GMP COMPANIES INC
S-1, EX-10.5, 2000-11-07
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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                        MEDICAL COLLEGE OF HAMPTON ROADS
                                      D/B/A
                         EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL

                           RESEARCH FUNDING AGREEMENT
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                           RESEARCH FUNDING AGREEMENT

         This Research Funding Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into and
made as of the 31st day of January, 2000, by and between MEDICAL COLLEGE OF
HAMPTON ROADS d/b/a EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL ("EVMS"), whose mailing
address is P.O. Box 1980, Norfolk, Virginia 23501, and GMP EndoTherapeutics,
Inc. ("GMP"), whose mailing address is One East Broward Blvd., Suite 1701, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida 33301 with respect to the facts set forth below.

                                    RECITALS

         A.       EVMS is engaged in scientific biomedical and biochemical
                  research, including research relating to animal and human
                  pancreatic beta cell growth factors, islet neogenesis
                  associated proteins ("INGAP"), INGAP genes, reagents for
                  regulating INGAP expression or activity and uses thereof, as
                  more particularly described herein.

         B.       EVMS and McGill University ("McGill") are the owners of
                  certain patents and patent applications, including any
                  divisions, continuations, reissues, reexaminations,
                  continuations-in-part and international and foreign
                  applications and patents corresponding thereto and issued
                  thereon (hereinafter collectively referred to as the
                  "Patents") which are being licensed to GMP under a license
                  agreement of even date between EVMS, McGill and GMP (the
                  "License Agreement").

         C.       GMP desires to provide certain funding as part of the EVMS
                  research activities described above and which will assist the
                  parties in the successful approval and commercialization of
                  products that are covered in whole or in part by the Patents.

         D.       EVMS has or shall have the exclusive right to convey the
                  ownership rights in and to any technology developed pursuant
                  to the research program described herein.

         E.       EVMS is willing to grant to GMP the right to acquire exclusive
                  ownership of technology arising from the Research Program
                  within the Field (as those terms are defined hereinbelow),
                  including the right to develop, market and sell products in
                  the Field, all as more particularly described herein.


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                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions
outlined herein, EVMS and GMP hereby agree as follows:

         1.       DEFINITIONS

                  1.1      Agents. The term "Agents" shall mean employees,
                           students, consultants, and independent contractors or
                           other persons under the control or supervision of
                           EVMS or GMP, as applicable and their respective
                           subcontractors.

                  1.2      Confidential Information. The term "Confidential
                           Information" shall mean any and all proprietary
                           information owned or possessed by EVMS or GMP which
                           may be exchanged between the parties at any time and
                           from time to time during the term hereof. The fact
                           that a party may have marked or identified as
                           "Confidential" or "Proprietary" any specific
                           information shall be indicative that such party
                           believes such information to be confidential or
                           proprietary, but the failure to so mark information
                           shall not conclusively determine that such
                           information was or was not considered confidential
                           information by such party. Information shall not be
                           considered confidential to the extent that it:

                                    a.       Is publicly disclosed through no
                                             fault of any party hereto, either
                                             before or after it becomes known to
                                             the receiving party; or

                                    b.       Was known to the receiving party
                                             prior to the date of this
                                             Agreement, which knowledge was
                                             acquired independently and not from
                                             the other party hereto (including
                                             such party's employees); or

                                    c.       Is subsequently disclosed to the
                                             receiving party in good faith by a
                                             third party who has a right to make
                                             such disclosure; or

                                    d.       Has been published by a third party
                                             as a matter of right; or

                                    e.       Is independently developed by the
                                             receiving party.

                  1.3      Field. The term "Field" shall mean animal and human
                           pancreatic beta cell growth factors, islet neogenesis
                           associated proteins ("INGAP"), including peptides,
                           peptidomimetics, derivatives or analogs thereof;
                           INGAP genes, including nucleic acid fragments and
                           derivatives or analogs thereof; reagents for
                           regulating INGAP expression or activity and
                           therapeutic and diagnostic uses thereof.

