NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES INC
S-1/A, 1996-05-22
BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS, (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES)
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<PAGE>
 
      
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 22, 1996     
 
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-03172
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ---------------
                                 PRE-EFFECTIVE
                                
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3     
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-1
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ---------------
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                               ---------------
        DELAWARE                     8731                   33-0525145
     (STATE OR OTHER     (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL   (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     JURISDICTION OF     CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)   IDENTIFICATION NO.)
    INCORPORATION OR
      ORGANIZATION)
                               ---------------
                            3050 SCIENCE PARK ROAD
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                (619) 658-7600
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                               ---------------
                                 GARY A. LYONS
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
                            3050 SCIENCE PARK ROAD
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                (619) 658-7600
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                               ---------------
                                  COPIES TO:
      MICHAEL J. O'DONNELL, ESQ.               ALAN C. MENDELSON, ESQ.
   WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI            FREDERICK T. MUTO, ESQ.
       PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION        COOLEY GODWARD CASTRO HUDDLESON & TATUM
          650 PAGE MILL ROAD                    FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE           
   PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050              3000 EL CAMINO REAL        
            (415) 493-9300                PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306-2155  
                                                     (415) 843-5000          
                               ---------------     
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [_]
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the
same offering. [_]
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
 
                               ---------------
 
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A) MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                               ----------------
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
                         SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
                  OF INFORMATION REQUIRED BY ITEMS OF FORM S-1
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM AND HEADING             LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
     -------------------------------------------             ----------------------
 <C> <S>                                            <C>
  1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and
      Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus....... Outside Front Cover Page
  2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of   
      Prospectus................................... Inside Front and Outside Back Cover 
                                                     Pages                       
  3. Summary Information and Risk Factors.......... Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors
  4. Use of Proceeds............................... Use of Proceeds
  5. Determination of Offering Price............... Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
  6. Dilution...................................... Dilution
  7. Selling Security Holders...................... Not Applicable
  8. Plan of Distribution.......................... Outside Front and Inside Front Cover
                                                     Pages; Underwriting
  9. Description of Securities to be Registered.... Outside Front Cover Page; Prospectus
                                                     Summary; Capitalization; Description
                                                     of Capital Stock
 10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel........ Legal Matters; Experts
 11. Information with Respect to the Registrant.... Outside Front and Inside Front Cover
                                                     Pages; Prospectus Summary; Risk
                                                     Factors; Use of Proceeds; Dividend
                                                     Policy; Capitalization; Selected
                                                     Financial Data; Management's
                                                     Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                                                     Condition and Results of Operations;
                                                     Business; Management; Certain
                                                     Transactions; Principal Stockholders;
                                                     Description of Capital Stock; Shares
                                                     Eligible for Future Sale; Financial
                                                     Statements
 12. Disclosure of Commission Position on
      Indemnification for Securities Act
      Liabilities.................................. Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                    
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 22, 1996     
 
                               [LOGO APPEARS HERE]
 
                                3,000,000 SHARES
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
  All of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. ("Neurocrine" or the "Company"). Prior to this
offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock of the Company.
It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price will be
between $8.00 and $10.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for information relating
to the method of determining the initial public offering price. Application has
been made to have the Company's Common Stock quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "NBIX."
 
  Ciba-Geigy Limited is a party to a strategic alliance with the Company. As
part of the strategic alliance, Ciba-Geigy Limited has agreed to purchase
$5,000,000 of Common Stock upon completion of this offering in a separate
transaction at a price per share equal to the price per share at which Common
Stock is sold in this offering.
 
  Johnson & Johnson Development Corp. ("JJDC"), a subsidiary of Johnson &
Johnson, is an affiliate of Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., a party to a strategic
alliance with the Company. As part of the strategic alliance, JJDC has agreed
to purchase $2,500,000 of Common Stock upon completion of this offering in a
separate transaction at a price per share equal to the price per share at which
Common Stock is sold in this offering.
 
                                   ---------
 
   THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK
                         FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
 
                                   ---------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES  AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION   OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR   HAS  THE
  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON  THE ACCURACY OR
   ADEQUACY OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION TO  THE CONTRARY  IS A
    CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                          UNDERWRITING
                                        PRICE TO          DISCOUNTS AND        PROCEEDS TO
                                         PUBLIC            COMMISSIONS         COMPANY (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share.......................          $                   $                   $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (2).......................          $                   $                   $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $500,000.
(2) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    an additional 450,000 shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-
    allotments, if any. See "Underwriting." If such option is exercised in
    full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and
    Proceeds to Company will be $   , $   and $   , respectively.
                                   ---------
  The Common Stock is offered by the Underwriters as stated herein, subject to
receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order
in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of such shares will be made
through the offices of Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC ("Robertson, Stephens
& Company"), San Francisco, California, on or about   , 1996.
 
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
 
 
                               ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                                  INCORPORATED
                                                           MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
                    The date of this Prospectus is   , 1996
<PAGE>
 
                             INSERT COLOR GRAPHIC
 
 
                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
 

[NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION: REPRESENTATION OF HUMAN BRAIN, CRF RECEPTOR AND 
CRF-BINDING PROTEIN INDICATING ADVERSE EFFECTS OF INCREASED AND DECREASED CRF 
LEVELS]
 
  Overproduction of corticotropin releasing factor ("CRF") in the brain is
associated with disorders such as anxiety, depression, stroke and substance
abuse. Conversely, low levels of CRF are associated with Alzheimer's disease
and obesity. Neurocrine has discovered antagonists of the CRF receptors and
the CRF-binding protein that may represent novel therapeutic approaches to the
treatment of these diseases and disorders.
 
  THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND
DRUG ADMINISTRATION ("FDA") FOR MARKETING IN THE UNITED STATES. FDA APPROVAL
IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE FORTHCOMING FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND MAY NOT BE RECEIVED
AT ALL.
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OF THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
<PAGE>
 
  NO DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN
OFFER TO, OR A SOLICITATION OF, ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH
AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS
OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
  UNTIL   , 1996 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR
UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Summary..................................................................   4
Risk Factors.............................................................   6
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  15
Dividend Policy..........................................................  15
Capitalization...........................................................  16
Dilution.................................................................  17
Selected Financial Data..................................................  18
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  19
Business.................................................................  23
Management...............................................................  40
Executive Compensation...................................................  43
Certain Transactions.....................................................  48
Principal Stockholders...................................................  51
Description of Capital Stock.............................................  53
Shares Eligible For Future Sale..........................................  56
Underwriting.............................................................  58
Legal Matters............................................................  59
Experts..................................................................  59
Additional Information...................................................  60
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
</TABLE>
 
  The Company intends to furnish to its stockholders annual reports containing
financial statements audited by its independent accountants and quarterly
reports containing unaudited financial statements for each of the first three
quarters of each fiscal year.
 
  Tradenames and trademarks appearing in this Prospectus are the property of
their respective holders.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information, including "Risk Factors" and Financial Statements and Notes
thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. is a leading neuroimmunology company focused on
the discovery and development of novel therapeutics to treat diseases and
disorders of the central nervous and immune systems. The Company's neuroscience
and immunology disciplines provide a unique biological understanding of the
molecular interactions between the central nervous, immune and endocrine
systems leading to therapeutic opportunities for diseases and disorders such as
anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease, obesity and multiple sclerosis.
Neurocrine is leveraging its resources through strategic alliances and novel
financing mechanisms to build its internal product development and
commercialization capabilities. To date, Neurocrine has entered into strategic
alliances with Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. ("Janssen"), a subsidiary of Johnson
& Johnson, focused on the treatment of anxiety, depression and substance abuse,
and Ciba-Geigy Limited ("Ciba-Geigy") for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
In conjunction with a number of institutional investors, the Company has also
established a research and development subsidiary in Canada, Neuroscience
Pharma (NPI) Inc. ("NPI"), to develop additional compounds for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and disorders.
 
  The Company employs advanced technologies, including high-throughput
screening, combinatorial chemistry, molecular biology, gene sequencing and
bioinformatics, to discover and design novel small molecule therapeutics.
Neurocrine has utilized these technologies to advance its four research and
development programs:
 
  Corticotropin Releasing Factor ("CRF"). CRF is the central regulator of the
  body's overall response to stress and functions as both an endocrine factor
  and a neurotransmitter. In conjunction with Janssen, the Company is
  developing compounds to block the effects of over-production of CRF,
  potentially offering new therapies for disorders such as anxiety,
  depression and substance abuse. Neurocrine is independently developing
  related compounds for the treatment of stroke. The Company is also
  developing compounds to block a protein in the brain that binds to CRF and
  holds it in an inactive state. These compounds may provide a novel
  therapeutic approach for diseases that are associated with decreased levels
  of CRF, such as Alzheimer's disease and obesity.
 
  Altered Peptide Ligands. In autoimmune diseases, certain T-cells
  inappropriately recognize the body's own tissues as foreign and attack
  healthy cells. Peptide ligands are naturally occurring molecules which can
  be altered to bind to disease-causing T-cells to inhibit their destructive
  capabilities. In conjunction with Ciba-Geigy, the Company is conducting
  preclinical testing of its altered peptide ligand drug candidate for the
  treatment of multiple sclerosis. Neurocrine is also independently
  developing compounds to treat diabetes.
 
  Neurosteroids. Neurosteroids are a class of steroidal compounds produced in
  the central nervous system that show a wide range of effects on neurons,
  including the potential to enhance memory. A physician-sponsored clinical
  trial is being conducted to test a naturally-occurring human steroid that
  may have memory enhancing properties in patients suffering from Alzheimer's
  disease.
 
  Neurogenomics. The immune system of the brain plays a role in neurological
  diseases and disorders. Neurocrine scientists are identifying novel genes
  in the brain which are involved in neurodegeneration. To date,
  approximately 2,000 novel genes have been identified and are undergoing
  evaluation as drug targets or as potential diagnostics and therapeutics for
  diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple
  sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and AIDS dementia.
 
  The Company has retained certain marketing or co-promotion rights in North
America to its products under development and plans to establish a North
American sales and marketing organization focused on neurologists and certain
other disease specialists. The Company intends to concentrate its resources on
research and development activities by outsourcing its requirements for
manufacturing, preclinical studies, and clinical research monitoring
activities.
 
  The Company's offices are located at 3050 Science Park Road, San Diego, CA
92121, and its telephone number is (619) 658-7600. The Company was originally
incorporated in the State of California in January 1992 and was reincorporated
in the State of Delaware in May 1996.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Common Stock Offered by the          3,000,000 shares
Company...........................
Common Stock Outstanding After the  16,201,596 shares (1)
Offering..........................
Use of Proceeds...................  Research and development, capital
                                    expenditures, the acquisition of technology
                                    rights and general corporate purposes,
                                    including working capital. See "Use of
                                    Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market     NBIX
Symbol............................
</TABLE>
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                     (in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               THREE MONTHS
                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,    ENDED MARCH 31,
                                   -------------------------  ---------------
                                    1993     1994     1995     1995    1996
                                   -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues under collaborative re-
 search agreements:
  Sponsored research.............. $   --   $   --   $ 3,750  $   625 $ 1,625
  License fees....................     --       --     2,000    2,000     --
Other revenues....................     --       162      356      127     534
                                   -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
    Total revenues................     --       162    6,106    2,752   2,159
Operating expenses:
  Research and development........   2,804    6,231    7,740    1,848   1,794
  General and administrative......   1,550    2,223    2,728      737     571
                                   -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
    Total operating expenses......   4,354    8,454   10,468    2,585   2,365
                                   -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Income (loss) from operations.....  (4,354)  (8,292)  (4,362)     167    (206)
Interest income, net..............     118      627      839      220     187
Other income (expense)............     --       (41)     177       27      44
                                   -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Net income (loss)................. $(4,236) $(7,706) $(3,346) $   414 $    25
                                   =======  =======  =======  ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share....... $ (0.64) $ (0.67) $ (0.27) $  0.03 $   --
                                   =======  =======  =======  ======= =======
Shares used in computing net in-
 come (loss) per share (2)........   6,635   11,433   12,184   12,409  13,240
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          MARCH 31, 1996
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      ACTUAL   AS ADJUSTED (3)
                                                     --------  ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
 (4)................................................ $ 20,562     $ 52,372
Total assets........................................   28,080       59,890
Accumulated deficit.................................  (15,871)     (15,871)
Total stockholders' equity..........................   24,220       56,030
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based on the number of shares outstanding at March 31, 1996. Includes the
    sale of 833,334 shares of Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC at a price
    equal to the assumed initial public offering price per share. Excludes
    3,618,638 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options and
    warrants outstanding as of March 31, 1996 at a weighted average exercise
    price of $5.74 per share. See "Business -- Strategic Alliances,"
    "Management -- Stock Plans" and "Description of Capital Stock -- Warrants."
(2) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for an explanation of the
    determination of the number of shares used to compute net income (loss) per
    share.
(3) Adjusted to reflect the sale of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered
    hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $9.00 per share and
    833,334 shares of Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC at a price equal to
    the assumed initial public offering price per share, and the application of
    the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds," "Business --
    Strategic Alliances" and "Underwriting."
(4) Excludes approximately $9.5 million held by NPI which is available to fund
    certain of the Company's research and development activities. See "Business
    -- Strategic Alliances."
 
  Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus assumes no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option, and assumes the
reincorporation of the Company in Delaware, which is anticipated to be
completed prior to consummation of this offering.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain
factors, including those set forth in the following risk factors and elsewhere
in this Prospectus.
 
  The following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the
Company and its business before purchasing the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby.
 
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
 
  Neurocrine was founded in 1992 and all of its product candidates are in
research or early stages of development. The Company has not requested nor
received regulatory approval for any product from the FDA or any other
regulatory body. Any products resulting from the Company's research and
development programs are not expected to be commercially available for the
foreseeable future, if at all.
 
  The development of new pharmaceutical products is highly uncertain and
subject to a number of significant risks. Potential products that appear to be
promising at early stages of development may not reach the market for a number
of reasons. Such reasons include the possibilities that the potential products
will be found ineffective or cause harmful side effects during preclinical
testing or clinical trials, fail to receive necessary regulatory approvals, be
difficult to manufacture on a large scale, be uneconomical, fail to achieve
market acceptance or be precluded from commercialization by proprietary rights
of third parties.
 
  The Company's product candidates require significant additional research and
development efforts. No assurance can be given that any of the Company's
development programs will be successfully completed, that any investigational
new drug application ("IND") will be accepted by the FDA, that clinical trials
will commence as planned, that required regulatory approvals will be obtained
on a timely basis, if at all, or that any products for which approval is
obtained will be commercially successful. If any of the Company's development
programs are not successfully completed, required regulatory approvals are not
obtained, or products for which approvals are obtained are not commercially
successful, the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations would be materially adversely affected.
 
DEPENDENCE ON STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
 
  The Company has established strategic alliances with Janssen and Ciba-Geigy
with respect to certain of the Company's research and development programs.
The Company is dependent upon these corporate partners to provide adequate
funding for such programs. Under these arrangements, the Company's corporate
partners are responsible for (i) selecting compounds for subsequent
development as drug candidates, (ii) conducting preclinical testing and
clinical trials and obtaining required regulatory approvals for such drug
candidates, and (iii) manufacturing and commercializing any resulting drugs.
Failure of these partners to select a compound discovered by the Company for
subsequent development into marketable products, gain the requisite regulatory
approvals or successfully commercialize products would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. The Company's strategy for development and commercialization of
certain of its products is dependent upon entering into additional
arrangements with research collaborators, corporate partners and others, and
upon the subsequent success of these third parties in performing their
obligations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enter
into additional strategic alliances on terms favorable to the Company, or at
all. Failure of the Company to enter into additional strategic alliances would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations.
 
  The Company cannot control the amount and timing of resources which its
corporate partners devote to the Company's programs or potential products. If
any of the Company's corporate partners breach or terminate their agreements
with the Company or otherwise fail to conduct their collaborative activities
in a
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
timely manner, the preclinical testing, clinical development or
commercialization of product candidates will be delayed, and the Company will
be required to devote additional resources to product development and
commercialization, or terminate certain development programs. The Company's
strategic alliances with Janssen and Ciba-Geigy are subject to termination by
Janssen or Ciba-Geigy, respectively. There can be no assurance that Janssen or
Ciba-Geigy will not elect to terminate its strategic alliance with the Company
prior to its scheduled expiration. In addition, if the Company's corporate
partners effect a merger with a third party, there can be no assurance that
the strategic alliances will not be terminated or otherwise materially
adversely affected. The termination of any current or future strategic
alliances could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Neurocrine's corporate partners
may develop, either alone or with others, products that compete with the
development and marketing of the Company's products. Competing products,
either developed by the corporate partners or to which the corporate partners
have rights, may result in their withdrawal of support with respect to all or
a portion of the Company's technology, which would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. There can be no assurance that disputes will not arise in the
future with respect to the ownership of rights to any products or technology
developed with corporate partners. These and other possible disagreements
between corporate partners and the Company could lead to delays in the
collaborative research, development or commercialization of certain product
candidates or could require or result in litigation or arbitration, which
would be time-consuming and expensive, and would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. See "Business -- Strategic Alliances."
 
INTENSE COMPETITION; UNCERTAINTY OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
 
  The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to rapid and
intense technological change. The Company faces, and will continue to face,
competition in the development and marketing of its product candidates from
academic institutions, government agencies, research institutions and
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Competition may arise from other
drug development technologies, methods of preventing or reducing the incidence
of disease, including vaccines, and new small molecule or other classes of
therapeutic agents. There can be no assurance that developments by others will
not render the Company's product candidates or technologies obsolete or
noncompetitive.
 
  Recently, Betaseron, a form of beta-interferon marketed by Berlex
BioSciences, has been approved for the treatment of relapsing remitting
multiple sclerosis ("MS"). Avonex, a similar form of beta-interferon, produced
by Biogen, Inc., has been recommended for approval by an FDA advisory
committee for the same indication. Tacrine, marketed by Warner Lambert Co.,
has recently been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Sales of
these drugs may reduce the available market for any product developed by the
Company for these indications. The Company is developing products for the
treatment of anxiety disorders, which will compete with well-established
products in the benzodiazepene class, including Valium, marketed by Hoffman-La
Roche, Inc., and depression, which will compete with well-established products
in the anti-depressant class, including Prozac, marketed by Eli Lilly & Co.
Certain technologies under development by other pharmaceutical companies could
result in treatments for these and other diseases and disorders being pursued
by the Company. For example, a number of companies are conducting research on
molecules to block CRF to treat anxiety and depression. Other biotechnology
and pharmaceutical companies are developing compounds to treat obesity, and
one such drug, d-fenfluramine, marketed by American Home Products Corporation,
has been recommended for approval by an FDA advisory committee. Several
companies are engaged in the research and development of immune modulating
drugs for the potential treatment of MS. In the event that one or more of
these programs were successful, the market for the Company's products may be
reduced or eliminated.
 
  In addition, if Neurocrine receives regulatory approvals for its products,
manufacturing efficiency and marketing capabilities are likely to be
significant competitive factors. At the present time, Neurocrine has no
commercial manufacturing capability, sales force or marketing experience. In
addition, many of the Company's competitors and potential competitors have
substantially greater capital resources, research and development resources,
manufacturing and marketing experience and production facilities than does
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Neurocrine. Many of these competitors also have significantly greater
experience than does Neurocrine in undertaking preclinical testing and
clinical trials of new pharmaceutical products and obtaining FDA and other
regulatory approvals. See "Business -- Products Under Development" and " --
Competition."
 
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY
 
  The Company's success will depend on its ability to obtain patent protection
for its products, preserve its trade secrets, prevent third parties from
infringing upon its proprietary rights, and operate without infringing upon
the proprietary rights of others, both in the United States and
internationally.
 
  Because of the substantial length of time and expense associated with
bringing new products through the development and regulatory approval
processes in order to reach the marketplace, the pharmaceutical industry
places considerable importance on obtaining patent and trade secret protection
for new technologies, products and processes. Accordingly, the Company intends
to seek patent protection for its proprietary technology and compounds. There
can be no assurance as to the success or timeliness in obtaining any such
patents, that the breadth of claims obtained, if any, will provide adequate
protection of the Company's proprietary technology or compounds, or that the
Company will be able to adequately enforce any such claims to protect its
proprietary technology and compounds. Because patent applications in the
United States are confidential until the patents issue, and publication of
discoveries in the scientific or patent literature tend to lag behind actual
discoveries by several months, the Company cannot be certain that Company
inventors were the first to conceive of inventions covered by pending patent
applications or that it was the first to file patent applications for such
inventions.
 
  The degree of patent protection afforded to pharmaceutical inventions is
uncertain and any patents which may issue with regard to the Company's
potential products will be subject to this uncertainty. There can be no
assurance that competitors will not develop competitive products outside the
protection that may be afforded by the claims of the Company's patents. For
example, the Company is aware that other parties have been issued patents and
have filed patent applications in the United States and foreign countries
which claim alternative uses of dehydroepiandrosterone ("DHEA"), a potential
product of the Company, and cover other therapeutics for the treatment of
multiple sclerosis. DHEA is not a novel compound and is not covered by a
composition of matter patent. The issued patents licensed to the Company
covering DHEA are use patents containing claims related to therapeutic methods
and the use of specific compounds and classes of compounds for
neuroregeneration. Other potential products which the Company may develop may
not consist of novel compounds and therefore would not be covered by
composition of matter patent claims. Competitors may be able to commercialize
products not covered by composition of matter patent claims for indications
outside of the protection provided by the claims of any use patents that may
be issued to the Company. In this case, physicians, pharmacies and wholesalers
could then substitute a competitor's product for the Company's product. Use
patents may be unavailable or may afford a lesser degree of protection in
certain foreign countries due to the patent laws of such countries.
 
  The Company may be required to obtain licenses to patents or proprietary
rights of others. As the biotechnology industry expands and more patents are
issued, the risk increases that the Company's potential products may give rise
to claims that such products infringe the patent rights of others. At least
one patent containing claims covering compositions of matter consisting of
certain altered peptide ligand therapeutics for use in modulating the immune
response has issued in Europe, and the Company believes that this patent has
been licensed to a competitor of the Company. There can be no assurance that a
patent containing corresponding claims will not issue in the United States. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the claims of the European patent or
any corresponding claims of any future United States patents or other foreign
patents which may issue will not be infringed by the manufacture, use, or sale
of any potential altered peptide ligand therapeutics developed by the Company
or Ciba-Geigy. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company or
Ciba-Geigy would prevail in any legal action seeking damages or injunctive
relief for infringement of any patent that might issue under such applications
or that any license required under any
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
such patent would be made available or, if available, would be available on
acceptable terms. Failure to obtain a required license could prevent the
Company and Ciba-Geigy from commercializing any altered peptide ligand
products which they may develop.
 
  No assurance can be given that any licenses required under any patents or
proprietary rights of third parties would be made available on terms
acceptable to the Company, or at all. If the Company does not obtain such
licenses, it could encounter delays in product introductions while it attempts
to design around such patents, or could find that the development, manufacture
or sale of products requiring such licenses is foreclosed. Litigation may be
necessary to defend against or assert such claims of infringement, to enforce
patents issued to the Company, to protect trade secrets or know-how owned by
the Company, or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights
of others. In addition, interference proceedings declared by the United States
Patent and Trademark Office may be necessary to determine the priority of
inventions with respect to patent applications of the Company or its
licensors. Litigation or interference proceedings could result in substantial
costs to and diversion of effort by, and may have a material adverse impact
on, the Company. There can be no assurance that these efforts by the Company
would be successful.
 
  The Company also relies upon unpatented trade secrets and improvements,
unpatented know-how and continuing technological innovation to develop and
maintain its competitive position, which it seeks to protect, in part, by
confidentiality agreements with its commercial partners, collaborators,
employees and consultants. The Company also has invention or patent assignment
agreements with its employees and certain, but not all, commercial partners
and consultants. There can be no assurance that relevant inventions will not
be developed by a person not bound by an invention assignment agreement. There
can be no assurance that binding agreements will not be breached, that the
Company would have adequate remedies for any breach, or that the Company's
trade secrets will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered
by competitors. See "Business -- Patents and Proprietary Rights."
 
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO CLINICAL TRIALS
 
  Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any of its
products under development, the Company or its corporate partners must
demonstrate through preclinical testing and clinical trials that the product
is safe and effective for use in each target indication. To date the Company
has not commenced clinical trials with regard to any potential product. A
physician-IND Phase II clinical trial was initiated in March 1996 with regard
to the use of DHEA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, such
clinical trial is not under the full control of the Company. In addition, a
physician-IND clinical trial does not replace the need for Company-sponsored
clinical trials.
 
  The results from preclinical testing and early clinical trials may not be
predictive of results obtained in later clinical trials, and there can be no
assurance that clinical trials conducted by the Company or its corporate
partners will demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain the
requisite regulatory approvals or will result in marketable products. In
addition, clinical trials are often conducted with patients having the most
advanced stages of disease. During the course of treatment, these patients can
die or suffer other adverse medical effects for reasons that may not be
related to the pharmaceutical agent being tested but which can nevertheless
adversely affect clinical trial results. A number of companies in the
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have suffered significant setbacks
in advanced clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier trials.
If the Company's drug candidates are not shown to be safe and effective in
clinical trials, the resulting delays in developing other compounds and
conducting related preclinical testing and clinical trials, as well as the
potential need for additional financing, would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
  The rate of completion of clinical trials conducted by the Company or its
corporate partners may be delayed by many factors, including slower than
expected patient recruitment or unforeseen safety issues. Any delays in, or
termination of, the Company's clinical trials would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. There can be no assurance that Neurocrine
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
will be permitted by regulatory authorities to undertake clinical trials for
its products or, if such trials are conducted, that any of the Company's
product candidates will prove to be safe and efficacious or will receive
regulatory approvals. See "Business -- Products Under Development."
 
UNPREDICTABILITY OF FUTURE FINANCIAL RESULTS; UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE
PROFITABILITY
 
  At March 31, 1996, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately
$15.9 million. The Company anticipates that it will incur substantial losses
in the future, potentially greater than losses incurred in prior years.
Neurocrine expects to incur substantial additional operating expenses over the
next several years as its research, development, preclinical testing and
clinical trial activities increase. To the extent that the Company is unable
to obtain third-party funding for such expenses, the Company expects that
increased expenses will result in increased losses from operations. There can
be no assurance that the Company's products under development will be
successfully developed or that its products, if successfully developed, will
generate revenues sufficient to enable the Company to earn a profit.
Neurocrine does not expect to generate revenues from the sale of products, if
any, for the foreseeable future. The Company's ability to achieve
profitability depends in part on its ability to enter into agreements for
product development, obtain regulatory approval for its products and develop
the capacity, or enter into agreements, for the manufacture, marketing and
sale of any products. There can be no assurance that Neurocrine will obtain
required regulatory approvals, or successfully develop, manufacture,
commercialize and market product candidates or that the Company will ever
achieve product revenues or profitability. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION; NO ASSURANCE OF REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
  The Company's research, preclinical testing and clinical trials of its
product candidates are, and the manufacturing and marketing of its products
will be, subject to extensive and rigorous regulation by numerous government
authorities in the United States and in other countries where the Company
intends to test and market its product candidates. Prior to marketing, any
product developed by the Company must undergo an extensive regulatory approval
process. This regulatory process, which includes preclinical testing and
clinical trials of each compound to establish its safety and efficacy, can
take many years and require the expenditure of substantial resources, and may
include post-marketing surveillance. Data obtained from preclinical testing
and clinical trials are susceptible to varying interpretations which could
delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. In addition, delays or rejections
may be encountered based upon changes in FDA policy for drug approval during
the period of product development and FDA regulatory review of each submitted
new drug application ("NDA") or product license application ("PLA"). Similar
delays may also be encountered in foreign countries. There can be no assurance
that regulatory approval will be obtained for any drugs developed by the
Company. Moreover, regulatory approval may entail limitations on the indicated
uses of the drug. Further, even if regulatory approval is obtained, a marketed
drug and its manufacturer are subject to continuing review, and discovery of
previously unknown problems with a product or manufacturer can result in the
withdrawal of the product from the market, which would have an adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Violations of regulatory requirements at any stage, including preclinical
testing and clinical trials, the approval process or post-approval, may result
in various adverse consequences including the FDA's delay in approving or its
refusal to approve a product, withdrawal of an approved product from the
market, and the imposition of criminal penalties against the manufacturer and
NDA or PLA holder. The Company has not submitted any IND applications for any
product candidate, and none has been approved for commercialization in the
United States or internationally. A physician-IND Phase II clinical trial
commenced in March 1996 with regard to the use of DHEA for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease. However, such clinical trial is not under the full
control of the Company. In addition, a physician-IND clinical trial does not
replace the need for Company-sponsored clinical trials. No assurance can be
given that the Company will be able to obtain FDA approval for any products.
Failure to obtain requisite regulatory approvals or failure to obtain
approvals of the scope requested will delay or preclude the Company or its
licensees or marketing partners from marketing the Company's products or limit
the commercial use of the products and would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See
"Business-- Government Regulation."
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING; UNCERTAINTY OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL
 
  Neurocrine will require substantial additional funding in order to continue
its research and product development programs, including preclinical testing
and clinical trials of its product candidates, for operating expenses, for the
pursuit of regulatory approvals for its product candidates, and may require
additional funding for establishing manufacturing and marketing capabilities
in the future. The Company believes that its existing capital resources,
together with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of shares to
Ciba-Geigy and JJDC, interest income and future payments due under strategic
alliances, will be sufficient to satisfy its current and projected funding
requirements through 1998. However, no assurance can be given that such net
proceeds will be sufficient to conduct its research and development programs
as planned. The Company's future capital requirements will depend on many
factors, including continued scientific progress in its research and
development programs, the magnitude of these programs, progress with
preclinical testing and clinical trials, the time and costs involved in
obtaining regulatory approvals, if any, the costs involved in filing and
prosecuting patent applications and enforcing patent claims, competing
technological and market developments, the establishment of additional
strategic alliances, the cost of manufacturing facilities and of
commercialization activities and arrangements, and the cost of product in-
licensing and any possible acquisitions. There can be no assurance that the
Company's cash reserves and other liquid assets, including the net proceeds of
this offering, together with funding that may be received under the Company's
strategic alliances, and interest income earned thereon, will be adequate to
satisfy its capital and operating requirements.
 
  Neurocrine intends to seek additional funding through strategic alliances,
and may seek additional funding through public or private sales of the
Company's securities, including equity securities. In addition, the Company
has obtained equipment leases and may continue to pursue opportunities to
obtain additional debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance,
however, that additional equity or debt financing will be available on
reasonable terms, if at all. Any additional equity financings would be
dilutive to the Company's stockholders. If adequate funds are not available,
Neurocrine may be required to curtail significantly one or more of its
research and development programs and/or obtain funds through arrangements
with corporate partners or others that may require Neurocrine to relinquish
rights to certain of its technologies or product candidates. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEES AND
CONSULTANTS
 
  The Company is highly dependent on the principal members of its management
and scientific staff. The loss of services of any of these personnel could
impede the achievement of the Company's development objectives. Furthermore,
recruiting and retaining qualified scientific personnel to perform research
and development work in the future will also be critical to the Company's
success. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract
and retain personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among
biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health care companies, universities and non-
profit research institutions for experienced scientists. In addition, the
Company relies on members of its Scientific Advisory Board and a significant
number of consultants to assist the Company in formulating its research and
development strategy. All of Neurocrine's consultants and the members of the
Company's Scientific Advisory Board are employed by employers other than the
Company, and may have commitments to, or advisory or consulting agreements
with, other entities that may limit their availability to the Company. See
"Business -- Scientific Advisory Board" and "Management."
 
NO MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE; RELIANCE ON THIRD-PARTY MANUFACTURING
 
  The Company has in the past utilized, and intends to continue to utilize,
third-party manufacturing for the production of material for use in clinical
trials and for the potential commercialization of future products. The Company
has no experience in manufacturing products for commercial purposes and does
not have any manufacturing facilities. Consequently, the Company is dependent
on contract manufacturers for the production of products for development and
commercial purposes. In the event that the Company is unable to obtain or
retain third-party manufacturing, it will not be able to commercialize its
products as planned. The manufacture of the Company's products for clinical
trials and commercial purposes is subject to current Good Manufacturing
Practices ("cGMP") regulations promulgated by the FDA. No assurance can be
given that the Company's third-party manufacturers will comply with cGMP
regulations or other regulatory requirements now or in the future. The
Company's current dependence upon third parties for the
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
manufacture of its products may adversely affect its profit margins, if any,
on the sale of future products and the Company's ability to develop and
deliver products on a timely and competitive basis. See "Business -- Strategic
Alliances" and "-- Manufacturing."
 
LACK OF MARKETING AND SALES CAPABILITIES
 
  Neurocrine has retained certain marketing or co-promotion rights in North
America to its products under development, and plans to establish its own
North American marketing and sales organization. The Company currently has no
experience in marketing or selling pharmaceutical products and does not have a
marketing and sales staff. In order to achieve commercial success for any
product candidate approved by the FDA, Neurocrine must either develop a
marketing and sales force or enter into arrangements with third parties to
market and sell its products. There can be no assurance that Neurocrine will
successfully develop such experience or that it will be able to enter into
marketing and sales agreements with others on acceptable terms, if at all. If
the Company develops its own marketing and sales capabilities, it will compete
with other companies that currently have experienced and well funded marketing
and sales operations. To the extent that the Company enters into co-promotion
or other marketing and sales arrangements with other companies, any revenues
to be received by Neurocrine will be dependent on the efforts of others, and
there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful. See
"Business -- Marketing and Sales."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AND REIMBURSEMENT
 
  The Company's business may be materially adversely affected by the
continuing efforts of government and third-party payors to contain or reduce
the costs of health care through various means. For example, in certain
foreign markets, pricing or profitability of prescription pharmaceuticals is
subject to government control. In the United States, there have been, and the
Company expects that there will continue to be, a number of federal and state
proposals to implement similar government control in such jurisdictions. In
addition, an increasing emphasis on managed care in the United States has put,
and will continue to put, pressure on pharmaceutical pricing. Such initiatives
and proposals, if adopted, could decrease the price that the Company receives
for any products it may develop and sell in the future, and thereby have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. Further, to the extent that such proposals or
initiatives have a material adverse effect on other pharmaceutical companies
that are corporate partners or prospective corporate partners for certain of
the Company's potential products, the Company's ability to commercialize its
potential products may be materially adversely affected.
 
  The Company's ability to commercialize pharmaceutical products may depend in
part on the extent to which reimbursement for the costs of such products and
related treatments will be available from government health administration
authorities, private health insurers and other third-party payors. Significant
uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved health
care products, and third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices
charged for medical products and services. There can be no assurance that any
third-party insurance coverage will be available to patients for any products
developed by the Company. Government and other third-party payors are
increasingly attempting to contain health care costs by limiting both coverage
and the level of reimbursement for new therapeutic products, and by refusing,
in some cases, to provide coverage for uses of approved products for disease
indications for which the FDA has not granted marketing approval. If adequate
coverage and reimbursement levels are not provided by government and third-
party payors for the Company's products, the market acceptance of these
products would be materially adversely affected.
 
POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY EXPOSURE AND LIMITED INSURANCE COVERAGE
 
  The use of any of the Company's potential products in clinical trials, and
the sale of any approved products, may expose the Company to liability claims
resulting from the use of its products. These claims might be made directly by
consumers, health care providers or by pharmaceutical companies or others
selling such products. Neurocrine has obtained limited product liability
insurance coverage for its clinical trials in the
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
amount of $1.0 million per occurrence and $1.0 million in the aggregate. The
Company intends to expand its insurance coverage to include the sale of
commercial products if marketing approval is obtained for products in
development. However, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive,
and no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to maintain
insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect
the Company against losses due to liability. There can also be no assurance
that the Company will be able to obtain commercially reasonable product
liability insurance for any products approved for marketing. A successful
product liability claim or series of claims brought against the Company could
have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and
results of operations.
 
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK
 
  Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Company's
Common Stock, and there can be no assurance that a regular trading market will
develop and continue after this offering or that the market price of the
Common Stock will not decline below the initial public offering price. The
initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations between
the Company and the representatives of the Underwriters and may not be
indicative of the market price of the Common Stock following this offering.
Among the factors considered in such negotiations are prevailing market
conditions, certain financial information of the Company, market valuations of
other companies that the Company and the representatives of the Underwriters
believe to be comparable to the Company, estimates of the business potential
of the Company, the present state of the Company's development and other
factors deemed relevant. See "Underwriting."
 
VOLATILITY OF COMMON STOCK PRICE
 
  The market prices for securities of biotechnology and pharmaceutical
companies have historically been highly volatile, and the market has from time
to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are
unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Factors such
as fluctuations in the Company's operating results, announcements of
technological innovations or new therapeutic products by the Company or
others, clinical trial results, developments concerning strategic alliance
agreements, government regulation, developments in patent or other proprietary
rights, public concern as to the safety of drugs developed by the Company or
others, future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock by existing
stockholders, comments by securities analysts and general market conditions
can have an adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock. The
realization of any of the risks described in these "Risk Factors" could have a
dramatic and material adverse impact on market price of the Company's Common
Stock.
 
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  As of March 31, 1996, 3,618,638 shares of Common Stock are issuable upon the
exercise of outstanding stock options, warrants and conversion rights. The
issuance of Common Stock, which will occur upon the exercise of such stock
options, warrants and conversion rights, and as a result of future sales of
Common Stock by the Company or by existing stockholders, or the perception
that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the
Common Stock. In private placement transactions between October 1993 and
February 1994, the Company sold a total of 6,025,892 shares of Common Stock to
various institutional and individual investors. The sale of a significant
number of shares by these investors could have a substantial negative impact
on the market price of the Common Stock. In addition, two of the Company's
corporate partners, Ciba-Geigy and JJDC, an affiliate of Janssen, are
significant stockholders. As of March 31, 1996, Ciba-Geigy owned approximately
4.5%, and JJDC owned approximately 3.5% of the outstanding Common Stock. After
completion of this offering, and after Ciba-Geigy's concurrent purchase of
$5.0 million of Common Stock and JJDC's concurrent purchase of $2.5 million of
Common Stock, all at an assumed price of $9.00 per share, Ciba-Geigy will own
approximately 7.4%, and JJDC will own approximately 4.4% of the outstanding
Common Stock. The sale of shares by either of these partners could be viewed
in the marketplace as illustrative of a lack of confidence in the Company and
could have a substantial negative impact on the
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
market price of the Common Stock. Each officer, director and certain other
stockholders of the Company that beneficially own or have dispositive power
over approximately 11,960,185 shares of the Company's Common Stock have agreed
with the Representatives for a period of (i) 180 days after the effective date
of this Prospectus with respect to one-third of the shares held by them, (ii)
270 days after the effective date of this Prospectus with regard to an
additional one-third of the shares held by them, and (iii) 360 days after the
effective date of this Prospectus with regard to the remaining one-third of
the shares held by them, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer to sell,
contract to sell, or otherwise sell, dispose of, loan, pledge or grant any
rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to
purchase any shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of Common Stock owned as of the date of this
Prospectus or thereafter acquired directly by such holders or with respect to
which they have or hereafter acquire the power of disposition, without the
prior written consent of Robertson, Stephens & Company. However, Robertson,
Stephens & Company may, in its sole discretion and at any time without notice,
release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements.
The holders of approximately 10,538,367 shares are also entitled to certain
registration rights. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights
Agreements" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for staggered terms for
the members of the Board of Directors and does not provide for cumulative
voting in the election of directors. In addition, the Board of Directors has
the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to fix the rights
and preferences of, and issue shares of, Preferred Stock. Further, the Company
is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which,
subject to certain exceptions, restricts certain transactions and business
combinations between a corporation and a stockholder owning 15% of more of the
corporation's outstanding voting stock (an "interested stockholder") for a
period of three years from the date the stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. The staggered board terms, lack of cumulative voting, Preferred
Stock provision and other provisions of the Company's charter and Delaware
corporate law may discourage certain types of transactions involving an actual
or potential change in control of the Company. See "Description of Capital
Stock -- Certain Change of Control Provisions."
 
DILUTION
 
  Upon purchase of Common Stock, investors will experience an immediate and
substantial dilution of $5.60 per share in the net tangible book value of the
Common Stock they acquire in this offering. Additional dilution is likely to
occur upon the exercise of options, warrants and conversion rights granted by
the Company. See "Dilution."
 
ABSENCE OF CASH DIVIDENDS
 
  The Company has never paid any cash dividends and does not anticipate paying
cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See "Dividend Policy."
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 3,000,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby and the sale of 833,334 shares of
Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC are estimated to be approximately
$31,810,000 ($35,576,500 if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $9.00 and
after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, offering
expenses and a financial advisory fee payable by the Company.
 
  The Company anticipates using the net proceeds from this offering and the
sales of shares to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC to fund its research and development
activities, capital expenditures, the acquisition of technology rights and for
general corporate purposes. The amount and timing of these expenditures will
depend on numerous factors, including the progress of the Company's research
and development programs. Pending application of the net proceeds of this
offering and the sales of shares to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC as described above,
the Company intends to invest such proceeds in United States government
securities and short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.
 
  The Company believes that its existing capital resources, together with the
net proceeds from this offering and the sales of shares to Ciba-Geigy and
JJDC, interest income and future payments due under the strategic alliances,
will be sufficient to satisfy its current and projected funding requirements
at least through 1998. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations --Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends since its inception.
The Company currently intends to retain its earnings for future growth and
therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Future cash dividends, if any, will be determined by the Company's
Board of Directors.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth (i) the capitalization of the Company at
March 31, 1996 and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to the sale of 3,000,000
shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering
price of $9.00 per share and the sale of 833,334 shares of Common Stock to
Ciba-Geigy and JJDC at a price equal to the assumed initial public offering
price per share, and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         MARCH 31, 1996
                                                      ---------------------
                                                       ACTUAL   AS ADJUSTED
                                                      --------  -----------
                                                         (in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>         
Obligations under capital leases, less current por-
 tion................................................ $  1,406   $  1,406
                                                      --------   --------
Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares
  authorized, no shares issued and outstanding.......      --         --
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares
  authorized; 12,368,262 shares issued and
  outstanding actual; 16,201,596 shares issued and
  outstanding as adjusted............................       12         16
 Additional paid-in capital..........................   40,639     72,445
 Deferred compensation...............................     (371)      (371)
 Notes receivable from stockholders..................     (135)      (135)
 Unrealized losses on short-term investments.........      (54)       (54)
 Accumulated deficit.................................  (15,871)   (15,871)
                                                      --------   --------
  Total stockholders' equity (1).....................   24,220     56,030
                                                      --------   --------
   Total capitalization.............................. $ 25,626   $ 57,436
                                                      ========   ========
</TABLE>
- --------
 
(1) Excludes 3,618,638 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    options and warrants outstanding as of March 31, 1996 at a weighted
    average exercise price of $5.74 per share. See "Business -- Strategic
    Alliances," "Management -- Stock Plans" and "Description of Capital
    Stock -- Warrants."
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                   DILUTION
 
  The net tangible book value of the Company as of March 31, 1996 was
$23,220,551 or $1.88 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible book value per
share represents the amount of the Company's total tangible assets less total
liabilities divided by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Net
tangible book value dilution per share represents the difference between the
amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of Common Stock in this offering
and the net tangible book value per share of the Common Stock immediately
after completion of this offering. After giving effect to the sale by the
Company of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed
initial public offering price of $9.00 per share and after deducting the
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by the Company, and the sale of 833,334 shares of Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy
and JJDC at a price equal to the assumed initial public offering price per
share and after deducting the estimated financial advisory fee payable by the
Company, and assuming no other changes in the net tangible book value after
March 31, 1996, the Company's net tangible book value as of March 31, 1996
would have been $55,030,551 or $3.40 per share. This represents an immediate
increase in net tangible book value of $1.52 per share to existing
stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $5.60 per
share to new investors in this offering and in the sale of shares of Common
Stock to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC, as illustrated by the following table:
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                              <C>   <C>
   Assumed initial public offering price per share.................       $9.00
     Net tangible book value per share at March 31, 1996........... $1.88
     Increase attributable to new investors........................  1.52
                                                                    -----
   Net tangible book value per share after offering................        3.40
                                                                          -----
   Dilution to new investors.......................................       $5.60
                                                                          =====
</TABLE>
 
  The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 1996, the difference between
the number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company, the total
consideration paid and the average price per share paid by the existing
holders of Common Stock and by the new investors, before deducting the
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 SHARES PURCHASED  TOTAL CONSIDERATION  AVERAGE
                                ------------------ ------------------- PRICE PER
                                  NUMBER   PERCENT   AMOUNT    PERCENT   SHARE
                                ---------- ------- ----------- ------- ---------
   <S>                          <C>        <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>
   Existing shareholders....... 12,368,262   76.3% $42,525,349   55.2%  $ 3.44
   New investors...............  3,833,334   23.7   34,500,000   44.8     9.00
                                ----------  -----  -----------  -----
     Total..................... 16,201,596  100.0% $77,025,349  100.0%
                                ==========  =====  ===========  =====
</TABLE>
  The calculation of net tangible book value and the other computations above
assume no exercise of outstanding options and warrants. As of March 31, 1996,
3,618,638 shares of Common Stock were subject to outstanding options and
warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $5.74 per share. To the
extent additional shares are purchased pursuant to the exercise of outstanding
options and warrants, there will be further dilution to new investors. See
"Management -- Stock Plans," "Description of Capital Stock -- Warrants" and
Note 4 of Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The selected financial data set forth below with respect to the Company's
statement of operations for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1995, and with respect to the Company's balance sheet at December
31, 1994 and 1995, are derived from the financial statements of the Company
that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, which are
included elsewhere herein and are qualified by reference to such Financial
Statement and Notes related thereto. The statement of operations data for the
year ended December 31, 1992, and the balance sheet data at December 31, 1992
and 1993, have been derived from financial statements that have been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP which are not included herein. The statement of
operations data for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 and the
balance sheet data at March 31, 1996 have been derived from unaudited
financial statements; however, management believes such financial statements
include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that
the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
position and results of operations for these periods. Operating results for
the three months ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 1996. The
selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Company's Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                THREE MONTHS
                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         ENDED MARCH 31,
                            ---------------------------------  ---------------
                             1992    1993     1994     1995     1995    1996
                            ------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
                                (in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                         <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Revenues under collabora-
 tive research agreements:
  Sponsored research......  $  --   $   --   $   --   $ 3,750  $   625 $ 1,625
  License fees............     --       --       --     2,000    2,000     --
Other revenues............     --       --       162      356      127     534
                            ------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
    Total revenues........     --       --       162    6,106    2,752   2,159
Operating expenses:
  Research and
   development............     406    2,804    6,231    7,740    1,848   1,794
  General and
   administrative.........     216    1,550    2,223    2,728      737     571
                            ------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
    Total operating ex-
     penses...............     622    4,354    8,454   10,468    2,585   2,365
                            ------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Income (loss) from opera-
 tions....................    (622)  (4,354)  (8,292)  (4,362)     167    (206)
Interest income, net......      15      118      627      839      220     187
Other income (expense)....     --       --       (41)     177       27      44
                            ------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Net income (loss).........  $ (607) $(4,236) $(7,706) $(3,346) $   414 $    25
                            ======  =======  =======  =======  ======= =======
Net income (loss) per
 share....................  $(0.49) $ (0.64) $ (0.67) $ (0.27) $  0.03 $   --
                            ======  =======  =======  =======  ======= =======
Shares used in computing
 net income (loss) per
 share (1)................   1,247    6,635   11,433   12,184   12,409  13,240
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        DECEMBER 31,
                              -----------------------------------  MARCH 31,
                               1992    1993      1994      1995      1996
                              ------  -------  --------  --------  ---------
                                            (in thousands)
<S>                           <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and
 short-term investments...... $2,010  $21,639  $ 18,228  $ 18,696  $ 20,562(2)
Working capital..............  1,979   20,177    16,661    16,989    21,699
Total assets.................  2,475   24,436    22,344    24,012    28,080
Obligations under capital
 leases, less current por-
 tion........................    --       758     1,733     1,631     1,406
Accumulated deficit..........   (607)  (4,843)  (12,549)  (15,895)  (15,871)
Total stockholders' equity...  2,445   22,137    18,743    19,225    24,220
</TABLE>
 
- --------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for an explanation of the
    determination of the number of shares used in computing net income (loss)
    per share.
(2) Excludes approximately $9.5 million held by NPI which is available to fund
    certain of the Company's research and development activities. See
    "Business -- Strategic Alliances."
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
               OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements which involve
risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of
certain factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere
in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Since the founding of the Company in January 1992, Neurocrine has been
engaged in the discovery and development of novel pharmaceutical products for
diseases and disorders of the central nervous and immune systems. To date,
Neurocrine has not generated any revenues from the sale of products, and does
not expect to generate any product revenues for the foreseeable future. The
Company's revenues, if any, are expected to come from its strategic alliances.
Neurocrine has incurred a cumulative deficit of $15.9 million as of March 31,
1996 and expects to incur substantial additional operating losses, potentially
greater than losses in prior years, in the future.
 
  Neurocrine has primarily financed its operations through the sale of Common
Stock. In February 1994, the Company completed the sale of Common Stock in a
private placement offering resulting in gross proceeds of $30.0 million. In
connection with the Janssen strategic alliance, JJDC purchased $2.5 million of
Common Stock in January 1995 and has agreed to purchase an additional $2.5
million of Common Stock concurrent with this offering. In January 1996, the
Company sold $5.0 million of Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy in connection with the
Ciba-Geigy strategic alliance. Ciba-Geigy has agreed to purchase an additional
$5.0 million of Common Stock concurrent with this offering.
 
  In February 1995, the Company entered into a three to five year strategic
alliance with Janssen for the development of CRF receptor antagonists for the
treatment of anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Pursuant to the
agreement, Janssen has paid the Company $3.0 million and is obligated to pay
the Company an additional $6.5 million in sponsored research payments through
1997, as well as $6.0 million for two additional years should Janssen exercise
its option to extend the collaboration. The Company could also receive
milestone payments of up to $10.0 million for the indications of anxiety,
depression and substance abuse, and up to $9.0 million for other indications,
if certain development and regulatory milestones are achieved. In addition,
Janssen paid a $1.0 million license fee in 1995 and is obligated to pay an
additional $1.0 million license fee in 1996. In return Janssen received
worldwide manufacturing and marketing rights to the compounds developed during
this collaboration, and is required to pay the Company royalties on net sales
and the costs associated with establishing a North American sales force should
Neurocrine exercise its option to co-promote.
 
  In January 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Ciba-Geigy to
develop altered peptide ligands for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Pursuant to the agreement, Ciba-Geigy is obligated to provide Neurocrine with
$12.0 million in license fees and research and development funding during the
first two years of the agreement, and up to $15.5 million in further research
and development funding thereafter, unless the agreement is sooner terminated.
Ciba-Geigy has the right to terminate the agreement after December 30, 1997.
In addition, the Company could also receive milestone payments if certain
development and regulatory milestones are achieved. In return, Ciba-Geigy
received manufacturing and marketing rights outside of North America and will
receive a percentage of profits on sales in North America. The Company will
receive royalties for all sales outside North America and a percentage of
profits on sales in North America, which the Company may at its option convert
to a right to receive royalties on product sales. Neurocrine is obligated to
repay a portion of the development costs for potential products developed in
such collaboration unless the Company elects to convert to the right to
receive royalty payments.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
  In March 1996, the Company completed the formation of a research and
development subsidiary, NPI, with a group of Canadian investors. The investors
purchased a 51% equity interest of NPI for approximately $9.5 million. The
Company licensed certain technology and transferred to NPI the Canadian
marketing rights related to its Neurosteroid program and Canadian marketing
rights to products developed in the Company's Neurogenomics program. Along
with certain Canadian government incentives, such funds are expected to fund
the early clinical trials of DHEA and research activities in the Neurogenomics
program. At the option of the investors, the investors may convert and
relinquish the marketing rights upon conversion of NPI Preferred Stock into
the Company's Common Stock at a conversion price of $7.45 per share. In
connection with their investment in NPI, such investors also received warrants
exercisable for shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the per
share price of this offering and are eligible to receive additional future
warrants exercisable at the then prevailing market price in the event that NPI
receives certain Canadian government incentives for research activities, if
any. The Company may at its option, repurchase the marketing rights at a
predetermined price. See "Certain Transactions -- Transaction with Canadian
Subsidiary."
 
  There can be no assurance that the Company and its corporate partners will
be successful in commercializing any potential products. As a result, there
can be no assurance that any product development milestone, royalties, or
profit sharing payments will be made. The Company is dependent upon its
corporate partners to provide adequate funding for its research and
development programs. Under these arrangements, the Company's corporate
partners are responsible for (i) selecting compounds for subsequent
development as drug candidates, (ii) conducting preclinical testing and
clinical trials and obtaining required regulatory approvals for such drug
candidates, and (iii) manufacturing and commercializing any resulting drugs.
Failure of these partners to select a compound discovered by the Company for
subsequent development into marketable products, gain the requisite regulatory
approvals or successfully commercialize products, would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. The Company's strategy for development and commercialization of
certain of its products is dependent upon entering into additional
arrangements with research collaborators, corporate partners and others and
upon the subsequent success of these third parties in performing their
obligations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enter
into additional strategic alliances on terms favorable to the Company, or at
all. Failure of the Company to enter into additional strategic alliances would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. The Company's strategic alliances with Janssen and
Ciba-Geigy are subject to termination by Janssen or Ciba-Geigy, respectively.
There can be no assurance that Janssen or Ciba-Geigy will not elect to
terminate its strategic alliance with the Company prior to its scheduled
expiration.
 
  The Company expects its research and development expenditures to increase
substantially over the next several years as the Company expands its research
and development efforts and undertakes preclinical testing and clinical trials
with respect to certain of its programs. In addition, general and
administrative expenses are expected to continue to increase as the Company
expands its operations, and incurs the additional expenses associated with
operating as a public company.
 
  The Company's business is subject to significant risks, including but not
limited to, the risks inherent in its research and development activities,
including clinical trials, uncertainties associated both with obtaining and
enforcing its patents and with patent rights of others, the lengthy, expensive
and uncertain process of seeking regulatory approvals, uncertainties regarding
government reforms and of product pricing and reimbursement levels,
technological change and competition, manufacturing uncertainties and
dependence on third parties. Even if the Company's product candidates appear
promising at an early stage of development, they may not reach the market for
numerous reasons. Such reasons include the possibilities that the products
will be ineffective or unsafe during clinical trials, will fail to receive
necessary regulatory approvals, will be difficult to manufacture on large
scale, will be uneconomical to market or will be precluded from
commercialization by proprietary rights of third parties.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995
 
  Revenues
 
  For the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company's revenues decreased
21.5% to $2.2 million from $2.8 million in the comparable period in 1995. This
decrease was attributable to a one-time license fee of $2.0 million in 1995
under the Janssen collaboration, partly offset in 1996 by higher sponsored
research revenues of $1.9 million, under the Ciba-Geigy strategic alliance, as
compared to $625,000 in 1995.
 
  Research and Development Expenses
 
  For the three months ended March 31, 1996, research and development expenses
were $1.8 million. These expenses were relatively unchanged from the
comparable period in 1995.
 
  General and Administrative Expenses
 
  For the three months ended March 31, 1996, general and administrative
expenses decreased 22.5% to $571,000 from $737,000 for the comparable period
in 1995. The lower expenses were largely attributable to non-recurring timing
differences of certain expenses.
 
  Net Interest Income
 
  For the three months ended March 31, 1996, net interest income decreased
14.9% to $187,000 from $220,000 for the comparable period in 1995, as a result
of lower interest rates.
 
 Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
 
  Revenues
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company generated revenues under
the Janssen strategic alliance of $5.8 million and other revenues from grants
and miscellaneous income of $356,000. There were no collaborative revenues
recognized in 1994 and revenues from grants and miscellaneous income for this
period were $162,000. There were no revenues recognized in 1993.
 
  Research and Development Expenses
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1995, research and development expenses
increased 24.2% to $7.7 million from $6.2 million in 1994. This increase
reflects continued additions to scientific personnel and related support
expenditures as the Company increased its research activities primarily in the
CRF and Altered Peptide Ligand programs. For the year ended December 31, 1994,
research and development expenses increased to $6.2 million from $2.8 million
in 1993. This increase reflects the Company's first full year of research
activities and its relocation to its current research and administrative
facility.
 
  General and Administrative Expenses
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1995, general and administrative expenses
increased 22.7% to $2.7 million from $2.2 million in 1994. For the year ended
December 31, 1994, general and administrative expenses increased 43.4% to $2.2
million from $1.6 million in 1993. These increases reflect the additional
administrative staff required to support increased research and development
activities, increased facility expenses and expanded business development
activities.
 
  Net Interest Income
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1995, net interest income increased 33.7% to
$839,000 from $627,000 in 1994. This increase resulted from improved yields on
the Company's investments and higher cash balances arising from the Janssen
collaboration. For the year ended December 31, 1994, net interest income
increased to $627,000 from $118,000 in 1993. This increase was largely due to
increased cash and short-term investments arising from the completion of the
Company's $30.0 million private placement of Common Stock in February 1994.
Interest income was offset by interest expense over the three-year period due
to steadily increasing borrowings under the Company's equipment leasing
facilities.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
  Net Operating Losses
 
  At December 31, 1995, the Company had available a net operating tax loss
carryforward of approximately $14.8 million for federal income tax purposes,
which will begin to expire in 2007. In addition, the Company had federal and
California research and development credit carryforwards of approximately
$680,000 and $314,000, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2007. The
Company had net operating losses of $3.3 million in 1995, $7.7 million in 1994
and $4.2 million in 1993.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  On March 31, 1996, the Company's cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments totalled $20.6 million. This excludes approximately $9.5 million
held by NPI which is available to fund certain of the Company's research and
development activities. See "Business -- Strategic Alliances."
 
  Cash provided (used) by operating activities in the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 was primarily
the result of the net income (loss) reported during these periods offset by
working capital account fluctuations arising from timing differences in
revenue recognition and cash receipts under the Janssen and Ciba-Geigy
collaborations.
 
  Cash provided (used) by investing activities in the years ended December 31
1993, 1994 and 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 was primarily
the result of short-term investment purchases and sales/maturities during
these periods. The fluctuations from period to period were due to the timing
of various investment purchases and sales/maturities and fluctuations in the
Company's portfolio mix between cash equivalent and short-term investment
holdings.
 
  Cash provided by financing activities in the years ended December 31, 1993
and 1994 was primarily the result of the sale of approximately 6,026,000
shares of Common Stock in private placement transactions. Cash provided by
financing activities in the year ended December 31, 1995 was primarily due to
the sale of 434,783 shares of Common Stock to JJDC and the sale of 213,913
shares of Common Stock to a single investor. Cash provided by financing
activities for the three month period ended March 31, 1996 was primarily due
to the sale of 645,161 shares to Ciba-Geigy.
 
  The Company believes that its existing capital resources, together with the
net proceeds from this offering and the sales of shares to Ciba-Geigy and
JJDC, interest income and future payments due under the strategic alliances,
will be sufficient to satisfy its current and projected funding requirements
at least through 1998. However, no assurance can be given that such net
proceeds will be sufficient to conduct its research and development programs
as planned. The amount and timing of expenditures will vary depending upon a
number of factors, including progress of the Company's research and
development programs, conducting preclinical testing and clinical trials,
developing regulatory submissions, the costs associated with protecting its
patents and other proprietary rights, developing marketing and sales
capabilities, the availability of third-party funding, technological advances,
changing competitive conditions and the commercial potential of the Company's
proposed products, if any.
 
  The Company may seek to access the public or private equity markets whenever
conditions are favorable. The Company may also seek additional funding through
strategic alliances and other financing mechanisms, potentially including off-
balance sheet financing. There can be no assurance that such funding will be
available on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. If adequate funds are
not available, the Company may be required to curtail significantly one or
more of its research or development programs or obtain funds through
arrangements with collaborative partners or others. This may require the
Company to relinquish rights to certain of its technologies or product
candidates.
 
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
  The following Business section contains forward-looking statements which
involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of certain factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. is a leading neuroimmunology company focused on
the discovery and development of novel therapeutics to treat diseases and
disorders of the central nervous and immune systems. The Company's
neuroscience and immunology disciplines provide a unique biological
understanding of the molecular interactions between the central nervous,
immune and endocrine systems leading to therapeutic opportunities for diseases
and disorders such as anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease, obesity and
multiple sclerosis. Neurocrine is leveraging its resources through strategic
alliances and novel financing mechanisms to build its internal product
development and commercialization capabilities. To date, Neurocrine has
entered into strategic alliances with Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., a
subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, focused on the treatment of anxiety,
depression and substance abuse, and Ciba-Geigy Limited for the treatment of
multiple sclerosis. In conjunction with a number of institutional investors,
the Company has also established a research and development subsidiary in
Canada, Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc., to develop additional compounds for
the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and
disorders.
 
BACKGROUND
 
 Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF)
 
  Corticotropin releasing factor, the central regulator of the body's overall
response to stress, affects multiple systems by functioning both as an
endocrine factor and a neurotransmitter. CRF acts as a hormone at the
pituitary gland causing the secretion of the steroid cortisol from the adrenal
glands resulting in a number of metabolic effects, including suppression of
the immune system. CRF also functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and
plays a critical role in coordinating psychological and behavioral responses
to stress such as increased heart rate, anxiety, arousal and reduced appetite.
In addition to neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter roles, accumulating
evidence suggests that CRF may also integrate actions between the immune and
central nervous systems in response to physiological and psychological
stressors.
 
 
  The body has several mechanisms to regulate the effects of CRF. The
Company's recent cloning of human CRF receptors suggests that the diverse
functions of CRF are mediated through distinct receptor subtypes which are
differentially distributed in specific brain areas and in tissues outside of
the central nervous system. These receptors may offer a mechanism to modulate
specific actions of CRF without affecting the broad range of its activities.
There are several diseases and disorders such as anxiety, depression and
substance abuse in which CRF levels are increased. The deleterious effects of
high levels of CRF may be countered by the administration of selective CRF
receptor antagonists. A protein in the brain that binds to CRF and holds it in
an inactive state, CRF-binding protein ("CRF-BP"), tightly regulates levels of
CRF in certain brain regions. CRF-BP may provide a novel target to selectively
increase levels of CRF in diseases that are associated with decreased levels
of CRF, such as Alzheimer's disease and obesity.
 
 Altered Peptide Ligands
 
  The immune system employs highly specific T-cells that recognize and attack
foreign antigens that invade the body. Occasionally, certain T-cells arise
that inappropriately recognize the body's own tissues as foreign and attack
healthy cells, resulting in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and
Type I diabetes. Recently, it has been found that the peptide recognition site
on healthy tissue can be altered, creating molecular decoys that can be
developed as potential drug candidates. The Company believes that these
molecules, known as altered peptide ligands, are capable of binding to and
deactivating T-cells implicated in certain autoimmune diseases.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
  Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease caused by the immune system's attack
on myelin, the insulating material that surrounds and protects nerve fibers in
the central nervous system ("CNS"). This autoimmune reaction is led by T-cells
which come in contact with myelin by utilizing T-cell receptors specific for
myelin proteins. This interaction leads to a destructive inflammatory response
mediated by molecules of the immune system known as cytokines. Cytokines such
as gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 are found
at the site of inflammation and demyelination and play a role in further
advancing nerve cell destruction. The use of altered peptide ligands of
dominant antigens in autoimmune diseases may inactivate certain T-cells and
decrease the production of destructive cytokines.
 
 
                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
 
[NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION: Representation of how pathogenic T-cells become 
activated in the presence of native peptide ligands resulting in inflammatory 
cytokine production and how the alteration of the peptide ligand results in de-
activation of the pathogenic T-cells and reduced production and release of
inflammatory cytokines.]
 
 Neurosteroids
 
  Neurosteroids are a class of steroidal compounds produced in the central
nervous system that show a wide range of effects on neurons. DHEA is the most
abundant adrenal steroid in humans. Blood levels of this hormone peak by age
20 and then decrease throughout life, reaching their lowest levels by age 65.
DHEA levels have been found to be decreased in Alzheimer's patients while DHEA
has been shown to have memory-enhancing effects in animal studies. For
example, studies have been performed in aged mice which perform more poorly
than young mice in certain memory tasks. Administration of DHEA in the older
animals has been shown to improve memory to the high levels seen in the
younger animals. DHEA has also been shown to significantly reverse
pharmacologically-induced amnesia and memory impairment in these animals.
 
  In addition to the memory-enhancing effects of DHEA, preliminary data
suggest that this steroid also increases neuronal survival. DHEA may also
induce neuroprotection through inhibition of inflammatory cytokines in the
brain which have recently been implicated in neurodegeneration. In view of its
cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective potential, DHEA replacement therapy
may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as
Alzheimer's disease.
 
 Neurogenomics
 
  The brain and spinal cord are comprised of two major cell types--glial cells
and neurons. Glial cells are the most prevalent cell type in the central
nervous system, comprising over 75% of all brain cells. The gene
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
products from these cells are crucial for the survival and development of
neurons. Neurons are CNS cells which transmit and receive complex electrical
and chemical messages from other neurons to control all cognitive processes.
In certain pathological states, excessive glial activity results in the
activation of cytokine and related genes. The proteins encoded by these genes
may be implicated in the degenerative cascade leading to neurological
disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's
disease, epilepsy and AIDS dementia. For example, in AIDS, the HIV virus does
not attack neurons but does infect glial cells which in turn release
inflammatory cytokines and other factors which are toxic to neurons.
Similarly, in Alzheimer's disease, accumulating evidence suggests complex
interactions between neurons, glia and a protein fragment known as beta
amyloid leading to formation of senile plaques and neurodegeneration.
Currently, it is estimated that only a small fraction of genes involved in
neurodegeneration or regeneration have been identified. The identification of
novel CNS genes involved in the neurodegenerative process may yield new
therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to utilize its understanding of the biology of the
central nervous, immune and endocrine systems to identify and develop novel
therapeutics. There are five key elements to the Company's business strategy:
 
  Target Multiple Product Platforms. Neurocrine is focusing on research and
development programs which utilize its distinct biological and technological
competencies. The Company believes certain central nervous system drug
targets, such as CRF, CRF-BP and neurosteroids, represent significant market
opportunities in psychiatric, neurologic and metabolic disorders.
Immunological targets, such as altered peptide ligands, offer product
opportunities related to autoimmune diseases. Neurogenomics allows the Company
to combine its neuroscience and immunology expertise with new drug discovery
technologies to identify novel gene-related product or gene therapy
opportunities.
 
  Identify Novel Neuroscience and Immunology Drug Targets for the Development
of Therapeutics Which Address Large Unmet Market Opportunities. Neurocrine
employs molecular biology as an enabling discipline to identify novel drug
targets such as receptors, genes and gene-related products. The Company uses
advanced technologies, including combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput
screening, gene sequencing and bioinformatics, to discover and develop novel
small molecule therapeutics for diseases and disorders of the central nervous
and immune systems including anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease, obesity
and multiple sclerosis.
 
  Leverage Strategic Alliances to Enhance Development and Commercialization
Capabilities. Neurocrine intends to leverage the development, regulatory and
commercialization expertise of its corporate partners to accelerate the
development of its products, while retaining full or co-promotion rights in
North America. The Company intends to further leverage its resources by
continuing to enter into strategic alliances and novel financing mechanisms to
enhance its internal development and commercialization capabilities. To date,
Neurocrine has entered into a strategic alliance with Janssen focusing on CRF
receptor antagonists to treat anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and a
strategic alliance with Ciba-Geigy to develop altered peptide ligands for the
treatment of MS. The Company has also formed NPI, a research and development
subsidiary, to finance its Neurosteroid and Neurogenomics programs.
 
  Outsource Capital Intensive and Non-Strategic Activities. Neurocrine intends
to focus its resources on research and development activities by outsourcing
its requirements for manufacturing, preclinical testing, and clinical
monitoring activities. The Company utilizes contract cGMP manufacturing for
both its Neurosteroid and Altered Peptide Ligand programs. Neurocrine believes
that the ease of manufacturing of small molecule therapeutics will allow the
Company to focus on its core discovery and development programs to generate
additional product opportunities.
 
  Acquire Complementary Products in Clinical Development. Neurocrine plans to
acquire rights to products in various stages of clinical development in the
fields of neurology and immunology to take advantage
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
of the development and future commercialization capabilities it is developing
in cooperation with its strategic partners. For example, Neurocrine has
licensed rights to DHEA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease which is
currently being evaluated in a physician-IND Phase II clinical trial.
 
TECHNOLOGY
 
  Neurocrine utilizes advanced technologies to enhance its drug discovery
capabilities and to accelerate the drug development process. These
technologies include:
 
  High-Throughput Screening. Neurocrine has assembled a chemical library of
diverse, low molecular weight organic molecules for lead compound
identification. The Company has implemented robotic screening capabilities
linked to its library of compounds that facilitate the rapid identification of
new drug candidates for multiple drug targets. The Company believes that the
utilization of high-throughput screening and medicinal and peptide chemistry
will enable the rapid identification and optimization of lead molecules.
 
  Combinatorial Chemistry. Neurocrine has developed an automated combinatorial
chemistry technology (Rapid Microscale Synthesis or "RMS") which is capable of
rapidly producing large quantities of highly purified small organic molecules
for evaluation as drug candidates. Unlike other combinatorial chemistry
technologies, RMS enables individual chemists to optimize candidate compounds
quickly and efficiently by producing hundreds of variations of existing lead
molecules. In collaboration with Hewlett-Packard Company ("HP"), Neurocrine
has automated this technology by adapting HP instrumentation with robotics
leading to a flexible, bench top instrument.
 
  Molecular Biology. Neurocrine scientists have utilized novel techniques for
examination of gene expression in a variety of cellular systems. The Company
has developed a sophisticated technique to evaluate the type and quantity of
genes in various cellular systems prior to the isolation of genes. Neurocrine
has also developed unique expression vectors and cell lines that allow for the
highly efficient protein expression of specific genes.
 
  Gene Sequencing. Neurocrine applies integrated automated DNA sequencing and
gene identification technology in its Neurogenomics program. The systems
utilized by Neurocrine allow for extended gene analysis in a rapid, high-
throughput format with independent linkage into a sequence identification
database. Neurocrine has optimized gene sequencing instrumentation for
"differential display," a technique that may facilitate the rapid
identification of novel genes.
 
  Bioinformatics. Neurocrine's Neurogenomics program creates a significant
amount of genetic sequence information. Applied genomics relies on information
management systems to collect, store and rapidly analyze thousands of gene
sequences. Neurocrine has developed a bioinformatics system which the Company
believes will allow it to identify novel genes which are involved in
neurodegeneration. Data are collected by automated instruments and stored and
analyzed by Neurocrine using customized computational tools. To date,
Neurocrine's molecular biologists have identified over 2,000 novel genes.
 
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
 
  The following table summarizes Neurocrine's most advanced products in
development. This table is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed descriptions appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PROGRAM                  INDICATION            STATUS (1)           COMMERCIAL RIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                             <C>                 <C>                    <C>
  Corticotropin Releasing Factor
   Receptor Antagonists           Anxiety             Development            Janssen/Neurocrine
                                  Depression          Development            Janssen/Neurocrine
                                  Stroke              Development            Neurocrine
                                  Substance Abuse     Research               Janssen/Neurocrine
   Binding Protein Antagonists    Alzheimer's Disease Development            Neurocrine
                                  Obesity             Research               Neurocrine
  Altered Peptide Ligands         Multiple Sclerosis  IND Preparation        Ciba-Geigy/Neurocrine
                                  Type I Diabetes     Research               Neurocrine
  Neurosteroids                   Alzheimer's Disease Physician-IND Phase II Neurocrine/NPI
  Neurogenomics                   Neurodegenerative
                                  Diseases            Research               Neurocrine/NPI
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) "Research" indicates identification and evaluation of compounds in in
      vitro and animal models.
     "Development" indicates that lead compounds have been discovered that meet
     certain in vitro and in vivo criteria. These compounds may undergo
     structural modification and more extensive evaluation prior to selection
     for preclinical development.
     "IND Preparation" indicates that Neurocrine has completed pharmacology
     testing, toxicology testing, formulation, process development and/or
     manufacturing, and is in the process of preparing an IND for regulatory
     submission.
     "Physician-IND Phase II" indicates that an independent physician has
     received FDA approval to evaluate one of the Company's products in humans
     to determine safety and efficacy in an expanded patient population. This
     clinical trial is not under full control of the Company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 Corticotropin Releasing Factor -- Receptor Antagonist Program
 
  Anxiety
 
  Anxiety is among the most commonly observed group of CNS disorders, which
includes phobias or irrational fears, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive
disorders and other fear and tension syndromes. Estimates by the National
Institute of Mental Health suggest that the most commonly diagnosed forms of
anxiety disorders may affect 10% of the United States population. Of the
pharmaceutical agents that are currently marketed for the treatment of anxiety
disorders, a class of compounds known as the benzodiazepines, such as Valium,
is the most frequently prescribed. In spite of their therapeutic efficacy,
several side effects limit the utility of these anti-anxiety drugs. Most
problematic among these are drowsiness, ataxia (the inability to stand up),
amnesia, drug dependency and withdrawal reactions following the cessation of
therapy.
 
  Neurocrine is developing a new class of therapeutics that target stress-
induced anxiety. In view of the evidence implicating CRF in anxiety-related
disorders, Neurocrine is developing small molecule CRF receptor antagonists as
anti-anxiety agents which block the effects of overproduction of CRF. The
Company believes that these compounds represent a class of molecules based on
a novel mechanism of action which may offer the advantage of being more
selective, thereby providing increased efficacy with reduced side effects. In
animal studies used to evaluate anti-anxiety drugs, Neurocrine scientists have
demonstrated the efficacy of its lead candidates following oral administration
without evidence of apparent side effects. Neurocrine expects its corporate
partner, Janssen, will select a drug candidate in 1996 for preclinical
testing. Results obtained in animals are not necessarily predictive of results
obtained in man, and no assurance can be given that the Company's partner will
select a preclinical drug candidate, successfully complete preclinical testing
or progress to clinical trials in a timely manner, or at all.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
  Depression
 
  Depression is one of a group of neuropsychiatric disorders that is
characterized by extremes of elation and despair, loss of body weight,
decrease in aggressiveness and sexual behavior, and loss of sleep. This
condition is believed to result from a combination of environmental factors,
including stress, as well as an individual's biochemical vulnerability, which
is genetically predetermined. The biochemical basis of depression is thought
to involve elevated secretion of CRF and abnormally low levels of other
neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin. Clinical depression was
reported to affect 6% of the population, or approximately 25 million
individuals in the United States in 1994. Current antidepressant therapies,
including Prozac, increase the levels of several chemicals in the brain, such
as serotonin. Because these drugs affect a wide range of neurotransmitters,
they have been associated with a number of side effects. While newer, more
selective drugs offer some safety improvement, their side effect profiles are
still inadequate due to their unwanted effects on gastrointestinal and sexual
function, and on appetite. Furthermore, most existing antidepressant therapies
are limited by their slow onset of action.
 
  Neurocrine is developing small molecule therapeutics to block the effects of
overproduction of CRF for the treatment of depression. The Company has
developed several CRF receptor antagonists and expects its corporate partner,
Janssen, will select a drug candidate in 1996 for preclinical testing.
However, no assurance can be given that the Company's partner will select a
preclinical drug candidate, successfully complete preclinical testing or
progress to clinical trials in a timely manner, or at all.
 
