Document:

EXHIBIT 10.9

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered
into as of July 1, 2004, by and between Bionovo, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY"), and Mary Tagliaferri ("EXECUTIVE"). The parties agree as
follows:

1.      START DATE;  TERM.  This  Agreement  will be effective as of the date of
        this Agreement, and the Executive's "TERM OF EMPLOYMENT" (as defined
        below) will commence as of the date of this Agreement (the "START
        DATE").

2.      POSITION AND DUTIES.

        A.      POSITION; DUTIES. The Company employs Executive as MEDICAL
                DIRECTOR AND CHIEF REGULATORY OFFICER (the "POSITION")
                commencing as of the Start Date for the TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
                Executive shall have the powers and shall perform the services
                and duties that are customarily associated with the Position
                (the "COMPANY MATTERS"). Executive shall comply with the
                Company's policies and rules, as they may be in effect from time
                to time during the Term of Employment with the Company.
                Executive agrees to devote substantially all of Executive's
                time, energy and ability to the business of the Company.
                Executive may devote such time that the Executive deems
                appropriate for managing Executive's own investment portfolio
                and may with the consent of the Company be a member of the Board
                of Directors of non-profit, civic or charitable organizations so
                long as it does not materially interfere or conflict with the
                Position. Executive shall not engage in any conduct that is
                actually in direct conflict with the essential
                enterprise-related interests of the Company or its affiliates
                for which Executive performs services, and Executive
                acknowledges and agrees that a breach of this provision will
                cause a material and substantial disruption of the Company's or
                its affiliates' business. Executive shall perform the duties
                assigned to Executive to the best of Executive's ability and in
                the best interests of Company. Executive, in Executive's
                capacity as an employee and officer of the Company, will report
                to, and be responsible to and obey the reasonable and lawful
                directives of, the Board of Directors of the Company (the
                "BOARD"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive's Position
                will not be changed, and Executive's duties will not be
                materially reduced, without the consent of Executive except (i)
                pursuant to a termination as set forth in SECTION 5 or (ii) to
                another senior executive officer level position of the Company,
                with senior executive officer level responsibilities, as
                determined by the Board.

        B.      PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES. Executive's principal executive
                office will be located in EMERYVILLE, CALIFORNIA and WILL NOT BE
                MOVED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF EXECUTIVE.
<PAGE>

3.      COMPENSATION.

        A.      BASE SALARY. The Company will pay to Executive a base salary at
                the annual rate of $180,000, less standard withholding and
                authorized deductions, in accordance with the Company's regular
                payroll policies. The Company agrees that such salary will be
                reviewed annually by the Board and, if appropriate, will be
                increased therefrom. Executive's annual salary, as set forth in
                this SECTION 3(A) or as it may be increased from time to time as
                set forth herein, will be referred to hereinafter as the "BASE
                SALARY." At no time during the Term of Employment will
                Executive's Base Salary be decreased from the amount of the Base
                Salary then in effect without Executive's written consent.

        B.      BONUS. In addition to the compensation otherwise payable to
                Executive pursuant to this Agreement, Executive will be eligible
                to receive annual bonuses in cash and/or options to purchase
                common stock of the Company to the extent, if any, awarded by
                the Board in its sole discretion (the "BONUS").

        C.      STOCK OPTIONS. The Company will grant stock options to Executive
                under the Company's stock incentive plan (the "PLAN") to
                purchase shares of common stock of the Company as determined by
                the discretion of the Board and subject to the terms and
                conditions of the Plan and an option agreement between the
                Company and Executive.

4.      BENEFITS. During the Term of Employment:

        A.      BENEFITS. Executive will be eligible to participate in any life,
                health and long-term disability insurance programs, pension and
                retirement programs, stock option and other incentive
                compensation programs, and other fringe benefit programs made
                available to senior executive employees of the Company from time
                to time, and Executive will be entitled to receive such other
                fringe benefits as may be granted to Executive from time to time
                by the Board.