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<PAGE>   4

                  1.4      Principal Investigator. The term "Principal
                           Investigator" shall mean the person identified in
                           Section 2.3 below, together with such replacement
                           persons selected in accordance with the provisions
                           thereof.

                  1.5      Proprietary Property. The term "Proprietary Property"
                           shall mean, any and all technology, discovered,
                           developed or otherwise arising during the term of
                           this Agreement, including without limitation, any
                           idea, data, compound, molecule, cell line, material,
                           know-how, technique, method, process, use,
                           composition, skill, Confidential Information, trade
                           secret or configuration of any kind, whether or not
                           any such information would be enforceable as a trade
                           secret, the copying of which would be enjoined or
                           restrained by a court as constituting copyright
                           infringement or unfair competition or would be
                           eligible for protection under the patent laws of the
                           United States or elsewhere.

                  1.6      Research Program. The term "Research Program" shall
                           mean the research program to be undertaken by EVMS
                           under the direction and control of the Principal
                           Investigator set forth in Section 2.3 hereof.


                  1.7      EVMS Technology. The term "EVMS Technology" shall
                           mean any Proprietary Property outside the Field
                           conceived or first reduced to practice, in whole or
                           in part by EVMS or EVMS Agents in the performance of
                           the Research Program during the term of this
                           Agreement, including any intellectual property within
                           the scope of the Research Program but outside the
                           Field developed by EVMS or EVMS Agents during the
                           term of this Agreement while rendering services to
                           GMP as a consultant or otherwise.

                  1.8      GMP Technology. The term "GMP Technology" shall mean
                           any Proprietary Property within the Field conceived
                           or first reduced to practice by EVMS or EVMS Agents
                           during the period such persons were working on
                           projects or activities funded by this Agreement, or
                           and Proprietary Property provided to EVMS or EVMS
                           Agents by GMP or its Agents.

                  Other capitalized terms used herein are as defined in the
         License Agreement.


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*** CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. ASTERISKS DENOTE SUCH OMISSIONS.


         2.       CONDUCT AND FUNDING OF RESEARCH PROGRAM

                  2.1      Conduct of Research Program. EVMS hereby agrees to
                           conduct the Research Program in the Field subject to
                           the provisions of this Agreement. The research and
                           development activities to be conducted under this
                           Agreement shall include the work required to obtain
                           Registration Approval and commercial acceptance of
                           Licensed Products. The initial activities should
                           include animal experiments required to obtain
                           governmental approval for commercial use of the
                           Licensed Products and to obtain approval by the FDA
                           to initiate Phase I Clinical Trials. EVMS agrees to
                           conduct all research and experiments and reporting of
                           the same in accordance with the appropriate
                           governmental standards. It is contemplated that the
                           research conducted under this Agreement shall include
                           Phase I Clinical Trials and other phases of Clinical
                           Trials, subject to the requirements of Section 2.4
                           below, and governmental recognition of EVMS as an FDA
                           approved clinical site.

                  2.2      Funding of Research Program. GMP shall pay to EVMS a
                           total of  [***] to conduct the research program
                           contemplated by this Agreement. Such payments shall
                           be made in the amount of  [***] per month for a
                           period of [***] years. The GMP funding shall not be
                           used to pay for indirect costs or other EVMS overhead
                           costs. Payments shall be made monthly, on or before
                           the 10th day of each month.

                  2.3      Supervision of Research Program. EVMS agrees that the
                           Research Program at EVMS shall be conducted by or
                           under the direct supervision of the following
                           Principal Investigator: Dr. Aaron Vinik. In the event
                           that the Principal Investigator leaves EVMS, or
                           terminates his/her involvement in the Research
                           Program, EVMS shall use its best efforts to find a
                           replacement Principal Investigator acceptable to GMP,
                           which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld.
                           In the event that EVMS shall fail to appoint a
                           replacement Principal Investigator reasonably
                           acceptable to GMP, GMP shall have a right to
                           terminate this Agreement upon delivery to EVMS of
                           written notice of intent to terminate pursuant to
                           this Section 2.3, which notice must be delivered to
                           EVMS not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days
                           after delivery by EVMS to GMP of the name of the
                           replacement Principal Investigator. Such termination
                           shall be considered a termination under Section 7.4.2
                           below.

