinions and Certificates. If there is more than one
Preferred Closing, then at each such Closing there shall be delivered to the
Placement Agent updated opinions and certificates as described in (v) and (vi)
of Section 3(b) above, respectively.

        4. Covenants of the Company.

            (a) Use of Proceeds. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used
by the Company substantially as set forth in the Offering Memorandum. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4(a), the Company shall not use any of the proceeds from
the Offering to repay any indebtedness of the Company (other than trade payables
as they become due) outstanding on the date hereof, including but not limited to
indebtedness to any current executive officers, directors or principal
stockholders of the Company.

            (b) Expenses of Offering and Other Payments. The Company shall be
responsible for, and shall bear all expenses directly incurred in connection
with, the Offering including, but not limited to, (i) legal fees of the
Company's counsel relating to the costs of preparing the Offering Documents and
all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and preparing this Agency
Agreement and delivering all Preferred Units and the Agency Warrants, and (ii)
the blue sky fees, filing fees and the fees and disbursements of Placement
Agent's counsel in connection with the blue sky matters (the "Company
Expenses"). In addition, the Company shall reimburse the Placement Agent for all
of its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Offering,
including, without limitation the Placement Agent's mailing, printing, copying,
telephone, travel, background searches, due diligence investigations, legal and
consulting fees or other similar expenses (the "Placement Agent Expenses").

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

            On or prior to the Preferred Termination Date, if the Company
decides not to proceed with the Offering for any reason (other than as a result
of a material breach by the Placement Agent of its obligations hereunder or the
Placement Agent's failure to close on the Offering prior to the Preferred
Termination Date or upon mutual agreement with the Placement Agent not to
proceed with the Offering) or if the Placement Agent decides not to proceed with
the Offering because of a material breach by the Company of its representations,
warranties, or covenants in this Agency Agreement or as a result of material
adverse changes in the affairs of the Company, the Company will be obligated to
pay the Placement Agent a financial advisory fee of $150,000 payable at the
Placement Agent's sole discretion in either cash or in shares of the Common
Stock based on the average of the closing bid price for the 10 trading days
immediately preceding the date of notice not to proceed with Offering (the
"Termination Fee") (which fee the Company agrees is a fair measure of the
compensation to be received by the Placement Agent in respect of, among other
things its advice, time and effort in respect of the Offering), and to reimburse
the Placement Agent for the Placement Agent Expenses as set forth above within
ten business days of the occurrence or any such event. The Placement Agent shall
have no liability to the Company should the Placement Agent choose not to
proceed with the Offering contemplated hereby. After the Preferred Termination
Date, provided that up until such date the Company has been proceeding in good
faith to consummate the Offering, the Company shall have no obligation to pay
the Termination Fee should the Company choose to terminate this Agreement or not
to proceed with the Offering contemplated hereby for any reason, provided,
however, that in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to reimburse the
Placement Agent for the Placement Agent Expenses and for the blue sky expenses
and legal fees pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3(d)(i) above.

            (c) Notification. The Company shall notify the Placement Agent
immediately, and in writing, (i) when any event shall have occurred during the
period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the later of the Final
Closing or the Preferred Termination Date as a result of which the Offering
Documents would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and (ii) of the receipt of any notification
with respect to the modification, rescission, withdrawal or suspension of the
qualification or registration of the Preferred Units, or of any exemption from
such registration or qualification, in any jurisdiction. The Company will use
its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such modification,
rescission, withdrawal or suspension and, if any such modification, rescission,
withdrawal or suspension is issued and the Placement Agent so requests, to
obtain the lifting thereof as promptly as possible.

            (d) Blue Sky. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to
qualify or register the securities to be offered in the Offering for offering
and sale under, or establish an exemption from such qualification or
registration under, the blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States
as the Placement Agent may reasonably request; provided however, that the
Company will not be obligated to register as a foreign corporation or qualify as
a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified. The
Company will not consummate any sale of securities pursuant to the Offering in
any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or in any manner in which such
sale may not be lawfully made.

            (e) Form D Filing. The Company shall: (i) timely file with the SEC
five copies of a Notice of Sales of Securities on Form D with respect to the
sale of the Preferred Units within the time period required; (ii) file promptly
such amendments to such Notices on Form D as shall

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

become necessary; and (iii) comply with any filing requirement imposed by the
laws of any state or jurisdiction in which offers and sales are made. Upon
request, the Company shall furnish the Placement Agent with copies of all such
filings.

            (f) Press Releases, Etc. The Company shall provide two business days
prior written notice of any proposed press release or other communication, or
any press conference with respect to any material development concerning the
Company, its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties,
assets, or liabilities; provided however, the Company may issue any press
release without such prior notice if in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the
Company issuance before such notice can be provided is required for compliance
with any governmental agency or exchange on which the Company's securities are
listed. Furthermore, the Company shall not at any time include information with
respect to the use of the Placement Agent's name in any press release,
advertisement or on any website maintained by the Company without the prior
written consent of the Placement Agent.

            (g) Restrictions on Issuances of Securities. During the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier of (i) the date that the
Company advises the Placement Agent that it elects not to proceed with the
Offering and (ii) the later of (A) the Final Closing or (B) the Preferred
Termination Date, provided the Placement Agent shall not have breached any
material covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agency Agreement
and the Placement Agent is actively conducting the Offering, the Company will
not, without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, issue additional
shares of Common Stock, other than pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants
or rights outstanding on the date hereof, or grant any warrants, options or
issue other securities of the Company.

            (h) Independent Auditors. During the three-year period following the
Initial Preferred Closing, the Company will not switch auditors, other than to a
"Big Five" accounting firm, without the approval of a majority of the
independent members of the Board of Directors.

            (i) Quarterly Communications. Within 45 days after the end of each
fiscal quarter, the Company shall (i) send to the Placement Agent (x) a letter
setting forth the results of operations for the fiscal quarter and management's
analysis thereof (which delivery obligation shall be satisfied by timely filing
with the SEC the applicable quarterly report on Form 10-Q) and (y) a schedule of
all securities issuances by the Company, including the issuances of shares
pursuant to the cashless exercise provisions of any options or warrants, and
(ii) present an update on the affairs of the Company at the offices of the
Placement Agent for the Subscribers and employees of the Placement Agent. In
addition, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Company shall
send to the Subscribers a stockholders letter in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Placement Agent setting forth the results of operations for
the fiscal year and management's analysis thereof (which delivery obligation
shall be satisfied by timely filing with the SEC the applicable annual report on
Form 10-K).

            (j) Transmittal Letters. Within five days after each closing of the
Offering, the Placement Agent shall receive copies of all letters from the
Company to the Subscribers transmitting the securities sold in the Offering and
shall receive a letter from the Company confirming transmittal of the securities
to the Subscribers.

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

            (k) Committees. The Company will not create any committees of its
Board of Directors that are not composed of a majority of the independent
members of the Board of Directors unless it has received the approval of a
majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors to do so.

            (l) Transfer Agent. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and
registrar in respect of its capital stock, which transfer agent and registrar
shall be reasonably acceptable to the Placement Agent.

            (m) Indebtedness. For so long as 85,000 E Preferred Shares remain
outstanding, other than (i) indebtedness of the Company permitted to exist on
the date of a Preferred Closing under Section 3(C)(xi) above, (ii) indebtedness
of the Company to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business or
in connection with the restructuring of their claims, (iii) the acquisition of
personal property through indebtedness or leases on a purchase money basis, (iv)
refundings or refinancings of indebtedness described above, or (v) indebtedness
of the Company not referred to in the forgoing clauses (i) through (iv) not to
exceed $2,500,000, the Company will hereafter not create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist, contingently or otherwise, any indebtedness for borrowed money.