        B.      VACATION; SICK DAYS. Executive will accrue vacation benefits at
                the rate of four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year up to
                a maximum accrual of 10 weeks. If at any time Executive accrues
                10 weeks of unused vacation benefits, Executive shall cease
                accruing any vacation benefits until Executive uses some of
                Executive's accrued vacation at which point Executive will begin
                accruing vacation benefits again up to the 10-week maximum.
                Executive will be eligible for 20 sick days per calendar year.
                Sick days will not be carried over to the following year, nor
                will they be paid out upon termination. In addition, during any
                period that Executive is unable to perform the essential
                functions of Executive's Position with or without reasonable
                accommodation as a result of incapacity due to physical or
                mental illness, Executive will continue to receive Executive's

<PAGE>

                Base Salary, any earned and unpaid Bonus and other benefits
                provided hereunder, together with all compensation payable to
                Executive under the Company's disability plan or program or
                other similar plan during such period, until Executive's
                employment under this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
                SECTION 5(D).

        C.      FAMILY CARE LEAVE. Executive will be entitled to take a total of
                8 work-weeks of paid leave during any 12-month period for one or
                more of the following: (i) because of the birth of a son or
                daughter of the Executive and in order to care for such son or
                daughter, (ii) because of the placement of a son or daughter
                with the Executive for adoption or foster care, or (iii) in
                order to care for the spouse, domestic partner, or a son,
                daughter, or parent, of the Executive, if such spouse, domestic
                partner, son, daughter, or parent has a Serious Health
                Condition. The entitlement to leave under this Section for a
                birth or placement of a son or daughter shall expire at the end
                of the 12-month period beginning on the date of such birth or
                placement. Executive may use family care leave under this
                Section intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule for the
                purposes set forth in 29 C.F.R. ss. 825.203. Executive shall be
                entitled, on return from such leave, to be restored by the
                Company to the position of employment held by Executive when the
                leave commenced. For purposes of this Section, "Serious Health
                Condition" means an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or
                mental condition that involves (i) inpatient care in a hospital,
                hospice, or residential medical care facility; or (ii)
                continuing treatment by a health care provider, as such terms
                are defined in 29 C.F.R. ss. 825.114. The 12-month period is
                measured on a "rolling" system, backward from the date Executive
                uses any family care leave.

        D.      BUSINESS EXPENSES. The Company will reimburse Executive for
                reasonable business expenses incurred in performing Company
                Matters, including, but not limited to, reasonable entertainment
                expenses, travel and lodging expenses, long distance and
                cellular telephone expenses, and approved professional
                memberships, following presentation of documentation in
                accordance with the Company's business expense reimbursement
                policies.

        E.      AUTOMOBILE. The Company will secure a leased vehicle for
                Executive with an initial down payment of no more than $4,000
                and monthly payments that do not exceed $550.

        F.      INDEMNIFICATION. Executive will be added as an additional named
                insured under all liability insurance policies covering any
                officer or director of the Company in his or her capacity as an
                officer or director. Company will indemnify Executive in
                Executive's capacity as an officer or director and hold him
                harmless from any cost, expense or liability arising out of or
                relating to any acts or decisions made by Executive on behalf of
                or in the course of performing Company Matters to the maximum
                extent provided

<PAGE>

                by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and by
                applicable law.

5.      TERM. As used herein, the phrase "TERM OF EMPLOYMENT" will mean the
        period commencing on the Start Date and ending three years from the
        Start Date; [PROVIDED that, unless either the Company or Executive
        provides at least one (1) month notice to the contrary, the Term of
        Employment will automatically be extended at the end of each Term of
        Employment for an additional one (1) year period;] provided, FURTHER,
        that the Term of Employment will terminate earlier on the first to occur
        of any of the events specified in this SECTION 5 (any such date of
        termination pursuant to this SECTION 5, the "TERMINATION DATE").