                  2.4      Clinical Trials. For any research by EVMS that
                           includes clinical research, the parties shall enter
                           into additional agreements regarding coverage for
                           medical care costs not covered by third party payors,
                           indemnification for EVMS, and reimbursement for
                           additional clinical trial costs on a per subject
                           basis. These additional agreements shall be
                           separately negotiated prior to the commencement of
                           any such trials.


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                  2.5      Reports.

                           a.       EVMS agrees that its efforts hereunder
                                    include working with GMP to provide the
                                    necessary studies, reports, protocols,
                                    procedures, applications and other
                                    governmental requirements in the United
                                    States in order to achieve the approvals
                                    necessary to allow the commercial use of
                                    Licensed Products in animals and to initiate
                                    Phase I Clinical trials in humans.

                           b.       EVMS agrees to meet periodically with GMP
                                    representatives to review the research
                                    efforts being conducted and to be conducted
                                    by EVMS under the Research Program and to
                                    coordinate the efforts of both parties in
                                    obtaining the necessary governmental
                                    approvals for commercialization of Licensed
                                    Products for use in animals and humans. Such
                                    meeting shall be held at least quarterly
                                    during the course of this Agreement.

                           c.       EVMS agrees that within sixty (60) days
                                    following the last day of each calendar year
                                    during the term of this Agreement, EVMS
                                    shall furnish GMP with a written report
                                    summarizing the results of the research
                                    included within the scope of the Research
                                    Program during the immediately preceding
                                    calendar year conducted by EVMS.

                           d.       All information submitted by either party to
                                    the other as a result of the Research
                                    Program under this Agreement, whether
                                    written, oral, electronic, or in other form,
                                    and whether specifically marked confidential
                                    or not, is deemed Proprietary Property. If
                                    the Proprietary Property pertains to GMP
                                    Technology, it shall be deemed to be
                                    Proprietary Property belonging to GMP. If
                                    the Proprietary Property pertains to EVMS
                                    Technology, it shall be deemed to be
                                    Proprietary Property belonging to EVMS. GMP
                                    Proprietary Property will be used by EVMS
                                    only for the purpose of conducting its
                                    activities under this Agreement.

                           e.       EVMS Proprietary Property shall be used by
                                    GMP for the purposes of carrying out its
                                    obligations or performance under this
                                    Agreement and the License Agreement,
                                    including evaluating whether or not to
                                    exercise an option to obtain a license
                                    pursuant to Section 3 hereof, as and when
                                    such option is exercisable in accordance
                                    with the terms hereof.

                           f.       Neither party shall, during the term or
                                    after the termination hereof, use or
                                    disclose any of the Proprietary Property of
                                    the other party to any third party, unless
                                    and until (i) permitted to do so pursuant to
                                    the terms of any license agreement entered
                                    into by the parties, or (ii) such
                                    information no longer comes within the
                                    definition of


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                                    "Confidential Information" hereunder and
                                    otherwise becomes available as public
                                    information.

         3.       OPTION FOR EXCLUSIVE LICENSE.

                  3.1      Grant of Option. Subject to the terms of this
                           Agreement, EVMS hereby grants to GMP an exclusive
                           option to acquire exclusive worldwide ownership
                           rights or licenses to make, have made, sell or use
                           EVMS Technology. Each such right or license shall be
                           to a specific application of EVMS Technology. Such
                           option shall be for the period and exercised as more
                           particularly described below.