            (n) Lock-Up Agreements. In connection with any public offering of
the Company's securities resulting in gross proceeds to the Company in excess of
$25,000,000 and effected at a per share offering price in excess of $1.50, in
which Subscribers are bound by the lock-up provisions of Section 1.17 of their
Subscription Agreement, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to obtain the
agreement of each officer, director and 5% (or greater) stockholder of the
Company to the effect that such individual shall not, for up to 180 days
following the effective date of such public offering, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of such person's securities of the Company.

            (o) Amendments to Series E Designation. The Company will not,
without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent (i) agree to amend or
waive any provision of the Series E Designation, or (ii) take any action that
would not be permissible under the Series E Designation without the consent of
the holders of 20% of the outstanding E Preferred Shares.

        5. Indemnification.

            (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Placement
Agent and each Selected Dealer, if any, and their respective stockholders,
directors, officers, agents and controlling persons (an "Indemnified Party")
against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (and
all actions in respect thereof), and to reimburse the Placement Agent for
reasonable legal fees and related expenses as incurred (including, but not
limited to the costs of investigating, preparing or defending any such action or
claim whether or not in connection with litigation in which the Placement Agent
is a party and the costs of giving testimony or furnishing documents in response
to a subpoena or otherwise), caused by or arising out of (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Offering Documents or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided, however,
that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any
such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

any untrue statement of a material fact or alleged untrue statement or a
material fact provided by the Placement Agent in writing to the Company
specifically for use in the Offering Documents), any violation by the Company of
the federal securities laws or the securities laws of any states, or otherwise
arising out of the Placement Agent's engagement hereunder, except in respect of
any matters as to which the Placement Agent shall have been adjudicated to have
acted with gross negligence, or (iii) any breach by the Company of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agency Agreement.

            (b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this
Section of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party will,
if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this
Section, notify in writing the Company of the commencement thereof; but the
omission so to notify the Company will not relieve it from any liability which
it may have to the Indemnified Party otherwise than under this Section except to
the extent the defense of the claim is prejudiced. In case any such action is
brought against an Indemnified Party, and it notifies the Company of the
commencement thereof, the Company will be entitled to participate in, and, to
the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly
notified, to assume the defense thereof, subject to the provisions herein
stated, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and after
notice from the Company to the Indemnified Party of its election so to assume
the defense thereof, the Company will not be liable to the Indemnified Party
under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the
Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation (provided the Company has been advised in writing that
such investigation is being undertaken). The Indemnified Party shall have the
right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall not be at the
expense of the Company if the Company has assumed the defense of the action with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; provided that the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Company if (i) the
employment of such counsel has been specifically authorized in writing by the
Company (which it shall have no obligation to do) or (ii) the named parties to
any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified
Party or Parties and the Company and, in the reasonable judgment of counsel for
the Indemnified Party, it is advisable for the Indemnified Party or Parties to
be represented by separate counsel due to material conflict of interest (in
which case the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense of such
action on behalf of an Indemnified Party or Parties), it being understood,
however, that the Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or
separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the
reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for all
the Indemnified Parties. No settlement by an Indemnified Party of any action
against an Indemnified Party shall be made without the Company's consent which
shall not be unreasonably withheld. No settlement of any action against an
Indemnified Party by the Company shall be made unless such an Indemnified Party
is fully and completely released in connection therewith.

        6. Contribution.

            To provide for just and equitable contribution, if (i) an
Indemnified Party makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 5 but it
is found in a final judicial determination, not subject to further appeal, that
such indemnification may not be enforced in such case, even though this Agency
Agreement expressly provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) any

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

indemnified or indemnifying party seeks contribution under the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, or otherwise, then the Company (including for this purpose any
contribution made by or on behalf of any officer, director, employee or agent
for the Company, or any controlling person of the Company), on the one hand, and
the Placement Agent and any Selected Dealers (including for this purpose any
contribution by or on behalf of an indemnified party), on the other hand, shall
contribute to the losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses whatsoever
to which any of them may be subject, in such proportions as are appropriate to
reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the
Placement Agent and the Selected Dealers, on the other hand; provided, however,
that if applicable law does not permit such allocation, then other relevant
equitable considerations such as the relative fault of the Company and the
Placement Agent and the Selected Dealers in connection with the facts which
resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses shall also
be considered. In no case shall the Placement Agent or a Selected Dealer be
responsible for a portion of the contribution obligation in excess of the
compensation received by it or the Selected Dealer Agreement, as the case may
be. No person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who is not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6, each person, if any, who
controls the Placement Agent or a Selected Dealer within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act and each officer, director,
shareholder, employee and agent of the Placement Agent or a Selected Dealer,
shall have the same rights to contribution as the Placement Agent or the
Selected Dealer, and each person, if any who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act and each
officer, director, employee and agent of the Company, shall have the same rights
to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the provisions of this
Section 6. Anything in this Section 6 to the contrary notwithstanding, no party
shall be liable for contribution with respect to the settlement of any claim or
action effected without its written consent. This Section 6 is intended to
supersede any right to contribution under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, or
otherwise.

        7. Miscellaneous.

            (a) Survival. Except as set forth in Section 4(b), any termination
of the Offering without consummation thereof shall be without obligation on the
part of any party except that the indemnification provided in Section 5 hereof
and the contribution provided in Section 6 hereof shall survive any termination
and shall survive the Final Closing for a period of three years.

            (b) Representations, Warranties and Covenants to Survive Delivery.
The respective representations, warranties, indemnities, agreements, covenants
and other statements as of the date hereof shall survive execution of this
Agency Agreement and delivery of the Preferred Units and the termination of this
Agency Agreement for a period of three years after such respective event.

            (c) No Other Beneficiaries. This Agency Agreement is intended for
the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and controlling persons, and no other person, firm or corporation
shall have any third-party beneficiary or other rights hereunder.

            (d) Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes. This Agency Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of
New York without regard

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

to conflict of law provisions. The Placement Agent and the Company will attempt
to settle any claim or controversy arising out of this Agency Agreement through
consultation and negotiation in good faith and a spirit of mutual cooperation.
Should such attempts fail, then the dispute will be mediated by a mutually
acceptable mediator to be chosen by the Placement Agent and the Company within
15 days after written notice from either party demanding mediation. Neither
party may unreasonably withhold consent to the selection of a mediator, and the
parties will share the costs of the mediation equally. Any dispute which the
parties cannot resolve through negotiation or mediation within six months of the
date of the initial demand for it by one of the parties may then be submitted to
the courts for resolution. The use of mediation will not be construed under the
doctrine of latches, waiver or estoppel to affect adversely the rights of either
party. Nothing in this paragraph will prevent either party from resorting to
judicial proceedings if (a) good faith efforts to resolve the dispute under
these procedures have been unsuccessful or (b) interim relief from a court is
necessary to prevent serious and irreparable injury.

            (e) Counterparts. This Agency Agreement may be signed in
counterparts with the same effect as if both parties had signed one and the same
instrument.

            (f) Notices. Any communications specifically required hereunder to
be in writing, if sent to the Placement Agent, will be sent by overnight courier
providing a receipt of delivery or by certified or registered mail to it at
Commonwealth Associates, 830 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention:
Carl Kleidman, with a copy to Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman, LLP, 1114 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Alison Newman, and if sent to
the Company, will be sent by overnight courier providing a receipt of delivery
or by certified or registered mail to it at 225 Arizona Avenue, Suite 250 Santa
Monica, California 90401, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, with a copy to
Latham & Watkins, 633 West Fifth Street, Suite 4000, Los Angeles, California
900271, Attention: W. Alex Voxman.