        A.      TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR WITH GOOD REASON.

                (i)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
                        Agreement whether express or implied, the Company may
                        terminate the Term of Employment at any time, for any
                        reason other than Cause (as defined below), Disability
                        (as defined below), or Executive's death, by giving
                        Executive at least [ninety (90)] days' prior written
                        notice of the effective date of termination following
                        any applicable cure period. Executive may terminate the
                        Term of Employment at any time with Good Reason (as
                        defined below) by giving the Company at least [thirty
                        (30)] days' prior written notice and the 30-day cure
                        period set forth below.

                (ii)    For purposes of this Agreement, "GOOD REASON" will mean
                        the Company: (1) terminates Executive's employment
                        without Cause, (2) materially reduces or changes
                        Executive's Position or responsibilities without
                        Executive's consent, except as set forth in SECTION
                        2(A), (3) reduces Executive's Base Salary or materially
                        and adversely affects the working conditions of
                        Executive, or (4) otherwise materially breaches a
                        material term of this Agreement (including without
                        limitation its obligations under SECTION 2 hereof);
                        PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to the events
                        specified in SUBSECTIONS 5(A)(ii)(2), (3) and (4) the
                        Executive must provide the Company with (a) reasonable
                        written notification of such alleged events, activities
                        or omissions, and (b) 30 days to cure such events,
                        activities or omissions, if curable.

        B.      TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The Company will have the right to
                terminate Executive's employment at any time for Cause by giving
                Executive written notice of the effective date of termination
                (which effective date may, except as otherwise provided below,
                be the date of such notice). For purposes of this Agreement,
                "CAUSE" will mean:
<PAGE>

                (i)     theft, forgery, fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement,
                        moral turpitude or other act of material misconduct by
                        Executive against the Company or any of its affiliates;

                (ii)    willful and knowing violation by Executive of any rules
                        or regulations of any governmental or regulatory body,
                        which is or could reasonably be expected to be
                        materially injurious to the Company;

                (iii)   conviction of Executive of, or plea of guilty or NOLO
                        CONTENDERE by Executive to, a felony or any crime of
                        theft, forgery, fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement,
                        moral turpitude or other act of material misconduct;

                (iv)    failure to devote substantially all of Executive's full
                        professional time, attention, energies and abilities to
                        Executive's employment for the Company; PROVIDED,
                        HOWEVER, that Executive must receive (A) reasonable
                        written notification of the Company's intended actions
                        and specifically describing the alleged events,
                        activities or omissions giving rise thereto, and (B)
                        with respect to a breach for which a cure is possible, a
                        reasonable opportunity (of not less than fourteen (14)
                        days) to cure such breach;

                (v)     a material violation by Executive of any fiduciary duty
                        owed by Executive to the Company; or

                (vi)    any breach by Executive of this Agreement or other
                        agreements between Executive and the Company that causes
                        a material adverse consequence on the business,
                        properties, assets, results of operations, or condition
                        (financial or otherwise) of the Company taken as a
                        whole;

                PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Executive must receive (A) reasonable
                written notification of the Company's intended actions and
                specifically describing the alleged events, activities or
                omissions giving rise thereto, and (B) with respect to a breach
                for which a cure is possible, thirty (30) days to cure such
                breach.

        C.      TERMINATION ON ACCOUNT OF DEATH. Upon Executive's death,
                Executive's employment under this Agreement will terminate
                immediately.

        D.      TERMINATION ON ACCOUNT OF DISABILITY. To the extent not
                prohibited by The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or
                the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, or any other
                applicable law, if, as a result of Executive's physical or
                mental impairment (as determined in good faith by Executive's
                physician), Executive is unable to perform the essential
                functions of the Position with or without reasonable
                accommodation for more than 12 weeks out of any consecutive
                12-month period, then

<PAGE>

                Executive's employment may be terminated for "DISABILITY."
                Thereafter, Executive's benefits will be determined under the
                Company's retirement, insurance, and other compensation and
                benefit plans and programs then in effect, in accordance with
                the terms of such programs.