                  3.2      Disclosure of Technology. As soon as reasonably
                           possible, either upon conception or reduction to
                           practice, as the case may be, of each and every
                           application of GMP Technology or EVMS Technology,
                           EVMS shall disclose the same in writing to GMP. Such
                           disclosure shall contain sufficient detail to enable
                           GMP to evaluate the significance of the Technology
                           and, if EVMS Technology, the advisability of
                           exercising the option granted hereunder with respect
                           to such EVMS Technology.

                  3.3      Option Period. GMP shall have a period of ninety (90)
                           days from receipt of the disclosure from EVMS
                           described in Section 3.2 within which to exercise its
                           option to obtain a license to a particular
                           application of EVMS Technology pursuant to Section
                           3.1.

                  3.4      Exercise of Option. GMP shall exercise its option to
                           obtain a license hereunder by delivering to EVMS a
                           written notice within the option period which
                           specifies the particular application of EVMS
                           Technology for which the option is being exercised.
                           GMP and EVMS shall have a period of sixty (60) days
                           from the date of exercise of option by GMP within
                           which to agree upon the initial royalty, royalty rate
                           and commercial development obligations and other
                           terms and conditions of the license satisfactory to
                           both parties.

                  3.5      Reservation of Rights. EVMS reserves the right to use
                           any EVMS Technology that may be subject to an option
                           pursuant to this Agreement or covered by a license
                           granted hereunder solely for EVMS' and/or the
                           contributing subcontractor's own educational and
                           research purposes, without EVMS being obligated to
                           pay GMP any royalties or other compensation related
                           thereto.

                  3.6      Right of First Refusal. In the event GMP does not
                           acquire rights to the EVMS Technology as provided
                           above, and EVMS desires to subsequently license that
                           EVMS Technology to a third party, EVMS shall first
                           offer such a license to GMP on the same terms and
                           conditions as that offered to the third party. If GMP
                           fails to exercise such offer within thirty (30) days
                           following receipt of such an offer, EVMS shall have
                           the right to license such technology to a third party
                           on the same terms and conditions.


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<PAGE>   8

         4.       WARRANTIES.

                  4.1      Warranties. EVMS hereby warrants and represents to
                           GMP that: (i) no third parties have or will have any
                           rights to any EVMS or GMP Technologies; (ii) EVMS has
                           or will have the right to convey or cause to be
                           conveyed to GMP ownership of GMP Technology and
                           indicia of the same as described in Section 5.1
                           hereof; and (iii) it has the full right and power to
                           enter into this Agreement and the entering into and
                           performance under the Agreement shall not constitute
                           a breach of or default under any agreement with any
                           third party.

                  4.2      No Other Warranties. Except as provided in Section
                           4.1 above, EVMS MAKES NO WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE
                           RESEARCH PROGRAM OR ANY EVMS TECHNOLOGY OR EVMS
                           PATENT RIGHTS THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT.
                           WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EVMS DOES NOT
                           REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT IT WILL SUCCESSFULLY
                           COMPLETE THE RESEARCH PROGRAM OR THAT, IF COMPLETED,
                           THE RESEARCH PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN EVMS TECHNOLOGY
                           WHICH WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN OPTION HEREUNDER OR WHICH
                           GMP WILL DESIRE TO LICENSE. EVMS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR
                           IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY
                           WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
                           PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AS TO ANY LICENSED PRODUCT. EVMS
                           MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION AS TO THE
                           VALIDITY OR SCOPE OF ANY EVMS PATENT RIGHTS OR THAT
                           ANY LICENSED PRODUCT WILL BE FREE FROM ANY
                           INFRINGEMENT OF PATENTS OF THIRD PARTIES, OR THAT NO
                           THIRD PARTIES ARE IN ANY WAY INFRINGING EVMS PATENT
                           RIGHTS.