  Stroke
 
  Stroke is an acute neurologic event caused by blockage or rupture of vessels
which supply blood to the brain. Neuronal damage progresses over a period of
four to six hours. According to the National Institutes of Health ("NIH")
estimates, approximately 500,000 patients experience a stroke in the United
States each year, with an approximately equal incidence in the rest of the
world. Stroke results in an estimated 150,000 fatalities each year, making it
the leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer, and an estimated
additional 150,000 stroke victims suffer permanent neurological damage.
Survivors of stroke are at significantly increased risk of suffering another
episode. Current treatments for stroke consist of surgery, steroid therapy and
anti-platelet therapy. These treatments may help increase blood flow but do
not affect the secondary mechanisms which cause nerve cell death.
 
  Neurocrine believes its CRF receptor antagonist program may have utility in
the treatment of stroke. Preliminary experiments in animal models of stroke
show substantial enhancement of neuronal survival following treatment with a
CRF receptor antagonist. The survival benefit is independent of increased
blood flow and may be acting on secondary mechanisms. The Company is currently
optimizing several series of small molecules and expects to select a
preclinical candidate in late 1996. However, no assurance can be given that
the Company will begin preclinical testing in a timely manner, or at all.
 
  Substance Abuse
 
  Substance abuse, including the use of cocaine and overuse of alcohol, was
estimated to affect nearly 15 million individuals in the United States in
1994. Stress has been reported to enhance the reinforcement and withdrawal
properties of abused substances such as cocaine, amphetamines and alcohol.
Currently there are no pharmaceuticals marketed for most forms of drug abuse.
 
  In view of the primary role of CRF in modulating stress responses,
Neurocrine is developing orally active, small molecule drugs which block the
CRF receptor. A small molecule CRF receptor antagonist may be effective not
only for acute cocaine detoxification, but also for long-term prophylaxis in
the context of a drug prevention or treatment program. The same compounds
developed for anxiety and depression may be used for the treatment of
substance abuse. In collaboration with Janssen, Neurocrine intends to develop
CRF receptor antagonists for this indication. However, no assurance can be
given that the Company will successfully identify suitable candidate compounds
for development in a timely manner, or at all.
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
 Corticotropin Releasing Factor -- Binding Protein Antagonist Program
 
  Alzheimer's Disease
 
  Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder which leads to
progressive memory loss and dementia. Alzheimer's disease generally follows a
predictable course of deterioration over eight years or more, with the
earliest symptom being impairment of short-term memory. Gradually, memory loss
increases, reasoning abilities deteriorate, and individuals become depressed,
agitated, irritable and restless. In the final stages of the disease, patients
become unable to care for themselves. According to the National Alzheimer's
Association, in 1994 over four million individuals in the United States
suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is the fourth leading
cause of death for adults, responsible for over 100,000 deaths in 1994.
Marketed therapies currently available for the treatment of Alzheimer's
disease are severely limited. Tacrine, a therapy which has been recently
approved, shows limited memory improvement in Alzheimer's patients; however,
concerns regarding drug-induced elevations in liver enzymes have limited the
widespread use of this product.
 
  Neurocrine scientists have found that there are significant decreases in CRF
levels in the brain areas that are affected in Alzheimer's disease. In spite
of reduced CRF concentrations, CRF-BP levels are not decreased in areas of the
brain affected by Alzheimer's disease, thereby providing the Company with a
novel target for drug intervention. Consequently, Neurocrine is developing
CRF-BP antagonists to displace CRF from the binding protein and effectively
increase the amount of "free CRF" available to interact with the CRF
receptors. This strategy is expected to selectively raise the concentration of
CRF in brain areas involved in learning and memory processes. Because the
therapeutic is designed to restore normal levels of CRF only in these areas,
the Company believes that the drug will not induce the side effects associated
with administering CRF directly, such as anxiety. The Company has identified a
number of lead compounds which show efficacy following oral administration in
animal models of learning and memory. Efforts are underway to further optimize
these molecules, and the Company expects to select drug candidates for
development in 1996. However, no assurance can be given that the Company will
successfully identify suitable candidate compounds for development in a timely
manner, or at all.
 
  Obesity
 
  Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in Western societies. As
many as three in 10 adult Americans weigh at least 20% in excess of their
ideal body weight, with 35 million people in the United States characterized
as clinically obese. Increased body weight is a significant public health
problem because it is associated with a number of serious diseases, including
type II diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and several cancers. Although
obesity has been commonly considered to be a behavioral problem, there is now
evidence that body weight is physiologically regulated. The regulation of body
weight is complex and appears to consist of both centrally and peripherally
acting mechanisms. Recently, d-fenfluramine has received FDA advisory panel
recommendation for approval for the treatment of morbid obesity (in excess of
30% of ideal body weight). This drug displayed statistically significant
weight reducing effects in a large multicenter clinical trial. The Company
believes that d-fenfluramine's actions on weight reduction may in part be due
to modulation of CRF. The use of a CRF-BP antagonist may directly increase CRF
levels without the inadvertent activation of other neurotransmitter systems.
 
  Preliminary data indicate that CRF may act as a central regulator of both
appetite and metabolism. Neurocrine has evaluated CRF-BP antagonists in a
genetically mutant strain of obese animals as well as in animal models which
were pharmacologically induced to overeat. Treatment with CRF-BP antagonists
consistently normalized feeding behavior and weight in both types of models
and did so without inducing excess CRF-related side effects such as anxiety.
Neurocrine has developed several active series of lead molecules. Medicinal
chemistry efforts have resulted in the generation of high-affinity molecules
that show efficacy in elevating brain CRF levels. Neurocrine anticipates
selecting a development candidate in 1996. However, no assurance can be given
that the Company will successfully identify suitable candidate compounds for
development in a timely manner, or at all.
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
 Altered Peptide Ligand Program
 
  Multiple Sclerosis
 
  Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune mediated disease characterized by
recurrent attacks of neurologic dysfunction due to damage in the CNS. The
classic clinical features of multiple sclerosis include impaired vision and
weakness or paralysis of one or more limbs. Patients develop a slow, steady
deterioration of neurologic function over an average duration of approximately
30 years. The cause of MS is unknown but immunologic or infectious factors
have been implicated. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
there are an estimated 350,000 cases of multiple sclerosis in the United
States and an equal number of patients in Europe with approximately 20,000 new
cases diagnosed in the world each year. Currently available treatments for MS
offer only limited efficacy. Steroids have been used to reduce the severity of
acute flare-ups and speed recovery. Experimental therapy with other
immunosuppressive agents has been tried, but with limited success. Betaseron
(a form of beta-interferon) has been shown to delay the onset of flare-ups of
the symptoms in approximately 30% of patients and has been approved for
marketing by the FDA. In addition, Avonex, a similar form of beta-interferon,
has received FDA advisory panel recommendation for approval. Clinical trial
results show these therapies slowed, but did not prevent, the growth of
lesions in the CNS which cause the disease. Patients treated with beta-
interferon experience a variety of side effects, including "flu-like"
symptoms.
 
  One of the Company's co-founders, Dr. Lawrence Steinman, identified the
dominant invading T-cell in the brains of patients who had died of MS. Dr.
Steinman further identified the dominant target or recognition site on the
myelin sheath to which invading T-cells bind. Neurocrine has exclusively
licensed this technology and has designed altered peptide ligands which
resemble native disease-causing molecules of the myelin sheath. These
molecules have been altered to attract and bind to disease-causing T-cells and
inhibit their destructive capabilities. Neurocrine's altered peptide ligand
for the treatment of MS has been shown to reverse disease in animal models of
MS and decrease the production of cytokines such as gamma interferon and tumor
necrosis factor-alpha which contribute to the disease. These same molecules
demonstrate the ability to turn off pathogenic T-cells from MS patients in
vitro. The Company has selected a drug candidate which is now in preclinical
development. Quantities of this drug candidate have been produced under cGMP
conditions in preparation for a Phase I clinical trial. Together with Ciba-
Geigy, the Company's collaborative partner for this program, Neurocrine
expects to file an IND in 1996 to commence clinical trials. However, results
obtained in animals are not necessarily predictive of results obtained in
humans, and no assurance can be given that the Company will successfully
complete preclinical testing or progress to clinical trials.
 
  Type I Diabetes
 
  Type I diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes, is an autoimmune disease
resulting from the destruction of insulin producing cells, causing impaired
glucose metabolism resulting from a deficiency in the action of the hormone
insulin. It is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United
States, afflicting approximately 500,000 patients in all age groups in 1994.
Diabetics suffer from a number of complications of the disease including heart
disease, circulatory problems, kidney failure, neurologic disorders and
blindness. Current therapy for type I diabetes consists of daily insulin
injections to regulate blood glucose levels.
 
  Neurocrine is developing altered peptide ligands which target dominant
antigens on insulin producing cells to treat type I diabetes. Pre-diabetic
patients can now be identified using immune markers of the disease several
years before they become insulin dependent. The Company believes that an
altered peptide ligand specific for autoimmune T-cells involved in diabetes
may stop the destruction of the insulin secreting cells in these pre-diabetic
patients, thus allowing them to delay or avoid chronic insulin therapy. The
Company believes that this program can leverage the technological expertise
the Company has developed in its MS program to discover and design altered
peptide ligand therapy useful in treating diabetics and pre-diabetics.
Neurocrine has begun collaborations with two leading diabetes centers, the
Kennedy Institute in London and the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood
Diabetes at the University of Colorado, to study the effects of altered
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
peptide ligands on human T-cells from diabetic patients. However, no assurance
can be given that the Company will successfully identify suitable candidate
compounds for development in a timely manner, or at all.
 
 Neurosteroid Program
 
  Alzheimer's Disease
 
  Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder which leads to
progressive memory loss and dementia. The Company believes that DHEA, a
naturally occurring hormone, may be useful in treatment of this disease based
on a variety of mechanisms. DHEA may protect neurons from death by increasing
growth factor levels in the brain, such as insulin-like growth factor-1. DHEA
also appears to modulate several cytokines involved in inflammation, which are
believed to be involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. In addition,
DHEA improves memory and learning processes in both animal models and humans
and may prove beneficial in slowing the memory loss seen in Alzheimer's
disease. Because DHEA is naturally occurring, it is expected to have few
toxicity problems, which differentiates this drug from other compounds that
are currently being tested as therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.
 
  A double-blind, placebo-controlled, physician-IND Phase II clinical trial of
DHEA, is being conducted with investigators from the Alzheimer's Clinic at the
University of California, San Francisco. This trial has been designed to
determine efficacy as measured by improving memory in mild to moderate
Alzheimer's patients. It is anticipated that 60 patients will be treated for
six months with either active drug or a placebo. These patients will be
evaluated throughout the study to assess the progress of disease and retention
of memory. The Company anticipates that this trial will be completed by the
end of 1997. If results of this study are positive, the Company intends to
initiate company-sponsored clinical trials. However, no assurance can be given
that the Company will begin its own clinical trials in a timely manner, or at
all.
 
 Neurogenomics Program
 
  Neurodegenerative Diseases and Disorders
 
  Neurodegenerative diseases and disorders involve damage to the cellular
structure of the brain either acutely, as in stroke or trauma, or chronically,
as in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. To date, only a limited number of
effective therapeutics exist to treat neurological disorders, resulting in
significant economic and social costs. In 1994, over 26 million people in the
United States were affected by neurological disorders.
 
  Activation of glial cells is a common feature of many neurodegenerative
diseases. The primary goal of Neurocrine's Neurogenomics program is to
identify and characterize novel genes that are induced in glial cells under
conditions that lead to neurodegeneration or regeneration. The Company is
focusing on stroke, multiple sclerosis, AIDS dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson's
disease and Alzheimer's disease. The unique conditions leading to
neurodegeneration in each of the disorders have been established in both
animal and cellular models of the disease. Neurocrine is actively isolating
and analyzing genes associated with neuronal cell death utilizing state of the
art molecular biology, gene sequencing and bioinformatics. In addition,
activated genes which are neuroprotective or allow for the regeneration of
neurons may also be identified.
 
  Novel neurodegenerative genes that are discovered may include proteins,
enzymes or receptors. Protein signaling molecules or the genes encoding such
molecules may be utilized as therapeutics, while enzymes and receptors may
serve as new targets for drug discovery. Neurocrine intends to place the
receptors and enzymes encoded by these genes in high-throughput screens in an
attempt to discover small molecule therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative
disorders.
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
  To date, the Company has identified more than 2,000 novel genes of which a
number are undergoing biological evaluation in in vitro and animal models. The
Company intends to identify candidate genes as drugs or drug targets for one
or more neurological diseases. However, there can be no assurance that the
Company will successfully identify suitable gene candidates for development in
a timely manner, or at all.
 
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
 
  The Company's business strategy is to utilize strategic alliances and novel
financing mechanisms to enhance its development and commercialization
capabilities. To date, Neurocrine has completed the following alliances:
 
 Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.
 
  On January 1, 1995, Neurocrine entered into a research and development
agreement (the "Janssen Agreement") with Janssen to collaborate in the
discovery, development and commercialization of CRF receptor antagonists
focusing on the treatment of anxiety, depression and substance abuse. The
collaboration utilizes Neurocrine's expertise in cloning and characterizing
CRF receptor subtypes, CRF pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. Pursuant to
the Janssen Agreement, the Company has received $1.0 million in license
payments and will receive an additional $1.0 million in 1996. Janssen is
obligated to provide Neurocrine with $3.0 million in sponsored research
payments per year during the term of the research program. The term of the
research program is three years, subject to extension by mutual agreement of
the parties. Janssen has the right to terminate the Janssen Agreement without
cause at any time. However, in the event of such termination, Janssen remains
obligated to continue all sponsored research payments for the term of the
research program and all product and technology rights become the exclusive
property of Neurocrine.
 
  Neurocrine is entitled to receive up to $10.0 million in milestone payments
for the indications of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and up to
$9.0 million in milestone payments for other indications, if certain
development milestones are achieved, of which $750,000 was received in 1995.
The Company has granted Janssen an exclusive worldwide license to manufacture
and market products developed under the Janssen Agreement. The Company is
entitled to receive royalties on product sales throughout the world. The
Company has certain rights to co-promote such products in North America.
Janssen is responsible for funding all clinical development and marketing
activities, including reimbursement to Neurocrine for its promotional efforts,
if any. There can be no assurance that the Company's research under the
Janssen Agreement will be successful in discovering any potential products or
that Janssen will be successful in developing, receiving regulatory approvals
or commercializing any potential products that may be discovered. As a result,
there can be no assurance that any product development milestone or royalty
payments will be made.
 
  In connection with the Janssen Agreement, JJDC purchased $2.5 million of the
Company's Common Stock and is obligated to purchase an additional $2.5 million
of the Company's Common Stock upon the completion of this offering at a price
equal to the initial public offering price per share.
 
 Ciba-Geigy Limited
 
  On January 19, 1996, the Company entered into a binding letter agreement
(the "Ciba-Geigy Agreement") with Ciba-Geigy to develop altered peptide ligand
therapeutics for the treatment of MS based upon the Company's drug development
candidates and expertise in immunology and protein chemistry. The Company and
Ciba-Geigy are negotiating a definitive agreement incorporating the terms and
conditions set forth in the Ciba-Geigy Agreement and such other terms and
conditions as agreed to by the Company and Ciba-Geigy. Pursuant to the Ciba-
Geigy Agreement, Ciba-Geigy is obligated to provide the Company with $12.0
million in license fee payments and research funding over the first two years
of the Ciba-Geigy Agreement and thereafter up to $15.5 million in additional
research and development funding unless the Ciba-Geigy Agreement is sooner
terminated. Ciba-Geigy has the right to terminate the Ciba-Geigy Agreement
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
on six months' notice which may be given at any time after the earlier of (i)
18 months after the date of execution of the definitive agreement, or (ii)
December 30, 1997.
 
  Neurocrine is entitled to receive milestone payments if certain research,
development and regulatory milestones are achieved. The Company has granted
Ciba-Geigy an exclusive license outside of the United States and Canada to
market altered peptide ligand products developed under the Ciba-Geigy
Agreement for multiple sclerosis. The Company is entitled to receive royalties
on product sales. At its option, Neurocrine is entitled to receive a share of
the profits resulting from sales of altered peptide ligand products in North
America subject to the Company's repayment of a portion of Ciba-Geigy's
development costs. Neurocrine retains the right to convert its profit share to
the right to receive royalty payments at its sole discretion in which case no
repayment of development costs are due to Ciba-Geigy. Neurocrine is obligated
to repay a portion of the development costs of any potential product developed
pursuant to the collaboration unless the Company elects to convert to the
right to receive royalty payments. There can be no assurance that the Company
and Ciba-Geigy will be successful in developing or commercializing any
potential products. As a result, there can be no assurance that any product
development milestone, royalty, or profit sharing payments will be made.
 
  In connection with the Ciba-Geigy Agreement, Ciba-Geigy purchased $5.0
million of the Company's Common Stock and is obligated to purchase an
additional $5.0 million of the Company's Common Stock upon the completion of
this offering at a price equal to the initial public offering price per share.
 
 Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.
   
  In March 1996, Neurocrine formed NPI, a research and development company.
Neurocrine licensed to NPI certain technology and Canadian marketing rights to
the Company's Neurosteroid and Neurogenomics programs in exchange for 49% of
the outstanding Common Stock of NPI. A group of Canadian institutional
investors have invested approximately $9.5 million in NPI in exchange for
Preferred Stock of NPI which may be converted into shares of the Company's
Common Stock at the option of the investors and 51% of the outstanding Common
Stock of NPI. Pursuant to a Research and Development Agreement NPI has
committed to expend an aggregate amount of $9.5 million for clinical
development of the Neurosteroid program for Alzheimer's disease and for
research activities related to the Neurogenomics program. Pursuant to such
Research and Development Agreement, NPI is entitled to receive royalties on
sales of products developed in these programs as well as exclusive Canadian
marketing rights for such products in the event that the Company has not
terminated the technology license and the marketing rights or that the
investors have not converted their NPI Preferred Stock into shares of the
Company's Common Stock. In connection with their investment in NPI, such
investors received warrants exercisable for shares of the Company's Common
Stock and are eligible to receive additional warrants in the future in the
event that NPI receives certain Canadian government incentives for research
activities. See "Certain Transactions -- Transaction with Canadian
Subsidiary."     
 
 Hewlett-Packard Company
 
  The Company and HP have entered into a collaboration to adapt the Company's
RMS combinatorial chemistry technology to certain HP instruments. The parties
will collaborate to modifying existing instrumentation to provide customers
with a flexible automated method for generation of large numbers of chemical
compounds. Neurocrine receives research funding and equipment from HP in
exchange for technical support and consultation.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
  The Company has in the past utilized, and intends to continue to utilize,
third-party manufacturing for the production of material for use in clinical
trials and for the potential commercialization of future products. The Company
has no experience in manufacturing products for commercial purposes and does
not have any manufacturing facilities. Consequently, the Company is dependent
on contract manufacturers for the production of products for development and
commercial purposes. In the event that the Company is unable
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
to obtain or retain third-party manufacturing, it will not be able to
commercialize its products as planned. The manufacture of the Company's
products for clinical trials and commercial purposes is subject to cGMP
regulations promulgated by the FDA. No assurance can be given that the
Company's third-party manufacturers will comply with cGMP regulations or other
regulatory requirements now or in the future. The Company's current dependence
upon third parties for the manufacture of its products may adversely affect
its profit margin, if any, on the sale of future products and the Company's
ability to develop and deliver products on a timely and competitive basis.
 
MARKETING AND SALES
 
  Neurocrine has retained certain marketing or co-promotion rights in North
America to its products under development, and plans to establish its own
North American marketing and sales organization. The Company currently has no
experience in marketing or selling pharmaceutical products and does not have a
marketing and sales staff. In order to achieve commercial success for any
product candidate approved by the FDA, Neurocrine must either develop a
marketing and sales force or enter into arrangements with third parties to
market and sell its products. There can be no assurance that Neurocrine will
successfully develop such experience or that it will be able to enter into
marketing and sales agreements with others on acceptable terms, if at all. If
the Company develops its own marketing and sales capabilities, it will compete
with other companies that currently have experienced and well funded marketing
and sales operations. To the extent that the Company enters into co-promotion
or other marketing and sales arrangements with other companies, any revenues
to be received by Neurocrine will be dependent on the efforts of others, and
there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to rapid and
intense technological change. The Company faces, and will continue to face,
competition in the development and marketing of its product candidates from
academic institutions, government agencies, research institutions and
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Competition may arise from other
drug development technologies, methods of preventing or reducing the incidence
of disease, including vaccines, and new small molecule or other classes of
therapeutic agents. There can be no assurance that developments by others will
not render the Company's product candidates or technologies obsolete or
noncompetitive.
 
  Recently, Betaseron, a form of beta-interferon marketed by Berlex
BioSciences, has been approved for the treatment of relapsing remitting
multiple sclerosis. Avonex, a similar form of beta-interferon, produced by
Biogen, Inc., has been recommended for approval by an FDA advisory committee..
Tacrine, marketed by Warner-Lambert Co., has recently been approved for the
treatment of Alzheimer's dementia. Sales of these drugs may reduce the
available market for any product developed by the Company for these
indications. The Company is developing products for the treatment of anxiety
disorders, which will compete with well-established products in the
benzodiazepene class, including Valium, marketed by Hoffman-La Roche, Inc.,
and depression, which will compete with well-established products in the anti-
depressant class, including Prozac, marketed by Eli Lilly & Co. Certain
technologies under development by other pharmaceutical companies could result
in treatments for these and other diseases and disorders being pursued by the
Company. For example, a number of companies are conducting research on
molecules to block CRF to treat anxiety and depression. Other biotechnology
and pharmaceutical companies are developing compounds to treat obesity, and
one such drug, d-fenfluramine, to be marketed by American Home Products
Corporation, has been recommended for approval by an FDA advisory committee.
Several companies are engaged in research and development of immune modulating
drugs for the potential treatment of MS. In the event that one or more of
these programs were successful, the market for the Company's products may be
reduced or eliminated.
 
  In addition, if Neurocrine receives regulatory approvals for its products,
manufacturing efficiency and marketing capabilities are likely to be
significant competitive factors. At the present time, Neurocrine has no
commercial manufacturing capability, sales force or marketing experience. In
addition, many of the Company's
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater capital
resources, research and development resources, manufacturing and marketing
experience and production facilities than does Neurocrine. Many of these
competitors also have significantly greater experience than does Neurocrine in
undertaking preclinical testing and clinical trials of new pharmaceutical
products and obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals.
 
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
  The Company files patent applications both in the United States and in
foreign countries, as it deems appropriate, for protection of its proprietary
technology and products. To date, only one patent has been issued to the
Company; however the Company otherwise owns or has received exclusive licenses
to five issued patents as well as 67 patent applications pursuant to license
agreements with academic and research institutions including the Beckman
Research Institute of the City of Hope, the Salk Institute for Biological
Studies, and Leland Stanford Junior University. The Company intends to file
additional United States and foreign applications in the future as
appropriate.
 
  The Company's success will depend on its ability to obtain patent protection
for its products, preserve its trade secrets, prevent third parties from
infringing upon its proprietary rights, and operate without infringing upon
the proprietary rights of others, both in the United States and
internationally.
 
  Because of the substantial length of time and expense associated with
bringing new products through the development and regulatory approval
processes in order to reach the marketplace, the pharmaceutical industry
places considerable importance on obtaining patent and trade secret protection
for new technologies, products and processes. Accordingly, the Company intends
to seek patent protection for its proprietary technology and compounds. There
can be no assurance as to the success or timeliness in obtaining any such
patents, that the breadth of claims obtained, if any, will provide adequate
protection of the Company's proprietary technology or compounds, or that the
Company will be able to adequately enforce any such claims to protect its
proprietary technology and compounds. Since patent applications in the United
States are confidential until the patents issue, and publication of
discoveries in the scientific or patent literature tend to lag behind actual
discoveries by several months, the Company cannot be certain that it was the
first creator of inventions covered by pending patent applications or that it
was the first to file patent applications for such inventions.
 
  The degree of patent protection afforded to pharmaceutical inventions is
uncertain and any patents which may issue with regard to the Company's
potential products will be subject to this uncertainty. There can be no
assurance that competitors will not develop competitive products outside the
protection that may be afforded by the claims of the Company's patents. For
example, the Company is aware that other parties have been issued patents and
have filed patent applications in the United States and foreign countries
which claim alternative uses of DHEA, a potential product of the Company, and
cover other therapeutics for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. DHEA is not
a novel compound and is not covered by a composition of matter patent. The
issued patents licensed to the Company covering DHEA are use patents
containing claims covering therapeutic methods and the use of specific
compounds and classes of compounds for neuroregeneration. Other potential
products which the Company may develop may not consist of novel compounds and
therefore would not be covered by composition of matter patent claims.
Competitors may be able to commercialize DHEA products for indications outside
of the protection provided by the claims of any use patents that may be issued
to the Company. In this case, physicians, pharmacies and wholesalers could
then substitute a competitor's product for the Company's product. Use patents
may be unavailable or may afford a lesser degree of protection in certain
foreign countries due to the patent laws of such countries.
 
  The Company may be required to obtain licenses to patents or proprietary
rights of others. As the biotechnology industry expands and more patents are
issued, the risk increases that the Company's potential products may give rise
to claims that such products infringe the patent rights of others. At lease
one patent containing claims covering compositions of matter consisting of
certain altered peptide ligand therapeutics for use in modulating the immune
response has issued in Europe, and the Company believes that this patent has
been licensed to a competitor of the Company. There can be no assurance that a
patent containing corresponding claims will not issue in the United States. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the claims of the European patent or
any corresponding claims of any future United States patents or other foreign
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
patents which may issue will not be infringed by the manufacture, use or sale
of any potential altered peptide ligand therapeutics developed by the Company
or Ciba-Geigy. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company or
Ciba-Geigy would prevail in any legal action seeking damages or injunctive
relief for infringement of any patent that might issue under such applications
or that any license required under any such patent would be made available or,
if available, would be available on acceptable terms. Failure to obtain a
required license could prevent the Company and Ciba-Geigy from commercializing
any altered peptide ligand products which they may develop.
 
  No assurance can be given that any licenses required under any patents or
proprietary rights of third parties would be made available on terms
acceptable to the Company, or at all. If the Company does not obtain such
licenses, it could encounter delays in product introductions while it attempts
to design around such patents, or could find that the development, manufacture
or sale of products requiring such licenses could be foreclosed. Litigation
may be necessary to defend against or assert such claims of infringement, to
enforce patents issued to the Company, to protect trade secrets or know-how
owned by the Company, or to determine the scope and validity of the
proprietary rights of others. In addition, interference proceedings declared
by the United States Patent and Trademark Office may be necessary to determine
the priority of inventions with respect to patent applications of the Company
or its licensors. Litigation or interference proceedings could result in
substantial costs to and diversion of effort by, and may have a material
adverse impact on, the Company. In addition, there can be no assurance that
these efforts by the Company would be successful.
 
  The Company also relies upon unpatented trade secrets and improvements,
unpatented know-how and continuing technological innovation to develop and
maintain its competitive position, which it seeks to protect, in part, by
confidentiality agreements with its commercial partners, collaborators,
employees and consultants. The Company also has invention or patent assignment
agreements with its employees and certain, but not all, commercial partners
and consultants. There can be no assurance that relevant inventions will not
be developed by a person not bound by an invention assignment agreement. There
can be no assurance that binding agreements will not be breached, that the
Company would have adequate remedies for any breach, or that the Company's
trade secrets will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered
by competitors.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
  Regulation by government authorities in the United States and foreign
countries is a significant factor in the development, manufacture and
marketing of the Company's proposed products and in its ongoing research and
product development activities. The nature and extent to which such regulation
will apply to the Company will vary depending on the nature of any products
which may be developed by the Company. It is anticipated that all of the
Company's products will require regulatory approval by government agencies
prior to commercialization. In particular, human therapeutic products are
subject to rigorous preclinical testing and clinical trials and other approval
procedures of the FDA and similar regulatory authorities in foreign countries.
Various federal and state statutes and regulations also govern or influence
testing, manufacturing, safety, labeling, storage and record-keeping related
to such products and their marketing. The process of obtaining these approvals
and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal and state statutes and
regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial
resources. Any failure by the Company or its collaborators or licensees to
obtain, or any delay in obtaining, regulatory approval could adversely affect
the marketing of any products developed by the Company, its ability to receive
product or royalty revenues and its liquidity and capital resources.
 
  Preclinical testing is generally conducted in laboratory animals to evaluate
the potential safety and the efficacy of a product. The results of these
studies are submitted to the FDA as a part of an IND, which must be approved
before clinical trials in humans can begin. Typically, clinical evaluation
involves a time consuming and costly three-phase process. In Phase I, clinical
trials are conducted with a small number of subjects to determine the early
safety profile, the pattern of drug distribution and metabolism. In Phase II,
clinical trials
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
are conducted with groups of patients afflicted with a specific disease in
order to determine preliminary efficacy, optimal dosages and expanded evidence
of safety. In Phase III, large-scale, multi-center, comparative trials are
conducted with patients afflicted with a target disease in order to provide
enough data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety required by the FDA. The
FDA closely monitors the progress of each of the three phases of clinical
trials and may, at its discretion, re-evaluate, alter, suspend or terminate
the testing based upon the data which have been accumulated to that point and
its assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient.
 
  A physician-IND is an IND that allows a physician to conduct a clinical
trial under less rigorous regulatory review standards. A physician-IND
clinical trial does not replace the need for Company-sponsored clinical
trials, but can provide a preliminary indication as to whether further
clinical trials are warranted and may sometimes facilitate the more formal
regulatory review process.
 
  The results of preclinical testing and clinical trials are submitted to the
FDA in the form of an NDA or PLA for approval to commence commercial sales. In
responding to an NDA or PLA, the FDA may grant marketing approval, request
additional information or deny the application if the FDA determines that the
application does not satisfy its regulatory approval criteria. There can be no
assurance that approvals will be granted on a timely basis, or at all. Similar
regulatory procedures must also be complied with in countries outside the
United States.
 
  The Company is required to conduct its research activities in compliance
with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules and
Animals. The Company is also subject to various Federal, state and local laws,
regulations and recommendations relating to safe working conditions,
laboratory manufacturing practices, and the use and disposal of hazardous or
potentially hazardous substances, including radioactive compounds and
infectious disease agents, used in connection with the Company's research. The
extent of government regulation which might result from future legislation or
administrative action cannot be predicted accurately.
 
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
 
  Neurocrine has assembled a Scientific Advisory Board that currently consists
of 16 individuals. Members of the Scientific Advisory Board are leaders in the
fields of neurobiology, immunology, endocrinology, psychiatry and medicinal
chemistry. Scientific Advisory Board members meet as a group at least yearly
to advise the Company in the selection, implementation and prioritization of
its research programs. Certain members meet more frequently to advise the
Company with regard to its specific programs.
 
  The Scientific Advisory Board presently consists of the following
individuals:
 
  Floyd E. Bloom, M.D., is Chairman of the Department of Neuropharmacology at
The Scripps Research Institute. Dr. Bloom is an internationally recognized
expert in the fields of neuropharmacology and neurobiology. He is the current
editor of the journal, Science.
 
  Michael Brownstein, M.D., Ph.D., is Chief of the Laboratory of Cell Biology
at the National Institute of Mental Health. He is a recognized expert in
molecular pharmacology as it applies to the field of neuroendocrinology, where
he has defined many of the pharmaceutically important neurotransmitter
receptors and transporter systems.
 
  Iain Campbell, Ph.D., is an Associate Member of the Department of
Neuropharmacology at The Scripps Research Institute. Dr. Campbell is an expert
in cytokine activation in autoimmune diseases and neuronal degeneration.
 
  Burton G. Christensen, Ph.D., is currently retired from his position as
Senior Vice President of Chemistry at Merck Research Laboratories. In his
capacity as Senior Vice President, Dr. Christensen directed over 400
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
scientists and groups, who, under his direction, were responsible for the
synthesis of finasteride (Proscar), a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor for the
treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
 
  George P. Chrousos, M.D., Sc.D., is Chief of the Pediatric Endocrinology
Section at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. He
has investigated the role of stress hormones in pathological conditions such
as Cushing's disease, anxiety-related disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.
 
  Caleb E. Finch, Ph.D., is the Arco and William F. Kieschnick Professor of
Neurobiology of Aging at the University of Southern California. He is an
internationally recognized expert in the field of molecular gerontology and
the genomic control of mammalian development and aging. His recent work has
focused on the role of cytokines in neuronal protection and aging.
 
  Stephen M. Hedrick, Ph.D., is Professor and Chairman of Cell Biology at the
University of California, San Diego. Dr. Hedrick is an expert in T-cell
immunology and codiscovered the first T-cell receptor genes and identified the
regions responsible for antigen binding. He is an editor for the Journal of
Immunology.
 
  Florian Holsboer, M.D., Ph.D., is Director at the Max Planck Institute fur
Psychiatrie. Dr. Holsboer is an international expert on the role of
glucocorticoids and neuropeptides, particularly CRF, in neuropsychiatric
disorders. He coordinates the efforts of several hundred scientists and
clinicians at the Max Planck Institute, a major European neuropsychiatric
institute.
 
  George F. Koob, Ph.D., is a Member of the Department of Neuropharmacology at
The Scripps Research Institute and an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of
Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Koob
is an internationally recognized behavioral pharmacology expert on the role of
peptides in the central nervous system, the neurochemical basis of addiction
and in the development of preclinical behavioral procedures for the screening
of anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs and memory enhancers.
 
  Phillip J. Lowry, Ph.D., is Professor and Head of the Department of
Biochemistry and Physiology at the University of Reading in Great Britain. Dr.
Lowry is an internationally recognized biochemical endocrinologist whose work
has focused on the purification and characterization of some of the key
hormonal mediators of the endocrine response to stress. Dr. Lowry is a member
of the European Neuroscience Steering Committee, the European Neuroendocrine
Association and the Committee of British Endocrinology.
 
  Joseph B. Martin, M.D., Ph.D., is Chancellor and Professor of Neurology at
the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Martin is an internationally
recognized expert in clinical and basic research in neurology and
neuroendocrinology and the etiology of hypothalamic diseases, and was one of
the first neurologists to embrace the role of the central nervous system on
immune function.
 
  Bruce S. McEwen, Ph.D., is Professor and Head of the Harold and Margaret
Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology at The Rockefeller University.
Dr. McEwen has identified and studied the function of intracellular receptors
for neuroactive steroid hormones in the brain and immune system, in relation
to stress and sex differences. Dr. McEwen is also President of the Society for
Neuroscience.
 
  Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Ph.D., is Chairman and Professor of the
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of
Medicine. Dr. Nemeroff is an internationally recognized expert on the effects
of neuropeptides on behavior and their relevance in clinically important
conditions such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, and has published
over 400 articles on this subject.
 
  Lawrence J. Steinman, M.D., is Chief Scientist, Neuroimmunology of the
Company and a member of Neurocrine's Founding Board of Scientific and Medical
Advisors and its Executive Committee. See "Management."
 
  Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D., is Chief Scientist, Neuroendocrinology of the Company
and a member of Neurocrine's Founding Board of Scientific and Medical Advisors
and its Executive Committee. See "Management."
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
  Stanley J. Watson, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., is Professor and Associate Chair for
Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Mental Health
Research Institute at the University of Michigan. Dr. Watson is a recognized
expert in neuropeptides and their receptors and their role in psychiatric
diseases and behavior. Dr. Watson is also a member of the Institute of
Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
 
  Each of the members of the Scientific Advisory Board have signed consulting
agreements that contain confidentiality provisions and restrict the members of
the Scientific Advisory Board from competing with the Company for the term of
the agreement. Each member of the Scientific Advisory Board receives either a
per diem consulting fee or a retainer fee and is anticipated to provide at
least five days of consulting per year. Each member also has received stock or
stock options in the Company, which vest over time. All but one member of the
Scientific Advisory Board is a full-time employee of a university or research
institute that has regulations and policies which limit the ability of such
personnel to act as part-time consultants or in other capacities for a
commercial enterprise. A change in these regulations or policies could
adversely affect the relationship of the Scientific Advisory Board member with
the Company.
 
INSURANCE
 
  The Company maintains product liability insurance for clinical trials in the
amount of $1.0 million per occurrence and $1.0 million in the aggregate. The
Company intends to expand its insurance coverage to include the sale of
commercial products if marketing approval is obtained for products in
development. However, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive,
and no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to maintain
insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect
the Company against losses due to liability. There can also be no assurance
that the Company will be able to obtain commercially reasonable product
liability insurance for any products approved for marketing. A successful
product liability claim or series of claims brought against the Company could
have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and
results of operations.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of March 31, 1996, the Company had 84 employees consisting of 64 full-
time and 20 part-time employees. Of the full-time employees, 28 hold Ph.D. or
M.D. degrees. None of the Company's employees are represented by a collective
bargaining arrangement, and the Company believes its relationship with its
employees is good.
 
FACILITIES
 
  The Company leases approximately 48,000 square feet of laboratory facilities
at 3050 Science Park Road, San Diego, California. The lease extends through
2006. The Company has sublet 19,000 square feet of this facility to a third
party for up to four years. The Company has also leased an additional 2,000
square-foot animal facility for a term of two years. The Company believes that
its facilities will be adequate to meet its research and development needs
through 1998.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  The Company is not a party to any litigation or legal proceedings.
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, KEY EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS
 
  The executive officers, key employees and directors of the Company are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    NAME                  AGE POSITION
    ----                  --- --------
<S>                       <C> <C>
Harry F. Hixson, Jr.,
 Ph.D. (1)..............   57 Chairman of the Board
Gary A. Lyons...........   45 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D.
 (1)(2).................   54 Chief Scientist, Neuroendocrinology and Director
Lawrence J. Steinman,
 M.D. (2)...............   48 Chief Scientist, Neuroimmunology
Errol B. De Souza,
 Ph.D...................   42 Executive Vice President, Research and Development
Paul W. Hawran..........   44 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kenneth D. Krantz, M.D.,
 Ph.D...................   49 Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs
Howard C. Birndorf (3)..   46 Director
David E. Robinson (3)...   47 Director
David Schnell, M.D.
 (3)....................   35 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of Audit Committee.
 
(2) Part-time commitment pursuant to a consulting agreement.
 
(3) Member of Compensation Committee.
 
  Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D., has served as a Director and Chairman of the
Board of the Company since September 1992. Dr. Hixson worked with Amgen, Inc.
("Amgen") from July 1985 through February 1991, most recently as President,
Chief Operating Officer and director. While at Amgen, he was responsible for
pharmaceutical development, manufacturing and United States and international
marketing and sales. Dr. Hixson is a director of Biocircuits, Inc. and Somatix
Therapy Corporation. Dr. Hixson holds a Ph.D. in Physical Biochemistry from
Purdue University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
 
  Gary A. Lyons has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company since February 1993. Prior to joining the Company in
February 1993, Mr. Lyons was Vice President of Business Development at
Genentech, Inc. ("Genentech") since 1989. At Genentech, he was responsible for
international licensing, acquisitions and partnering which resulted in over 20
corporate relationships. He was also responsible for Genentech's Corporate
Venture Program which participated in early financing and/or formation of a
number of biotechnology start-up companies such as Xenova Ltd., Tularik, Inc.,
Nexagen, Inc., CytoTherapeutics, Inc., Khepri, Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Genomyx, Inc. and GenVec. Mr. Lyons serves as Chairman of the Board of
Genomyx, Inc. a privately held bio-instrumentation company. In addition, Mr.
Lyons had operating responsibility for Genentech's two subsidiaries, Genentech
Canada, Inc. and Genentech Limited (Japan). Previously, he served as Vice
President of Sales and was responsible for building the marketing and sales
organization for the commercial introduction of Genentech's first two
pharmaceutical products, Protropin (human growth hormone) and Activase (TPA).
Mr. Lyons holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of New Hampshire
and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of
Management.
 
  Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D., is a Founder and Chief Scientist, Neuroendocrinology
and Chairman of the Company's Founding Board of Scientific and Medical
Advisors and its Executive Committee. Dr. Vale was elected a Director of the
Company in September 1992. He is a Professor at The Salk Institute for
Biological Studies ("The Salk Institute") and is the Senior Investigator and
Head of The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology at The Salk
Institute, where he has been employed for 25 years. Dr. Vale is the current
Chairman of the Faculty and a current Member of the Board of Trustees of The
Salk Institute. Dr. Vale is recognized for his work on the identification of
neuroendocrine factors such as somatostatin, growth hormone releasing factor,
corticotropin releasing factor, CRF-BP, gonadotropin releasing hormone,
activin and the activin receptor, the CRF/1/ receptor and urocortin, the
native ligand for the CRF/2/ receptor.
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
These scientific advances have distinguished him as one of the 10 most cited
scientific authors in the world in the past decade. Dr. Vale received a B.A.
in Biology from Rice University, and a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biochemistry
from the Baylor College of Medicine.
 
  Lawrence J. Steinman, M.D., became Chief Scientist, Neuroimmunology and a
member of Neurocrine's Founding Board of Scientific and Medical Advisors and
its Executive Committee in September 1992. Dr. Steinman is a Professor in the
Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Pediatrics and Genetics at
Stanford University School of Medicine where he has been employed for more
than the last five years, and is Professor of Immunology at the Weizmann
Institute. Dr. Steinman has substantial expertise in the basic and clinical
biology of immunological diseases of the central nervous system. Dr. Steinman
has been honored with the Weir Mitchell Award of the American Academy of
Neurology and the Senator Jacob Javits Neuroscience Investigators Award from
the United States Congress. Dr. Steinman is a member of the Board of Directors
of Centocor, Inc.
 
  Errol B. De Souza, Ph.D., is a Founder and Executive Vice President,
Research and Development for the Company. Prior to joining the Company in
October 1992, Dr. De Souza was Director of Central Nervous System Diseases
Research for The Du Pont Merck Pharmaceutical Company ("Du Pont Merck"), where
he directed the discovery efforts of over 100 scientists in the fields of
neurobiology, molecular biology, pharmacology and chemistry commencing in May
1990. Prior to joining Du Pont Merck, Dr. De Souza was Chief of the Laboratory
of Neurobiology at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and he was an
Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at The Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. Dr. De Souza received a B.A. in Physiology and
a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from the University of Toronto and pursued post-
doctoral training at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the
University of Kentucky.
 
  Paul W. Hawran became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company in February 1996. Prior to joining the Company in May 1993 as Vice
President, Mr. Hawran was employed by SmithKline Beecham Corporation
("SmithKline") from July 1984 to May 1993, most recently as Vice President and
Treasurer. Prior to joining SmithKline in 1984, Mr. Hawran held various
financial positions at Warner Communications (now Time Warner) where he was
involved in corporate finance, financial planning and domestic and
international budgeting and forecasting. Mr. Hawran received a B.S. in Finance
from St. John's University and an M.S. in Taxation from Seton Hall University.
He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, California and Pennsylvania Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Executives Institute.
 
  Kenneth D. Krantz, M.D., Ph.D., became Vice President, Medical and
Regulatory Affairs of the Company in January 1996. Prior to joining the
Company as a consultant in December 1994, Dr. Krantz was Vice President of
Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at ImClone Systems from December 1992 to
December 1994, where he successfully initiated three company-sponsored INDs
and clinical research programs. From 1988 through December 1992 he was
Executive Director for Clinical Research and Biostatistics for the Ortho
Biotech/R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute unit of Johnson &
Johnson, where his groups successfully implemented clinical trials in
immunology and hematology, leading to three INDs and five PLA approvals. Dr.
Krantz received a B.S. in Biopsychology, a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and an M.D.
from the University of Chicago.
 
  Howard C. Birndorf became a Director of the Company in September 1992. Mr.
Birndorf is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Nanogen,
Inc., a biotechnology company. From November 1991 to January 1994, Mr.
Birndorf was president of Birndorf Biotechnology Development, an investment
and consulting company. Mr. Birndorf was Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Ligand"). He held the position of
President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand from January 1988 to November
1991. In addition, Mr. Birndorf was Co-Founder of IDEC Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a
biotechnology company, in 1985 and was involved in the formation of Gensia
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company, in 1986 and served on the
boards of directors of these companies from their respective inceptions until
1991. He is a director of the Cancer Center of the University of California at
San Diego and a Presidential Appointee to the United States Department of
Commerce Biotechnology Technical Advisory Committee. Mr. Birndorf received an
M.S. in Biochemistry from Wayne State University.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
  David E. Robinson became a Director of the Company in May 1994. Since 1991,
he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand, a
biotechnology company. Prior to joining Ligand in 1991, he was Chief Operating
Officer at Erbamont N.V. ("Erbamont"), a pharmaceutical company. Prior to
that, Mr. Robinson was President of Adria Laboratories, Erbamont's North
American subsidiary. He also was employed in various executive positions for
more than 10 years by Abbott Laboratories, most recently as Regional Director
of Abbott Europe. Mr. Robinson received his M.B.A. from the University of New
South Wales, Australia.
 
  David Schnell, M.D., became a Director of the Company in January 1993. Since
January 1994, he has been a Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
specializing in life science and health care investing. From August 1987 to
December 1993, he was a marketing and business development executive at Sandoz
Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Sandoz"). From January 1992 to December 1993, he
managed Sandoz' venture capital activities with Avalon Medical Partners. Dr.
Schnell is the founding President of HealthScape and a founder and Director of
Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Schnell received a B.S. in Biological
Sciences, an A.M. in Health Services Research from Stanford University and an
M.D. from Harvard University.
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for a Board of Directors
that is divided into three classes. The Directors in Class I hold office until
the first annual meeting of stockholders following this offering, the
Directors in Class II hold office until the second annual meeting of
stockholders following this offering, and the Directors in Class III hold
office until the third annual meeting of stockholders following this offering
(or, in each case, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or
their earlier resignation, removal from office or death), and, after each such
election, the Directors in each such case will then serve in succeeding terms
of three years and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
There are no family relationships among the Company's Directors and executive
officers.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee, currently comprised of Drs. Hixson and Vale, oversees the
actions taken by the Company's independent auditors and reviews the Company's
internal financial and accounting controls and policies. The Compensation
Committee, currently comprised of Messrs. Birndorf and Robinson and Dr.
Schnell, is responsible for determining salaries, incentives and other forms
of compensation for officers and other key employees of the Company and
administers various incentive compensation and employee benefits.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
  Except as described below, members of the Company's Board of Directors do
not receive any cash compensation for their services as Directors.
 
  The Company's 1996 Director Option Plan provides that options may be granted
to non-employee directors of the Company pursuant to an automatic non-
discretionary grant mechanism. At each annual meeting of the stockholders
following the effective date of this offering, each of the non-employee
directors, Messrs. Birndorf and Robinson and Drs. Hixson, Vale and Schnell,
will each automatically be granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on
the date of grant.
 
  The Company has entered into a consulting agreement with Dr. Vale, a founder
and Director of the Company. See "Employment and Certain Scientific Consulting
Contracts."
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table shows for the fiscal year ended December 31,1995,
certain compensation paid by the Company, including salary, bonuses, stock
options, and certain other compensation, to the Chief Executive Officer and
other executive officers of the Company at December 31, 1995 (the "Named
Executive Officers").
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      ANNUAL            LONG-TERM
                                   COMPENSATION    COMPENSATION AWARDS
                                 ---------------- ---------------------
                                                  RESTRICTED SECURITIES
                                                    STOCK    UNDERLYING  ALL OTHER
   NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION    SALARY   BONUS    AWARDS    OPTIONS   COMPENSATION
   ---------------------------   -------- ------- ---------- ---------- ------------
   <S>                           <C>      <C>     <C>        <C>        <C>
   Gary A. Lyons...........      $275,000 $25,000     --      148,000     $17,757(1)
    President and Chief Ex-
    ecutive Officer
   Errol B. De Souza,
    Ph.D...................       215,700  15,000     --       92,000      12,745(2)
    Executive Vice
    President, Research and
    Development
   Paul W. Hawran..........       180,000  15,000     --       65,000      29,379(3)
    Senior Vice President
    and Chief Financial
    Officer
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Represents reimbursement for taxes incurred by Mr. Lyons as a result of
    the payments by the Company in 1995 of moving, housing and other expenses
    incurred in connection with relocating to the Company's geographic region
    ($14,636) and the premium paid for the term life insurance policies for
    the benefit of Mr. Lyons ($3,121).
 
(2) Represents reimbursement for taxes incurred by Dr. De Souza as a result of
    the payments by the Company in 1995 of moving, housing and other expenses
    incurred in connection with relocating to the Company's geographic region
    ($10,297) and the premium paid for the term life insurance policies for
    the benefit of Dr. De Souza ($2,448).
 
(3) Represents reimbursement for taxes incurred by Mr. Hawran as a result of
    the payments by the Company in 1995 of moving, housing and other expenses
    incurred in connection with relocating to the Company's geographic region
    ($21,645), payments relating to relocation costs ($6,289) and the premium
    paid for the term life insurance policies for the benefit of Mr. Hawran
    ($1,445).
 
  The following table sets forth certain information concerning grants of
options made during the year ended December 31, 1995 by the Company to the
Named Executive Officers:
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                            ------------------------------------------------
                                                                             POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                                                                               MINUS EXERCISE PRICE AT
                             NUMBER OF   PERCENT OF                            ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                            SECURITIES  TOTAL OPTIONS                         STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                            UNDERLYING   GRANTED TO   EXERCISE OF                FOR OPTION TERM (1)
                              OPTIONS   EMPLOYEES IN  BASE PRICE  EXPIRATION ---------------------------
             NAME           GRANTED (2)     1995       PER SHARE     DATE         5%           10%
             ----           ----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ------------ --------------
   <S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>
   Gary A. Lyons...........   148,000       30.0%        $4.25     4/18/05   $    575,894 $    1,289,776
   Errol B. De Souza,
    Ph.D...................    92,000       18.6          4.25     4/18/05        357,988        801,753
   Paul W. Hawran..........    65,000       13.2          4.25     4/18/05        252,926        566,456
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Potential realizable value is based on the assumption that the Common
    Stock of the Company appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded
    annually) from the date of the grant until the expiration of the ten-year
    option term. These numbers are calculated based on the requirements
    promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not reflect
    the Company's estimate of future stock price growth.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
(2) All options shown granted in 1995 become exercisable as to 1/60th of the
    option shares each month, with full vesting occurring on the fifth
    anniversary of the date of hire. Under the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan, the
    Board of Directors retains the discretion to modify the terms, including
    price, of outstanding options. Options were granted at an exercise price
    equal to 85% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock, as
    determined by the Board of Directors on the date of grant. Exercise price
    may be paid in cash, promissory note, by delivery of already owned shares
    subject to certain conditions, or pursuant to a cashless exercise
    procedure under which the optionee provides irrevocable instructions to a
    brokerage firm to sell the purchased shares and remit to the Company, out
    of sale proceeds, an amount equal to the exercise price plus all
    applicable withholding taxes.
 
  The following table sets forth certain information regarding the stock
options held at December 31, 1995 by each of the Named Executive Officers.
During 1995, no such stock options were exercised by any of the Named
Executive Officers. The Company has not granted any stock appreciation rights.
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                         FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                             UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                   OPTIONS AT           IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                DECEMBER 31, 1995      AT DECEMBER 31, 1995(1)
                            ------------------------- -------------------------
             NAME           EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
             ----           ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
   <S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
   Gary A. Lyons...........   135,136      164,364     $ 835,217    $ 852,533
   Errol B. De Souza,
    Ph.D...................    83,025      109,975       534,294      559,205
   Paul W. Hawran..........    27,152       68,148       163,218      342,482
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based upon the assumed initial public offering price of $9.00 per share,
    minus the per share exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares
    underlying the option.
 
EMPLOYMENT AND CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
 
  Gary A. Lyons has an employment contract that provides (i) Mr. Lyons serves
as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer for a term of four
years commencing in February 1993 at a current annual salary of $290,000,
subject to annual adjustment by the Board of Directors; (ii) the agreement
will automatically renew for two-year periods thereafter unless the Company or
Mr. Lyons gives 30 days notice of termination; (iii) Mr. Lyons is eligible for
a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Board of Directors, based
upon achieving certain performance criteria; (iv) the Company has agreed to
forgive the loan of $67,500 made to reimburse Mr. Lyons for 50% of the loss on
sale of his former residence over a four-year period (based on continued
employment); and (v) Mr. Lyons is entitled to continue to receive his salary
for 12 months in the event that the Company terminates his employment without
cause, or materially reduces the power and duties of his employment without
cause, which will be deemed to be a termination.
 
  Errol B. De Souza, Ph.D., has an employment contract that provides that (i)
Dr. De Souza serves as the Company's Executive Vice President of Research and
Development for a term of four years commencing in October 1992 at a current
annual salary of $235,000, subject to annual increase of at least eight
percent over the prior year's salary; (ii) the agreement will automatically
renew for two-year periods thereafter unless the Company or Dr. De Souza gives
30 days notice of termination; (iii) Dr. De Souza is eligible for a
discretionary annual bonus of up to 40% of his annual salary based upon
achieving certain performance criteria; (iv) the Company has agreed to forgive
over a four-year period (based on continued employment) 50% of the $70,500
loan made to reimburse Mr. De Souza for the loss on the sale of his former
residence; and (v) Dr. De Souza is entitled to continue to receive his salary
for up to six months or the remainder of the term of employment, whichever is
less, in the event that the Company terminates his employment without cause.
 
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
  Paul W. Hawran has an employment contract that provides that (i) Mr. Hawran
serves as the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for
a term of four years commencing in May 1993 at a current annual salary of
$191,500, subject to annual adjustment by the Board of Directors; (ii) the
agreement will automatically renew for two-year periods thereafter unless the
Company or Mr. Hawran gives 90 days notice of termination; (iii) Mr. Hawran is
eligible for a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Board of
Directors based upon achieving certain performance criteria; (iv) the Company
has agreed to forgive over a four-year period (based on continued employment)
the loan of $87,500 made to reimburse Mr. Hawran for 50% of the loss on sale
of his former residence; and (v) Mr. Hawran is entitled to continue to receive
his salary for 12 months in the event that the Company terminates his
employment without cause, or materially reduces the power and duties of his
employment without cause, which will be deemed to be a termination.
 
  The Company also has consulting agreements with Drs. Vale and Steinman
pursuant to which Dr. Vale serves as Chief Scientist, Neuroendocrinology and
Dr. Steinman serves as Chief Scientist, Neuroimmunology. Dr. Vale's consulting
agreement requires him to spend a significant amount of time performing
services for the Company and prohibits Dr. Vale from providing consulting
services to or participating in the formation of any company in Neurocrine's
field of interest or that may be competitive with Neurocrine. Dr. Vale's
agreement is for a five-year term that commenced in February 1996 and provides
for an annual consulting fee of $42,500 in exchange for his consulting
services to the Company.
 
  Dr. Steinman's consulting agreement is for a five-year term that commenced
in February 1996 and provides for an annual consulting fee of $85,000, and is
obligated to consult for a minimum of 40 days per year. The agreement
prohibits Dr. Steinman from providing consulting services to or participating
in the formation of any other company, except for his position as a member of
the Board of Directors of Centocor, Inc.
 
STOCK PLANS
 
  1992 Incentive Stock Plan. The Company's 1992 Incentive Stock Plan (the
"Plan") was approved by the Company's Board of Directors in July 1992 and was
approved by its stockholders in September 1992. A total of 3,300,000 shares of
Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Plan, as amended, to
officers, directors, employees and consultants. As of March 31, 1996,
1,343,300 shares have been issued under the Plan, options for 1,434,590 shares
of Common Stock were outstanding under the Plan, and 522,110 shares of Common
Stock remained available for future issuance under the Plan. The Plan allows
for the grant to employees of incentive stock options, and for the grant to
employees, officers, directors, and consultants of nonstatutory stock options,
stock bonuses and stock purchase rights. The Plan is not qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code") and is
not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Unless
sooner terminated the Plan will terminate automatically in July 2002.
 
  The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its
stockholders and to promote the success of the Company's business by
attracting the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, and to provide an incentive to officers, directors, employees
and consultants of the Company. The Plan is administered by the Board of
Directors of the Company or a committee designated by the Board.
 
  The Board of Directors or a committee of the Board selects the participants
and determines the number of shares and type of grant, as well as when such
shares shall become exercisable (vest), the form of consideration payable upon
exercise, and the other terms and conditions of such grant. The Plan does not
provide for a maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be granted to
any one participant, although there is a limit on the aggregate market value
of all incentive options granted to a participant during any calendar year.
 
  The exercise price for stock options granted under the Plan is determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company or its committee and may not be less
than 85% (100% in the case of an incentive stock option) of the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted, except in the
case of incentive stock options granted to 10% shareholders, the exercise
price of which may not be less than
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
110% of such fair market value. Options are not generally transferable by the
participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
are exercisable during the participant's lifetime only by him, or, in the
event of death of the participant, by a person who acquires the right to
exercise the options by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of
the participant. No option may be exercised by any person after such
expiration. Options granted under the Plan generally vest monthly over a four-
year period and have a maximum term of 10 years from the date of grant.
 
  The Plan also allows for the sale of stock or the grant of stock bonuses.
The price to be paid for the shares to be purchased under the Plan, the form
of consideration to be paid for the shares, and the terms of payment are
determined by the Board or a Committee of the Board. Payment for the shares
may be made in installments or at one time, as determined by the Board, and
provision may be made by the Board for aiding any eligible person in paying
for the shares by promissory notes or otherwise.
 
  The Plan provides that in the event of a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets or a
like transaction involving the Company, each outstanding option or stock
purchase right may be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the
successor corporation. If the outstanding options and stock purchase rights
are not assumed or substituted as described in the preceding sentence, they
shall terminate.
 
  1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company's 1996 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors in
March 1996 and will be submitted to the stockholders for approval at the
Company's 1996 annual stockholders' meeting. A total of 125,000 shares of
Common Stock is reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan. The Purchase
Plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Code is
administered by the Board of Directors or by a committee appointed by the
Board. Employees (including officers and employee directors) are eligible to
participate if they are customarily employed by the Company for at least 20
hours per week and more than five months in any calendar year. The Purchase
Plan permits eligible employees to purchase Common Stock through payroll
deductions, which may not exceed 15% of an employee's compensation. The
Purchase Plan will be implemented in a series of overlapping offering periods,
each to be of approximately 24 months duration. The initial offering period
under the Purchase Plan will begin on the effective date of this offering and
subsequent offering periods will begin on the first trading day on or January
1 and July 1 each year. Each participant will be granted an option on the
first day of this offering period and such option will be automatically
exercised on the last day of each semi-annual period throughout this offering
period. The purchase price of the Common Stock under the Purchase Plan will be
equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair market value per share of Common Stock
on the start date of an offering period or on the date on which the option is
exercised. Employees may end their participation in an offering period at any
time during an offering period, and participation ends automatically on
termination of employment with the Company. The Purchase Plan will terminate
in March 2006, unless terminated sooner by the Board of Directors.
 
  1996 Director Option Plan. The Company's 1996 Director Option Plan (the
"Director Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors in March 1996 and will
be submitted to the stockholders for approval at the Company's 1996 annual
stockholders' meeting. A total of 100,000 shares of Common Stock is reserved
for issuance under the Director Plan. The option grants under the Director
Plan shall be automatic and non-discretionary, and the exercise price of the
options shall be 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
grant date. The Director Plan provides for the grant of options to purchase
10,000 shares of Common Stock to each non-employee director of the Company at
each annual meeting of the stockholders commencing in 1997, providing such
non-employee director has been a non-employee director of the Company for at
least six months prior to the date of such annual meeting of the stockholders.
Each new non-employee director shall automatically be granted an option to
purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock upon the date such person joins the
Board of Directors. The term of such options is ten years. Any option granted
to a non-employee director shall become exercisable over a three-year period
following the date of grant. No option may be transferred by the optionee
other than by will or the laws of descent or distribution. Any optionee whose
relationship with the Company or any related corporation ceases for any reason
(other than
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
by death or permanent and total disability) may exercise options only during a
90-day period following such cessation (unless such options terminate or
expire sooner by their terms). Upon a merger or asset sale, all outstanding
options under the Director Plan will be assumed or replaced with an equivalent
option by the successor corporation. In the event that the successor
corporation does not agree to assume the outstanding options or substitute an
equivalent option, each outstanding option shall become fully vested and
exercisable, including as to shares not otherwise exercisable. Each optionee
will be given 30 days notice of the merger or asset sale and be given the
opportunity to fully exercise all outstanding options. All options not
exercised within the 30 day notice period will expire. The Director Plan will
terminate in March 2006, unless sooner terminated by the Board of Directors.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of directors
to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that
directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages
for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for: (i)
any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders,
(ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) unlawful payments of dividends
or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) any transaction from
which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Such limitation of
liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities
laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as
injunctive relief or rescission.
 
  The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors
and executive officers and may indemnify its other officers and employees and
other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company believes that
indemnification under its Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross
negligence on the part of indemnified parties. The Company's Bylaws also
permit it to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or
other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in such
capacity, regardless of whether the Bylaws permit such indemnification.
 
  The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers
and directors containing provisions which may require the Company, among other
things, to indemnify such officers and directors against certain liabilities
that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers
(other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature),
to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them
as to which they could be indemnified. The Company believes that these
provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified
persons as directors and officers.
 
  At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving
any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company in which
indemnification will be required or permitted. The Company is not aware of any
threatened litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such
indemnification.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF SECURITIES
 
  Between September 1993 and February 1994, the Company sold approximately
6,026,000 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $5.00 per share in private
placement transactions resulting in net proceeds to the Company of
approximately $27.6 million. The purchasers of Common Stock included, among
others, the following Named Executive Officers and directors and holders of
more than five percent of the Company's voting securities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF
                                                                   SHARES OF
   PURCHASER                                                      COMMON STOCK
   ---------                                                      ------------
   <S>                                                            <C>
   Howard C. Birndorf............................................    10,000
   Paul W. Hawran................................................    10,000
   The Hixson Family Trust (1)...................................   100,000
   Entities affiliated with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers,
    L.P. (2).....................................................   300,000
   Gary A. Lyons.................................................    20,000
   Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D...........................................    10,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Affiliated with Dr. Hixson, the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
 
(2) Includes shares held by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI, L.P. and KPCB
    Founders Fund VI, L.P., a holder of more than five percent of the
    Company's Common Stock.
 
TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  In September 1995, the Company granted Harry Hixson, Chairman of the
Company's Board of Directors, an option to purchase 8,000 shares of Common
Stock, at an exercise price of $5.00 per share.
 
  In July 1993, the Company granted Wylie Vale, Chief Scientist,
Neuroendocrinology and a Director of the Company, an option to purchase
101,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Dr.
Vale is a Professor and the Senior Investigator and Head of the Clayton
Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology at The Salk Institute. In 1995,
1994 and 1993, the Company paid $30,162, $145,917 and $5,070 respectively, to
The Salk Institute in connection with various license agreements.
 
  In July 1993, the Company granted Errol De Souza, Executive Vice President
of Research and Development an option to purchase 101,000 additional shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Such shares are subject
to vesting. In April 1994, the Company loaned Dr. De Souza $70,500 toward the
loss on sale of his former residence. One half of this amount is being
forgiven by the Company over a four-year period, subject to repayment by Dr.
De Souza in the event of termination of employment, and the other one half is
to be repaid by Dr. Souza upon the earlier of (i) 90 days after voluntary
termination of employment, (ii) the completion of this offering, or (iii)
receipt of proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock held by him. In
April 1995, the Company granted an additional option to Dr. De Souza to
purchase 92,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.25 per
share. Such shares are also subject to vesting.
 
  In September 1995, the Company granted Howard Birndorf, a Director of the
Company, an option to purchase 8,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise
price of $5.00 per share.
 
  In March 1993, the Company sold 323,200 shares of Common Stock at a purchase
price of $0.15 per share to Gary Lyons, President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director of the Company. The purchase price was paid by an interest-bearing
promissory note having a term of three years. In July 1993, the Company
granted Mr. Lyons an option to purchase 151,500 shares of Common Stock at a
purchase price of $2.50 per share. Such shares and option are subject to
vesting. In December 1993, the Company loaned Mr. Lyons $67,500 toward the
loss on sale of his former residence. This loan is being forgiven by the
Company over a
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
four-year period subject to repayment by Mr. Lyons in the event of termination
of employment. In April 1995 the Company granted Mr. Lyons an option to
purchase an additional 148,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of
$4.25 per share. Such shares are subject to vesting.
 
  In June 1993, the Company sold 101,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase
price of $0.15 per share to Paul Hawran, Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company. The purchase price was paid by an interest-
bearing promissory note having a term of three years. In July 1993, the
Company granted Mr. Hawran an option to purchase an additional 30,300 shares
of Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.50 per share. Such shares and option
are subject to vesting. In June 1994 the Company loaned Mr. Hawran $175,000
toward the loss on sale of his former residence. One half of this amount is
being forgiven over a four-year period, subject to repayment by Mr. Hawran in
the event of termination of employment; the other one half is to be repaid by
Mr. Hawran upon the earlier of (i) 90 days after voluntary termination of
employment, (ii) sale of his San Diego residence, or (iii) receipt of proceeds
from the sale of Common Stock held by him. In September 1994, the Company
advanced Mr. Hawran $15,000 toward relocation related expenses; such loans
have since been repaid. In April 1995, the Company granted Mr. Hawran an
option to purchase an additional 65,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase
price of $4.25 per share. Such shares are subject to vesting.
 
  In March 1994, the Company granted David E. Robinson, a Director of the
Company, an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase
price of $5.00 per share. In September 1995, the Company granted Mr. Robinson
an option to purchase 8,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of
$5.00 per share.
 
  The Company believes that all of the transactions set forth above were made
on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from
unaffiliated third parties. All future transactions, including loans, between
the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders and their
affiliates will be approved by the majority of the Board of Directors,
including a majority of the independent and disinterested directors, and will
continue to be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be
obtained from unaffiliated third parties. See "Principal Stockholders."
 
  The Company has agreed to indemnify each of its directors and officers to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporations Law. See
"Executive Compensation -- Limitation of Liability and Indemnification."
 
TRANSACTION WITH CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY
 
  In March 1996, Neurocrine formed NPI, a subsidiary of the Company in Canada.
Neurocrine licensed to NPI certain technology and Canadian marketing rights to
the Company's Neurosteroid and Neurogenomics programs. A group of Canadian
institutional investors (the "Canadian Investors") invested approximately U.S.
$9.5 million in NPI in exchange for Preferred Stock of NPI which may be
converted into 1,279,584 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an effective
conversion price of U.S. $7.45 at the option of the investors. NPI has
committed to use these funds for clinical development of the Neurosteroid
program for Alzheimer's disease and for research activities related to the
Neurogenomics program. In exchange for providing funding, NPI is entitled to
receive royalties on sales of products developed in these programs as well as
exclusive Canadian marketing rights for such products in the event that the
Company has not terminated the technology license and marketing rights or that
the Canadian Investors have not converted their NPI Preferred Stock into
shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company has the right to terminate
the technology license and marketing rights, provided that the Company is then
obligated to purchase the shares of NPI Preferred Stock held by the Canadian
Investors in exchange for cash and Common Stock (valued at the market closing
price) whose aggregate value equals U.S. $9.5 million plus a 35% annual
compound rate of return from the date of the original investment (March 1996),
provided that the investors have not previously converted their shares of NPI
Preferred Stock. In connection with their investment in NPI, the Canadian
Investors received warrants exercisable for 383,875 shares of the Company's
Common
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
Stock at an exercise price equal to the price per share at which Common Stock
is sold in this offering and are eligible to receive additional warrants in
the future exercisable at an exercise price of U.S. $7.75 per share for such
warrants issued prior to June 30, 1998 and thereafter at an exercise price
equal to 110% of the then current market value of the Common Stock in the
event that NPI is successful in receiving certain government incentives for
research activities, with the aggregate exercise price of such additional
warrants equal to 25% of the dollar amount of such incentives received by NPI.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 1996 and as adjusted
to reflect the sale of Common Stock offered hereby (i) by each person (or
group of affiliated persons) who is known by the Company to own beneficially
more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) by each
director and Named Executive Officer of the Company, and (iii) by all of
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PERCENTAGE OF SHARES
                                                   BENEFICIALLY OWNED (2)
                                                   ----------------------
                                         SHARES
                                      BENEFICIALLY  PRIOR TO         AFTER
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER   OWNED (1)    OFFERING       OFFERING
- ------------------------------------  ------------ -----------    -----------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>            <C>
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers 
 Entities (3).......................   1,613,030            13.0%          10.0%
 2750 Sand Hill Road
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
Abingworth Bioventures..............     878,970             7.1%           5.4%
 Boite Postale 566
 L-2015 Luxembourg
Ciba-Geigy Limited (4)..............     645,162             5.2%           7.4%
 4002 Basel
 Switzerland
David Schnell, M.D. (5).............   1,618,080            13.1%          10.0%
Gary A. Lyons (6)...................     566,609             4.5%           3.5%
Errol B. De Souza (7)...............     502,784             4.0%           3.1%
Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D. (8)............     427,130             3.4%           2.6%
Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D. (9).....     210,364             1.7%           1.3%
Paul W. Hawran (10).................     148,356             1.2%             *
Howard C. Birndorf (11).............      83,650               *              *
David E. Robinson (12)..............      28,000               *              *
All executive officers and directors
 as a group (8 persons) (13)........   3,584,973            29.0%          22.1%
</TABLE>
- --------
  * Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent (1%) of the
    outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
 (1) Beneficial ownership is determined with the rules of the Securities and
     Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power
     with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to stock
     options and warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
     are deemed to be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
     the person holding such options and the percentage ownership of any group
     of which the holder is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for
     computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by
     footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the
     persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
     respect to all shares of Common Stock shown beneficially owned by them.
 
 (2) Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 12,368,262 shares of
     Common Stock outstanding prior to this offering.
 
 (3) Includes 1,428,697 shares held by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI,
     L.P. and 184,333 shares held by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Founders
     Fund VI, L.P.
 
 (4) Post-offering percentage includes 555,556 shares which will be purchased
     by Ciba-Geigy concurrent with this offering assuming a price of $9.00 per
     share.
 
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
 (5) Includes (i) 1,428,697 shares held by Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers
     VI, L.P., (ii) 184,333 shares held by Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers
     Founders Fund VI, L.P. and (iii) 5,050 shares held by David Schnell,
     M.D.  Dr. Schnell, a Director of the Company, is a Venture Limited
     Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI Associates, which is the
     General Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI, L.P. and KPCB
     Founders Fund VI, L.P. Dr. Schnell disclaims beneficial ownership of the
     shares held by KPCB VI, L.P., and by KPCB Founders Fund VI, L.P., except
     to the extent of his partnership interest in such shares.
 
 (6) Includes 166,406 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
     60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
 (7) Includes 121,717 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
     60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
 (8) Includes 101,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
     60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
 (9) Includes 201,000 shares of Common Stock held in the name of The Hixson
     Family Trust of which Dr. Hixson is Trustee, and 8,000 shares issuable
     pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
(10) Includes 36,356 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
     days of March 31, 1996.
 
(11) Includes 8,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
     days of March 31, 1996.
 
(12) Includes 28,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
     days of March 31, 1996.
 
(13) Includes 469,479 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
     60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  Upon completion of this offering, the Company will be authorized to issue
50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of March 31,
1996, there were 12,368,262 shares of Common Stock outstanding held of record
by approximately 408 shareholders.
 
  The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, and do not have
cumulative voting rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any
outstanding Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive ratably the dividends, if any, that may be declared from time to time
by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such dividends.
See "Dividend Policy." In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock would be entitled to share
ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the
satisfaction of any liquidation preferences granted the holders of any
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no
preemptive rights and no conversion rights or other subscription rights. There
are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
All the outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the Common Stock offered
by the Company in this offering, when issued and paid for, will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of undesignated
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share. The Board of Directors shall have
the authority to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix
the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including
dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of
redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of
shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, without
further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock
may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of the Company without further action by the stockholders and may adversely
affect the voting and other rights of the holders of Common Stock. At present,
the Company has no plans to issue any of the Preferred Stock.
 
WARRANTS
 
  As of March 31, 1996, there were outstanding (i) warrants to purchase
520,589 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share (the
"Private Placement Warrants") and (ii) warrants to purchase 383,875 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the price per share at which Common
Stock is sold in this offering (the "NPI Warrants"). The Private Placement
Warrants were issued pursuant to the terms of a sales agency agreement
relating to the Company's private placement of Common Stock completed in
February 1994. The Private Placement Warrants are exercisable during the
period beginning 180 days after the date of closing of this offering and
ending in February 1999. As a condition of exercise and upon the request of a
majority of the Company's stockholders, each Private Placement Warrant holder
has agreed not to sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any
shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of a Private Placement Warrant,
including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act, under the lock-up
agreements. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale." The NPI Warrants were
issued in connection with the financing of the Company's subsidiary NPI in
March 1996. The NPI Warrants are exercisable at any time prior to March 31,
2006. In addition, the Company has committed to issue additional warrants upon
the occurrence of certain events. See "Certain Transactions -- Transaction
with Canadian Subsidiary."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENTS
 
  The holders (or their transferees) of 2,385,224 shares of Common Stock
issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock originally issued in
September 1992 as well as (i) JJDC, as holder of 434,783 shares of Common
Stock issued in January 1995 and an additional 277,778 shares of Common Stock
to be purchased upon the effectiveness of this offering (assuming an initial
public offering price of $9.00 per share), (ii) Neuroscience Partners Limited
Partnership as holder of 213,913 shares of Common Stock issued in February
1995, and (iii) Ciba-Geigy as holder of 645,161 shares of Common Stock issued
in January 1996 and an
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
additional 555,556 shares of Common Stock to be purchased upon the
effectiveness of this offering (assuming an initial public offering price of
$9.00 per share) are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. These rights are
provided under the terms of the Information and Registration Rights Agreement
dated September 15, 1992, as amended to date, between the Company and the
holders of such shares. Subject to certain limitations in such agreement, the
holders of at least 40% of such shares may, at any time after the earlier of
December 31, 1996 or three months after the Company's initial public offering,
require the Company to use its best efforts to cause such shares to be
registered under the Securities Act for resale on two offerings at the
Company's expense. If the Company registers any of its Common Stock for its
own account or for the account of others, the holders of such shares are
entitled to include their shares in the registration, subject to the ability
of the underwriters to limit the number of shares so included, but not to less
than 20% of the total number of shares in all such offerings other than the
Company's initial public offering. The holders of such shares may also require
the Company to register all or a portion of such shares on Form S-3 when use
of such Form becomes available to the Company, provided, among other
limitations, that the proposed aggregate selling price is at least $500,000.
The Company will bear the expenses of the registration of the such shares,
except any underwriting discounts and commissions.
 
  The holders of 6,025,892 shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in a
private placement offering during the period from September 1993 through
February 1994 and the 520,589 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding warrants are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. In the event that the
Company completes an initial public offering of any of its securities before
August 1996, the Company is obligated to prepare and file a registration
statement under the Securities Act with respect to such shares 360 days after
the date of the offering. The Company is obligated to use its best efforts to
cause such registration to become effective not later than five days after the
end of such period and to keep such registration statement effective until
February 1998.
 