        E.      CONCLUSION OF THE TERM. Upon the conclusion of the Term of
                Employment, Executive's employment under this Agreement will
                terminate.

        F.      OBLIGATIONS UPON TERMINATION.

                (i)     If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to
                        SECTION 5(A)(i), Executive will continue to receive
                        Executive's Base Salary under SECTION 3(A), earn and
                        receive any unpaid Bonus under SECTION 3(B), and accrue
                        vacation benefits under SECTION 4(B), that Executive
                        would have received, earned or accrued during the period
                        commencing on the effective date of such termination and
                        ending six months thereafter (the "SALARY CONTINUATION
                        PERIOD").

                (ii)    During the Salary Continuation Period, Executive and
                        Executive's spouse, dependents and beneficiaries, as
                        applicable, will also be entitled to continue at the
                        Company's expense to be covered by all group medical,
                        health and accident insurance or other such health care
                        arrangements at the same coverage level and on the same
                        terms and conditions which applied immediately prior to
                        the effective date of Executive's termination of
                        employment pursuant to this SECTION 5(A), until
                        Executive obtains alternative comparable coverage under
                        another group plan, which coverage does not contain any
                        pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations, but in
                        no event more than six months. At the termination of the
                        benefits coverage under the preceding sentence,
                        Executive and Executive's spouse, dependents and
                        beneficiaries, as applicable, may elect to continue
                        health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus
                        Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and under
                        any other applicable law, to the extent required by such
                        laws, as if Executive had terminated employment with the
                        Company on the date such benefits coverage terminates.

                (iii)   If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to
                        SECTION 5(B), (C) or (D), upon the Termination Date, the
                        Company shall pay Executive all earned but unpaid
                        compensation (i.e, Base Salary and Bonus), all accrued
                        but unused vacation benefits, and any other benefits
                        that are due as determined by and in accordance with the
                        Company's retirement, insurance, and other compensation
                        and benefit plans and programs then in effect. The
                        Company has no further obligations under this Agreement
                        to Executive.
<PAGE>

6.      CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; OWNERSHIP. As a condition of Executive's
        employment, Executive agrees to and executes the Company's Proprietary
        Information and Inventions Agreement, which is hereby incorporated by
        reference as if set forth fully herein.

7.      MITIGATION. If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to SECTION
        5(A), Executive will have a duty to mitigate any damages under this
        Agreement by seeking other comparable employment. If Executive accepts
        employment elsewhere after termination pursuant to SECTION 5(A), the
        Company will have the right to offset any amounts paid to Executive from
        such other employment against any amounts owed to Executive by the
        Company pursuant to SECTION 5(A) during the Salary Continuation Period.

8.      DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY. Upon the death of Executive while in the employ
        of the Company, or at any time thereafter during which amounts remain
        payable to Executive under SECTION 5, such payments (other than the
        right to continuation of welfare benefits) will thereafter be made to
        such person or persons as Executive may specifically designate
        (successively or contingently) to receive payments under this Agreement
        following Executive's death by filing a written beneficiary designation
        with the Company during Executive's lifetime. Such beneficiary
        designation will be in such form as may be prescribed by the Company and
        may be amended from time to time or may be revoked by Executive pursuant
        to written instruments filed with the Company during Executive's
        lifetime. Beneficiaries designated by Executive may be any natural or
        legal person or persons, including a fiduciary, such as a trustee or a
        trust or the legal representative of an estate. Unless otherwise
        provided by the beneficiary designation filed by Executive, if all of
        the persons so designated die before Executive on the occurrence of a
        contingency not contemplated in such beneficiary designation, then the
        amounts payable under this Agreement will be paid to Executive's estate.