            (g) Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise set forth below, this
Agency Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the matters herein referred and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof including, but not limited to, the Engagement Letter.
Neither this Agency Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived or
terminated orally, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against which enforcement of the change, waiver or termination is sought. This
Agency Agreement does not replace that certain Agency Agreement dated as of June
23, 2000, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated August 22, 2000 (the "Prior Agency
Agreement") between the Placement Agent and the Company with respect to the
Bridge Financing and the Offering of D Preferred Shares and Warrants referred to
therein, which Prior Agency Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In
the event any term or provision contained in the Prior Agency Agreement
conflicts with this Agency Agreement, this Agency Agreement shall govern.

        If you find the foregoing is in accordance with our understanding,
kindly sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument
along with all counterparts will become a binding agreement between us.

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            drkoop.com, Inc.

                                            By: /s/ EDWARD A. CESPEDES
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name: Edward A. Cespedes
                                                Title: President

Agreed:

COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATES, L.P.

        By: Commonwealth Associates Management Company, Inc.,
            its general partner

        By: /s/ JOSEPH P. WYNNE
            -----------------------------
            Name: Joseph P. Wynne
            Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                       18<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.112

                                DRKOOP.COM, INC.

        SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT made as of this 20th day of August, 2001 between
drkoop.com, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware with offices at 225 Arizona Avenue, Suite 250, Santa Monica, California
90401 (the "Company"), and the undersigned (the "Subscriber").

        WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue units ("Units"), consisting of a
minimum of 30 Units (the "Minimum Offering") and a maximum of 50 Units (the
"Maximum Offering"), which may be increased by up to 10 Units at the option of
the Placement Agent and the Company in the event of oversubscription (the
"Over-Allotment Option"), in a private placement (the "Offering"), each Unit
consisting of 10,000 shares of the Company's Series E 8% Convertible Preferred
Stock (the "Preferred Shares") convertible into shares of the Company's common
stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the
Company's Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights (the
"Certificate of Designation") in the form attached as Exhibit A to the Private
Placement Memorandum dated July 27, 2001 (as the same may be amended, modified
or supplemented from time to time, and together with all the Exhibits thereto,
the "Memorandum"), on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

        WHEREAS, Commonwealth Associates, L.P. is acting as placement agent (the
"Placement Agent") in the Offering pursuant to an Agency Agreement entered into
between the Placement Agent and the Company (the "Agency Agreement");

        WHEREAS, the Subscriber desires to acquire the number of Units set forth
on the signature page hereof on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
and

        WHEREAS, the Subscriber is delivering simultaneously herewith a
completed confidential investor questionnaire.

        NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

        I.      SUBSCRIPTION FOR UNITS AND REPRESENTATIONS BY AND COVENANTS OF
                SUBSCRIBER

                1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
the Subscriber hereby subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Company
such number of Units as is set forth upon the signature page hereof at a price
equal to $100,000 per Unit, and the Company agrees to sell such Units to the
Subscriber for said purchase price, subject to the Company's right to sell to
the Subscriber such lesser number of Units, or no Units, as the Company may, in
its sole discretion, deem necessary or desirable. The purchase price is payable
by certified or bank check made payable to "American Stock Transfer and Trust
Company, as Escrow Agent for drkoop.com, Inc." or by wire

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

transfer of funds, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this
Subscription Agreement. The Preferred Shares will be delivered by the Company
within 10 days following the consummation of the Offering as set forth in
Article III hereof.

                1.2 The Subscriber recognizes that the purchase of Units
involves a high degree of risk in that (i) the Company has incurred substantial
losses from operations; (ii) an investment in the Company is highly speculative
and only investors who can afford the loss of their entire investment should
consider investing in the Company and the Units; (iii) an investment in the
Units is illiquid; and (iv) transferability of the securities comprising the
Units is extremely limited, as well as other risk factors as more fully set
forth in the section captioned "Risk Factors" in the Memorandum.

                1.3 The Subscriber represents and warrants that he is an
"accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), as
indicated by his responses to the Investor Questionnaire, and that he is able to
bear the economic risk of an investment in the Units. The Subscriber further
represents and warrants that the information furnished in the Investor
Questionnaire is accurate and complete in all material respects.

                1.4 The Subscriber acknowledges that he has prior investment
experience, including investment in non-listed and non-registered securities and
that he recognizes the highly speculative nature of this investment.

                1.5 The Subscriber acknowledges receipt and careful review of
the Memorandum (including, without limitation, the information in the section
captioned "Risk Factors") and all other documents furnished in connection with
this transaction (collectively, the "Offering Documents") and hereby represents
that he has been furnished by the Company during the course of this transaction
with all information regarding the Company which he has requested or desires to
know; that he has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive
answers from duly authorized officers or other representatives of the Company
concerning the terms and conditions of the Offering, and any additional
information which he had requested.

                1.6 The Subscriber acknowledges that the Offering may involve
tax consequences and that the contents of the Memorandum do not contain tax
advice or information. The Subscriber acknowledges that he must retain his own
professional advisors to evaluate the tax and other consequences of an
investment in the Units.

                1.7 The Subscriber acknowledges that the Offering has not been
reviewed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") because
of the Company's representations that this is intended to be a nonpublic
offering pursuant to Sections 4(2) or 3(b) of the Act. The Subscriber represents
that the Preferred Shares comprising his Units are being purchased for his own
account, for investment and not for distribution or resale to others. The

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

Subscriber agrees that he will not sell or otherwise transfer the Preferred
Shares unless they are registered under the Act or unless an exemption from such
registration is available.

                1.8 The Subscriber understands that there is no public market
for the Preferred Shares. The Subscriber understands that Rule 144 (the "Rule")
promulgated under the Act requires, among other conditions, a one year holding
period prior to the resale (in limited amounts) of securities acquired in a
non-public offering without having to satisfy the registration requirements
under the Act. The Subscriber understands that the Company is currently a
reporting company but makes no representation or warranty regarding its
fulfillment in the future of any reporting requirements under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or its dissemination to
the public of any current financial or other information concerning the Company,
as is required by the Rule as one of the conditions of its availability. The
Subscriber understands and hereby acknowledges that the Company is under no
obligation to register the Securities (as defined below) under the Act, with the
exception of certain registration rights set forth in Annex A to this
Subscription Agreement. The Subscriber agrees that the Company may, if it
desires, permit the transfer of the Preferred Shares and the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares (the "Conversion Shares"
and, together with the Preferred Shares, the "Securities") out of his name only
when his request for transfer is accompanied by an opinion of counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Company that neither the sale nor the proposed transfer
results in a violation of the Act or any applicable state "blue sky" laws
(collectively "Securities Laws").

                1.9 The Subscriber consents to the placement of a legend on any
certificate or other document evidencing the Securities or any other securities
of the Company held by Subscriber stating that they have not been registered
under the Act.

                1.10 The Subscriber acknowledges that if he is a Registered
Representative or an affiliated person of an NASD member firm, he must give such
firm the notice required by the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice, receipt of which
must be acknowledged by such firm on the signature page hereof.

                1.11 If the undersigned Subscriber is a partnership,
corporation, trust or other entity, such partnership, corporation, trust or
other entity further represents and warrants that: (i) it was not formed for the
purpose of investing in the Company; (ii) it is authorized and otherwise duly
qualified to purchase and hold the Units; and (iii) that this Subscription
Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered and
constitutes the legal, binding and enforceable obligation of the undersigned.