  The holders of 1,279,584 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exchange
of the shares of Preferred Stock of NPI and the exercise of certain warrants
exercisable for 383,875 shares of Common Stock issuable to the holders of such
NPI Preferred Stock, as well as any additional shares of Common Stock issuable
to such holders upon the exercise of any additional warrants issuable to such
holders, are entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of
such shares under the Securities Act. These rights are provided under the
terms of a Registration Rights Agreement dated March 29, 1996 between the
Company and the holders of such shares. Subject to certain limitation in such
agreement, the holders of at least 40% of such shares may, at any time after
one year from the date of this offering, require the Company to register at
its expense all or a portion of such shares, provided, among other
limitations, that Form S-3 is then available to the Company and that the
proposed aggregate selling price of such shares is at least $500,000.
 
  The exercise of any of the foregoing registration rights may hinder efforts
by the Company to arrange future financing of the Company and may have an
adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock.
 
CERTAIN CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS
 
  The Company anticipates it will reincorporate in Delaware prior to this
offering and will be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a
publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination"
with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the
date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain
exceptions) the "business combination" or the transaction in which the person
became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner.
Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or
other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the
determination of interested stockholder status, did own) 15% or more of a
corporation's voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected
to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in
advance by the Board of Directors, including discouraging attempts that might
result in a premium over the market price for the shares of Common Stock held
by stockholders.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation provides for a Board of Directors that is
divided into three classes. The Directors in Class I hold office until the
first annual meeting of stockholders following this offering, the Directors in
Class II hold office until the second annual meeting of stockholders following
this offering, and the Directors in Class III hold office until the third
annual meeting of stockholders following this offering, (or, in each case,
until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier
resignation, removal from office or death), and, after each such election, the
Directors in each such class will then serve in succeeding terms of three
years and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The
classification system of electing Directors may tend to discourage a third
party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of
the Company and may maintain the incumbency of the Board of Directors, as the
classification of the Board of Directors generally increases the difficulty of
replacing a majority of the directors.
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not provide for cumulative
voting in the election of directors. The authorization of undesignated
Preferred Stock makes it possible for the Board of Directors to issue
Preferred Stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede
the success of any attempt to change control of the Company. These and other
provisions may have the effect of delaying or preventing hostile takeovers or
delaying changes in control or management of the Company. The amendment of any
of these provisions would require approval by holders of at least 66 2/3% of
the outstanding Common Stock.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Company's Common Stock is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Upon completion of this offering, the Company will have outstanding
approximately 16,201,596 shares of Common Stock (excluding (i) 1,955,179
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options and warrants
outstanding as of March 31, 1996, (ii) 522,110 shares of Common Stock reserved
for future issuance under the Plan, (iii) 125,000 shares of Common Stock
reserved for future issuance under the Purchase Plan, (iv) 100,000 shares of
Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the Director Plan, and
(v) 1,279,584 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance upon
conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock of NPI and 383,875 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants issued to the
holders of such Preferred Stock, and the shares of Common Stock which may be
issued upon exercise of certain additional warrants which may be issued to
such holders). The 3,000,000 shares offered hereby will be freely tradeable
without restriction or further registration under the Act. The 12,368,262
shares of Common Stock held by existing stockholders are "restricted
securities" as the term is defined in Rule 144 under the Act. Of this number,
approximately 11,960,185 shares will be subject to lock-up agreements (as
described below under "Underwriting"). In addition, the 833,334 shares to be
sold to Ciba-Geigy and JJDC concurrent with this offering will also be
"restricted securities" and subject to such lock-up agreements.
 
  Beginning (i) 180 days, (ii) 270 days, and (iii) 360 days after the date of
this Prospectus, approximately (i) 3,543,900, (ii) 3,543,900, and (iii)
3,543,900 shares that are subject to lock-up agreements (as described below
under "Underwriting") will become eligible for sale in the public market upon
expiration of such agreements, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144
and Rule 701 of the Act. The remaining approximately 2,127,190 shares which
are also subject to such lock-up agreements will have been held for less than
two years upon the expiration of such lock-up agreements and will become
eligible for sale under Rule 144 at various dates thereafter as the holding
period provisions of Rule 144 are satisfied.
 
  In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially
owned shares for at least two years (including the continuous holding period
of any prior owner except an affiliate) is entitled to sell in "broker's
transactions" or to market makers, within any three-month period commencing 90
days after the date of this Prospectus, a number of shares that does not
exceed the greater of (i) one percent of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock (approximately 162,016 shares immediately after this offering), or (ii)
the average weekly trading volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar
weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale. Sales
under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements as to manner of sale,
the filing of a notice, and the availability of public information concerning
the Company. In addition, a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate
of the Company at any time during the three months preceding a sale and who
has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least three years
(including the contiguous holding period of any prior owner except an
affiliate), would be entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144(k) without
regard to the requirements described above.
 
  Any employee, officer or director of or consultant to the Company who
purchased his or her shares pursuant to a written compensatory plan or
contract is entitled to rely on the resale provisions of Rule 701 under the
Act, which permits nonaffiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares without having
to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation or
notice provisions of Rule 144 and permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701
shares without having to comply with the holding period restrictions set forth
in Rule 144, in each case commencing 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus.
 
  Approximately 373,780 shares of Common Stock which are not subject to lock-
up agreements will be eligible for immediate resale pursuant to Rule 144(k) as
of the date of this Prospectus, and approximately 29,257 shares of Common
Stock which are not subject to lock-up agreements will be eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 701 commencing 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus.
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
  Prior to this offering, there has been no market for the Common Stock of the
Company, and no predictions can be made as to the effect, if any, that market
sales of shares or the availability of shares for sale will have on the market
price prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts
of the Common Stock of the Company in the public market could adversely affect
prevailing market prices for the Common Stock and the ability of the Company
to raise equity capital in the future.
 
  The Company expects to file a registration statement under the Act after
this offering to register an additional 3,300,000 shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance under the 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, under which options
to purchase 1,434,590 shares of Common Stock had been granted as of March 31,
1996, 125,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan, none of
which have been issued, and 100,000 shares reserved for issuance under the
Director Plan, under which no options have been granted.
 
  Shares issued under such plans after the effective date of such registration
statement will be freely tradeable in the open market, upon expiration of the
agreements not to sell described above. See "Management."
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  The underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), acting through their
representatives, Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC, Alex. Brown & Sons
Incorporated and Montgomery Securities (the "Representatives"), have severally
agreed with the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the
Underwriting Agreement, to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock set
forth opposite their respective names below. The Underwriters are committed to
purchase and pay for all of such shares if any are purchased.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NUMBER
        UNDERWRITER                                                    OF SHARES
        -----------                                                    ---------
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC..................................
   Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated....................................
   Montgomery Securities..............................................
                                                                       ---------
     Total............................................................ 3,000,000
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
  The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose
to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at the initial public
offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and to certain
dealers at such price less a concession of not in excess of $   per share, of
which $     may be reallowed to other dealers. After the initial public
offering, the public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may
be reduced by the Representatives. No such reduction shall change the amount
of proceeds to be received by the Company as set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus.
 
  The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable during
the 30-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 450,000
additional shares of Common Stock at the same price per share as the Company
will receive for the 3,000,000 shares that the Underwriters have agreed to
purchase. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise such option, each of
the Underwriters will have a firm commitment to purchase approximately the
same percentage of such additional shares that the number of shares of Common
Stock to be purchased by it shown in the above table represents as a
percentage of the 3,000,000 shares offered hereby. If purchased, such
additional shares will be sold by the Underwriters on the same terms as those
on which the 3,000,000 shares are being sold.
 
  The Underwriting Agreement contains covenants of indemnity among the
Underwriters and the Company against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of
representations and warranties contained in the Underwriting Agreement.
 
  Each officer, director and certain other stockholders of the Company that
beneficially own or have dispositive power over approximately 11,960,185
shares of the Company's Common Stock have agreed with the Representatives for
a period of (i) 180 days after the effective date of this Prospectus with
respect to one-third of the shares held by them, (ii) 270 days after the
effective date of this Prospectus with regard to one-third of the shares held
by them, and (iii) 360 days after the effective date of this Prospectus with
regard to one-third of the shares held by them (the "Lock-Up Period"), subject
to certain exceptions, not to offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise
sell, dispose of, loan, pledge or grant any rights with respect to any shares
of Common Stock, any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common
Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common
Stock owned as of the date of this Prospectus or thereafter acquired directly
by such holders or with respect to which they have or hereafter acquire the
power of disposition, without the prior written consent of Robertson, Stephens
& Company LLC. However,
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC may, in its sole discretion and at any time
without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-
up agreements. Approximately 10,631,700 of such shares will be eligible for
immediate public sale following expiration of the Lock-Up Period, subject to
the provisions of Rule 144. In addition, the Company has agreed that during
the 360-day period after the date of this Prospectus, the Company will not,
without the prior written consent of Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC,
subject to certain exceptions, issue, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of, any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to purchase
any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into, exercisable for
or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock other than the Company's sale of
shares in this offering, the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of
outstanding options and the Company's issuance of options and shares under
existing employee stock option and stock purchase plans. See "Shares Eligible
For Future Sale."
 
  The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to any accounts over which
they exercise discretionary authority in excess of 5% of the number of shares
of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
  Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the Common
Stock offered hereby was determined through negotiations among the Company and
the Representatives. Among the factors considered in such negotiations were
prevailing market conditions, certain financial information of the Company,
market valuations of other companies that the Company and the Representatives
believe to be comparable to the Company, estimates of the business potential
of the Company, the present state of the Company's development and other
factors deemed relevant.
 
  In addition to the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be sold by the
Company in this offering, concurrent with this offering the Company will sell
$5,000,000 of Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy at a price equal to the initial
public offering price per share (555,556 shares assuming a purchase price of
$9.00 per share) and will sell $2,500,000 of Common Stock to JJDC at a price
equal to the initial public offering price per share (277,778 shares assuming
a purchase price of $9.00 per share). Such sales will be effected in private
placement transactions pursuant to separate agreements with each of Ciba-Geigy
and JJDC and not pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. The Representatives
will receive from the Company a financial advisory fee for their services in
connection with such transactions equal to 4% of the aggregate purchase price
paid by Ciba-Geigy and JJDC. The Underwriters will not receive any other
compensation in connection with such transactions.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo
Alto, California. As of the date of this Prospectus, 8,080 shares of the
Company's Common Stock were held by a member of such firm. Cooley Godward
Castro Huddleson & Tatum, Palo Alto and San Diego, California is acting as
counsel for the Underwriters in connection with certain legal matters relating
to this offering. As of the date of this Prospectus, 4,040 shares of the
Company's Common Stock were held by a member of such firm.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. as of December 31,
1994 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995 included in this Prospectus have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included elsewhere
herein and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"), Washington, D.C. 20549, a Registration Statement on Form S-1,
including amendments thereto, under the Act, with respect to the Common Stock
offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules filed
therewith. For further information with respect to the Company and the Common
Stock offered hereby, reference is made to such Registration Statement and to
the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this
Prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or other document referred
to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to
the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits and
schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at the principal office of
the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or
any part thereof may be obtained from such office upon the payment of
prescribed fees.
 
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors..........................  F-2
Balance Sheets.............................................................  F-3
Statements of Operations...................................................  F-4
Statements of Stockholders' Equity.........................................  F-5
Statements of Cash Flows...................................................  F-6
Notes to Financial Statements..............................................  F-7
NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.......................... F-16
Balance Sheet.............................................................. F-17
Note to Balance Sheet...................................................... F-18
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Neurocrine Biosciences,
Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related statements of
operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Neurocrine Biosciences,
Inc. at December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
San Diego, California
February 9, 1996, except for
 Note 8, as to which the
 date is March 29, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                        --------------------------   MARCH 31,
                                            1994          1995          1996
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
 <S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>
                ASSETS
 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents..........  $  4,716,052  $  6,392,749  $     37,504
   Short-term investments, available-
    for-sale (Note 2).................    13,511,703    12,303,460    20,524,894
   Receivables under collaborative
    agreements (Note 6)...............           --      1,000,000     2,854,344
   Other current assets...............       302,131       234,334       509,490
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
     Total current assets.............    18,529,886    19,930,543    23,926,232
 Furniture, equipment and leasehold
  improvements, net
  (Note 3)............................     2,685,079     2,772,844     2,741,823
 Licensed technology and patent
  application costs, net
  (Notes 3 and 5).....................       730,386       919,049       998,950
 Other assets.........................       399,045       389,296       412,697
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
     Total assets.....................  $ 22,344,396  $ 24,011,732  $ 28,079,702
                                        ============  ============  ============
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable...................  $    715,695  $    820,883  $    158,772
   Accrued liabilities (Note 3).......       628,046       879,287       405,117
   Deferred revenue...................           --        500,000       872,991
   Current portion of obligations
    under capital leases
    (Note 5)..........................       525,068       741,294       789,966
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
     Total current liabilities........     1,868,809     2,941,464     2,226,846
 Obligations under capital leases,
  less current portion
  (Note 5)............................     1,732,794     1,631,404     1,405,611
 Deferred rent........................           --        213,925       227,744
 Commitments (Note 5).................
 Stockholders' equity (Notes 2 and 4):
   Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value,
    5,000,000 shares authorized, no
    shares issued and outstanding.....           --            --            --
   Common Stock, no par value:
    Authorized shares--100,000,000
    Issued and outstanding shares--
     11,059,426 in 1994, 11,723,101 in
     1995 and 12,368,262 in 1996 .....    31,463,666    35,597,941    40,650,841
 Deferred compensation................           --       (342,679)     (370,627)
 Notes receivable from stockholders...      (148,263)     (138,177)     (135,559)
 Unrealized gains (losses) on short-
  term investments....................       (23,535)        3,319       (54,355)
 Accumulated deficit..................   (12,549,075)  (15,895,465)  (15,870,799)
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
     Total stockholders' equity.......    18,742,793    19,224,939    24,219,501
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
     Total liabilities and
      stockholders' equity............  $ 22,344,396  $ 24,011,732  $ 28,079,702
                                        ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                MARCH 31,
                          -------------------------------------  ----------------------
                             1993         1994         1995         1995        1996
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
Revenues under collabo-
 rative research agree-
 ments (Note 6):
  Sponsored research....  $       --   $       --   $ 3,750,000  $  625,000  $1,625,000
  License fees..........          --           --     2,000,000   2,000,000         --
Other revenues..........          --       161,533      355,750     126,781     533,978
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues......          --       161,533    6,105,750   2,751,781   2,158,978
Operating expenses:
  Research and
   development..........    2,803,819    6,230,483    7,740,128   1,848,391   1,794,484
  General and
   administrative.......    1,550,676    2,222,967    2,728,342     736,822     570,797
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
    Total operating ex-
     penses.............    4,354,495    8,453,450   10,468,470   2,585,213   2,365,281
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
Income (loss) from oper-
 ations.................   (4,354,495)  (8,291,917)  (4,362,720)    166,568    (206,303)
Interest income.........      135,944      785,640    1,137,004     294,440     259,164
Interest expense........      (17,742)    (157,960)    (297,675)    (74,416)    (71,822)
Other income (expense)..          --       (41,398)     177,001      27,000      43,627
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss).......  $(4,236,293) $(7,705,635) $(3,346,390) $  413,592  $   24,666
                          ===========  ===========  ===========  ==========  ==========
Net income (loss) per
 share..................  $     (0.64) $     (0.67) $     (0.27) $     0.03  $      --
                          ===========  ===========  ===========  ==========  ==========
Shares used in computing
 net income (loss) per
 share..................    6,635,387   11,433,482   12,183,582  12,409,419  13,240,248
</TABLE>
 
 
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                       STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              UNREALIZED
                                                                                    NOTES        GAINS
                      PREFERRED STOCK            COMMON STOCK                     RECEIVABLE  (LOSSES) ON
                  ------------------------  -----------------------   DEFERRED       FROM     SHORT-TERM  ACCUMULATED
                    SHARES       AMOUNT       SHARES      AMOUNT    COMPENSATION STOCKHOLDERS INVESTMENTS   DEFICIT
                  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------
<S>               <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
Balance at
 December 31,
 1992...........   10,408,334  $ 3,091,473   2,063,000  $    10,315  $     --     $ (50,000)   $     --   $   (607,147)
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for notes
 receivable.....          --           --      574,000       83,200        --       (83,200)         --            --
Issuance of
 Series A
 Preferred Stock
 for cash.......    1,225,000      354,559         --           --         --           --           --            --
Issuance of
 Series A
 Preferred Stock
 for notes
 receivable.....      175,000       52,500         --           --         --       (52,500)         --            --
Conversion of
 all outstanding
 shares of
 Series A
 Preferred Stock
 into Common
 Stock and a
 1.01 for
 1 split of all
 outstanding
 Common Stock...  (11,808,334)  (3,498,532)  2,411,654    3,498,532        --           --           --            --
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash and
 cancellation of
 debt in
 connection with
 the Company's
 private
 placement
 offering, net..          --           --    5,146,300   23,494,726        --           --           --            --
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for
 technology.....          --           --       11,000       55,000        --           --           --            --
Payments on
 notes
 receivable.....          --           --          --           --         --        24,776          --            --
Net loss........          --           --          --           --         --           --           --     (4,236,293)
                  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------    ---------    ---------  ------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1993...........          --           --   10,205,954   27,141,773        --      (160,924)         --     (4,843,440)
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash, net..          --           --      879,592    4,087,884        --           --           --            --
Repurchase of
 shares.........          --           --      (26,120)     (1,359)        --           --           --            --
Payment on notes
 receivable.....          --           --          --           --         --        12,661          --            --
Compensation
 related to
 grant of stock
 options........          --           --          --       235,368        --           --           --            --
Unrealized
 losses on
 short-term
 investments....          --           --          --           --         --           --       (23,535)          --
Net loss........          --           --          --           --         --           --           --     (7,705,635)
                  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------    ---------    ---------  ------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1994...........          --           --   11,059,426   31,463,666        --      (148,263)     (23,535)  (12,549,075)
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash.......          --           --      659,635    3,730,000        --           --           --            --
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for services...          --           --        4,040       20,200        --           --           --            --
Payment on notes
 receivable.....          --           --          --           --         --        10,086          --            --
Deferred
 compensation
 related to
 grant of stock
 options........          --           --          --       384,075   (384,075)         --           --            --
Amortization of
 deferred
 compensation...          --           --          --           --      41,396          --           --            --
Unrealized gains
 on short-term
 investments....          --           --          --           --         --           --        26,854           --
Net loss........          --           --          --           --         --           --           --     (3,346,390)
                  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------    ---------    ---------  ------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1995...........          --           --   11,723,101   35,597,941   (342,679)    (138,177)       3,319   (15,895,465)
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash
 (unaudited)....          --           --      645,161    5,000,000        --           --           --            --
Payments on
 notes
 receivable
 (unaudited)....          --           --          --           --         --         2,618          --            --
Deferred
 compensation
 related to
 grant of stock
 options
 (unaudited)....          --           --          --        52,900    (52,900)         --           --            --
Amortization of
 deferred
 compensation
 (unaudited)....          --           --          --           --      24,952          --           --            --
Unrealized
 losses on
 short-term
 investments
 (unaudited)....          --           --          --           --         --           --       (57,674)          --
Net income
 (unaudited)....          --           --          --           --         --           --           --         24,666
                  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------    ---------    ---------  ------------
Balance at March
 31, 1996
 (unaudited)....          --   $       --   12,368,262  $40,650,841  $(370,627)   $(135,559)   $(54,355)  $(15,870,799)
                  ===========  ===========  ==========  ===========  =========    =========    =========  ============
<CAPTION>
                      TOTAL
                  STOCKHOLDERS'
                     EQUITY
                  -------------
<S>               <C>
Balance at
 December 31,
 1992...........   $ 2,444,641
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for notes
 receivable.....           --
Issuance of
 Series A
 Preferred Stock
 for cash.......       354,559
Issuance of
 Series A
 Preferred Stock
 for notes
 receivable.....           --
Conversion of
 all outstanding
 shares of
 Series A
 Preferred Stock
 into Common
 Stock and a
 1.01 for
 1 split of all
 outstanding
 Common Stock...           --
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash and
 cancellation of
 debt in
 connection with
 the Company's
 private
 placement
 offering, net..    23,494,726
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for
 technology.....        55,000
Payments on
 notes
 receivable.....        24,776
Net loss........    (4,236,293)
                  -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1993...........    22,137,409
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash, net..     4,087,884
Repurchase of
 shares.........        (1,359)
Payment on notes
 receivable.....        12,661
Compensation
 related to
 grant of stock
 options........       235,368
Unrealized
 losses on
 short-term
 investments....       (23,535)
Net loss........    (7,705,635)
                  -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1994...........    18,742,793
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash.......     3,730,000
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for services...        20,200
Payment on notes
 receivable.....        10,086
Deferred
 compensation
 related to
 grant of stock
 options........           --
Amortization of
 deferred
 compensation...        41,396
Unrealized gains
 on short-term
 investments....        26,854
Net loss........    (3,346,390)
                  -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1995...........    19,224,939
Issuance of
 Common Stock
 for cash
 (unaudited)....     5,000,000
Payments on
 notes
 receivable
 (unaudited)....         2,618
Deferred
 compensation
 related to
 grant of stock
 options
 (unaudited)....           --
Amortization of
 deferred
 compensation
 (unaudited)....        24,952
Unrealized
 losses on
 short-term
 investments
 (unaudited)....       (57,674)
Net income
 (unaudited)....        24,666
                  -------------
Balance at March
 31, 1996
 (unaudited)....   $24,219,501
                  =============
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   MARCH 31,
                          ----------------------------------------  ------------------------
                              1993          1994          1995         1995         1996
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -----------
                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
Cash flow from operating
 activities:
Net income (loss).......  $ (4,236,293) $ (7,705,635) $ (3,346,390) $   413,592  $    24,666
Adjustments to reconcile
 net income (loss) to
 net cash provided by
 (used in) operating
 activities:
 Compensation expense
  recognized for stock
  options...............           --        235,368        41,396        2,250       24,952
 Common Stock issued
  for technology........           --            --         20,200          --           --
 Write-off of licensed
  technology and patent
  application costs.....           --        190,720           --           --           --
 Depreciation and amor-
  tization..............        97,208       515,294       715,398      158,889      205,305
 Deferred revenue.......           --            --        500,000    1,875,000      372,991
 Deferred rent..........           --            --        213,925      146,208       13,819
 Change in operating
  assets and liabili-
  ties:
   Accounts payable and
    accrued liabili-
    ties................     1,314,238          (786)      356,429     (513,313)  (1,136,281)
   Receivables under
    collaborative
    research
    agreements..........           --            --     (1,000,000)  (1,000,000)  (1,854,344)
   Other current as-
    sets................       (78,178)     (223,953)       67,797     (500,927)    (275,156)
   Other assets.........      (302,337)      (88,448)        9,516      (63,891)     (23,401)
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -----------
Net cash flows provided
 by (used in) operating
 activities.............    (3,205,362)   (7,077,440)   (2,421,729)     517,808   (2,647,449)
Cash flow from investing
 activities:
Purchases of short-term
 investments............           --    (43,394,769)  (17,854,139)  (5,234,125) (29,866,339)
Sales/maturities of
 short-term invest-
 ments..................           --     29,859,531    19,098,351    1,504,713   21,587,231
Purchase of licensed
 technology and expendi-
 tures for patent appli-
 cation costs...........      (275,034)     (235,541)     (263,261)     (39,621)    (105,899)
Purchases of furniture,
 equipment and leasehold
 improvements...........      (710,015)          --        (47,657)    (162,514)    (148,286)
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -----------
Net cash flows provided
 by (used in) investing
 activities.............      (985,049)  (13,770,779)      933,294   (3,931,547)  (8,533,293)
Cash flow from financing
 activities:
Repurchase of Common
 Stock..................           --         (1,359)          --           --           --
Issuance of Common
 Stock, net.............    23,494,726     4,087,884     3,730,000    3,730,000    5,000,000
Issuance of Preferred
 Stock, net.............       354,559           --            --           --           --
Principal payments on
 obligations under capi-
 tal leases.............       (54,655)     (222,875)     (574,954)    (126,552)    (177,121)
Advance received on cap-
 ital lease.............           --         49,399           --           --           --
Payments received on
 notes receivable from
 stockholders...........        24,776        12,661        10,086        2,471        2,618
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -----------
Net cash flows provided
 by financing activi-
 ties...................    23,819,406     3,925,710     3,165,132    3,605,919    4,825,497
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -----------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash equiv-
 alents.................    19,628,995   (16,922,509)    1,676,697      192,180   (6,355,245)
Cash and cash equiva-
 lents at beginning of
 period.................     2,009,566    21,638,561     4,716,052    4,716,052    6,392,749
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -----------
Cash and cash equiva-
 lents at end of peri-
 od.....................  $ 21,638,561  $  4,716,052  $  6,392,749  $ 4,908,232  $    37,504
                          ============  ============  ============  ===========  ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
 OF CASH FLOW
 INFORMATION
Interest paid...........  $     17,742  $    157,960  $    298,332  $    75,416  $    71,836
                          ============  ============  ============  ===========  ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF
 NONCASH INVESTING AND
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Furniture and equipment
 financed with obliga-
 tions under capital
 leases.................  $  1,008,536  $  1,477,457  $    689,791  $    54,890  $       --
                          ============  ============  ============  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
          (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months
                 ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Organization and Business Activity
 
  Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in California
on January 17, 1992. The Company is engaged in the discovery and development
of therapeutics for the treatment of diseases and disorders of the central
nervous and immune systems including anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease,
obesity and multiple sclerosis.
 
 Cash Equivalents
 
  The Company considers as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with
a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
 
 Short-Term Investments Available-for-Sale
 
  In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Debt and Equity Securities," short-term investments
are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are
carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported in a
separate component of stockholders' equity. The amortized cost of debt
securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of premiums and
accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in
investment income. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to
be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included
in investment income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific
identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as
available-for-sale are included in interest income.
 
  The Company invests its excess cash in high-grade commercial paper and
marketable debt securities of U.S. government agencies. Management has
established guidelines relative to diversification and maturities that
maintain safety and liquidity.
 
 Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
  Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are carried at cost.
Depreciation and amortization are provided over the estimated useful lives of
the assets, ranging from five to seven years, using the straight-line method.
 
 Licensed Technology and Patent Application Costs
 
  Licensed technology consists of exclusive, worldwide, perpetual licenses to
patents related to the Company's platform technology. Costs incurred related
to licensed technology and patent applications are capitalized at cost and
amortized over the shorter of the license term or estimated useful life of the
license rights or patents, generally 10 to 17 years.
 
 Asset Impairment
 
  The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of," effective January 1, 1996. SFAS No. 121 requires
impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated
to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount.
SFAS No. 121 also addresses the accounting for long-lived assets that are
expected to be disposed of. There was no effect on the financial statements
from the adoption of SFAS No. 121.
 
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended
                    March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 Options and Deferred Compensation
 
  The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) and related
Interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. As a result,
deferred compensation is recorded for the excess of the fair market value of
the stock on the date of the option grant, over the exercise price of the
options. Such deferred compensation is amortized over the vesting period of
the options.
 
 Interim Financial Information
 
  The financial statements as of March 31, 1996 and for the three months ended
March 31, 1995 and 1996 are unaudited, but include all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company considers necessary for a
fair statement of the financial position as of such date and the operating
results and cash flows for such periods. Results for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year.
 
 Research and Development Revenue and Expenses
 
  Revenue under strategic alliances is recognized over the term of the
agreement. Advance payments received in excess of amounts earned are
classified as deferred revenue. Revenues for cost reimbursement are recognized
as costs on a project are incurred. Research and development costs are
expensed as incurred.
 
 Net Income (Loss) Per Share
 
  Net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during each period. In addition, pursuant to certain
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Common Stock issued by
the Company during the 12 months immediately preceding the offering described
in this prospectus, plus the number of common equivalent shares which became
issuable during the same period pursuant to the grant of stock options and
warrants at prices below the expected initial public offering price, is
included in the calculation of the shares used in computing net income (loss)
per share as if these shares were outstanding for all periods presented, using
the treasury stock method. For the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996,
shares used in computing net income per share also includes common equivalent
shares arising from dilutive stock options and warrants which were issued more
than 12 months immediately preceding the offering described in this
Prospectus, using the treasury stock method. Income per share on a fully
diluted basis was unchanged.
 
 Reliance on Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 Reclassifications
 
  Certain amounts in the financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1994 have been reclassified to conform with current
classifications.
 
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended
                     March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 
2. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
  The following is a summary of short-term investments:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                               GROSS      GROSS
                                             UNREALIZED UNREALIZED  ESTIMATED
                                    COST       GAINS      LOSSES   FAIR VALUE
                                 ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
      <S>                        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
      MARCH 31, 1996
      U.S. Government agency
       securities............... $ 2,066,754   $  --     $(17,257) $ 2,049,497
      Certificates of deposit...     222,310      --          --       222,310
      Other debt securities.....  18,290,185      --      (37,098)  18,253,087
                                 -----------   ------    --------  -----------
        Total debt securities... $20,579,249   $  --     $(54,355) $20,524,894
                                 ===========   ======    ========  ===========
<CAPTION>
                                         AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                               GROSS      GROSS
                                             UNREALIZED UNREALIZED  ESTIMATED
                                    COST       GAINS      LOSSES   FAIR VALUE
                                 ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
      <S>                        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
      DECEMBER 31, 1995
      U.S. Government agency
       securities............... $ 6,982,363   $  --     $ (6,213) $ 6,976,150
      Certificates of deposit...     222,310      --          --       222,310
      Other debt securities.....   5,095,468    9,532         --     5,105,000
                                 -----------   ------    --------  -----------
        Total debt securities... $12,300,141   $9,532    $ (6,213) $12,303,460
                                 ===========   ======    ========  ===========
<CAPTION>
                                         AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                               GROSS      GROSS
                                             UNREALIZED UNREALIZED  ESTIMATED
                                    COST       GAINS      LOSSES   FAIR VALUE
                                 ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
      <S>                        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
      DECEMBER 31, 1994
      U.S. Government agency
       securities............... $11,010,429   $  860    $ (9,726) $11,001,563
      Other debt securities.....   2,524,809      --      (14,669)   2,510,140
                                 -----------   ------    --------  -----------
        Total debt securities... $13,535,238   $  860    $(24,395) $13,511,703
                                 ===========   ======    ========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  Gross realized gains and losses were not material for any of the reported
periods.
 
  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual
maturity, are shown below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ESTIMATED
                                                           COST     FAIR VALUE
                                                        ----------- -----------
      <S>                                               <C>         <C>
      MARCH 31, 1996
      Due in one year or less.......................... $   948,027 $   946,992
      Due after one year through three years...........  19,631,222  19,577,902
                                                        ----------- -----------
                                                        $20,579,249 $20,524,894
                                                        =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ESTIMATED
                                                           COST     FAIR VALUE
                                                        ----------- -----------
      <S>                                               <C>         <C>
      DECEMBER 31, 1995
      Due in one year or less.......................... $10,283,929 $10,293,460
      Due after one year through three years...........   2,016,212   2,010,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
                                                        $12,300,141 $12,303,460
                                                        =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended
                    March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 
  Excluded from the above table is $4,984,995 of commercial paper which is
classified as cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheet at December
31, 1995.
 
3. BALANCE SHEET DETAILS
 
  Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                DECEMBER 31,         MARCH 31,
                                           -----------------------  -----------
                                              1994        1995         1996
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>          <C>
Machinery and equipment..................  $2,072,443  $ 2,705,757  $ 2,848,481
Furniture and fixtures...................     720,397      788,958      791,520
Leasehold improvements...................     391,698      418,155      421,155
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
                                            3,184,538    3,912,870    4,061,156
Less accumulated depreciation and amorti-
 zation..................................    (499,459)  (1,140,026)  (1,319,333)
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
  Net furniture, equipment and leasehold
   improvements..........................  $2,685,079  $ 2,772,844  $ 2,741,823
                                           ==========  ===========  ===========
 
  Licensed technology and patent application costs consist of the following:
 
<CAPTION>
                                                DECEMBER 31,         MARCH 31,
                                           -----------------------  -----------
                                              1994        1995         1996
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>          <C>
Licensed technology and patent applica-
 tion costs..............................  $  818,329  $ 1,081,590  $ 1,187,489
Less accumulated amortization............     (87,943)    (162,541)    (188,539)
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
  Total..................................  $  730,386  $   919,049  $   998,950
                                           ==========  ===========  ===========
 
  Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
 
<CAPTION>
                                                DECEMBER 31,         MARCH 31,
                                           -----------------------  -----------
                                              1994        1995         1996
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>          <C>
Accrued employee benefits................  $  276,418  $   259,394  $   156,527
Accrued professional fees................     114,000      335,000      177,096
Other accrued liabilities................     237,628      284,893       71,494
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------
                                           $  628,046  $   879,287  $   405,117
                                           ==========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  Certain shares of Common Stock have been issued to founders, directors, and
employees of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company. Shares issued
under these agreements vest over periods up to four years. In connection with
the related stock purchase agreements, the Company has the option to
repurchase, at the original issue price, the unvested shares in the event of
termination of employment or engagement. At March 31, 1996, 139,190 shares
were subject to repurchase by the Company.
 
  Common Stock issued for services rendered and technology acquired have been
valued at the fair value of the stock issued or the technology acquired and
services rendered, pursuant to APB 29.
 
 Private Placement Offering
 
  In September 1993, the Company commenced a private placement offering under
which it sold approximately five million shares of Common Stock at $5.00 per
share in various closings through December 31, 1993, resulting in net proceeds
to the Company of approximately $23.5 million. In February 1994, the Company
completed the final closing of such private placement offering. Approximately
880,000 shares of Common Stock were issued at $5.00 per share in the final
closing, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $4.1
million.
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended
                    March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 
 Common Stock Issuances
 
  Concurrent with a collaborative research and development agreement entered
into in 1995 with Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. ("Janssen" -- Note 6), Johnson &
Johnson Development Corporation (an affiliate of Janssen) purchased 434,783
shares of the Company's Common Stock for $2.5 million and is obligated to
purchase an additional $2.5 million in Common Stock for $7.20 per share on the
earlier of July 1, 1996 or the closing of an initial public offering. The
price per share in the second purchase is subject to certain anti-dilution
adjustments if the Company completes an initial public offering within 10
months of the second purchase. If an initial public offering is consummated
prior to the second purchase, the Company has the right to require the second
purchase to be priced at the initial public offering price per share.
 
  In February 1995, the Company sold 213,913 shares of Common Stock at $5.75
per share to one investor for $1,230,000.
 
 Options
 
  In September 1992, the Board of Directors adopted the 1992 Incentive Stock
Plan ("the Plan"), under which 3,098,800 shares of Common Stock are reserved
for issuance upon exercise of options or stock purchase rights granted by the
Company. The Plan provides for the grant of stock options and stock purchase
rights to officers, directors, and employees of, and consultants and advisors
to, the Company. Options may be designated as incentive stock options or
nonstatutory stock options; however, incentive stock options may be granted
only to employees of the Company. Options under the Plan have a term of up to
10 years from the date of grant. The exercise prices of incentive stock
options must equal at least the fair market value on the date of grant, and
the exercise price of nonstatutory stock options may be no less than 85% of
the fair market value on the date of grant.
 
  As of March 31, 1996, options to purchase 696,718 shares were exercisable
and 320,910 shares were available for future grant.
 
  The following table summarizes stock option activity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SHARES    EXERCISE PRICE
                                                       ---------  --------------
     <S>                                               <C>        <C>
     Outstanding at December 31, 1992.................       --            --
       Granted........................................   539,926         $2.50
                                                       ---------
     Outstanding at December 31, 1993.................   539,926         $2.50
       Granted........................................   380,334   $2.50-$5.00
       Cancelled......................................   (14,750)  $2.50-$5.00
                                                       ---------
     Outstanding at December 31, 1994.................   905,510   $2.50-$5.00
       Granted........................................   638,100   $4.25-$5.00
       Cancelled......................................  (128,420)  $2.50-$5.00
                                                       ---------
     Outstanding at December 31, 1995................. 1,415,190   $2.50-$5.00
       Granted........................................    19,400   $4.25-$5.00
                                                       ---------
     Outstanding at March 31, 1996.................... 1,434,590   $2.50-$5.00
                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended
                    March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 
 Warrants
 
  In connection with the private placement offering, the Company issued
warrants in 1993 and 1994 to purchase 520,589 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $5.00 per share to the placement agents. In general, the
warrants have a five-year term and are exercisable on the earlier of 180 days
after the closing date of an initial public offering of the Company's
securities, the date of a change in control of the Company (as such is defined
in the warrant agreement) or four years and 270 days after the date of
issuance. Through March 31, 1996, none of the warrants had been exercised or
were exercisable. The Company has reserved 520,589 shares of Common Stock for
issuance upon exercise of the warrants.
 
5. COMMITMENTS
 
 Leases
 
  The Company leases its corporate and laboratory facilities under an
operating lease which expires in January 2004. The lease requires the Company
to pay all maintenance, insurance and property taxes and is subject to certain
minimum escalation provisions. Rent expense was approximately $85,000,
$667,000, $798,000, $348,000 and $227,000 for the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996,
respectively, and sublease rental revenue totaled approximately $133,000,
$177,000, $27,000 and $44,000 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995
and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
  The Company leases a significant portion of its furniture and equipment
under capital leases. Furniture and equipment under capital leases were
approximately $2,737,000 and $3,368,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively. Accumulated amortization of furniture and equipment under
capital leases totaled $456,000 and $1,043,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
  Future minimum payments at December 31, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         OBLIGATIONS
                                                            UNDER
                                                           CAPITAL   OPERATING
                                                           LEASES      LEASES
                                                         ----------- ----------
      <S>                                                <C>         <C>
      1996.............................................. $  993,768  $  735,290
      1997..............................................    920,133     757,349
      1998..............................................    758,411     780,070
      1999..............................................    129,190     803,472
      2000..............................................        --      827,576
      Thereafter........................................        --    2,634,692
                                                         ----------  ----------
        Total minimum payments..........................  2,801,502  $6,538,449
                                                                     ==========
      Amount representing interest......................    428,804
                                                         ----------
      Present value of net minimum payments.............  2,372,698
      Less current portion..............................    741,294
                                                         ----------
      Long-term obligations under capital leases........ $1,631,404
                                                         ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (Information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended
                    March 31, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited)
 
  Future minimum rental income to be received under noncancellable subleases
at December 31, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                                <C>
     1996.............................................................. $145,800
     1997..............................................................   72,900
                                                                        --------
       Total........................................................... $218,700
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>
 
 Licensing and Research Agreements
 
  The Company has entered into licensing agreements with various universities
and research organizations. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company
has received licenses to technology, or technology claimed, in certain patents
or patent applications. The Company is required to make payments of
nonrefundable license fees and royalties on future sales of products employing
the technology or falling under claims of a patent, and, under certain
agreements, minimum royalty payments. Certain agreements also require the
Company to make payments of up to an aggregate of approximately $4.9 million
upon the achievement of specified milestones. The Company has capitalized
certain expenditures for licensed technology and patent application costs
related to these agreements, totaling $1.2 million through December 31, 1995.
Management regularly monitors the status of all such licensed technology and
patents. Impairment of the licensed technology and patents is determined using
undiscounted cash flow projections. As of each balance sheet date there was no
impairment in such assets. In 1994, the Company expensed approximately
$191,000 related to projects which are no longer being pursued.
 
6. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
 
  On January 1, 1995, the Company entered into a research and development
agreement (the "Janssen Agreement") with Janssen to collaborate in the
discovery, development and commercialization of CRF receptor antagonists
focusing on the treatment of anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Janssen
agreed to pay the Company a $2.0 million license fee of which $1.0 million was
received in 1995 and $1.0 million will be received in 1996. Janssen is
obligated to provide the Company with $3.0 million in sponsored research
payments per year during the term of the research program. The term of the
research program is three years, with Janssen having the right to extend such
term for two additional one-year periods.
 
  The Company is entitled to receive up to $10.0 million in milestone payments
for the indications of anxiety, depression and substance abuse, and up to $9.0
million in milestone payments for any other indication, if certain development
milestones are achieved, of which $750,000 was received in 1995. The Company
has granted Janssen an exclusive worldwide license to manufacture and market
products developed under the Janssen Agreement. The Company is entitled to
receive royalties on product sales throughout the world. The Company has
certain rights to co-promote such products in North America. Janssen is
responsible for funding all clinical development and marketing activities,
including reimbursement to Neurocrine for its promotional efforts, if any.
 
  Janssen has the right to terminate the Janssen Agreement upon six months
notice. However, in the event of termination, other than termination by
Janssen for cause or as a result of the acquisition of Neurocrine, Janssen
remains obligated to continue all sponsored research payments for the term of
the research program and all product and technology rights become the
exclusive property of Neurocrine.
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1996, AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                    MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996, IS UNAUDITED)
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
  At December 31, 1995, the Company had federal and California income tax net
operating loss carryforwards of approximately $14.8 million and $1.9 million,
respectively. The difference between the federal and California tax loss
carryforwards is primarily attributable to the capitalization of research and
development expenses for California income tax purposes and the 50% limitation
on California loss carryforwards.
 
  The federal and California tax loss carryforwards will begin to expire in
2007 and 1997, respectively, unless previously utilized. The Company also has
federal and California research tax credit carryforwards of approximately
$680,000 and $314,000, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2007 unless
previously utilized.
 
  Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Sections 382 and 383, annual use of the
Company's net operating loss and credit carryforwards may be limited because
of cumulative changes in ownership of more than 50% which occurred during 1992
and 1993. However, the Company does not believe such changes will have a
material impact upon the utilization of these carryforwards.
 
  Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets as of December
31, 1994 and 1995 are shown below. A valuation allowance, which was increased
by $1,496,000 in 1995, has been recognized to fully offset the deferred tax
assets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 as realization of such assets is
uncertain.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ------------------------
                                                          1994         1995
                                                       -----------  -----------
     <S>                                               <C>          <C>
     Deferred tax assets:
       Net operating loss carryforwards............... $ 4,214,000  $ 5,279,000
       Research and development credits...............     680,000      884,000
       Capitalized research and development...........     524,000      656,000
       Other, net.....................................      62,000      157,000
                                                       -----------  -----------
         Total deferred tax assets....................   5,480,000    6,976,000
     Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets......  (5,480,000)  (6,976,000)
                                                       -----------  -----------
     Net deferred tax assets.......................... $       --   $       --
                                                       ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
 Ciba-Geigy Limited
 
  In January 1996, the Company entered into a binding letter agreement (the
"Ciba-Geigy Agreement") with Ciba-Geigy to develop altered peptide ligand
therapeutics for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The Company and Ciba-
Geigy are negotiating a definitive agreement incorporating the terms and
conditions set forth in the Ciba-Geigy Agreement and such other terms and
conditions as agreed to by the Company and Ciba-Geigy. Pursuant to the Ciba-
Geigy Agreement, Ciba-Geigy is obligated to provide the Company with $12.0
million in license fee payments and research funding over the first two years
of the Ciba-Geigy Agreement and thereafter up to $15.5 million in additional
research and development funding (unless the Ciba-Geigy Agreement is sooner
terminated).
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1996, AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                    MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996, IS UNAUDITED)
 
  The Company is entitled to receive milestone payments if certain research,
development and regulatory milestones are achieved. The Company has granted
Ciba-Geigy an exclusive license outside of the United States and Canada to
market altered peptide ligand products developed under the Ciba-Geigy
Agreement for multiple sclerosis. The Company is entitled to receive royalties
on product sales. At its option, the Company is entitled to receive a share of
the profits resulting from sales of altered peptide ligand products in North
America subject to the Company's repayment of a portion of Ciba-Geigy's
development costs. The Company retains the right to convert its profit share
to the right to receive royalty payments at its sole discretion in which case
no repayment of development costs are due to Ciba-Geigy. If the product's
clinical trials are not successfully completed, the Company will be obligated
to repay a portion of the development costs.
 
  Ciba-Geigy has the right to terminate the Ciba-Geigy Agreement at any time
after December 30, 1997 on six months notice. Upon such termination by Ciba-
Geigy all product and technology rights become the exclusive property of the
Company.
 
  In connection with the Ciba-Geigy Agreement, Ciba-Geigy purchased $5.0
million of the Company's Common Stock in January 1996.
 
NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.
 
  In March 1996, the Company established Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.
("NPI"), a subsidiary of the Company in Canada. The Company licensed to NPI
certain technology and Canadian marketing rights to the Company's Neurosteroid
and Neurogenomics programs. A group of Canadian institutional investors (the
"Canadian Investors") invested approximately $9.5 million in NPI in exchange
for Preferred Stock of NPI which may be converted into 1,279,584 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an effective conversion price of $7.45 at the option
of the investors. NPI has committed to use these funds for clinical
development of the Neurosteroid program for Alzheimer's disease and for
research activities related to the Neurogenomics program. In exchange for
providing funding, NPI is entitled to receive royalties on sales of products
developed in these programs as well as exclusive Canadian marketing rights for
such products in the event that the Company has not terminated the technology
license and marketing rights or that the Canadian Investors have not converted
their NPI Preferred Stock into shares of the Company's Common Stock. The
Company has the right to terminate the technology license and marketing
rights, provided that the Company is then obligated to purchase the shares of
NPI Preferred Stock held by the Canadian Investors in exchange for cash and
Common Stock (valued at the market closing price) whose aggregate value equals
$9.5 million plus a 35% annual compound rate of return from the date of the
original investment (March 1996) provided the investors have not previously
converted their shares. In connection with their investment in NPI, the
Canadian Investors received warrants exercisable for 383,875 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the price per share at
which Common Stock is sold in this offering. These warrants will be valued
upon the completion of this offering, and the related cost will be amortized
over a five-year period. The amortization of such expense will not be material
to future operating results. The Canadian Investors are also eligible to
receive additional warrants in the future exercisable at an exercise price of
$7.75 per share for such warrants issued prior to June 30, 1998 and thereafter
at an exercise price equal to 110% of the then current market value of the
Common Stock in the event that NPI is successful in receiving certain
government incentives for research activities, with the aggregate exercise
price of such additional warrants equal to 25% of the dollar amount of such
incentives received by NPI. Since the Company does not have a majority
interest in NPI, NPI is not consolidated. The Company will recognize its pro
rata share of the cumulative profits of NPI as they are earned. All cumulative
losses of NPI will be allocated to the majority owners as the Company has not
contributed any assets with an accounting basis to NPI.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Neuroscience Pharma (NPI)
Inc. as of March 31, 1996. This balance sheet is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this
balance sheet based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc. at
March 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Diego, California
April 3, 1996
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                         NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
Cash and total assets...............................................  $9,245,204
                                                                      ==========
 
              REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, no par value; unlimited shares
 authorized, 1,300,000 shares issued and outstanding (stated at liq-
 uidation and redemption value) (Note 2) ...........................  $9,545,900
</TABLE>
 
Stockholders' equity:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
 Common Stock, no par value; unlimited shares authorized, 13,000
  shares issued and
  outstanding......................................................        --
 Accumulated deficit (Note 2) .....................................   (300,696)
                                                                    ----------
Total redeemable preferred stock and stockholders' equity.......... $9,245,204
                                                                    ==========
</TABLE>
 
See note to balance sheet.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
 
                             NOTE TO BALANCE SHEET
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS ACTIVITY
 
  Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc. ("NPI") was established on March 29, 1996 as
a Canadian subsidiary of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. ("Neurocrine").
Neurocrine licensed to NPI certain technology and Canadian marketing rights to
its Neurosteroid and Neurogenomics programs. NPI's focus will be clinical
development of the Neurosteroid program for Alzheimer's disease and research
activities related to the Neurogenomics program.
 
  NPI has not yet commenced operations, and its only activity to date has been
the initial funding provided by a group of Canadian institutional investors,
net of related offering expenses.
 
  The accompanying balance sheet is stated in U.S. dollars.
 
 CASH AND CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
  NPI has invested its cash in a highly liquid money market account with a
Canadian bank.
 
2. REDEEMABLE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Series A Preferred Stock is nonvoting. The holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors, cumulative preferential dividends equal to the royalties received
by NPI from sales of its products. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
are also entitled to a liquidation preference equal to the original purchase
price of such shares plus any unpaid cumulative dividends. NPI may repurchase
the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock at any time at the
liquidation value, and the holders may demand redemption of such shares at the
liquidation value at their option.
 
  NPI paid a fee of $300, 6% related to the sale of the Series A Preferred
Stock. Since the Preferred Stock is carried on the balance sheet at its
redemption value (currently the original purchase price), such costs were
charged to the accumulated deficit.
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
[LOGO OF NEUROCRINE                   NEUROCRINE
BIOSCIENCES, INC. APPEARS HERE]       -----------------
                                      BIOSCIENCES, INC.
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
  The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the
underwriting commission, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale
of Common Stock being registered. All amounts are estimates except the SEC
Registration Fee, the NASD Filing Fee and the Nasdaq National Market
Application Fee.
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                              <C>
      SEC Registration Fee............................................ $ 11,897
      NASD Filing Fee.................................................    3,950
      Nasdaq National Market Application Fee..........................   20,000
      Blue Sky Qualification Fees and Expenses........................   15,000
      Printing and Engraving Expenses.................................   50,000
      Legal Fees and Expenses.........................................  225,000
      Accounting Fees and Expenses....................................   75,000
      Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees...............................   10,000
      Miscellaneous Expenses..........................................   89,153
                                                                       --------
          Total....................................................... $500,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to
indemnify its directors, officers, employees and other agents in terms
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification (including reimbursement for
expenses) under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Registrant's Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions covering indemnification of
corporate directors, officers and other agents against certain liabilities and
expenses incurred as a result of proceedings involving such persons in their
capacities as directors, officers, employees or agents, including proceedings
under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
  The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides for the
indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware
law.
 
  The Registrant's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of officers,
directors and third parties acting on behalf of the corporation if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not
opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any
creiminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe
his conduct was unlawful.
 
  The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for
inthe Registrant's Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification
agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.
 
  The Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration
Statement provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of the Registrant
and its officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the
Securities Act, or otherwise.
 
  At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a
director, officer, employee or other agent of the Registrant in which
indemnification is being sought, nor is the Registrant aware of any threatened
litigation that may result in a claim for indeminfication by any director,
officer, employee or other agent of the Registrant.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
  Since December 31, 1992, the Registrant has sold and issued the following
securities which were not registered under the Securities Act:
 
    1. From December 31, 1992 to March 31, 1996 the Company sold and issued
  an aggregate of 3,000,694 shares of Common Stock to employees, consultants,
  founders and directors for consideration in the aggregate amount of
  $3,656,932.
 
    2. From September 1993 to February 1994 the Company sold and issued an
  aggregate of 6,025,892 shares of Common Stock in a private placement (the
  "Private Placement") at a price of $5.00 per share, for cash in the
  aggregate amount of $30,129,460. The principal placement agents of the
  Private Placement included Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated, Gruntal &
  Co., Incorporated and D. Blech & Company, Incorporated. From September 1993
  to February 1994, in connection with the Private Placement, the Company
  issued warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 520,589 shares of Common
  Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share to the placement agents and
  their representatives.
 
    3. In January 1996, the Company sold and issued an aggregate of 645,161
  shares of Common Stock to Ciba-Geigy Limited at $7.75 per share, for cash
  in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000.
 
    4. In January 1995, the Company sold and issued an aggregate of 434,783
  shares of Common Stock to Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (an
  affiliate of Janssen) at $5.75 per share for cash in the aggregate amount
  of $2,500,000.
 
    5. In February 1995, the Company sold and issued an aggregate of 213,913
  shares of Common Stock to Neuroscience Partners Limited Partnership at
  $5.75 per share for cash in the aggregate amount of $1,230,000.
 
    6. In March 1996, in connection with the financing of the Company's
  subsidiary NPI, the Company issued warrants exercisable for 388,375 shares
  of Common Stock to certain institutional investors.
 
  The sales and issuances of securities in the above transactions were deemed
to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, principally by virtue
of Section 4(2) thereof as transactions by an issuer not involving a public
offering. Additionally, certain issuances described in Item 15(1) and (2)
above were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon
Rule 701 and Regulation D, respectively, promulgated thereunder.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
  (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>      
     <C>    <S>
      1.1+  Form of Underwriting Agreement.
      3.1+  Articles of Incorporation of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a
            California corporation, as amended and in effect prior to the
            Registrant's reincorporation in Delaware.
      3.2+  Certificate of Incorporation of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a
            Delaware corporation, as in effect immediately following the
            Registrant's reincorporation in Delaware.
      3.3+  Bylaws of the Registrant, as in effect prior to the Registrant's
            reincorporation in Delaware.
      3.4+  Bylaws of the Registrant, as in effect immediately following the
            Registrant's reincorporation in Delaware.
      4.1+  Form of Lock-Up Agreement.
      4.2+  Form of Common Stock Certificate.
      4.3+  Form of warrant issued to existing warrant holders.
      4.4+* Form of Series A Warrant issued in connection with the execution by
            the Registrant of the Unit Purchase Agreement. (See exhibit 10.20)
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>      
     <C>      <S>
      4.5+    New Registration Rights Agreement dated March 29, 1996 among the
              Registrant and the investors signatory thereto.
      5.1+    Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
              Corporation.
     10.1+    Information and Registration Rights Agreement dated September 15,
              1992, as amended to date.
     10.2+    1992 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended, and form of incentive
              stock option agreement and nonstatutory stock option agreement.
     10.3+    1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
     10.4+    1996 Director Stock Option Plan, and form of stock option
              agreement.
     10.5+    Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement.
     10.6+    Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1993, between the Registrant
              and Gary A. Lyons, as amended.
     10.7+    Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1993, between the Registrant
              and Errol B. De Souza, Ph.D.
     10.8+    Employment Agreement dated May 8, 1993, between the Registrant
              and Paul W. Hawran.
     10.9+    Consulting Agreement dated September 25, 1992, between the
              Registrant and Wylie A. Vale, Ph.D.
     10.10+   Consulting Agreement dated effective as of January 1, 1992,
              between the Registrant and Lawrence J. Steinman, M.D.
     10.11+   Lease Agreement dated June 1, 1993, between the Registrant and
              Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company, as amended.
     10.12++  Exclusive License Agreement dated as of July 1, 1993, by and
              between the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope and
              the Registrant covering the treatment of nervous system
              degeneration and Alzheimer's Disease.
     10.13++  Exclusive License Agreement dated as of July 1, 1993, by and
              between the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope and
              the Registrant covering the use of Pregnenolone for the
              enhancement of memory.
     10.14++  License Agreement dated May 20, 1992, by and between The Salk
              Institute for Biological Studies and the Registrant.
     10.15++  License Agreement dated July 17, 1992, by and between The Salk
              Institute for Biological Studies and the Registrant.
     10.16++  License Agreement dated November 16, 1993, by and between The
              Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Registrant.
     10.17++  License Agreement dated October 19, 1992, by and between The
              Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University and
              the Registrant.
     10.18++* Agreement dated January 1, 1995, by and between the Registrant
              and Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.
     10.19++  Letter Agreement dated January 19, 1996, by and between the
              Registrant and Ciba-Geigy Limited.
     10.20++* Unit Purchase Agreement dated March 29, 1996, by and between
              Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc., the Registrant and the investors
              signatory thereto.
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>      
     <C>      <S>
     10.21++* Exchange Agreement dated March 29, 1996, by and between
              Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and the Registrant and the
              investors signatory thereto.
     10.22++  Research and Development Agreement dated March 29, 1996, by and
              between Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and Neuroscience
              Pharma (NPI) Inc.
     10.23++* Intellectual Property and License Grants agreement dated March
              29, 1996, by and between the Registrant and Neurocrine
              Biosciences (Canada) Inc.
     11.1+    Computation of Net Loss per Share.
     21.1+    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
     23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors (see page II-
              7).
     23.2+    Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
              Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1).
     24.1+    Power of Attorney.
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
  * Amended and Restated exhibit refiled in response to the Commission's
    comments.     
  + Previously filed by the Registrant.
 ++ Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions
    of this exhibit which was previously filed by the Registrant. Omitted
    portions were previously filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission.
 
  (b) Financial Statements and Schedules
 
    (1) Financial Statements
 
    The financial statements filed as part of this Registration Statement are
     listed in the Index to Financial Statements of the Company on Page F-1.
 
    (2) Schedules
 
    All Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
     regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted
     because they are not required under the related instructions, are
     inapplicable or because the information required thereby has been
     included in the Financial Statements.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (a) It will provide to the Underwriters at the closing as specified in
  the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and
  registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt
  delivery to each purchaser.
 
    (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act, may
  be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  Registrant, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
  Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
  event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
  the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
  officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense
  of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
  controlling person in connection with the securities being registered the
  Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been
  settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction in the question whether such indemnification by it is against
  public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue.
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
    (c) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the
  information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a
  registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form
  of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
  497(h) under the Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration
  statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (d) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
  post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and this offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Registrant has duly caused this
Amendment No. 3 to Registrant Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of
California, on the 21st day of May, 1996.     
 
                                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
                                          By:
                                                     /s/ Gary A. Lyons
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                       Gary A. Lyons
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                                          Officer
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, this Amendment No. 3 to
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                            TITLE                     DATE
             ---------                            -----                     ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                             <C>
         /s/ Gary A. Lyons           President, Chief Executive         May 21, 1996
____________________________________  Officer and Director
           Gary A. Lyons              (Principal Executive Officer)
 
          Paul W. Hawran*            Senior Vice President and Chief    May 21, 1996
____________________________________  Financial Officer (Principal
           Paul W. Hawran             Financial and Accounting
                                      Officer)
 
   Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D.*      Director                           May 21, 1996
____________________________________
    Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D.
 
          Howard Birndorf*           Director                           May 21, 1996
____________________________________
          Howard Birndorf
 
          David Robinson*            Director                           May 21, 1996
____________________________________
           David Robinson
 
        David Schnell, M.D.*         Director                           May 21, 1996
____________________________________
        David Schnell, M.D.
       Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D.*         Director                           May 21, 1996
____________________________________
        Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D.

          /s/ Gary A. Lyons
  *_________________________________
   By Gary A. Lyons, Attorney in
   fact                                                                 May 21, 1996
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
 
              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
   
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Selected Financial Data" and to the use of our reports dated February 9,
1996, except for Note 8, as to which the date is March 29, 1996, with respect
to Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., and April 3, 1996, with respect to
Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc., in Amendment No. 3 to the Registration
Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
for the registration of 3,450,000 shares of its common stock.     
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Diego, California
   
May 21, 1996     
 
                                     II-7
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>
                                                                  SEQUENTIALLY
 EXHIBIT NO.                     DESCRIPTION                      NUMBERED PAGE
 -----------                     -----------                      -------------
    4.4*     Form of Series A Warrant issued in connection with
             the execution by the Registrant of the Unit
             Purchase Agreement. (See exhibit 10.20)
   10.18+*   Agreement dated January 1, 1995, by and between
             the Registrant and Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.
   10.20+*   Unit Purchase Agreement dated March 29, 1996, by
             and between Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc., the
             Registrant and the investors signatory thereto.
   10.21+*   Exchange Agreement dated March 29, 1996, by and
             between Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and
             the Registrant and the investors signatory
             thereto.
   10.23+*   Intellectual Property and License Grants agreement
             dated March 29, 1996, by and between the
             Registrant and Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada)
             Inc.
   23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors
             (see page II-7).
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
* Amended and Restated exhibit refiled in response to the Commission's
comments.     
   
+ Confidential treatment requested.     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.


                               SERIES A WARRANT

                     To Purchase Shares of Common Stock of

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received,___________________________________
 The Health Care and Biotechnology Venture Fund is entitled, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time after the earlier
of an IPO and March 31, 1997 but prior to March 26, 2006 (the "Exercise
Period"), to subscribe for the purchase from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a
California corporation (the "Company"), at the Exercise Price, of that number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock which is equal to 30% of the Amount
Invested divided by 7.45, subject to adjustment as set forth below. For the
purposes hereof:

"Amount Invested" means the amount of funds invested in Neuroscience Pharma
(NPI) Inc. by the first Investor to hold this Warrant pursuant to and as
reflected in Exhibit C to the Unit Purchase Agreement entered into on March 29,
1996 among the Company, Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc. and the Investors;

"Exercise Price" means the price per share of Common Stock in US$ determined as
follows: (A) in the event an IPO occurs prior to March 31, 1997, the IPO Price,
(B) between April 1, 1997 and December 31, 1998, US $8.00 or, in the event there
has been an IPO, the lesser of $8.00 and the IPO Price, or (C) between January
1, 1999 and March 26, 2006, $6.25 or, in the event there has been an IPO, the
lesser of $6.25 and the IPO Price;

"Investors" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Unit Purchase
Agreement;

"IPO" means the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock;

"IPO Price" means the offering price for the Company's Common Stock referred to
in the registration statement filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (prior to deduction of underwriters' discounts and other
offering expenses);

<PAGE>
 
and the Amount Invested shall be converted from C$ to US$, for the purpose of
determining the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock to which the
holder is entitled, by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street
Journal on the last day the newspaper is published preceding the date of
issuance hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have, at anytime during
the Exercise Period, upon the exercise by the holder hereof, the right to "cash
out" this Warrant by paying to the holder hereof the net cash value of the
Warrant (being, if and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, the
average closing price for the five trading days which precede by two trading
days the date of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto minus the Exercise
Price,  multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock then represented by
this Warrant), provided such cash value is less than US $100,000.

     1.   Title of Warrant.  Prior to the expiration hereof and subject to
          ----------------                                                
compliance with applicable laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are
transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the Company,
referred to in Section 2 hereof, by the holder hereof in person or by duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment
Form annexed hereto properly endorsed.

     2.   Exercise of Warrant.  The rights to acquire shares of Common Stock
          -------------------                                               
represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the registered holder hereof, in
whole or in part, at any time during the Exercise Period, subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided, by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of
Exercise Form annexed hereto duly executed at the office of the Company, in San
Diego, California (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may
designate by notice in writing to the registered holder hereof at the address of
such holder appearing on the books of the Company), and upon payment of the
Exercise Price for the shares thereby purchased (a) by cash or check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company, (b) by cancellation of indebtedness
of the Company payable to the holder hereof at the time of the exercise, or (c)
if and only if the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an election
in writing to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant (or the portion thereof
being issued upon such exercise) less that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value as of such date equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of
the Warrant (or such portion thereof which is being exercised), whereupon the
holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number
of shares so purchased.  The Company agrees that, if at the time of the
surrender of this Warrant and purchase the holder hereof shall be entitled to
exercise this Warrant, the shares so purchased shall be and be deemed to be
issued to such holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of
business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as
aforesaid.

     Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be delivered to the
holder hereof within a reasonable time, but not later than ten (10) days, after
the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     If this Warrant is exercised with respect to less than all of the shares
covered hereby, the holder hereof shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant, in
this form, covering the number of shares with respect to which this Warrant
shall not have been exercised less that number of shares (if any) cancelled in
payment of the Exercise Price of the Warrant as set forth in clause 2.(c) 
hereof.

     The Company covenants that all shares of stock which may be issued upon the
exercise of rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights
represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue
thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously
with such issue).

     3.   No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip
          -----------------------------                                
representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

     4.   Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of certificates for shares of
          ---------------------------                                         
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name
of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may be directed by the
holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event certificates for
                        --------  -------                                    
shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than the name of the
holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be
accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the holder
hereof; and provided further, that upon any transfer involved in the issuance or
            ----------------                                                    
delivery of any certificates for shares of Common Stock, the Company may
require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it
for any transfer tax incidental thereto.

     5.   No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant does not entitle the holder
          -------------------------                                           
hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the exercise hereof.

     6.   Exchange and Registry of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon
          --------------------------------                                     
the surrender hereof by the registered holder at the above-mentioned office or
agency of the Company, for a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such
exchange.

     7.   Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant.  Upon receipt by 
          -------------------------------------------------
the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation,
in lieu of this Warrant.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     8.   Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for
          ---------------------------------                                   
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall be a Saturday or a Sunday or shall be a legal holiday, then such
action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day
not a legal holiday.

     9.   Adjustment.
          ---------- 

          (a)  Shares.  The number of shares and the type of stock for which 
               -------        
this Warrant is exercisable and the Exercise Price are subject to adjustment
from time to time as follows:

               (i)  In the event of any subdivision or change of the shares of
Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a
greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter deliver
at the time of purchase of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of
the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the right to purchase
is then being exercised, such greater number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company as would result from said subdivision or change had the right of
purchase been exercised before such subdivision or change without the holder
making any additional payment or giving any other consideration therefor.

              (ii)  In the event of any consolidation of the shares of Common
Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a lesser
number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter deliver, and the
holder of this Warrant shall accept, at the time of purchase of shares of Common
Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock in
respect of which the right to purchase is then being exercised, such lesser
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as would result from such
consolidation had the right of purchase been exercised before such
consolidation.

             (iii)  In the event of any reclassification of the shares of Common
Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, the Company
shall thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of shares of Common Stock under
this Warrant the number of shares of the Company of the appropriate class or
classes resulting from said reclassification as the holder would have been
entitled to receive in respect of purchase of shares of Common Stock in respect
of which the right of purchase is then being exercised had the right of purchase
been exercised before such reclassification.

              (iv)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall distribute any class of shares or rights, options or warrants
(other than those referred to above) or evidence of indebtedness or property
(excluding cash dividends paid in the ordinary course) to holders of shares of
Common Stock of the Company, the number of shares to be issued by the Company
under this Warrant shall, at the time of purchase, be appropriately adjusted and
the holder shall receive, in lieu of the number of shares in respect of which
the right to purchase is then being exercised, the aggregate number of shares or
other securities or property that the holder would have been entitled to receive
as a result of such event if, on the record date 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
thereof, the holder had been the registered holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock to which the holder was theretofore entitled upon exercise of the
rights of the holder hereunder.

               (v)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall pay any stock dividend upon shares of stock of the Company of
the class or classes in respect of which the right to purchase is then given
under this Warrant, then the Company shall thereafter deliver at the time of
purchase of shares under this Warrant, in addition to the number of shares of
stock of the Company in respect of which the right of purchase is then being
exercised, the additional number of shares of the appropriate class or classes
as would have been payable on the shares of stock of the Company so purchased if
the shares so purchased had been outstanding on the record date for the payment
of the said stock dividend or stock dividends.

              (vi)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall be a party to any transaction (including, without limitation,
a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets or outstanding stock, or a recapitalization of the Common Stock) in which
the previously outstanding Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for
different securities of the Company or common stock or other securities of
another corporation or interests in a noncorporate entity or other property
(including cash) or any combination of any of the foregoing (each such
transaction being herein called the "Transaction" and the date of consummation
of the Transaction being herein called the "Consummation Date"), then, as a
condition of the consummation of the Transaction, lawful and adequate provisions
shall be made so that the holder hereof, upon the exercise hereof at any time on
or after the Consummation Date, shall be entitled to receive, and this Warrant
shall thereafter represent the right to receive, in lieu of the Common Stock
issuable upon such exercise prior to the Consummation Date, the amount of
securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been
entitled as a shareholder upon the consummation of the Transaction if the holder
had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto.

          (b)  Automatic Amendment.  On the happening of each and every  event
               -------------------                                            
set forth in this (S)9, the applicable provisions of this Warrant shall, ipso
                                                                         ----
facto, be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Company shall take all
- -----                                                                    
necessary action so as to comply with such provisions as so amended.


     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Issue Date.  The provisions of this Warrant shall be construed 
               ----------                             
and shall be given effect in all respects as if it had been issued and delivered
by the Company on the date hereof. This Warrant shall be binding upon any
successors or assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract
under the laws of the State of California and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said state.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Restrictions.  The holder hereof acknowledges that the Common
               ------------                                                 
Stock acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant shall have restrictions upon
its resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

          (c)  Authorized Shares.  The Company covenants that during the period
               -----------------                                               
the Warrant is exercisable, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued
Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Common
Stock upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company
further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full
authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of the
Company's Common Stock upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this
Warrant.

          (d)  No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its 
               -------------          
Articles of Incorporation or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid
the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the
taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect
the rights of the holder hereof against impairment.

          (e)  Notices of Record Date.  In case
               ----------------------          

               (i)  the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common
Stock for the purposes of entitling them to receive any dividend (other than a
cash dividend in the ordinary course) or other distribution, or any right to
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares or stock of any class or
any other securities or property, or to receive any other right; or

              (ii)  of any capital reorganization of the Company, any
reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation; or

             (iii)  of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation
or winding-up of the Company;

then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or
right, or (ii) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to
take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of
record of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date therein specified.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has caused this Warrant to
be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  ____________, 1996.


                                        NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                        By:_____________________________________

                                        Title:__________________________________

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
                                ---------------

              (To assign the foregoing warrant, execute this form
                 and supply required information.  Do not use
                        this form to purchase shares.)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby
are hereby assigned to



________________________________________________________________________________
                                (Please Print)

whose address is________________________________________________________________

                                 (Please Print)


                                 Dated:____________________, _____.


                                 Holder's Signature:____________________________

                                  Holder's Address:_____________________________



     Note:  The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name
as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company.
Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                              ------------------


TO:  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     (1)  The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ___________________ shares
of Common Stock of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     (2)  Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:


                     ___________________________________
                                    (Name)



                     ___________________________________
                                   (Address)

     (3)  The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock
are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and
that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such
shares.



___________________________________       _____________________________________ 
              (Date)                                   (Signature)


                                      -9-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                                   AGREEMENT
                                    BETWEEN
                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
                                      AND
                          JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA, N.V.

                      [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]

<PAGE>
 
                                   AGREEMENT


     THIS AGREEMENT is made effective as of the 1st day of January 1995 by and
between, NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC. a California corporation having its
principal place of business at 3050 Science Park Road, San Diego, CA 92121-1102
("Neurocrine") and JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA, N.V., a Belgium corporation having its
principal place of business at Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
("Janssen").  Neurocrine and Janssen are each referred to herein by name or as a
"Party" or, collectively, as "Parties".

                                    RECITALS

     1.   Neurocrine has an on-going research program in the field of
corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) Receptor Antagonists and has developed
certain technology in this field.  In addition, Neurocrine possesses medicinal
chemistry and other research and development capabilities in certain therapeutic
fields.

     2.   Janssen possesses medicinal chemistry and other research, development
and commercialization capabilities, as well as proprietary technology in a
broad range of therapeutic fields.

     3.   The Parties desire to engage in collaborative research to conduct a
drug discovery program as generally described in the Research Plan attached
hereto as Appendix A.

     4.   If the research collaboration is successful, the resulting compounds
may have a broad range of applications, particularly in the therapeutic
treatment and/or prevention of certain CNS disorders and diseases, such as, for
example, anxiety, depression and drug abuse.
<PAGE>
 
     5.   The Parties are interested in such a collaborative research
arrangement with Janssen developing and commercializing CRF Receptor Antagonist
compounds resulting from such research.

     Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as
follows:

                             ARTICLE I - DEFINITION

     The following terms shall have the following meanings as used in this
Agreement:

      1.1 "AFFILIATE" means an individual, trust, business trust, joint venture,
partnership, corporation, association or any other entity which (directly or
indirectly) is controlled by, controls or is under common control with a Party.
For the purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the term "controlled by" and "under common control with")
as used with respect to any Party, shall mean ownership of more than 50% of the
voting interest.

      1.2 "COLLABORATION TANGIBLE RESEARCH PRODUCT" means any composition of
matter or other tangible asset, including but not limited to compounds, natural
products or fermentation broths and/or extracts or fractions thereof,
immunoglobulin molecules, including active fragments thereof and monoclonal
antibodies, cells and cell lines, DNA and RNA molecules, plasmids, proteins,
peptides, receptors, receptor fragments, research tools, materials 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
for use in screening methods and techniques, made or synthesized by either Party
in the course of Research, or acquired by Neurocrine in the course of the
Research with funds provided by Janssen under 2.5(c) as mutually agreed.

      1.3 "CONTRACT YEAR" means a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year)
beginning on the Effective Date and ending one (1) year thereafter and so on
year-by-year.

      1.4 "CONTROL" means possession of the ability to grant a license or
sublicense as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement
or other arrangements with any Third Party.

      1.5 "CO-PROMOTE" means to promote jointly a Primary Collaboration Compound
through Janssen and the Parties' respective sales forces under a single
trademark in a given country.

      1.6 "CRF" means that certain 41-amino acid peptide referred to as
corticotropin releasing factor.

      1.7 "CRF RECEPTOR" means a transmembrane receptor protein that binds CRF
and transduces a signal leading to an intracellular response upon stimulation by
CRF [***].

      1.8  "CRF RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST" shall mean a compound that binds to the CRF
Receptor on the cell surface and thereby antagonizes the signal normally induced
by CRF in the cell.

      1.9 "DATE OF FIRST SALE" means the date on which Janssen (or an Affiliate
or a Sublicensee) first ships a PCP to an unaffiliated Third Party in an arms
length commercial transaction.

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
      1.10  "DETAILS" shall mean face-to-face sales presentations made to
physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other individuals who provide health care
services to patients, in their capacity as such.

      1.11  "DRUG APPROVAL APPLICATION" means an application for Regulatory
Approval required before commercial sale or use of a Product as a drug in a
regulatory jurisdiction.

      1.12  "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date first written above.

      1.13  "FDA" means the United States Food and Drug Administration.

      1.14  "FIELD" means the discovery, synthesis, and identification of
Primary Collaboration Compounds and the development, use, manufacture,
distribution, marketing and sale of Primary Collaboration Products.

      1.15  "FTE" means a full-time scientific person dedicated to the Research,
or in the case of less than a full-time dedicated scientific person, a full-
time, equivalent scientific person year, based upon a total of forty-seven (47)
weeks or one thousand eight hundred eighty (1,880) hours per year of scientific
work, on or directly related to the Research, carried out by an employee.
Scientific work on or directly related to the Research to be performed by
Neurocrine employees can include, but is not limited to, experimental laboratory
work, recording and writing up results, reviewing literature and references,
holding scientific discussions, attending selected and appropriate seminars and

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
symposia, managing and leading scientific staff, and carrying out management
duties related to the Research.

      1.16  "IND" means an investigational new drug application filed with the
FDA as more fully defined in 21 C.F.R. (S) 312.3 or its equivalent in any
country.

      1.17  "INDEPENDENT PRODUCT" means a Product described in Paragraph 3.2 or
11.7(b)(ii) hereof.

      1.18  "INFORMATION" means information, generally not known to the public,
relating to the Field and including (i) techniques and data, including, but not
limited to, screens, models, inventions, practices, methods, knowledge, know-
how, skill, experience, test data, including but not limited to,
pharmacological, toxicological and clinical test data, analytical and quality
control data, marketing, pricing, distribution, costs, sales and manufacturing
data, and patent and legal data or descriptions (to the extent that disclosure
thereof would not result in loss or waiver of privilege or similar protection)
and (ii) compositions of matter, including but not limited to compounds and
biological materials and assays.

      1.19  "JANSSEN" means Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. and any Affiliate that
is controlled by Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.; provided, however, if Janssen
combines any significant research operations relating to the Field with an
Affiliate other than an Affiliate controlled by Janssen, "Janssen" shall mean
Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. and such Affiliate.

      1.20  "JANSSEN KNOW-HOW" means Information which (a) Janssen discloses to
Neurocrine under this Agreement or specifically in 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
anticipation of this Agreement and (b) is within the Control of Janssen.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Janssen Know-How shall exclude
published Janssen Patents.

      1.21  "JANSSEN PATENT" means the rights granted by any governmental
authority under a Patent which covers a method, apparatus, material or
manufacture, which Patent is owned or Controlled by Janssen during the term of
this Agreement, including its interest in Program Patents.