9.      ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of, relating to, or
        connected with this Agreement, its enforcement, arbitrability or
        interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default, or
        misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions, or arising
        out of, relating in any way to, or connected with Executive's employment
        or termination of employment, including, for example, any alleged
        violation of statute, common law or public policy, shall be submitted to
        final and binding arbitration, to be held in Alameda County, California,
        before a single arbitrator, in accordance with the then-current JAMS
        Arbitration Rules and Procedures for Employment Disputes, as modified by
        the terms and conditions contained in this paragraph. The arbitrator
        shall be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties
        cannot agree, then by striking from a list of arbitrators supplied by
        JAMS. The arbitrator shall issue a written opinion stating the essential
        findings and conclusions upon which the arbitrator's award is based. The
        Company will pay the arbitrator's fees and arbitration expenses and any
        other costs unique to the arbitration hearing (recognizing that each
        side bears its own deposition, witness, expert and attorneys' fees and
        other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being

<PAGE>

        heard in court). If, however, any party prevails on a statutory claim,
        which affords the prevailing party attorneys' fees and costs, then the
        arbitrator may award reasonable fees and costs to the prevailing party
        as provided by applicable law. The arbitrator shall resolve any dispute
        as to who is a prevailing party and/or the reasonableness of any fee or
        cost.

10.     LIMITATION ON CLAIMS. Executive agrees that no claim against the Company
        will be valid if asserted more than 12 months after termination of
        employment with the Company, and Executive waives any statute of
        limitations to the contrary.

11.     NAME AND LIKENESS. Executive consents to the use and publication,
        without further consideration, of Executive's name, picture and image in
        training and promotional materials and other materials relating to the
        business of the Company, regardless of whether such use or publication
        is in the form of printed matter, photographs, audio tape, video tape,
        computer disk, electronic transmission, or otherwise. Such consent
        applies both to the use and publication of such items during the Term of
        Employment with the Company and during a reasonable time thereafter,
        such reasonable time thereafter to depend upon the nature of the use.

12.     MISCELLANEOUS.

        A.      SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement or any portion
                thereof is declared invalid, illegal, or incapable of being
                enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder
                of such provisions and all of the remaining provisions of this
                Agreement will continue in full force and effect, and the
                parties agree to limit (and to replace, if necessary) such
                invalid, illegal, or incapable provision with a provision that
                accomplishes substantially the same intent but that is limited
                to the maximum extent permitted by law. By way of clarification
                but not limitation, the unenforceability or invalidity of any
                term or provision of this Agreement will not by virtue thereof
                render any other term or provision contained herein
                unenforceable or invalid.

        B.      CHOICE OF LAW. This agreement will be construed and interpreted
                in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California.

        C.      ASSIGNMENT. The Company may assign this Agreement to any direct
                or indirect subsidiary or parent of the Company or joint venture
                in which the Company has an interest, or any successor (whether
                by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise) to all or
                substantially all of the stock, assets or business of the
                Company, and this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to
                the benefit of such successors and assigns. Otherwise, this
                Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent
                of the other party.
<PAGE>

        D.      NO ABROGATION. Any rights of Executive hereunder will be in
                addition to any rights Executive may otherwise have under
                benefit plans, agreements, or arrangements of the Company to
                which Executive is a party or in which Executive is a
                participant, including, but not limited to, any Company-
                sponsored employee benefit plans. Provisions of this Agreement
                will not in any way abrogate Executive's rights under such other
                plans, agreements, or arrangements.

        E.      NOTICE. All notices (including other communications required or
                permitted) under this Agreement must be in writing and must be
                delivered (i) in person; (ii) by registered or certified mail,
                postage prepaid, return receipt requested; (iii) by a generally
                recognized courier or messenger service that provides written
                acknowledgement of receipt by the addressee; or (iv) by
                facsimile or other generally accepted means of electronic
                transmission with a verification of delivery. Notices are deemed
                delivered when actually delivered to the address for notices.
                Notices must be given to parties at the address set forth below,
                although any party may furnish, from time to time, other
                addresses for notices to it.