                1.12 The Subscriber hereby represents that the address of
Subscriber furnished by him at the end of this Subscription Agreement is the
undersigned's principal residence if he is an individual or its principal
business address if it is a corporation or other entity.

                1.13 The Subscriber hereby represents that, except as set forth
in the Offering

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

Documents, no representations or warranties have been made to the Subscriber by
the Company or any agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, including the
Placement Agent, and in entering into this transaction, the Subscriber is not
relying on any information, other than that contained in the Offering Documents
and the results of independent investigation by the Subscriber.

                1.14 The Subscriber acknowledges that the Maximum Offering may
be increased by up to 10 Units ($1,000,000) without notice to Subscribers upon
exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

                1.15 The Subscriber represents and warrants that the Subscriber
did not learn of the Offering directly or indirectly through any general
solicitation or advertising, including, but not limited to, learning of the
Company or the Offering as a result of viewing any press release or similar
types of publicly available information which directly or indirectly resulted in
the Subscriber subscribing for Units in the Offering. The Subscriber further
understands that the Company is relying, in part, on this representation to
ensure compliance with the federal securities laws.

                1.16 The Subscriber acknowledges that at such time as the
Conversion Shares are registered, sales of such securities will be subject to
state securities laws, including those of states which may require any
securities sold therein to be sold through a registered broker-dealer or in
reliance upon an exemption from registration.

                1.17 The Subscriber hereby agrees that for up to 180 days
following the effective date of a public offering of the Company's securities
resulting in gross proceeds to the Company in excess of $25,000,000 and effected
at a per share offering price in excess of $1.50, if requested by the Company or
the managing underwriter of such offering and agreed to by the Placement Agent,
the Subscriber will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Subscriber's
Securities, and will in addition, if so requested, execute a written agreement
to the foregoing effect.

                1.18 THE SUBSCRIBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE HOLDERS OF AT LEAST
20% OF THE OUTSTANDING PREFERRED SHARES MAY CONSENT OR VOTE WITH RESPECT TO ANY
WAIVERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE TERMS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES CONTAINED IN
THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, THEREBY BINDING THE SUBSCRIBER TO ANY SUCH
WAIVER. THE SUBSCRIBER HEREBY AUTHORIZES A COMMITTEE TO BE DESIGNATED BY THE
PLACEMENT AGENT WHOSE MEMBERS HOLD IN THE AGGREGATE NOT LESS THAN 20% OF THE
OUTSTANDING PREFERRED SHARES (THE "COMMITTEE") TO ACT ON THE SUBSCRIBERS'
BEHALF, AND GRANTS THE COMMITTEE AN IRREVOCABLE PROXY TO VOTE FOR ANY AMENDMENT
OR WAIVER TO THE CERTIFICATE OF THE DESIGNATION TO EFFECT THE FOREGOING AND
AGREES THAT SUCH PROXY IS SUPPORTED BY AN INTEREST SUFFICIENT IN LAW TO SUPPORT
THE IRREVOCABILITY THEREOF; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, NO AMENDMENT OR WAIVER MAY
DECREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THE
PREFERRED STOCK OR INCREASE THE CONVERSION PRICE OF THE PREFERRED STOCK (OTHER
THAN AS A RESULT OF THE WAIVER OF ANY ANTI-DILUTION PROVISIONS) WITHOUT THE
REQUISITE VOTE REQUIRED BY THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION. THE SUBSCRIBER AGREES
THAT NONE OF THE PLACEMENT AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES
OR AGENTS NOR THE COMMITTEE OR ANY OF ITS MEMBERS SHALL BE LIABLE TO ANY
SUBSCRIBER FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED TO BE TAKEN BY IT IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH, EXCEPT FOR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. THE

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

SUBSCRIBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE MAY BE
AFFILIATED WITH THE PLACEMENT AGENT. ANY TRANSFEREE OF THE PREFERRED SHARES
SHALL AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS SECTION 1.18.

                II. REPRESENTATIONS BY THE COMPANY

                2.1 The Company represents and warrants to the Subscriber that
prior to the consummation of the Offering and at the Closing Date:

                        (a) The Company and each of its subsidiaries (each a
"Subsidiary") is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has the corporate power
to conduct the business which it conducts and proposes to conduct.

                        (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Subscription Agreement by the Company will have been duly approved by the Board
of Directors of the Company and all other actions required to authorize and
effect the offer and sale of the Units and the Securities will have been duly
taken and approved.

                        (c) The Preferred Shares have been duly and validly
authorized and when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms hereof,
will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. The Conversion
Shares when issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares in accordance with
their terms will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

                        (d) The Company will at all times have authorized and
reserved a sufficient number of Conversion Shares (the "Reserved Shares") to
provide for conversion of the Preferred Shares.

                        (e) The Company and each Subsidiary has, to the best of
the Company's knowledge, obtained, or is in the process of obtaining, all
licenses, permits and other governmental authorizations necessary to the conduct
of its respective business; such licenses, permits and other governmental
authorizations obtained are in full force and effect; and the Company and each
Subsidiary is in all material respects complying therewith.

                        (f) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in
violation of or default under, nor will the execution and delivery of this
Subscription Agreement, the issuance of the Preferred Shares or the Agency
Warrants (as hereinafter defined), the incurrence of the obligations set forth
herein and therein and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby, result in a violation of, or constitute a default under, the
Company's or any Subsidiary's certificate of incorporation or by-laws, any
material obligations, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or in any material contract,
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, lease, joint venture or other agreement or
instrument to which

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of their
properties may be bound or any material order, rule, regulation, writ,
injunction, or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court,
domestic or foreign.

                        (h) Since June 30, 1999, the Company has filed all
reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed
by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act
(all of the foregoing filed after June 30, 1999 and prior to the date hereof and
all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the
"SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in
all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC
Documents. None of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC,
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the
Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material
respects with applicable accounting requirements of the SEC with respect
thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), consistently applied, during
the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial
statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim
statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or
summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial
position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

        III.    TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION

                3.1 The subscription period will begin as of July 27, 2001 and
will terminate at 11:59 PM Eastern time on August 17, 2001, unless extended by
the Company and the Placement Agent until September 16, 2001 (the "Termination
Date"). Such extension may be effected without notice to the Subscribers. The
first 30 Units will be offered on a "best efforts - all or none" basis and the
remaining Units will be offered on a "best efforts" basis. The Maximum Offering
may be increased by up to 10 Units ($1,000,000) at the discretion of the
Placement Agent and the Company upon the exercise of the of Over-Allotment
Option.

                3.2 As compensation for its services, the Placement Agent will
receive: (i) a cash fee of $300,000; (ii) reimbursement of accountable expenses;
and (iii) seven-year warrants (the "Agency Warrants") to purchase 36,000
Preferred Shares at an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share. The Company
shall also pay all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Units
and the Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the states which the
Placement Agent shall designate, including legal fees and filing fees.

                3.3 Pending the sale of the Units, all funds paid hereunder
shall be deposited by the Company in escrow with American Stock Transfer and
Trust Company. If the Company shall

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

not have obtained subscriptions (including this subscription) for purchases of
30 Units on or before the Termination Date, then this subscription shall be void
and all funds paid hereunder by the Subscriber, without interest, shall be
promptly returned to the Subscriber, subject to Section 3.5 hereof. If 30 Units
are subscribed for at or prior to the Termination Date, then all subscription
proceeds shall be paid over to the Company within ten business days thereafter
at an initial closing (the "Initial Closing"). In such event, placements of
additional Units may continue until the Termination Date, with subsequent
releases of funds to be at the mutual consent of the Company and the Placement
Agent. At the Initial Closing and each subsequent Closing, payment for the Units
issued and sold by the Company shall be made against delivery of the Preferred
Shares comprising such Units. All funds received from a Subscriber whose
subscription for Units is not accepted will be returned to the Subscriber,
without interest and without any deduction, subject to paragraph 3.5 hereof.