         5.       INTERESTS IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

                  5.1      Title. EVMS shall retain such ownership and title to
                           EVMS Technology subject to the option of GMP set
                           forth herein. EVMS shall, in the good faith exercise
                           of its discretion, undertake reasonable efforts to
                           preserve and maintain its ownership and title in EVMS
                           Technology. GMP shall own all rights, title and
                           interest in GMP Technology, free and clear of all
                           royalties, liens, claims or other encumbrances or
                           obligations. EVMS agrees, and agrees to cause each
                           EVMS Agent to agree, in writing, to assign or
                           transfer all interest in GMP Technology to GMP and to
                           sign all patent applications and documents evidencing
                           ownership of such technology by GMP without
                           additional costs or payments.


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         6.       CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLICATION.

                  6.1      Confidential Information. The parties agree that
                           during the term of and any subsequent extension of
                           this Agreement and for a period of five (5) years
                           after it terminates or for as long as any
                           Confidential Information not otherwise includable
                           within patent rights is being utilized within a
                           Licensed Product, whichever is longer, a party having
                           Confidential Information of another party will not
                           use or intentionally disclose such Confidential
                           Information to any third party without the prior
                           written consent of the party which owns the
                           Confidential Information.

                  6.2      Publications. GMP acknowledges that it is the general
                           policy of EVMS to encourage publication of research
                           results in technical or scientific journals; and
                           subject to EVMS meeting its disclosure obligations
                           under Sections 3.2 and 6.1 hereof, GMP agrees that
                           EVMS shall have a right to publish in accordance with
                           its general policy. Prior to such publication, EVMS
                           shall submit to GMP copies of proposed publications
                           which contain subject matter relating to EVMS or GMP
                           Technology and afford GMP a period of thirty (30)
                           days to review the publication. Upon written request
                           by GMP prior to the expiration of such thirty (30)
                           days period and provided that GMP shall have
                           exercised its option to one or more applications
                           included within the subject matter of such
                           publication, EVMS shall delay any such publication
                           for up to sixty (60) days from the date of such
                           request to allow for the preparation and filing of a
                           patent application.

                  6.3      Publicity. Except as otherwise provided herein or
                           required by law, no party shall originate any
                           publication, news release or other public
                           announcement, written or oral, whether in the public
                           press, or stockholders, reports, or otherwise,
                           relating to this Agreement or to any license granted
                           hereunder, or to the performance thereunder, without
                           the prior written approval of the other party, which
                           approval shall be acted upon within five business
                           days and shall not be unreasonably withheld.


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         7.       TERM AND TERMINATION.

                  7.1      Term. Unless terminated sooner, the initial term of
                           this Agreement shall commence on the date set forth
                           above and shall continue for a period of five (5)
                           years.

                  7.2      Termination Upon Default. Any one or more of the
                           following events shall constitute an event of default
                           hereunder: (i) the failure of a party to pay any
                           amounts when due hereunder and the failure to cure
                           within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice from
                           the other party specifying in reasonable detail the
                           nature of such default; (ii) the failure of a party
                           to perform any obligation required of it to be
                           performed hereunder, and the failure to cure within
                           sixty (60) days after receipt of notice from the
                           other party specifying in reasonable detail the
                           nature of such default; and (iii) the termination of
                           the License Agreement as a result of a breach or
                           default by the Licensor under the License Agreement.
                           Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the
                           non-defaulting party may deliver to the defaulting
                           party written notice of intent to terminate, such
                           termination to be effective upon the date set forth
                           in such notice. Such termination rights shall be in
                           addition to and not in substitution for any other
                           remedies that may be available to the non-defaulting
                           party serving such notice against the defaulting
                           party. Termination pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall
                           not relieve the defaulting party of liability and
                           damages to non-defaulting party for breach of this
                           Agreement. Waiver by any party of a single default or
                           a succession of defaults shall not deprive such party
                           of any right to terminate this Agreement arising by
                           reason of any subsequent default

                  7.3      Termination on Insolvency. This Agreement may be
                           terminated as to any party ("Insolvent Party") by
                           another party giving written notice of termination to
                           the Insolvent Party upon the filing of bankruptcy or
                           bankruptcy of the Insolvent Party or the appointment
                           of a receiver of any of the Insolvent Party's assets,
                           or the making by the Insolvent Party of any
                           assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
                           institution of any proceedings against the Insolvent
                           Party under any bankruptcy law. Termination shall be
                           effective upon the date specified in this notice.