IF TO EXECUTIVE:                        Mary Tagliaferri, MD, LAc
                                        2700 Brookdale Ave.
                                        Oakland, CA 94602

IF TO THE COMPANY:                      Bionovo, Inc.
                                        2200 Powell Street, Suite 675
                                        Emeryville, CA 94608
                                        Attention Board of Directors

WITH COPIES TO:                         John A. Laco, Esq.
                                        O'Melveny & Myers LLP
                                        400 South Hope Street
                                        Los Angeles, California 90071

        F.      HEADINGS. Section headings in this Agreement are included herein
                for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part
                of this Agreement for any other purpose.

        G.      NO WAIVER. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of
                the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof will not be deemed a
                waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor will any waiver
                or relinquishment of, or failure to insist upon strict
                compliance with, any right or power hereunder at any one or more
                times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or
                power at any other time or times.
<PAGE>

        H.      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
                counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but
                all of which together will constitute one and the same
                instrument. A facsimile signature page will be deemed an
                original.

        I.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement along with the PIIA
                (i) contains a complete statement of all the arrangements
                between the parties with respect to Executive's employment by
                the Company, (ii) supersedes all prior and existing negotiations
                and agreements between the parties concerning Executive's
                employment and the matters contained herein, and (iii) can only
                be waived, changed or modified pursuant to a written instrument
                duly executed by each of the parties hereto.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>

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

                                        [EXECUTIVE'S NAME]

                                        ________________________________________
                                        Name:___________________________________

                                        BIONOVO, INC.

                                        By: ____________________________________
                                        Name ___________________________________
                                        Title: _________________________________EXHIBIT 10.10

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

        THIS  ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement")  is made as of
this 6th day of April 2005 by and among  LIGHTEN UP  ENTERPRISES  INTERNATIONAL,
INC., a Nevada corporation  ("Assignee"),  BIONOVO, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Assignor"), and Mary Tagliaferri ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS:

        A.      Assignee and Executive have entered into that certain Employment
Agreement as of July 1, 2004 ("Employment Agreement");

        B.      Assignor,  Assignee and LTUP  Acquisition  Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of  Assignee  ("Acquisition  Corp."),  are  parties to that  certain
Agreement  of Merger  and Plan of  Reorganization  dated of even  date  herewith
("Merger  Agreement"),  pursuant to which, among other things,  LTUP Acquisition
Corp. will merge with and into Assignee (the "Merger"); and

        C.      The execution  and delivery of this  Agreement is a condition to
the closing of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

        NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of these  premises  and the  mutual
promises  and  covenants  hereinafter  set forth and of other good and  valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

        1.      ASSIGNMENT AND  ASSUMPTION.  Assignor  hereby assigns all of its
rights and obligations  under the Employment  Agreement to Assignee and Assignee
hereby agrees to assume all such rights and obligations.

        2.      CONSENT.  Executive hereby consents to the within assignment and
assumption.

        3.      GENERAL.  This  Agreement  may  be  executed  and  delivered  in
counterparts  and by facsimile  machine,  each of which shall be deemed to be an
original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by and  construed  in  accordance  with the
domestic  laws of  California  without  giving  effect  to any  choice of law or
conflicting   law  provision  or  rule  (whether  of  California  or  any  other
jurisdiction)  that would cause the application of the laws of any  jurisdiction
other than  California.  The recitals  hereto are a material part hereof and are
incorporated  in this  Agreement by reference as if fully set forth  herein.  No
change or  modification  of this Agreement  shall be valid unless the same is in
writing and is signed by both parties.  In the event that any of the  provisions
of this Agreement shall be held by a court of law or other tribunal of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal,  invalid or unenforceable,  the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect,  and to this end the  provisions  of this
Agreement  are  declared  to  be  severable.   Captions  and  headings  are  for
convenience  only,  are not deemed to be part of this Agreement and shall not be
used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

        IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have  caused  this  Assignment  and
Assumption  Agreement  to be  executed  as of the day and year first set for the
above.

                                    ASSIGNEE:

                                    LIGHTEN UP ENTERPRISES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------------------

                                    ASSIGNOR:

                                    BIONOVO, INC.

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------------------

                                    EXECUTIVE:

                                    Mary Tagliaferri

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