                3.4 The Subscriber hereby authorizes and directs the Company to
deliver certificates representing the securities to be issued to such Subscriber
pursuant to this Subscription Agreement either (a) to the residential or
business address indicated in the Investor Questionnaire or (b) directly to the
Subscriber's account maintained with the Placement Agent, if any.

                3.5 The Subscriber hereby authorizes and directs the Company to
return any funds for unaccepted subscriptions to the same account from which the
funds were drawn, including any customer account maintained with the Placement
Agent.

                3.6 If the Subscriber is not a United States person, such
Subscriber hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full
observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to
subscribe for the securities comprising the Units or any use of this
Subscription Agreement, including (i) the legal requirements within its
jurisdiction for the purchase of the Units, (ii) any foreign exchange
restrictions applicable to such purchase, (iii) any governmental or other
consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax
consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption,
sale or transfer of the securities comprising the Units. Such Subscriber's
subscription and payment for, and his or her continued beneficial ownership of
the Units, will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the
Subscriber's jurisdiction.

        IV.     REGISTRATION RIGHTS

                4.1 Registration. The Company and the Subscriber agree to the
terms and provisions of Annex A hereto, which terms and provisions are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part hereof and set
forth the respective rights and obligations of the Company and the Subscriber in
respect of registration rights and certain other matters relating to the
Conversion Shares.

        V.      MISCELLANEOUS

                5.1 Any notice or other communication given hereunder shall be
deemed

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

sufficient if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, addressed to the Company, at its registered office,
drkoop.com, Inc., 225 Arizona Avenue, Suite 250, Santa Monica, California 90401,
Attention: Chief Executive Officer, and to the Subscriber at his address
indicated on the last page of this Subscription Agreement. Notices shall be
deemed to have been given on the date of mailing, except notices of change of
address and notices sent from outside the continental United States, which shall
be deemed to have been given when received.

                5.2 This Subscription Agreement shall not be changed, modified
or amended except by a writing signed by the parties to be charged, and this
Subscription Agreement may not be discharged except by performance in accordance
with its terms or by a writing signed by the party to be charged.

                5.3 This Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns. This Subscription Agreement sets forth
the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject
matter thereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and
understandings of any and every nature among them.

                5.4 Notwithstanding the place where this Subscription Agreement
may be executed by any of the parties hereto, the parties expressly agree that
all the terms and provisions hereof shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to such State's
laws regarding conflicts of laws. The parties hereby agree that any dispute
which may arise between them arising out of or in connection with this
Subscription Agreement shall be adjudicated before a court located in New York
City and they hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the
State of New York located in New York, New York and of the federal courts in the
Southern District of New York with respect to any action or legal proceeding
commenced by any party relating to or arising out of this Subscription Agreement
or any acts or omissions relating to the sale of the securities hereunder, and
irrevocably waive any objection they now or hereafter may have respecting the
venue of any such action or proceeding brought in such a court or respecting the
fact that such court is an inconvenient forum and consent to the service of
process in any such action or legal proceeding by means of registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, in care of the address specified in
Section 5.1 hereof or by notice given in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof.

                5.5 This Subscription Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
Upon the execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement by the
Subscriber, this Subscription Agreement shall become a binding obligation of the
Subscriber with respect to the purchase of Units as herein provided; subject,
however, to the right hereby reserved to the Company to enter into the same
agreements with other subscribers and to add and/or to delete other persons as
subscribers.

                5.6 The holding of any provision of this Subscription Agreement
to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not
affect any other provision of this Subscription Agreement, which shall remain in
full force and effect.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                5.7 It is agreed that a waiver by either party of a breach of
any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall not operate, or be construed,
as a waiver of any subsequent breach by that same party.

                5.8 The parties agree to execute and deliver all such further
documents, agreements and instruments and take such other and further action as
may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this
Subscription Agreement.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

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

--------------------------------       ----------------------------------------
Signature of Subscriber                Signature of Co-Subscriber

--------------------------------       ----------------------------------------
Name of Subscriber                     Name of Co-Subscriber
[please print]                         [please print]

--------------------------------       ----------------------------------------
Address of Subscriber                  Address of Co-Subscriber

--------------------------------       ----------------------------------------
Social Security or Taxpayer            Social Security or Taxpayer
Identification Number of Subscriber    Identification Number of Co-Subscriber

--------------------------------
Subscriber's Account Number
at Commonwealth Associates

--------------------------------
Purchase Price of Units Subscribed For

*IF SUBSCRIBER IS A REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE WITH AN NASD MEMBER FIRM OR AN
AFFILIATED PERSON OF A NASD MEMBER FIRM, HAVE THE FOLLOWING ACKNOWLEDGMENT
SIGNED BY THE APPROPRIATE PARTY:

The undersigned NASD member firm
acknowledges receipt of the notice
required by Rule 3050 of the NASD                  Subscription Accepted:
Conduct Rules.
                                                   Drkoop.com, Inc.

                                       By:
--------------------------------          -------------------------------------
Name of NASD Member Firm                  Name:
                                          Title:

By:
--------------------------------          -------------------------------------
Authorized Officer                        Purchase Price of Unit Subscription
                                          Accepted

<PAGE>   11
                                    ANNEX A

        1. Definitions. All capitalized terms used, and not defined herein,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Subscription Agreement. The
following additional definitions shall apply for purposes of this Annex A:

        (a) The term "Agency Agreement" means the Agency Agreement between
Commonwealth and the Company, with respect to, among other things, the offer and
sale of the Preferred Shares.

        (b) The term "Conversion Price" means the Conversion Price of the
Preferred Shares, as defined in and determined in accordance with the
Certificate of Designation, and as further adjusted pursuant to Section 2(f) of
this Annex A.

        (c) The term "Conversion Shares" means the shares of Common Stock issued
or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares.

        (d) The term "Holders" means Commonwealth, the Subscribers and any
transferee or assignee thereof to whom Commonwealth or a Subscriber assigns its
rights under this Annex A to the Subscription Agreement and who agrees to become
bound by the provisions of this Annex A in accordance with Section 8 thereof.

        (e) The term "Preferred Shares" means the Preferred Shares (i) issued to
the Subscribers pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, and (ii) issuable to
Commonwealth (or its designees) upon exercise of the Agency Warrants.

        (f) The term "Person" means an individual, a limited liability company,
a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated
organization, a government or any department or agency thereof.

        (g) The terms "Register," "Registered," and "Registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements (as defined below) or similar document in compliance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and Rule 415 thereunder or
any successor rule providing for the offering for resale of securities on a
continuous or delayed basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of
effectiveness of such Registration Statement or document by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

        (h) The term "Registrable Securities" means (1) the Conversion Shares,
and (2) any shares of common stock issued or issuable with respect to Conversion
Shares, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
exchange or similar event or otherwise; provided, that any securities deemed
Registrable Securities in accordance herewith shall cease to be Registrable
Securities (i) upon the sale of such securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement, (ii) upon the sale of such securities pursuant to Rule

<PAGE>   12

144 promulgated under the 1933 Act, (iii) on the date on which all Conversion
Shares owned by a Holder may be resold in a single 90-day period pursuant to
Rule 144, (iv) on the date on which such securities become eligible for sale
under Rule 144(k) promulgated under the 1933 Act, it being understood that when
ascertaining the holding period applicable to any Conversion Shares issuable
upon conversion of Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Agency
Warrants for the purpose of determining the availability of Rule 144(k), such
holding period shall be deemed to have commenced when the related Agency Warrant
was acquired.