      1.22  "JOINT RESEARCH COMMITTEE" OR "JRC" means the committee established
pursuant to paragraph 2.2 herein.

      1.23  "MAJOR COUNTRY" means the United States, Japan, or any country
within the European Economic Community.

      1.24  "MARKETING AND SALES COMMITTEE" shall mean a committee consisting of
members from the marketing and/or sales functions of Neurocrine and Janssen.

      1.25  "MARKETING PLAN(S)" shall mean a marketing plan or plans for
specified periods which shall set forth promotion, detailing and marketing
strategies related to a PCP as such relate to face-to-face sales presentations
made to physicians and other health care providers and customers in their
offices, clinics, hospitals or other places of business.

      1.26  "NDA" means a New Drug Application and all supplements filed
pursuant to the requirements of the FDA, including all documents, data and
other information concerning Product which are necessary for or included in, FDA
approval to market a PCP as more fully defined in 21 C.F.R. (S) 314.50 et. seq.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
      1.27  "NET SALES" means the amount billed by Janssen or Neurocrine or an
Affiliate or Sublicensee of either for sales of a Product with respect to which
a royalty is due hereunder, to a Third Party less: (a) discounts, including cash
discounts, or rebates, retroactive price reductions or allowances actually
allowed or granted from the billed amount with respect to the Product in
question (provided that any discounts, rebates, etc. based on overall purchases
by the customer of the selling Party may be applied to reduce Net Sales only to
the extent of the pro rata amount of such discounts or rebates attributable to
the Products included in such overall purchases), (b) credits or allowances
actually granted upon claims, rejections or returns of Products, including
recalls, regardless of the Party requesting such, (c) freight, postage, shipping
and insurance charges, to the extent billed separately on the invoice and paid
by the buyer, and (d) taxes, duties or other governmental charges levied on or
measured by the billing, to the extent billed separately on the invoice and paid
by the buyer, as adjusted for rebates and refunds and (e) provisions for actual
uncollectible accounts determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting practices, consistently applied to all Products of the selling Party.
Where Product is sold in the form of a combination Product containing one or
more active ingredients in addition to a PCC or a SCC (Independent Products
contain a PCC), Net Sales for such combination Product will be calculated by
multiplying actual Net Sales of such combination Product by the fraction A/(A+B)
where A is the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
invoice price of any of the PCP, SCP or the Independent Product if sold
separately, and B is the total invoice price of any other active component or
components, or devices, in the combination, if sold separately. If, on a 
country-by-country basis, the other active component or components in the
combination are not sold separately in said country, Net Sales for the purpose
of determining royalties of the combination Product shall be calculated by
multiplying actual Net Sales of such combination Product by the fraction A/C
where A is the invoice price of any of the PCP, SCP or Independent Product if
sold separately, and C is the invoice price of the combination Product. If, on a
country-by-country basis, neither the Product nor the other active component or
components of the combination Product is sold separately in said country, Net
Sales for the purposes of determining royalties of the combination Product shall
be reasonably allocated between the PCP, SCP or Independent Product and the
other active components based upon their relative value.

      1.28  "NEUROCRINE'S KNOW-HOW" means Information which (a) Neurocrine
discloses to Janssen under this Agreement or specifically in anticipation of
this Agreement and (b) is within the Control of Neurocrine.  Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, Neurocrine Know-How excludes published
Neurocrine Patents.

      1.29  "NEUROCRINE'S PATENT" means the rights granted by any governmental
authority under a Patent which covers a method, apparatus, material or
manufacture, which Patent is owned or 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
Controlled by Neurocrine during the term of this Agreement, including its
interest in Program Patents.

      1.30  "NON-COLLABORATION COMPOUND" OR "NCC" means a compound synthesized
by Neurocrine or Janssen in the course of the Research that [***].

      1.31  "NON-COLLABORATION TANGIBLE RESEARCH PRODUCT" means any composition
of matter or other tangible asset, including, but not limited to, compounds,
natural products or fermentation broths and/or extracts or fractions thereof,
immunoglobulin molecules, including active fragments thereof and monoclonal
antibodies, cells and cell lines, DNA and RNA molecules, plasmids, proteins or
peptides, receptors, receptor fragments, research tools, and materials for use
in screening methods or techniques, synthesized, discovered, identified, or
acquired by either Party outside of Research before, during or after the
Research Term.

      1.32  "PATENT" means (i) valid and enforceable Letters Patent, including
any extension, registration, confirmation, reissue, continuation, divisional,
continuation-in-part, re-examination or renewal thereof and (ii) pending
applications for Letters Patents.

      1.33  "PATENT COSTS" means the reasonable fees and expenses paid to
outside legal counsel and other Third Parties, and filing and maintenance
expenses, incurred in connection with the establishment and maintenance of
rights under Patents.

      1.34  "PHASE I" shall mean that portion of the FDA submission and approval
process which provides for the first introduction into 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
humans of a Product with the purpose of determining human toxicity, metabolism,
absorption, elimination and other pharmacological action as more fully defined
in 21 C.F.R. (S)213.2(a).

      1.35  "PHASE II" means that portion of the FDA submission and approval
process which provides for the initial trials of Product on a limited number of
patients for the purposes of determining dose and evaluating safety and efficacy
in the proposed therapeutic indication as more fully defined as 21 C.F.R.
(S)213.21(b).

      1.36  "PHASE III" means that portion of the FDA submission and approval
process which provides for continued trials of a Product on sufficient numbers
of patients to establish the safety and efficacy of a Product and generate
pharmacoeconomics data to support regulatory approval in the proposed
therapeutic indication as more fully defined in 21 C.F.R. (S)312.21(c).

      1.37  "PRE-PHASE I" means that portion of the development program which
starts with the selection of a compound for development by Janssen into a
Product or the beginning of toxicological studies relating to such compound.
Pre-Phase I includes, but is not limited to, toxicological, pharmacological and
any other studies, the results of which are required for filing with an IND, as
well as Product formulation and manufacturing development necessary to obtain
the permission of regulatory authorities to begin and continue subsequent human
clinical testing.  Toxicology as used in this definition means full scale
toxicology using "Good Laboratory Practices" for obtaining approval from a
regulatory authority to administer the Product to humans.  This toxicology is

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
distinguished from initial dose range finding toxicology, which usually includes
a single and repeated dose ranging study in two species with less than half of
the animals required by the FDA, an Ames test and a related chromosome test.

      1.38 "PRIMARY COLLABORATION COMPOUND" OR "PCC" means, except as provided
below, any composition of matter that [***]
metabolite of which):

          (c)  either:

               (i) is discovered, identified, synthesized or acquired by or on
behalf of Neurocrine or Janssen prior to the end of the Research Term, and is
recognized by either Party to meet the conditions of (a) and (b) hereof, prior
to the first anniversary of the end of the Research Term; or

               (ii) is first discovered, identified, synthesized or acquired by
or on behalf of Janssen during the period beginning with the end of the Research
Term and ending three (3) years thereafter and is recognized by Janssen to meet
the condition of
                                      
                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
(b) hereof, during such period and has not been claimed in a pre-existing
Program Patent filed on SCCs or

               (iii) is contained within a chemical genus as defined in any
issued claim of any unexpired Program Patent in the United States or in a
European Patent Organization ("EPO") country, or in a claim of a pending
application for such a Program Patent (including such a claim of a PCT
application designating the United States or EPO) which is being prosecuted in
good faith, and as to which at least one member of such chemical genus is
defined in (i) above, whether or not the composition of matter included by
reason of this clause (c)(iii) meets the criteria of (a) or (b) above, provided
that in the case of compositions of matter discovered, identified, synthesized
or acquired by either Party prior to the end of the Research Term, which are
recognized to meet condition (a) above but not condition (b), such Program
Patent must be filed prior to the first anniversary of the end of the Research
Term.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, PCCs shall not include any composition of
matter that Janssen marketed commercially or for which Janssen initiated Pre-
Phase I prior to the Effective Date, as listed on Appendix C hereto, and which
are not screened, developed or promoted by or on behalf of Janssen as a CRF
Receptor Antagonist.  For clarification, it is understood that, notwithstanding
any of the foregoing, any composition of matter discovered, identified,
synthesized or acquired by or on behalf of Janssen or Neurocrine prior to the
end of the Research Term, which is not recognized to meet the conditions of
either (a) or (b) prior 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
to the first anniversary of the end of the Research Term, shall not be a PCC,
except to the extent that such composition of matter is encompassed within a
genus described in (c) (iii).

     As used in this Paragraph 1.38, the term "acquired" shall include the
acquisition of absolute or contingent rights, such as rights under an option;
but for purposes of this Paragraph 1.38, and in Paragraph 1.47 below, Janssen
shall not be deemed to have "acquired" a Product which Janssen has not developed
directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, and which Janssen merely
distributes for an Affiliate that is not controlled by Janssen.

     1.39 "PRIMARY COLLABORATION PRODUCT" OR "PCP" means a Product comprised of
a Primary Collaboration Compound excluding Independent Products.

     1.40 "PRODUCT" means any form or dosage of a composition of matter for
pharmaceutical use in humans or other animals or for any other use.

     1.41 "PROGRAM PATENT" means any Patent (or pending application for a
Patent), the subject of which is an invention that (i) was conceived (in a
writing provided to the other Party), or reduced to practice, by Janssen or
Neurocrine or by a Third Party under a contract with Janssen or Neurocrine in
the course of the Research, and (ii) that comprises a PCC or SCC or a
formulation, method of use or method of manufacture thereof.

     1.42 "REGULATORY APPROVAL" means any approvals (including pricing and
reimbursement approvals), licenses, registrations or authorizations of any
federal, state or local regulatory agency,

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
department, bureau or other governmental entity, necessary for the
manufacturing, use, storage, import, transport or sale of Products in a
regulatory jurisdiction.

     1.43 "RESEARCH" means all work performed by the Parties or on their behalf
directed towards or in connection with the discovery, identification and
synthesis of Primary Collaboration Compounds during the Research Term.

     1.44 "RESEARCH PLAN" has the meaning described in Paragraph 2.1 hereof and
shall be attached as Appendix A.

     1.45 "RESEARCH TERM" means the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the first to occur of (i) termination of this Agreement by either
Party under Article 11 below; or (ii) subject to extension under Paragraphs 2.10
or 2.5, three (3) years after the Effective Date (or a date beyond the three (3)
year term which is mutually agreed to by the Parties).

     1.46 [***]

     1.47 "SECONDARY COLLABORATION COMPOUND" OR "SCC" means, except as provided
below, any composition of matter [***]


                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
          [***]

          (b)  either:

               (i) both (A) is discovered, identified or synthesized by or on
behalf of Neurocrine or Janssen in the course of the Research prior to the end
of the Research Term; and (B) is recognized by either Party to meet condition
(a) above, but is not recognized to meet the criteria of both Section 1.38(a)
and 1.38(b) above, in each case prior to the first anniversary of the end of the
Research Term; or

               (ii) is contained within a chemical genus as defined in any
issued claim of any unexpired Program Patent in the United States or in the
European Patent Organization ("EPO") or, in a claim of a pending application for
such a Program Patent (including such a claim of a PCT application designating
the United States or EPO) that is being prosecuted in good faith, and as to
which at least one member of such chemical genus is defined in (i) above,
whether or not the composition of matter included by reason of this clause
(b)(ii) meets the criteria of (a) above; provided that where the genus defined
hereunder overlaps any genus as defined in 1.38(c)(iii) above that is contained
within a Program Patent filed prior to the first anniversary of the end of the
Research Term, then compounds within the overlap shall not be an SCC.

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, SCCs shall not include:

          1. Any composition of matter marketed by Janssen or its Affiliate as
of the Effective Date; or

          2.   Any composition of matter that is in Janssen's possession as of
the Effective Date and that is screened as a potential PCC in the course of the
Research; or

          3.   Any composition of matter in Neurocrine's possession as of the
Effective Date or that Neurocrine acquired from a Third Party at any time.

          4.   Any composition of matter that demonstrates [***]

     1.48 "SECONDARY COLLABORATION PRODUCT" OR "SCP" means a Product comprised
of a Secondary Collaboration Compound.

     1.49 "SUBLICENSEE" shall mean, with respect to a particular Product, a
Third Party to whom Janssen or Neurocrine has granted a license or sublicense
under any Janssen Patents or Neurocrine Patents to make and sell such Product.
As used in this Agreement, "Sublicensee" shall also include a Third Party to
whom Janssen or Neurocrine has granted the right to distribute a Product,
provided

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
that such Third party is responsible for marketing and promotion of such Product
within its distribution territory.

     1.50 [***]

     1.51 "THIRD PARTY" means any entity other than Neurocrine or Janssen,
excepting Affiliates of either.

     1.52 "VALID PATENT CLAIM" means a claim in any unexpired Neurocrine Patent
or Janssen Patent which has matured into an issued patent or in any pending
application for a Patent for which not more than five (5) years have elapsed
since the filing date of such application for priority purposes, in each case
which has not been held invalid by a decision by a court or other appropriate
body of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, if the decision of such court
or body is later reversed or otherwise becomes nonbinding, such claim shall be
reinstated as a Valid Patent Claim. The scope of a Valid Patent Claim shall be
limited to its terms as set forth in the Patent itself and as further defined by
any court, body or law of competent jurisdiction.

     1.53 "YEAR OF SALE" means a 365 day (or 366 days in a leap year) year
beginning on the Date of First Sale and so on year to year.

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
                             ARTICLE II - RESEARCH

     2.1 COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM. Neurocrine and Janssen agree that they
will conduct the Research on a collaborative basis with a [***], used in
conducting Research. The Parties have agreed to an initial Research Plan.

     2.2  THE JRC.  The Parties shall establish a Joint Research Committee
("JRC") promptly after the Effective Date. The JRC shall be comprised of
representatives of each Party with the size of the JRC to be agreed upon by the
Parties from time-to-time. The purpose of the JRC is to coordinate the Research
effort of the Parties and to expedite the progress of work being done under the
Research Plan. The JRC will set specific Research goals, evaluate the results of
the Research, discuss information relating to the Research and will ensure that
there is appropriate scientific direction for the collaboration. The JRC shall
develop and periodically modify the Research Plan, commencing with the initial
Research Plan. The Research Plan, among other things, shall specify scientific
direction and Research milestones and allocate Research responsibilities and
resources in a manner consistent with this Agreement. Regardless of the number
of representatives from
                                      
                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
                                     
                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
each Party, each Party shall present one consolidated view and have one vote on
any issue in dispute. If the JRC fails to reach unanimous agreement on any
matter before it for consideration, the matter shall be resolved pursuant to the
dispute resolution provisions in Paragraph 13.1. The JRC shall have regular
meetings at least semi-annually with the time and location of such to be agreed
to by the Parties; provided that at least one (1) full JRC meeting per calendar
year during the Research Term shall be at Neurocrine's facilities.

     2.3  INFORMATION AND REPORTS. Janssen and Neurocrine will use reasonable
efforts to make available and disclose to each other all Information known by
Janssen or Neurocrine as of the Effective Date and at any time on or before the
end of the Research Term. Such efforts shall include reasonable efforts to
disclose discoveries or inventions made by either Party in the course of
Research, including but not limited to, Information regarding compounds
synthesized or discovered, initial leads, activities of leads, derivatives, and
results of in vitro and in vivo studies, assay techniques and new assays, with
significant discoveries or advances being communicated as soon as practical
after such Information is obtained or its significance is appreciated. The
Parties will exchange, for the Research Term, at a minimum, monthly verbal or
written reports and quarterly a written report, including but not limited to
reports routinely prepared in the course of Research presenting a meaningful
summary of Research accomplished under this

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
Agreement. Following the end of the Research Term, Janssen and Neurocrine shall
provide such a written report one (1) year after the expiration of the Research
Term directed to any model and screening results obtained, and Program Patents
filed, in that period. Each Party will make periodic presentations to the other
of its Research under this Agreement to inform the other Party of the work done
under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any work done prior to the
Effective Date thereof. Each Party will use reasonable efforts consistent with
its normal business practices not to communicate information to the other which
has no application to the Field. Each Party will provide the other with raw data
for work carried out in the course of the Research to the extent reasonably
requested by the other Party.

     2.4  COLLABORATION TANGIBLE RESEARCH PRODUCTS. Each Party shall use
reasonable efforts to make available within a reasonable time after their
discovery, synthesis or acquisition to the other Party, Collaboration Tangible
Research Products, including, but not limited to, PCCs synthesized during the
Research Term. Each Party shall make available to the other Party sufficient
amounts of Collaboration Tangible Research Products to reasonably allow the
other Party to complete Research employing the same as required by the Research
Plan. In addition, each Party shall provide to the other a duplicate set of any
assays useful in identifying CRF Receptor Antagonists that are Collaboration
Tangible Research Products first reduced to practice in the course of the
Research.

     2.5  NEUROCRINE RESEARCH EFFORTS.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
          (a) Neurocrine agrees to commit to the Research such efforts and
resources as are specified in the Research Plan during the Research Term, to
maintain and utilize the scientific staff, laboratories, offices and other
facilities consistent with such undertaking, and to reasonably cooperate with
Janssen in the conduct of the Research and to use reasonable efforts consistent
with its normal business practices to carry out its commitments and obligations
undertaken in conducting Research. Neurocrine agrees that, on average over the
Research Term (not including extensions under 2.5(b) below), [***] provided,
however, that Neurocrine may have work performed by Third Party collaborators as
provided in the Research Plan or approved by the JRC, in which case the minimum
number of FTEs dedicated to the Research by Neurocrine would be appropriately
reduced. In no event, however, shall Neurocrine be obligated to incur costs in
performing the Research in excess of the amounts provided by Janssen under (c)
below.

          (b) Where the Research Term has run for three (3) years or less,
Neurocrine shall have the option to extend the Research Term by six (6) months.
Where the Research Term has run for four (4) years or less but greater than
three (3) years, Neurocrine shall have the option to extend the Research Term by
three (3) months.  Notice that Neurocrine elects to exercise its option to
extend the Research Term must be received by Janssen by three (3) months prior
to the end of the Research Term otherwise in effect.

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  Janssen agrees to fund the Research at Neurocrine at the rate
specified below through the end of the Research Term. Such funding shall be
provided in four (4) equal quarterly installments during each calendar year
payable in advance on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, provided,
however, that the first payment for Contract Year One shall be due ten (10) days
after the execution of this Agreement.  Any payment for a portion of a quarter
shall also be made on such pro rata basis.  The funding rates shall be as
follows:

                                     [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
[***]

          (d) All funds provided by Janssen under this Section 2.5 shall be used
by Neurocrine in the conduct of Research.

     2.6  JANSSEN'S RESEARCH EFFORTS.  Janssen agrees to commit to its own
Research efforts the resources which it believes are reasonable and necessary
based upon the outcome of the Research conducted by Neurocrine.  However, the
final determination of Janssen's commitment to its own Research efforts shall be
at Janssen's sole discretion.

     2.7  RESEARCH AUDIT.  Neurocrine will maintain complete and accurate
records which are relevant to its expenditure of Research funding provided to it
under this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 2.5 hereof by Janssen.  Such records
shall be open during reasonable business hours for a period of three (3) years
from creation of individual records for examination at Janssen's expense and not
more often than once each year by Janssen for the sole purpose of verifying for
Janssen whether or not Neurocrine's expenditure of Research funding are as
agreed to pursuant to this Article II.

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     2.8  COMPOUND TESTING.

          (a)  It is the intent of both Parties to screen broadly and generally
their own compound libraries and the libraries of Third Parties, if available.
Except as provided in (b) below or in the Research Plan, nothing in this
Agreement shall obligate either Party to test for CRF Receptor Antagonist
activity any particular compound in its library or such Third Party library.
Moreover, the Parties shall not have any obligation to identify to each other
any compound in their library or Third Party libraries which it screened for CRF
Receptor Antagonist activity but that does not demonstrate in vitro CRF Receptor
Antagonist activity at the level described in Paragraph 1.38(a). Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, [***]
                                      
                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
[***]
          
         (b) Janssen agrees that it will not develop or commercialize, within
the time periods described in 1.38 above, a compound that it knows or has reason
to believe is a CRF Receptor Antagonist, unless it has tested such compound to
establish whether it meets the criteria for a PCC defined in such Section 1.38.

     2.9 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. The purchase of any item including, but not
limited to, equipment, materials and cell lines reasonably required by
Neurocrine to conduct Research shall be [***] For the purposes of this Paragraph
2.9, the term "item" refers to a complete operational unit or a related group of
cell lines. For example, if the instrument is being purchased which requires the
purchase of a computer to run the instrument, the operational unit is the
combination of the two. If items costing [***] or more are reasonably necessary
for the efficient conduct of Research by Neurocrine, such 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
items shall be reimbursed by Janssen in addition to the funding provided under
2.5 above; provided that the JRC approves such purchases in advance (which
approval shall not be withheld unreasonably). The determination of whether
Janssen purchases an item exceeding [***] or Neurocrine purchases such item and
is reimbursed by Janssen shall be made by the Parties prior to the purchase. Any
items purchased and charged to Janssen's account shall be solely owned by
Janssen and transferred to Janssen by Neurocrine upon termination or expiration
of the Research Term; provided that upon request by Neurocrine following the end
of the Research Term, Neurocrine shall have the right to purchase any such items
from Janssen at a price equal to the fair market value thereof.

     2.10 ADDITIONAL EXTENSION BY MUTUAL CONSENT. The Parties may, by mutual
consent, extend the Research Term beyond the period set forth in the definition
thereof, on such terms and conditions as the Parties may then agree in writing.

     2.11 OWNERSHIP OF TANGIBLE RESEARCH RESULTS.

          (a) Non-Collaboration Tangible Research Products shall remain the sole
and exclusive property of the Party that brought the Non-Collaboration Tangible
Research Product to the collaboration and the other Party shall have no rights
therein, except as provided in Sections 5.5, 5.6 and 5.7 below.

          (b) Non-Collaboration Compounds which are Collaboration Tangible
Research Products shall be owned by [***] agrees to maintain the identity of
these compounds in confidence according to the terms of Paragraph 8.1 (subject
to Paragraphs 2.11(c) and 5.7) except that the period of confidentiality will
run for the term of

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
                                      
                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
this Agreement and for fifteen (15) years thereafter and Sub-Paragraph 8.1(i)
shall not apply.

          (c) Notwithstanding (b) above, [***] of the assays (including the
criteria establishing activity in such assay) and shall request and obtain [***]
prior approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. It is
understood that [***] may withhold such approval if [***] has tested the NCC in
the same assay prior to receiving [***] request. [***] shall make no more than
two (2) (or such greater number as the Parties agree) such requests of [***] and
shall have the right to test such Non-Collaboration Compounds in [***] different
assays during such period; provided that [***] may make more than two request if
[***] withholds its approval on any assay. If [***] does not reject a request by
[***] under this Section 2.11(c) within thirty (30) days of receipt, such
request shall be deemed approved. It is agreed that [***] shall have the right
to retain or receive from [***] (where [***] has sufficient supply) for
[***]'s use [***] of Non-Collaboration Compounds it is permitted to test under
this Paragraph 2.11(c). In the event that a Non-Collaboration Compound tested by
[***] 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                     -27-
<PAGE>
 
under this Paragraph 2.11(c) demonstrates activity in such assay, [***] is
released by [***] from all obligations of confidentiality as to a such Non-
Collaboration Compound and [***] agrees to transfer all rights to such NCC to
[***], subject to Paragraph 5.8, under any Program Patents claiming such a Non-
Collaboration Compound, to the extent of such claims.

          (d) Collaboration Tangible Research Products which are not Non-
Collaboration Compounds shall be jointly owned by Neurocrine and Janssen.
However, ownership of Patents claiming Collaboration Tangible Research Products
and other inventions made in the course of Research shall be as set forth in
Section 9.1 below.

                       ARTICLE III - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

     3.1  JANSSEN'S RIGHT TO SELECT PCCS.  Janssen shall be solely responsible
for and have the sole right to select Primary Collaboration Compounds to enter
Pre-Phase I in consultation with the JRC. Once a Primary Collaboration Compound
is selected to enter Pre-Phase I, Janssen shall have the sole right to develop
the Primary Collaboration Product through Pre-Phase I and Phases I, II and III,
including but not limited to, preparing, filing and exclusively owning, all Drug
Approval Applications and obtaining and exclusively owning all Regulatory
Approvals on a worldwide basis. During Pre-Phase I, Neurocrine will assist
Janssen as mutually agreed in chemical development, formulation development,
Production of labelled material and Production of sufficient quantities of

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
material required to conduct Pre-Phase I studies. Thereafter, Janssen shall be
solely responsible for development.
 
     3.2  JANSSEN DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

          (a) In developing, commercializing and marketing PCCs, Janssen shall
expend that level of time, effort and funding as is commensurate with that
expended on other Janssen projects at the similar stage of development with a
target market of a similar size and importance.  Without limiting the foregoing,
achievement of the following development milestones no later than the Time to
Complete set forth below shall be an objective measure of Janssen's performance:


                                     [***]


As used herein, Phase III will be considered complete upon the collection by
Janssen of last clinical data from the last patient in the Phase III trial.
Janssen shall promptly notify Neurocrine upon accomplishment of each of the
foregoing Milestones.

          (b) If, notwithstanding Janssen's exercise of the efforts recited in
3.2(a) above, Janssen is unable to meet


                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                     -29-
<PAGE>
 
or anticipates that it may not be able to meet any of the Milestones within the
Time to Complete set forth above, Janssen shall have the right to request an
extension for such Milestone(s), which request shall not be unreasonably
refused. Without limitation, the following shall be examples of instances in
which Janssen shall be entitled to such an extension:

               (i) If prior to the filing of an NDA for a PCC there occurs a
serious and unexpected adverse experience (as those terms are defined in 21 CFR
(S) 312.32) with respect to such PCC, the time periods specified in (a) above
shall be extended for a period reasonably sufficient to perform additional
research with respect to the cause and mitigation of such serious and unexpected
adverse experience and complete the remaining Milestones.

               (ii) If the FDA or another governmental health regulatory agency
imposes requirements on Janssen, or takes or fails to take actions that are not
within Janssen's reasonable control and which could not have been reasonably
anticipated by Janssen, the time periods specified in (a) above shall be
extended by a period equivalent to the delay caused by such requirements, action
or inaction.

               (iii) If Janssen initiates Pre-Phase I or Phase I with respect to
a PCC and such PCC fails, the Pre-Phase I or Phase I respectively, for reasons
that could not reasonably have been anticipated, the time periods specified in
(a) above shall be extended for a period reasonably sufficient to resolve the
problem, including but not limited to identifying another development candidate
and complete Pre-Phase I or Phase I for such candidate.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
          (c) If the Parties disagree as to whether Janssen is entitled to an
extension of the Time to Complete for any Milestone specified in (a) above, or
whether or not Janssen is complying with its obligations under (a) above, upon
request by either Party such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with
Article XIII below. However, notwithstanding any other provision of Article
XIII: the arbitration shall be concluded within sixty (60) days after the Panel
of arbitrators is appointed under Paragraph 13.3(a) and the time periods recited
in Paragraph 13.3 shall be reset accordingly to achieve the sixty (60) day
completion date; each Party shall submit to the Panel its position or proposal
(including its proposal for resetting the Time to Complete for other PCCs to be
developed) with respect to an extension of the Milestone(s) in question,
including the basis for such position or proposal, and the decision of the Panel
shall be limited to accepting the position or proposal of either Janssen or
Neurocrine. Once a request for an extension has been submitted for such an
arbitration, no further request shall be made with request to such extension
unless circumstances change materially from those existing at the time of the
prior request.

          (d) If Janssen does not meet any of the Milestones specified in (a)
above within the Time to Complete specified, subject to any extensions under (b)
or (c) above, Neurocrine shall have the following rights:

               (i) If Janssen fails to so meet either of Milestones 3 or 4 with
respect to any PCP, Neurocrine shall have 

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
the right to terminate Janssen's license under Paragraph 5.2 with respect to
such PCP upon notice to Janssen, provided, however, before terminating such
license, Neurocrine discuss with Janssen the possibility of the Parties co-
developing such PCP. In such event, in addition to the other rights and licenses
granted to Neurocrine under this Agreement, Neurocrine shall have a license
pursuant to Paragraph 5.3. Following such termination, such PCP shall be an
"Independent Product" for all purposes of this Agreement, and Neurocrine shall
pay to Janssen the royalties with respect to such Independent Product specified
in Paragraph 6.7 below.

          (ii) If Janssen fails to so meet either of Milestones 1 or 2 above,
Neurocrine shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (including, without
limitation, the license granted to Janssen under Paragraph 5.2 below) upon
notice to Janssen. Following such termination, Janssen shall promptly assign to
Neurocrine Janssen's interest in all Program Patents, all PCP's shall be
"Independent Products" for all purposes of this Agreement, and Janssen shall not
provide to any Third Party any Collaboration Tangible Research Products that are
not within the exceptions to Janssen's confidentiality obligations under
Paragraph 8.1(ii)-(iv) below.

          (iii) To be effective, any notice provided by Neurocrine under (i) or
(ii) above must be given within ninety (90) days after the Time to Complete for
such Milestone specified in (a) above (as such may be extended under (b) or (c)
above). In the

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
event that Neurocrine obtains the right to market a PCP, Janssen shall promptly
provide to Neurocrine all preclinical and clinical trial data and reports
thereon, and all other Information developed during the course of this Agreement
in Janssen's control, that would be materially useful in Neurocrine's
commercialization of such PCPs, and Neurocrine shall have the right to use and
disclose all such data, materials and information as Neurocrine deems
appropriate. In addition, Janssen shall assign to Neurocrine or otherwise permit
Neurocrine to operate under any Drug Approval Application, Regulatory Approvals
and other regulatory filings made by Janssen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees
with respect to any PCP and otherwise cooperate with Neurocrine to allow
Neurocrine to assume full responsibility for development.

          (iv) Prior to granting a Sublicense under any Janssen Patents with
respect to a PCP for which Janssen's license terminated under 3.2(d)(i) above,
Neurocrine agrees to notify Janssen. If Janssen so requests within sixty (60)
days after receiving Neurocrine's notice, Neurocrine agrees to discuss with
Janssen for a period of thirty (30) days granting rights to such PCP to Janssen
on such terms as may be agreed.

     3.3  NEUROCRINE'S RESPONSIBILITIES; REPRESENTATION ON JANSSEN DEVELOPMENT
TEAM. Neurocrine will assist Janssen in Janssen's development activities as
reasonably requested by Janssen by providing Janssen all Know-How developed or
acquired during the Research Term relating to Primary Collaboration Products
selected for development and/or being developed by Janssen. If any specific

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
developmental work is agreed by Janssen and Neurocrine to be performed by
Neurocrine, the Parties will negotiate compensation to Neurocrine for carrying
out the agreed developmental work. In addition, one Neurocrine employee shall be
named as an advisory member of Janssen's development team. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, Neurocrine shall have no obligations to
disclose to Janssen any Information relating to clinical test data, marketing
data or similar information relating to SCC's.

     3.4  NEUROCRINE'S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SECONDARY COLLABORATION PRODUCTS.
Neurocrine shall be solely responsible for and have the sole right to select and
develop Secondary Collaboration Compounds or Independent Products. Neurocrine
shall, however, have no obligation to develop such Secondary Collaboration
Compounds.

     3.5  NEUROCRINE'S ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT. The Parties
recognize that Janssen as the holder of all Drug Approval Applications and
Regulatory Approvals may be required to submit information and file reports to
various governmental agencies on PCPs under clinical investigation, PCPs
proposed for marketing, or marketed PCPs. Information must be submitted at the
time of initial filing for investigational use in humans and at the time of a
request for market approval of a new PCP. In addition, supplemental information
must be provided on Products at periodic intervals and adverse drug experiences
must be reported at more frequent intervals depending on the severity of the
experience. Consequently, to the extent Neurocrine obtains the following and
appropriate persons within Neurocrine are aware thereof, to the extent

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
required for Janssen to comply with applicable law, Neurocrine agrees to:

          (a) provide to Janssen for initial and/or periodic submission to
government agencies significant information on the PCP and components thereof
from preclinical laboratory, animal toxicology and pharmacology studies, as well
as adverse drug experience reports from clinical trials and commercial
experiences with the Product or components thereof;

          (b) in connection with investigational drugs, report to Janssen within
three (3) days of the initial receipt of a report of any serious experiences
with the PCP or components thereof, or sooner if required, for Janssen to comply
with regulatory requirements; and

          (c) in connection with marketed PCPs, report to Janssen within three
(3) business days of the initial receipt of a report of any adverse experience
with the PCP that is serious and unexpected or sooner if required for Janssen to
comply with regulatory requirements. Serious adverse experiences mean any
experience that suggest a significant hazard, contraindication, side effect or
precaution, or any experience that is fatal or life threatening, is permanently
disabling, requires or prolongs inpatient hospitalization, or is a congenital
anomaly, cancer, or overdose. An unexpected adverse experience is one not
identified in nature, specificity, severity or frequency in the current
investigator brochure or the U.S. labeling for the drug (both of which will be
provided promptly to Neurocrine).

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
     3.6  JANSSEN'S ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT.  Janssen shall have the
same obligations and responsibilities as regards adverse event reporting as
Neurocrine has pursuant to Paragraph 3.5 herein in connection with Neurocrine's
development and/or commercialization of Independent Products and SCPs.

     3.7  FILING REPORTS.  Reports made to regulatory agencies in connection
with any PCP hereunder (other than those which Neurocrine has the right to
exploit under Paragraph 3.2 above) including adverse reaction reports shall be
made exclusively by Janssen, and in connection with any Independent Product or
SCP hereunder including adverse reaction reports shall be made exclusively by or
under authority of Neurocrine.

                         ARTICLE IV - COMMERCIALIZATION

     4.1  JANSSEN'S MARKETING OBLIGATIONS FOR PCP.  Subject to Paragraph 3.2
above, all business decisions, including, without limitation, the design, sale,
price and promotion of Primary Collaboration Products under this Agreement and
the decisions whether to market any particular Primary Collaborative Product
shall be within the sole discretion of Janssen.  Subject to Paragraph 3.2 above
and 6.10 below, any marketing of a Primary Collaborative Product in one market
or country shall not obligate Janssen to market said Product in any other market
or country.  Janssen makes no representation or warranty that the marketing of a
Primary Collaboration Product shall be the exclusive means by which Janssen will
participate in any therapeutic field.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
     4.2 CO-PROMOTION OPTION OF NEUROCRINE. In connection with the first PCP
marketed and sold by or under authority of Janssen, Neurocrine has the option to
either (i) Co-Promote in one or more of the United States, Mexico or Canada for
a period of [***] years from the Date of First Sale of such PCP in such country
according to the terms and conditions recited in Paragraphs 4.3-4.12 (but shall
not have the right to sublicense or otherwise transfer such right to Co-Promote)
or (ii) receive an additional [***] percent royalty on Net Sales under Paragraph
6.5 in any of the three countries recited in this Paragraph wherein it elects
not to Co-Promote with Janssen for a period of [***] years from the Date of
First Sale in such country. Neurocrine must exercise its option to Co-Promote by
providing Janssen with notice within ninety (90) days of the filing of the NDA
(or its equivalent in Canada or Mexico) in connection with such PCP by Janssen;
provided that Janssen provides to Neurocrine within thirty (30) days after such
filing a good faith estimate of the total Details to be conducted for such PCP
in such country, together with a copy of the then-current Marketing Plan for
such PCP (to the extent one then exists). The notification must include a
declaration by Neurocrine of what it estimates to be its initial and maximum
effort for Detailing to be used in developing the Marketing and Sales Plan.
Failure by Neurocrine to provide notification by the required time will be
deemed a decision by Neurocrine not to Co-Promote, but 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
rather a decision to receive such additional [***] percent royalty. Should
Neurocrine elect to promote hereunder and should Neurocrine not already have in
place a sales force suitable for Co-Promoting, Janssen may instruct Neurocrine
to begin to hire sales professionals to Co-Promote as early as six (6) months
prior to the anticipated Date of First Sale for such PCP. Neurocrine may only
Co-Promote if within six (6) months after Janssen notified Neurocrine that it
has received a letter from the FDA or equivalent regulatory agency in Canada or
Mexico approving its Drug Approval Application ("Approval Letter") or within six
(6) months after the date on which Janssen instructs Neurocrine to begin to hire
sales professionals, whichever is earlier, it has in place in the applicable
country an infrastructure including, but not limited to, reasonable insurance
protection (if necessary) for sales promotion activities by Neurocrine personnel
and a sales force reasonable to carry out the Details to which Neurocrine has
committed ("Fully Staffed Sales Force"). [***] shall be responsible for the
costs of the sales professionals hired by [***] at the instruction of [***] or
hired by [***] following the date of receipt of the Approval Letter by [***]
beginning on the date of hire and thereafter pursuant to the terms of Paragraph
4.12. The cost of sales professionals hired by [***] prior to the date of
receipt of the approval letter by [***] and not at the instruction of [***] will
not be the responsibility of [***]. In the event that [***] hires sales
professionals prior to the anticipated Date of First Sale and at the instruction
of [***]
                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
and the anticipated Date of First Sale is delayed, then [***] may utilize such
sales professionals to promote its Products or those of its Affiliates until the
Date of First Sale or longer, if permitted in Paragraph 4.6. Promptly following
Neurocrine's exercise of its right to Co-Promote any PCP, the Parties shall
negotiate a more detailed Co-Promotion Agreement on reasonable and customary
terms and conditions, consistent with this Article IV. If after the first PCP,
Janssen develops a subsequent PCP for which the primary physician audience is
substantially similar to that of the first PCP, Neurocrine shall have the right
to Co-Promote such subsequent PCP on the same terms and conditions as set forth
under this Article IV.

     4.3  CO-PROMOTION LIMITATION OF SCOPE. The scope of Co-Promotion for
Neurocrine will be limited specifically to representation on the Sales and
Marketing Committee and to face-to-face Details. The Marketing Plan shall set
the Details for the first Year of Sale of the PCP taking into account
Neurocrine's estimate of its initial Detailing support. If Neurocrine elects to
Co-Promote a PCP under this Article IV, Neurocrine shall have the right to
conduct that number of Details as equal up to [***] percent [***], but not less
than [***], of the total sales presentations made to physicians and
other health care providers and customers to be conducted for such PCP during
the period of Co-Promotion (excluding for purposes of such calculation account
management activities by Janssen or its Affiliates, such as those of the type
conducted as of the Effective Date by Johnson & 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
Johnson Healthcare Systems). Neurocrine shall have the right to phase-in such
detailing efforts over the initial [***] years of Co-Promoting a PCP; provided
that Neurocrine must commit to provide at least [***] of its maximum designated
commitment in the [***], and [***] of such commitment in the [***], of such
Co-Promotion.

     4.4  NEUROCRINE IS NOT A DISTRIBUTOR.  It is recognized by the Parties that
Neurocrine, under its option to Co-Promote may receive orders from Third Parties
for the PCP.  Neurocrine shall transmit said orders and Janssen shall book all
sales resulting from such orders.

     4.5  CO-PROMOTION MARKETING AND SALES COMMITTEE.  The Marketing and Sales
Committee shall meet from time to time, at mutually agreeable times and
locations, to discuss and coordinate the Co-Promotion of PCP's in accordance
with this Agreement and the strategies and programs that should be developed to
optimally carry-out Details, including but not limited to, the assignment of
Details and developing a Marketing Plan.  Janssen will have the final
responsibility, with the cooperation and assistance of Neurocrine, for
developing, detailing, marketing, pricing and promotion strategies with respect
to the PCP and budgets therefor. Janssen will have the final say or decision in
any disagreement or dispute arising from the Marketing and Sales Committee.

     4.6  CO-PROMOTION OBLIGATIONS.  Neurocrine shall use all reasonable efforts
consistent with its normal business practices and legal requirements to deploy a
professional and trained sales 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
force to Co-Promote the PCP in the country(s) in which it has elected to Co-
Promote. Neurocrine agrees that its sales force employed in Co-Promoting Primary
Collaboration Products shall be comprised of individuals at least [***] of whom
have at least [***] prior pharmaceutical sales experience, and such sales force
shall meet standards of competence and professionalism as is common in the
pharmaceutical industry. In order to make more efficient use of its sales
professionals, Neurocrine shall use reasonable efforts to procure additional
Products for its sales professionals to promote. If on the Date of First Sale,
Neurocrine is unable to utilize its sales professionals who are Co-Promoting to
promote one or more other Products, so that they are fully utilized, then as
Janssen's sole remedy for any failure by Neurocrine to procure additional
Products to promote, Janssen may use such sales professionals to promote one or
more Janssen Products or Products of Janssen's Affiliates to the same audience
as the PCP. Janssen may so use such sales professionals until, upon reasonable
notice by Neurocrine of 180 days, Neurocrine is able to fully utilize such sales
professionals in promoting other Products. As used in this paragraph, "fully
utilize" shall mean that, in addition to promoting the PCP, at least [***] of
the sales professionals time is directed to promotion of another Product. In all
events, the Co-Promotion and detailing shall be conducted in accordance with the
then current Marketing and Sales Plan in accordance with Paragraphs 4.3 and 4.5.
Janssen shall provide to Neurocrine sales personnel at Janssen's expense such

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
Primary Collaboration Product-specific training and promotional materials
(including samples) as are reasonably necessary to effectively promote the
particular PCP consistent with the Marketing Plan. On request, Neurocrine and
Janssen shall consider the use of Neurocrine's sales personnel who are Co-
Promoting Primary Collaborative Products to also Co-Promote other Janssen
Products.

     4.7  CO-PROMOTION COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION.  Neurocrine shall submit to
Janssen, within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter during
the term of Co-Promotion, a reasonably detailed description of Neurocrine's
promotional, detailing and marketing efforts pursuant to this Agreement.  Such
description shall be based on its then current call reporting system.  Each such
certification shall contain a full disclosure of any changes to such system from
that previously disclosed to Janssen and of any non-compliance by Neurocrine
with its promotional, detailing and marketing obligations under this Agreement.

     4.8  CO-PROMOTION AUDIT OF PERFORMANCE.  Janssen shall have the right to
review and audit Neurocrine's call reporting records during regular business
hours to confirm satisfaction of the obligations set out in this Article IV
where for any two consecutive quarters there is a substantial difference between
Neurocrine's call reporting records and the records of the IMS auditing service
or other pharmaceutical industry call reporting service utilized by Neurocrine
hereunder.  For this purpose, Neurocrine shall, at Janssen's expense and
request, subscribe to 

                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
the IMS auditing service or other pharmaceutical industry recognized auditing
service. Further, Neurocrine shall provide to Janssen Neurocrine's call
reporting records on a quarterly basis. If, after such review, the Parties are
unable to agree as to the results of Janssen's audit, Janssen may demand a
verification of any certification by audit of Neurocrine's call reporting system
to be conducted by a mutually agreed upon auditor.

     4.9 CO-PROMOTION TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. In the event that, after the later
of the date on which Neurocrine is required to have a Fully Staffed Sales Force
pursuant to Paragraph 4.2 on a Product-by-Product basis, or three (3) months
after the Date of First Sale, and for reasons within Neurocrine's reasonable
control: the Co-Promotion efforts made by Neurocrine are determined using
Neurocrine's own records or records which are the result of an audit pursuant to
Paragraph 4.8, to have been less than [***] of those that Neurocrine was
obligated to make for any two consecutive quarters, and Neurocrine fails to
bring its level of efforts up to such percentage of efforts (as evidenced by
Neurocrine's own records or records which are the result of our audit) for the
two quarters following Janssen's Notice to Neurocrine of such failure, then
Janssen may immediately terminate Neurocrine's right to Co-Promote such PCP with
no recourse by Neurocrine to the additional [***] royalties specified in
Paragraph 4.2(ii) above. To be effective, any notice described in this Paragraph
4.9 must state that such notice is being made under this Paragraph. It is
understood that for purposes of 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
determining Neurocrine's performance under this Paragraph 4.9 only, if Janssen
does not supply all of the efforts that Janssen committed to supply for a Year
of Sale, then the level of efforts that Neurocrine was obligated to make for
such Year of Sale shall be deemed to have been reduced proportionately.

     4.10 CO-PROMOTION IS THROUGH INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATIONS. In implementing the
obligations of Co-Promotion hereunder, each Party shall have sole discretion as
to the manner (which shall not be inconsistent with the Marketing Plan) in which
it promotes and details (including any expenditure of funds in connection
therewith) the PCP. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article IV,
each Party shall contribute facilities, supplies, personnel (including
management and sales representatives) and other resources to the other as each
Party, in its absolute discretion not inconsistent with the express terms of
this Agreement, believes necessary for the proper performance of the terms of
this Agreement, and each Party shall bear its own costs except as payment is
provided to Neurocrine in Paragraph 4.12 incurred in the performance of any
obligations hereunder.

     4.11 CO-PROMOTION DOES NOT EFFECT CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES. Except as
expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, Janssen shall have the sole
right and responsibility, and shall bear all costs related thereto, to take such
actions with respect to the PCP as would normally be taken in accord with
accepted business practices and legal requirements to manufacture or arrange for
the manufacture of the PCP, obtain and maintain the authorization and/or ability
to market and commercialize the PCP in Canada,

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
Mexico and the United States including, without limitation, the following:

          1.  Any activity relating to the manufacture of the PCP, including,
without limitation, determination of the content of labelling and the style,
design and type of packaging;

          2.  Responding to medical complaints and inquiries relating to the
PCP;

          3.  Handling all returns of the Products;

          4.  Communicating and dealing with any governmental agencies and
satisfying their requirements regarding the authorization and/or continued
authorization to market the PCP in commercial quantities; provided, however,
that Neurocrine shall be able to communicate with such agencies regarding the
PCP if, (i) in the reasonable opinion of Neurocrine's counsel, such
communication is necessary to comply with the requirements of any applicable
law, order or governmental regulation, and (ii) Neurocrine, if practical, made
a request of such agency to communicate with Janssen instead, and such agency
refused such request; but in any such event, unless in the reasonable opinion of
Neurocrine's counsel there is a legal prohibition against doing so, Janssen
shall be immediately notified of such agency's request and or Neurocrine's
intention to make such communication and Janssen shall be permitted to accompany
Neurocrine to any meeting with such agency, take part in any such communications
and receive copies of all such communications.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
        5.  Promoting and marketing other than through Details.
 
     4.12 CO-PROMOTION PAYMENT.

          (a) In consideration for the performance of the obligations of
Neurocrine under this Article, Janssen shall pay to Neurocrine in advance an
amount equal [***] Such fully burdened cost shall be the reasonable
(commensurate in scope with the cost of a fully burden Janssen sales
professional, who is Co-Promoting a PCP hereunder), fully-burdened cost to
employ and maintain [***] appropriately qualified pharmaceutical sales
professional, multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent sales
professionals reasonably required for Neurocrine to perform such Details and
make such efforts during the ensuing Year of Sale. [***] The payment for any
Year of Sale shall be made in four (4) equal quarterly payments, each of which
shall be due, in advance, at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of
each quarter of such Year of

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
Sale, in U.S. Dollars by wire transfer to a bank account specified by Neurocrine
or as otherwise mutually agreed.

          (b) If for any Year of Sale the number of full-time equivalent sales
professionals actually employed by Neurocrine was less than the number so funded
by Janssen, the excess shall be applied as a credit against amounts due under
this Paragraph 4.12 with respect to subsequent Years of Sale. In such event, the
amount to be paid by Janssen in advance of any quarter for the next succeeding
Year of Sales shall be limited to reimbursement for the number of such full-time
equivalent sales professionals actually employed by Neurocrine at the beginning
of such quarter, together with an amount to reimburse Neurocrine for any sales
professionals employed by Neurocrine in the prior quarter that were not
reimbursed in advance. For all purposes of this Paragraph 4.12, it is understood
that a "full-time equivalent" sales professional means a full time professional
who promotes only one Product, and that if a sales professional also Details
other Products, the percentage of such individual's time devoted to selling such
other Product shall not be included for purposes of determining the number of
full-time equivalents in place. For example, if Neurocrine has fifty (50) sales
representatives Co-Promoting Primary Collaboration Products, and such sales
representatives spend one-half of their time promoting other Products,
Neurocrine would be reimbursed for only twenty-five (25) full-time equivalent
sales professionals.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
          (c) The number of full-time equivalent sales personnel to be
reimbursed by Janssen under this Paragraph 4.12 shall be consistent with the
number of such full-time equivalents necessary for Neurocrine to perform its
designated percentage of the sales efforts pursuant to the Sales and Marketing
Plan established by Janssen. For the first [***] Years of Sale, once
Neurocrine has hired such personnel for any such Year of Sale in accordance with
this Article IV, and the number of Details to be conducted by Neurocrine under
this Article IV in any such Year of Sale is less than such number as is
sufficient to employ as anticipated the Neurocrine full-time equivalents so
hired, then to the extent that Neurocrine cannot reasonably redeploy such
Neurocrine full-time equivalents, these will be excess Neurocrine personnel and
Janssen will redeploy such excess Neurocrine personnel to promote Janssen
Products or the Products of its Affiliates and/or bear the costs associated with
the lay off of such excess Neurocrine personnel. After the first [***] Years
of Sale hereunder, Janssen shall not be so responsible for reductions in the
number of Details in Years of Sale thereafter, provided that Janssen has
notified Neurocrine of such reductions at least six (6) months in advance.
Notwithstanding the preceding two sentences, where the reduced number of Details
is the result of factors beyond the reasonable control of Janssen, such as,
Product recall or regulatory actions (but not inaccurate forecasts), then
Janssen shall have no obligations with respect to Neurocrine's excess personnel.


                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
     4.13 NEUROCRINE RIGHT TO TERMINATE. Neurocrine shall have the right to
terminate its Co-Promotion of any PCP, and its obligations under this Article IV
with respect to such PCP, in any country upon one year (or less if the Parties
agree) prior notice to Janssen, so long as Neurocrine is not then on notice from
Janssen of an actual, uncured, material breach by Neurocrine of its Co-Promotion
obligations described in this Article IV at the time Neurocrine provides Janssen
notice of such termination. In such event, Neurocrine shall not receive the
additional royalty specified in Paragraph 4.2(ii) above for such PCP in such
country from the effective date of such termination. However, at any time during
Co-Promotion the Parties may mutually agree that the Co-Promotion terminate and
Neurocrine receive said additional royalty under 4.2 (ii) above.

     4.14 NEUROCRINE'S MARKETING OBLIGATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT PRODUCTS AND SCPS.
Neurocrine shall have no obligation to market SCPs or Independent Products and
should Neurocrine market an SCP or Independent Products, it shall have no
obligation to Janssen with regard to such marketing other than to pay Janssen
royalties pursuant to the terms agreed to herein.

     4.15 TRADEMARKS. Janssen shall select its own trademarks under which it
will market Primary Collaboration Products and no right or license is granted to
Neurocrine hereunder with respect to such trademarks.

                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
                          ARTICLE V - LICENSE GRANTS

     5.1  PATENT LICENSES FOR RESEARCH.

          (a) Neurocrine grants Janssen a nonexclusive paid-up worldwide
license, with no right to grant sublicenses, under Neurocrine Patents, to make
and use methods and materials to carry out Research during the Research Term and
for a period of three (3) years thereafter. Janssen grants Neurocrine a
nonexclusive, paid-up worldwide license, with no right to grant sublicenses,
under Janssen Patents to make and use methods and materials to carry out
Research during the Research Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter.

         (b) In addition, Neurocrine grants to Janssen a nonexclusive, paid-up,
worldwide license, without the right to grant sublicenses, under Neurocrine
Patents to make and use for Janssen's internal research purposes any assay
useful for identifying CRF Receptor Antagonist, which assay is a Collaboration
Tangible Research Product (a "Collaboration Assay") and was first conceived (in
a writing provided to Janssen), or reduced to practice, by Neurocrine personnel
in carrying out the Research Plan during the Research Term. Similarly, Janssen
grants to Neurocrine a nonexclusive, paid-up, worldwide license, without the
right to grant sublicenses, under Janssen Patents to make and use for
Neurocrine's internal research purposes any assays and reagents useful for
identifying CRF Receptor Antagonists, which assays and reagents are
Collaboration Tangible Research Products and was first conceived (in a writing
provided to Neurocrine), or reduced to

                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
practice, by Janssen personnel in carrying out the Research Plan during the
Research Term.

     5.2  PATENT LICENSES TO JANSSEN FOR PCPS. Subject to Section 3.2 above,
Neurocrine grants to Janssen an exclusive, royalty bearing, worldwide license
under Neurocrine Patents, with a right to grant sublicenses, to make, have made,
use, sell and have sold Primary Collaboration Products. The foregoing license
shall extend only to (i) Neurocrine's interest in Program Patents; and (ii)
Neurocrine Patents other than Program Patents ("Other Neurocrine Patents") that
claim a Primary Collaboration Compound described in 1.38(c)(i) or covered by a
genus claim described in 1.38(c)(iii) filed prior to the first anniversary of
the end of the Research Term, or the method of use or method of manufacture of
such a Compound (including materials used in such manufacture); and (iii) Other
Neurocrine Patents that claim inventions made prior to the end of the Research
Term comprising PCCs, their manufacture or use; provided that such license shall
not extend to (A) Other Neurocrine Patents licensed or acquired from a Third
Party, unless employees of such Third Party were actively collaborating with
employees of Neurocrine, with respect to the discovery, development or
commercialization of compositions of matter that are identified in such
collaboration as CRF Receptor Antagonists, at the time the invention was made,
such Other Neurocrine Patents claim an invention made during the Research Term
or by a Neurocrine employee and Neurocrine first licensed or acquired rights to
such Other Neurocrine Patents prior to the end of the Research Term, or (B)

                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
any Other Neurocrine Patents to the extent such Patents claim formulations,
delivery methods or systems, or other subject matter not described in clauses
(i), (ii), (iii) or (A) above. Neurocrine may not enter into an agreement with a
Third Party during the Research Term where the employees of Neurocrine actively
collaborate with employees of the Third Party with respect to the discovery,
development or commercialization of compositions of matter that are identified
in such collaboration as CRF Receptor Antagonists, where Neurocrine does not own
or Control Patents claiming inventions made in such collaboration during the
Research Term, to the extent that such Patents claim PCCs.

     5.3  PATENT LICENSE TO NEUROCRINE FOR INDEPENDENT PRODUCTS. Janssen grants
to Neurocrine an exclusive, royalty bearing, worldwide license under Janssen
Patents, with a right to sublicense, to make, have made, use sell and have sold
Independent Products.  The foregoing license shall extend only to (i) Janssen's
interest in Program Patents; and (ii) Janssen Patents other than Program
Patents, that claim inventions made prior to the date on which such Product
becomes an Independent Product, that claim an Independent Product or claim the
method of use or method of manufacture or claim an Independent Product
formulation (other than combination Products).

     5.4  PATENT LICENSES TO NEUROCRINE FOR SCPS.  Janssen grants to Neurocrine
an exclusive, royalty bearing, worldwide license under Janssen's interest in
Janssen Patents, with a right to grant sublicenses, to make, have made, use,
sell and have sold Secondary 

                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
Collaboration Products. The foregoing license shall extend only to (i) Janssen's
interest in Program Patents; and (ii) Janssen Patents other than Program Patents
("Other Janssen Patents") that claim a Secondary Collaboration Compound or the
method of use or method of manufacture of such a Compound (including materials
used in such manufacture), provided that such license shall not extend to (A)
Other Janssen Patents licensed or acquired from a Third Party, unless employees
of such Third Party were actively collaborating with employees of Janssen, with
respect to the discovery, development or commercialization of compositions of
matter that are identified in such collaboration as CRF Receptor Antagonists, at
the time of invention, such Other Janssen Patents claim an invention made during
the Research Term or by a Janssen employee, and Janssen first licensed or
acquired rights to such Other Janssen Patents prior to the end of the Research
Term, or (B) any Other Janssen Patents to the extent such Patents claim
formulations, delivery methods or systems, or other subject matter not described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (A) above. Janssen may not enter into an agreement with
a Third Party during the Research Term where the employees of Janssen actively
collaborate with employees of the Third Party, with respect to the discovery,
development or commercialization of compositions of matter that are identified
in such collaboration as CRF Receptor Antagonists, where Janssen does not own or
Control Patents claiming inventions made in such collaboration during the
Research Term, to the extent that such patents claim SCCs.

                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
     5.5  NONEXCLUSIVE KNOW-HOW LICENSE TO JANSSEN.  Subject to Paragraphs 8.1
and 8.2, Neurocrine grants Janssen a paid-up, nonexclusive, worldwide license to
use Neurocrine Know-How for any purpose.  Such license shall include the right
to grant sublicenses to non-Affiliates commencing on the second anniversary of
the end of the Research Term, and to disclose the Neurocrine Know-How at that
time to non-Affiliate sublicensees and potential non-Affiliate sublicensees
subject to a binder of confidentiality so long as the provisions of Article VIII
remain in effect.

      5.6 NONEXCLUSIVE KNOW-HOW LICENSE TO NEUROCRINE.  Subject to Paragraphs
8.1, 8.2 and 2.11(b) Janssen grants Neurocrine a paid-up, non-exclusive,
worldwide, license to use Janssen Know-How for any purpose.  Such license shall
include the right to grant sublicenses, and subject to Paragraph 2.11(b) above,
to disclose the Janssen Know-How to sublicensees and potential sublicensees
subject to a binder of confidentiality so long as the provisions of Article VIII
hereby remain in effect.

      5.7 SPECIAL LICENSES TO NEUROCRINE.  Janssen grants Neurocrine:  (i) a
non-exclusive, paid-up, worldwide license, with the right to sublicense, under
its trade secret information concerning NCCs which are Collaboration Tangible
Research Products to test them in accordance with Section 2.11(c) above and,
(ii) with respect to any such NCCs that are demonstrated as having activity in
the assays in which they are so tested, an exclusive

                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
(except as provided in 5.8 below), paid up, worldwide license, with the right to
sublicense, under its trade secret information concerning NCC's which are
Collaboration Tangible Research Products, to make, use, sell and have sold such
NCCs, as incorporated into Products or otherwise.

      5.8 SPECIAL PATENT LICENSE TO JANSSEN.  Neurocrine grants to Janssen a
nonexclusive, paid-up, worldwide license under Neurocrine Patents covering Non-
Collaboration Compounds which are Collaboration Tangible Research Products the
rights to which were transferred to Neurocrine pursuant to Paragraph 2.11(c),
for Janssen's internal research purposes only.

      5.9 ADJUSTMENT OF LICENSES.  The licenses granted in Article V shall be
subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as specified in
Articles III, VI and XI.

                                   ARTICLE VI - PAYMENTS

     In consideration of the assignments, rights and licenses granted under this
Agreement, Janssen agrees to pay Neurocrine as follows:

     6.1   UPFRONT PAYMENTS.

        (a) Initial Payment.  Janssen agrees to pay Neurocrine [***] on or 
about the Effective Date.

        (b) Subsequent Payment.  Janssen agrees to pay Neurocrine [***] no 
later than the date eighteen (18) months following the Effective Date.


                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
        (c) Equity Investment. It is understood that Johnson & Johnson
Development Corporation has agreed to make an initial equity investment in
Neurocrine on or about the Effective Date in the amount of Two and One-Half
Million Dollars ($2,500,000) and a subsequent equity investment no later than
the date eighteen (18) months following the Effective Date of Two and One-half
Million Dollars ($2,500,000), in Neurocrine, all pursuant to the terms and
conditions of a Stock Purchase Agreement of even date referencing this
Agreement.

     6.2 RESEARCH PAYMENTS. Payments by Janssen to conduct Research shall be
Neurocrine to pursuant to Paragraph 2.5 hereof.

     6.3 MILESTONE PAYMENTS.  [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
[***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
 
                                      -57-

<PAGE>
 
[***]

     6.4  MILESTONE PAYMENT TIMING.  The payments set forth in Paragraph 6.3
hereof shall each be due and payable by Janssen to Neurocrine within thirty (30)
days of the occurrence of the milestone event set forth therein.  For milestones
accomplished by Neurocrine, such payment shall be due thirty (30) days after
notice thereof to Janssen, subject to Janssen's verification during such thirty
(30) day period that the milestone occurred.  Janssen and 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
Neurocrine agree to promptly notify the other of its achievement of any
milestone.

     6.5  EARNED ROYALTIES FOR PCPS. 

          (a) Janssen shall pay Neurocrine a royalty based on Net Sales of
Primary Collaboration Products sold by Janssen, or its Affiliates or
Sublicensees according to the following schedule:

               (i) in countries where a Valid Patent Claim exists that would be
infringed by the sale or use of a PCP, or, in those countries wherein Janssen
does not file a Patent covering a PCC or PCP, but where, as of the filing date
of the first Patent covering a PCC or PCP, a Valid Patent Claim may be obtained
covering the PCC or PCP or its use for the treatment of humans, [***];

               (ii) in all other countries, [***].

          (b)  an additional royalty according to the terms of Paragraph 4.2.

     6.6 EARNED ROYALTIES FOR SCPS. Neurocrine shall pay Janssen a royalty on
Net Sales of SCPs by Neurocrine, its Affiliates or Sublicensee according to the
following schedule:

               (i) in countries where a Valid Patent Claim exists that would be
infringed by the sale or use of a SCP, or in those countries wherein Neurocrine
does not file a Patent covering an SCC or SCP, but where, as of the filing date
of the first Patent covering an SCC or SCP, a Valid Patent Claim may be obtained
covering the SCC or SCP or its use for the treatment of humans, [***]; and

               (ii) in all other countries, [***].

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
     6.7  ROYALTIES FOR INDEPENDENT PRODUCTS. Neurocrine shall pay Janssen a
royalty on Net Sales of Independent Products sold by Neurocrine, its Affiliates
or Sublicensees at the rate equal to [***]

     6.8 TERM FOR ROYALTY PAYMENT.  Royalties payable under Paragraph 6.5, 6.6
and 6.7 shall be paid on a country-by-country basis from the Date of First Sale
of each Product with respect to which royalty payments are due for a period
which is the longer of:

          (i) the last to expire of any Janssen Patent or Neurocrine Patent
containing a Valid Patent Claim in such country covering the composition of
matter or use of a PCC or SCC which is an active ingredient of the PCP or SCP on
which royalties are payable; or

          (ii) ten (10) years following the Date of First Sale of such Product
in such country.

     6.9 ROYALTY REDUCTIONS.  [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
[***]

    6.10 MINIMUM ROYALTIES.  Janssen agrees to pay minimum royalties with
respect to PCP sales according to the schedule set forth hereinafter in this
Paragraph 6.10

[***]
 

     For the purposes of this Paragraph 6.10, Calendar Year 1 shall be the first
full calendar year after the Effective Date.  The time periods of this
Paragraph shall be extended by the same extension periods allowed or granted
pursuant to Paragraph 3.2(b) or (c).  Earned royalties actually paid pursuant to
Paragraph 6.5 for a calendar year shall be credited against minimum royalties
due in such calendar years. [***] 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
[***] provided that such credit shall not be applied to reduce the minimum
amount due for such subsequent year under this Paragraph
 
6.10 and such credit shall not be applied to reduce any payment of earned
royalties otherwise due by [***]. If in any calendar year of sale Janssen pays
to Neurocrine earned royalties of [***], Janssen shall be relieved of its
obligation to pay any further minimum royalties under this Paragraph 6.10. Prior
to the Date of First Sale in a Major Country, payments under this Section 6.10
for any calendar year shall be paid in equal quarterly installments on March 31,
June 30, September 30 and December 31 of such year; after the Date of First Sale
in a Major Country any amount due under this Paragraph 6.10 shall be due with
the last royalty payment for such year.

      6.11  ABATEMENT OF MINIMUM ROYALTY REQUIREMENT.  The minimum royalty
requirement recited in Paragraph 6.10 shall be abated for the period of time
after the Date of First Sale in the United States:  (a) a PCP has been withdrawn
from the market by Janssen or its Affiliate (i) in response to a regulatory
agency's request, threat or order to withdraw or recall such PCP or (ii) for
other reasons which Janssen reasonably and in good faith believes warrants a
voluntary recall such as safety reasons and PCP defects; and (b) during which
sales are reduced as a result of supply problems or a lack of supply of the PCP
not caused by Janssen or any Affiliate.

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
      6.12  FOREIGN EXCHANGE.  The remittance of royalties payable on Net Sales
will be payable in U.S. dollars to the Party entitled to receive the royalty
hereunder at a bank and to an account designated by such Party using a rate of
exchange of the currency of the country from which the royalties are payable as
published in the Wall Street Journal on the last day of the month for which such
                 -------------------  
payment was due.

      6.13  TAXES.  All payments under this Agreement will be made without any
deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax unless such deduction or
withholding is required by any applicable law.  If the paying Party is so
required to deduct or withhold such Party will:

     (1) promptly notify the other Party of such requirement;

     (2)  pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be
deducted or withheld promptly upon the earlier of determining that such
deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has
been assessed against the other Party;

     (3) promptly forward to the other Party an official receipt (or certified
copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to the other Party,
evidencing such payment to such authorities.

     In case the other Party cannot take a full credit against its tax liability
for the withholding tax deducted or withheld by the paying Party then such Party
may propose a change to the then current arrangement with respect to the flow of
monies under this Agreement in order to reduce or eliminate the extra cost for
any Party.  This preceding clause shall not be applicable in case the 

                                      -63-
<PAGE>
 
other Party cannot take a full credit against its tax liability for the
withholding tax due to the other Party's negligence to comply with all legal and
other requirements necessary to claim such tax credit.

     In case no solution can be found in order to reduce or eliminate above
referred extra cost or the other Party has sound business reasons to reject the
paying Party's proposals and the other Party can demonstrate by means of written
documentation, certified by a mutually agreed external auditor, that the other
Party cannot take a full credit against its tax liability then the amount of
taxes to be paid by the other Party exceeding the tax credit, if any, will be
reimbursed by the paying Party up to 50% of such amount.

      6.14  ROYALTY PAYMENT REPORTS.  Royalty payments under this Agreement
shall be made to the receiving Party or its designee quarterly within sixty (60)
days following the end of each calendar quarter for which royalties are due from
the selling Party.  Each royalty payment shall be accompanied by a report
summarizing the Net Sales during the relevant three (3) month period.

      6.15  ACCOUNTING.  Each Party will maintain complete and accurate records,
in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting practices, which are
relevant to costs, expenses and payments under this Agreement and such records
shall be open during reasonable business hours for a period of five (5) years
from creation of individual records for examination at the other Party's expense
and not more often than once each year by a certified public accountant or other
representative selected by the other Party for the sole purpose of verifying for
the inspecting Party the correctness of calculations or such costs, expenses or
payments made under this Agreement. In the absence of material 

                                      -64-
<PAGE>
 
discrepancies (in excess of 5%) in any request for reimbursement resulting from
such audit, the accounting expense shall be paid by the Party requesting the
audit. If material discrepancies do result, the audited Party shall bear the
reasonable audit expense. Any records or accounting information received from
the other Party shall be Confidential Information for purposes of Article VIII.

                           ARTICLE VII - MANUFACTURE

      7.1 JANSSEN'S RESPONSIBILITY.  Janssen shall be solely responsible for
making or having made Primary Collaboration Products.

                         ARTICLE VIII - CONFIDENTIALITY

      8.1 CONFIDENTIALITY; EXCEPTIONS.  Except to the extent expressly
authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing, for example,
Paragraph 2.11, the Parties agree that, for the term of this Agreement and for
five (5) years thereafter, the receiving Party shall keep confidential and shall
not publish or otherwise disclose or use for any purpose other than as provided 
for in this Agreement any Information and other confidential and proprietary
information and materials furnished to it by the other Party pursuant to this
Agreement or any Information developed during the term of this Agreement
(collectively, "Confidential Information"), except to the extent that it can be
established by the receiving Party that such Confidential Information:

                                      -65-
<PAGE>
 
          (i) was in the lawful knowledge and possession of the receiving party
prior to the time it was disclosed to, or learned by, the receiving Party, or
was otherwise developed independently by the receiving Party, as evidenced by
written records kept in the ordinary course of business, or other documentary
proof of actual use by the receiving Party;

          (ii) was generally available to the public or otherwise part of the
public domain at the time of its disclosure to the receiving Party;

          (iii) became generally available to the public or otherwise part
of the public domain after its disclosure and other than through any act or
omission of the receiving Party in breach of this Agreement; or

          (iv) was disclosed to the receiving Party, other than under an
obligation of confidentiality, by a Third Party who had no obligation to the
disclosing Party not to disclose such information to others.

      8.2  AUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE.  Except as expressly provided otherwise in
this Agreement, each Party may disclose Confidential Information of the other
Party as follows:  (i) to Third Parties (and in the case of Neurocrine, to
Affiliates) under appropriate terms and conditions including confidentiality
provisions substantially equivalent to those in this Agreement for consulting,
manufacturing, development, external testing and marketing trials with respect
to the Products covered by this Agreement, or otherwise as is reasonably
necessary to exercise the rights and 

                                      -66-
<PAGE>
 
licenses granted or reserved herein (including the right to grant sublicenses)
or (ii) to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in filing or
prosecuting patent, copyright and trademark applications, prosecuting or
defending litigation, complying with applicable governmental regulations,
obtaining regulatory approval, conducting preclinical or clinical trials,
marketing Products, or otherwise required by law, provided, however, that if a
Party is required by law or regulation to make any such disclosure of the other
Party's Confidential Information it will, except where impracticable for
necessary disclosures, for example in the event of medical emergency, give
reasonable advance notice to the other Party of such disclosure requirement and,
except to the extent inappropriate in the case of patent applications, will use
its reasonable efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential
Information required to be disclosed or (iii) to the extent mutually agreed to
by the Parties.

      8.3 SURVIVAL.  This Article VIII shall survive the termination or
expiration of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years and in the case of
Paragraph 2.11(b), for a period of fifteen (15) years.

      8.4 TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENT.  This Agreement supersedes the
Confidentiality Agreement between the Parties dated March 1, 1993 and the
Material Transfer Agreement between the Parties dated November 11, 1994.  All
information exchanged between the Parties under that Agreement shall be deemed
Confidential Information and shall be subject to the terms of this Article VIII.

                                      -67-
<PAGE>
 
      8.5 PUBLICATIONS.  Each Party shall submit any proposed publication
containing Confidential Information to the other Party at least thirty (30) days
in advance to allow that Party to review such planned public disclosure.  The
reviewing party will promptly review such proposed publication and make any
objections that it may have to the publication of the Confidential Information
contained therein.  Should the reviewing Party make an objection to the
publication of the Confidential Information, then the Parties shall discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of publishing such Confidential Information.  If
the Parties are unable to agree on whether to publish the same, the Vice
President, Drug Discovery of Janssen Research Foundation, and Neurocrine's Vice
President of Research shall reasonably agree on the extent to which such
publication shall be made.

      8.6 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  In the absence of agreement between the
Parties, neither Party shall originate any publicity, news release or public
announcement, written or oral, whether to the public or press, concerning this
Agreement, including its existence, the subject matter to which it relates,
performance under it or any of its terms, to any amendment hereto save only such
announcements are required by law to be made or that are otherwise agreed by the
Parties.  Such announcements shall be factual and as brief as possible.  If a
Party decides to make an announcement required by law, it will give the other
Party fifteen (15) days' advance written notice, where possible, of the text of
the announcement so that the other Party will have an opportunity 

                                      -68-
<PAGE>
 
to comment upon the announcement, and upon Request by a party for approval of
any other disclosures, such approval shall be deemed granted if the other Party
does not disapprove the proposed disclosure in writing within fifteen (15) days
of its receipt. Routine references to this Agreement and the arrangements
hereunder without undue frequency and without emphasis shall be allowed in the
usual course of business. Upon request by either Party, the Parties agree to
prepare a mutually agreed to Question and Answer document relating to such press
release. Once information has been approved for disclosure under this Paragraph
8.6, no further consent or approval shall be required under this Paragraph 8.6
with respect to such information.

       ARTICLE IX - OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PATENT RIGHTS

      9.1 OWNERSHIP OF PROGRAM PATENTS.  Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, Program Patents shall be jointly owned by Janssen and Neurocrine.
Title to all other Patents claiming inventions made solely by an employee of a
Party in the course of performing Research shall be owned by such Party.  Title
to all other Patents claiming inventions made jointly by employees of Janssen
and Neurocrine shall be jointly owned by Janssen and Neurocrine.  The laws of
the United States with respect to joint ownership of inventions shall apply in
all jurisdictions; accordingly, except as expressly provided in this Agreement,
neither Party shall have any obligation to account to the other for profits, or
to obtain any approval of the other party to license or 

                                      -69-
<PAGE>
 
exploit a Program Patent or other jointly-owned patent, by reason of joint
ownership thereof.

      9.2 DISCLOSURE OF PATENTABLE INVENTIONS.  Each Party shall provide to the
other any invention disclosure submitted in the normal course and disclosing an
invention arising in the course of the Research.  Such invention disclosures
shall be provided to the to the other Party promptly after submission or in the
case where no invention disclosure is made, any patent application shall be
provided promptly after it is initially drafted.

      9.3 PATENT FILINGS.  The filing and prosecution of jointly owned Program
Patents shall be only as mutually agreed by Janssen and Neurocrine.  In such
connection, the Parties agree to cooperate in good faith to obtain broad patent
protection for PCC and SCCs. It is understood that all members of any chemical
genus which claims a PCC shall be PCCs as under Paragraph 1.38, and that all
members of any chemical genus which claims an SCC shall be SCCs as under
Paragraph 1.47; accordingly, the Parties agree to cooperate and to prepare and
prosecute patent applications for Program Patents directed to such claims in a
manner that ensures reasonable scope of protection for both PCCs and SCCs.  In
the event the Parties disagree over any strategy involved in the protection of
intellectual property assets to be covered under Program Patents, the Parties
agree to take reasonable actions to strengthen Janssen's ability to broadly
cover PCCs and PCPs and to strengthen Janssen's ability to enforce its rights
under Program Patents against potential infringers.  Subject always to the
foregoing, the 

                                      -70-
<PAGE>
 
following guidelines shall generally apply with respect to Program Patents:

        (a) PATENTS CLAIMING A PCC OR SCC.  Janssen shall be responsible at the
expense of Janssen for drafting, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and defending
any Program Patent relating primarily to PCCs, including but not limited to
processes for making PCC's, methods of use of PCC's or intermediates of such.
Neurocrine shall have the right at its expense to draft, file, prosecute,
maintain and defend any Program Patents relating primarily to SCCs, including
but not limited to processes for making SCCs, methods of use of SCCs and
intermediates of such. The Party which is responsible for filing the Program
Patent will be termed the "filing Party".

        (b) In the event that the Parties decide it to be prudent to file patent
applications before it is possible to fully establish the conditions of (a)
hereunder, then the Program Patents will be drafted, filed, prosecuted,
maintained and defended by the Party on whose site the invention was identified.
If the site of identification of the invention is not certain, the site of
identification will be the site at which the invention was first reduced to
practice.  The Patent Costs of action under this Paragraph (b) shall be shared
equally by the Parties, unless, Neurocrine agrees that Janssen may file such
patent application, in which case the costs thereof shall be borne by Janssen.
Where a time is reached that an application or Patent hereunder meets the
conditions of (a) above, then the filing Party of such application or patent
shall 

                                      -71-
<PAGE>
 
transfer control accordingly of such application or Patent to the other Party
(if appropriate) who will then be the "filing Party" hereunder.