                  7.4      Effect of Expiration or Termination.

                           7.4.1    Termination Upon Default of GMP. Upon the
                                    termination of this Agreement by reason of a
                                    default by GMP, neither party shall have any
                                    further rights or obligations with respect
                                    to this Agreement, other than the obligation
                                    of GMP to make any and all final payments
                                    accrued prior to the date of termination and
                                    the obligation of the parties to make all
                                    reports required hereunder. Upon such
                                    termination of this Agreement, the parties
                                    shall continue to abide by their obligations
                                    as described in Articles 5 and 6, and each
                                    party hereto shall fulfill any other
                                    obligations incurred prior to such
                                    termination. Any such termination of this
                                    Agreement


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                                    shall not constitute the termination of any
                                    license or any other agreements between the
                                    parties which are then in effect except as
                                    expressly provided herein.

                           7.4.2    Expiration or Termination Upon Default of
                                    EVMS. Upon the expiration of this Agreement
                                    at its regularly scheduled expiration date,
                                    or upon a termination of this Agreement on
                                    account of a default by EVMS, then EVMS
                                    shall make the disclosures required by
                                    Section 3.2 for EVMS and GMP Technology
                                    conceived or reduced to practice up to the
                                    date of said expiration or termination; and
                                    GMP shall have the right to exercise its
                                    option with respect to said EVMS Technology
                                    in accordance with the schedule and
                                    procedures specified in Sections 3.4 and 3.5
                                    above. Additionally, each party shall
                                    perform all other obligations up to the date
                                    of said expiration or termination; and the
                                    parties shall continue to abide by their
                                    obligations described in Articles 5 and 6;
                                    and any previously existing license
                                    agreements or other agreements between the
                                    parties shall continue in effect.

         8.       ASSIGNMENT: SUCCESSORS

                  8.1      Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by GMP
                           without the prior written consent of EVMS except to a
                           successor in interest to all or substantially all of
                           the business assets of GMP, whether by way of a
                           merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially
                           all of GMP's assets, change of control or similar
                           transaction.

                  8.2      Binding Upon Successors and Assigns. Subject to the
                           limitations on assignment set forth herein, this
                           Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
                           benefit of any successors in interest and assigns of
                           EVMS and GMP. Any such successor to or assignee of a
                           party's interest shall expressly assume in writing
                           the performance of all the terms and conditions of
                           this Agreement to be performed by such party.

         9.       GENERAL PROVISIONS.

                  9.1      Independent Contractors. The relationship between
                           EVMS and GMP is that of independent contractors. EVMS
                           and GMP are not joint venturers, partners, principal
                           and agent, master and servant, employer or employee,
                           and have no other relationship other than independent
                           contracting parties. EVMS and GMP shall have no power
                           to bind or obligate each other in any manner, other
                           than as is expressly set forth in this Agreement.

                  9.2      Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of
                           or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof,
                           shall be settled by alternative dispute resolution,
                           such as, for example, arbitration or mediation. If
                           the parties cannot agree on a form of alternative
                           dispute resolution then any dispute shall be resolved
                           by binding arbitration in accordance with the


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                           Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
                           Arbitration Association ("AAA").

                  9.3      Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement and
                           other agreements executed by the parties or
                           affiliated entities dated this even date constitute
                           the entire agreement and understanding between the
                           parties as to the subject matter hereof. There shall
                           be no amendments or modifications to this Agreement
                           except by a written document, which is signed by both
                           parties.

                  9.4      Virginia Law. This Agreement shall be construed and
                           enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
                           Virginia.

                  9.5      Headings. The headings for each article and section
                           in this Agreement have been inserted for the
                           convenience of references only and are not intended
                           to limit or expand on the meaning of the language
                           contained in the particular article or section.