        (i) The term "Registration Statement" means a registration statement on
Form S-1 or Form S-3 or any similar or successor form then appropriate for or
applicable to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities and filed under
the 1933 Act.

        (j) The term "Subscribers" means the subscribers signatory to the
Subscription Agreements.

        (k) The term "Subscription Agreements" means the Subscription Agreements
between the Company and the respective Subscribers relating to the purchase of
the Preferred Shares.

        2. Registration.

        (a) Right to Include Registrable Stock. If the Company proposes to
register any of its securities under the 1933 Act in connection with the public
offering of such securities solely for cash (other than a registration on Form
S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor or similar forms), it will each such time
promptly (but not later than 30 days before the anticipated date of filing such
Registration Statement) give written notice to each Holder. Upon the written
request of any of the Holders made within 15 days after the receipt of any such
notice (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be
disposed of by such Holders and the intended method of distribution thereof),
the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration
under the 1933 Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has been
requested to register by any of the Holders in accordance with the intended
methods of distribution specified in such request; provided that (i) if, at any
time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and
prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection
with such registration, the Company determines for any reason not to proceed
with such registration, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of
such determination to the Holders and, thereupon, will be relieved of its
obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such
registration and (ii) in case of a determination by the Company to delay
registration of its securities, the Company will be permitted to delay the
registration of Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in
registering such other securities; provided, however, that the provisions of
this Section 2 will not be deemed to limit or otherwise restrict the rights of
the Holders under Section 3.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>   13

        (b) Mandatory Registration. In addition to the foregoing, the Company
shall prepare and file with the SEC prior to the three month anniversary date of
the initial closing of the Offering (the "Filing Deadline") a Registration
Statement or Registration Statements (as necessary) on Form S-3 covering all of
the Holders' Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable
for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available
for such a registration, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e). The Company
shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the SEC within three months after the Filing Deadline.

        (c) Priority. If the managing underwriter for a registration (other than
with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b) above)
involving an underwritten offering advises the Company in writing that, in its
opinion, the number of securities of the Company (including Registrable
Securities) requested to be included in such registration by the holders thereof
exceeds the number of securities of the Company (the "Sale Number") which can be
sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to
the Company, the Company will include (i) first, all securities of the Company
that the Company proposes to register for its own account and (ii) second, to
the extent that the number of securities to be included by the Company for its
own account is less than the Sale Number, a number of the Registrable Securities
(the "Adjusted Allocation") equal to the number derived by multiplying (a) the
difference between the Sale Number and the securities proposed to be sold by the
Company, and (b) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of Registrable
Securities originally requested to be registered by the Holders and the
denominator of which shall be the aggregate number of all securities requested
to be registered by all holders of the Company's securities entitled to include
securities in the Registration Statement (other than securities being registered
by the Company for its own account). The Adjusted Allocation shall be allocated
among the Holders pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities
initially sought to be registered by the Holder. The Company hereby agrees that
it will not grant registration rights to any other holder that are more
favorable to such holder than the registration rights granted hereunder.

        (d) Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 7 hereof, the Subscribers holding
a majority of the Registrable Securities shall have the right to select one
legal counsel to review and oversee any offering pursuant to this Section 2
("Legal Counsel"), which shall be Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP or such
other counsel as thereafter designated by the holders of a majority of
Registrable Securities. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal
Counsel in performing the Company's obligations under the terms of this Annex A.

        (e) Ineligibility of Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not
available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable
Securities on another appropriate form and (ii) undertake to register the resale
of the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   14

form is available, provided that the Company shall use its best efforts to
maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until
such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable
Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.

        (f) Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of
Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement covering all the
Registrable Securities and required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the
terms of this Annex A is not declared effective by the SEC on or before the six
month anniversary of the Initial Closing of the Offering (the "Effectiveness
Deadline") or (ii) on any day after the Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC, sales of all the Registrable Securities required to be
included on such Registration Statement cannot be made pursuant to the
Registration Statement (including, without limitation, because of a failure to
keep the Registration Statement effective, to disclose such information as is
necessary for sales to be made pursuant to the Registration Statement, to
register sufficient shares of Common Stock), then, as the sole remedy to any
Holder by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the
underlying shares of Common Stock, (x) the Conversion Price of the Preferred
Shares that then constitute Registrable Securities shall be reduced by 5% for
each aggregate 30-day period (or pro rated amounts thereof for partial 30-day
periods) that (i) the Registration Statement is not declared effective by the
SEC following the Effectiveness Deadline and (ii) after the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC, such Registration Statement is not
available for the sale of at least all of the Registrable Securities required to
be included in such Registration Statement, and (y) the number of Conversion
Shares that then constitute Registrable Securities shall be increased to a
number determined by multiplying the number of such Conversion Shares issuable
upon conversion of the Preferred Shares immediately prior to the applicable
Conversion Price reduction hereunder by a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be the Conversion Price per share in effect prior to the applicable Conversion
Price reduction hereunder and the denominator of which shall be the applicable
Conversion Price as so reduced. The foregoing penalties shall not be triggered
during any period of time (i) when the Placement Agent and the holders of the
Series D 8% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company have the right to
designate persons that constitute a majority of the board of directors of the
Company, (ii) during a Delay Period (as hereinafter defined) and the seven days
following a Delay Period or (ii) when the Holder is otherwise able to sell its
securities under Rule 144 (with respect to such saleable securities).

        (g) Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b)
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities which such
Registration Statement is required to cover, the Company shall amend the
Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form
available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least 100% of the
Registrable Securities (based on the market price of the Common Stock on the
trading day immediately preceding the date of filing of such

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   15

amendment or new Registration Statement), in each case, as soon as reasonably
practicable, but in any event not later than thirty (30) business days after the
necessity therefor arises. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause such
amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as
practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing
provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall
be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities" if the
number of Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon conversion of the
Preferred Shares covered by such Registration Statement is greater than the
number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under the Registration
Statement to cover shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
Shares.

        3. Obligations of the Company. Whenever required under the terms of this
Annex A to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company
will, as expeditiously as possible, fulfill the following obligations:

        (a) The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (but in no
event later than the Filing Deadline) and use its reasonable best efforts to
cause such Registration Statement to become effective (but in no event later
than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline). The Company will keep such
Registration Statement effective for 21 months but not, in any event, after such
securities cease being Registrable Securities (the "Registration Period") and
subject to any Delay Periods, as defined below. The Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained
therein) shall not 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 therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading.

        The Company shall not be required to keep the Registration Statement
effective during any Delay Period. The term "Delay Period" shall mean with
respect to any obligation to keep the Registration Statement usable for resales
pursuant to this Section 3, the period when there exist circumstances relating
to a material pending development, including but not limited to a pending or
contemplated material acquisition or merger or other material transaction or
similar event, which would require disclosure by the Company in the Registration
Statement of material information which the Company determines in good faith
that it has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential and non-public
and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement might cause the
Registration Statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure
requirements. A Delay Period shall commence on and include the date that the
Company gives written notice (a "Delay Notice") to the Holders that it is not
required to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective or the
prospectus contained in the Registration Statement is no longer usable as a
result of a material pending development, and shall end on the date when the
Holders are advised in writing by the Company that the current Delay Period has
terminated (it being understood that the

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   16

Company shall give such notice to all Holders promptly upon making the
determination that the Delay Period has ended); provided, however, that the
Company shall not be entitled to Delay Periods having durations that exceed
ninety (90) days in the aggregate during any calendar year. Any Delay Period
shall extend the period up to which the Company is obligated to keep the
Registration Statement effective set forth in the previous paragraph by the
period of such Delay Period.