     The filing Party shall keep the other Party apprised of the status of each
Program Patent and shall seek the advice of the other Party with respect to
Program Patent strategy and draft applications and shall give reasonable
consideration to any suggestions or recommendations of the other Party
concerning the preparation, filing prosecution, maintenance and defense thereof.
The Parties shall cooperate reasonably in the prosecution of all Program Patents
hereunder and shall disclose all costs associated therewith and all material
information relating thereto promptly after receipt of such information.  The
determination of the countries in which to file shall be made by mutual
agreement of the Parties. If, however, there is a dispute as to where to file,
the filing Party shall decide, provided that, in the case where the non-filing
Party requests worldwide filing, the filing Party shall at least file in the
U.S., EPO designating all EPO countries, Canada, South Korea, South Africa,
Mexico, Norway, Finland and Japan, either directly or through the PCT.

     If, during the term of this Agreement, the filing Party intends to allow
any Program Patent to lapse or become abandoned without having first filed a
substitute, the filing Party shall, whenever practicable, notify the other Party
of such intention at least sixty (60) days prior to the date upon which such
Program Patent shall lapse or become abandoned, and the other Party shall

                                      -72-
<PAGE>
 
thereupon have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for
the prosecution, maintenance and defense thereof in its sole name and at its own
expense. No party makes any warranty with respect to the validity, perfection or
dominance of any Program Patent or other proprietary right or with respect to
the absence of any rights by Third Parties which may be infringed by the
manufacture or sale of any Product. Each Party agrees to use reasonable efforts
consistent with its normal business practices to bring to the attention of the
other Party any patent or patent application it discovers, or has discovered,
and which relates to the subject matter of this Agreement.

      9.4 INITIAL FILING IF MADE OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.  The Parties
agree to use reasonable efforts consistent with its normal business practices to
ensure that any Patent filed outside of the United States prior to a U.S. filing
will be in a form sufficient to establish the date of original filing as a
priority date for the purposes of a subsequent U.S. filing.

      9.5 PATENT COSTS.  Where Patent Costs are shared, Patent Costs shall be
borne initially by the Party responsible for prosecution of the Patent.
However, Patent Costs shall be borne equally by the Parties and on a quarterly
basis the Party bearing less than one-half (1/2) of such expenses shall
reimburse the other Party an amount sufficient to equalize each Party's share of
such costs.

                                      -73-
<PAGE>
 
      9.6  ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS.

        (a) DEFENSE AND SETTLEMENT OF THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.  If a Third Party
asserts that a Patent or other right owned by it is infringed by the
manufacture, use or sale of any PCP, Janssen shall be solely responsible for
defending against any such assertions at its cost and expense (so long as
Janssen has the right to sell such PCP hereunder).  If a Third Party asserts
that a Patent or other right owned by it is infringed by the manufacture, use or
sale of any SCP or Independent Products, Neurocrine shall be solely responsible
for defending against any such assertions at its cost and expense.

        (b) INFRINGEMENT BY THIRD PARTIES OF PROGRAM PATENTS. If any Program
Patent is infringed by a Third Party in any country in connection with the
manufacture, use and sale of a PCP, SCP or Independent Products in such country,
the Party to this Agreement first having knowledge of such infringement shall
promptly notify the other in writing.  The notice shall set forth the known
facts of that infringement in reasonable detail.  The Party marketing the PCP
(in the case of Co-Promotion Janssen shall be considered the sole marketing
Party), SCP or Independent Products shall have the primary right, but not the
obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control any action or proceeding with
respect to such infringement of the Program Patent, by counsel of its own
choice, and the Party due royalties shall have the right, at its own expense, to
be represented in that action by counsel of its own choice. If the Party
marketing the Product fails to bring an action or proceeding 

                                      -74-
<PAGE>
 
within a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after a request by the other
Party to do so, the Party due royalties shall have the right to bring and
control any such action by counsel of its own choice, and the Party promoting
the Product shall have the right to be represented in any such action by counsel
of its own choice at its own expense. If one Party brings any such action or
proceeding, the second Party agrees to be joined as a party plaintiff and to
give the first Party reasonable assistance and authority to file and prosecute
the suit. The costs and expenses of the Party bringing suit under this
Paragraph and any damages or other monetary awards recovered shall be retained
by the Party bringing suit. A settlement or consent judgment or other voluntary
final disposition of a suit under this Paragraph 9.6(b) may be entered into
without the consent of the Party not bringing the suit; provided that such
settlement, consent judgment or other disposition does not admit the invalidity
or unenforceability of any Program Patent; and provided further, that any rights
to continue the infringing activity in such settlement, consent judgment or
other disposition shall be limited to the Product or activity that was the
subject of the suit.

        (C) GENERAL.  With respect to infringement of the Program Patents
(except as provided in Paragraph 9.6(b)) the Parties shall consult with each
other regarding the institution, prosecution and control of any action or
proceeding of any of the Program Patents. In the absence of agreement, each
Party may proceed in such manner as the law permits. Each Party shall bear 

                                      -75-
<PAGE>
 
its own expenses, and any recovery obtained by either Party may be retained by
such Party unless otherwise agreed.

     9.7 PATENT ASSIGNMENT.  Neither Party may assign its rights under any
jointly owned Program Patent except with the prior written consent of the other
Party; provided, however, that either Party may assign such rights without
consent to permitted assignee under this Agreement in connection with a merger
or similar reorganization or the sale of all or substantially all of its
assets, as provided in Paragraph 15.1 and subject to the terms and conditions of
Paragraph 11.5.

            ARTICLE X - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; EXCLUSIVITY

     10.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Each of the Parties hereby 
represents and warrants and covenants as follows:

        (a) This Agreement is a legal and valid obligation binding upon such
Party and enforceable in accordance with its terms.  The execution, delivery and
performance of the Agreement by such Party does not conflict with any agreement,
instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which
it is bound, nor violate any law or regulation of any court, governmental body
or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it.
      
        (b) Each Party has not, and during the term of the Agreement will not,
grant any right to any Third Party relating to its respective technology in the
Field which would conflict with the rights granted to the other Party hereunder.

                                      -76-
<PAGE>
 
        (c) Each party owns or otherwise Controls all of the rights, title and
interest in and to its Know-How.

     10.2  PATENTS AND KNOW-HOW WARRANTIES.  To the best of its knowledge as of
the Effective Date, each Party represents and warrants that (i) Information and
any Patent or other intellectual property right relating to the Field owned or
controlled by such Party are not currently being infringed by any Third Party,
and (ii) that the practice of such rights does not infringe any property right
of any Third Party.  In addition, Neurocrine represents and warrants to Janssen
that all Patents licensed to Neurocrine as of the Effective Date are within the
definition of "Neurocrine Patents" hereunder.

     10.3  EXCLUSIVITY/NON-COMPETITION.

        (a) During the Research Term and for a period of three (3) years
thereafter, Neurocrine shall not conduct, have conducted or fund any research,
development, regulatory, manufacturing or commercialization activity directed to
the discovery, development or commercialization of CRF Receptor Antagonists for
use in the treatment of anxiety, depression or drug abuse, except as is
permitted pursuant to this Agreement.

      10.4  NEUROCRINE COLLABORATION WITH THIRD PARTIES IN CRF-RECEPTOR
ANTAGONIST FIELD. [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -77-
<PAGE>
 
[***] Moreover, should CRF Receptor Antagonists result from such collaboration
during the Research Term then such CRF Receptor Antagonist will be subject to
the terms of this Agreement, particularly to becoming a PCC under Paragraph 1.38
if it meets the criteria set forth therein.

                       ARTICLE XI - TERM AND TERMINATION

      11.1  TERM.  This Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and,
unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect until the
latest of (a) six (6) months after the end of the Research Term (b) the date on
which either Party is no longer entitled to receive a royalty on any Product or
(c) the expiration of the last to expire of the Program Patents or other Patent
licensed hereunder.

      11.2  TERMINATION FOR BREACH.  Either Party may terminate this Agreement
in the event the other Party shall have materially breached or defaulted in the
performance of any of its material obligations hereunder, and such default shall
have continued for ninety (90) days after written notice thereof was provided to
the breaching party by the non-breaching party.  Any termination shall become
effective at the end of such ninety (90) day period unless the breaching party
(or any other party on its behalf) has cured 

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      -78-
<PAGE>
 
any such breach or default prior to the expiration of the ninety (90) day
period.

     11.3  TERMINATION BY NEUROCRINE.  Neurocrine shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement upon notice to Janssen in accordance with Paragraph 3.2
above.

     11.4  TERMINATION FOR BANKRUPTCY.  Either Party hereto shall have the
right to terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the other Party
(i) if the other Party is declared insolvent or bankrupt by a court of
competent jurisdiction, (ii) if a voluntary or involuntary petition in
bankruptcy if filed in any court of competent jurisdiction against the other
Party and such petition is not dismissed within ninety (90) days after filing,
or (iii) if the other Party shall make or execute an assignment of substantially
all of its assets for the benefit of creditors.

     11.5  TERMINATION BY JANSSEN OR NEUROCRINE WITHOUT CAUSE. Following
assignment by Neurocrine, if Neurocrine assigns this Agreement to a Third Party
pursuant to Paragraph 15.1 during the Research Term, Janssen may terminate this
Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice given within thirty (30) days
after such assignment provided the Third Party is a pharmaceutical and/or
biotechnology company with annual sales of $500,000,000 or more. Similarly,
following assignment by Janssen, if Janssen assigns this Agreement to a Third
Party pursuant to Paragraph 15.1 during this Agreement, Neurocrine may terminate
this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice given within thirty (30)
days after such assignment.

                                      -79-
<PAGE>
 
     11.6  TERMINATION BY JANSSEN FOR CONVENIENCE.  Janssen may terminate this
Agreement for any reason without cause at any time with further obligations of
payment on the part of Janssen being limited to amounts expected by Neurocrine
under Paragraph 2.5 (including, without limitation, 2.5(b)), and under Section
6.1 above, which Neurocrine would have received if the Agreement had not been
terminated under this Section 11.6.  In the event that Janssen exercises its
option to terminate under this Paragraph prior to the end of the Research Term,
the payment mentioned above will be made to Neurocrine within sixty (60) days of
notice, and the trade secret right of Paragraph 2.11(b) becomes the property of
Neurocrine.

     11.7  SURVIVING RIGHTS.  Paragraphs 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 5.5, 5.6, 11.7 and 11.8
and Articles 1, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15 shall survive the expiration and any
termination of this Agreement for any reason.  In addition, the following
provisions shall also survive in the events of termination described below.

        (a) In the event of a termination under 11.2 above by reason of a
material breach by Neurocrine, or under 11.4 by reason of a bankruptcy (etc.) of
Neurocrine:
               (i) Paragraphs 2.8 and 2.11 (other than 2.11(c)) shall survive;

               (ii) the licenses granted to Janssen under Paragraphs 5.1 (the
license granted in 5.1(a) shall be expanded to include conducting Research
independently beyond the Research Term), 5.2 and 5.8 shall survive, and
Neurocrine shall assign to

                                      -80-
<PAGE>
 
Janssen all of Neurocrine's right, title and interest in and to Program Patents
and any patents previously assigned to Neurocrine under Paragraph 2.11(c);

          (iii) the provisions of Article 6 (other than Paragraphs 6.1, 6.10
and 6.11) shall survive, provided that the payments required under Paragraphs
6.3 and 6.5 shall be reduced by fifty percent (50%); and provided that 6.2
survives only to the extent payments were owed prior to termination; and

          (iv) Neurocrine's obligations under Paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 shall
continue.

        (b) In the event of a termination under 11.2 above by reason of a
material breach by Janssen, under 11.4 by reason of a bankruptcy (etc.) of
Janssen, or under Paragraphs 11.3 or 11.6:

          (i) Paragraphs 2.8, 2.9, 2.11 (including 2.11(c), but subject to 11.6
above), and 3.2(d) shall survive (and the provisions of Paragraph 3.2(d)(iii)
shall apply with respect to all PCPs and Independent Products);

          (ii) the licenses under Paragraphs 5.1(b), 5.3, 5.4, 5.7 and 5.8 shall
survive; Janssen shall assign to Neurocrine all of Janssen' right, title and
interest in and to Program Patents; and all PCPs shall be deemed to be
"Independent Products" for all purposes (including, without limitation,
Neurocrine's license under 5.3 and the royalties due to Janssen under 6.7); and

          (iii) The provisions of Paragraphs 6.1, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.13, 6.14
and 6.15 shall survive and; provided that the

                                      -81-
<PAGE>
 
payments required under Paragraph 6.6 and 6.7 shall be reduced by fifty percent
(50%);

               (iv) Janssen's obligations under Sections 2.3 and 2.4 shall
continue.

        (c) In the event of termination by either Party under 11.5 above:

               (i) all provisions of this Agreement shall survive except
Paragraphs 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 3.3, 4.2 to 4.15; provided that
Neurocrine's right to receive the additional royalty under 4.2 (ii) shall
survive, and

               (ii) Paragraph 3.2(a) shall survive except that the Time to
Complete Milestone 1 shall be extended by one (1) year, and

               (iii) the Research Term will immediately terminate.

        (d) Except as provided in this Section 11.7, all other provisions of
this Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration or termination of this
Agreement.

     11.8  ACCRUED RIGHTS, SURVIVING OBLIGATIONS.  Termination, relinquishment
or expiration of the Agreement for any reason shall be without prejudice to any
obligations which shall have accrued prior to such termination, relinquishment
or expiration, including, without limitation, the payment obligations under
Paragraph 2.5 and Article 6 hereof and any and all damages arising from any
breach hereunder.  Such termination, relinquishment or expiration shall not
relieve either Party from obligations which are expressly indicated to survive
termination or expiration of the Agreement.

                                      -82-
<PAGE>
 
     11.9  TERMINATION NOT SOLE REMEDY.  Termination is not the sole remedy
under this Agreement and, whether or not termination is effected, all other
remedies will remain available except as agreed to otherwise herein.

                         ARTICLE XII - INDEMNIFICATION

     12.1 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INDEMNIFICATION. Each Party (the
"Indemnifying Party") shall indemnify, defend and hold the other party (the
"Indemnified Party") harmless from and against any and all liabilities, claims,
damages, costs, expenses or money judgments incurred by or rendered against the
Indemnified Party and its Affiliates and Sublicensees incurred in the defense or
settlement of a Third Party lawsuit or in a satisfaction of a Third Party
judgment arising out of any injuries to person and/or damage to property
resulting from (i) negligent acts of the Indemnifying Party performed in
carrying out Research and Development hereunder, including failure by the
Indemnifying Party to provide the Indemnified Party with any Information of the
Indemnifying party's which, if timely received, would have avoided injury, death
or damage, provided such failure to provide such Know-How is due to negligence
of the part of the Indemnifying Party, and (ii) personal injury to the
Indemnified Party employees or agents or damage to the Indemnified Party's
property resulting from acts performed by, under the direction of, or at the
request of the Indemnifying Party in carrying out activities contemplated by
this Agreement.

                                      -83-
<PAGE>
 
      12.2  INDEMNIFICATION FOR PRODUCTS.  With respect to Products covered by
this Agreement:

        (a) Janssen hereby agrees to save, defend and hold Neurocrine and its
agents, directors and employees harmless from and against any and all suits,
claims, actions, demands, liabilities, expenses and/or loss, including
reasonable legal expense and attorney's fees ("Losses") resulting directly from
the manufacture, use, handling, storage, sale or other disposition of chemical
agents or Products by Janssen, its Affiliates, agents or Sublicensees except to
the extent such Losses result from the negligence of Neurocrine.

        (b) In the event that Neurocrine is seeking indemnification under
Paragraphs 12.1 or 12.2(a), it shall inform Janssen of a claim as soon as
reasonably practicable after it receives notice of the claim, shall permit
Janssen to assume direction and control of the defense of the claim (including
the right to settle the claim solely for monetary consideration), and shall
cooperate as requested (at the expense of Janssen) in the defense of the claim.

        (c) Neurocrine hereby agrees to save, defend and hold Janssen and its
agents, directors and employees harmless from and against any and all suits,
claims, actions, demands, liabilities, expenses and/or loss, including
reasonable legal expense and attorneys' fees ("Losses") resulting directly from
the manufacture, use, handling, storage, sale or other disposition of chemical
agents or Products by Neurocrine, its Affiliates, agents or Sublicensees, 

                                      -84-
<PAGE>
 
except to the extent such Losses result from the negligence of Janssen.

        (d) In the event Janssen is seeking indemnification under Paragraphs
12.1 or 12.2(c), it shall inform Neurocrine of a claim as soon as reasonably
practicable after it receives notice of the claim, shall permit Neurocrine to
assume direction and control of the defense of the claim (including the right to
settle the claim solely for monetary consideration), and shall cooperate as
requested (at the expense of Neurocrine) in the defense of the claim.

                       ARTICLE XIII - DISPUTE RESOLUTION

      13.1  DISPUTES. The Parties recognize that disputes as to certain matters
may from time to time arise during the term of this Agreement which relate to
either Party's rights and/or obligations hereunder or thereunder.  It is the
objective of the Parties to establish procedures to facilitate the resolution of
disputes arising under this Agreement in an expedient manner by mutual
cooperation and without resort to litigation.  To accomplish this objective, the
Parties agree to follow the procedures set forth in this Article XIII if and
when a dispute arises under this Agreement.

     If the JRC is unable to resolve a dispute, using reasonable efforts to do
so, or the Parties are unable to resolve any other dispute between them, either
Party may, by written notice to the other, have such dispute referred to their
respective executive

                                      -85-
<PAGE>
 
officers designated below or their successors, for attempted resolution by good
faith negotiations within twenty-one (21) days after such notice is received.
Said designated officers are as follows:

     FOR JANSSEN:          President, Janssen Research Foundation
     FOR NEUROCRINE:       Chief Executive Officer

     Unless otherwise mutually agreed, the negotiations between the designated
officers should be conducted by telephone with three (3) days and times within
the period stated above, offered by the designated officer of Janssen to the
designated officer of Neurocrine for consideration.  The times offered should
fall between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. E.S.T. or E.D.T., U.S.A.

      13.2  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.  Any dispute controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to the validity, construction, enforceability or
performance of this Agreement, including disputes relating to alleged breach or
to termination of this Agreement, shall be settled by binding Alternative
Dispute Resolution ("ADR") in the manner described below:

        (a) If a Party intends to begin an ADR to resolve a dispute, such Party
shall provide written notice (the "ADR Request") to the other Party informing
such other Party of such intention and the issues to be resolved.  From the date
of the ADR Request and until such time as any matter has been finally settled
by ADR, the running of the time periods contained in Para-

                                      -86-
<PAGE>
 
graphs 11.2 as to which party must cure a breach of this Agreement shall be
suspended as to the subject matter of the dispute.

        (b) Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the ADR Request, the
other Party may, by written notice to the counsel for the party initiating ADR,
add additional issues to be resolved.

      13.3  ARBITRATION PROCEDURE.  The ADR shall be conducted in English
pursuant to the International Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association for Large, Complex Cases then in effect.
Notwithstanding those rules, the following provisions shall apply to the ADR
hereunder.

        (a) Arbitrator.  The arbitration shall be conducted by a panel of three
arbitrators ("the Panel").  Each Party shall have the right to appoint one (1)
member of the Panel, with the third member to be mutually agreed by the two
Panel members appointed by the Parties or appointed in accordance with the rules
of the American Arbitration Association.  All Panel members shall be selected
from a pool of independent arbitrators.  Each Party shall make its appointment
within twenty (20) days of receipt of the ADR Request and the Third Panel member
shall be selected by the two Panel members within ten (10) days of the selection
of the first two Panel members.

        (b) Proceedings.  The Parties will cooperate in good faith in the
voluntary, prompt and informal exchange of non-privileged documents and other
information relevant to the Arbitration.  The Parties and the Panel will make
every effort to conclude the information exchange process within ninety (90)
days 

                                      -87-
<PAGE>
 
after the Panel is selected. Within seven (7) days after selection of the Panel,
each Party may serve on any other Party up to ten (10) interrogatories, without
subparts, for the purpose of identification of documents and witnesses. These
interrogatories will be answered within seven (7) days.

     At any time after the selection of the Panel, but no later than thirty (30)
days before the Arbitration hearing, each Party may take up to three (3)
depositions of an opposing Party as a matter of right.  The Parties will attempt
to agree to time, location and duration of the deposition, and if the Parties do
not agree these will be determined by the Panel.

     Any Party may conduct depositions of its own witnesses which may be
introduced as evidence at the Arbitration hearing if the other Party was given
fair opportunity to attend the deposition and cross-examine.

     Upon the request of any Party, the Panel will conduct a conference for the
purpose of determining additional information to be exchanged.  Parties may
request additional depositions, interrogatories or document Production.  If the
Panel determines that the requesting Party has a reasonable need for the
requested information and that the request is not overly burdensome on the
opposing Party, the Panel may order the additional information exchange.

     As they become aware of new documents or information, including experts who
may be called upon to testify, all Parties remain under a continuing obligation
to provide documents upon 

                                      -88-
<PAGE>
 
which they rely, to supplement their responses, and to honor any informal
agreements or understandings between the Parties regarding documents or
information to be exchanged. Documents which have not been previously exchanged
will not be considered by the Panel at the hearing, unless agreed by the
Parties.

     The Parties will promptly notify the Panel when an unresolved dispute
exists regarding discovery issues.  The Panel will discuss the matter with the
Parties to determine the nature of the dispute and will attempt to resolve that
dispute.  If the Panel does not resolve the dispute, the Panel will arrange a
conference concerning the dispute before the Panel by telephone, or in person,
and the Panel will decide the dispute.

     The Panel will determine the date and time of the Arbitration hearing and
other proceedings after consultation with the Panel and the Parties and will
provide reasonable notice of the hearing date and time.  The Panel will make
every effort to schedule the Arbitration hearing within one hundred and twenty
(120) days of the commencement of the Arbitration, absent unusual circumstances.

     The Parties may agree on or the Panel for good cause may order a
rescheduling of the hearing date.

     The Panel will ordinarily conduct the Arbitration hearing in the manner set
forth in these Rules.  The Panel may vary these procedures if the Panel
determines it is reasonable and appropriate to do so.  The Panel may impose
reasonable time limits on each phase of the proceeding and may limit testimony
to exclude evidence that would be immaterial or unduly repetitive, provided that
all 

                                      -89-
<PAGE>
 
Parties are afforded the opportunity to present material and relevant evidence.

     The Panel will require witnesses to testify under oath if requested by any
Party.

     The Panel will determine the order of proof, which will generally be
similar to that of a court trial, including opening and closing statements.

     When the Panel determines that all relevant and material evidence and
arguments have been presented, the Panel will declare the hearing closed.  The
Panel may defer the closing of the hearing for up to twenty (20) days to permit
the Parties to submit post-hearing briefs and or to make closing arguments, as
the Panel deems appropriate, before rendering an award.

     The Panel will render the award within ten (10) days after the date of the
closing of the hearing or, if an Arbitration hearing has been waived, within ten
(10) days after the date of the Panel's receiving all materials specified by the
Parties. The decision and award of majority of the Panel will constitute the
Arbitration Award and will be binding on the Parties.

     The Panel shall, in rendering its decision, apply the substantive law of
the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions, except
that the interpretation of and enforcement of this Article shall be governed by
the Federal Arbitration Act.  The proceeding shall take place in the City of
Boston, Massachusetts.  The fees of the Panel shall be paid by the losing Party
which shall be designated by the Panel.  If the Panel 

                                      -90-
<PAGE>
 
is unable to designate a losing party, it shall so state and the fees shall be
split equally between the Parties.

        (c) Award.  The Panel is empowered to award any remedy allowed by law,
including money damages, multiple damages, prejudgment interest and attorneys'
fee, and to grant final, complete, interim, or interlocutory relief, including
injunctive relief. Notwithstanding the foregoing, punitive damages may not be
awarded.

        (d) Costs.  Except as set forth in Paragraph 13.4(b), above, each Party
shall bear its own legal fees.

        (e) Confidentiality.  The ADR proceeding shall be confidential and the
Panel shall issue appropriate protective orders to safeguard each Party's
Confidential Information.  Except as required by law, no Party shall make (or
instruct the panel to make) any public announcement with respect to the
proceedings or decision of the Panel without prior written consent of each other
Party. The existence of any dispute submitted to ADR, and the award, shall be
kept in confidence by the Parties and the Panel, except as required in
connection with the enforcement of such award or as otherwise required by
applicable law.

      13.4  SURVIVABILITY.  Any duty to arbitrate under this Agreement shall
remain in effect and enforceable after termination of this Agreement for any
reason.

      13.5  JURISDICTION.  For the purposes of this Article XIII, the Parties
acknowledge their diversity (Neurocrine having its principal place of business
in California and Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. having its principal place of
business in Beerse, Belgium) and 

                                      -91-
<PAGE>
 
agree to accept the jurisdiction of the United States Federal District Courts of
any District for the purposes of enforcing awards entered pursuant to this
Article XIII and for enforcing the agreements reflected in this Article XIII.

                       ARTICLE XIV - LICENSOR BANKRUPTCY

     14.1  All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to this Agreement
by each Party are, and shall otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section
365(n) of Title 11, U.S. code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), licenses of rights to
"intellectual property" as defined under section 101(60) of the Bankruptcy Code.
The Parties agree that the licensee of such rights under this Agreement, shall
retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the
Bankruptcy Code. The Parties agree during the term of this Agreement to create
and maintain current copies or, if not amendable to copying, detailed
descriptions or other appropriate embodiments, of all such intellectual
property. The Parties further agree that, in the event of the commencement of a
bankruptcy proceeding by or against either Party under the Bankruptcy Code, the
other Party shall be entitled to a complete duplicate of (or complete access to,
as appropriate) any such intellectual property and all embodiments of such
intellectual property, and same, if not already in its possession shall be
promptly delivered to the other Party (a) upon any such commencement of a
bankruptcy proceeding upon written request therefor by the other Party, unless
the Party elects to continue to perform all of its obligations

                                      -92-
<PAGE>
 
under this Agreement or (b) if not delivered under (a) above, upon the rejection
of this Agreement by or on behalf of the Party upon written request therefor by
the other Party.

                           ARTICLE XV - MISCELLANEOUS

      15.1  ASSIGNMENT.  Either Party may assign this Agreement or its ownership
interest in jointly owned Program Patents:  (i) to a party that succeeds to
substantially all of the business or assets of such Party by reason of a merger
or similar reorganization or the sale of substantially all of its business or
assets, or (ii) otherwise with the prior written consent of the other Party.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors
and permitted assigns of the Parties. Any assignment not in accordance with this
Agreement shall be void.

      15.2  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES.  Either Party may assign its
rights and obligations under this Agreement to an entity or entities (e.g.,
partnership or corporation) that are specifically formed for financial purposes
and that finance research and development performed by such Party; provided,
however, that such assignment shall not relieve the assigning Party of
responsibility for performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

      15.3  CONSENTS NOT UNREASONABLY WITHHELD.  Whenever provision is made in
this Agreement for either Party to secure the consent or approval of the other,
that consent or approval shall not unreasonably be withheld, and whenever in
this Agreement provision is made 

                                      -93-
<PAGE>
 
for one Party to object to or disapprove a matter, such objection or disapproval
shall not unreasonably be exercised.

      15.4  RETAINED RIGHTS.  Nothing in this Agreement shall limit in any
respect the right of either Party to conduct research and development with
respect to and market Products outside the Field using such Party's Technology.

      15.5  FORCE MAJEURE.  Neither Party shall lose any rights hereunder or be
liable to the other Party for damages or losses on account of failure of
performance by the defaulting Party if the failure is occasioned by government
action, war, fire, explosion, flood, strike, lockout, embargo, act of God, or
any other similar cause beyond the control of the defaulting Party, provided
that the Party claiming force majeure has exerted all reasonable efforts to
avoid or remedy such force majeure; provided, however, that in no event shall a
Party be required to settle any labor dispute or disturbance.

      15.6  FURTHER ACTIONS.  Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge and
deliver such further instruments, and to do all such other acts, as may be
necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this
Agreement.

      15.7  NO TRADEMARK RIGHTS.  Except as otherwise provided herein, no right,
express or implied, is granted by the Agreement to use in any manner the name
"Neurocrine" or "Janssen, or any other trade name or trademark of the other
Party or its Affiliates in connection with the performance of the Agreement.

                                      -94-
<PAGE>
 
      15.8  NOTICES.  All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission (receipt
verified), telexed, mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested), postage prepaid, or sent by express courier service, to the Parties
at the following address (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice; provided, that notices of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof.

IF TO NEUROCRINE,

      ADDRESSED TO:      NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
                         3050 Science Park Road
                         San Diego, CA  92121-1102
                         Attention:  President & CEO
                         Telephone:  619-658-7600
                         Telecopy:   619-658-7602

     WITH COPY TO:       WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                         PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                         650 Page Mill Road
                         Palo Alto, CA  94304-1050
                         Attention:  Kenneth A. Clark, Esq.
                         Telephone:  415-493-9300
                         Telecopy:   415-493-6811

IF TO JANSSEN,

     ADDRESSED TO:       JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA, N.V.
                         Turnhoutseweg 30
                         2340 Beerse, Belgium
                         Attention:  President, JRF
                         Telephone:  (32 + 14) 60-21-11
                         Telecopy:  (32 + 14) 60-28-41

WITH A COPY TO:          OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
                         JOHNSON & JOHNSON
                         One Johnson & Johnson Plaza
                         New Brunswick, NJ  08933

                                      -95-
<PAGE>
 
Each of the Parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal
Courts and agree to accept any legal process served upon such Party at the
addresses specified above for such Party.

      15.9  WAIVER.  Except as specifically provided for herein, the waiver from
time to time by either of the Parties of any of their rights or their failure to
exercise any remedy shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver of
same or of any other of such Party's rights or remedies provided in this
Agreement.

      15.10  SEVERABILITY.  If any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement
or the application thereof to any Party or circumstance shall, to any extent,
be held to be invalid or unenforceable, then (i) the remainder of this
Agreement, or the application of such term, covenant or condition to Parties or
circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this
Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law;
and (ii) the Parties hereto covenant and agree to renegotiate any such term,
covenant or applicable thereof in good faith in order to provide a reasonably
acceptable alternative to the term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or
the application thereof that is invalid or unenforceable, it being the intent of
the Parties that the basic purposes of this Agreement are to be effectuated.

      15.11  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                      -96-
<PAGE>
 
      15.12  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and the accompanying Stock
Purchase Agreement sets forth all the covenants, promises, agreements,
warranties, representations, conditions and understandings between the Parties
hereto and supersedes and terminates all prior agreements and understanding
between the Parties.  There are no covenants, promises, agreements, warranties,
representations conditions or understandings, either oral or written, between
the Parties other than as set forth herein and therein. No subsequent
alteration, amendment, change or addition to this Agreement shall be binding
upon the Parties hereto unless reduced to writing and signed by the respective
authorized officers of the Parties.

      15.13  RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES.  Nothing herein shall be construed to
create any relationship of employer and employee, agent and principal,
partnership or joint venture between the Parties.  Each Party is an independent
contractor.  Neither Party shall assume, either directly or indirectly, any
liability of or for the other Party.  Neither Party shall have the authority to
bind or obligate the other Party and neither Party shall represent that it has
such authority.

      15.14  LIMITED LIABILITY.  Neurocrine's remedies shall be limited to those
recited under Paragraph 3.2(d) should Janssen fail to perform under Article III,
particularly Paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2, and, as a result, Janssen shall not be
liable to Neurocrine under any contract, negligence, strict liability or other
legal or equitable theory for any incidental or consequential damages for
failure to perform under Article III.

                                      -97-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement in duplicate
originals by their proper officers as of the date and year first above written.


                                        JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA, N.V.

                                        By /s/ Valentino Tanca
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Title Executive Vice President
                                              ----------------------------
                                        Date Feb. 7, 1995 
                                             -----------------------------

                                        By /s/ Gustaaf Van Reet, Ph.D.
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Title Managing Director
                                              ----------------------------
                                        Date Feb. 7, 1995
                                             -----------------------------

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

By /s/ Gary Lyon
   --------------------------
Title President
      -----------------------
Date 2/9/95
     ------------------------

                                      -98-
<PAGE>
 
                                  APPENDIX A

                                     [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
<PAGE>
 
                                  APPENDIX B

                                     [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
<PAGE>
 
                                  APPENDIX C

                                     [***]

                    [***] CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20
 
                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     AMONG

                        NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.

                                      AND

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

                                      AND

                                 THE INVESTORS



                                MARCH 29, 1996


                      [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                            PAGE
<S>  <C>                                                                    <C> 
1.   Authorization and Sale of Investment Units............................    1
     1.1  Share Authorization..............................................    1
     1.2  Warrant Authorization............................................    1
     1.3  Sale of Units....................................................    2
     1.4  Units Defined....................................................    2
     1.5  Allocation of Purchase Price.....................................    2

2.   Closing; Delivery.....................................................    3
     2.1    Closing........................................................    3

3.   Representations and Warranties of the Company.........................    3
     3.1   Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws..............    3
     3.2   Corporate Power.................................................    4
     3.3   Capitalization..................................................    4
     3.4   Subsidiaries....................................................    4
     3.5   Authorization...................................................    4
     3.6   Title to Properties and Assets..................................    5
     3.7   Patents, Trademarks.............................................    5
     3.8   Compliance with Other Instruments...............................    5
     3.9   Litigation......................................................    6
     3.10  No Governmental Consent or Approval Required....................    6
     3.11  Securities Law Exemption........................................    6
     3.12  Brokers or Finders..............................................    6
     3.13  Compliance with Particular Canadian Laws........................    6
     3.14  Tax Matters.....................................................    7
     3.15  Business........................................................    7
     3.16  Environmental and Safety Laws...................................    7
     3.17  Transactions with Affiliates....................................    7
     3.18  Disclosure......................................................    8

4.   Representations and Warranties of NBI.................................    8
     4.1   Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws..............    8
     4.2   Corporate Power.................................................    8
     4.3   Capitalization..................................................    8
     4.4   Subsidiaries....................................................    9
     4.5   Authorization...................................................    9
     4.6   Title to Properties and Assets..................................    9
     4.7   Financial Statements............................................    9
     4.8   Compliance with Other Instruments...............................   10
     4.9   Patents, Trademarks.............................................   10
     4.10  Registration Rights.............................................   10
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>  <C>                                                                      <C>
     4.11  Litigation......................................................   11
     4.12  No Governmental Consent or Approval Required....................   11
     4.13  Securities Law Exemption........................................   11
     4.14  Brokers or Finders..............................................   11
     4.15  Employees.......................................................   12
     4.16  Tax Matters.....................................................   12
     4.17  Business........................................................   12
     4.18  Environmental and Safety Laws...................................   12
     4.19  Transactions with Affiliates....................................   12
     4.20  Investment Company..............................................   13
     4.21  Disclosure......................................................   13

5.   Representations and Warranties of the Investors; Restrictions on
     Transferability of Securities.........................................   13
     5.1   Authorization...................................................   13
     5.2   ................................................................   13
     5.3   Investment......................................................   14
     5.4   Rule 144 and Regulation S.......................................   14
     5.5   No Public Market................................................   14
     5.6   Access to Data..................................................   14
     5.7   Brokers or Finders..............................................   15
     5.8   California Corporate Securities Laws............................   15
     5.9   Transfer of Restricted Securities...............................   15
     5.10  Legends.........................................................   15

6.   Conditions to Closing.................................................   16
     6.1   Conditions to Closing of Investors..............................   16
     6.2   Conditions to Closing of Company and NBI........................   17
     6.3   Conditions to Closing of all Parties............................   17

7.   Covenants of the Company..............................................   17
     7.1   Financial Information...........................................   17
     7.2   CMDF Related Covenant...........................................   18

8.   Registration Rights...................................................   18

9.   Miscellaneous.........................................................   18
     9.1   Governing Law...................................................   18
     9.2   Survival........................................................   18
     9.3   Finder's Fee....................................................   18
     9.4   Successors and Assigns..........................................   19
     9.5   Entire Agreement................................................   19
     9.6   Severability....................................................   19
     9.7   Delays or Omissions.............................................   19
     9.8   Notices.........................................................   19
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
     <S>   <C>                                                                <C>
     9.9   Expenses........................................................   20
     9.10  Titles and Subtitles............................................   20
     9.11  Counterparts....................................................   20
     9.12  Language........................................................   20
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                        NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.

                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     This Unit Purchase Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is entered into and made
effective as of March 29, 1996, among Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc., a Canadian
corporation (the "COMPANY"), Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a California
corporation ("NBI"), and the undersigned investors (collectively the "INVESTORS"
and individually an "INVESTOR").


                                R E C I T A L S
                                ---------------

     A.  The Investors have agreed to enter into this Agreement and to acquire
51% of the common shares and 100% of the Series A Non-Voting Cumulative
Preferred Shares in the capital of the Company (the "COMMON SHARES" or the
"SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES", as the case may be, and collectively the "SHARES")
together with warrants (the "WARRANTS") held by the Company to purchase shares
of NBI's common stock (the "COMMON STOCK") on the terms and conditions contained
herein.

     B.  The Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Investors the Shares
and to sell and assign to the Investors the Warrants on the terms and conditions
set forth herein.

     C.  The Shares and Warrants are to be sold in investment units as described
in subsection 1.4 below (the "UNITS" and individually a "UNIT") at a purchase
price of [*] per Unit.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby
stipulate and agree as follows:

     1.   Authorization and Sale of Investment Units.
          ------------------------------------------ 

          1.1  Share Authorization.  The Company has authorized the issuance and
               -------------------                                              
sale pursuant to this Agreement of the Shares to the Investors upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein.  The Shares shall have the rights, preferences,
and privileges set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

          1.2  Warrant Authorization.  The Company has authorized the sale and
               ---------------------                                          
assignment pursuant to this Agreement of the Warrants upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein.  The Warrants were issued initially by NBI to
Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc. ("NBCI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBI,
as partial payment for common shares in the capital of NBCI.  As provided in
subsection 6.3 hereof, NBCI must, as a condition to the closing under this
Agreement, subscribe for 49% of the Common Shares.  Prior to its subscription
for

          [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED ]
<PAGE>
 
such Common Shares, NBCI sold and assigned the Warrants to the Company.  NBI has
authorized the initial issuance and sale as well as the subsequent sale and
assignment of the Warrants upon the terms and conditions set forth herein and in
other documents delivered in connection with this Agreement.

          1.3  Sale of Units.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the
               -------------                                                  
Company will issue and sell to the Investors, and the Investors will purchase
from the Company, Units in consideration of the purchase price of [*] per Unit
(the "PURCHASE PRICE") to be delivered in accordance with the provisions of
section 2 hereof for a total investment of [*]. The minimum purchase by each
Investor will be [*] Units.

          1.4  Units Defined.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
               -------------                       
each Unit sold in connection herewith will consist of the following:

               (a)  51 Common Shares;

               (b)  10,000 Series A Preferred Shares; and

               (c)  one Warrant designated as a "Series A Warrant" to purchase,
at the Exercise Price (as defined below), that number of shares of Common Stock
which is equal to 30% of the amount invested by each Investor hereunder
(converted into US$ by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street
Journal on the last day the newspaper is published preceding the Closing Date)
divided by US $7.45 (subject to adjustment as set forth in such Warrant),
substantially in the form of the attached EXHIBIT B.

The expression "EXERCISE PRICE" means the price per share of Common Stock in US$
determined as follows: (i) in the event an initial public offering for Common
Stock (an "IPO") occurs prior to March 31, 1997, the offering price for Common
Stock referred to in the registration statement filed by NBI with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "IPO PRICE"), (ii) between April 1, 1997 and
December 31, 1998, US $8.00 or, in the event there has been an IPO, the lesser
of US $8.00 and the IPO Price, or (iii) between January 1, 1999 and March 26,
2006, US $6.25 or, in the event there has been an IPO, the lesser of US $6.25
and the IPO Price. The Investors shall not be entitled to exercise the right to
purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Series A Warrant prior to March 31, 1997
unless there has been an IPO.

          1.5  Allocation of Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price shall be 
               ----------------------------      
allocated to the components of a Unit in the following manner:

               (a)  [*] for the Common Shares;

               (b)  [*] for the Series A Preferred Shares; and

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
               (c) [*] for the Series A Warrant.

     2.   Closing; Delivery.
          ----------------- 

          2.1  Closing.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
               -------                                                        
the closing of the sale and purchase of the Units under this Agreement (the
"CLOSING") shall be held on March 31, 1996 or such other date mutually agreed to
by the parties hereto (the "CLOSING DATE").  The Closing shall take place at
such location as the Company and the Investors may agree.

               (a)  Delivery of Shares and Warrants.  At the Closing, the 
                    -------------------------------   
Company shall deliver to each Investor certificates representing the total
number of Common Shares and Series A Preferred Shares indicated next to each
such Investor's name on the Schedule of Investors attached hereto as EXHIBIT C
(the "SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS") as well as a Series A Warrant. The amount to be
invested in the Company, by Investor, as of the Closing Date, is reflected in
Exhibit C attached hereto.

               (b)  Payment of Purchase Price.  At the Closing, each Investor 
                    -------------------------   
shall deliver payment of the total Purchase Price due as indicated next to each
such Investor's name on the Schedule of Investors, by cheque payable to the
Company or wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company.

               (c)  Research and Development Agreement.  At the Closing, NBCI 
                    ----------------------------------   
and the Company will have entered into a research and development agreement
dated as of the Closing Date substantially in the form attached hereto as
EXHIBIT D (the "RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT").

               (d)  Payment of Commitment Fee.  At the Closing, the Company 
                    -------------------------        
shall pay to each Investor, by cheque or wire transfer of immediately available
funds, a commitment fee equal to 3.15% of the Purchase Price paid by each
Investor to purchase Units hereunder.

     3.   Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents
          ---------------------------------------------                         
and warrants as follows.

          3.1  Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws.  The Company
               --------------------------------------------------              
is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of Canada and is in good standing under the laws of the Province of
Quebec.  The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and
operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently
conducted and as proposed to be conducted.  The Company is not qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction and the failure to be so
qualified is not having and will not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.  For

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
purposes of this Agreement, "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean any adverse
effect or change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, results of
operations, prospects, assets, liabilities or operations of the referenced
entity or on its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or
any event or condition which may, with the passage of time, have such an effect
or result in such a change.  The Company has made available to each Investor
copies of its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.  Such copies are true,
correct and complete.

          3.2  Corporate Power.  The Company has all requisite legal and
               ---------------                                          
corporate power to execute and deliver this Agreement, to issue and sell the
Shares, to sell and assign the Warrants hereunder, and to carry out and perform
its obligations under the terms of this Agreement.

          3.3  Capitalization.  The authorized capital of the Company consists
               --------------                                                 
of an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value and an
unlimited number of preferred shares without nominal or par value.  Immediately
prior to the Closing, the Company will have no issued or outstanding capital,
nor, except as provided herein or in the other documents delivered in connection
with this Agreement, any outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
acquire securities of the Company but will have created the Shares for immediate
issue and sale.

          3.4  Subsidiaries.  The Company has no subsidiaries and does not
               ------------                                               
otherwise own or control, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any
corporation, association or business entity.

          3.5  Authorization.  All corporate action on the part of the Company,
               -------------                                                   
its officers, directors and shareholders necessary for the authorization,
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the
authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares, the sale, assignment
and delivery of the Warrants and the performance of all of the Company's
obligations under this Agreement has been taken or will be taken prior to the
Closing.  This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms, subject to laws of general application
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors and rules of law
governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.
The Shares, when issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will be free of any
liens or encumbrances created by the Company, provided, however, that the Shares
may be subject to restrictions on transfer under applicable securities laws as
well as under the constating documents of the Company, other agreements entered
into by the Investors and as set forth herein.  The Shares are not subject to
any preemptive rights.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          3.6  Title to Properties and Assets.  The Company has good and 
               ------------------------------              
marketable title to its tangible properties and assets, including the Warrants,
in each case subject to no hypothec, mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, loan,
encumbrance or charge, except (a) the lien of current taxes not yet due and
payable and (b) possible minor liens and encumbrances which do not in any case
materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially
impair the Company's operations, and which have not arisen otherwise than in the
ordinary course of business. With respect to property it leases, the Company is
in compliance with such leases in all material respects.

          3.7  Patents, Trademarks.  The Company has title to and ownership of,
               -------------------                                             
or is licensed under, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service
marks, trade names, inventions, franchises, copyrights, trade secrets,
information and other proprietary rights material to the operation of its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted (collectively, the
"COMPANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY"). The Company has not received any
communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its
business as proposed would violate, any proprietary rights of any other person
or entity.  The Company has no knowledge of, and has no reason to believe there
is, any infringement or violation by it of the intellectual property rights of
any third party and has no knowledge of, and has no reason to believe there is,
any violation or infringement by a third party of any of the Company
Intellectual Property.  To the best of the Company's knowledge, all of its
rights in the Company Intellectual Property are valid and enforceable.  The
Company does not know of, and has no reason to believe that there is, any
challenge to the validity of any of the Company Intellectual Property.

          3.8  Compliance with Other Instruments.  The Company is not in
               ---------------------------------                        
violation of any term of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws.  The Company
is not in violation of, nor in default under, the terms of any hypothec,
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, instrument, judgment or decree
applicable to it or to which it is a party, the violation of or default under
which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and the Company is
not in violation of any order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Company, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, and compliance with the provisions hereof by
the Company, do not and will not, with the passage of time or the giving of
notice or both, (a) violate, in any material respect, any provision of any law,
statute, rule or regulation or any ruling, writ, injunction, order, judgment or
decree of any court, administrative agency or other governmental body or (b)
conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration) under, or result in the creation of
any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or
assets of the Company under, the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the
Company or any material note, indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement, contract,
purchase order or other instrument, document or

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it or any of its
properties or assets is bound or affected.

          3.9  Litigation.  There is no claim, arbitration, action, suit,
               ----------                                                
proceeding or investigation pending, or to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company, which questions the validity of this Agreement
or any other agreement entered into by the Company in connection with this
Agreement or the right of the Company to enter into any such agreements or to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which might have,
either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, or which might result in any material change in the current equity
ownership of the Company, nor is the Company aware that there is any basis for
the foregoing.  The Company is not a party to, nor subject to the provisions of,
any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental
agency or instrumentality which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.

          3.10  No Governmental Consent or Approval Required.  No authorization,
                --------------------------------------------                    
consent, approval or other order of, declaration to, or registration,
qualification, designation or filing with, any federal, provincial or local
governmental agency or body is required for or in connection with the valid and
lawful authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or
any other agreement entered into by the Company in connection with this
Agreement, and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
or for or in connection with the valid and lawful authorization, issuance, sale
and delivery of the Shares and the sale, assignment and delivery of the Warrants
other than the qualification (or taking of such action as may be necessary to
secure an exemption from qualification if available) of the offer and sale of
the Units under the applicable securities laws, which filings and
qualifications, if required, will be accomplished in a timely manner so as to
comply with such qualification or exemption from qualification requirements.

          3.11  Securities Law Exemption.  Subject to the accuracy of the
                ------------------------                                 
Investors' representations in section 5 of this Agreement, the offer and sale of
the Units have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and
qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of
all applicable securities laws.

          3.12  Brokers or Finders.  The Company has not incurred, and will not
                ------------------                                             
incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by or on behalf
of the Company, any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

          3.13  Compliance with Particular Canadian Laws.  The Company is a
                ----------------------------------------                   
taxable Canadian corporation within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
The Company carries on no business other than scientific research and
experimental development, and the

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
exploitation and commercialization of such research and development.  All or
substantially all of the fair market value of the property of the Company is
attributable to property used in the Company's business.  The Company and all
companies related to it have not more than 500 employees.  The carrying value of
the assets of the Company together with the assets of all related companies
(determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on a
consolidated or combined basis, where applicable) does not exceed C $50,000,000.
For the purpose of the foregoing, the term "related" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Income Tax Act (Canada).

          3.14  Tax Matters.  All taxes, including, without limitation, income,
                -----------                                                    
excise, property, sales, transfer, use, franchise, payroll, employees' income
withholding and social security taxes imposed or assessed by Canada or by any
foreign country or by any province, municipality, subdivision or instrumentality
of Canada or of any foreign country, or by any other taxing authority, which are
due or payable by the Company, and all interest, penalties and additions
thereon, whether disputed or not, have been paid in full, and all tax returns or
other documents required to be filed in connection therewith have been
accurately prepared and duly and timely filed.  The Company has not been
delinquent in the payment of any foreign or domestic tax, assessment or
governmental charge or deposit and has no tax deficiency or claim outstanding,
assessed or, to its knowledge, proposed to be assessed against it, and there is
no basis for any such deficiency or claim.

          3.15  Business.  The Company has all necessary franchises, permits,
                --------                                                     
governmental licenses and other governmental rights and privileges necessary to
permit it to own its property and to conduct its present business, except where
the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
The Company is not in violation of any law, regulation, authorization or order
of any public authority relevant to the ownership of its properties or the
carrying on of its present business, except where such violation would not have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          3.16  Environmental and Safety Laws.  To its knowledge, the Company is
                -----------------------------                                   
in compliance with every applicable statute, law or regulation relating to the
environment or occupational health and safety, except where the failure to so
comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and, to the
Company's knowledge, no expenditures are required in order to comply with any
such existing statute, law or regulation.  In addition, the Company has received
no notices of non-compliance in respect of any such statute, law or regulation.

          3.17  Transactions with Affiliates.  Other than as set forth in this
                ----------------------------                                  
Agreement, the Research and Development Agreement and the other documents
delivered in connection with this Agreement, no shareholder, officer or director
of the Company, nor any affiliate of such persons (a "RELATED PARTY") is a party
to any material transaction with the Company except

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
employment and consulting agreements, including, without limitation, any
contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the rental of immovable
(real) or movable (personal) property from, or otherwise requiring payments to,
any Related Party.

          3.18  Disclosure.  This Agreement, and the other written information
                ----------                                                    
furnished by the Company to the Investors, when read together, do not contain
any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in
view of the circumstances under which they were made.

     4.   Representations and Warranties of NBI.  Except as otherwise set forth
          -------------------------------------                                
on NBI's Schedule of Exceptions attached as EXHIBIT E, NBI represents and
warrants as follows.

          4.1  Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws.  NBI is a
               --------------------------------------------------           
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of California.  NBI has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.  NBI is not
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction and the
failure to be so qualified is not having and will not have a Material Adverse
Effect on NBI.  NBI has made available to the Investors copies of its Articles
of Incorporation and By-laws.  Such copies are true, correct and complete.

          4.2  Corporate Power.  NBI has all requisite legal and corporate power
               ---------------                                                  
to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Investors Rights Agreement (as
defined in subsection 4.10 hereof), to sell and issue the Warrants in connection
herewith and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of this
Agreement and the Investors Rights Agreement.

          4.3  Capitalization.  The authorized capital stock of NBI consists of
               --------------                                                  
100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, US $0.001 par value, and 10,000,000 shares
of undesignated Preferred Stock, US $0.001 par value.  The outstanding capital
stock of NBI and the outstanding options, warrants and other rights to acquire
capital stock of NBI as of the Closing Date, other than as contemplated by the
transactions in connection herewith, are as set forth in subsection 4.3 of the
NBI Schedule of Exceptions.  All issued and outstanding shares of NBI's capital
stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-
assessable, and were issued in compliance with applicable United States federal
and state securities laws.  There are no other outstanding shares of capital
stock or outstanding rights of first refusal, preemptive rights or, except as
provided herein or in the other documents delivered in connection with this
Agreement, other rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, or other
agreements either directly or indirectly for the purchase or acquisition of any
shares of its capital stock from NBI or, to the best of NBI's knowledge, any
third party.  Except for its 1992 Incentive Stock Plan, NBI has no employee
stock option, stock purchase or other similar incentive stock plans.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          4.4  Subsidiaries.  Other than the Company and NBCI, NBI has no
               ------------                                   
subsidiaries or affiliated companies and does not otherwise own or control,
directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any corporation, association or
business entity.

          4.5  Authorization.  All corporate action on the part of NBI, its
               -------------                                               
officers, directors and shareholders necessary for the authorization, execution,
delivery and performance by NBI of this Agreement, the authorization, initial
issuance, sale and delivery as well as the subsequent sale, assignment and
delivery of the Warrants, and the performance of all of NBI's obligations under
this Agreement has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing.  This
Agreement, when executed and delivered by NBI, shall constitute valid and
legally binding obligations of NBI enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency and the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific
performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.  A sufficient number
of shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance upon exercise of the
Warrants and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, when issued in
compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Warrants, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and such shares will be free of
any liens or encumbrances created by NBI, provided, however, that such shares
may be subject to restrictions on transfer under applicable securities laws as
set forth herein.

          4.6  Title to Properties and Assets.  NBI has good and marketable
               ------------------------------                              
title to its tangible properties and assets, and has good title to all its
leasehold interests, in each case subject to no hypothec, mortgage, pledge,
lien, lease, loan, encumbrance or charge, except (a) the lien of current taxes
not yet due and payable, and (b) possible minor liens and encum brances which do
not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject
thereto or materially impair NBI's operations, and which have not arisen
otherwise than in the ordinary course of business.  With respect to property it
leases, NBI is in compliance with such leases in all material respects.

          4.7  Financial Statements.  NBI has delivered to the Investors its
               --------------------                                         
audited balance sheet as of December 31, 1995 and its audited statements of
operations, cash flows and stockholder's equity for the year then ended (the
"AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS").  The Audited Financial Statements are true,
correct and complete in all material respects, are in accordance with the books
and records of NBI, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied and fairly and accurately present the
financial position of NBI as of the dates stated therein.  The Audited Financial
Statements have been audited by Ernst & Young, NBI's independent auditors.
Except as and to the extent reflected or stated in the Audited Financial
Statements, and except for liabilities arising in the ordinary course of its
business and consistent with past practice, NBI has no debts, liabilities or
obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, assigned or
otherwise, whether due or to become due.  Since December 31, 1995, there has
been no (a) Material Adverse Effect on NBI,

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
(b) declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution
with respect to the capital stock of NBI, or (c) loss, destruction or damage to
any property of NBI, whether or not insured, which has had or may have a
Material Adverse Effect on NBI.

          4.8  Compliance with Other Instruments.  NBI is not in violation of
               ---------------------------------                             
any term of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as amended to date.  NBI
is not in violation of, nor in default under, the terms of any mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, instrument, judgment or decree applicable to it
or to which it is a party, the violation of or default under which would have a
Material Adverse Effect on NBI, and NBI is not in violation of any order,
statute, rule or regulation applicable to NBI, the violation of which would have
a Material Adverse Effect on NBI.  The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the Investors Rights Agreement, and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance with the provisions hereof and
thereof by NBI, do not and will not, with the passage of time or the giving of
notice or both, (a) violate, in any material respect, any provision of any law,
statute, rule or regulation or any ruling, writ, injunction, order, judgment or
decree of any court, administrative agency or other governmental body or (b)
conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration) under, or result in the creation of
any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or
assets of NBI, under the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as amended to
date, of NBI or any material note, indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement,
contract, purchase order or other instrument, document or agreement to which NBI
is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets is bound or
affected.

          4.9  Patents, Trademarks.  NBI has title to and ownership of, or is
               -------------------                                           
licensed under, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, inventions, franchises, copyrights, trade secrets, information and
other proprietary rights material to the operation of its business as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted (collectively, the "NBI INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY"). NBI has not received any communications alleging that NBI has
violated, or by conducting its business as proposed would violate, any
proprietary rights of any other person or entity.  NBI has no knowledge of, and
has no reason to believe there is, any infringement or violation by it of the
intellectual property rights of any third party and has no knowledge of, and has
no reason to believe there is, any violation or infringement by a third party of
any of the NBI Intellectual Property.  To the best of NBI's knowledge, all of
its rights in the NBI Intellectual Property are valid and enforceable.  NBI does
not know of, and has no reason to believe that there is, any challenge to the
validity of any of the NBI Intellectual Property.

          4.10  Registration Rights.  Except as provided in the existing
                -------------------                                     
Information and Registration Rights Agreement made as of September 25, 1992 (a
copy of which has been provided to the Investors) and a New Registration Rights
Agreement (a copy of which is

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
attached hereto as EXHIBIT F) (the "INVESTORS RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), NBI is not
under any contractual obligation to register any of its presently outstanding
securities or any of its securities which may hereafter be issued.

          4.11  Litigation.  There is no claim, arbitration, action, suit,
                ----------                                                
proceeding or investigation pending, or to the knowledge of NBI, threatened
against NBI, which questions the validity of this Agreement or any other
agreement entered into by NBI in connection with this Agreement or the right of
NBI to enter into any such agreements or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, or which might have, either individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on NBI, or which might result in any
material change in the current equity ownership of NBI, nor is NBI aware that
there is any basis for the foregoing.  NBI is not a party to, nor subject to the
provisions of, any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or
governmental agency or instrumentality which would have a Material Adverse
Effect on NBI.

          4.12  No Governmental Consent or Approval Required.  No authorization,
                --------------------------------------------                    
consent, approval or other order of, declaration to, or registration,
qualification, designation or filing with, any federal, state or local
governmental agency or body is required for or in connection with the valid and
lawful authorization, execution and delivery by NBI of this Agreement, the
Investors Rights Agreement or any other agreement entered into by NBI in
connection with this Agreement, and consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, or for or in connection with the valid and
lawful authorization, initial issuance, sale and delivery and subsequent sale,
assignment and delivery of the Warrants other than the qualification (or taking
of such action as may be necessary to secure an exemption from qualification if
available) of the offer, sale and assignment of the Warrants under the
applicable state securities laws, which filings and qualifications, if required,
will be accomplished in a timely manner so as to comply with such qualification
or exemption from qualification requirements.

          4.13  Securities Law Exemption.  Subject to the accuracy of the
                ------------------------                                 
Investors' representations in section 5 of this Agreement, the initial issuance
and sale as well as the subsequent sale and assignment and the offer, sale and
assignment contemplated herein of the Warrants constitute transactions exempt
from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT"), and have been registered or qualified (or
are exempt from registration and qualification) under the registration, permit
or qualification requirements of all applicable state securities laws.

          4.14  Brokers or Finders.  NBI has not incurred, and will not incur,
                ------------------                                            
directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by or on behalf of NBI,
any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or any
similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
          4.15  Employees.  Each of NBI's employees has executed NBI's form of
                ---------                              
Employee Proprietary Information Agreement. To the best of NBI's knowledge, no
employee of NBI is in violation of any term of any employment agreement,
propriety information agreement or any other contract or agreement relating to
the relationship of such employee with NBI or any other party because of the
nature of the business conducted or to be conducted by NBI.

          4.16  Tax Matters.  All taxes, including, without limitation, income,
                -----------                                                    
excise, property, sales, transfer, use, franchise, payroll, employees' income
withholding and social security taxes imposed or assessed by the United States
or by any foreign country or by any state, municipality, subdivision or
instrumentality of the United States or of any foreign country, or by any other
taxing authority, which are due or payable by NBI, and all interest, penalties
and additions thereon, whether disputed or not, have been paid in full, and all
tax returns or other documents required to be filed in connection therewith have
been accurately prepared and duly and timely filed.  NBI has not been delinquent
in the payment of any foreign or domestic tax, assessment or governmental charge
or deposit and has no tax deficiency or claim outstanding, assessed or, to its
knowledge, proposed to be assessed against it, and there is no basis for any
such deficiency or claim.  The provisions for taxes in the Audited Financial
Statements are sufficient for the payment of all accrued and unpaid federal,
state, county and local taxes of NBI.

          4.17  Business.  NBI has all necessary franchises, permits,
                --------                                             
governmental licenses and other governmental rights and privileges necessary to
permit it to own its property and to conduct its present business, except where
the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NBI.  NBI is
not in violation of any law, regulation, authorization or order of any public
authority relevant to the ownership of its properties or the carrying on of its
present business, except where such violation would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on NBI.

          4.18  Environmental and Safety Laws.  To its knowledge, NBI is in
                -----------------------------                              
compliance with every applicable statute, law or regulation relating to the
environment or occupational health and safety, except where the failure to so
comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NBI and, to NBI's knowledge,
no expenditures are required in order to comply with any such existing statute,
law or regulation.

          4.19  Transactions with Affiliates.  Other than as set forth in this
                ----------------------------                                  
Agreement, the Research and Development Agreement and the other documents
delivered in connection with this Agreement, no shareholder, officer or director
of NBI, nor a Related Party is a party to any material transaction with NBI
except employment and consulting agreements, including, without limitation, any
contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the rental of real or
personal property from, or otherwise requiring payments to, any Related Party.

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
          4.20  Investment Company.  NBI is not an "investment company" within
                ------------------                            
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and will not, as
a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, become an "investment
company".

          4.21  Disclosure.  This Agreement, the Investors Rights Agreement and
                ----------                                                     
the other written information furnished by NBI to the Investors, when read
together, do not contain any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or
therein not misleading in view of the circumstances under which they were made.

     5.  Representations and Warranties of the Investors; Restrictions on
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
Transferability of Securities.
- ----------------------------- 

          5.1  Authorization.  Each Investor represents and warrants that this
               -------------                                                  
Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Investors, will constitute a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Investors, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency and the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific
performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

          5.2  Accredited Investor.  Each Investor represents and warrants that,
               -------------------                                              
for Canadian income tax purposes, it is not a public corporation (other than a
"prescribed venture capital corporation", as such expression is defined pursuant
to section 6700 of the Income Tax Regulations), and it is not a non-resident of
Canada.  Where an Investor is a partnership, such Investor represents and
warrants that 90% or more of the interests in the partnership are owned by (i)
trusts that are not non-residents of Canada for Canadian income tax purposes,
(ii) persons that, for Canadian income tax purposes, are not public corporations
(other than "prescribed venture capital corporations", as such expression is
defined pursuant to section 6700 of the Income Tax Regulations) and are not non-
residents of Canada, or (iii) a combination of the foregoing.  Each Investor
represents and warrants that, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada),
it does not, alone or, to the best of its knowledge after due inquiry, in
concert with any other Investor, control directly or indirectly in any manner
whatever, the Company, and is not related to (as defined in the Income Tax Act
(Canada)) the Company.  Each of Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund, Inc. and the
Health Care and Biotechnology Venture Fund represents and warrants that it is
liable to income tax under Part I of the Income Tax Act (Canada).  Insofar as
NBI is concerned, it is an "Accredited Investor" as defined under Regulation D
promulgated under the 1933 Act and has substantial experience in evaluating and
investing in private placement transactions of securities in companies similar
to the Company and NBI so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks
of its investment in the Company and NBI and has the capacity to protect its own
interests.

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
          5.3  Investment.  Each Investor represents and warrants that it is
               ----------                               
acquiring the Units for investment for its own account, not as a nominee or
agent, and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any
"distribution" thereof for purposes of the 1933 Act or otherwise and that it was
not created or established solely to acquire securities under a prospectus
exemption pursuant to applicable securities laws. Each Investor understands that
the shares of the Common Stock issuable in respect of the Units have not been,
and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act by reason of a specific exemption
from the registration provisions of the 1933 Act, the availability of which
depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent
and the accuracy of each Investor's representations as expressed herein.
Furthermore, each Investor undertakes to execute and deliver all documents as
may be required under applicable securities laws to permit the purchase of the
Units on the terms herein set forth.

          5.4  Rule 144 and Regulation S.  Each Investor acknowledges that the
               -------------------------                                      
shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of the Warrants must be held
indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the 1933 Act, unless an
exemption from such registration is available.  Each Investor is aware of the
provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act ("RULE 144") which permit
limited resale of shares purchased in a private placement subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among other things, the existence
of a public market for the shares, the availability of certain current public
information about NBI, the resale occurring not less than two years after a
party has purchased and paid for the security to be sold, the sale being
effected through a "broker's transaction" or in transactions directly with a
"market maker" and the number of shares being sold during any three (3) month
period not exceeding specified limitations.  If Regulation S is available for
use as an applicable exemption under the 1933 Act, each party hereto agrees to
use its best efforts to have the issuance of the shares of Common Stock upon the
exercise of the Warrants qualify under Regulation S.

          5.5  No Public Market.  Each Investor understands that no public
               ----------------                                           
market now exists for any of the securities issued by the Company or NBI and
that the Company and NBI have made no assurances that a public market will ever
exist for the such securities.  Furthermore, each Investor understands that
restrictions on the resale of such securities exist and that any resale may only
take place in compliance with applicable securities laws, the provisions of
subsection 5.9 and the Unanimous Shareholders Agreement substantially in the
form attached hereto as EXHIBIT G, to be entered into by the Company, the
Investors and NBCI at the Closing.

          5.6  Access to Data.  Each Investor represents and warrants that it
               --------------                                                
has had sufficient opportunity to discuss the Company's and NBI's business,
management and financial affairs with the their management and has also had
sufficient opportunity to ask questions of their officers, which questions were
answered to its satisfaction.

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
          5.7  Brokers or Finders.  Each Investor represents and warrants that
               ------------------                           
it has not engaged any brokers, finders, or agents and has not incurred, and
will not incur, directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finder's
fee or agents, commissions or any similar charges in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

          5.8  California Corporate Securities Laws.  THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES
               ------------------------------------                             
WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE
COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH
SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR
PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICA TION IS UNLAWFUL UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT
FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102 OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA
CORPORATIONS CODE.  THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY
CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO
EXEMPT.

          5.9  Transfer of Restricted Securities.  Each Investor covenants that
               ---------------------------------                               
in no event will it dispose of any of the Warrants (other than if a Registration
Statement is in effect with respect to such Warrants or in a disposition
pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation S or any similar or analogous rule) unless
and until (a) such Investor shall have notified NBI of the proposed disposition
and shall have furnished NBI with a statement of the circumstances surrounding
the proposed disposition that are necessary to the availability of an exemption
under the 1933 Act other than Rule 144 or Regulation S, and (b), if requested by
NBI, each such Investor shall have furnished NBI with an opinion of counsel
satisfactory in form and substance to NBI to the effect that:  (i) such
disposition will not require registration under the 1933 Act and (ii)
appropriate action necessary for compliance with the 1933 Act and any applicable
state, local or foreign law has been taken.

          5.10  Legends.  The certificates representing the Warrants shall
                -------                                
bear the following legends:

          (a)  "THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH
OFFER, SALE, OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL
COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY."; and

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  any additional legend(s) required by the Commissioner of
Corporations of the State of California or pursuant to any state, local or
foreign law governing such securities.

          The legend set forth in paragraph 5.10(a) above shall be removed if
the shares represented by such certificate (a) may be transferred in compliance
with Rule 144(k) or Regulation S under the Act, (b) are effectively registered
under the Act or otherwise lawfully sold in a public transaction, or (c) may be
publicly sold without registration under the Act in the opinion of counsel for
the Investor as set forth in subsection 5.9 above. The legend set forth in
paragraph 5.10(b) above shall be removed at such time as NBI receives an order
from the appropriate state or other governmental authority authorizing such
removal.

     6.   Conditions to Closing
          ---------------------

          6.1  Conditions to Closing of Investors.  The Investors' obligations
               ----------------------------------                             
to purchase the Units at the Closing are subject to the fulfilment on or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in
whole or in part by the Investors.

          (a)  The representations and warranties made by the Company and NBI in
sections 3 and 4 hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects on
the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if they had been made on and
as of that date.

          (b)  All covenants, agreements and conditions contained in this
Agreement to be performed, complied with or satisfied by the Company and NBI on
or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed, complied with or
satisfied.

          (c)  The Company and NBI shall have obtained all consents, permits and
waivers necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (d)  The Company and NBI shall have delivered to each Investor
certificates, executed by the President or a Vice President of each and dated as
of the Closing Date, certifying the fulfilment of the conditions specified in
paragraphs 6.1(a), (b) and (c) above and shall have delivered to each Investor a
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary certifying the receipt of
all necessary board and shareholder approvals in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (e)  The purchase of the Units by the Investors hereunder shall be
legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Investors, the
Company and NBI are subject.

          (f)  The Investors shall have received from Byers Casgrain, a General
Partnership, counsel to the Company, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
counsel to NBI, 

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
opinions addressed to the Investors dated the Closing Date, in forms
satisfactory to the Investors.

          (g)  All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the
transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto
shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Investors and
special counsel to the Investors, and they shall have received all such
counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as they may
reasonably request.

          6.2  Conditions to Closing of Company and NBI.  The Company's
               ----------------------------------------                 
obligation to issue and sell the Units at the Closing are subject to the
fulfilment to the Company's and NBI's satisfaction on or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in whole or in
part.

          (a)  The representations and warranties made by the Investors shall be
true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date with that force
and effect as if they had been made on and as of that date; and each Investor
shall have performed or satisfied all obligations and conditions required to be
performed or satisfied by it on or prior to each closing date.

          (b)  The Company and NBI shall have obtained all consents, permits and
waivers necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (c)  At the Closing, the purchase by the Investors of the Units shall
be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Investors, the
Company and NBI are subject.

          6.3  Conditions to Closing of all Parties.  The Investors' obligations
               ------------------------------------                             
to purchase and the Company's obligations to issue and sell the Units at the
Closing are subject to the simultaneous issue and sale by the Company and the
purchase by NBCI of 49% of the common shares without par value in the capital of
the Company on the Closing Date.

     7.   Covenants of the Company.  The Company hereby covenants and agrees as
          ------------------------                                             
follows.

          7.1  Financial Information.   The Company will provide each Investor
               ---------------------               
with the following reports for so long as the Investor is a holder of any
Shares:

          (a)  as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, and in
any event within 120 days thereafter, consolidated balance sheets of the Company
and of NBI as of the end of such fiscal year, and consolidated statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries,
if any, for such year, prepared in accordance

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
with generally accepted accounting principles and setting forth in each case in
comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable
detail and audited by independent auditors of national standing selected by the
Company or NBI; and

               (b)  as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal quarter
and in any event within 45 days thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its subsidiaries, if any, as of the end of each such quarter, and
consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its
subsidiaries for such quarter (set forth on a monthly basis) and for the current
fiscal year to date, and setting forth in comparative form the budgeted figures
for such quarter and for the current fiscal year to date then reported, prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (other than for
accompanying notes and subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit
adjustments).

          7.2  CMDF Related Covenant.  For as long as Canadian Medical
               ---------------------                                   
Discoveries Fund, Inc. owns Shares, the representations and warranties made by
the Company pursuant to subsection 3.13 hereof shall remain true.

     8.   Registration Rights.  NBI hereby grants to the Investors, as holders 
          -------------------     
of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the
registration rights set forth in the Investors Rights Agreement. The Investors
agree to be bound by the provisions of the Investors Rights Agreement.

     9.   Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          9.1  Governing Law.  This Agreement and all documents relating to it
               -------------                         
shall be governed by and construed under the laws applicable in the Province of
Quebec.

          9.2  Survival.  The representations, warranties, covenants and
               --------                                                 
agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by the Investors and
the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby.  All statements as to
factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered
pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall
be deemed to be representations and warranties hereunder as of the date of such
certificate or instrument.

          9.3  Finder's Fee.  Each party represents that it neither is nor will
               ------------                                                    
be obligated for any finder's fee or commission in connection with this
transaction.  The Investors, the Company and NBI each agree to indemnify and
hold harmless the other parties hereto from any liability for any commission or
compensation in the nature of a finder's fee (and the costs and expenses of
defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Investors,
the Company or NBI respectively is responsible.

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
          9.4  Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided,
               ----------------------                     
the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators of the
parties, provided that the Investors shall not have the right to transfer their
obligations to purchase the Shares or Warrants hereunder.

          9.5  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Exhibits and the other
               ----------------                                             
documents delivered in connection with this Agreement constitute the full and
entire understanding and agreement among the parties with regard to the subjects
hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by
any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements except as specifically
set forth herein or therein.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to confer upon any third party any rights, remedies, obligations, or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided
herein.

          9.6  Severability.  In case any provision of this Agreement becomes or
               ------------                                                     
is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision;
provided, however, that no such severability shall be effective if it materially
changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.

          9.7  Delays or Omissions.  No delay or omission to exercise any right,
               -------------------                                              
power, or remedy accruing to the Investors or any subsequent holder of any
Shares or Warrants upon any breach, default or non-compliance of the Company or
NBI under this Agreement or under their respective Articles of Incorporation,
shall impair any such right, power, or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a
waiver of any such breach, default or non-compliance, or any acquiescence
therein, or of any similar breach, default or non-compliance thereafter
occurring.  It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent, or approval
of any kind or character on the Investors' part of any breach, default or non-
compliance under this Agreement or under such Articles of Incorporation or any
waiver on the Investors' part of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement
must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set
forth in such writing, and that all remedies, either under this Agreement or
otherwise afforded to the Investors, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

          9.8  Notices.  All notices and other communications required or
               -------                                                   
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given
upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the applicable postal service, by
first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed: (a) if to an Investor, at such
Investor's address as set forth at the end of this Agreement, or at such other
address as the Investors shall have furnished to the Company in writing, (b) if
to the Company, at its addresses as set forth at the end of this Agreement, or
at such other address as the Company shall have furnished to the Investors in
writing or (c) if to NBI, at its address as set forth at the end of this
Agreement, or at such other address as NBI shall have furnished to the Investors
in writing.

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
          9.9  Expenses.  The Company shall be responsible for the payment of 
               --------                                       
all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Investors with respect to the
negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, including
legal fees, up to a total amount of C $70,000.

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

          9.11  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
                ------------                                                  
counterparts, each of which is an original, and all of which together shall
constitute one instrument.

          9.12  Language.  This Agreement is executed by the parties in French
                --------                                                      
and English.  The parties expressly agree that in the event of any
misunderstanding, dispute or controversy (collectively, a "DISPUTE") amongst
them with respect to the interpretation of any of the provisions of this
Agreement, the French version of this Agreement will have precedence and be the
only version to apply and be used for the resolution of such Dispute.  As an
exception only, and recognizing the principle that the French version shall have
precedence, if a Dispute arises between any parties in connection with the
interpretation to be given to any provision of this Agreement, any court before
which such Dispute is referred for resolution will be permitted to refer to the
English version of this Agreement in order to determine the intention of the
parties at the time this Agreement was entered into.

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the foregoing Agreement is executed as of the date
first above written.


                              COMPANY:

                                  NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.


                                  By:/s/ Paul W. Hewran
                                     -------------------------------------

                                  Title:__________________________________

                                  Addresses:  770 Sherbrooke Street West
                                              Suite 1300
                                              Montreal, Quebec
                                              H3A 1G1

                                              Attention:  Luc LaRochelle

                                              1 Place Ville Marie      
                                              Suite 3900               
                                              Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
                                              H3B 4M7                  
                                                                       
                                              Attention: Paul F. Dingle 



                              NBI:

                                  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                  By:/s/ Paul W. Hawran
                                     -------------------------------------
                                  Title: S.V.P & CEO
                                        ----------------------------------

                                  Address:    3050 Science Park Road
                                              San Diego CA  92121-1102
                                              USA

                                              Attention: Paul W. Hawran

                                     -21-
<PAGE>
 
                         INVESTORS:

                              SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE
                              D'INNOVATION INC.

                              By: /s/ Carmen Crepin
                                  ----------------------------------------
   
                              Title:
                                    --------------------------------------

                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------------

                              Title:
                                     -------------------------------------

                              Address:   1981 McGill College Avenue
                                         Suite 725
                                         Montreal, Quebec, Canada
                                         H3A 3C7

                                         Attention:
                                                   -----------------------



                              NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED 
                              PARTNERSHIP BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER MDS ASSOCIATES 
                              NEUROSCIENCE INC.