                  9.6      Severability. Should any one or more of the
                           provisions of this Agreement be held invalid or
                           unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction,
                           it shall be considered severed from this Agreement
                           and shall not serve to invalidate the remaining
                           provision hereof. The parties shall make a good faith
                           effort to replace any invalid or unenforceable
                           provisions with a valid and enforceable one such that
                           the objectives contemplated by them when entering
                           this Agreement may be realized.

                  9.7      No Waiver. Any delay in enforcing a party's rights
                           under this Agreement or any waiver as to a particular
                           default or other matter shall not constitute a waiver
                           of such party's rights to the future enforcement of
                           its rights under this Agreement, excepting only as to
                           an express written and signed waiver as to a
                           particular matter for a particular period of time.

                  9.8      Attorneys' Fees. In the event of a dispute among the
                           parties hereto or in the event of any default
                           hereunder, the party prevailing in the resolution of
                           any such dispute or default shall be entitled to
                           recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and other
                           costs incurred in connection with resolving such
                           dispute or default.

                  9.9      Notices. Any notices required by this Agreement shall
                           be in writing, shall specifically refer to this
                           Agreement and shall be sent by registered or
                           certified airmail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile,
                           telex or cable, charges prepaid, or by overnight
                           courier, postage prepaid, and shall be forwarded to
                           the respective addresses set forth below unless
                           subsequently changed by written notice to the other
                           party:


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<PAGE>   13

                  FOR EVMS: Medical College of Hampton Roads
                            d/b/a Eastern VirginiaMedical School
                            P.O. Box 1980
                            Norfolk, Virginia 23501
                            Attn:  Vice President for Finance and Administration
                            Fax No.: (757) 446-6095

                  FOR GMP:  GMP EndoTherapeutics, Inc.
                            One East Broward Blvd., Suite 1701
                            Fort Lauderdale, Florida  33301
                            Attn: Dr. Bart Chernow
                            Fax No.: (954) 745-3511

                  Notice shall be deemed delivered upon the earlier of (i) when
                  received, (ii) three (3) days after deposit into the mail,
                  (iii) the date notice is sent via telefax, telex or cable, or
                  (iv) the day immediately following delivery to overnight
                  courier (except Sunday and holidays).

                  9.10     Compliance with U.S. Laws. Nothing contained in this
                           Agreement shall require or permit EVMS or GMP to do
                           any act inconsistent with the requirements of any
                           United States law, regulation or executive order as
                           the same may be in effect from time to time.

                  9.11     Third Party Compliance. In the event and to the
                           extent EVMS engages other persons or entities not a
                           party to this Agreement to conduct all or any part of
                           the work to be performed under this Agreement, it
                           shall require such persons or entities to enter into
                           written agreements which contractually obligate such
                           persons or entities to the same requirements imposed
                           upon EVMS hereunder, including, without limitation,
                           the obligations under Articles 3, 4, 5 and 6 hereof.
                           EVMS shall provide GMP with copies of such written
                           agreements.

                  9.12     Estoppel Certificates. EVMS shall, from time to time,
                           upon written request of GMP, any of its Affiliates or
                           transferees or potential transferees, issue an
                           estoppel certificate to the requesting entity setting
                           forth the status of this Agreement, and, if in
                           default, stipulating the actions necessary to cure
                           such default.

                  9.13     Counterparts. This Unanimous Written Consent may be
                           signed in one or more counterparts, each of which
                           shall be deemed an original, but of which together
                           shall constitute one instrument.


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<PAGE>   14

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement by their
duly authorized representatives as of the date set forth above.

MEDICAL COLLEGE OF HAMPTON ROADS d/b/a EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL GMP
ENDOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:                                          By:
   ----------------------------------            ------------------------------
     David Thiel, Vice President for              Bart Chernow, M.D., President
     Administration and Finance

By:
   ----------------------------------
     Dr. Aaron Vinick


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