        (b) The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus included in such
Registration Statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the
1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered
by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable
Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods
of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such
Registration Statement or shall have otherwise ceased to be Registrable
Securities. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration
Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to the terms of this Annex A
(including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a
report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), the Company shall
incorporate such report by reference into the Registration Statement, if
applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the
same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for
the Company to amend or supplement the Registration Statement.

        (c) The Company shall (1) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment
upon the Registration Statements and all amendments and supplements to the
Registration Statements (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any similar or successor
report and registration statements on Form S-8) at least five (5) business days
prior to their filing with the SEC and (2) not file any document containing
information relating to Holders to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The
Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior
approval of Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) any correspondence
from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives
relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) promptly after the same is prepared
and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement and any
amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules and all
exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one
copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with
Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations pursuant to this Section
3.

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   17

        (d) The Company shall furnish to each of the Holders such numbers of
copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with
the requirements of the 1933 Act, and such other documents as it may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned
by such Holders.

        (e) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register
and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies,
the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under the
securities or "blue sky" laws of all jurisdictions which any Holder of
Registrable Securities may request, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be reasonably
necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period,
(iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to maintain such
registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration
Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to
qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a
condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y)
subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a
general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company
shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Holder who holds Registrable
Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the
suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction
in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat
of any proceeding for such purpose.

        (f) As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or
development, the Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Holder in writing
of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such
notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and promptly prepare a
supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue
statement or omission, and deliver copies of such supplement or amendment to
Legal Counsel and each Holder as they may reasonably request. The Company shall
also promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Holder in writing (i) when a
prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been
filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has
become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal
Counsel as soon as practicable thereafter by facsimile on the same day of such
effectiveness), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to
a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii)
of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement would be appropriate.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   18

        (g) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the
issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a
Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, however, if such an order
or suspension is issued, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the
withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to
notify Legal Counsel and each Holder who holds Registrable Securities being sold
of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of
actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

        (h) At the reasonable request of any Holder and at the expense of such
Holder, the Company shall furnish to such Holder, on the date of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on
such dates as any of the Holders may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such
date, from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and
substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering, provided that the Holder
provides a due diligence letter in accordance with SAS 72 and such a letter may
otherwise be delivered in accordance with the then prevailing professional
practice, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing
the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and
substance as is reasonably and customarily given in an underwritten public
offering, addressed to the Holders.

        (i) The Company shall cause all the Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange (or relevant
Nasdaq Stock Market) on which securities of the same class or series issued by
the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable
Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange (or Nasdaq Stock
Market). The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with
satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(i).

        (j) In connection with the filing of a Registration Statement, the
Company shall make documents, files, books, records, officers, directors and
employees of the Company reasonably available upon notice and during normal
business hours to any Holder, Legal Counsel and one firm of accountants or other
agents retained by the Holders and provided the underwriters, if any, shall have
agreed to be bound by the provisions of this Section 3(j), to such underwriters
(collectively the "Inspectors"), and make such other accommodations as are
reasonably necessary for the Inspectors, if any, to perform a due diligence
review of the Company; provided, however, that all such information
("Confidential Information") will be kept confidential and not utilized by the
Inspectors except as contemplated herein and except as required by law or court
order. The term "Confidential Information" does not include information that (i)
is already in possession of such other party (other than that which is subject
to another confidentiality agreement), (ii) becomes generally available to the
public, or (iii) becomes available on a non-confidential basis from a source
other than the Company. Each Holder agrees that it

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   19

shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Confidential Information is sought
in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other
means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense,
to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a
protective order for, the information deemed confidential.

        (k) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of
information concerning any Holder provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure
of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities
laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a
misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of
such information is required by law or court order, (iv) such information has
been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in
violation of the terms of this Annex A or (v) such Holder consents to the form
and content of any such disclosure. The Company agrees that it shall, upon
learning that disclosure of such information concerning any Holder is sought in
or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other
means, give prompt written notice to such Holder and allow such Holder, at the
Holder's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or
to obtain a protective order for, such information.

        (l) The Company shall cooperate with each of the Holders who hold
Registrable Securities being offered, and to the extent applicable, with any
underwriters to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
(not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to
be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to
be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Holders or
underwriters may reasonably request and registered in the names of the
transferee thereof, provided that the Holder or underwriter certifies that the
sale was made in accordance with the plan of distribution contained in the
prospectus and the transferee was delivered a current prospectus as required
under the 1933 Act.

        (m) The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar for all
such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement.

        (n) If requested by any Holder, the Company shall (i) as soon as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as such Holder requests to be included therein relating to the
sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation,
information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered
or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the
offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) as soon
as practicable make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated
in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement
or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by any
Holder of such Registrable Securities; provided, however, the Company shall not

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   20

be required to take any such action if it reasonably believes actions requested
by the Holder is contrary to any laws, rules or regulations.

        (o) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders
an earnings statement in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under
the 1933 Act.

        (p) The Company shall otherwise comply with all applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

        (q) Within two (2) business days after a Registration Statement which
covers applicable Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the
Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver,
to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the
Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

        (r) The Company shall provide to any underwriter effecting a public
offering of Registerable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement such
opinions, certifications, indemnifications, and take such other actions,
including, without limitation, entering into such agreements (including
underwriting agreements), as are reasonably required and appropriate and
customary in such offering transactions, to permit the Holders to make a public
offering of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered on customary
terms, in which event the Company's obligations hereunder shall be conditioned
on performance by the Holders of their obligations under such agreements.

        4. Furnish Information. The Company's obligation to cause any
Registration Statement to become effective in connection with a distribution of
any Registrable Securities pursuant to the terms of this Annex A is contingent
upon each Holder, with reasonable promptness, furnishing to the Company such
information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the
intended method of disposition of such securities, as is required pursuant to
Regulation S-K promulgated under the 1933 Act, to effect the registration of the
Registrable Securities.

        5. Indemnification. In the event of any registration under the terms of
this Annex A:

        (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and its
officers, directors, partners and affiliates (and their officers, directors and
partners), any underwriter (as defined in the 1933 Act) for each Holder and each
person (and its officers, directors, partners and affiliates), if any, who
controls any Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the
1934 Act (each a "Company Indemnified Person"), against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or

                                      -10-

<PAGE>   21

actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following
statements, omissions or violations (collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus
contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein,
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation
or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any state
securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the 1933 Act, or the
1934 Act or any state securities law, and the Company will pay to each such
Company Indemnified Person, as incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by or on behalf of him in connection with investigating or defending
any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this subsection (a) shall not apply to amounts
paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld), nor will the Company be liable in any such case
for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it
arises out of or is based upon (1) a Violation which occurs solely as the result
of the written information furnished by any Holder, underwriter or controlling
person seeking indemnification hereunder, as applicable, expressly for inclusion
in the Registration Statement or (2) with respect to any underwriter and
controlling person of such underwriter (and their respective officers and
directors), a Violation which results from the fact that there was not sent or
given to a person who bought Registrable Securities, at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale, a copy of the final prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented, if the Company had previously furnished copies of such prospectus
hereunder and such prospectus corrected the misstatement or omission forming the
basis of the Violation.