                              By: /s/ Michael J. Callagnan
                                  ---------------------------------------
  
                              Title: Michael J. Callagnan, Vice President
                                     ------------------------------------

                              By: /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                  ---------------------------------------
 
                              Title: Keith J. Dorrington, Vice President
                                     ------------------------------------

                              Address:   100 International Blvd.
                                         --------------------------------

                                         Etobicoke, Ontario
                                         --------------------------------

                                         Canada M9W 6J6
                                         --------------------------------
 
                                         Attention: Secretary
                                                    ---------------------

                                     -22-
<PAGE>
 
                              BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA

                              By: /s/ Mark Vandzura    
                                  ----------------------------------------

                              Title: Investment Manager
                                     -------------------------------------
 
                              By: 
                                  ----------------------------------------

                              Title: 
                                     -------------------------------------

                              Address:   5 Place Ville Marie
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Suite R10
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Montreal, Quebec  H3B SE1
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         
                                         Attention:
                                                    ----------------------



                              CANADIAN MEDICAL DISCOVERIES FUND, INC.

                              By: /s/ E. Rygiel
                                 -----------------------------------------  
                                 
                              Title: Edward K. Rygiel, Director
                                     -------------------------------------
                                 
                              By: /s/ Frank Gleeson, 
                                  ----------------------------------------
          
                              Title: Frank Gleeson, Vice-President
                                     -------------------------------------  

                              Address:   100 International Blvd.
                                         --------------------------------- 
                                         Etobicoke, Ontario
                                         --------------------------------- 
                                         Canada M9W 6J6 
                                         ---------------------------------   
 
                                         Attention: Secretary
                                                   -----------------------

                                     -23-
<PAGE>
 
                              THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY VENTURE FUND
                              BY ITS MANAGER MDS HEALTH VENTURES CAPITAL CORP.
 
                              By:/s/ Michael J. Callagnan
                                 ----------------------------------------
  
                              Title: Michael J. Callagnan, Vice President
                                    -------------------------------------

                              By: /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                 ----------------------------------------
 
                              Title: Keith J. Dorrington, Vice President
                                    -------------------------------------

                              Address:   100 International Blvd.
                                         --------------------------------

                                         Etobicoke, Ontario
                                         --------------------------------

                                         Canada M9W 6J6
                                         -------------------------------
 
                                         Attention: Secretary
                                                   ---------------------

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                          TO UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                        NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.
                        ------------------------------
                              (the "Corporation")

                                  SCHEDULE A

                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION


3 -  The classes and any maximum number of shares that the Corporation is
     authorized to issue:

          The Corporation is authorized to issue the following shares:

          (a)  an unlimited number of common shares without par value to be
               issued for an unlimited consideration; and

          (b)  an unlimited number of Series A Preferred Shares without par
               value to be issued for an unlimited consideration.

          The said common shares and Series A Preferred Shares shall carry and
be subject to the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:


SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES
- -------------------------

                                   DIVIDENDS
                                   ---------

1.        The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to
receive, when and as declared by resolution of the Board of Directors and in the
discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of the Canada
Business Corporations Act (the "Act"), cumulative preferential dividends equal
to the royalties received by the Corporation per annum from Neurocrine
Biosciences (Canada) Inc. ("NBCI"), an affiliate thereof or a third party under
contract with NBCI or under contract with an affiliate thereof, as revenue from
the commercialization and sale outside of and in Canada of certain products
developed by the Corporation, net of any income, sales or other taxes payable
thereon by the Corporation, such dividends to be payable at such times and in
such amounts and at such place or places in Canada as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine.  As such dividends shall be cumulative, they shall
accrue from the respective dates of issue of the said Series A Preferred Shares.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-

          No dividends shall at any time be declared, paid or set apart for
payment for any financial year of the Corporation upon the common shares of the
Corporation unless all accrued dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares then
issued and outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for
payment at the date of such declaration and payment or setting apart for
payment.


                               RETURN OF CAPITAL
                               -----------------

2.        In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or bankruptcy of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or otherwise, or on any distribution of assets
among the shareholders in order to liquidate the affairs of the Corporation, the
holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, for each
Series A Preferred Share issued and outstanding, an amount equal to the
Redemption Price in priority to any distribution to the holders of the common
shares of the Corporation.  The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall
not be entitled to share any further in the distribution of the assets of the
Corporation.


                                    VOTING
                                    ------

3.        Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, as the case may be, the
holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to receive notice
of and to attend and to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.


                    REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
                    --------------------------------------

4.   (a)  Subject to the provisions of the Act, a holder of Series A Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem at any time, upon
giving notice as hereinafter provided, all or any number of the Series A
Preferred Shares registered in the name of such holder on the books of the
Corporation at a price per share equal to the Redemption Price.

     (b)  If a holder of Series A Preferred Shares wishes to exercise his/her
option to have the Corporation redeem his/her Series A Preferred Shares, said
holder shall give written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation of the
redemption date of his/her shares (the "Optional Redemption Date"), which date
shall not be less than 10 days nor more than 30 days from the date of the notice
and if the holder desires to have less than all of his/her Series A Preferred
Shares redeemed, the number of the holder's shares to be redeemed.  The holder
of any Series A Preferred Shares may, with the consent of the Corporation,
revoke such notice prior to the Optional Redemption Date.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

     (c)  Upon delivery to the Corporation of a share certificate or
certificates representing the Series A Preferred Shares which the holder desires
to have the Corporation redeem, the Corporation shall on the Optional Redemption
Date, redeem such Series A Preferred Shares by paying to the holder the
Redemption Price therefor.

     (d)  Upon payment of the said Redemption Price, the holders of the Series A
Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any rights in respect of such shares.

     (e)  For the purposes hereof, the Redemption Price of each Series A
Preferred Share shall be equal to the capital amount paid up thereon plus an
amount equal to all unpaid cumulative dividends, whether or not declared, which
shall have accrued thereon and which, for such purpose, shall be treated as
accruing up to the date of such redemption, plus a premium equal to the
difference, if any, between (i) the purchase price or the fair value of any
other consideration paid for such share by the holder thereof and (ii) the
capital amount paid up thereon.  Such premium shall not exceed $250 for each
Series A Preferred Share.


                                   PURCHASE
                                   --------

5.        Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Corporation may at any time
upon resolution of the Board of Directors, purchase, at a price not exceeding
the Redemption Price for each Series A Preferred Share, the whole or any part of
the Series A Preferred Shares outstanding from time to time by invitation for
tenders addressed to all the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares
outstanding at the last address of each such holder as it appears upon the books
of the Corporation, or in the event no such address appears, at the last known
address of such holder(s).

COMMON SHARES
- -------------

                                   DIVIDENDS
                                   ---------

6.        Subject to the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, the
holders of the common shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared
by resolution of the Board of Directors and in the discretion of the Board of
Directors, subject to the provisions of the Act, dividends in such amounts and
payable at such times and at such place or places in Canada as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, no dividends shall be paid with respect
to the common shares if such payment would result in a reduction of the
realizable value of the net assets of the Corporation below that of the
aggregate Redemption Price for all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

                               RETURN OF CAPITAL
                               -----------------

7.        In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or bankruptcy of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or otherwise or on any distribution of assets
among the shareholders in order to liquidate the affairs of the Corporation, the
holders of the common shares shall be entitled to receive the balance of the
assets of the Corporation, which balance shall be distributed pro rata to the
holders of the common shares after prepayment is made to the holders of the
Series A Preferred Shares in accordance with paragraph 2 hereof.

                                    VOTING
                                    ------

8.        The holders of the common shares shall be entitled to receive notice
of and to attend and to vote at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation
except those meetings at which only holders of another class of shares of the
Corporation are entitled to vote separately as a class, and they shall have 1
vote in respect of each common share held by them.
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B
                                      to
                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT




THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.


                               SERIES A WARRANT

                     To Purchase Shares of Common Stock of

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received,
                                             -----------------------------------
 The Health Care and Biotechnology Venture Fund is entitled, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time after the earlier
of an IPO and March 31, 1997 but prior to March 26, 2006 (the "Exercise
Period"), to subscribe for the purchase from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a
California corporation (the "Company"), at the Exercise Price, of that number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock which is equal to 30% of the Amount
Invested divided by US $7.45, subject to adjustment as set forth below. For the
purposes hereof:

"Amount Invested" means the amount of funds invested in Neuroscience Pharma
(NPI) Inc. by the first Investor to hold this Warrant pursuant to and as
reflected in Exhibit C to the Unit Purchase Agreement entered into on March 29,
1996 among the Company, Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc. and the Investors;

"Exercise Price" means the price per share of Common Stock in US$ determined as
follows:  (A) in the event an IPO occurs prior to March 31, 1997, the IPO Price,
(B) between April 1, 1997 and December 31, 1998, US $8.00 or, in the event there
has been an IPO, the lesser of US $8.00 and the IPO Price, or (C) between
January 1, 1999 and March 26, 2006, US $6.25 or, in the event there has been an
IPO, the lesser of US $6.25 and the IPO Price;

"Investors" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Unit Purchase
Agreement;

"IPO" means the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock;

"IPO Price" means the offering price for the Company's Common Stock referred to
in the registration statement filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (prior to deduction of underwriters' discounts and other
offering expenses);



                    
<PAGE>
 
and the Amount Invested shall be converted from C$ to US$, for the purpose of
determining the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock to which the
holder is entitled, by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street
Journal on the last day the newspaper is published preceding the date of
issuance hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have, at anytime during
the Exercise Period, upon the exercise by the holder hereof, the right to "cash
out" this Warrant by paying to the holder hereof the net cash value of the
Warrant (being, if and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, the
average closing price for the five trading days which precede by two trading
days the date of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto minus the Exercise
Price,  multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock then represented by
this Warrant), provided such cash value is less than US $100,000.

     1.   Title of Warrant.  Prior to the expiration hereof and subject to
          ----------------                                                
compliance with applicable laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are
transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the Company,
referred to in Section 2 hereof, by the holder hereof in person or by duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment
Form annexed hereto properly endorsed.

     2.   Exercise of Warrant.  The rights to acquire shares of Common Stock
          -------------------                                               
represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the registered holder hereof, in
whole or in part, at any time during the Exercise Period, subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided, by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of
Exercise Form annexed hereto duly executed at the office of the Company, in San
Diego, California (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may
designate by notice in writing to the registered holder hereof at the address of
such holder appearing on the books of the Company), and upon payment of the
Exercise Price for the shares thereby purchased (a) by cash or check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company, (b) by cancellation of indebtedness
of the Company payable to the holder hereof at the time of the exercise, or (c)
if and only if the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an election
in writing to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant (or the portion thereof
being issued upon such exercise) less that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value as of such date equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of
the Warrant (or such portion thereof which is being exercised), whereupon the
holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number
of shares so purchased.  The Company agrees that, if at the time of the
surrender of this Warrant and purchase the holder hereof shall be entitled to
exercise this Warrant, the shares so purchased shall be and be deemed to be
issued to such holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of
business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as
aforesaid.

     Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be delivered to the
holder hereof within a reasonable time, but not later than ten (10) days, after
the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     If this Warrant is exercised with respect to less than all of the shares
covered hereby, the holder hereof shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant, in
this form, covering the number of shares with respect to which this Warrant
shall not have been exercised less that number of shares (if any) cancelled in
payment of the Exercise Price of the Warrant as set forth in clause 2.(c) 
hereof.

     The Company covenants that all shares of stock which may be issued upon the
exercise of rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights
represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue
thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously
with such issue).

     3.   No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip
          -----------------------------                                
representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

     4.   Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of certificates for shares of
          ---------------------------                                         
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name
of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may be directed by the
holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event certificates for
                        --------  -------                                    
shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than the name of the
holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be
accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the holder
hereof; and provided further, that upon any transfer involved in the issuance or
            ----------------                                                    
delivery of any certificates for shares of Common Stock, the Company may
require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it
for any transfer tax incidental thereto.

     5.   No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant does not entitle the holder
          -------------------------                                           
hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the exercise hereof.

     6.   Exchange and Registry of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon
          --------------------------------                                     
the surrender hereof by the registered holder at the above-mentioned office or
agency of the Company, for a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such
exchange.

     7.   Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant.  Upon receipt by 
          -------------------------------------------------
the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation,
in lieu of this Warrant.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     8.   Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for
          ---------------------------------                                   
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall be a Saturday or a Sunday or shall be a legal holiday, then such
action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day
not a legal holiday.

     9.   Adjustment.
          ---------- 

          (a)  Shares.  The number of shares and the type of stock for which 
               -------        
this Warrant is exercisable and the Exercise Price are subject to adjustment
from time to time as follows:

               (i)  In the event of any subdivision or change of the shares of
Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a
greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter deliver
at the time of purchase of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of
the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the right to purchase
is then being exercised, such greater number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company as would result from said subdivision or change had the right of
purchase been exercised before such subdivision or change without the holder
making any additional payment or giving any other consideration therefor.

              (ii)  In the event of any consolidation of the shares of Common
Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a lesser
number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter deliver, and the
holder of this Warrant shall accept, at the time of purchase of shares of Common
Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock in
respect of which the right to purchase is then being exercised, such lesser
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as would result from such
consolidation had the right of purchase been exercised before such
consolidation.

             (iii)  In the event of any reclassification of the shares of Common
Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, the Company
shall thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of shares of Common Stock under
this Warrant the number of shares of the Company of the appropriate class or
classes resulting from said reclassification as the holder would have been
entitled to receive in respect of purchase of shares of Common Stock in respect
of which the right of purchase is then being exercised had the right of purchase
been exercised before such reclassification.

              (iv)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall distribute any class of shares or rights, options or warrants
(other than those referred to above) or evidence of indebtedness or property
(excluding cash dividends paid in the ordinary course) to holders of shares of
Common Stock of the Company, the number of shares to be issued by the Company
under this Warrant shall, at the time of purchase, be appropriately adjusted and
the holder shall receive, in lieu of the number of shares in respect of which
the right to purchase is then being exercised, the aggregate number of shares or
other securities or property that the holder would have been entitled to receive
as a result of such event if, on the record date 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
thereof, the holder had been the registered holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock to which the holder was theretofore entitled upon exercise of the
rights of the holder hereunder.

               (v)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall pay any stock dividend upon shares of stock of the Company of
the class or classes in respect of which the right to purchase is then given
under this Warrant, then the Company shall thereafter deliver at the time of
purchase of shares under this Warrant, in addition to the number of shares of
stock of the Company in respect of which the right of purchase is then being
exercised, the additional number of shares of the appropriate class or classes
as would have been payable on the shares of stock of the Company so purchased if
the shares so purchased had been outstanding on the record date for the payment
of the said stock dividend or stock dividends.

              (vi)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall be a party to any transaction (including, without limitation,
a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets or outstanding stock, or a recapitalization of the Common Stock) in which
the previously outstanding Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for
different securities of the Company or common stock or other securities of
another corporation or interests in a noncorporate entity or other property
(including cash) or any combination of any of the foregoing (each such
transaction being herein called the "Transaction" and the date of consummation
of the Transaction being herein called the "Consummation Date"), then, as a
condition of the consummation of the Transaction, lawful and adequate provisions
shall be made so that the holder hereof, upon the exercise hereof at any time on
or after the Consummation Date, shall be entitled to receive, and this Warrant
shall thereafter represent the right to receive, in lieu of the Common Stock
issuable upon such exercise prior to the Consummation Date, the amount of
securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been
entitled as a shareholder upon the consummation of the Transaction if the holder
had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto.

          (b)  Automatic Amendment.  On the happening of each and every  event
               -------------------                                            
set forth in this (S)9, the applicable provisions of this Warrant shall, ipso
                                                                         ----
facto, be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Company shall take all
- -----                                                                    
necessary action so as to comply with such provisions as so amended.


     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Issue Date.  The provisions of this Warrant shall be construed 
               ----------                             
and shall be given effect in all respects as if it had been issued and delivered
by the Company on the date hereof. This Warrant shall be binding upon any
successors or assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract
under the laws of the State of California and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said state.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Restrictions.  The holder hereof acknowledges that the Common
               ------------                                                 
Stock acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant shall have restrictions upon
its resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

          (c)  Authorized Shares.  The Company covenants that during the period
               -----------------                                               
the Warrant is exercisable, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued
Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Common
Stock upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company
further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full
authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of the
Company's Common Stock upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this
Warrant.

          (d)  No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its 
               -------------          
Articles of Incorporation or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid
the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the
taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect
the rights of the holder hereof against impairment.

          (e)  Notices of Record Date.  In case
               ----------------------          

               (i)  the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common
Stock for the purposes of entitling them to receive any dividend (other than a
cash dividend in the ordinary course) or other distribution, or any right to
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares or stock of any class or
any other securities or property, or to receive any other right; or

              (ii)  of any capital reorganization of the Company, any
reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation; or

             (iii)  of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation
or winding-up of the Company;

then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or
right, or (ii) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to
take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of
record of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date therein specified.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has caused this Warrant to
be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:              , 1996.
       -------------

                                        NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                        By:
                                            ----------------------------------

                                        Title:
                                               -------------------------------

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
                                ---------------

              (To assign the foregoing warrant, execute this form
                 and supply required information.  Do not use
                        this form to purchase shares.)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby
are hereby assigned to



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Please Print)

whose address is
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)


                                 Dated:                    ,      .
                                       --------------------  -----  

                                 Holder's Signature:
                                                    ---------------------------

                                 Holder's Address:
                                                   ----------------------------



     Note:  The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name
as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company.
Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                              ------------------


TO:  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     (1)  The undersigned hereby elects to purchase                    shares
                                                    ------------------
of Common Stock of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     (2)  Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:


                     ----------------------------------
                                    (Name)



                     ----------------------------------
                                   (Address)

     (3)  The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock
are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and
that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such
shares.



- ----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
              (Date)                                   (Signature)


                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C
                                       TO
                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                             SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS


[CAPTION]

              INVESTOR
              --------

Sofinov Societe Financiere         
d'Innovation Inc.                                           
                                                            
Neuroscience Partners              
Limited Partnership                                         
                                                  [*]          
Business Development Bank of Canada             
                                                            
Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund, 
 Inc.                                                       
                                                            
The Health Care and Biotechnology  
 Venture Fund                                               
                                   
TOTAL
- -----

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED ]

<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT D

                                       to

                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT






                       RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
                                    BETWEEN
                      NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.
                                      AND
                         NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.


<PAGE>
 
                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Page 
                                                                                                  ----
<S>                                                                                               <C>
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITION............................................................................   1
     1.1       "Affiliate"........................................................................   1
     1.2       "Compound".........................................................................   2
     1.3       "Control"..........................................................................   2
     1.4       "Development"......................................................................   2
     1.5       "Date of First Sale"...............................................................   2
     1.6       "Drug Approval Application"........................................................   2
     1.7       "Effective Date"...................................................................   2
     1.8       "FDA"..............................................................................   2
     1.9       "Field"............................................................................   2
     1.10      "HPB"..............................................................................   2
     1.11      "IND"..............................................................................   2
     1.12      "Investor".........................................................................   3
     1.13      "Information"......................................................................   3
     1.14      "Net Sales"........................................................................   3
     1.15      "NBCI Know-How"....................................................................   3
     1.16      "NBCI Patent"......................................................................   4
     1.17      "Patent"...........................................................................   4
     1.18      "Patent Costs".....................................................................   4
     1.19      "Phase I"..........................................................................   4
     1.20      "Phase II".........................................................................   4
     1.21      "Phase III"........................................................................   4
     1.22      "Pre-Phase I"......................................................................   4
     1.23      "Product"..........................................................................   4
     1.24      "Program Know-How".................................................................   5
     1.25      "Program Patent"...................................................................   5
     1.26      "Regulatory Approval"..............................................................   5
     1.27      "Research".........................................................................   5
     1.28      "Selling Party"....................................................................   5
     1.29      "Sublicensee"......................................................................   5
     1.30      "Tangible Research Product"........................................................   5
     1.31      "Third Party"......................................................................   5
     1.32      "Unit Purchase Agreement"..........................................................   5

ARTICLE 2 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LICENSE GRANTS..............................................   6
     2.1       Ownership of Intellectual Property.................................................   6
     2.2       Patent Licenses....................................................................   6
     2.3       Patent Licenses to NPI for Products................................................   6

ARTICLE 3 - RESEARCH..............................................................................   6
</TABLE> 

                                     - i -
<PAGE>
 
                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                        (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Page 
                                                                                                  ----
<S>                                                                                               <C>
     3.1       Research Program..................................................................    6
     3.2       NBCI Research Efforts.............................................................    6
     3.3       NPI Commitment to Research and Development........................................    6

ARTICLE 4 - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT..................................................................    6
     4.1       Compound Selection and Product Development........................................    6
     4.2       NPI's Responsibilities............................................................    7
     4.3       Research and Development outside the Field........................................    7

ARTICLE 5 - COMMERCIALIZATION AND MANUFACTURING..................................................    7
     5.1       NBCI's Marketing Obligations for Products.........................................    7
     5.2       NPI's Marketing Obligations for Products..........................................    7
     5.3       Trademarks........................................................................    8
     5.4       Manufacturing.....................................................................    8
     5.5       Alternative Marketing Option for Products.........................................    8

ARTICLE 6 - PAYMENTS.............................................................................    8
     6.1       Earned Royalties for Products.....................................................    9
     6.2       Term for Royalty Payment..........................................................    9
     6.3       Foreign Exchange..................................................................    9
     6.4       Taxes.............................................................................    9
     6.5       Royalty Payment Reports...........................................................   10

ARTICLE 7 - TERMINATION OF NPI LICENSE...........................................................   10

ARTICLE 8 - CONFIDENTIALITY......................................................................   10
     8.1       Confidentiality; Exceptions.......................................................   10
     8.2       Authorized Disclosure.............................................................   11
     8.3       Disclosure of Financial Information...............................................   11
     8.4       Survival..........................................................................   12

ARTICLE 9 - PATENT PROSECUTION AND INFRINGEMENT..................................................   12
     9.1       Patent Filings....................................................................   12
     9.2       Enforcement Rights................................................................   12

ARTICLE 10 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................   12
     10.1      Representations and Warranties....................................................   12

ARTICLE 11 - TERM AND TERMINATION................................................................   13
     11.1      Term..............................................................................   13
</TABLE> 

                                    - ii -
<PAGE>
 
                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                         (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Page 
                                                                                                  ----
<S>                                                                                               <C>
     11.2      Termination For Breach............................................................   13
     11.3      Termination by NBCI...............................................................   13
     11.4      Termination For Bankruptcy........................................................   13
     11.5      Surviving Rights..................................................................   13
     11.6      Accrued Rights, Surviving Obligations.............................................   13
     11.7      Termination Not Sole Remedy.......................................................   14

ARTICLE 12 - INDEMNIFICATION.....................................................................   14

ARTICLE 13 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION..................................................................   14
     13.1      Alternative Dispute Resolution....................................................   14
     13.2      Arbitration Procedure.............................................................   15

ARTICLE 14 - MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................   15
     14.1      Assignment........................................................................   15
     14.2      Consents Not Unreasonably Withheld................................................   15
     14.3      Retained Rights...................................................................   15
     14.4      Force Majeure.....................................................................   15
     14.5      Further Actions...................................................................   15
     14.6      No Trademark Rights...............................................................   15
     14.7      Notices...........................................................................   16
     14.8      Waiver............................................................................   17
     14.9      Severability......................................................................   17
     14.10     Counterparts......................................................................   18
     14.11     Entire Agreement..................................................................   18
     14.12     Relationship of Parties...........................................................   18
     14.13     Limited Liability.................................................................   18
</TABLE>

                                    - iii-
<PAGE>
 
                       RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT


THIS AGREEMENT is made effective as of the 29th day of March, 1996 between
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC., a Canadian corporation having its
principal place of business at Montreal, Quebec ("NBCI") and NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA
(NPI) INC., a Canadian corporation having its principal place of business at
Montreal, Quebec ("NPI"). NBCI and NPI are each referred to herein by name or as
a "PARTY" or, together, as "PARTIES".


                                    RECITALS

     1.   Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. ("NBI") has on-going research programs in
various fields, including neurosteroid and neurocytokine programs, and has
developed certain technology in such fields, certain rights in respect of which
have been transferred, assigned or licensed to NBCI.

     2.   NPI possesses the ability to conduct or have conducted discovery
research, clinical trials and other development activities in the Field and to
market the approved pharmaceuticals within Canada.

     3.   NBCI desires to grant to NPI certain rights and licenses to carry out,
in Canada, Research and Development in the Field, and to market in Canada the
Products, the whole as more fully set forth below.

     4.   NPI desires to carry out and fund the operations associated with the
preclinical, clinical and other development activities in the Field.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:


                             ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITION

     The following terms shall have the following meanings as used in this
Agreement:

     1.1  "AFFILIATE" means an individual, trust, business trust, joint venture,
partnership, corporation, association or any other entity which (directly or
indirectly) is controlled by, controls or is under common control with a Party.
For the purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the term "controlled by" and "under common control with")
as used with respect to any Party, shall mean ownership of more than 50% of the
voting interest.
<PAGE>
 
     1.2  "COMPOUND" means, except as provided below, any composition of matter
that (or, in the case of prodrugs, an active metabolite of which):

          (A) demonstrates suitable levels of activity in vitro within the Field
to warrant further Research or Development as determined by NBCI, after
consultation with NPI;

          (B) is discovered, identified, synthesized or acquired by or on behalf
of NBCI or an Affiliate thereof, and is recognized by NBCI, after consultation
with NPI, to meet the conditions of paragraph 1.2(a) hereof, prior to or during
the term of this Agreement; and

          (C) is designated by NBCI, after consultation with NPI, as a
"Compound" hereunder by giving written notice thereof to NPI.

     1.3  "CONTROL" means possession of the ability to grant a license or
sublicense as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement
or other arrangements with any Third Party.

     1.4  "DEVELOPMENT" means all work performed by or on behalf of NPI or NBCI,
or an Affiliate thereof, involving pre-Phase I, Phase I, Phase II or Phase III
clinical trials of Compounds, in relation to a Field.

     1.5  "DATE OF FIRST SALE" means the date on which NBCI (or an Affiliate or
a Sublicensee) first ships a Product to an unaffiliated Third Party in an arms
length commercial transaction.

     1.6  "DRUG APPROVAL APPLICATION" means an application for Regulatory
Approval required before commercial sale or use of a Product as a drug in a
regulatory jurisdiction.

     1.7  "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date first written above.

     1.8  "FDA" means the United States Food and Drug Administration.

     1.9  "FIELD" means [*], (C) such other fields as may be mutually agreed
to by the Parties.

     1.10 "HPB" means the Canadian Health Protection Bureau.

     1.11 "IND" means an investigational new drug application filed with the
FDA as more fully defined in 21 C.F.R. (S) 312.3 or with the HPB or its
equivalent in any country.


                    [* CONFIDENTIAL TREAATMENT REQUESTED ]

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
 
     1.12  "INVESTOR" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Unit
Purchase Agreement.

     1.13  "INFORMATION" means information, generally not known to the public,
relating to the Field and including (A) techniques and data, including, but not
limited to, screens, models, inventions, practices, methods, knowledge, know-
how, skill, experience, test data, including but not limited to,
pharmacological, toxicological and clinical test data, analytical and quality
control data, marketing, pricing, distribution, costs, sales and manufacturing
data, and patent and legal data or descriptions (to the extent that disclosure
thereof would not result in loss or waiver of privilege or similar protection)
and (B) compositions of matter, including but not limited to compounds and
biological materials and assays.

     1.14  "NET SALES" means the amount billed to a Third Party by NPI, NBCI or
an Affiliate or Sublicensee of either for sales of a Product with respect to
which a royalty is due hereunder, less: (A) discounts, including cash discounts
or rebates, retroactive price reductions or allowances actually allowed or
granted from the billed amount with respect to the Product in question (provided
that any discounts, rebates, etc. based on overall purchases by the customer of
the selling party may be applied to reduce Net Sales only to the extent of the
pro rata amount of such discounts or rebates attributable to the Products
included in such overall purchases), (B) credits or allowances actually granted
upon claims, rejections or returns of Products, including recalls, regardless of
the party requesting such, (C) freight, postage, shipping and insurance charges,
to the extent billed separately on the invoice and paid by the buyer, (D) taxes,
duties or other governmental charges levied on or measured by the billing, to
the extent billed separately on the invoice and paid by the buyer, as adjusted
for rebates and refunds and (E) provisions for actual uncollectible accounts
determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting practices,
consistently applied to all Products of the selling party. Where Product is sold
in the form of a combination Product containing one or more active ingredients
in addition to a Compound, Net Sales for such combination Product will be
calculated by multiplying actual Net Sales of such combination Product by the
fraction A/(A+B) where A is the invoice price of any of the Product sold
separately, and B is the total invoice price of any other active component or
components, or devices, in the combination, if sold separately. If, on a 
country-by-country basis, the other active component or components in the
combination are not sold separately in said country, Net Sales for the purpose
of determining royalties of the combination Product shall be calculated by
multiplying actual Net Sales of such combination Product by the fraction A/C
where A is the invoice price of any of the Product if sold separately, and C is
the invoice price of the combination Product. If, on a country-by-country basis,
neither the Product nor the other active component or components of the
combination Product is sold separately in said country, Net Sales for the
purposes of determining royalties of the combination Product shall be reasonably
allocated between the Product and the other active components based upon their
relative value.

     1.15  "NBCI KNOW-HOW" means Information which (A) NBCI discloses to NPI
under this Agreement or specifically in anticipation of this Agreement and (B)
is within the Control

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
 
of NBCI. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, NBCI Know-How excludes
published NBCI Patents, Program Patents, and Program Know-How.

     1.16  "NBCI PATENT" means the rights granted by any governmental authority
under a Patent which covers a method, apparatus, material or manufacture in the
Field, which Patent is owned or Controlled by NBCI during the term of this
Agreement.

     1.17  "PATENT" means (A) valid and enforceable Letters Patent, including
any extension, registration, confirmation, reissue, continuation, divisional,
continuation-in-part, re-examination or renewal thereof and (B) pending
applications for Letters Patents.

     1.18  "PATENT COSTS" means the reasonable fees and expenses paid to outside
legal counsel and other Third Parties, and filing and maintenance expenses,
incurred in connection with the establishment and maintenance of rights under
Patents.

     1.19  "PHASE I" shall mean that portion of the FDA or HPB submission and
approval process which provides for the first introduction into humans of a
Product with the purpose of determining human toxicity, metabolism, absorption,
elimination and other pharmacolo gical action as more fully defined in respect
of the FDA in 21 C.F.R. (S)213.2(a).

     1.20  "PHASE II" means that portion of the FDA or HPB submission and
approval process which provides for the initial trials of Product on a limited
number of patients for the purposes of determining dose and evaluating safety
and efficacy in the proposed therapeutic indication as more fully defined in
respect of the FDA in 21 C.F.R. (S)213.21(b).

     1.21  "PHASE III" means that portion of the FDA or HPB submission and
approval process which provides for continued trials of a Product on sufficient
numbers of patients to establish the safety and efficacy of a Product and
generate pharmacoeconomics data to support regulatory approval in the proposed
therapeutic indication as more fully defined in respect of the FDA in 21 C.F.R.
(S)312.21(c).

     1.22  "PRE-PHASE I" means that portion of the development program which
starts with the selection of a compound for development by NBCI into a Product
or the beginning of toxicological studies relating to such compound. Pre-Phase I
includes, but is not limited to, toxicological, pharmacological and any other
studies, the results of which are required for filing with an IND, as well as
Product formulation and manufacturing development necessary to obtain the
permission of regulatory authorities to begin and continue subsequent human
clinical testing.

     1.23  "PRODUCT" means any form or dosage of a composition of matter
comprised of a Compound for pharmaceutical use in humans in the Field.

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
 
     1.24  "PROGRAM KNOW-HOW" means Information which pertains to the Field and
is in the possession of or developed by either NBCI or NPI, or jointly developed
by NBCI and NPI, under this Agreement or specifically in anticipation of this
Agreement.

     1.25  "PROGRAM PATENT" means any Patent, the subject of which is an
invention that came into the possession of NBCI, was conceived or reduced to
practice by NPI, NBCI or a Third Party under a contract with NPI or NBCI, or was
conceived or reduced to practice jointly by NBCI and NPI (or such Third Party)
in the course of the Research or the Development.

     1.26  "REGULATORY APPROVAL" means any approvals (including pricing and
reimbursement approvals), licenses, registrations or authorizations of any
federal, provincial, state or local regulatory agency, department, bureau or
other governmental entity, necessary for the manufacturing, use, storage,
import, transport or sale of Products in a regulatory jurisdiction.

     1.27  "RESEARCH" means all work performed by or on behalf of NPI or NBCI,
or an Affiliate thereof, directed towards or in connection with the discovery,
identification and synthesis of Compounds.

     1.28  "SELLING PARTY" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at Section
5.5, 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(b) hereof.

     1.29  "SUBLICENSEE" shall mean, with respect to a particular Product, a
Third Party to whom NPI or NBCI has granted a license or sublicense under any
NBCI Patents or Program Patents to make and sell such Product. As used in this
Agreement, "Sublicensee" shall also include a Third Party to whom NPI or NBCI
has granted the right to distribute a Product, provided that such Third party is
responsible for marketing and promotion of such Product within its distribution
territory.

     1.30  "TANGIBLE RESEARCH PRODUCT" means any composition of matter or other
tangible asset, including but not limited to compounds, natural products or
fermentation broths and/or extracts or fractions thereof, immunoglobulin
molecules, including active fragments thereof and monoclonal antibodies, cells
and cell lines, DNA and RNA molecules, plasmids, proteins, peptides, receptors,
receptor fragments, research tools, materials for use in screening methods and
techniques, made or synthesized by either Party in the course of Research or the
Development.

     1.31  "THIRD PARTY" means any entity other than NBCI, NPI and Affiliates of
either.

     1.32  "UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Unit Purchase Agreement dated
March 29, 1996 among NPI, NBI and certain Investors.

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>
 
             ARTICLE 2 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LICENSE GRANTS

     2.1  OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  NBCI shall be the sole and
exclusive owner of or shall Control all NBCI Patents, Program Patents, NBCI
Know-How, Program Know-How and Tangible Research Products, including but not
limited to Compounds. NPI shall have no rights to NBCI Patents, NBCI Know-How,
Program Patents, Program Know-How, Tangible Research Products or Compounds
except as set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 below.

     2.2  PATENT LICENSES.  NBCI grants NPI an exclusive paid-up license, with
no right to grant sublicenses, under NBCI Patents, Program Patents, NBCI Know-
How and Program Know-How to carry out only in Canada Research and Development,
and only in the Field, as set forth in Section 4.1 hereof, during the term of
this Agreement.

     2.3  PATENT LICENSES TO NPI FOR PRODUCTS.  NBCI grants to NPI an exclusive
license, in relation to Canada only, including with respect to NBCI's trademarks
under which the Products are to be marketed in Canada, with a right to grant
sublicenses, to market, sell and have sold in Canada Products which are
developed in the Field, either by NPI or by a Selling Party. No right or license
is granted to NPI to make or have made the Products in Canada or elsewhere.


                              ARTICLE 3 - RESEARCH

     3.1  RESEARCH PROGRAM.  NPI and NBCI shall be responsible for conducting
the Research, with a goal of discovering, identifying and synthesizing Compounds
that are suitable for development into Products for commercialization. NBCI
shall be responsible for establishing the directives for conducting the
Research, after consultation with NPI, and NPI shall give effect to such
directives.

     3.2  NBCI RESEARCH EFFORTS.  NBCI agrees to commit to the Research such
efforts and resources as it determines in its sole discretion are necessary to
accomplish the goal set forth in Section 31.

     3.3  NPI COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  NPI agrees to use its
best reasonable efforts to ensure that it expends an aggregate amount of at
least [*] on Research and Development in the Field.


                        ARTICLE 4 - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

     4.1  COMPOUND SELECTION AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.  NBCI, after consultation
with NPI, shall be responsible for authorizing and coordinating with NPI the
selection of Compounds to enter Pre-Phase I and the development of Products
through Pre-Phase I.


                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED ]

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
 
Once a Compound is selected to enter Pre-Phase I, NPI shall be responsible, to
the extent it has funds available, to develop the Products through Phases I, II
and III, including but not limited to, preparing and filing all Drug Approval
Applications in Canada and obtaining all Regulatory Approvals in Canada, subject
to the approval of NBCI. NPI agrees to use its best reasonable efforts,
consistent with prudent business judgment, to ensure that it expends an
aggregate amount on Research and Development of at least [*] in the Province of
Quebec, and an additional amount of [*] in the rest of Canada. NBCI shall be
solely responsible for and have the sole right to develop Products through
Phases I, II and III as set forth above throughout the world other than in
Canada.

     4.2  NPI'S RESPONSIBILITIES.  NPI shall, under the supervision and
direction of NBCI, develop and prepare an annual plan for Research and
Development of Products. NBCI will assist NPI in NPI's Research and Development
activities as determined appropriate by NBCI by providing NPI such NBCI Know-How
developed or acquired during the Research relating to Products as determined
appropriate by NBCI for the Research and Development. If any specific
developmental work is agreed by NPI and NBCI to be performed by or on behalf of
NBCI, the Parties will negotiate compensation to NBCI for carrying out the
agreed developmental work. NPI agrees to use best reasonable efforts to continue
the Research and Development and provide NBCI with all data discovered in the
course of the Research and Development. In the event adverse data is discovered
in the course of the Research and Development of a Product, NBCI shall be
entitled to immediately terminate the Research and Development in respect of
such Product by giving written notice to NPI. In such event, the corresponding
licenses granted to NPI pursuant to Sections 2.2 and 2.3 hereof shall terminate
and be of no further force or effect.

     4.3  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE THE FIELD.  In addition to the
Research and Development to be carried out as contemplated above, NPI agrees, at
the request of NBCI, to carry out sponsored scientific research and development,
outside the Field, on commercially reasonable terms and conditions negotiated in
good faith by the Parties.


                ARTICLE 5 - COMMERCIALIZATION AND MANUFACTURING

     5.1  NBCI'S MARKETING OBLIGATIONS FOR PRODUCTS.  Subject to Sections 23 and
52 hereof, with regard to Canada, all business decisions, including, without
limitation, the design, sale, price and promotion of Products under this
Agreement and the marketing decisions relating to any particular Product shall
be within the sole discretion of NBCI. Any marketing of a Product in one market
or country shall not obligate NBCI to market such Product in any other market or
country.

     5.2  NPI'S MARKETING OBLIGATIONS FOR PRODUCTS.  Subject to and in
accordance with the provisions set forth herein, and in particular Section 2.3
above, all business decisions, including, without limitation, the design, sale,
price and promotion of Products under this


                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED ]

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>
 
Agreement, in Canada, and the decisions whether to market any particular Product
in Canada, shall be within the sole discretion of NPI.

     5.3  TRADEMARKS.  NBCI shall select its own trademarks under which it will
market Products and no right or license is granted to NPI hereunder with respect
to such trademarks, except to the extent required for NPI to be able to exercise
its rights in accordance with Sections 2.3 and 5.2 hereof.

     5.4  MANUFACTURING.  NBCI shall be solely responsible for making Products
or having Products made. At the request of NPI and unless Section 5.5, 6.1(a),
6.1(b), 6.1(b) hereof applies, NBCI shall make or have made Products for sale in
Canada, in accordance with Section 5.2 above, and the price to be paid by NPI
for purchasing such Products shall be as agreed upon by NBCI and NPI negotiating
in good faith and in this regard, NBCI shall accord NPI with preferred purchaser
status.

     5.5  ALTERNATIVE MARKETING OPTION FOR PRODUCTS.   At the request of NPI and
in accordance with the rights and obligations of NPI under this Agreement, NBCI
agrees that it, an Affiliate thereof or a Third Party under contract with it or
under contract with an Affiliate thereof (collectively, the "Selling Party")
shall use its best efforts, as an exclusive agent of NPI, to market the Products
in Canada. In the event of such a request by NPI:

          (A)  the Selling Party shall be solely responsible for all costs and
expenses related to marketing and selling the Products in Canada, including,
without limitation, manufacturing, distributing and promoting the Products;

          (B)  the Selling Party shall be solely entitled to the revenues
generated by marketing and selling the Products in Canada, subject to paragraph
5.5, 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(b) hereof; and

          (C)  NBCI shall cause the Selling Party to apply the same standards of
competence for the purpose of marketing and selling the Products in Canada as
applied in marketing and selling the Products in other countries.  Furthermore,
NBCI shall cause the Selling Party to apply proportionate efforts for the
purpose of marketing and selling the Products in Canada, in relation to the size
of the market, as applied in marketing and selling the Products in other
countries.


                              ARTICLE 6 - PAYMENTS

     In consideration of the foregoing, NBCI agrees to pay NPI, subject to the
provisions of this Article and Article 7 hereof, as follows.

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
 
     6.1  EARNED ROYALTIES FOR PRODUCTS.  NBCI shall pay or cause a Selling
Party to pay to NPI:

          (A)  [*] royalty based on Net Sales of Products sold outside Canada;
and

          (B)  [*] royalty based on Net Sales of Products sold in Canada, if NPI
requests that a Selling Party market and sell the Products in Canada, in
accordance with Section 5.5, 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(b) above.

          The obligation of NBCI to pay or to cause the Selling Party to pay to
NPI the royalties provided for in this Section shall not terminate upon
termination of this Agreement, however the rates of such royalties shall be
reduced from [*] and [*] respectively, to rates mutually agreed upon by the
Parties at the time of such termination. In the event the Parties are unable to
agree upon the rates of such royalties at the time of such termination, the rate
pursuant to paragraph 5.5, 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(b) hereof shall be reduced to [*]
and the rate pursuant to paragraph 5.5, 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(b)hereof shall be
reduced to [*].

     6.2  TERM FOR ROYALTY PAYMENT.  Royalties payable under Section 6.1
shall be paid on a country-by-country basis from the Date of First Sale of each
Product with respect to which royalty payments are due, for the shorter of the
following periods:

          (A)  the last to expire of any Patent in such country covering the
sale or use of the Product; and

          (B)  ten (10) years following the Date of First Sale of such Product
in such country.

     6.3  FOREIGN EXCHANGE.  The remittance of royalties payable on Net Sales
will be payable in Canadian dollars to NPI, at a bank and to an account
designated by NPI, using a rate of exchange of the currency of the country from
which the royalties are payable as published in the Wall Street Journal on the
last day of the month for which such payment was due.

     6.4  TAXES.  All payments under this Agreement will be made without any
deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax unless such deduction or
withholding is required by any applicable law. If the Selling Party is so
required to deduct or withhold, the Selling Party will:

          (A)  promptly notify NPI of such requirement;

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>
 
          (B) pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be
deducted or withheld, promptly upon the earlier of determining that such
deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has
been assessed against NPI; and

          (C) promptly forward to NPI an official receipt (or certified copy),
or other documentation reasonably acceptable to NPI, evidencing such payment to
such authorities.

     6.5  ROYALTY PAYMENT REPORTS.  Royalty payments under this Agreement
shall be made to NPI quarterly within sixty (60) days following the end of each
calendar quarter for which royalties are due from the Selling Party. Each
royalty payment shall be accompanied by a report summarizing the Net Sales
during the relevant three (3) month period and shall be subject to an annual
audit by NPI, at its expense.


                     ARTICLE 7 - TERMINATION OF NPI LICENSE

     NBCI shall have the option, at any time after the earlier of:

          (A)  four (4) years from the date hereof but not later than December
31, 2000;

          (B)  the date hereof, if for the purpose to collaborate with another
pharmaceutical or biotechnological company that calls for the joint Research or
Development of a Product in the Field in consideration of up-front payments,
license fees, royalties or other rights;

          (C)  the date on which NBCI terminates the Development in relation to
the last remaining Product being developed by NPI; and

          (D)  the date on which NPI's entitlement to receive refundable
Canadian and Quebec government tax credits in respect of its activities
hereunder ceases or changes in a material way;

to terminate with respect to one or more Products the license granted to NPI
pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof to market and sell Products in Canada, by giving
thirty (30) days prior written notice of NBCI's election to so terminate (the
"TERMINATION NOTICE") to NPI and the Investors.


                          ARTICLE 8 - CONFIDENTIALITY

          8.1  CONFIDENTIALITY; EXCEPTIONS.  Except to the extent expressly
authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties agree
that, for the term of this Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter, the
receiving Party shall keep confidential and

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
 
shall not publish or otherwise disclose or use for any purpose other than as
provided for in this Agreement any Information or other confidential or
proprietary information or materials furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement
by the other Party or any Information developed during the term of this
Agreement (collectively "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"), except to the extent that
it can be established by the receiving Party that such Confidential Information:

          (A)  was in the lawful knowledge and possession of the receiving party
prior to the time it was disclosed to or learned by the receiving Party, or was
otherwise developed independently by the receiving Party, as evidenced by
written records kept in the ordinary course of business, or other documentary
proof of actual use by the receiving Party;

          (B)  was generally available to the public or otherwise part of the
public domain at the time of its disclosure to the receiving Party;

          (C)  became generally available to the public or otherwise part of the
public domain after its disclosure and other than through any act or omission of
the receiving Party in breach of this Agreement; or

          (D)  was disclosed to the receiving Party, other than under an
obligation of confidentiality, by a Third Party who had no obligation to the
disclosing Party not to disclose such information to others.

     8.2  AUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE.  Except as expressly provided otherwise in
this Agreement, each Party may disclose Confidential Information of the other
Party as follows:  (A) to Third Parties (and in the case of NBCI, to Affiliates)
under appropriate terms and conditions including confidentiality provisions
substantially equivalent to those in this Agreement for consulting,
manufacturing, development, external testing and marketing trials with respect
to the Products covered by this Agreement, or otherwise as is reasonably
necessary to exercise the rights and licenses granted or reserved herein
(including the right to grant sublicenses); (B) to the extent such disclosure is
reasonably necessary in filing or prosecuting patent, copyright and trademark
applications, prosecuting or defending litigation, complying with applicable
governmental regulations, obtaining regulatory approval, conducting preclinical
or clinical trials, marketing Products or otherwise required by law, provided,
however, that if a Party is required by law or regulation to make any such
disclosure of the other Party's Confidential Information it will, except where
impracticable for necessary disclosures, give reasonable advance notice to the
other Party of such disclosure requirement and, except to the extent
inappropriate in the case of patent applications, will use its reasonable
efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information
required to be disclosed or (C) to the extent mutually agreed to by the Parties.

     8.3  DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, the Parties may disclose to their
respective shareholders and

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
 
Affiliates thereof Confidential Information, provided such information is of a
financial nature only and therefore does not constitute Information.

     8.4  SURVIVAL.  This Article 8 shall survive the termination or expiration
of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years.


                ARTICLE 9 - PATENT PROSECUTION AND INFRINGEMENT

     9.1  PATENT FILINGS.  The filing, prosecution and maintenance of NBCI
Patents and Program Patents shall be done solely by NBCI, and all Patent Costs
shall be borne by NBCI.

     9.2  ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS.

          (A)  DEFENCE AND SETTLEMENT OF THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.  If a Third Party
asserts that a Patent or other right owned by it is infringed by the
manufacture, use or sale of any Product, NBCI shall in its sole discretion
decide whether or not to defend against any such assertions, and if it decides
to assume the defence, NBCI will do so at its cost and expense. In the event
NBCI fails to assume such defence, NPI shall in its sole discretion decide
whether or not to so defend, and if it decides to so defend, the defence shall
be at NPI's cost and expense. Further, NBCI agrees to indemnify and hold NPI
harmless from Third Party demands, claims and actions (i) that a Patent or other
right owned by NBCI has been infringed by the manufacture, use or sale of
Products in Canada and (ii) for product liability in relation to Products sold
in Canada, whether sold by or on behalf of NPI.

          (B)  INFRINGEMENT BY THIRD PARTIES OF PROGRAM PATENTS.  If any NBCI
Patent or Program Patent is infringed by a Third Party in any country in
connection with the manufacture, use or sale of a Product in such country, the
Party to this Agreement first having knowledge of such infringement shall
promptly notify the other in writing. The notice shall set forth the known facts
of that infringement in reasonable detail. NBCI shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to institute, prosecute and control any action or proceeding
with respect to such infringement of the NBCI Patent or Program Patent, by
counsel of its own choice, and to retain any damages or other monetary awards
recovered from such action or proceeding.


                  ARTICLE 10 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

    10.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the Parties hereby represents
and warrants and covenants as follows.

          (A)  This Agreement is a legal and valid obligation binding upon such
Party and enforceable in accordance with its terms. The execution, delivery and
performance of the Agreement by such Party does not conflict with any agreement,
instrument or

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
 
understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it is bound,
nor violate any law or regulation of any court, governmental body or
administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it.

          (B)  Each Party has not, and during the term of the Agreement will
not, grant any right to any Third Party relating to its respective technology in
the Field which would conflict with the rights granted to the other Party
hereunder.


                       ARTICLE 11 - TERM AND TERMINATION

     11.1  TERM.  This Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and
shall continue in effect until the date on which it is terminated in accordance
with the following provisions.

     11.2  TERMINATION FOR BREACH.  Either Party may terminate this Agreement in
the event the other Party shall have materially breached or defaulted in the
performance of any of its material obligations hereunder, and such default shall
have continued for ninety (90) days after written notice thereof was provided to
the breaching Party by the non-breaching Party. Any termination shall become
effective at the end of such ninety (90) day period unless the breaching Party
(or any other party on its behalf) has cured any such breach or default prior to
the expiration of the ninety (90) day period.

     11.3  TERMINATION BY NBCI.  In addition to the rights afforded to it
pursuant to the provisions of this Article, NBCI shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement upon notice to the Investors and NPI as set forth in
Article 7 above.

     11.4  TERMINATION FOR BANKRUPTCY.  In addition to the rights afforded to it
pursuant to the provisions of this Article, either Party shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the other Party (A) if
such other Party is declared insolvent or bankrupt by a court of competent
jurisdiction, (B) if a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed
in any court of competent jurisdiction against the other Party and such petition
is not dismissed within ninety (90) days after filing, or (C) if the other Party
shall make or execute an assignment of substantially all of its assets for the
benefit of creditors.

     11.5  SURVIVING RIGHTS.  Section 2.1 (but not Sections 2.2 or 2.3),
                                               ---                      
Section 6.1 and Articles 1, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14 shall survive the expiration
and any termination of this Agreement for any reason.

     11.6  ACCRUED RIGHTS, SURVIVING OBLIGATIONS.  Termination, relinquishment
or expiration of the Agreement for any reason shall be without prejudice to any
obligations which shall have accrued prior to such termination, relinquishment
or expiration, including, without limitation, the payment obligations under
Article 6 hereof and any and all damages arising from any breach hereunder.
Such termination, relinquishment or expiration shall not

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
 
relieve either Party from obligations which are expressly indicated to survive
termination or expiration of the Agreement.

     11.7  TERMINATION NOT SOLE REMEDY.  Termination is not the sole remedy
under this Agreement and, whether or not termination is effected, all other
remedies will remain available except as otherwise agreed to herein.


                          ARTICLE 12 - INDEMNIFICATION

     Each Party (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") shall indemnify, defend and hold
the other Party (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") harmless from and against any and all
liabilities, claims, damages, costs, expenses or money judgments incurred by or
rendered against the Indemnified Party and its Affiliates and Sublicensees
incurred in the defence or settlement of a Third Party lawsuit or in
satisfaction of a Third Party judgment arising out of any injuries to person
and/or damage to property resulting from (A) negligent acts of the Indemnifying
Party performed in carrying out Research or Development hereunder, including
failure by the Indemnifying Party to provide the Indemnified Party with any
information of the Indemnifying Party's which, if timely received, would have
avoided injury, death or damage, provided such failure to provide such
information is due to negligence of the part of the Indemnifying Party, and (B)
personal injury to the Indemnified Party employees or agents or damage to the
Indemnified Party's property resulting from acts performed by, under the
direction of, or at the request of the Indemnifying Party in carrying out
activities contemplated by this Agreement.


                        ARTICLE 13 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     13.1  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.  Any dispute controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to the validity, construction, enforceability or
performance of this Agreement, including disputes relating to alleged breach or
to termination of this Agreement, shall be settled by binding Alternative
Dispute Resolution ("ADR") in the manner described below.

          (A)  If a Party intends to begin an ADR to resolve a dispute, such
Party shall provide written notice (the "ADR REQUEST") to the other Party
informing such other Party of such intention and the issues to be resolved. From
the date of the ADR Request and until such time as any matter has been finally
settled by ADR, the running of the time periods contained in Section 11.2 as to
which party must cure a breach of this Agreement shall be suspended as to the
subject matter of the dispute.

          (B)  Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the ADR Request, the
other Party may, by written notice to the counsel for the party initiating ADR,
add additional issues to be resolved.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
 
     13.2  ARBITRATION PROCEDURE.  The ADR shall be conducted in English
pursuant to the International Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association for Large, Complex Cases then in effect. The Arbitrator
shall, in rendering its decision, apply the substantive law of the State of
California,  without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. The proceeding
shall take place in the City of San Francisco, California. The fees of the
arbitration shall be split equally between the Parties. Each Party shall bear
its own legal fees.


                           ARTICLE 14 - MISCELLANEOUS

     14.1  ASSIGNMENT.  Either Party may assign this Agreement or its rights
hereunder (A) to a party that succeeds to substantially all of the business or
assets of such Party by reason of a merger or similar reorganization or the sale
of substantially all of its business or assets, or (B) otherwise with the prior
written consent of the other Party. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Parties. Any
assignment not in accordance with this Agreement shall be void.

     14.2  CONSENTS NOT UNREASONABLY WITHHELD.  Whenever provision is made in
this Agreement for either Party to secure the consent or approval of the other,
that consent or approval shall not unreasonably be withheld, and whenever in
this Agreement provision is made for one Party to object to or disapprove a
matter, such objection or disapproval shall not unreasonably be exercised.

     14.3  RETAINED RIGHTS.  Nothing in this Agreement shall limit in any
respect the right of NBCI or its Affiliates to conduct Research and Development
with respect to and market Products outside the Field.

     14.4  FORCE MAJEURE.  Neither Party shall lose any rights hereunder or be
liable to the other Party for damages or losses on account of failure of
performance by the defaulting Party if the failure is occasioned by government
action, war, fire, explosion, flood, strike, lockout, embargo, act of God, or
any other similar cause beyond the control of the defaulting Party, provided
that the Party claiming force majeure has exerted all reasonable efforts to
avoid or remedy such force majeure; provided, however, that in no event shall a
Party be required to settle any labour dispute or disturbance.

     14.5  FURTHER ACTIONS.  Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge and
deliver such further instruments, and to do all such other acts, as may be
necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this
Agreement.

     14.6  NO TRADEMARK RIGHTS.  Except as otherwise provided herein, no
right, express or implied, is granted under this Agreement to use in any manner
the name "Neurocrine" or "NPI", or any other trade name or trademark of the
other Party or its Affiliates in connection with the performance of the
Agreement.

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
 
     14.7  NOTICES.  All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission (receipt
verified), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested),
postage prepaid, or sent by express courier service, to the Parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified
by like notice; provided, that notices of a change of address shall be effective
only upon receipt thereof.

     IF TO NBCI,

     ADDRESSED TO:                  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.
                                    Byers Casgrain
                                    1 Place Ville Marie
                                    Suite 3900
                                    Montreal, Quebec
                                    H3B 4M7
                                    Attention:  Paul F. Dingle
                                    Telephone:    514-878-8800
                                    Telecopy:     514-866-2241

 
     WITH COPY TO:                  WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                    PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                                    650 Page Mill Road
                                    Palo Alto, CA  94304-1050
                                    Attention:    Michael O'Donnell, Esq.
                                    Telephone:    415-493-9300
                                    Telecopy:     415-493-6811
 

     WITH COPY TO:                  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
                                    3050 Science Park Road   
                                    San Diego, CA  92121-1102 
                                    Attention:    President & CEO
                                    Telephone:    619-658-7600
                                    Telecopy:     619-658-7602
 

                                    - 16 -
<PAGE>
 
     IF TO NPI,

     ADDRESSED TO:                  NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.
                                    Byers Casgrain     
                                    1 Place Ville Marie
                                    Suite 3900         
                                    Montreal, Quebec   
                                    H3B 4M7             
                                    Attention:   Paul F. Dingle 
                                    Telephone:   (514) 878-8800
                                    Telecopy:    (514) 866-2241
 

     WITH COPY TO:                  MACKENZIE GERVAIS
                                    770 Sherbrooke Street West
                                    Suite 1300               
                                    Montreal, Quebec         
                                    H3A 1G1                   
                                    Attention:   Luc LaRochelle 
                                    Telephone:   (514) 847-3540
                                    Telecopy:    (514) 288-7389

Each of the Parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal
Courts and agree to accept any legal process served upon such Party at the
addresses specified above for such Party.

     14.8  WAIVER.  Except as specifically provided for herein, the waiver from
time to time by either of the Parties of any of their rights or their failure to
exercise any remedy shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver of
same or of any other of such Party's rights or remedies provided in this
Agreement.

     14.9  SEVERABILITY.  If any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement
or the application thereof to any Party or circumstance shall, to any extent, be
held to be invalid or unenforceable, then (A) the remainder of this Agreement,
or the application of such term, covenant or condition to Parties or
circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this
Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law;
and (B) the Parties covenant and agree to renegotiate any such term, covenant or
application thereof in good faith in order to provide a reasonably acceptable
alternative to the term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or the
application thereof that is invalid or unenforceable, it being the intent of the
Parties that the basic purposes of this Agreement are to be effectuated.

                                    - 17 -
<PAGE>
 
     14.10  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

     14.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, the Unit Purchase Agreement
and the Exhibits thereto and the other documents delivered in connection
herewith set forth all the covenants, promises, agreements, warranties,
representations, conditions and understandings between the Parties and supersede
and terminate all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties in
respect of the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no covenants,
promises, agreements, warranties, representations, conditions or understandings,
either oral or written, between the Parties other than as set forth herein and
therein. No subsequent alteration, amendment, change or addition to this
Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties unless reduced to writing and signed
by the respective authorized officers of the Parties.

     14.12  RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES.  Nothing herein shall be construed to
create any relationship of employer and employee, agent and principal,
partnership or joint venture between the Parties. Each Party is an independent
contractor. Neither Party shall assume, either directly or indirectly, any
liability of or for the other Party. Neither Party shall have the authority to
bind or obligate the other Party and neither Party shall represent that it has
such authority.

     14.13  LIMITED LIABILITY.  Neither Party shall be liable to the other Party
under any contract, negligence, strict liability or other legal or equitable
theory for any incidental or consequential damages for failure to perform
hereunder.

                                    - 18 -
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement by their
proper officers as of the date and year first above written.

                                    NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.    
                                                                            
                                    By:                                     
                                           ________________________________ 
                                                                            
                                    Title:                                  
                                           ________________________________ 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                    NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.          
                                                                            
                                    By:                                     
                                           ________________________________ 
                                                                            
                                    Title:                                  
                                           ________________________________ 

                                    - 19 -
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT E
                                   ---------

                             SCHEDULE OF EXCEPTIONS



     This Schedule of Exceptions, dated as of ___________, 1996, is made and
given pursuant to Section 4 of the Unit Purchase Agreement among Neuroscience
Pharma (NPI) Inc., Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. ("NBI") and the Investors, dated
___________, 1996 (the "Agreement").

     The section numbers in this Schedule of Exceptions correspond to the
section numbers in the Agreement; however, any information disclosed herein
under any section number shall be deemed to be disclosed and incorporated into
any other section number under the Agreement where such dis  closure would be
appropriate.  Any terms defined in the Agreement shall have the same meaning
when used in this Schedule of Exceptions as when used in the Agreement unless
the context otherwise requires.

     4.3  Capitalization.  The outstanding capital stock of NBI, as of
          --------------                                              
immediately prior to the Closing, consists of 12,377,717 shares of Common Stock.
In addition NBI has adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan and has reserved an
aggregate of 125,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder.  Further,
NBI has adopted a Director Option Plan and reserved an aggregate of 100,000
shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder.  NBI has also reserved 3,300,000
shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to its Incentive Stock Plan (the
"Plan"), of which 1,343,300 shares have been issued upon exercise of options or
stock purchase rights granted under the Plan (such shares are reflected in the
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock amount set forth above) and
options exercisable for 1,412,190 shares are outstanding as of the Closing.
These options have exercise prices ranging from $2.50 to $5.00 per share and
will vest on various dates between July 20, 1997 and December 5, 1999.  NBI also
has outstanding warrants exercisable for 520,589 shares of Common Stock.  These
warrants have an exercise price of $5.00 per share and have five year terms,
which expire on various dates between October 25, 1998 and February 28, 1999.

     4.6  Title to Properties and Assets.  NBI leases certain equipment used in
          ------------------------------                                       
its business and located at its facilities in San Diego pursuant to its
equipment lease line; such leased equipment is owned by the equipment lessor.
Certain other items of such equipment are owned by NBI, the purchase price of
which has been financed by the equipment lessor; such equipment is subject to a
security interest (lien) in favor of the lessor to secure repayment of such
financing.

     4.19  Transactions with Affiliates.  Certain officers, directors, and
           ----------------------------                                   
employees of NBI have paid the purchase price for shares of Common Stock issued
to them by execution of promissory notes payable to NBI.
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT F
                                      to
                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                       NEW REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


     This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of
March 29, 1996, by and among Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a California
- --------
corporation (the "Company") and the persons listed on the attached Schedule 1
who become signatories to this Agreement (collectively, the "Investors and
individually an "Investor").

                                R E C I T A L S
                                - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock of Neuroscience Pharma (NPI)  Inc. ("NPI") an affiliate of the
Company (the "NPI Shares") and certain warrants exercisable for shares of the
Company's Common Stock (the "Warrants"), the Company and the Investors desire to
provide for the rights of the Investors with respect to registration of the
Common Stock issued upon exchange of the NPI Shares or exercise of the Warrants
held by the Investors according to the terms of this Agreement.

     WHEREAS, it is a condition of the closing of the sale of the NPI Shares to
the Investors that the Company enter into this Agreement.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises set forth above and for
other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
the parties agree as follows:

     1.   Certain Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms
          -------------------                                                 
shall have the following respective meanings:

          (a)  "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or
                ----------                                                      
any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

          (b)  "Convertible Securities" shall mean securities of NPI or the
                ----------------------                                     
Company purchased by or issued to the Investors by NPI or the Company which are
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock of the Company,
including the NPI Shares and the Warrants.

          (c)  "Form S-3" shall mean Form S-3 issued by the Commission or any
                --------                                                     
substantially similar form then in effect.

          (d)  "Holder" shall mean any holder of outstanding Registrable
                ------                                                  
Securities which have not been sold to the public, but only if such holder is an
Investor or an assignee or transferee of Registration rights as permitted by
Section 11.
<PAGE>
 
          (e)  "Initiating Holders" shall mean Holders who in the aggregate hold
                ------------------                                              
at least forty percent (40%) of the Registrable Securities.

          (f)  "Material Adverse Event" shall mean an occurrence having a
                ----------------------                                   
consequence that either (a) is materially adverse as to the business,
properties, prospects or financial condition of the Company or (b) is reasonably
foreseeable, has a reasonable likelihood of occurring, and if it were to occur
would materially adversely affect the business, properties, prospects or
financial condition of the Company.

          (g)  The terms "Register", "Registered" and "Registration" refer to a
                          --------    ----------       ------------            
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in
compliance with the Securities Act ("Registration Statement"), and the
declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.

          (h)  "Registrable Securities" shall mean all shares of Common Stock of
                ----------------------                                          
the Company issued or issuable upon exchange or exercise of the Convertible
Securities, including Common Stock issued pursuant to stock splits, stock
dividends and similar distributions with respect to such shares, provided that
such shares (i) are not available for immediate sale in the opinion of counsel
to the Company in a transaction exempt from the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act so that all transfer restrictions
and restrictive legends with respect thereto are removed upon consummation of
such sale pursuant to Regulation S, Rule 144, or otherwise under applicable
federal securities laws, or (ii) have not previously been sold to the public.

          (i)  "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred in
                ---------------------                                     
complying with Section 2 of this Agreement, including, without limitation, all
federal and state registration, qualification and filing fees, printing
expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and
expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any
such registration, other than Selling Expenses.

          (j)  "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
                --------------                                           
amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

          (k)  "Selling Expenses" shall mean all underwriting discounts and
                ----------------                                           
selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to
this Agreement, as well as fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the
selling Holders.

     2.   Demand Registration.
          ------------------- 

          2.1  Request for Registration on Form S-3.  Subject to the terms of
               ------------------------------------                          
this Agreement, in the event that the Company receives from Initiating Holders
at any time after one year after the effective date of the Company's initial
Registered public offering of shares of its Common Stock (the "IPO"), a written
request that the Company effect any Registration on Form S-3 (or any successor
form to Form S-3 regardless of its designation) at a time when the Company is
eligible to register securities on Form S-3 (or any successor form to Form S-3
regardless of its designation) for an

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
offering of Registrable Securities, the reasonably anticipated aggregate
offering price to the public of which would exceed $500,000 (provided that such
Registration is not with respect to all other outstanding Registrable
Securities, in which case such $500,000 minimum shall not apply), the Company
will promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration to all the
Holders and will, as soon as practicable, effect Registration of the Registrable
Securities specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the
Registrable Securities of any Holder joining in such request as are specified in
a written request delivered to the Company within 20 days after written notice
from the Company of the proposed Registration.  The Company shall not be
obligated to take any action to effect any such registration pursuant to this
Section 2.1 after the Company has effected two such Registrations pursuant to
this Section 2.1 within the calendar year of such request and such Registrations
have been declared effective and, if underwritten, have closed.

          2.2  Right of Deferral of Registration.  If (i) the Company shall
               ---------------------------------                           
furnish to all such Holders who joined in the request a certificate signed by
the President of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously detrimental to the
Company for any Registration to be effected as requested under Section 2.1, or
(ii) the Company shall have effected a Registration (whether or not pursuant to
Section 2.1) within ninety (90) days preceding the date of such request, the
Company shall have the right to defer the filing of a Registration Statement
with respect to such offering for a period of not more than (i) sixty (60) days
from delivery of the request of the Initiating Holders, or (ii) ninety (90) days
of the date of filing of such prior Registration respectively; provided,
however, that the Company may not utilize this right more than twice in any 12-
month period.

          2.3  Registration of Other Securities.  Any Registration Statement
               --------------------------------                             
filed pursuant to the request of the Initiating Holders under this Section 2
may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4, include securities of the Company
other than Registrable Securities.

          2.4  Underwriting in Demand Registration.
               ----------------------------------- 

               2.4.1  Notice of Underwriting.  If the Initiating Holders intend
                      ----------------------
to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an
underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made
pursuant to this Section 2, and the Company shall include such information in
the written notice referred to in Section 2.1. The right of any Holder to
Registration pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be conditioned upon such Holder's
agreement to participate in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's
Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by
a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders and such Holder with respect to
such participation and inclusion).

               2.4.2  Inclusion of Other Holders in Demand Registration. If the
                      -------------------------------------------------
Company, officers or directors of the Company holding Common Stock other than
Registrable Securities or holders of securities other than Registrable
Securities, request inclusion in such Registration, the Initiating Holders, to
the extent they deem advisable and consistent with the goals of such
Registration and subject to the allocation provisions of Section 2.4.4 below,
shall, on behalf of all Holders, offer to any or all of the Company, such
officers or directors and such holders of securities other than Registrable
Securities that such securities other than Registrable Securities be

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
included in the underwriting and may condition such offer on the acceptance by
such persons of the terms of this Section 2.

               2.4.3  Selection of Underwriter in Demand Registration.  The
                      -----------------------------------------------
Company shall (together with all Holders proposing to distribute their
securities through such underwriting) enter into and perform its obligations
under an underwriting agreement in usual and customary form with the
representative ("Underwriter's Representative") of the underwriter or
underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities being registered by the Initiating Holders and consented
to by the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

               2.4.4  Marketing Limitation in Demand Registration.  In the event
                      -------------------------------------------
the Underwriter's Representative advises the Initiating Holders in writing that
market factors (including, without limitation, the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock requested to be Registered, the general condition of the market,
and the status of the persons proposing to sell securities pursuant to the
Registration) require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten,
then the Initiating Holders shall so advise all Holders, and the number of
shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the Registration and
underwriting shall be allocated among all Holders in proportion, as nearly as
practicable, to the number of shares proposed to be included in such
Registration by such Holder; provided, however, that the number of shares of
Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced
unless all other securities (including those proposed to be included by the
Company and the officers and directors of the Company) are first entirely
excluded from the underwriting. No Registrable Securities or other securities
excluded from the underwriting by reason of this Section 2.4.4 shall be included
in such Registration Statement.

               2.4.5  Right of Withdrawal in Demand Registration.  If any Holder
                      ------------------------------------------
of Registrable Securities, or a holder of other securities entitled (upon
request) to be included in such Registration, disapproves of the terms of the
underwriting, such person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to
the Company, the underwriter and the Initiating Holders delivered at least seven
days prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement. The securities
so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from the Registration Statement.

          2.5  Blue Sky in Demand Registration.  In the event of any
               -------------------------------
Registration pursuant to Section 2, the Company will exercise its best efforts
to Register and qualify the securities covered by the Registration Statement
under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the
Holders shall reasonably request and as shall be reasonably appropriate for the
distribution of such securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not
be required to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of
process in any such states or jurisdictions.

     3.   Piggyback Registration.
          ---------------------- 

          3.1  Notice of Piggyback Registration and Inclusion of Registrable
               -------------------------------------------------------------
Securities.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement, in the event the Company
- ----------
decides to Register any of its Common Stock for its own account on a form that
would be suitable for a registration involving Registrable Securities, the
Company will: (i) promptly give each Holder written notice thereof (which

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
shall include a list of the jurisdictions in which the Company intends to
attempt to qualify such securities under the applicable Blue Sky or other state
securities laws) and (ii) include in such Registration (and any related
qualification under Blue Sky laws or other compliance), and in any underwriting
involved therein, all the Registrable Securities specified in a written request
delivered to the Company by any Holder within twenty (20) days after delivery of
such written notice from the Company.

          3.2  Underwriting in Piggyback Registration.
               -------------------------------------- 

               3.2.1  Notice of Underwriting in Piggyback Registration.  If the
                      ------------------------------------------------         
Registration of which the Company gives notice is for a Registered public
offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall so advise the Holders as a
part of the written notice given pursuant to Section 3.1.  In such event the
right of any Holder to Registration shall be conditioned upon such underwriting
and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in such underwriting
to the extent provided in this Section 3.  All Holders proposing to distribute
their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company and
the other holders distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter
into an underwriting agreement with the Underwriter's Representative for such
offering.  The Holders shall have no right to participate in the selection of
the underwriters for an offering pursuant to this Section 3.

               3.2.2  Marketing Limitation in Piggyback Registration.  In the
                      ----------------------------------------------         
event the Underwriter's Representative advises the Holders seeking registration
of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3 in writing that market factors
(including, without limitation, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
requested to be Registered, the general condition of the market, and the status
of the persons proposing to sell securities pursuant to the Registration)
require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the
Underwriter's Representative may  exclude some or all Registrable Securities
from such registration and underwriting, notwithstanding the fact that other
securities (other than those to be sold by the Company) may be included in the
underwriting.  In the event that the Underwriters shall determine that
Registrable Securities may be included in such Registration and underwriting,
the Underwriter's Representative shall so advise all Holders and the number of
shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the Registration and
underwriting (if any) shall be allocated, among all Holders of Registrable
Securities held by such Holders at the time of filing of the registration
statement.  No Registrable Securities or other securities excluded from the
underwriting by reason of this Section 3.2.2 shall be included in such
Registration Statement.

               3.2.3  Withdrawal in Piggyback Registration.  If any Holder, r a
                      ------------------------------------                     
holder of other securities entitled (upon request) to be included in such
Registration, disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may
elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter
delivered at least seven (7) days prior to the effective date of the
Registration Statement.  Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded
or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such Registration.

          3.3  Blue Sky in Piggyback Registration.  In the event of any
               ----------------------------------
Registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 7, the Company will
exercise its best efforts to register and

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
qualify the securities covered by the Registration Statement under such other
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Holders shall
reasonably request and as shall be reasonably appropriate for the distribution
of such securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any
such states or jurisdictions.

     4.   Expenses of Registration.  All Registration Expenses incurred in
          ------------------------                                        
connection with all Registrations pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 3.2 shall be
borne by the Company.  Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be
required to pay for any expenses of Holders in connection with any registration
proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2.1 if the registration request is
subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities to be registered (which Holders shall bear such
expenses), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree
to forfeit their right to one demand registration pursuant to Section 2.1;
provided further, however, that (i) if at the time of such withdrawal, the
Holders have learned of a Material Adverse Event not known to the Holders at the
time of their request or (ii) such withdrawal is made after a deferral of such
registration by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2, then the Holders shall not
be required to pay any of such expenses and shall retain their rights pursuant
to Section 2.1.  All Selling Expenses shall be borne by the holders of the
securities registered pro rata on the basis of the number of shares registered.

     5.   Registration Procedures.  The Company will keep each Holder whose
          -----------------------                                          
Registrable Securities are included in any registration pursuant to this
Agreement advised as to the initiation and completion of such Registration.  At
its expense the Company will: (a) use its best efforts to keep such Registration
effective for a period of sixty (60) days or until the Holder or Holders have
completed the distribution described in the Registration Statement relating
thereto, whichever first occurs; (b) furnish such number of prospectuses
(including preliminary prospectuses) and other documents as a Holder from time
to time may reasonably request; (c) prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus
used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition
of all securities covered by such registration statement; and (d) notify each
Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement at any
time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus
included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
light of the circumstances then existing.

     6.   Information Furnished by Holder.  It shall be a condition precedent of
          -------------------------------                                       
the Company's obligations under this Agreement that each Holder of Registrable
Securities included in any Registration furnish to the Company such information
regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders as
the Company may reasonably request.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     7.   Indemnification.
          --------------- 

          7.1  Company's Indemnification of Holders.  To the extent permitted by
               ------------------------------------
law, the Company will indemnify each Holder, each of its officers, directors and
constituent partners, legal counsel and accountants for the Holders, and each
person controlling such Holder, with respect to which Registration,
qualification or compliance of Registrable Securities has been effected pursuant
to this Agreement, and each underwriter, if any, and each person who controls
any underwriter against all claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) to the extent such claims, losses, damages or liabilities
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) of a material fact contained in any prospectus or other document
(including any related Registration Statement) incident to any such
Registration, qualification or compliance, or are based on any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by
the Company of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act"), or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation
promulgated under the Securities Act, the 1934 Act or any state securities law,
applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the
Company in connection with any such Registration, qualification or compliance;
and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, each of its officers, directors
and constituent partners, legal counsel and accountants, each such underwriter,
and each person who controls any such Holder or underwriter, for any legal and
any other expenses reasonably incurred, as incurred, in connection with
investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action;
provided, however, that the indemnity contained in this Section 6.1 shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim, loss, damage, liability
or action if settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which
consent shall not unreasonably be withheld); and provided, further, that the
Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim,
loss, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue
statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by
such Holder, its officers, directors, constituent partners, legal counsel,
accountants, underwriter or controlling person and stated to be for use in
connection with the offering of securities of the Company.