        (b) Each Holder will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of
its directors, each of its officers who has signed the Registration Statement,
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act
or the 1934 Act, any underwriter and any controlling person of any such
underwriter or other holder (each a "Holder Indemnified Person"), against any
losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the
foregoing persons may become subject, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
or liabilities (or action in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such
Violation occurs solely as a result of the written information furnished by each
Holder expressly for inclusion in the applicable Registration Statement; and
such Holder will pay, as incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by any Holder Indemnified Person intended to be indemnified pursuant to
this subsection (b), in connection with investigating or defending any such
loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that any Holder's
liability pursuant to this Section 5(b) shall be limited to the amount of the
net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities
sold by it, and further provided that the indemnity agreement

                                      -11-

<PAGE>   22

contained in this subsection (b) does not apply to amounts paid in settlement of
any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected
without the consent of such Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

        (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5
of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action),
such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against
any indemnifying party under this Section 5, deliver to the indemnifying party a
written notice of the commencement of such action and the indemnifying party
will have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party
so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to
assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties;
provided, however, that an indemnified party (together with all other
indemnified parties which may be represented without conflict by one counsel)
will have the right to retain one separate counsel, with the fees and expenses
to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of the indemnified party
by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to
actual or potential differing interests between the indemnified party and any
other party represented by such counsel in the same proceeding. If the
indemnifying party shall fail to defend the action, the indemnified party may
conduct its own defense and shall be entitled to reimbursement for the costs of
such defense. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party
within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not
relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under
the terms of this Annex A, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is
materially prejudiced by such failure. The omission so to deliver written notice
to the indemnifying party does not relieve it of any liability that it may have
to any indemnified party otherwise than under the terms of this Annex A. No
indemnifying party under the terms of this Annex A will enter into any
settlement or consent to any entry of judgment which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to the
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or
litigation.

        (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party or is
insufficient to indemnify an indemnified party with respect to any loss,
liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to herein, then the indemnifying
party, in lieu of or in addition to, as appropriate, indemnifying such
indemnified party hereunder, will contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or
expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other
in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the
indemnified party will be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the

                                      -12-

<PAGE>   23

indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. The obligation of any Holder to make a contribution
pursuant to this Section 5 (d) shall be limited to the net proceeds received by
such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities sold by it, less any
amounts paid pursuant to Section 5(b).

        (e) The obligations of the Company and each of the Holders under this
Section 5 will survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities
in a Registration Statement under the terms of this Annex A.

        6. Contribution. To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying
party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the
maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be
liable under Section 5 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided,
however, that: (i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation or from the Company; and (ii)
contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount
to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

        7. Expenses of Registration. All expenses incurred in connection with
any registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to the terms of this
Annex A, including, without limitation, all registration, filing and
qualification fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and expenses of any special audits incidental to or required by such
registration, qualification or compliance will be borne by the Company. In
addition, the Company shall reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of Legal Counsel in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Annex A which amount shall
be limited to $15,000.

        8. Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights under the terms of this
Annex A shall be automatically assigned by any Holder to any transferee of all
or any portion of Registrable Securities if: (i) such Holder agrees in writing
with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such
agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such
assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or
assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such
transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such
registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately
following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of such securities
by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable
state securities laws; (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the
written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or
assignee agrees in writing with the Company

                                      -13-

<PAGE>   24

to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer
shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the
Private Placement.

        9. Amendments. The terms of this Annex A may be amended, modified or
waived by agreement of the Company and the Subscribers which purchased at least
50% of the Preferred Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, or their
assigns. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 9 will
be binding upon each holder of any Registrable Securities then outstanding, each
future holder of all such Registrable Securities, and the Company. No
consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a
waiver or modification of any provision of this Annex A unless the same
consideration also is offered to all of the parties to the Subscription
Agreements.

        10. Miscellaneous.

        (a) Owner of Registrable Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder
of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to be owner of
record of such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting
instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the
same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of
instructions, notice or election received from the registered owner of such
Registrable Securities.

        (b) Waivers. The waiver by any of the Company or the Holders of a breach
of any provision of this Annex A shall not operate or be construed as a further
or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent
breach. No failure on the part of any of the Company or the Holders to exercise,
and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate
as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right,
power or remedy by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

        (c) Headings; Interpretive Matters. The section headings of this Annex A
are for reference purposes only and are to be given no effect in the
construction or interpretation of this Annex A. No provision of this Annex A
will be interpreted in favor of, or against, any of the Company or the Holders
by reason of the extent to which any such party or its counsel participated in
the drafting thereof or by reason of the extent to which any such provision is
inconsistent with any prior draft hereof or thereof.

        (d) Rule 144 Requirements. The Company covenants that it will timely
file the reports required to be filed by it under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act,
and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, provided, however,
that the Company may delay any such filing but only pursuant to Rule 12b-25
under the 1934 Act; and it will take such further action as any Holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably request (including, without limitation,
promptly obtaining any required legal

                                      -14-

<PAGE>   25

opinions from Company counsel necessary to effect the sale of Registrable
Securities under Rule 144 and paying the related fees and expenses of such
counsel), all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to
sell Registrable Securities without registration under the 1933 Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 under the Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable
Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such requirements. In the event of any breach by
the Company of its covenants and obligations under this Section (e), then, as
the sole relief for damages to any Holder by reason of any delay or inability to
sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall be the exclusive
remedy available at law or in equity) (x) the Conversion Price relating to the
Preferred Shares (as set forth in the Certificate of Designation) shall be
reduced by 5% for each aggregate 30-day period (or pro rated amounts thereof for
partial 30-day periods) that the Holder is delayed from selling, or unable to
sell, Registrable Securities under Rule 144 due to (i) the Company's failure to
promptly provide the requisite legal opinion as described above or (ii) the
Company's failure to comply with the filing and other requirements under Rule
144 necessary to make such Rule available to the Holders, and (y) the number of
Conversion Shares shall be increased to a number determined by multiplying the
number of such Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
Shares immediately prior to the applicable Conversion Price reduction hereunder
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Conversion Price per share in
effect prior to the applicable Conversion Price reduction hereunder and the
denominator of which shall be the applicable Conversion Price as so reduced. The
foregoing penalties shall not apply to any breach by the Company of its
covenants and obligations hereunder which may be occurring (i) for up to 10 days
during any 90-day period, (ii) during any Delay Period or (iii) if such
securities are otherwise able to be sold under an effective registration
statement or Rule 144(k). In addition, the foregoing penalties shall not apply
if the Company is subject to the penalties specified in Section 2(f) hereof.

        (e) Severability. If any provision of this Annex A is invalid or
unenforceable, the balance of this Annex A shall remain in effect.

        (f) Assignment. Upon any assignment, the references in this Annex A to
any Holder shall also apply to any such assignee unless the context otherwise
requires.

        (g) Termination. The obligations of the Company contained in Section 2
hereof shall expire and be of no force and effect on and after the five year
anniversary of the initial closing of the Offering.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>   26

                              Exhibit A to Annex A

            Form of Notice of Effectiveness of Registration Statement

[Transfer Agent]
Attn:

        Re: drkoop.com, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We are counsel to drkoop.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with those certain
Subscription Agreements (the "Subscription Agreements") entered into by and
among the Company and the Subscribers named therein (collectively, the
"Holders") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders shares of Series
E 8 % Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Preferred Shares").
Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements and pursuant to Annex A attached
thereto, the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable
Securities (as defined in Annex A to the Subscription Agreement), including the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the
Company's obligations under Annex A to the Subscription Agreement, on
____________ ____, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File
No. 333-_____________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which
names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.

        In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [Enter Time
of Effectiveness] on [Enter Date of Effectiveness] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,
                                            drkoop.com, Inc.
                                            By:

cc:      [List Names of Holders]

                                      -16-

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