          7.2  Holder's Indemnification of Company.  To the extent permitted by
               -----------------------------------
law, each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are
included in the securities as to which such Registration, qualification or
compliance is being effected pursuant to this Agreement, indemnify the Company,
each of its directors and officers, each legal counsel and independent
accountant of he Company, each underwriter, if any, of the Company's securities
covered by such a Registration Statement, each person who controls the Company
or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, and each other
such Holder, each of its officers, directors, constituent partners, legal
counsel and accountants and each person controlling such other Holder, against
all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arising out of or based upon any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement)
by such Holder, of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other document (including any related
Registration Statement) incident to any such Registration, qualification or
compliance, or any omission (or alleged omission) by such Holder, to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or any violation by such Holder of the
Securities Act, the 1934 Act or any state securities law, or any rule or
regulation promulgated

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
under the Securities Act, the 1934 Act or any state securities law, applicable
to such Holder and relating to action or inaction required of such Holder in
connection with any such Registration, qualification or compliance; and will
reimburse the Company, such Holders, such directors, officers, partners,
persons, law and accounting firms, underwriters or control persons for any legal
and any other expenses reasonably incurred, as incurred, in connection with
investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or
alleged untrue statement), omission (or alleged omission) or violation (or
alleged violation) is made in such Registration Statement, prospectus, offering
circular or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Holder and stated to be
specifically for use in connection with the offering of securities of the
Company, provided, however, that each Holder's liability under this Section 6.2
shall not exceed such Holder's net proceeds from the offering of securities made
in connection with such Registration; and provided, further, that the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.2 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of
any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action if settlement is effected
without the consent of the Holder (which consent shall not unreasonably be
withheld).

          7.3  Indemnification Procedure.  Promptly after receipt by an
               -------------------------
indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any
action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made
against an indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying
party in writing of the commencement thereof and generally summarize such
action. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in and to
assume the defense of such claim, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to select counsel for the defense of such claim with the approval of
any parties entitled to indemnification, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided further, however, that if either party
reasonably determines that there may be a conflict between the position of the
Company and the Investors in conducting the defense of such action, suit or
proceeding by reason of recognized claims for indemnity under this Section 6,
then counsel for such party shall be entitled to conduct the defense to the
extent reasonably determined by such counsel to be necessary to protect the
interest of such party. The failure to notify an indemnifying party promptly of
the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to the ability of the
indemnifying party to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party,
to the extent so prejudiced, of any liability to the indemnified party under
this Section 6, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not
relieve such party of any liability that such party may have to any indemnified
party otherwise other than under this Section 6.

     8.   Reports Under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  With a view to making
          ---------------------------------------------                        
available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 and any other rule or
regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit an Investor to sell
securities of the Company to the public without Registration or pursuant to a
Registration on Form S-3, the Company agrees to:

          (a)  make and keep public information available, as those terms are
defined in Rule 144, at all times after ninety (90) days after the effective
date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for the offering
of its securities to the general public;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the 1934 Act; and

          (c)  furnish to any Investor, so long as such Investor owns any
Convertible Securities or Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) a
written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting
requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective
date of the first registration statement filed by the Company), the Securities
Act and the 1934 Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting
requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be
resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after it so qualifies), (ii) a copy of
the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports
and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may
be reasonably requested in availing any Investor of any rule or regulation of
the Commission which permits the selling of any such securities without
registration.

     9.   Market Stand-off.  Each Holder hereby agrees that, if so requested by
          ----------------                                                     
the Company and the Underwriter's Representative (if any), such Holder shall not
sell or otherwise transfer (other than to donees who agree to be similarly
bound) any Registrable Securities or other securities of the Company during the
360-day period following the effective date of a Registration Statement of the
Company filed under the Securities Act; provided that such restriction shall
only apply to the first Registration Statement of the Company to become
effective which include securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the
public in an underwritten offering; and provided, further, that all officers and
directors of the Company enter into similar agreements.

     10.  Conversion or Exercise.  The Registration rights of the Holders set
          ----------------------                                             
forth in this Agreement are conditioned upon the conversion or exercise of the
NPI Shares or Warrants with respect to which registration is sought into Common
Stock of the Company prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement.

     11.  Transfer of Rights.  The Registration rights of the Investors set
          ------------------                                               
forth in Section 2 may be assigned by any Holder to a transferee or assignee of
any Convertible Securities or Registrable Securities not sold to the public
acquiring at least 100,000 shares of such Holder's Convertible Securities or
Registrable Securities (equitably adjusted for any recapitalizations, stock
splits, combinations, and the like) or acquiring all of the Convertible
Securities and Registrable Securities held by such Holder if transferred to a
single entity; provided, however, that (i) the Company must receive written
notice prior to the time of said transfer, stating the name and address of said
transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with respect to which such
information and Registration rights are being assigned, and (ii) the transferee
or assignee of such rights must not be a person deemed in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company to be a competitor or potential competitor of
the Company.  Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in the foregoing sentence
respecting the minimum number of shares which must be transferred, any Holder
which is a partnership may transfer such Holder's Registration rights to such
Holder's constituent partners (or may transfer to their heirs in the case of
individuals) without restriction as to the number or percentage of shares
acquired by any such constituent partner (or heirs).

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     12.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          12.1  Entire Agreement; Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement
                ----------------------------------------
constitutes the entire contract between The Company and the Investors relative
to the subject matter hereof.  Subject to the exceptions specifically set forth
in this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the respective executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the parties.

          12.2  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
                -------------                                          
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to
contracts entered into and wholly to be performed within the State of California
by California residents.

          12.3  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
                ------------                                                
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          12.4  Headings.  The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are
                --------
for convenience and shall not by themselves determine the interpretation of this
Agreement.

          12.5  Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
                -------
given in writing and shall be conclusively deemed effectively given upon
personal delivery, or five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, by
first class mail, postage prepaid, or upon sending if sent by commercial
overnight delivery service addressed (i) if to the Company, as set forth below
the Company's name on the signature page of this Agreement, and (ii) if to an
Investor, at such Investor's address as set forth on the attached Schedule 1, or
at such other address as the Company or such Investor may designate by ten (10)
days' advance written notice to the Investors or to the Company, respectively.

          12.6  Amendment of Agreement.  Except as otherwise specifically
                ----------------------                                   
provided herein, any provision of this Agreement may be amended by a written
instrument signed by the Company and by persons holding more than fifty-five
percent (55%) of the then outstanding Convertible Securities and Registrable
Securities (calculated on an as converted basis).

          12.7  Aggregation of Stock.  All Convertible Securities and
                --------------------                                 
Registrable Securities held or acquired by affiliated entities or persons shall
be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any
rights under this Agreement.

          12.8  Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
                ------------
unenforceable for any reason, it shall be adjusted rather than voided, if
possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties to the extent possible.
In any event, all other provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed valid and
enforceable to the full extent possible.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.


     The Company:                  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                   By: /s/ GARY A. LYONS
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                   Title:         CEO
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                   Address:  3050 Science Park Rd.
                                             San Diego, CA  92121


     The INVESTORS:                SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE D'INNOVATION INC.

                                   By: /s/ CARMEN CREPIN
                                      __________________________________________

                                   Title:
                                         _______________________________________

                                   Address:   1981 McGill College Avenue
                                              9th floor
                                              Montreal, Quebec, Canada
                                              H3A 3C7


                                   NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                   By: /s/ MICHAEL J. CALLAGHAN
                                      __________________________________________

                                   Title:
                                         _______________________________________

                                   Address:
                                           _____________________________________

                                           _____________________________________

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
                                   NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                   BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER,
                                   MDS ASSOCIATES NEUROSCIENCE, INC.

                                   By:  /s/ Michael J. Callaghan
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      
                                   Title:______________________________________ 
                                           Michael J. Callaghan, Vice-President

                                   By:  /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      
                                   Title:  Keith J. Dorrinton, Vice-President 
                                         --------------------------------------

                                   Address:  100 International Blvd.
                                             -----------------------------------

                                             Etobicoke, Ontario
                                             -----------------------------------
                              
                                             Canada M9W 6J6
                                             -----------------------------------


                                   BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA

                                   By: /s/ MARK VANDZURA
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                   
                                   Title:         INVESTMENT MANAGER
                                         ---------------------------------------
                              
                                   By:__________________________________________
                                   
                                   Title:_______________________________________

                                   Address: 5 Place Ville Marie
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Suite 1210
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Montreal, QUE. H3B 5E7
                                            ------------------------------------

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                   CANADIAN MEDICAL DISCOVERIES FUND, INC.

                                   By:  /s/ Edward K. Rygiel
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      
                                   Title:  Edward K. Rygiel, Director
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                   
                                   By:  /s/ Frank Gleeson
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      
                                   Title:  Frank Gleeson, Vice-President 
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                   Address:  100 International Blvd.
                                             -----------------------------------

                                             Etobicoke, Ontario
                                             -----------------------------------
                              
                                             Canada M9W 6J6
                                             -----------------------------------



                                   THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 
                                   VENTURE FUND BY ITS MANAGER MDS HEALTH 
                                   VENTURES CAPITAL CORP.

                                   By:  /s/ Michael J. Callaghan
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      
                                   Title:  Michael J. Callaghan, Vice-President 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                   
                                   By:  /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      
                                   Title:  Keith J. Dorrinton, Vice-President 
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                   Address:  100 International Blvd.
                                             -----------------------------------

                                             Etobicoke, Ontario
                                             -----------------------------------
                              
                                             Canada M9W 6J6
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT G
                                      to
                            UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
                        UNANIMOUS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
                        --------------------------------


MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT made at Montreal, Quebec, on the 29th day of March,
1996.


BY AND AMONG:                 NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.

                              (hereinafter referred to as "NBCI")


AND:                          SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE D'INNOVATION INC.

                              (hereinafter referred to as "SFI")


AND:                          NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                              represented by MDS ASSOCIES-NEUROSCIENCE INC., its
                              general partner

                              (hereinafter referred to as "Neuroscience")


AND:                          BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA

                              (hereinafter referred to as "BDC")


AND:                          CANADIAN MEDICAL DISCOVERIES FUND, INC.

                              (hereinafter referred to as "CMDF")


AND:                          THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY VENTURE FUND,
                              represented by MDS HEALTH VENTURES CAPITAL CORP.,
                              its manager

                              (hereinafter referred to as "HBVF")
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-


AND:                          NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC., a company
                              incorporated under the Canada Business 
                              Corporations Act

                              (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation")



     WHEREAS each of the Shareholders hold the following numbers and classes of
Shares as of the date hereof:


     [*]


     WHEREAS the Shareholders wish to set forth herein the terms and conditions
which will govern their relationship as shareholders in the Corporation.

     THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH THAT, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed by and among the Parties as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                 INTERPRETATION
                                 --------------


1.1  DEFINITIONS.  For the purposes of this Agreement or any offer, acceptance,
     -----------                                                               
rejection, notice, consent, request, authorization, permission, direction or
other instrument required or permitted to be given hereunder, the following
words and phrases shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the
context otherwise requires:

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-


(a)  "ACT" shall mean the Canada Business Corporations Act;

(b)  "ADDITIONAL OFFER" shall mean the Second Offer referred to and defined in
     Section 4.5;

(c)  "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Unanimous Shareholders Agreement and all
     instruments supplemental hereto or in amendment or confirmation hereof;
     "HEREIN", "HEREOF","HERETO", "HEREUNDER" and similar expressions mean and
     refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article, Section,
     Subsection or other subdivision; "ARTICLE", "SECTION", "SUBSECTION" or
     other subdivision of this Agreement means and refers to the specified
     Article, Section, Subsection or other subdivision of this Agreement;

(d)  "ARM'S LENGTH" shall mean, in respect of any Shareholder, a relationship
     between such Shareholder and any particular Person which would be an arm's
     length relationship between such Shareholder and the particular Person
     within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada);

(e)  "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation;

(f)  "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other
     day on which the principal commercial banks in Montreal are not open for
     business during normal banking hours;

(g)  "CLOSING" shall mean, in respect of any Shareholder, the sale of Shares by
     one or more Shareholders to such Shareholder pursuant to Section 4.5;

(h)  "CLOSING DATE" shall, in respect of any Shareholder, mean in the case of a
     Closing pursuant to Section 4.5, the date which is thirty (30) days after
     the expiry of the Offer Period or of the last Additional Offer;

     provided, however, that if on any Closing Date all Governmental Body and
     -----------------                                                       
     third party approvals, consents, notifications and assurances (including,
     without limitation, approvals under the Investment Canada Act) necessary to
     permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Closing
     have been applied for, but not yet received, by the purchaser, then the
     Closing Date shall be postponed to the thirtieth (30th) day after the
     receipt by the purchaser of the last of the aforesaid approvals, consents,
     notifications and assurances; notwithstanding the foregoing, the Closing
     shall not be extended more than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the
     date which was supposed to have been the original Closing Date herein;

(i)  "COMPETITOR" shall mean any entity which employs technology substantially
     the same as the technology being practised by the Corporation or which
     markets products which are 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-


     competitive with products which are under active research and development
     by the Corporation, NBCI or Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.;

(j)  "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" shall mean, in respect of any Shareholder, all
     information howsoever received by the Shareholder from or through the
     Corporation which the Corporation identifies as being confidential;
     provided, however, that the phrase "Confidential Information" shall not
     -----------------                                                      
     include information which:

     (i)    is public knowledge through no fault of the Shareholder or any of
            its former or current directors, officers or employees,

     (ii)   is properly within the legitimate possession of the Shareholder
            prior to its disclosure hereunder and without any obligation of
            confidence,

     (iii)  after disclosure, is lawfully received by the Shareholder from
            another Person who is lawfully in possession of such Confidential
            Information and such other Person was not restricted from disclosing
            the information to the Shareholder,

     (iv)   is independently developed by the Shareholder through Persons who
            have not had access to, or knowledge of, the Confidential
            Information, or

     (v)    is approved by the Corporation in writing for disclosure prior to
            its disclosure;

(k)  "DISPUTE" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at Section 1.9;

(l)  "DOLLAR", "DOLLARS" and the sign "$" shall each mean lawful money of
     Canada;

(m)  "GOVERNMENTAL BODY" shall mean (i) any domestic or foreign national,
     federal, provincial, state, municipal or other government or body, (ii) any
     multinational, multilateral or international body, (iii) any subdivision,
     agent, commission, board, institution or authority of any of the foregoing
     governments or bodies, (iv) any quasi-governmental or private body
     exercising any regulatory, expropriation or taxing authority under or for
     the account of any of the foregoing governments or bodies, or (v) any
     domestic, foreign, international, multilateral or multinational judicial,
     quasi-judicial, arbitration or administrative court, tribunal, commission,
     board or panel;

(n)  "INVESTORS" shall mean SFI, Neuroscience, BDC, CMDF and HBVF;

(o)  "PARTIES" shall mean the Shareholders and the Corporation;

(p)  "PERMITTED TRANSFEREE" shall, in respect of a Shareholder, mean a Person,
     which is not a Competitor, and which is an Affiliate (as defined in the
     Research and Development 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-


     Agreement) of the Shareholder; for greater certainty, references to any
     Shareholder hereunder shall include such Shareholder's Permitted
     Transferees;

(q)  "PERSON" shall mean an individual, corporation, company, cooperative,
     partnership, trust, unincorporated association, entity with judicial
     personality, Governmental Body; and pronouns when they refer to a Person
     have a similarly extended meaning;

(r)  "PRIME RATE" shall mean, on any particular day, the rate of interest per
     annum reported, quoted, published and commonly known as the prime rate of
     interest of Royal Bank of Canada for loans in dollars made in Canada to
     substantial and responsible customers at the close of business on such day;

(s)  "RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT" shall mean the Memorandum of Agreement
     of even date among NBCI and the Corporation;

(t)  "SHARES" shall mean (i) any share of any class, series or category of the
     capital of the Corporation, including the Common Shares and the Series A
     Preferred Shares authorized in the Articles of the Corporation, or (ii) any
     security in the capital of the Corporation including, without limitation,
     purchase warrants, options or securities in whole or in part convertible or
     exchangeable for or into shares of any class, series or category of the
     capital of the Corporation;

(u)  "SHAREHOLDERS" shall initially mean NBCI, SFI, Neuroscience, BDC, CMDF and
     HBVF and the definition shall be deemed to be modified from time to time to
     (i) delete Persons who cease to hold Shares in accordance with the terms of
     this Agreement, and (ii) add all Persons who from time to time become
     holders of Shares and who execute a counterpart of this Agreement in
     accordance with Section 8.7;

(v)  "THIRD PARTY" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at Section 4.5;

(w)  "TRANSFER" and any derivative thereof shall, when used as a verb or a noun
     in this Agreement, mean to sell, assign, surrender, exchange, give, donate,
     transfer, pledge, mortgage, charge, create a security interest in,
     hypothecate, grant an option in, escrow, or otherwise dispose, alienate,
     encumber or deal with any of the Shares;

(x)  "UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall mean the Memorandum of Agreement of even
     date among the Corporation, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. and the Investors;

(y)  "VOTING SHARES" shall mean Shares of the Corporation to which are attached
     votes that may be cast to elect directors of the Corporation;
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-


1.2  GENDER.  Any reference in this Agreement to any gender shall include both
     ------                                                                   
genders and the neutral, and words used herein importing the singular number
only shall include the plural and vice versa.

1.3  HEADINGS.  The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections,
     --------                                                          
Subsections and other subdivisions, and the insertion of headings are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be used in the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

1.4  SEVERABILITY.  Any Article, Section, Subsection or other subdivision of
     ------------                                                           
this Agreement or any other provision of this Agreement which is, or becomes,
illegal, invalid or unenforceable shall be severed herefrom and shall be
ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability and
shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions hereof, which provisions
shall be severed from an illegal or unenforceable Article, Section, Subsection
or other subdivision of this Agreement or any other provisions of this
Agreement.

1.5  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement together with any other instruments to be
     ----------------                                                           
delivered pursuant hereto, constitute the entire agreement among the Parties
pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements,
understandings, negotiations, and discussions, whether oral or written, among
any or all of the Parties.

1.6  AMENDMENTS.  No amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless
     ----------                                                         
otherwise expressly provided in an instrument duly executed by the Parties.

1.7  WAIVER.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no waiver of any
     ------                                                                   
of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of
any other provisions (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a
continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided in an instrument duly
executed by the Parties.

1.8  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed, interpreted and construed
     -------------                                                              
by and in accordance with the laws of the Province of Quebec and the laws of
Canada applicable therein and shall be treated in all respects as a Quebec
contract.

1.9  LANGUAGE.  This Agreement is executed by the Parties hereto in French and
     --------                                                                 
English.  The Parties hereto expressly agree that in the event of any
misunderstanding, dispute or controversy (collectively, a "DISPUTE") amongst
them with respect to the interpretation of any of the provisions of this
Agreement, the French version of this Agreement will have precedence and be the
only version to apply and be used for the resolution of such Dispute.

     As an exception only, and recognizing the principle that the French version
shall have precedence, if a Dispute arises between any Parties hereto in
connection with the interpretation given to any provision of this Agreement, any
court before which any such Dispute is referred for resolution will be permitted
to refer to the English version of this Agreement in order to determine the
intention of the Parties at the time the provisions of this Agreement were
drafted.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-


1.10 DELAYS.  When calculating the period of time within which or following
     ------                                                                
which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the day
which is the reference day in calculating such period shall be excluded.  If the
day on which such delay expires is not a Business Day, then the delay shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day.

1.11 SCHEDULES.  The following are the Schedules annexed to and incorporated in
     ---------                                                                 
this Agreement by reference and deemed to be a part hereof:

     Schedule 3.1    -   Special Matters
     Schedule 8.7    -   Form of Counterpart

1.12 CONFLICT.  This Agreement shall override the Schedules annexed hereto to
     --------                                                                
the extent of any inconsistency.  If any conflict should appear between this
Agreement and the Articles, by-laws or resolutions of the Corporation, then the
provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

1.13 PREAMBLE.  The preamble hereof shall form an integral part of this
     --------                                                          
Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE 2
                                   MANAGEMENT
                                   ----------


2.1  BUSINESS OF THE CORPORATION.  The Corporation shall not carry on any
     ---------------------------                                         
business other than that of scientific research and development, and the
exploitation and commercialization of such research and development as
contemplated in the Research and Development Agreement, including all matters
necessary or ancillary thereto.

2.2  BOARD.  The Board shall be composed of such number of individuals as shall
     -----                                                                     
be designated and appointed from time to time in accordance with the following
provisions.

     The Board shall be composed of seven (7) individuals, of which three (3)
shall be designated by NBCI, one (1) shall be designated by SFI, one (1) shall
be designated by BDC, one (1) shall be designated jointly by CMDF, HBVF and
Neuroscience and one (1) shall be designated jointly by the Shareholders.

     Each of the Shareholders shall advise the Corporation in writing of the
names of the individuals such Shareholder has designated to be appointed to the
Board as soon as practicable before each annual meeting of the Shareholders.
Each Shareholder shall vote, or cause to be voted, its Voting Shares to elect
the individuals designated as directors by each of the other Shareholders in
accordance with this Section 2.2.

     A quorum at meetings of the Board shall be a simple majority of the members
then in office.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-


2.3  AUDITORS.  The auditors of the Corporation shall be Caron, Belanger, Ernst
     --------                                                                  
& Young, or such auditors as the Shareholders shall appoint from time to time
and such auditors shall, at the fiscal year end of the Corporation and at such
other times as they may be reasonably requested by any of the Shareholders, make
an audit of the books and records of the Corporation and for such purposes they
shall have access to all books and records of the Corporation.

2.4  FINANCIAL YEAR.  The financial year of the Corporation shall be 
     --------------
December 31.

2.5  BOOK AND RECORDS.  The Corporation shall maintain and keep at its principal
     ----------------                                                           
office in the province of Quebec all books and records required by law or
necessary, useful or appropriate for the business and affairs of the
Corporation.

2.6  ACCESS TO BOOKS, RECORDS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS.  The Shareholders and their
     --------------------------------------------                             
auditors shall have the absolute right to examine, during normal business hours
and after giving reasonable notice thereof, personally or through their legal
counsel and auditors, all books and records held by the Corporation and to
obtain at their expense a copy thereof.  The Shareholders shall not create any
unreasonable interference in the business of the Corporation during the course
of such examinations.

2.7  BANKERS AND BANKING ARRANGEMENTS.  The bankers of the Corporation shall be
     --------------------------------                                          
such bank(s) or financial institution(s) as may be agreed upon from time to time
by the Board. Initially, the Royal Bank of Canada shall be appointed as the
bankers of the Corporation.

2.8  VOTE.  Each Shareholder shall at all times carry out and cause the
     ----                                                              
Corporation and its nominees on the Board to carry out the provisions of this
Agreement.  Each Shareholder shall duly and punctually do, or cause to be done,
all such things, including, without limitation, voting or causing to be voted
all the Shares held by the Shareholder as shall be necessary or desirable to
give effect to this Agreement.  In the event that any of the directors do not
vote at meetings of the Board in a manner consistent with this Agreement, all of
the Shareholders shall sign written resolutions approving the relevant matter in
a manner consistent with this Agreement, such resolutions restricting and
removing the powers of the directors to vote on such matter shall be in
accordance with the relevant Sections of the Act and shall replace any previous
outstanding resolutions of the directors on such matter.

     The Corporation shall carry out and be bound by this Agreement to the full
extent that it has the capacity and power to do so.

2.9  UNANIMOUS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT.  To the extent that any of the powers
     --------------------------------                                       
vested in the directors by the provisions of the Act have been allocated in
whole or in part to the Shareholders by this Agreement:

(a)  such powers of the directors are hereby restricted to the extent allocated
     to the Shareholders hereunder, and
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-


(b)  the Shareholders shall manage the business and affairs of the Corporation
     with respect to such powers as if they were the directors of the
     Corporation, and the directors shall thereby be released from their duties
     and liabilities to the same extent.

     This Agreement shall, to the extent necessary to give effect to this
Section 2.9, be deemed to be a unanimous shareholders agreement within the
meaning of the Act.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                                SPECIAL MATTERS
                                ---------------


3.1  SPECIAL MATTERS.  No act, decision, by-law or resolution of the directors
     ---------------                                                          
of the Corporation which relates to any of the matters enumerated in Schedule
3.1 annexed hereto may be acted upon by the Corporation without the prior
written consent of the Shareholders expressed in writing.


                                   ARTICLE 4
                            RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
                            ------------------------


4.1  NO TRANSFER.  Except as permitted in this Agreement or in any other
     -----------                                                        
agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement, the Shareholders may
not transfer in whole or in part any Shares or any right, title or interest
therein without the prior written consent of the other Shareholders.

4.2  ASSIGNMENT TO PERMITTED TRANSFEREE.  A Shareholder may transfer all (but
     ----------------------------------                                      
not less than all) of the Shares held by such Shareholder to a Permitted
Transferee, provided that:

(a)  the Permitted Transferee has executed prior to such assignment a
     counterpart of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.7,

(b)  the Permitted Transferee has agreed, in form and terms satisfactory to the
     legal counsel of the Corporation, acting reasonably, that as long as it
     shall hold such Shares it shall, unless waived in writing by the other
     Shareholders, be bound by the terms and conditions of the Unit Purchase
     Agreement and any other agreement executed in connection with this
     Agreement, if the transferor was a party thereto, as if the Permitted
     Transferee had been an original party to such agreements in place of the
     transferor, and

(c)  the transferor has agreed prior to such assignment, in form and terms
     satisfactory to the legal counsel of the Corporation, acting reasonably,
     that as long as the Permitted Transferee holds such Shares the transferor
     shall, unless waived in writing by the other
<PAGE>
 
                                     -10-

     Shareholders, (i) not transfer to any Person the legal and/or beneficial
     ownership of any issued and outstanding share, equity security or
     ownership, participatory or profit interest in the Permitted Transferee or
     otherwise transfer the control of the Permitted Transferee by any mechanism
     whatsoever, (ii) not be relieved of its obligations hereunder and continue
     to be bound by this Agreement, the Unit Purchase Agreement and any other
     agreement executed in connection with this Agreement, if a party thereto,
     as if it continued to be a Shareholder, (iii) represent the Permitted
     Transferee in all of the Permitted Transferee's dealings with the
     Corporation and the other Shareholders, and (iv) solidarily with the
     Permitted Transferee (each waiving the benefit of division and discussion)
     be liable to the other Parties for the obligations of the Permitted
     Transferee under this Agreement.

     If the Permitted Transferee fails to perform or fulfil any of its
obligations hereunder, then any Party may require by notice to the transferor
that the Permitted Transferee be forthwith liquidated and its assets (including,
without limitation, the Shares held by the Permitted Transferee) distributed to
the transferor.

4.3  TRANSFERS BY SFI.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, SFI may
     ----------------                                                           
transfer all or part of its Shares to any Governmental Body of or controlled by
the Government of Quebec which is not a Competitor, at any time and from time to
time without being subject to the provisions of Section 4.5; provided however,
                                                             ----------------
that SFI shall not be permitted to transfer its Shares to any Governmental Body
of or controlled by the Government of Quebec unless such Governmental Body shall
have first (i) executed a counterpart of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 8.7, and (ii) have agreed, in form and terms satisfactory to the legal
counsel of the Corporation, acting reasonably, that as long as it shall hold
such Shares it shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the Unit Purchase
Agreement and any other agreement executed by the parties in connection with
this Agreement, if the transferor was a party thereto, as if the Governmental
Body had been an original party to such agreements in place of the transferor.

4.4  TRANSFERS BY BDC.  In the event that BDC is required by law to sell,
     ----------------                                                    
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, BDC may
transfer or otherwise dispose of all of its Shares to any person (the "BDC
Transferee") provided that i) the BDC Transferee has executed a counterpart of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.7 and ii) neither the BDC Transferee
nor any of its associates or affiliates is a Competitor.

4.5  RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL:  SALE BY INVESTORS.  If at any time, any of the
     ------------------------------------------                             
Investors (the "OFFERING PARTY") receives an irrevocable offer which it is
prepared to accept from a Person, including NBCI, who is not a Competitor,
acting at Arm's Length to the Offering Party (in this Section the "THIRD PARTY")
to purchase for cash (all of which is payable at Closing) all or a portion of
the Shares held by the Offering Party, it shall first offer to sell (in this
Section the "OFFER") such Shares (in this Section the "OFFERED SECURITIES") to
the other Investors, as the case may be, (in this Section each a "NOTIFIED
PARTY", collectively the "NOTIFIED PARTIES") in
<PAGE>
 
                                     -11-


accordance with the procedure set forth in this Section 4.5 and on the same
terms as the Offering Party received from the Third Party.

     The Offer shall be sent to each Notified Party and shall be open for
acceptance by each Notified Party for thirty (30) days (in this Section the
"OFFER PERIOD") from the receipt of the Offer by such Notified Party.

     Each Notified Party shall be obliged by notice to the Offering Party
received within, but not after, the expiration of the Offer Period at its sole
option to either:

(a)  accept the Offer, or

(b)  reject the Offer, in which case the Offer Period with respect to such
     Notified Party shall expire on the date the Offer is rejected.

     If a Notified Party does not accept the Offer by the expiry of the Offer
Period, then such Notified Party shall be deemed to have rejected the Offer on
such date.

     If all of the Notified Parties have accepted the Offer, then the Offering
Party shall sell to each Notified Party, and each Notified Party shall purchase
from the Offering Party, such proportion of the Offered Securities as is equal
to the proportion that the number of Voting Shares of such Notified Party is to
the aggregate of all Voting Shares held by all Notified Parties, the whole in
accordance with this Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Offer.

     If not all of the Notified Parties shall have accepted the Offer (in which
case at least one (1) of the Notified Parties shall have rejected or be deemed
to have rejected the Offer), then the Offering Party shall be required forthwith
to offer to sell (in this Section the "SECOND OFFER") all of the Offered
Securities which were not accepted by a Notified Party (in this Section the
"UNACCEPTED OFFERED SECURITIES") to the Notified Parties who accepted the Offer
in accordance with the procedure set forth in this Section 4.5 and on the same
terms as the Offering Party received from the Third Party.

     The Second Offer shall be sent to the Notified Parties who accepted the
Offer (in this Section the "RE-NOTIFIED PARTIES") and shall be open for
acceptance by the Re-Notified Parties for fourteen (14) days from receipt of the
Second Offer (in this Section the "SECOND OFFER PERIOD") by the Re-Notified
Parties.

     Each of the Re-Notified Parties shall be obliged by notice to the Offering
Party received within, but not after, the expiration of the Second Offer Period
at its option to either:

(a)  accept the Second Offer, or
<PAGE>
 
                                     -12-


(b)  reject the Second Offer, in which case the Second Offer Period shall expire
     on the date the Second Offer is rejected.

     If a Re-Notified Party does not accept the Second Offer by the expiry of
the Second Offer Period, then it shall be deemed to have rejected the Second
Offer on such date.

     If all of the Re-Notified Parties have accepted the Second Offer, then they
shall purchase from the Offering Party, and the Offering Party shall sell to
each of the Re-Notified Parties, such proportion of the Offered Securities
(including the Unaccepted Offered Securities) as is equal to the proportion that
the number of Voting Shares of such Re-Notified Party is to the aggregate of all
Voting Shares held by all Re-Notified Parties, the whole in accordance with this
Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Offer and the Second Offer.

     If not all of the Re-Notified Parties shall have accepted the Second Offer,
then the Offering Party shall be required to offer all of the Offered Securities
which were not accepted by a Re-Notified Party to the Re-Notified Parties who
accepted the Second Offer and the terms and conditions of the Second Offer will
apply mutatis mutandis to this additional offer or any subsequent additional
offer which may be required.

     If at the end of the last applicable period the Investors have not agreed
to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Offered Securities in accordance
with the above-mentioned procedure, the Offering Party shall be required
forthwith to offer to sell (in this Section the "NBCI Offer") all of the Offered
Securities to NBCI on the same terms as the Offering Party received from the
Third Party.

     The NBCI Offer shall be open for acceptance for thirty (30) days from
receipt thereof by NBCI (the "NBCI Offer Period").

     NBCI shall be obliged by notice to the Offering Party received within, but
not after the expiration of the NBCI Offer Period at its option to either:

(a)  accept the NBCI Offer, or

(b)  reject the NBCI Offer, in which case the NBCI Offer shall expire on the
     date it is rejected.

     If NBCI does not accept the NBCI Offer by the expiry of the NBCI Offer
Period, then NBCI shall be deemed to have rejected the NBCI Offer on such date.

     If at the end of the NBCI Offer Period NBCI has not agreed to purchase all
(but not less than all) of the Offered Securities in accordance with the above-
mentioned procedure, the Offering Party shall be free for a period of ninety
(90) days from the end of the last applicable offer period to sell all (but not
less than all) of the Offered Securities to the Third Party on terms
<PAGE>
 
                                     -13-


not more favourable than those provided in the Offer, provided, however, that it
shall be a condition precedent to the right of the Offering Party to sell the
Offered Securities that the Third Party has executed a counterpart of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 8.7 and that any required shareholder
approval has been obtained.

     If no sale takes place within the said ninety (90) day period, then the
Offering Party shall not transfer the Offered Securities without again following
and being subject to this Article 4.

4.6  MODALITIES.  Each Closing shall be made in accordance with Article 5.
     ----------                                                           

4.7  REFUSAL OF CORPORATION.  The Corporation shall record each transfer of
     ----------------------                                                
Shares provided, however, that the Corporation shall refuse to record a transfer
       -----------------                                                        
of Shares made in contravention of this Agreement.

4.8  OFFER; ADDITIONAL OFFER.  Each Offer and each Additional Offer shall be in
     -----------------------                                                   
a writing signed by the Offering Party and addressed to each Notified Party, Re-
Notified Party and/or NBCI, as the case may be, and shall:

(a)  identify the Section pursuant to which it is delivered,

(b)  identify and provide particulars of the Offered Securities,

(c)  state the purchase price per Offered Security, which purchase price shall
     be payable in full, in cash, in Canadian dollars at Closing, and

(d)  state the name and address of the Third Party to whom it proposes to sell
     the Offered Securities, along with a copy of the offer received from such
     Third Party.

4.9  IRREVOCABILITY.  All Offers and Additional Offers and their acceptance,
     --------------                                                         
rejection, deemed acceptance and deemed rejection are irrevocable.

4.10 TAX STATUS.  Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, the Investors
     ----------                                                                
will not take any action and in particular will not permit or consent to any
transfer, sale or assignment of Shares in the event that such action, transfer,
sale or assignment adversely affects in any manner the tax status of the
Corporation under any applicable Canadian or provincial tax legislation and
without limiting the foregoing, its status as a "Canadian-controlled private
corporation" and as a "qualifying corporation", and its non-qualification as an
"excluded corporation" and as a "tax-exempt corporation" under such legislation.

4.11 INSCRIPTION.  The Corporation shall cause, and the Shareholders shall vote
     -----------                                                               
their Shares
<PAGE>
 
                                     -14-


          Ownership, alienation and encumbrance of the Shares represented by
          this certificate are subject to the terms of the Unanimous
          Shareholders' Agreement dated March 29, 1996, a copy of which is on
          file at the head office of the Corporation.


                                   ARTICLE 5
                                    CLOSING
                                    -------


5.1  TIME, PLACE, TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  Each Closing shall be held at the
     ---------------------------------                                    
principal offices of the Corporation at 10:00 a.m. on the Closing Date, or at
such other place, at such other time or on such other date as the Parties
thereto may agree, in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

(a)  At Closing, the vendor shall deliver to the purchaser certificates
     representing the Shares being transferred, which certificates shall be
     accompanied by a duly executed assignment of the Shares to the purchaser.

(b)  Payment for the Shares being transferred shall be made in full at Closing.
     All payments shall be made by way of bank draft or electronic fund transfer
     to the vendor's account in Canada.

(c)  At Closing, the vendor shall deliver to the purchaser a written warranty
     that:

     (i)  there are no contractual or other restrictions on the transfer of the
          Shares being transferred (other than the restrictions set out in the
          Articles of the Corporation and in this Agreement), and

     (ii) the vendor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Shares being
          transferred with full right, title and authority to transfer such
          Shares to the purchaser, free and clear of all claims, liens and other
          encumbrances whatsoever.

(d)  If there are two purchasers, then the obligations of each purchaser in
     connection with the purchase of Shares shall be independent of the
     obligations of the other purchaser in that regard, and the failure of any
     purchaser to pay for such purchaser's Shares shall not affect the right of
     any other purchaser to receive a transfer of the Shares purchased by that
     other purchaser.

(e)  At Closing, all necessary and proper corporate proceedings required by
     counsel for the purchaser, acting reasonably, shall be taken for the
     transfer of the Shares being transferred.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -15-


(f)  If the purchaser fails for any reason whatsoever to proceed with Closing or
     to pay to the vendor any amount due hereunder, then all amounts due
     hereunder but not paid shall bear interest from the date of Closing until
     paid in full at a rate of interest per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus
     three percent (3%).  Such interest shall be payable on demand.

(g)  At Closing, the vendor shall deliver to the Corporation signed resignations
     of its nominees as directors, officers and employees of the Corporation
     which are required to resign in accordance with this Agreement or any Offer
     or Additional Offer.  If the vendor is selling all of its Shares, it shall
     deliver to the Corporation signed resignations of all of its nominees as
     directors, officers and employees of the Corporation unless waived by the
     Corporation.

(h)  If the vendor is bound by a guarantee whereby such vendor has guaranteed
     the payment of any debt or liability of the Corporation, then the purchaser
     shall use all reasonable efforts to cause such guarantee to be released and
     cancelled at Closing, failing which the purchaser shall agree to indemnify
     and hold the vendor harmless from all claims, costs, demands and actions
     suffered or incurred after the Closing resulting from, arising out of, or
     relating to such guarantee.

     If any of the conditions set forth in this Section 5.1 made for the
exclusive benefit of the purchaser are not satisfied at Closing, then the
purchaser may, at its option, either:

     (i)  refuse to proceed with the Closing, or

     (ii) proceed with the Closing,

in either case without prejudice to its remedies and recourses against the
vendor as a result of such condition not being satisfied.

     However, if at Closing the Shares being transferred are not free and clear
of all claims, liens and other encumbrances whatsoever, the purchaser may,
without prejudice to any other rights which it may have, purchase such Shares
subject to such claims, liens and other encumbrances.  In that event, the
purchaser shall at the Closing assume all obligations and liabilities with
respect to such claims, liens and encumbrances and the purchase price payable by
the purchaser for such Shares shall be satisfied, in whole or in part, as the
case may be, by such assumption.  The amount so assumed shall reduce the
purchase price payable at Closing.

5.2  TRUST ACCOUNT.  If a Shareholder is obliged to sell Shares to another
     -------------                                                        
Shareholder pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement and if the vendor fails
to complete the transaction, then the amount which the purchaser would otherwise
be required to pay to the vendor at Closing may be deposited by the purchaser
into an interest-bearing trust account in the name of the vendor at the bank
branch used by the Corporation.  Upon making such deposit and giving the vendor
notice thereof, the purchase of the vendor's Shares by that purchaser shall be
deemed
<PAGE>
 
                                     -16-


to have been fully completed and all right, title, benefit and interest in and
to the Shares to which the purchaser is entitled, shall be deemed to have been
transferred and assigned to and vested in the purchaser. The vendor shall be
entitled to receive the amount deposited in the trust account upon satisfying
the vendor's obligations pursuant to Section 5.1.

5.3  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  It is recognized that serious and irreparable damage
     --------------------                                                       
for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy would result to the
purchaser from the violation of this Article 5.  Each Party agrees that, in
addition to any and all remedies available to any Shareholder in the event of a
violation of such covenants, such Shareholder shall have the immediate remedy of
injunction or such other relief as may be decreed or issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction to enforce this Article 5.


                                   ARTICLE 6
                                CONFIDENTIALITY
                                ---------------


6.1  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Subject to the provisions of the Research and Development
     ---------------                                                            
Agreement, each of the Investors agree to use, and to use its best efforts to
ensure that its authorized representatives use, the same degree of care as such
Investor uses to protect its own confidential information, to keep confidential
any Confidential Information in its possession.  Such Investor may disclose
Confidential Information to any partner, shareholder, subsidiary, parent,
director, officer, employee or agent of such Investor for the purpose of
evaluating its investment in the Corporation as long as such partner,
shareholder, subsidiary, parent, director, officer, employee or agent is advised
of the confidentiality provisions of this Section 6.1.

     With respect to each Investor, the obligation of confidentiality shall
survive, in the case of Confidential Information which concerns the technology
of the Corporation, for a period of  three (3) years from the date such
Shareholder (or its Permitted Transferee), as the case may be, ceases to be a
Shareholder.

     Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, disclosure of Confidential
Information shall not be precluded if such disclosure is in response to a valid
order of a Governmental Body or is otherwise required by law; provided, however,
                                                              ----------------- 
that the said Investors shall, if reasonably possible, first have given notice
thereof to the Corporation and shall have, as appropriate:

(a)  fully cooperated in the Corporation's attempt, if any, to obtain a
     "protective order" from the appropriate Governmental Body, or

(b)  attempted to classify such documents to prevent access by the public, in
     accordance with the provisions of any law pertaining to freedom of
     information.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -17-


6.2  REASONABLENESS.  The covenants set forth in Section 6.1 are reasonable and
     --------------                                                            
valid in all respects and each Investor hereby irrevocably agrees to waive (and
irrevocably agrees not to raise) as a defense any issue of reasonableness
(including, without limitation, as to the duration and scope of the covenants)
in any proceeding to enforce any such covenant; the intention of the aforesaid
Persons being to provide for the legitimate and reasonable protection of the
interests of the Corporation by providing, among other things, for the broadest
scope, the longest duration and the widest territory permitted by applicable
law.

6.3  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.  Without limitation to the generality of the foregoing,
     ---------------                                                         
NBCI acknowledges and will not object to the fact that each of the Investors has
investments in, and will invest in, entities which may be in competition with
the Corporation.


                                 ARTICLE 7
             FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------


7.1  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  The Corporation undertakes toward the Shareholders
     ---------------------                                                     
to remit to the latter the following documents with respect to itself and with
respect to any subsidiaries of the Corporation acquired on or after the date
hereof:

(a)  within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year,
     a copy of the balance sheet of the Corporation as at the end of such year,
     together with statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, statement of
     changes in financial position and cash flow of the Corporation for such
     year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding
     figures for the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and duly
     certified by the auditor of the Corporation.  These financial statements
     shall be prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting
     principles applied on a consistent basis;

(b)  within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3)
     fiscal quarters during each fiscal year, a balance sheet of the Corporation
     as of the end of such fiscal quarter and statements of earnings,
     shareholders' equity, statement of changes in financial position and cash
     flow for such quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then
     current fiscal year to the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case
     in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period
     of the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail.  The financial
     statements delivered pursuant to this paragraph need not be audited, but
     shall be certified by the President or the Chief Operating Officer of the
     Corporation as presenting fairly the financial condition of the Corporation
     in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
     applied on a consistent basis with the preceding years, subject to changes
     resulting from year-end adjustments;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -18-


(c)  at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of a fiscal year, an
     annual operating budget, pro-forma cash flow and pro-forma income statement
     for the Corporation;

(d)  promptly following the receipt thereof, any written report, "management
     letter" and any other communication submitted to the Corporation by its
     independent chartered accountants relating to the business, prospects or
     financial condition of the Corporation; and

(e)  within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the end of each fiscal year of
     the Corporation, a report prepared by the auditors of the Corporation
     describing all transactions between the Corporation and Persons not dealing
     at Arm's Length with the Corporation during the preceding fiscal year.

7.2  ACCESS TO PROPERTIES.  The Corporation shall permit each Shareholder, at
     --------------------                                                    
such Shareholder's expense, to visit and inspect the Corporation's properties,
to examine its books of accounts and records and to discuss the Corporation's
affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all at such reasonable times
as may be requested by the Shareholder. Furthermore, the Corporation will
provide CMDF, from time to time upon request, all information necessary to
determine whether the Shares remain an eligible investment for CMDF.

7.3  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  The Corporation hereby agrees not to violate any
     --------------------                                                   
applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any Canadian or
foreign government or any institution or agency thereof with respect to the
conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties which violation could
materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial
condition, operations or prospects of the Corporation.


                                   ARTICLE 8
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
                               ------------------


8.1  PRESS RELEASE.  Any press release or any public announcement, statement or
     -------------                                                             
publicity with respect to the transaction contemplated in this Agreement shall
be made only with the prior consent of the Parties unless such release,
announcement, statement or publicity is required by law, in which case the Party
required to make such release, announcement, statement or publicity shall use
its best efforts to obtain the approval of the other Parties as to the form,
nature and extent of such disclosure, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the Investors
shall be entitled at any time to identify the Corporation as one of their
investment clients and to describe the general business and activities of the
Corporation in any promotional literature and other materials.

8.2  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Each Party upon the request of the others, shall do,
     ------------------                                                       
execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be done, executed, acknowledged or
delivered all such
<PAGE>
 
                                     -19-


further acts, deeds, documents, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of
attorney and assurances as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to effect
complete consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

8.3  SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST.  This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall
     ----------------------                                                 
enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

8.4  NOTICE.  Any  offer, acceptance,  rejection,  notice,  consent,  request,
     ------                                                                   
authorization, permission, direction or other instrument required or permitted
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and given by delivery or sent by
telecopier or similar telecommunication devices and addressed:

(a)  in the case of the Corporation:

     NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.
     Mackenzie Gervais
     770 Sherbrooke Street West
     Suite 1300
     Montreal, Quebec
     H3A 1G1

     Attention:  Luc LaRochelle
     Telecopier:  (514) 288-7389

     Copy to:  Byers Casgrain
               1 Place Ville Marie
               Suite 3900
               Montreal, Quebec
               H3B 4M7

               Attention:  Paul F. Dingle
               Telecopier:  (514) 866-2241

(b)  in the case of NBCI:

     NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.
     Byers Casgrain
     1 Place Ville Marie
     Suite 3900
     Montreal, Quebec
     H3B 4M7
     Attention:  Paul F. Dingle
     Telecopier:  (514) 866-2241
<PAGE>
 
                                     -20-


     Copy to:  Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
               Professional Corporation
               650 Page Mill Road
               Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050

               Attention:  Michael O'Donnell, Esq.
               Telecopier:  (415) 493-6811

     Copy to:  Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
               3050 Science Park Road
               San Diego, CA 92121-1102

               Attention:  President & CEO
               Telecopier:  (619) 658-7602

(c)  in the case of SFI:

     SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE D'INNOVATION INC.
     1981 McGill College Avenue
     Montreal, Quebec
     H3A 3C7

     Attention:  Luc Villeneuve
     Telecopier:  (514) 847-2628

(d)  in the case of Neuroscience:

     NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
     100 International Boulevard
     Etobicoke, Ontario
     M9W 6J6

     Attention:  Secretary
     Telecopier:  (416) 675-4095
<PAGE>
 
                                     -21-


(e)  in the case of BDC:

     BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA
     5 Place Ville-Marie
     12th Floor
     Montreal, Quebec
     H3B 5E7

     Attention:  Mark Vandzura
     Telecopier:  (514) 283-7675

(f)  in the case of CMDF:

     CANADIAN MEDICAL DISCOVERIES FUND INC.
     100 International Boulevard
     Etobicoke, Ontario
     M9W 6J6

     Attention:  Secretary
     Telecopier:  (416) 675-4095

(g)  in the case of HBVF:

     THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
     VENTURE FUND
     100 International Boulevard
     Etobicoke, Ontario
     M9W 6J6

     Attention:  Secretary
     Telecopier:  (416) 675-4095


     Any offer, acceptance, rejection, notice, consent, request, authorization,
permission, direction or other communications delivered as aforesaid shall be
deemed to have been received, if sent by telex, telecopier or similar
telecommunication devices on the Business Day next following such transmission
or, if delivered, to have been delivered and received on the date of such
delivery provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day then it
         -----------------                                                 
shall be deemed to have been delivered and received on the Business Day next
following such delivery.  Any Party may change its address by written notice
delivered as aforesaid.

8.5  PURPORTED TRANSFERS.  Any purported transfer of Shares contrary to the
     -------------------                                                   
terms of this Agreement shall be null and void and have no legal effect.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -22-


8.7  EXECUTION OF COUNTERPART.  No Person shall become a holder of Shares of the
     ------------------------                                                   
Corporation without first having executed a counterpart of this Agreement in
accordance with Schedule 8.7 annexed hereto.

     Each such counterpart so executed shall be deemed to be an original and
such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

8.8  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
     ------------                                                  
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same document.

8.9  TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the
     -----------                                                        
occurrence of any of the following eventualities:

(a)  the bankruptcy or dissolution (whether voluntary or involuntary) of the
     Corporation;

(b)  all issued and outstanding Shares of the Corporation are held by one Person
     only; or

(c)  by written agreement of all of the Parties.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement was executed on the date and at the place
first mentioned above.


                                            NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.



                                            Per:  /s/ Paul W. Hanson
                                                  ------------------------------


                                            SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE 
                                            D'INNOVATION INC.



                                            Per:  /s/ Carmen Crepin
                                                  ------------------------------
                          
                                            NEUROSCIENCE PARTNESS LIMITED
                                            PARTNERSHIP

                                            Per:  /s/ Michael J. Callaghan
                                                  ------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                     -22-


8.6  TIME.  Time shall be of the essence in this Agreement.
     ----                                                  

8.7  EXECUTION OF COUNTERPART.  No Person shall become a holder of Shares of the
     ------------------------                                                   
Corporation without first having executed a counterpart of this Agreement in
accordance with Schedule 8.7 annexed hereto.

     Each such counterpart so executed shall be deemed to be an original and
such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

8.8  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
     ------------                                                  
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same document.

8.9  TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the
     -----------                                                        
occurrence of any of the following eventualities:

(a)  the bankruptcy or dissolution (whether voluntary or involuntary) of the
     Corporation;

(b)  all issued and outstanding Shares of the Corporation are held by one Person
     only; or

(c)  by written agreement of all of the Parties.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement was executed on the date and at the place
first mentioned above.

                                          NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.

                     
                                          Per: /s/ Paul W. Hawran
                                              --------------------------------

                                          SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE
                                          D'INNOVATION INC.

                                          Per: /s/ CARMEN CREPIN
                                              -------------------------------- 

<PAGE>
 
                                     -23-


                                            NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED 
                                            PARTNERSHIP, represented by MDS 
                                            ASSOCIES-NEUROSCIENCE INC., its
                                            general partner



                                            Per:  /s/ Michael J. Callaghan
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Michael J. Callaghan, 
                                                  Vice-President



                                            Per:  /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Keith J. Dorrington,
                                                  Vice-President


                                            BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA



                                            Per:  /s/ Mark Vandzura
                                                  ------------------------------



                                            Per:  ______________________________


                                            CANADIAN MEDICAL DISCOVERIES FUND, 
                                            INC.



                                            Per:  /s/ Edward K. Rygiel
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Edward K. Rygiel, Director



                                            Per:  /s/ Frank Gleeson
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Frank Gleeson, Vice-President
<PAGE>
 
                                     -24-


                                            THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 
                                            VENTURE FUND, represented by MDS 
                                            HEALTH VENTURES CAPITAL CORP. its 
                                            manager



                                            Per:  /s/ Michael J. Callaghan
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Michael J. Callaghan, 
                                                  Vice-President



                                            Per:  /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Keith J. Dorrington,
                                                  Vice-President


                                            NEUROSCIENCE PHARMA (NPI) INC.



                                            Per:  /s/ Paul W. Hanson
                                                  ------------------------------



                                            Per:  /s/ Gary A. Lyons
                                                  ------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                     -25-


                                  SCHEDULE 3.1

                                SPECIAL MATTERS


________________________________________________________________________________


(a)  To issue Shares other than as set out in the Unit Purchase Agreement, the
     Unanimous Shareholders Agreement or any agreement entered into by the
     Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby.

(b)  To transfer Shares of the Corporation owned by NBCI or any Affiliate
     thereof as defined in the Research and Development Agreement prior to the
     completion of the Research and of the Development to be carried out under
     the Research and Development Agreement.

(c)  To pay any dividends or to distribute any capital or profit of the
     Corporation, except pursuant to the terms and conditions attaching to the
     Series A Preferred Shares.

(d)  To pass any by-law or to amend the articles of the Corporation.

(e)  To dissolve or liquidate the Corporation.

(f)  To enter into any  business other than as envisaged in Section 2.1 and to
     acquire any of the shares or assets of another corporation or business
     enterprise.

(g)  To enter into any amalgamation, merger, consolidation or other
     reorganization of the Corporation.

(h)  To change or transfer the principal office of the Corporation outside the
     Montreal region or transfer all or substantially all of the business of the
     Corporation outside of the Montreal region.

(i)  To change the financial year end of the Corporation.

(j)  To take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency legislation from time to
     time in force, or to appoint a receiver or a trustee over any property.

(k)  To sell and enter into agreements, options, rights of first refusal and
     other commitments to dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of
     the Corporation.

(l)  To grant any loan, guarantee or security or any advance of funds by the
     Corporation to any Person not at Arm's Length with the Corporation.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -26-


(m)  The payment of any bonus, remuneration or other benefit, and any advance
     to, a shareholder, director, or officer of the Corporation or to any Person
     not at Arm's Length with the Corporation.

(n)  Any contract binding the Corporation with a Person not dealing on an Arm's
     Length basis with the Corporation.

(o)  Any long-term borrowing of money upon the general credit of the
     Corporation, other than that which is set forth in the approved annual
     budget.

(p)  The issuing of bonds and debentures and the creation of a hypothec or any
     type of charge upon the property of the Corporation; or any capital
     expenditure greater than five percent (5%) of the approved capital budget
     in one instance or in the aggregate in any fiscal year.

(q)  Any decision or resolution dealing with the public issue of securities of
     the Corporation in Quebec or any other securities market in Canada or the
     United States.

(r)  The approval of the annual operating budget of the Corporation and the
     annual capital budget of the Corporation, and any amendments thereto.
     Should the Shareholders refuse to approve the operating budget or the
     capital budget for a given fiscal year, the Corporation must conduct its
     business in conformity with the budgets of the preceding fiscal year and
     the Corporation may not incur capital expenses for the fiscal year then in
     progress unless the abovementioned budgets have been approved in accordance
     with the present provisions.

(s)  The investment of any funds available in the Corporation pending their use
     to carry out Research and Development carried out under the Research and
     Development Agreement.

(t)  To appoint officers of the Corporation.

(u)  The entering into by the Corporation of contracts out of the ordinary
     course of business.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -27-


                                  SCHEDULE 8.7


________________________________________________________________________________


                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------


     THIS INSTRUMENT forms part of the Unanimous Shareholders Agreement (the
"Agreement") made as of the 29th day of March 1996, by and among Neurocrine
Holdings Inc., Societe Financiere d'Innovation Inc., Neuroscience Partners
Limited Partnership, Business Development Bank of Canada, CMDF, and Neurocrine
Biosciences (Canada) Ltd., which Agreement permits execution by counterpart.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges having received a copy of the said Agreement
(which is annexed hereto as Schedule "1") and, having read the said Agreement in
its entirety, hereby agrees that the terms and conditions of the said Agreement
shall be binding upon the undersigned (including, without limitation, the
obligations of confidentiality) as if the undersigned had been an original party
to the Agreement as a Shareholder (as such term is defined in the Agreement) and
such terms and conditions shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
undersigned, its successors and assigns.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has executed this instrument this * day
of ~, [year].


                                             [Shareholder]



                                             Per: _______________________

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21
 
                              EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

                                     AMONG

                     NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.

                                      AND

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

                                      AND

                                 THE INVESTORS



                                MARCH 29, 1996


                      [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     PAGE
<C>         <S>                                                                       <C> 
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS.............................................................    1

ARTICLE 2 - TAX CREDIT WARRANTS.....................................................    4
    2.1    Tax Credit Warrants......................................................    4
    2.2    Issuance of Tax Credit Warrants..........................................    5

ARTICLE 3 - EXERCISE OF CERTAIN RIGHTS..............................................    5
    3.1    NBCI's Option to Purchase Series A Preferred Shares......................    5
    3.2    Corporate Collaboration..................................................    6
    3.3    Investors' Option to Put Series A Preferred Shares Due to Corporate
           Collaboration............................................................    7
    3.4    Investors' Unconditional Option to Put Series A Preferred Shares.........    7
    3.5    Waiver of Right of Redemption............................................    8

ARTICLE 4 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN RELATION TO NBCI......................    8
    4.1    Representations and Warranties in relation to NBCI.......................    8
    4.2    Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws.......................    8
    4.3    Corporate Power..........................................................    8
    4.4    Authorization............................................................    8
    4.5    Title to Properties and Assets...........................................    9
    4.6    Patents, Trademarks......................................................    9
    4.7    Compliance with Other Instruments........................................    9
    4.8    Litigation...............................................................   10
    4.9    No Governmental Consent or Approval Required.............................   10
    4.10   Securities Law Exemption.................................................   10
    4.11   Brokers or Finders.......................................................   10
    4.12   Business.................................................................   11
    4.13   Disclosure...............................................................   11

ARTICLE 5 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NBI...................................   11
    5.1    Representations and Warranties of NBI....................................   11
    5.2    Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws.......................   11
    5.3    Corporate Power..........................................................   11
    5.4    Capitalization...........................................................   11
    5.5    Authorization............................................................   12
    5.6    Compliance with Other Instruments........................................   12
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
    <C>    <S>                                                                        <C>
    5.7    Registration Rights......................................................  13
    5.8    Litigation...............................................................  13
    5.9    No Governmental Consent or Approval Required.............................  13
    5.10   Securities Law Exemption.................................................  13
    5.11   Brokers or Finders.......................................................  14
    5.12   Investment Company.......................................................  14
    5.13   Disclosure...............................................................  14

ARTICLE 6 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTORS.........................  14
    6.1    Representations and Warranties of the Investors; Restrictions on
           Transferability of Securities............................................  14
    6.2    Authorization............................................................  14
    6.3    Investment...............................................................  14
    6.4    Rule 144 and Regulation S................................................  14
    6.5    No Public Market.........................................................  15
    6.6    Access to Data...........................................................  15
    6.7    Brokers or Finders.......................................................  15
    6.8    California Corporate Securities Laws.....................................  15
    6.9    Transfer of Restricted Securities........................................  15
    6.10   Legends..................................................................  16

ARTICLE 7 - UNDERTAKINGS............................................................  16
    7.1    Delivery of Warrants and availability of shares of Common Stock..........  16
    7.2    Registration of Warrants.................................................  17

ARTICLE 8 - REGISTRATION RIGHTS.....................................................  17
    8.1    Registration Rights......................................................  17

ARTICLE 9 - MISCELLANEOUS...........................................................  17
    9.1    Execution of Counterpart.................................................  17
    9.2    Governing Law............................................................  17
    9.3    Survival.................................................................  17
    9.4    Entire Agreement.........................................................  17
    9.5    Severability.............................................................  18
    9.6    Delays or Omissions......................................................  18
    9.7    Notices..................................................................  18
    9.8    Titles and Subtitles.....................................................  18
    9.9    Language.................................................................  18
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                               EXCHANGE AGREEMENNT


     This Exchange Agreement is entered into and made effective as of March 29,
1996, among Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc., a Canadian corporation
("NBCI"), Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a California corporation ("NBI"), and
the undersigned investors (collectively the "INVESTORS" and individually an
"INVESTOR").


                                R E C I T A L S
                                ---------------

     A.   The Investors have subscribed for and are the holders of the Series A
Preferred Shares of NPI;

     B.   The Investors and NBCI wish to grant one another certain call and put
rights with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares, and to create certain
other rights and obligations among them.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby
stipulate and agree as follows:


                            ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS

     The following terms shall have the following meanings as used in this
Agreement:

     1.1  "Acquiror" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section 3.1
hereof.

     1.2  "Acquisition" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section 3.1
hereof.

     1.3  "Affiliate" means an individual, trust, business trust, joint venture,
partnership, corporation, association or any other entity which (directly or
indirectly) is controlled by, controls or is under common control with a party
hereto. For the purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the term "controlled by" and "under common control with")
as used with respect to any party hereto, shall mean ownership of more than 50%
of the voting interest.

     1.4  "Agreement" means this Exchange Agreement and any instrument
supplemental or ancillary hereto, including the Exhibits, and the expression
"Article", "section", "paragraph" and "clause" followed by a number or a letter
means and refers to the specific Article, section, paragraph or clause of this
Exchange Agreement.

     1.5  "Amount Invested" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section
3.1 hereof.
<PAGE>
 
     1.6  "Closing Date" means the date on which the Closing occurs.

     1.7  "Closing" means the closing of the sale and purchase of the Units
under the Unit Purchase Agreement.

     1.8  "Common Shares" means the common shares in the capital of NPI.

     1.9  "Common Stock" means the common stock in the capital of NBI.

     1.10 "Corporate Collaboration" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
section 3.2 hereof.

     1.11 "Corporate Collaborator" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
section 3.2 hereof.

     1.12 "Credits" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section 2.1
hereof.

     1.13 "Development" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Research
and Development Agreement.

     1.14 "Fair Market Value" means the value per share of the Common Stock
determined as of the date of issuance of the Series B-2 Warrants or the Series D
Warrants, as the case may be, by an investment banker, agreed upon by
shareholders of NPI which together own more than 50% of the Common Shares, in
comparison with other scientific research and development companies at a similar
stage of maturity.

     1.15 "Field" means [*] (c) such other fields as may be mutually agreed to
by NBCI and NPI.

     1.16  "First Credit Period" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
paragraph 2.1(b) hereof.

     1.17  "Investors Rights Agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto
at section 5.7 hereof.

     1.18  "IPO" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at paragraph 2.1(b)
hereof.

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     1.19 "IPO Price" means the offering price per share for shares of Common
Stock referred to in the registration statement filed by NBI with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (prior to deduction of underwriters' discounts and other
offering expenses).


     1.20 "Market Price" means the average closing price of the Common Stock on
the stock exchange on which such Common Stock is listed for trading, for the
five trading days preceding each date of issuance of the Series B-2 Warrants.

     1.21 "Material Adverse Effect" means any adverse effect or change in the
condition (financial or otherwise), business, results of operations, prospects,
assets, liabilities or operations of the referenced entity or on its ability to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or any event or condition which
may, with the passage of time, have such an effect or result in such a change.

     1.22 "NPI" means Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc., a Canadian corporation.

     1.23 "Person" means an individual, corporation, company, cooperative,
partnership, trust, unincorporated association, entity with judicial personality
or governmental body.

     1.24 "Product" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Research and
Development Agreement.

     1.25 "Put Notice" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section 3.3
hereof.

     1.26 "Research" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Research
and Development Agreement.

     1.27 "Research and Development Agreement" means the Research and
Development Agreement entered into today between NBCI and NPI.

     1.28 "Rule 144" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section 6.4
hereof.

     1.29  "Second Credit Period" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
paragraph 2.1(b) hereof.

     1.30 "Series A Preferred Shares" means the Series A Preferred Shares in
the capital of NPI.

     1.31  "Series B-1 Warrants" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
paragraph 2.1(b) hereof.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     1.32 "Series B-2 Warrants" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
paragraph 2.1(b) hereof.

     1.33 "Series C Warrants" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
section 3.1 hereof.

     1.34 "Series D Warrants" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at
section 3.4 hereof.

     1.35 "Stock Call Price" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section
3.1 hereof.

     1.36 "Stock Put Price" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto at section
3.3 hereof.

     1.37 "Termination Notice" means the written notice given by NBCI to
terminate the Research and Development Agreement, as defined at Article 7
thereof.

     1.38 "Third Party" means any entity other than NBCI, NPI, the Investors
and Affiliates thereof.

     1.39 "Unit Purchase Agreement" means the Unit Purchase Agreement entered
into today among NBI, NPI and the Investors.

     1.40 "Warrants" means the Series B-1, B-2, C and D Warrants or any of
them, as the case may be.


                        ARTICLE 2 - TAX CREDIT WARRANTS

     2.1  Tax Credit Warrants.  In the event that NPI shall be entitled to
          -------------------                                             
receive and actually receives refundable Canadian and provincial government tax
credits (the "Credits") for Research and Development, during the First Credit
Period and the Second Credit Period, NBCI shall deliver warrants to each
Investor exercisable for the number of shares of Common Stock and at an exercise
price determined as set forth below:

     (a)  for Credits received, which are earned during the period commencing on
the Closing Date and ending on June 30, 1998 (the "First Credit Period"), the
warrants shall be in the form of EXHIBIT A-1 attached hereto (the "Series B-1
Warrants") and shall be exercisable on or before the tenth anniversary of the
date of issuance thereof, at an exercise price of US $7.75 per share, for the
registered holder's pro rata portion of that number of shares of Common Stock
which is equal to 25% of the Credits received in relation to each year or part
thereof for the First Credit Period divided by US $7.75; and

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)  for Credits received, which are earned during the period commencing on
July 1, 1998 and ending on the date Credits are no longer earned (the "Second
Credit Period"), the warrants shall be in the form of EXHIBIT A-2 attached
hereto (the "Series B-2 Warrants") and shall be exercisable on or before the
tenth anniversary of the date of issuance thereof, at an exercise price in US$
equal to either 110% of the Market Price or, in the event there has not been an
initial public offering for Common Stock (an "IPO"), the Fair Market Value, for
the registered holder's pro rata portion of that number of shares of Common
Stock which is equal to 25% of the Credits received in relation to each year or
part thereof for the Second Credit Period divided by either the Market Price or,
in the event there has not been an IPO, the Fair Market Value.

     The pro rata portion of that number of shares of Common Stock which each
Investor shall be entitled to receive on the exercise of each Series B-1 and B-2
Warrant is reflected in EXHIBIT B attached hereto.

     2.2  Issuance of Tax Credit Warrants.  All Series B-1 and B-2 Warrants
          --------------------------------                                 
shall be issued promptly after the end of each fiscal year of NPI, after final
assessment by the appropriate tax authorities, based upon the amount of Credits
received for such year or part thereof as shown by NPI's audited financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
For greater certainty, no Credits shall be deemed to be earned, received or
refundable unless payment in respect thereof is actually received by NPI from
the appropriate tax authority.


                     ARTICLE 3 - EXERCISE OF CERTAIN RIGHTS


     3.1  NBCI's Option to Purchase Series A Preferred Shares.  It is understood
          ---------------------------------------------------                   
by the parties hereto that NBCI may, at its option, exercise its right to
terminate the license granted to NPI, as provided in Article 7 of the Research
and Development Agreement.  In the event such license is terminated by NBCI with
respect to all Products, NBCI shall, upon the expiry of the period of 30 days
following the Termination Notice, unless the right to cause NBCI to purchase the
Series A Preferred Shares of the Investors pursuant to either section 3.3 or 3.4
below has been exercised, purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the
Investors for a price, as more fully described below, which will provide the
Investors with a 35% return, compounded annually, on the total investment made
by the Investors at Closing for each year or part thereof during the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date NBCI purchases the Series
A Preferred Shares pursuant to this provision.  The price to be paid by NBCI to
each Investor for its Series A Preferred Shares shall be an amount of cash or,
at the option of NBCI, warrants in the form of EXHIBIT C attached hereto (the
"Series C Warrants") to purchase Common Stock if at the time of such payment the
Common Stock is

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
then publicly traded, with such Common Stock valued at the average closing price
for the five trading days which precede by two trading days the date NBCI
purchases the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to this provision (the "Stock
Call Price") or, at the option of NBCI, a combination of cash or Series C
Warrants, the aggregate value of which shall equal the amount of funds invested
in NPI at Closing by such Investor (the "Amount Invested"), plus a 35% return,
compounded annually, with such calculation to be performed with respect to each
investment in NPI made by the Investors on a different date.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent an Investor causes NBCI
to purchase Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to either section 3.3 or 3.4
below, the said 35% return to such Investor shall be calculated on the basis of
the difference between (a) the Amount Invested and (b) the Amount Invested
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Series A
Preferred Shares purchased by NBCI pursuant to either section 3.3 or 3.4 below
and the denominator of which is the number of Series A Preferred Shares issued
at Closing to such Investor.  Following the date of closing of an acquisition of
NBI (an "Acquisition") by a Third Party (the "Acquiror"), whether by way of
merger or sale of assets or outstanding stock, immediately after which
transaction the shareholders of NBI own 50% or less of the outstanding voting
securities of the surviving entity, NBCI at its option may substitute shares or
warrants to purchase shares of common stock of the Acquiror in lieu of the
Series C Warrants to make the payment referred to above, provided that the
common stock of the Acquiror is then publicly traded, with such common stock of
the Acquiror to be valued at the Stock Call Price of the Acquiror's common
stock.

     3.2  Corporate Collaboration.  NBCI and the Investors agree that NPI may
          ------------------------                                           
collaborate (the "Corporate Collaboration") with another pharmaceutical or
biotechnological company (the "Corporate Collaborator") that calls for the joint
Research or Development of a Product in the Field in consideration of up-front
payments, license fees, royalties or other rights.  If, as a result of the
Corporate Collaboration, the license granted to NPI pursuant to section 2.3 of
the Research and Development Agreement is terminated, with respect to one or
more Products, and transferred to the Corporate Collaborator, each Investor
shall be entitled to receive payment in cash equivalent to the lesser of (a) the
Investor's pro rata portion, as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto, of 10%
of the cash actually paid to NBCI by the Corporate Collaborator as up-front
payments, license fees and milestone payments, but specifically excluding
amounts paid as sponsored research and development, royalties and equity
investment and (b) the Amount Invested. Payments to Investors pursuant to this
provision shall be made within 15 days of the end of each calendar quarter in
which amounts are received by NBCI from a Corporate Collaborator.  An Investor
shall no longer be entitled to receive any payment pursuant to this section 3.2
if NBCI exercises its right to terminate the license granted to NPI pursuant to
section 2.3 of the Research and Development Agreement, with respect to all
Products, and acquires the Investor's Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to
section 3.1 above, or if the Investor causes NBCI to purchase its Series A
Preferred Shares pursuant to section 3.3 below.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     3.3  Investors' Option to Put Series A Preferred Shares Due to Corporate
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
Collaboration.  In the event the license granted to NPI pursuant to section 2.3
- -------------                                                                  
of the Research and Development Agreement is terminated, with respect to all
programs for Research and Development, due to Corporate Collaboration, and NBCI
has not substituted in replacement thereof any rights acceptable to shareholders
of NPI which together own more than 75% of the Common Shares, each Investor
shall have the right to elect, within 30 days of such termination due to
Corporate Collaboration, by giving written notice to NBCI (the "Put Notice"), to
have NBCI purchase all, but not less than all, of its Series A Preferred Shares
30 days subsequent to the Put Notice, for a price, as more fully described
below, which will provide the Investor with a 35% return, compounded annually,
on the Amount Invested by the Investor for each year or part thereof during the
period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date NBCI purchases the
Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to this provision.  The price to be paid by
NBCI to each Investor for its Series A Preferred Shares shall be an amount of
cash or, at the option of NBCI, Series C Warrants if at the time of such payment
the Common Stock is then publicly traded, with the Common Stock in exchange
therefor valued at the average closing price for the five trading days which
precede by two trading days the date NBCI purchases the Series A Preferred
Shares pursuant to this provision (the "Stock Put Price") or, at the option of
NBCI, a combination of cash or Series C Warrants, the aggregate value of which
shall equal the amount of funds invested in NPI by such Investor, plus a 35%
return, compounded annually, with such calculation to be performed with respect
to each Amount Invested by the Investors on a different date.  Following an
Acquisition, NBCI at its option may substitute shares of common stock of the
Acquiror in lieu of Series C Warrants to make the payment referred to above,
provided that the common stock of the Acquiror is then publicly traded, with
such common stock of the Acquiror to be valued at the Stock Put Price of the
Acquiror's common stock.

     3.4  Investors' Unconditional Option to Put Series A Preferred Shares.  The
          ----------------------------------------------------------------      
Investors shall have the right to elect, at any time following the earlier of
the first anniversary of the date of the IPO and the second anniversary of the
date of this Agreement, by issuing a Put Notice, to have NBCI purchase the
Series A Preferred Shares 30 days subsequent to the Put Notice, in exchange for
warrants in the form of EXHIBIT D attached hereto (the "Series D Warrants"), as
set forth below.  Each Investor shall be entitled to Series D Warrants equal in
number to the Amount Invested by such Investor divided by a price per share of
Common Stock determined as follows:  (a) US $7.45 or, in the event there has
been an IPO by the date of the Put Notice and such date is prior to January 1,
1999, the lesser of US $7.45 and the IPO Price; or (b) if there has been neither
an IPO nor a Put Notice prior to January 1, 1999, the lesser of US $5.75 and the
Fair Market Value.

     The Credits and the Amount Invested shall be converted from C$ to US$, for
the purpose of determining the number of shares of entitlement to Common Stock,
by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street Journal (a) in
respect of the Credits, on the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
last day the newspaper is published preceding the date of issuance of the Series
B-1 or B-2 Warrants, as the case may be, and (b) in respect of the Amount
Invested, on the last day the newspaper is published preceding the Closing Date.

               The right of an Investor to cause NBCI to purchase its Series A
Preferred Shares provided for in this section 3.4 is exercisable by each
Investor for all or part of the Series A Preferred Shares owned by the Investor,
however an Investor shall not be entitled to exercise such right on more than
two occasions.

     3.5  Waiver of Right of Redemption.  Notwithstanding the right of
          -----------------------------                               
redemption attributable to the Series A Preferred Shares provided in the
Articles of Incorporation of NPI, whereby the holders of such class of shares
are entitled to exercise a right to have NPI redeem such shares, each Investor,
for itself and on behalf of its successors, assigns and transferees other than
NBCI or an Affiliate thereof, agrees that it will not exercise such right of
redemption under any circumstances, at any time.  NBCI agrees, for itself and on
behalf of its successors, assigns and transferees, that it will not exercise
such right of redemption with respect to any Series A Preferred Shares of which
it may become the holder prior to the license granted to NPI pursuant to section
2.3 of the Research and Development Agreement being terminated with respect to
all Products.


         ARTICLE 4 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN RELATION TO NBCI

     4.1  Representations and Warranties in relation to NBCI.  NBI and NBCI
          --------------------------------------------------               
represent and warrant in relation to NBCI, as follows.

     4.2  Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws.  NBCI is a
          --------------------------------------------------            
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of Canada and is in good standing under the laws of the Province of Quebec.
NBCI has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and as
proposed to be conducted.  NBCI is not qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction and the failure to be so qualified is not having
and will not have a Material Adverse Effect on NBCI.  NBCI has made available to
each Investor copies of its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.  Such copies
are true, correct and complete.

     4.3  Corporate Power.  NBCI has all requisite legal and corporate power to
          ---------------                                                      
execute and deliver this Agreement and to carry out and perform its obligations
under the terms of this Agreement.

     4.4  Authorization.  All corporate action on the part of NBCI, its
          -------------                                                
officers, directors and shareholders necessary for the authorization, execution,
delivery and performance

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
by NBCI of this Agreement and the performance of all of NBCI's obligations under
this Agreement has been taken.  This Agreement, when executed and delivered by
NBCI, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of NBCI enforceable
in accordance with their respective terms, subject to laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors and
rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other
equitable remedies.

     4.5  Title to Properties and Assets.  NBCI has good and marketable title to
          ------------------------------                                        
its tangible properties and assets, in each case subject to no hypothec,
mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, loan, encumbrance or charge, except (a) the lien
of current taxes not yet due and payable and (b) possible minor liens and
encumbrances which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the
property subject thereto or materially impair NBCI's operations, and which have
not arisen otherwise than in the ordinary course of business.  With respect to
property it leases, NBCI is in compliance with such leases in all material
respects.

     4.6  Patents, Trademarks.  NBCI has title to and ownership of, or is
          -------------------                                            
licensed under, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, inventions, franchises, copyrights, trade secrets, information and
other proprietary rights material to the operation of its business as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted (collectively, "NBCI Intellectual
Property"). NBCI has not received any communications alleging that NBCI has
violated, or by conducting its business as proposed would violate, any
proprietary rights of any other person or entity.  NBCI has no knowledge of, and
has no reason to believe there is, any infringement or violation by it of the
intellectual property rights of any third party and has no knowledge of, and has
no reason to believe there is, any violation or infringement by a third party of
any of NBCI Intellectual Property.  To the best of NBCI's knowledge, all of its
rights in NBCI Intellectual Property are valid and enforceable.  NBCI does not
know of, and has no reason to believe that there is, any challenge to the
validity of any of NBCI Intellectual Property.

     4.7  Compliance with Other Instruments.  NBCI is not in violation of any
          ---------------------------------                                  
term of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws.  NBCI is not in violation of,
nor in default under, the terms of any hypothec, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, instrument, judgment or decree applicable to it or to which it is a
party, the violation of or default under which would have a Material Adverse
Effect on NBCI, and NBCI is not in violation of any order, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to NBCI, the violation of which would have a Material
Adverse Effect on NBCI.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and compliance with the
provisions hereof by NBCI, do not and will not, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, (a) violate, in any material respect, any provision of
any law, statute, rule or regulation or any ruling, writ, injunction, order,
judgment or decree of any court, administrative agency or other governmental
body or (b) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of, or

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
constitute a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration) under, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of NBCI under, the
Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of NBCI or any material note, indenture,
mortgage, lease, agreement, contract, purchase order or other instrument,
document or agreement to which NBCI is a party or by which it or any of its
properties or assets is bound or affected.

     4.8  Litigation.  There is no claim, arbitration, action, suit, proceeding
          ----------                                                           
or investigation pending, or to the knowledge of NBCI, threatened against NBCI,
which questions the validity of this Agreement or any other agreement entered
into by NBCI in connection with this Agreement or the right of NBCI to enter
into any such agreements or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby, or which might have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on NBCI, or which might result in any material change in
the current equity ownership of NBCI, nor is NBCI aware that there is any basis
for the foregoing.  NBCI is not a party to, nor subject to the provisions of,
any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental
agency or instrumentality which would have a Material Adverse Effect on NBCI.

     4.9  No Governmental Consent or Approval Required.  No authorization,
          --------------------------------------------                    
consent, approval or other order of, declaration to, or registration,
qualification, designation or filing with, any federal, provincial or local
governmental agency or body is required for or in connection with the valid and
lawful authorization, execution and delivery by NBCI of this Agreement or any
other agreement entered into by NBCI in connection with this Agreement, and
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for or in
connection with the valid and lawful authorization, issuance, sale, assignment
and delivery of the Warrants other than the qualification (or taking of such
action as may be necessary to secure an exemption from qualification if
available) of the offer and sale of the Warrants under the applicable securities
laws, which filings and qualifications, if required, will be accomplished in a
timely manner so as to comply with such qualification or exemption from
qualification requirements.

     4.10  Securities Law Exemption.  Subject to the accuracy of the Investors'
           ------------------------                                            
representations in Article 6 of this Agreement, the offer and sale of the
Warrants have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and
qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of
all applicable securities laws.

     4.11  Brokers or Finders.  NBCI has not incurred, and will not incur,
           ------------------                                             
directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by or on behalf of NBCI,
any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or any
similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
     4.12  Business.  NBCI has all necessary franchises, permits, governmental
           --------                                                           
licenses and other governmental rights and privileges necessary to permit it to
own its property and to conduct its present business, except where the failure
to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NBCI.  NBCI is not in
violation of any law, regulation, authorization or order of any public authority
relevant to the ownership of its properties or the carrying on of its present
business, except where such violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on NBCI.

     4.13  Disclosure.  This Agreement and the other written information
           ----------                                                   
furnished by NBCI to the Investors, when read together, do not contain any
untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in
view of the circumstances under which they were made.


               ARTICLE 5 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NBI

     5.1  Representations and Warranties of NBI.  Except as otherwise set forth
          -------------------------------------                                
on NBI's Schedule of Exceptions attached as Exhibit E to the Unit Purchase
Agreement, NBI represents and warrants as follows.

     5.2  Organization and Standing; Certificate and By-laws.  NBI is a
          --------------------------------------------------           
corporation duly incorporated and organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of California.  NBI has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets and
to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.
NBI is not qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction
and the failure to be so qualified is not having and will not have a Material
Adverse Effect on NBI.  NBI has made available to the Investors copies of its
Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.  Such copies are true, correct and
complete.

     5.3  Corporate Power.  NBI has all requisite legal and corporate power to
          ---------------                                                     
execute and deliver this Agreement, to sell and issue the Warrants in connection
herewith and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of this
Agreement.

     5.4  Capitalization.  The authorized capital stock of NBI consists of
          --------------                                                  
100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, US $0.001 par value, and 10,000,000 shares
of undesignated Preferred Stock, US $0.001 par value.  The outstanding capital
stock of NBI and the outstanding options, warrants and other rights to acquire
capital stock of NBI as of the Closing Date, other than as contemplated by this
Agreement and the Unit Purchase Agreement, are as set forth in subsection 4.3 of
the NBI Schedule of Exceptions.  All issued and outstanding shares of NBI's
capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable, and were issued in compliance with applicable United States
federal and state securities laws.  There are no other outstanding shares of
capital stock or outstanding rights of first refusal, preemptive

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
rights or, except as provided herein or in the other documents delivered in
connection with this Agreement, other rights, options, warrants, conversion
rights, or other agreements either directly or indirectly for the purchase or
acquisition of any shares of its capital stock from NBI or, to the best of NBI's
knowledge, any third party.  Except for its 1992 Incentive Stock Plan, NBI has
no employee stock option, stock purchase or other similar incentive stock plans.

     5.5  Authorization.  All corporate action on the part of NBI, its officers,
          -------------                                                         
directors and shareholders necessary for the authorization, execution, delivery
and performance by NBI of this Agreement, the authorization and subsequent sale,
assignment and delivery of the Warrants, and the performance of all of NBI's
obligations under this Agreement has been taken.  This Agreement, when executed
and delivered by NBI, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of
NBI enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to laws of
general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors
and rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other
equitable remedies.  A sufficient number of shares of Common Stock has been
reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants and the shares issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants, when issued in compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement and the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable, and such shares will be free of any liens or encumbrances created by
NBI, provided, however, that such shares may be subject to restrictions on
transfer under applicable securities laws as set forth herein.

     5.6  Compliance with Other Instruments.  NBI is not in violation of any
          ---------------------------------                                 
term of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as amended to date.  NBI is
not in violation of, nor in default under, the terms of any mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement, instrument, judgment or decree applicable to it or to which
it is a party, the violation of or default under which would have a Material
Adverse Effect on NBI, and NBI is not in violation of any order, statute, rule
or regulation applicable to NBI, the violation of which would have a Material
Adverse Effect on NBI.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and compliance with the
provisions hereof by NBI, do not and will not, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, (a) violate, in any material respect, any provision of
any law, statute, rule or regulation or any ruling, writ, injunction, order,
judgment or decree of any court, administrative agency or other governmental
body or (b) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default (or give rise to any right
of termination, cancellation or acceleration) under, or result in the creation
of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties
or assets of NBI, under the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as amended to
date, of NBI or any material note, indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement,
contract, purchase order or other instrument, document or agreement to which NBI
is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets is bound or
affected.

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
     5.7  Registration Rights.  Except as provided in the existing Information
          -------------------                                                 
and Registration Rights Agreement (a copy of which has been provided to the
Investors) and a New Registration Rights Agreement (a copy of which is attached
to the Unit Purchase Agreement as Exhibit F) (the "Investors Rights Agreement"),
NBI is not under any contractual obligation to register any of its presently
outstanding securities or any of its securities which may hereafter be issued.

     5.8  Litigation.  There is no claim, arbitration, action, suit, proceeding
          ----------                                                           
or investigation pending, or to the knowledge of NBI, threatened against NBI,
which questions the validity of this Agreement or any other agreement entered
into by NBI in connection with this Agreement or the right of NBI to enter into
any such agreements or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, or which might have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on NBI, or which might result in any material change in
the current equity ownership of NBI, nor is NBI aware that there is any basis
for the foregoing.  NBI is not a party to, nor subject to the provisions of, any
order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency
or instrumentality which would have a Material Adverse Effect on NBI.

     5.9  No Governmental Consent or Approval Required.  No authorization,
          --------------------------------------------                    
consent, approval or other order of, declaration to, or registration,
qualification, designation or filing with, any federal, state or local
governmental agency or body is required for or in connection with the valid and
lawful authorization, execution and delivery by NBI of this Agreement, or any
other agreement entered into by NBI in connection with this Agreement, and
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for or in
connection with the valid and lawful authorization and subsequent sale,
assignment and delivery of the Warrants other than the qualification (or taking
of such action as may be necessary to secure an exemption from qualification if
available) of the offer, sale and assignment of the Warrants under the
applicable state securities laws, which filings and qualifications, if required,
will be accomplished in a timely manner so as to comply with such qualification
or exemption from qualification requirements.

     5.10  Securities Law Exemption.  Subject to the accuracy of the Investors'
           ------------------------                                            
representations in Article 6 of this Agreement, the subsequent sale and
assignment and the offer, sale and assignment contemplated herein of the
Warrants constitute transactions exempt from the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act"), and have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration
and qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements
of all applicable state securities laws.

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
     5.11  Brokers or Finders.  NBI has not incurred, and will not incur,
           ------------------                                            
directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by or on behalf of NBI,
any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or any
similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

     5.12  Investment Company.  NBI is not an "investment company" within the
           ------------------                                                
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and will not, as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby, become an "investment company".

     5.13  Disclosure.  This Agreement and the other written information
           ----------                                                   
furnished by NBI to the Investors, when read together, do not contain any untrue
statements of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in view of the
circumstances under which they were made.


                   ARTICLE 6 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                OF THE INVESTORS

     6.1  Representations and Warranties of the Investors; Restrictions on
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
Transferability of Securities.
- ----------------------------- 

     6.2  Authorization.  Each Investor represents and warrants that this
          -------------                                                  
Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Investors, will constitute a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Investors, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency and the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific
performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

     6.3  Investment.  Each Investor represents and warrants that it is
          ----------                                                   
acquiring the Warrants for investment for its own account, not as a nominee or
agent, and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any
"distribution" thereof for purposes of the 1933 Act or otherwise and that it was
not created or established solely to acquire securities under a prospectus
exemption pursuant to applicable securities laws.  Each Investor understands
that the shares of the Common Stock issuable in respect of the Warrants have not
been, and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act by reason of a specific
exemption from the registration provisions of the 1933 Act, the availability of
which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment
intent and the accuracy of each Investor's representations as expressed herein.
Furthermore, each Investor undertakes to execute and deliver all documents as
may be required under applicable securities laws to permit the purchase of the
Warrants on the terms herein set forth.

     6.4  Rule 144 and Regulation S.  Each Investor acknowledges that the shares
          -------------------------                                             
of Common Stock issuable in respect of the Warrants must be held indefinitely
unless

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
subsequently registered under the 1933 Act, unless an exemption from such
registration is available.  Each Investor is aware of the provisions of Rule 144
promulgated under the 1933 Act ("Rule 144") which permit limited resale of
shares purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions, including, among other things, the existence of a public market for
the shares, the availability of certain current public information about NBI,
the resale occurring not less than two years after a party has purchased and
paid for the security to be sold, the sale being effected through a "broker's
transaction" or in transactions directly with a "market maker" and the number of
shares being sold during any three (3) month period not exceeding specified
limitations.  If Regulation S is available for use as an applicable exemption
under the 1933 Act, each party hereto agrees to use its best efforts to have the
issuance of the shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Warrants qualify
under Regulation S.

          6.5  No Public Market. Each Investor understands that no public market
               ----------------
now exists for any of the securities issued by NBI and that NBI has made no
assurances that a public market will ever exist for the such securities.
Furthermore, each Investor understands that restrictions on the resale of such
securities exist and that any resale may only take place in compliance with
applicable securities laws and the provisions of this Agreement.

          6.6  Access to Data. Each Investor represents and warrants that it has
               --------------
had sufficient opportunity to discuss NBCI's and NBI's business, management and
financial affairs with the their management and has also had sufficient
opportunity to ask questions of their officers, which questions were answered to
its satisfaction.

          6.7  Brokers or Finders. Each Investor represents and warrants that it
               ------------------
has not engaged any brokers, finders, or agents and has not incurred, and will
not incur, directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finder's fee
or agents, commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.

          6.8  California Corporate Securities Laws.  THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES
               ------------------------------------
WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE
COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH
SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR
PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICA TION IS UNLAWFUL UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT
FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102 OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA
CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY
CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO
EXEMPT.

          6.9  Transfer of Restricted Securities. Each Investor covenants that
               ---------------------------------
in no event will it dispose of any of the Warrants (other than if a Registration
Statement is in effect with

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
respect to such Warrants or in a disposition pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation
S or any similar or analogous rule) unless and until (a) such Investor shall
have notified NBI of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished NBI with
a statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition that are
necessary to the availability of an exemption under the 1933 Act other than Rule
144 or Regulation S, and (b), if requested by NBI, each such Investor shall have
furnished NBI with an opinion of counsel satisfactory in form and substance to
NBI to the effect that:  (i) such disposition will not require registration
under the 1933 Act and (ii) appropriate action necessary for compliance with the
1933 Act and any applicable state, local or foreign law has been taken.

          6.10  Legends.  The certificates representing the Warrants shall bear
                -------
the following legends:

                (a)  "THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH
OFFER, SALE, OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL
COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY."; and

                (b)  any additional legend(s) required by the Commissioner of
Corporations of the State of California or pursuant to any state, local or
foreign law governing such securities.

          The legend set forth in paragraph 6.10 above shall be removed if the
shares represented by such certificate (a) may be transferred in compliance with
Rule 144(k) or Regulation S under the Act, (b) are effectively registered under
the Act or otherwise lawfully sold in a public transaction, or (c) may be
publicly sold without registration under the Act in the opinion of counsel for
the Investor as set forth in subsection 6.9 above. The legend set forth in
paragraph 6.10 above shall be removed at such time as NBI receives an order from
the appropriate state or other governmental authority authorizing such removal.


                            ARTICLE 7 - UNDERTAKINGS

     7.1  Delivery of Warrants and availability of shares of Common Stock.  NBI
          ----------------------------------------------------------------     
hereby undertakes to deliver, as required hereunder, Series B-1, B-2, C and D
Warrants and to set aside a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to cover
the exercise of the Series B-1, B-2, C and D Warrants.

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
     7.2  Registration of Warrants.  Because on the Closing Date it may not, in
          ------------------------                                             
certain instances, and it will not, in other instances, be possible to determine
how many shares of Common Stock may be issuable on the exercise of Series A
Warrants, Series B-1 Warrants, Series B-2 Warrants, Series C Warrants and Series
D Warrants, and because such Warrants may be exercised in part from time to
time, as set forth in such Warrants, the parties hereto undertake to cause a
Third Party chosen unanimously by them, to keep a register for the Warrants of
all Series, indicating the number of Warrants of each Series outstanding at any
given time, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on the exercise of
each such Warrant, the number of shares of Common Stock issued as a result of
the exercise of any such Warrants and the Warrant exercise prices in effect from
time to time.

     NBI agrees to cooperate in the maintenance of the aforesaid register by
providing all information reasonably available to it in respect of the Warrants.
Should the parties hereto not agree unanimously as to which Third Party will
keep such register, such register shall be kept by the law firm of Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.


                        ARTICLE 8 - REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     8.1  Registration Rights.    NBI hereby grants to the Investors, as holders
          -------------------                                                   
of the shares of Common Stock (the "Registrable Shares") issuable upon exercise
of the Warrants, the registration rights set forth in the Investors Rights
Agreement.  The Investors agree to be bound by all provisions of the Investors
Rights Agreement.


                           ARTICLE 9 - MISCELLANEOUS

     9.1  Execution of Counterpart.  No Person shall become a holder of Series A
          ------------------------                                              
Preferred Shares without first having executed a counterpart of this Agreement
in the form of EXHIBIT E attached hereto.  Each such counterpart so executed
shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

     9.2  Governing Law.  This Agreement and all documents relating to it shall
          -------------                                                        
be governed by and construed under the laws applicable in the Province of
Quebec.

     9.3  Survival.  The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
          --------                                                            
made herein shall survive any investigation made by the Investors and the
closing of the transactions contem plated hereby.

     9.4  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Exhibits and the other
          ----------------                                             
documents delivered in connection with this Agreement constitute the full and
entire understanding and

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
agreement among the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party
shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements except as specifically set
forth herein or therein.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to confer upon any third party any rights, remedies, obligations, or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided
herein.

     9.5  Severability.  In case any provision of this Agreement becomes or is
          ------------                                                        
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision;
provided, however, that no such severability shall be effective if it materially
changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.

     9.6  Delays or Omissions.  No delay or omission to exercise any right,
          -------------------                                              
power, or remedy accruing to the Investors or any subsequent holder of any
Shares or Warrants upon any breach, default or non-compliance of NBCI or NBI
under this Agreement or under their respective Articles of Incorporation, shall
impair any such right, power, or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a
waiver of any such breach, default or non-compliance, or any acquiescence
therein, or of any similar breach, default or non-compliance thereafter
occurring.  It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent, or approval
of any kind or character on the Investors' part of any breach, default or non-
compliance under this Agreement or under such Articles of Incorporation or any
waiver on the Investors' part of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement
must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set
forth in such writing, and that all remedies, either under this Agreement or
otherwise afforded to the Investors, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

     9.7  Notices.  All notices and other communications required or permitted
          -------                                                             
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon
personal delivery or upon deposit with the applicable postal service, by first
class mail, postage prepaid, addressed: (a) if to an Investor, at such
Investor's address as set forth at the end of this Agreement, or at such other
address as the Investors shall have furnished to NBCI in writing, (b) if to
NBCI, at its addresses as set forth at the end of this Agreement, or at such
other address as NBCI shall have furnished to the Investors in writing or (c) if
to NBI, at its address as set forth at the end of this Agreement, or at such
other address as NBI shall have furnished to the Investors in writing.

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

     9.9  Language.  The parties hereto have required that this Agreement and
          --------                                                           
all documents, instruments and notices in relation herewith be in the English
language.

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the foregoing Agreement is executed as of the date
first above written.


                                 NBCI:

                                       NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.


                                       By: /s/ Paul W. Hawran
                                           ------------------------------------

                                       Title:
                                              ---------------------------------

                                       Address:   1 Place Ville Marie
                                                  Suite 3900
                                                  Montreal, Quebec, Canada
                                                  H3B 4M7

                                                  Attention: Paul F. Dingle



                                 NBI:

                                       NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                       By: /s/ Paul W. Hawran
                                           -----------------------------------  

                                       Title:
                                             ---------------------------------

                                       Address:   3050 Science Park Road
                                                  San Diego CA  92121-1102
                                                  USA

                                                  Attention: Paul W. Hawran

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
                         INVESTORS:

                              SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE
                              D'INNOVATION INC.


                              By: /s/ Carmen Crepin
                                  ------------------------------------------ 

                              Title:
                                     ---------------------------------------

                              By:
                                  ------------------------------------------ 

                              Title:
                                     --------------------------------------- 

                              Address:       1981 McGill College Avenue
                                             9th floor
                                             Montreal, Quebec, Canada
                                             H3A 3C7

                                             Attention:
                                                       --------------------


                              NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                              By:
                                  ------------------------------------------ 

                              Title:
                                    ---------------------------------------- 

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

                              Address:
                                      --------------------------------------  

                                      -------------------------------------- 
                                         Attention:
                                                   -------------------------

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
                         INVESTORS:

                              SOFINOV SOCIETE FINANCIERE
                              D'INNOVATION INC.


                              By:___________________________________________
 
                              Title:________________________________________

                              By:___________________________________________

                              Title:________________________________________

                              Address:    1981 McGill College Avenue
                                          9th floor
                                          Montreal, Quebec, Canada
                                          H3A 3C7

                                          Attention:_________________________


                              NEUROSCIENCE PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                              By: /s/ M. Callaghan
                                 --------------------------------------------   

                              Title: Michael J. Callaghan, Vice-President
                                    -----------------------------------------

                              By: /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                 --------------------------------------------

                              Title: Keith J. Dorrington, Vice President
                                    -----------------------------------------

                              Address:    100 International Blvd
                                          -----------------------------------

                                          Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M9W 6J6 
                                          ----------------------------------- 
            
                                          Attention: Secretary
                                                    -------------------------
                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
                              BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA

                              BY: /s/ Mark Vanduzura   
                                 ------------------------------------------

                              Title: Investment Manager
                                    ----------------------------------------

                              By:
                                  ------------------------------------------
                              Title:
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                   
                              Address:    5 Place Ville Marine
                                          ----------------------------------

                                          Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec
                                          ----------------------------------   
                                          H5B SE7
                                       
                                          Attention:
                                                    ------------------------



                              CANADIAN MEDICAL DISCOVERIES FUND, INC.

                              By: /s/ Edward K. Rygiel
                                 -------------------------------------------

                              Title: Edward K. Rygiel, Director
                                    ----------------------------------------
                  
                              By: /s/ Frank Gleeson
                                 -------------------------------------------
                               
                              Title: Frank Gleeson, Vice-President
                                    ----------------------------------------
  
                              Address:    100 International Blvd.
                                          -----------------------------------

                                          Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M9W 6J6 
                                          -----------------------------------  
 
                                          Attention:       Secretary
                                                    -------------------------

                                     -21-
<PAGE>
 
                              THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
                              VENTURE FUND, BY ITS MANAGER MDS HEALTH
                              VENTURES CAPITAL CORP.

                              
                              By: /s/ Michael J. Callaghan
                                 -------------------------------------------   

                              Title: Michael J. Callaghan, Vice-President
                                    ----------------------------------------

                              By: /s/ Keith J. Dorrington
                                 -------------------------------------------

                              Title: Keith J. Dorrington, Vice President
                                    ----------------------------------------

                              Address:   100 International Blvd.
                                         -----------------------------------

                                         Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M9W 6J6 
                                         ----------------------------------- 
            
                                         Attention:   Secretary
                                                   -------------------------

                                     -22-
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-1
                                      TO
                              EXCHANGE AGREEMENT


     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.


                              SERIES B-1 WARRANT

                     To Purchase Shares of Common Stock of

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received, ______________________________ is
entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, at
any time between the date hereof and the tenth anniversary of the date of
issuance hereof (the "Exercise Period") to subscribe for the purchase from
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), at an
exercise price of US $7.75 per share (the "Exercise Price"), of the pro rata
portion of the first Investor to hold this Warrant (as set forth in Exhibit B to
the Exchange Agreement entered into on March 29, 1996 among the Company,
Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and the Investors) of that number of shares
of the Company's Common Stock which is equal to 25% of the Credits in relation
to each year or part thereof commencing on the date hereof and ending on June
30, 1998 (the "First Credit Period") divided by the Exercise Price, subject to
adjustment as set forth below.  For the purposes hereof:

"Credits" means the refundable Canadian and provincial government tax credits
for Research and Development (as such terms are defined in the Research and
Development Agreement entered into on March 29, 1996 between Neurocrine
Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.), earned and
received after the end of each fiscal year by Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.,
after final assessment by the appropriate tax authorities. For greater
certainty, no Credits shall be deemed to be earned, received or refundable
unless payment in respect thereof is actually received by Neuroscience Pharma
(NPI) Inc. from the appropriate tax authority;

"Investors" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchange Agreement;
<PAGE>
 
and the Credits shall be converted from C$ to US$, for the purpose of
determining the number of shares of entitlement to the Company's Common Stock,
by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street Journal on the last
day the newspaper is published preceding the date of issuance hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have, at any time during
the Exercise Period, upon the exercise by the holder hereof, the right to "cash
out" this Warrant by paying to the holder hereof the net cash value of the
Warrant (being, if and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, the
average closing price for the five trading days which precede by two trading
days the date of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto minus the Exercise
Price, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock then represented by
this Warrant), provided such cash value is less than US $100,000.

     1.   Title of Warrant.  Prior to the expiration hereof and subject to
          ----------------                                                
compliance with applicable laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are
transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the Company,
referred to in Section 2 hereof, by the holder hereof in person or by duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment
Form annexed hereto properly endorsed.

     2.   Exercise of Warrant.  The rights to acquire shares of Common Stock
          -------------------                                               
represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the registered holder hereof, in
whole or in part, at any time during the Exercise Period, subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided, by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of
Exercise Form annexed hereto duly executed at the office of the Company, in San
Diego, California (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may
designate by notice in writing to the registered holder hereof at the address of
such holder appearing on the books of the Company), and upon payment of the
Exercise Price for the shares thereby purchased (a) by cash or check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company, (b) by cancellation of indebtedness
of the Company payable to the holder hereof at the time of the exercise, or (c)
if and only if the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an election
in writing to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant (or the portion thereof
being issued upon such exercise) less that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value as of such date equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of
the Warrant (or such portion thereof which is being exercised), whereupon the
holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number
of shares so purchased.  The Company agrees that, if at the time of the
surrender of this Warrant and purchase the holder hereof shall be entitled to
exercise this Warrant, the shares so purchased shall be and be deemed to be
issued to such holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of
business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as
aforesaid.

     Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be delivered to the
holder hereof within a reasonable time, but not later than ten (10) days, after
the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     If this Warrant is exercised with respect to less than all of the shares
covered hereby, the holder hereof shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant, in
this form, covering the number of shares with respect to which this Warrant
shall not have been exercised less that number of shares (if any) cancelled in
payment of the Exercise Price of the Warrant as set forth in clause 2.(c)
hereof.

     The Company covenants that all shares of stock which may be issued upon the
exercise of rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights
represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue
thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously
with such issue).


     3.   No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip
          -----------------------------                                
representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

     4.   Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of certificates for shares of
          ---------------------------                                         
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name
of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may be directed by the
holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event certificates for
                        --------  -------                                    
shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than the name of the
holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be
accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the holder
hereof; and provided further, that upon any transfer involved in the issuance or
            ----------------                                                    
delivery of any certificates for shares of Common Stock, the Company may
require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it
for any transfer tax incidental thereto.

     5.   No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant does not entitle the holder
          -------------------------                                           
hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the exercise hereof.

     6.   Exchange and Registry of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon
          --------------------------------                                     
the surrender hereof by the registered holder at the above-mentioned office or
agency of the Company, for a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such
exchange.

     7.   Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. Upon receipt by the
          -------------------------------------------------
Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation,
in lieu of this Warrant.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     8.   Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for
          ---------------------------------                                   
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall be a Saturday or a Sunday or shall be a legal holiday, then such
action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day
not a legal holiday.

     9.   Adjustment.
          ---------- 

          (a)  Shares.  The number of shares and the type of stock for which
               ------
this Warrant is exercisable and the Exercise Price are subject to adjustment
from time to time as follows:

               (i)  In the event of any subdivision or change of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding
     into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall
     thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of shares of Common Stock under
     this Warrant, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of
     which the right to purchase is then being exercised, such greater number of
     shares of Common Stock of the Company as would result from said subdivision
     or change had the right of purchase been exercised before such subdivision
     or change without the holder making any additional payment or giving any
     other consideration therefor.

               (ii)  In the event of any consolidation of the shares of Common
     Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a
     lesser number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter
     deliver, and the holder of this Warrant shall accept, at the time of
     purchase of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of the
     number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the right to purchase
     is then being exercised, such lesser number of shares of Common Stock of
     the Company as would result from such consolidation had the right of
     purchase been exercised before such consolidation.

               (iii)  In the event of any reclassification of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding,
     the Company shall thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of shares of
     Common Stock under this Warrant the number of shares of the Company of the
     appropriate class or classes resulting from said reclassification as the
     holder would have been entitled to receive in respect of purchase of shares
     of Common Stock in respect of which the right of purchase is then being
     exercised had the right of purchase been exercised before such
     reclassification.

               (iv)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall distribute any class of shares or rights, options or
     warrants (other than those referred to above) or evidence of indebtedness
     or property (excluding cash dividends paid in the ordinary course) to
     holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company, the number of shares to
     be issued by the Company under this Warrant shall, at the time of purchase,
     be appropriately adjusted and the holder shall receive, in lieu of the
     number of shares in respect of which the right to purchase is then being
     exercised, the aggregate number

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     of shares or other securities or property that the holder would have been
     entitled to receive as a result of such event if, on the record date
     thereof, the holder had been the registered holder of the number of shares
     of Common Stock to which the holder was theretofore entitled upon exercise
     of the rights of the holder hereunder.

               (v)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall pay any stock dividend upon shares of stock of the
     Company of the class or classes in respect of which the right to purchase
     is then given under this Warrant, then the Company shall thereafter deliver
     at the time of purchase of shares under this Warrant, in addition to the
     number of shares of stock of the Company in respect of which the right of
     purchase is then being exercised, the additional number of shares of the
     appropriate class or classes as would have been payable on the shares of
     stock of the Company so purchased if the shares so purchased had been
     outstanding on the record date for the payment of the said stock dividend
     or stock dividends.

               (vi)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall be a party to any transaction (including, without
     limitation, a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of
     the Company's assets or outstanding stock or a recapitalization of the
     Common Stock) in which the previously outstanding Common Stock shall be
     changed into or exchanged for different securities of the Company or common
     stock or other securities of another corporation or interests in a
     noncorporate entity or other property (including cash) or any combination
     of any of the foregoing (each such transaction being herein called the
     "Transaction" and the date of consummation of the Transaction being herein
     called the "Consummation Date"), then, as a condition of the consummation
     of the Transaction, lawful and adequate provisions shall be made so that
     the holder hereof, upon the exercise hereof at any time on or after the
     Consummation Date, shall be entitled to receive, and this Warrant shall
     thereafter represent the right to receive, in lieu of the Common Stock
     issuable upon such exercise prior to the Consummation Date, the amount of
     securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been
     entitled as a shareholder upon the consummation of the Transaction if the
     holder had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto.

          (b)  Automatic Amendment.  On the happening of each and every event
               -------------------
set forth in this (S)9, the applicable provisions of this Warrant shall, ipso
                                                                         ----
facto, be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Company shall take all
- -----
necessary action so as to comply with such provisions as so amended.

     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Issue Date.  The provisions of this Warrant shall be construed 
               ----------                                                       
and shall be given effect in all respects as if it had been issued and delivered
by the Company on the date hereof. This Warrant shall be binding upon any
successors or assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract
under the laws of the State of California and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said state.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Restrictions.  The holder hereof acknowledges that the Common
               ------------                                                 
Stock acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant shall have restrictions upon
its resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

          (c)  Authorized Shares.  The Company covenants that during the period
               -----------------                                               
the Warrant is exercisable, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued
Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Common
Stock upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company
further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full
authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of the
Company's Common Stock upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this
Warrant.

          (d)  No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its 
               -------------                                                   
Articles of Incorporation or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid
the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the
taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect
the rights of the holder hereof against impairment.

          (e)  Notices of Record Date.  In case
               ----------------------          

               (i)   the Company shall take a record of the holders of its
     Common Stock for the purposes of entitling them to receive any dividend
     (other than a cash dividend in the ordinary course) or other distribution,
     or any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares or
     stock of any class or any other securities or property, or to receive any
     other right; or

               (ii)  of any capital reorganization of the Company, any
     reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or
     merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance
     of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another
     corporation; or

               (iii) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation
     or winding-up of the Company;

then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or
right, or (ii) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to
take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of
record of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date therein specified.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has caused this Warrant to
be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  _______________, ______.



                                        NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                        By:_____________________________________

                                        Title:__________________________________

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
                                ---------------

              (To assign the foregoing warrant, execute this form
                 and supply required information.  Do not use
                        this form to purchase shares.)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby
are hereby assigned to



________________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

whose address is _______________________________________________________________

                                   (Please Print)


                                   Dated:_______________________, _______.


                                   Holder's Signature:__________________________

                                   Holder's Address:____________________________


     Note:  The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name
as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company.
Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                              ------------------


TO:  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     (1)  The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ___________________ shares
of Common Stock of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     (2)  Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:


                   ________________________________________
                                     (Name)


                   ________________________________________
                                   (Address)

     (3)  The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock
are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and
that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such
shares.



________________________________               _________________________________
             (Date)                                      (Signature) 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-2
                                      TO
                              EXCHANGE AGREEMENT


     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.


                              SERIES B-2 WARRANT

                     To Purchase Shares of Common Stock of

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received, ______________________________ is
entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, at
any time between the date hereof and the tenth anniversary of the date of
issuance hereof (the "Exercise Period") to subscribe for the purchase from
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), at an
exercise price in US$ equal to either 110% of the Market Price or, in the event
there has not been an IPO, the Fair Market Value (the "Exercise Price"), of the
pro rata portion of the first Investor to hold this Warrant (as set forth in
Exhibit B to the Exchange Agreement entered into on March 29, 1996 among the
Company, Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and the Investors) of that number
of shares of the Company's Common Stock which is equal to 25% of the Credits
received in relation to each year or part thereof commencing on July 1, 1998 and
ending on the date Credits are no longer earned (the "Second Credit Period"),
divided by an amount which is equal to either the Market Price or, in the event
there has not been an IPO, the Fair Market Value, subject to adjustment as set
forth below.  For the purposes hereof:

"Credits" means the refundable Canadian and provincial government tax credits
for Research and Development (as such terms are defined in the Research and
Development Agreement entered into on March 29, 1996 between Neurocrine
Biosciences (Canada) Inc. and Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.), earned and
received after the end of each fiscal year by Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc.,
after final assessment by the appropriate tax authorities. For greater
certainty, no Credits shall be deemed to be earned, received or refundable
unless payment in respect thereof is actually received by Neuroscience Pharma
(NPI) Inc. from the appropriate tax authority;
<PAGE>
 
"Fair Market Value" means the value per share of the Company's Common Stock
determined as of the date on which this Warrant shall have been issued, by an
investment banker, agreed upon in accordance with the Exchange Agreement, in
comparison with other scientific research and development companies at a similar
stage of maturity;

"Investor" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchange Agreement;

"IPO" means the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock;

"IPO Price" means the offering price per share for shares of the Company's
Common Stock referred to in the registration statement filed by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (prior to deduction of underwriters'
discounts and other offering expenses);

"Market Price" means the average closing price of the company's Common Stock on
the stock exchange on which the Company's Common Stock is listed for trading,
for the five trading days preceding the date on which this Warrant shall have
been issued;

and the Credits shall be converted from C$ to US$, for the purpose of
determining the number of shares of entitlement to the Company's Common Stock,
by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street Journal on the last
day the newspaper is published preceding the date of issuance hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have, at any time during
the Exercise Period, upon the exercise by the holder hereof, the right to "cash
out" this Warrant by paying to the holder hereof the net cash value of the
Warrant (being, if and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, the
average closing price for the five trading days which precede by two trading
days the date of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto minus the Exercise
Price, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock then represented by
this Warrant), provided such cash value is less than US $100,000.

     1.   Title of Warrant.  Prior to the expiration hereof and subject to
          ----------------                                                
compliance with applicable laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are
transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the Company,
referred to in Section 2 hereof, by the holder hereof in person or by duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment
Form annexed hereto properly endorsed.

     2.   Exercise of Warrant.  The rights to acquire shares of Common Stock
          -------------------                                               
represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the registered holder hereof, in
whole or in part, at any time during the Exercise Period, subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided, by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of
Exercise Form annexed hereto duly executed at the office of the Company, in San
Diego, California (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may
designate by notice in writing to the registered holder hereof at the address of
such holder appearing on the books of the Company), and upon payment of the
Exercise Price for the shares thereby purchased (a) by cash or check or bank
draft payable to the order of the

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Company, (b) by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company payable to the
holder hereof at the time of the exercise, or (c) if and only if the Common
Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an election in writing to receive a
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock subject to this Warrant (or the portion thereof being issued upon
such exercise) less that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value
as of such date equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Warrant (or such
portion thereof which is being exercised), whereupon the holder of this Warrant
shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number of shares so
purchased.  The Company agrees that, if at the time of the surrender of this
Warrant and purchase the holder hereof shall be entitled to exercise this
Warrant, the shares so purchased shall be and be deemed to be issued to such
holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of business on the
date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

     Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be delivered to the
holder hereof within a reasonable time, but not later than ten (10) days, after
the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

     If this Warrant is exercised with respect to less than all of the shares
covered hereby, the holder hereof shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant, in
this form, covering the number of shares with respect to which this Warrant
shall not have been exercised less that number of shares (if any) cancelled in
payment of the Exercise Price of the Warrant as set forth in clause 2.(c)
hereof.

     The Company covenants that all shares of stock which may be issued upon the
exercise of rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights
represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue
thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously
with such issue).

     3.   No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip
          -----------------------------                                
representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

     4.   Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of certificates for shares of
          ---------------------------                                         
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name
of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may be directed by the
holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event certificates for
                        --------  -------                                    
shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than the name of the
holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be
accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the holder
hereof; and provided further, that upon any transfer involved in the issuance or
            ----------------                                                    
delivery of any certificates for shares of Common Stock, the Company may
require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it
for any transfer tax incidental thereto.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     5.   No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant does not entitle the holder
          -------------------------                                           
hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the exercise hereof.

     6.   Exchange and Registry of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon
          --------------------------------                                     
the surrender hereof by the registered holder at the above-mentioned office or
agency of the Company, for a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such
exchange.

     7.   Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant.  Upon receipt by 
          -------------------------------------------------     
the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation,
in lieu of this Warrant.

     8.   Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for
          ---------------------------------                                   
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall be a Saturday or a Sunday or shall be a legal holiday, then such
action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day
not a legal holiday.

     9.   Adjustment.
          ---------- 

          (a)  Shares.  The number of shares and the type of stock for which 
               ------                                     
this Warrant is exercisable and the Exercise Price are subject to adjustment
from time to time as follows:

               (i)  In the event of any subdivision or change of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding
     into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall
     thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of shares of Common Stock under
     this Warrant, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of
     which the right to purchase is then being exercised, such greater number of
     shares of Common Stock of the Company as would result from said subdivision
     or change had the right of purchase been exercised before such subdivision
     or change without the holder making any additional payment or giving any
     other consideration therefor.

              (ii)  In the event of any consolidation of the shares of Common
     Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a
     lesser number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter
     deliver, and the holder of this Warrant shall accept, at the time of
     purchase of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of the
     number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the right to purchase
     is then being exercised, such lesser number of shares of Common Stock of
     the Company as would result from such consolidation had the right of
     purchase been exercised before such consolidation.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
             (iii)  In the event of any reclassification of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding,
     the Company shall thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of shares of
     Common Stock under this Warrant the number of shares of the Company of the
     appropriate class or classes resulting from said reclassification as the
     holder would have been entitled to receive in respect of purchase of shares
     of Common Stock in respect of which the right of purchase is then being
     exercised had the right of purchase been exercised before such
     reclassification.

              (iv)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall distribute any class of shares or rights, options or
     warrants (other than those referred to above) or evidence of indebtedness
     or property (excluding cash dividends paid in the ordinary course) to
     holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company, the number of shares to
     be issued by the Company under this Warrant shall, at the time of purchase,
     be appropriately adjusted and the holder shall receive, in lieu of the
     number of shares in respect of which the right to purchase is then being
     exercised, the aggregate number of shares or other securities or property
     that the holder would have been entitled to receive as a result of such
     event if, on the record date thereof, the holder had been the registered
     holder of the number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder was
     theretofore entitled upon exercise of the rights of the holder hereunder.

               (v)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall pay any stock dividend upon shares of stock of the
     Company of the class or classes in respect of which the right to purchase
     is then given under this Warrant, then the Company shall thereafter deliver
     at the time of purchase of shares under this Warrant, in addition to the
     number of shares of stock of the Company in respect of which the right of
     purchase is then being exercised, the additional number of shares of the
     appropriate class or classes as would have been payable on the shares of
     stock of the Company so purchased if the shares so purchased had been
     outstanding on the record date for the payment of the said stock dividend
     or stock dividends.

              (vi)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall be a party to any transaction (including, without
     limitation, a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of
     the Company's assets or outstanding stock or a recapitalization of the
     Common Stock) in which the previously outstanding Common Stock shall be
     changed into or exchanged for different securities of the Company or common
     stock or other securities of another corporation or interests in a
     noncorporate entity or other property (including cash) or any combination
     of any of the foregoing (each such transaction being herein called the
     "Transaction" and the date of consummation of the Transaction being herein
     called the "Consummation Date"), then, as a condition of the consummation
     of the Transaction, lawful and adequate provisions shall be made so that
     the holder hereof, upon the exercise hereof at any time on or after the
     Consummation Date, shall be entitled to receive, and this Warrant shall
     thereafter represent the right to receive, in lieu of the Common Stock
     issuable upon such exercise prior to the Consummation Date, the amount of
     securities or other property to which

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     such holder would actually have been entitled as a shareholder upon the
     consummation of the Transaction if the holder had exercised this Warrant
     immediately prior thereto.

          (b)  Automatic Amendment.  On the happening of each and every event 
               -------------------          
set forth in this (S)9, the applicable provisions of this Warrant shall, ipso
                                                                         ----
facto, be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Company shall take all
- -----
necessary action so as to comply with such provisions as so amended.

     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Issue Date.  The provisions of this Warrant shall be construed 
               ----------        
and shall be given effect in all respects as if it had been issued and delivered
by the Company on the date hereof. This Warrant shall be binding upon any
successors or assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract
under the laws of the State of California and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said state.

          (b)  Restrictions.  The holder hereof acknowledges that the Common
               ------------                                                 
Stock acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant shall have restrictions upon
its resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

          (c)  Authorized Shares.  The Company covenants that during the period
               -----------------                                               
the Warrant is exercisable, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued
Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Common
Stock upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company
further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full
authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of the
Company's Common Stock upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this
Warrant.

          (d)  No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its 
               -------------                  
Articles of Incorporation or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid
the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the
taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect
the rights of the holder hereof against impairment.

          (e)  Notices of Record Date.  In case
               ----------------------          

               (i)  the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common
Stock for the purposes of entitling them to receive any dividend (other than a
cash dividend in the ordinary course) or other distribution, or any right to
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares or stock of any class or
any other securities or property, or to receive any other right; or

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
              (ii)  of any capital reorganization of the Company, any
reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation; or

             (iii)  of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation
or winding-up of the Company;

then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or
right, or (ii) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to
take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of
record of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date therein specified.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has caused this Warrant to
be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: ____________, 1996.



                                        NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                        By:_____________________________________

                                        Title:__________________________________

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
                                ---------------

              (To assign the foregoing warrant, execute this form
                 and supply required information.  Do not use
                        this form to purchase shares.)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby
are hereby assigned to



________________________________________________________________________________
                                (Please Print)

whose address is________________________________________________________________

                                  (Please Print)


                                  Dated:___________________, _______.


                                  Holder's Signature:___________________________

                                  Holder's Address:_____________________________


     Note:  The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name
as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company.
Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                              ------------------


TO:  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     (1)  The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ___________________ shares
of Common Stock of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     (2)  Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:


                     _____________________________________
                                    (Name)



                     _____________________________________
                                   (Address)

     (3)  The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock
are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and
that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such
shares.



____________________________________    ________________________________________
               (Date)                                  (Signature)

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT B 
                                      TO
                              EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

                               PRO RATA PORTIONS

[CAPTION]
                INVESTOR 
                -------- 
   
     Sofinov Societe Financiere
     d'Innovation Inc.
 
     Neuroscience Partners     
     Limited Partnership
                                        [*] 
     Business Development Bank of
     Canada
 
     Canadian Medical Discoveries
     Fund, Inc.
 
     The Health Care and         
     Biotechnology Venture Fund
 
                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED ]

<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C
                                      TO
                              EXCHANGE AGREEMENT


     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.


                               SERIES C WARRANT

                     To Acquire Shares of Common Stock of

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received, ______________________________ is
entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, at
any time between the date of issuance hereof and the tenth anniversary of the
date of issuance hereof (the "Exercise Period"), at an exercise price of US
$.001 per share, to ____________ shares of Common Stock of Neurocrine
Biosciences, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), subject to
adjustment as set forth below.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have, at any time during
the Exercise Period, upon the exercise by the holder hereof, the right to "cash
out" this Warrant by paying to the holder hereof the net cash value of the
Warrant (being, if and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, the
average closing price for the five trading days which precede by two trading
days the date of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto minus the Exercise
Price, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock then represented by
this Warrant), provided such cash value is less than US $100,000.

     1.   Title of Warrant.  Prior to the expiration hereof and subject to
          ----------------                                                
compliance with applicable laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are
transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the Company,
referred to in Section 2 hereof, by the holder hereof in person or by duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment
Form annexed hereto properly endorsed.
<PAGE>
 
     2.   Exercise of Warrant.  The rights to acquire shares of Common Stock
          -------------------                                               
represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the registered holder hereof, in
whole or in part, at any time during the Exercise Period, subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided, by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of
Exercise Form annexed hereto duly executed at the office of the Company, in San
Diego, California (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may
designate by notice in writing to the registered holder hereof at the address of
such holder appearing on the books of the Company), and upon payment of the
Exercise Price for the shares thereby purchased (a) by cash or check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company, (b) by cancellation of indebtedness
of the Company payable to the holder hereof at the time of the exercise, or (c)
if and only if the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an election
in writing to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant (or the portion thereof
being issued upon such exercise) less that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value as of such date equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of
the Warrant (or such portion thereof which is being exercised), whereupon the
holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number
of shares so purchased.  The Company agrees that, if at the time of the
surrender of this Warrant and purchase the holder hereof shall be entitled to
exercise this Warrant, the shares so purchased shall be and be deemed to be
issued to such holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of
business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as
aforesaid.

     Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be delivered to the
holder hereof within a reasonable time, but not later than ten (10) days, after
the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

     If this Warrant is exercised with respect to less than all of the shares
covered hereby, the holder hereof shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant, in
this form, covering the number of shares with respect to which this Warrant
shall not have been exercised less that number of shares (if any) cancelled in
payment of the Exercise Price of the Warrant as set forth in clause 2 hereof.

     The Company covenants that all shares of stock which may be issued upon the
exercise of rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights
represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue
thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously
with such issue).

     3.   No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip
          -----------------------------                                
representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

     4.   Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of certificates for shares of
          ---------------------------                                         
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
issued in the name of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may
be directed by the holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event
                                           --------  -------                   
certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than
the name of the holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for
exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly
executed by the holder hereof; and provided further, that upon any transfer
                                   ----------------                        
involved in the issuance or delivery of any certificates for shares of Common
Stock, the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum
sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto.

     5.   No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant does not entitle the holder
          -------------------------                                           
hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the exercise hereof.

     6.   Exchange and Registry of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon
          --------------------------------                                     
the surrender hereof by the registered holder at the above-mentioned office or
agency of the Company, for a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such
exchange.

     7.   Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. Upon receipt by the
          -------------------------------------------------                    
Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation,
in lieu of this Warrant.

     8.   Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for
          ---------------------------------                                   
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall be a Saturday or a Sunday or shall be a legal holiday, then such
action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day
not a legal holiday.

     9.   Adjustment.
          ---------- 

          (a)   Shares. The number of shares and the type of stock for which
                ------  
     this is exercisable is subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

               (i)  In the event of any subdivision or change of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding
     into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall
     thereafter deliver at the time of acquisition of shares of Common Stock
     under this Warrant, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock in
     respect of which the right of acquisition hereunder is then being
     exercised, such greater number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as
     would result from said subdivision or change had the right of acquisition
     hereunder been exercised before such subdivision or change without the
     holder giving any other consideration therefor.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
               (ii)  In the event of any consolidation of the shares of Common
     Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a
     lesser number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter
     deliver, and the holder of this Warrant shall accept, at the time of
     acquisition of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, in lieu of the
     number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the right of
     acquisition hereunder is then being exercised, such lesser number of shares
     of Common Stock of the Company as would result from such consolidation had
     the right of acquisition hereunder been exercised before such
     consolidation.

               (iii)  In the event of any reclassification of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding,
     the Company shall thereafter deliver at the time of acquisition of shares
     of Common Stock under this Warrant the number of shares of the Company of
     the appropriate class or classes resulting from said reclassification as
     the holder would have been entitled to receive in respect of shares of
     Common Stock in respect of which the right of acquisition hereunder is then
     being exercised had the right of acquisition hereunder been exercised
     before such reclassification.

               (iv)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall distribute any class of shares or rights, options or
     warrants (other than those referred to above) or evidence of indebtedness
     or property (excluding cash dividends paid in the ordinary course) to
     holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company, the number of shares to
     be issued by the Company under this Warrant shall, at the time of
     acquisition of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, be appropriately
     adjusted and the holder shall receive, in lieu of the number of shares in
     respect of which the right of acquisition hereunder is then being
     exercised, the aggregate number of shares or other securities or property
     that the holder would have been entitled to receive as a result of such
     event if, on the record date thereof, the holder had been the registered
     holder of the number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder was
     theretofore entitled upon exercise of the rights of the holder hereunder.

               (v)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall pay any stock dividend upon shares of stock of the
     Company of the class or classes in respect of which the right of
     acquisition hereunder is then given under this Warrant, then the Company
     shall thereafter deliver at the time of acquisition of shares under this
     Warrant, in addition to the number of shares of stock of the Company in
     respect of which the right of acquisition is then being exercised, the
     additional number of shares of the appropriate class or classes as would
     have been payable on the shares of stock of the Company so acquired if the
     shares so acquired had been outstanding on the record date for the payment
     of the said stock dividend or stock dividends.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
               (vi)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall be a party to any transaction (including, without
     limitation, a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of
     the Company's assets or outstanding stock or a recapitalization of the
     Common Stock) in which the previously outstanding Common Stock shall be
     changed into or exchanged for different securities of the Company or common
     stock or other securities of another corporation or interests in a
     noncorporate entity or other property (including cash) or any combination
     of any of the foregoing (each such transaction being herein called the
     "Transaction" and the date of consummation of the Transaction being herein
     called the "Consummation Date"), then, as a condition of the consummation
     of the Transaction, lawful and adequate provisions shall be made so that
     the holder hereof, upon the exercise hereof at any time on or after the
     Consummation Date, shall be entitled to receive, and this Warrant shall
     thereafter represent the right to receive, in lieu of the Common Stock
     issuable upon such exercise prior to the Consummation Date, the amount of
     securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been
     entitled as a shareholder upon the consummation of the Transaction if the
     holder had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto.

          (b)  Automatic Amendment.  On the happening of each and every event
               -------------------
set forth in this (S)9, the applicable provisions of this Warrant shall, ipso
                                                                         ----
facto, be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Company shall take all
- -----
necessary action so as to comply with such provisions as so amended.

     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Issue Date.  The provisions of this Warrant shall be construed
               ----------
and shall be given effect in all respects as if it had been issued and delivered
by the Company on the date hereof. This Warrant shall be binding upon any
successors or assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract
under the laws of the State of California and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said state.

          (b)  Restrictions.  The holder hereof acknowledges that the Common
               ------------                                                 
Stock acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant shall have restrictions upon
its resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

          (c)  Authorized Shares.  The Company covenants that during the period
               -----------------                                               
the Warrant is exercisable, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued
Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Common
Stock upon the exercise of any acquisition rights under this Warrant.  The
Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute
full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of the
Company's Common Stock upon the exercise of the acquisition rights under this
Warrant.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its
               -------------
Articles of Incorporation or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid
the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the
taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect
the rights of the holder hereof against impairment.

          (e)  Notices of Record Date.  In case
               ----------------------          

               (i)   the Company shall take a record of the holders of its
 Common Stock for the purposes of entitling them to receive any dividend (other
than a cash dividend in the ordinary course) or other distribution, or any right
to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares or stock of any class
or any other securities or property, or to receive any other right; or

               (ii)  of any capital reorganization of the Company, any
reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation; or

               (iii) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up of the Company;

then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or
right, or (ii) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to
take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of
record of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date therein specified.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has caused this Warrant to
be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  ______________, _______.



                                        NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                        By:_____________________________________

                                        Title:__________________________________

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
                                ---------------

              (To assign the foregoing warrant, execute this form
                 and supply required information.  Do not use
                         this form to acquire shares.)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby
are hereby assigned to



________________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

whose address is _______________________________________________________________

                                   (Please Print)


                                   Dated:_______________________, _______.


                                   Holder's Signature:__________________________

                                   Holder's Address:____________________________


     Note:  The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name
as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company.
Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                              ------------------


TO:  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     (1)  The undersigned hereby elects to acquire ___________________ shares of
Common Stock of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     (2)  Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:


                        ______________________________
                                    (Name)



                        ______________________________
                                   (Address)

     (3)  The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock
are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and
that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such
shares.



_______________________________                 _______________________________ 
          (Date)                                           (Signature) 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT D
                                      TO
                              EXCHANGE AGREEMENT


     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.


                               SERIES D WARRANT

                     To Acquire Shares of Common Stock of

                         NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received, ______________________________ is
entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, at
any time between the date of issuance hereof and the tenth anniversary of the
date of issuance hereof (the "Exercise Period") to that number of shares of
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company") which is
equal to the Amount Invested divided by a price per share of Common Stock
determined as follows:  (A) US $7.45 or, in the event there has been an IPO by
the date of the Put Notice and such date is prior to January 1, 1999, the lesser
of US $7.45 and the IPO Price; or (B) if there has been neither an IPO nor a Put
Notice prior to January 1, 1999, the lesser of US $5.75 and the Fair Market
Value, subject to adjustment as set forth below.  For the purposes hereof:

"Amount Invested" means the amount of funds invested in Neuroscience Pharma
(NPI) Inc. by the first Investor to hold this Warrant pursuant to and as
reflected in Exhibit C to the Unit Purchase Agreement entered into on March 29,
1996 among the Company, Neuroscience Pharma (NPI) Inc. and the Investors;

"Fair Market Value" means the value per share of the Company's Common Stock
determined as of the date on which this Warrant shall have been issued, by an
investment banker, agreed upon in accordance with the Exchange Agreement entered
into on March 29, 1996 among the Company, Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc.
and the Investors, in comparison with other scientific research and development
companies at a similar stage of maturity;

"Investors" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchange Agreement;
<PAGE>
 
"IPO" means the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock;

"IPO Price" means the offering price per share for shares of the Company's
Common Stock referred to in the registration statement filed by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (prior to deduction of underwriters'
discounts and other offering expenses);

"Put Notice" means the notice given by the registered holder hereof which gave
rise to the issuance of this Warrant, as defined in the Exchange Agreement;

and the Amount Invested shall be converted from C$ to US$, for the purpose of
determining the number of shares of entitlement to the Company's Common Stock,
by using the rate of exchange published in the Wall Street Journal on the last
day the newspaper is published preceding the Closing Date (as defined in the
Unit Purchase Agreement).

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have, at any time during
the Exercise Period, upon the exercise by the holder hereof, the right to "cash
out" this Warrant by paying to the holder hereof the net cash value of the
Warrant (being, if and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, the
average closing price for the five trading days which precede by two trading
days the date of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto minus the Exercise
Price, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock then represented by
this Warrant), provided such cash value is less than US $100,000.

     1.   Title of Warrant.  Prior to the expiration hereof and subject to
          ----------------                                                
compliance with applicable laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are
transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the Company,
referred to in Section 2 hereof, by the holder hereof in person or by duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment
Form annexed hereto properly endorsed.

     2.   Exercise of Warrant.  The rights to acquire shares of Common Stock
          -------------------                                               
represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the registered holder hereof, in
whole or in part, at any time during the Exercise Period, subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided, by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of
Exercise Form annexed hereto duly executed at the office of the Company, in San
Diego, California (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may
designate by notice in writing to the registered holder hereof at the address of
such holder appearing on the books of the Company), and upon payment of the
Exercise Price for the shares thereby purchased (a) by cash or check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company, (b) by cancellation of indebtedness
of the Company payable to the holder hereof at the time of the exercise, or (c)
if and only if the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an election
in writing to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant (or the portion thereof
being issued upon such exercise) less that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value as of such date equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of
the Warrant (or such portion thereof which is being exercised), whereupon the
holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number
of shares so purchased.  The Company agrees that, if at the time of

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
the surrender of this Warrant and purchase the holder hereof shall be entitled
to exercise this Warrant, the shares so purchased shall be and be deemed to be
issued to such holder as the record owner of such shares as of the close of
business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as
aforesaid.

     Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be delivered to the
holder hereof within a reasonable time, but not later than ten (10) days, after
the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.

     If this Warrant is exercised with respect to less than all of the shares
covered hereby, the holder hereof shall be entitled to receive a new Warrant, in
this form, covering the number of shares with respect to which this Warrant
shall not have been exercised less that number of shares (if any) cancelled in
payment of the Exercise Price of the Warrant as set forth in clause 2.(c)
hereof.

     The Company covenants that all shares of stock which may be issued upon the
exercise of rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights
represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue
thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously
with such issue).

     3.   No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip
          -----------------------------                                
representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

     4.   Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of certificates for shares of
          ---------------------------                                         
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name
of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may be directed by the
holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event certificates for
                        --------  -------                                    
shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than the name of the
holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be
accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the holder
hereof; and provided further, that upon any transfer involved in the issuance or
            ----------------                                                    
delivery of any certificates for shares of Common Stock, the Company may
require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it
for any transfer tax incidental thereto.

     5.   No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant does not entitle the holder
          -------------------------                                           
hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the exercise hereof.

     6.   Exchange and Registry of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon
          --------------------------------                                     
the surrender hereof by the registered holder at the above-mentioned office or
agency of the Company, for a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such
exchange.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     7.   Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant.  Upon receipt by
          -------------------------------------------------
the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation,
in lieu of this Warrant.

     8.   Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for
          ---------------------------------                                   
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall be a Saturday or a Sunday or shall be a legal holiday, then such
action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day
not a legal holiday.

     9.   Adjustment.
          ----------   

          (a)  Shares.  The number of shares and the type of stock for which
               ------
this Warrant is exercisable is subject to adjustment from time to time as
follows:

                 (i)  In the event of any subdivision or change of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding
     into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall
     thereafter deliver at the time of acquisition of shares of Common Stock
     under this Warrant, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock in
     respect of which the right of acquisition hereunder is then being
     exercised, such greater number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as
     would result from said subdivision or change had the right of acquisition
     hereunder been exercised before such subdivision or change without the
     holder giving any other consideration therefor.

                (ii)  In the event of any consolidation of the shares of Common
     Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding into a
     lesser number of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall thereafter
     deliver, and the holder of this Warrant shall accept, at the time of
     acquisition of shares of Common Stock under of this Warrant, in lieu of the
     number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the right of
     acquisition hereunder is then being exercised, such lesser number of shares
     of Common Stock of the Company as would result from such consolidation had
     the right of acquisition hereunder been exercised before such
     consolidation.

               (iii)  In the event of any reclassification of the shares of
     Common Stock of the Company at any time while this Warrant is outstanding,
     the Company shall thereafter deliver at the time of acquisition of shares
     of Common Stock under this Warrant the number of shares of the Company of
     the appropriate class or classes resulting from said reclassification as
     the holder would have been entitled to receive in respect of shares of
     Common Stock in respect of which the right of acquisition hereunder

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     is then being exercised had the right of acquisition hereunder been
     exercised before such reclassification.

                (iv)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall distribute any class of shares or rights, options or
     warrants (other than those referred to above) or evidence of indebtedness
     or property (excluding cash dividends paid in the ordinary course) to
     holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company, the number of shares to
     be issued by the Company under this Warrant shall, at the time of
     acquisition of shares of Common Stock under this Warrant, be appropriately
     adjusted and the holder shall receive, in lieu of the number of shares in
     respect of which the right of acquisition hereunder is then being
     exercised, the aggregate number of shares or other securities or property
     that the holder would have been entitled to receive as a result of such
     event if, on the record date thereof, the holder had been the registered
     holder of the number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder was
     theretofore entitled upon exercise of the rights of the holder hereunder.

                 (v)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall pay any stock dividend upon shares of stock of the
     Company of the class or classes in respect of which the right of
     acquisition hereunder is then given under this Warrant, then the Company
     shall thereafter deliver at the time of acquisition of shares under this
     Warrant, in addition to the number of shares of stock of the Company in
     respect of which the right of acquisition is then being exercised, the
     additional number of shares of the appropriate class or classes as would
     have been payable on the shares of stock of the Company so acquired if the
     shares so acquired had been outstanding on the record date for the payment
     of the said stock dividend or stock dividends.

                (vi)  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
     outstanding, shall be a party to any transaction (including, without
     limitation, a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of
     the Company's assets or outstanding stock or a recapitalization of the
     Common Stock) in which the previously outstanding Common Stock shall be
     changed into or exchanged for different securities of the Company or common
     stock or other securities of another corporation or interests in a
     noncorporate entity or other property (including cash) or any combination
     of any of the foregoing (each such transaction being herein called the
     "Transaction" and the date of consummation of the Transaction being herein
     called the "Consummation Date"), then, as a condition of the consummation
     of the Transaction, lawful and adequate provisions shall be made so that
     the holder hereof, upon the exercise hereof at any time on or after the
     Consummation Date, shall be entitled to receive, and this Warrant shall
     thereafter represent the right to receive, in lieu of the Common Stock
     issuable upon such exercise prior to the Consummation Date, the amount of
     securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been
     entitled as a shareholder upon the consummation of the Transaction if the
     holder had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Automatic Amendment.  On the happening of each and every event
               -------------------
set forth in this (S)9, the applicable provisions of this Warrant shall, ipso
                                                                         ----
facto, be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Company shall take all
- ----- 
necessary action so as to comply with such provisions as so amended.

     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Issue Date.  The provisions of this Warrant shall be construed
               ----------
and shall be given effect in all respects as if it had been issued and delivered
by the Company on the date hereof. This Warrant shall be binding upon any
successors or assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract
under the laws of the State of California and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said state.

          (b)  Restrictions.  The holder hereof acknowledges that the Common
               ------------                                                 
Stock acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant shall have restrictions upon
its resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

          (c)  Authorized Shares.  The Company covenants that during the period
               -----------------                                               
the Warrant is exercisable, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued
Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Common
Stock upon the exercise of any acquisition rights under this Warrant.  The
Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute
full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of the
Company's Common Stock upon the exercise of the acquisition rights under this
Warrant.

          (d)  No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its
               -------------
Articles of Incorporation or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid
the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the
taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect
the rights of the holder hereof against impairment.

          (e)  Notices of Record Date.  In case
               ----------------------          

               (i)  the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common
Stock for the purposes of entitling them to receive any dividend (other than a
cash dividend in the ordinary course) or other distribution, or any right to
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares or stock of any class or
any other securities or property, or to receive any other right; or

              (ii)  of any capital reorganization of the Company, any
reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation; or

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
             (iii)  of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up of the Company;

then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or
right, or (ii) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to
take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of
record of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the
date therein specified.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has caused this Warrant to
be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  ______________, ______.



                                             NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.


                                             By:________________________________

                                             Title:_____________________________

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
                                ---------------

              (To assign the foregoing warrant, execute this form
                 and supply required information.  Do not use
                         this form to acquire shares.)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby
are hereby assigned to



________________________________________________________________________________
                                (Please Print)

whose address is _______________________________________________________________
                                (Please Print)


                                Dated:_______________________, _______.


                                Holder's Signature:_____________________________

                                Holder's Address:_______________________________


     Note:  The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name
as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company.
Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                              ------------------


TO:  NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

     (1)  The undersigned hereby elects to acquire ___________________ shares of
Common Stock of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     (2)  Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:


                    _______________________________________
                                    (Name)



                    _______________________________________
                                   (Address)

     (3)  The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock
are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and
that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such
shares.


_____________________________________      _____________________________________
               (Date)                                   (Signature)


                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT E
                                       TO
                               EXCHANGE AGREEMENT


     THIS INSTRUMENT forms part of the Exchange Agreement (the "Agreement")
entered into on the 29th day of March, 1996, by and among Neurocrine
Biosciences, Inc., Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc., Societe Financiere
d'Innovation Inc., Neuroscience Partners Limited Partnership, The Health Care
and Biotechnology Venture Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada and Canadian
Medical Discoveries Fund, Inc., which Agreement permits execution by
counterpart.  The undersigned hereby acknowledges having received a copy of the
said Agreement (which is annexed hereto as Schedule "1") and, having read the
said Agreement in its entirety, hereby agrees that all of the provisions of the
said Agreement shall be binding upon the undersigned as if the undersigned had
been an original party to the Agreement as an Investor (as such term is defined
in the Agreement) and such provisions shall enure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the undersigned, its successors and assigns.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has executed this instrument on this __
day of __.


                                    [Investor]


                                    Per: ______________________________________

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23

                   INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LICENSE GRANTS


     THIS AGREEMENT is made effective as of March 29, 1996 between NEUROCRINE
BIOSCIENCES, INC., a California corporation ("NBI"), and (NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES
(CANADA) INC. ("NBCI"), a Canadian corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
NBI.  NBI and NBCI are each referred to herein by name or as "Party" or,
together, as "Parties."


                                   RECITALS

     1.   NBI has on-going research programs is various fields, including
neurosteroid and neurocytokyne programs, and has developed certain technology in
such fields, certain rights in respect of which have been transferred , assigned
or licensed to NBCI, its wholly-owned subsidiary..

     2.   NBI desires to grant NBCI certain license rights to utilize such
technology in Canada for purposes of commercial exploitation in Canada as set
forth herein.


                             ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITION

     1.1  "AFFILIATE" means an individual, trust, business trust , joint
venture, partnership, corporation, association or any other entity which
(directly or indirectly) is controlled by, controls or is under common control
with a Party.  For the purpose of this definition, the term "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the term "controlled by" and "under
common control with") as used with respect to any Party, shall mean ownership of
more than 50% of the voting interest.

     1.2  "COMPOUND" means, except as provided below, any composition of matter
that (or, in the case of prodrugs, an active metabolite of which):

          (A) demonstrates suitable levels of activity in vitro within the Field
to warrant further Research or Development as determined by NBI, in consultation
with NBCI;

          (B) is discovered, identified, synthesized or acquired by or on behalf
of NBI, and is recognized by NBI, in consultation with NBCI, to meet the
conditions of paragraph 1.2(a) hereof, prior to or during the term of this
Agreement; and

          (C) is designated by NBI, in consultation with NBCI, as a "Compound"
hereunder by giving written notice thereof to NBCI.

     1.3  "CONTROL" means possession of the ability to grant a license of
sublicense as provided herein without violating the terms of any agreement or
other arrangements with any third party.
<PAGE>
 
     1.4  "DEVELOPMENT" means all work performed by or on behalf of NBCI or NBI,
or an Affiliate thereof, involving pre-Phase I,  Phase II or Phase III clinical
trials of Compounds, in relation to a Field.

     1.5  "FDA" means the United States Food and Drug Administration.

     1.6 "FIELD" means [*] and (C) such other fields as may be mutually agreed
to by the Parties

     1.7  "HPB" means the Canadian Health Protection Bureau.

     1.8  "IND" means an investigational new drug application filed with the FDA
as more fully defined in 21 C.F.R. (S) 312.3 or with the HPB or its equivalent
in any country.

     1.9  "NBI PATENT" means the rights granted by any governmental authority
under a Patent with covers a method, apparatus, material or manufacture in the
Field, which Patent is owned or Controlled by NBI during the term of this
Agreement.

     1.10 "PATENT" means (A) valid and enforceable Letters Patent, including any
extension, registration, confirmation, reissue, continuation, divisional,
continuation in part, re-examination or renewal thereof and (B) pending
applications for Letters Patents

     1.11 "PRODUCT" means any form or dosage of a composition of matter
comprised of a Compound for pharmaceutical use in humans in the Field.

     1.12 "PHASE I" shall mean that portion of the FDA or HPB submission and
approval process which provides for the first introduction into humans of a
Product with the purchase of determining human toxicity, metabolism, absorption,
elimination and other pharmacological action as more fully defined in respect of
the FDA in 21 C.F.R. (S) 213.2(a).

     1.13 "PHASE II" means that portion of the FDA or HPB submission and
approval process which provides for the initial trials of Product on a limited
number of patients for the purposes of determining dose and evaluating safety
and efficacy in the proposed therapeutic indication as more fully defined in
respect of the FDA in 21 C.F.R. (S) 213.21(b).

     1.14 "PHASE III" means that portion of the FDA or HPB submission and
approval process which provides for continued trials of a Product on sufficient
numbers of patients to establish the safety and efficacy of a Product and
generate pharmacoeconomics data to support regulatory approval in the proposed
therapeutic indication as more fully defined in respect of the FDA in 21 C.F.R.
(S) 213.21(c).

                     [* CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     1.15 "PRE-PHASE I" means that portion of the development program which
starts with the selection of a compound for development by NBCI into a Product
or the beginning of toxicological studies relating to such compound.  Pre-Phase
I includes, but is not limited to, toxicological, pharmacological and any other
studies, the results of which are required for filing with an IND, as well as
Product formulation and manufacturing development necessary to obtain the
permission of regulatory authorities to begin and continue subsequent human
clinical testing.

     1.16 "RESEARCH" means all work performed by or on behalf or NBCI or NBI, or
an Affiliate thereof, directed towards or in connection with the discovery,
identification and synthesis of Compounds.


             ARTICLE 2 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LICENSE GRANTS

     2.1  OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  As with respect to NBCI, NBI
shall be the sole and exclusive owner, or exclusive licensee, as the case may
be, of all rights to NBI Patents, NBI Know-How, and Compounds.  NBCI shall have
no rights to NBI Patents, NBI Know-How, Compounds or any other technology or
intellectual property of NBI except as set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 below.

     2.2  PATENT LICENSES.  NBI grants to NBCI an exclusive paid-up license
including the right to grant sublicenses, under NBI Patents and NBI Know-How, to
carry out Research and Development in Canada only in the Field.

     2.3  PATENT LICENSES TO NBCI FOR PRODUCTS.  NBI grants to NBCI an exclusive
license under NBI Patents and NBI Know-How, with a right to grant sublicenses,
to market, sell and have sold in Canada Products which are developed during the
term of this Agreement by NBI or an Affiliate thereof or by a third party under
contract with NBI or an Affiliate thereof and which are under the Control of
NBI.  The foregoing license shall extend only to marketing rights to such
Products in Canada.  No right or license is granted to NBCI to make or have made
the Products in Canada or elsewhere.


                   ARTICLE 3 - COMMERCIALIZATION OBLIGATION

     In exchange for the license rights granted herein, NBCI agrees to use all
reasonable commercial diligence to develop and commercialize or cause to be
developed and comercialized, the Products for sale in Canada.


                                ARTICLE 4 -TERM

     This Agreement shall continue until terminated by mutual agreement of the
parties.


                            ARTICLE 5 -MISCELLANEOUS

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  Either Party may assign this Agreement or its rights
hereunder to a party that succeeds to substantially all of the business or
assets of such Party by reason of a merger or similar reorganization or the sale
of substantially all of its business or assets.  This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the
Parties.  Any assignment not in accordance with this Agreement shall be void.

     5.2  CONSENTS NOT UNREASONABLY WITHHOLD.  Whenever provision is made in
this Agreement for either Party to secure the consent or approval of the other,
that consent or approval shall not unreasonably be withheld, and whenever in
this Agreement provision is made for one Party to object to or disapprove a
matter, such objection or disapproval shall not unreasonably be exercised.

     5.3  FORCE MAJEURE.  Neither Party shall lose any rights hereunder or be
liable to the other Party for damages or losses on account of failure of
performance by the defaulting Party if the failure is occasioned by government
action, war, fire, explosion, flood, strike, lockout, embargo, act of God, or
any other similar cause beyond the control of the defaulting Party, provided
that the Party claiming force majeure has exerted all reasonable efforts to
avoid or remedy such force majeure; provided, however, that in no event shall a
Party be required to settle any labor dispute or disturbance.

     5.4  FURTHER ACTIONS.  Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge and
deliver such further instruments, and to do all such other acts, as may be
necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this
Agreement.

     5.5  NO TRADEMARK RIGHTS.  Except as otherwise provided herein, no right,
express or implied, is granted under this Agreement to use in any manner the
name "Neurocrine" or "NBI", or any other trade name or trademark of the other
Party or its Affiliates in connection with the performance of the Agreement.

     5.6  NOTICES.  All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission (receipt
verified), mailed by registered or certified mail (Return receipt requested),
postage prepaid, or sent by express courier service, to the Parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified
by like notice; provided, that notices of a change of address shall be effective
only upon receipt thereof.

          If to NBCI,

          Addressed to:           Neurocrine Biosciences (Canada) Inc.
                                  Byers Casgrain
                                  1 Place Ville Marie
                                  Suite 3900
                                  Montreal, Quebec
                                  H3B 4M7
                                  Attention:  Paul F. Dingle
                                  Telephone:  514-878-8800
                                  Telecopy:   514-866-2241

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          With copy to:           Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                                  Professional Corporation
                                  650 Page Mill Road
                                  Palo Alto, California  94304-1050
                                  Attention:  Michael O'Donnell, Esq.
                                  Telephone:  415-493-9300
                                  Telecopy:   415-493-6811
 
          If to NBI:              Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
                                  3050 Science Park Road
                                  San Diego, California 92121-1102
                                  Attention:  President & CEO
                                  Telephone:  619-658-7600
                                  Telecopy:   619-658-7602
 

Each of the Parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal
Courts and agree to accept any legal process served upon such Party at the
addresses specified above for such Party.

     5.7   WAIVER.  Except as specifically provided for herein, the waiver from
time to time by either of the Parties of any of their rights or their failure to
exercise any remedy shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver of
same or of any other of such Party's rights or remedies provided in this
Agreement.

     5.8   SEVERABILITY.  If any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement
or the application thereof to any Party or circumstance shall, to any extent, be
held to be invalid or unenforceable, then (a) the remainder of this Agreement,
or the application of such term, covenant or condition to Parties or
circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this
Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law;
and (b) the Parties covenant and agree to renegotiate any such term, covenant or
application thereof in good faith in order to provide a reasonably acceptable
alternative to the term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or the
application thereof that is invalid or unenforceable, it being the intent of the
Parties that the basic purposes of this Agreement are to be effectuated.

     5.9   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

     5.10  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, sets forth all the covenants,
promises, agreements, warranties, representations, conditions and understandings
between the Parties and supersede and terminate all prior agreements and
understandings between the Parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and
thereof.  There are no covenants, promises, agreements, warranties,
representations,

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
conditions or understandings, either oral or written, between the Parties other
than as set forth herein and therein.  No subsequent alteration, amendment,
change of addition to this Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties unless
reduced to writing and signed by the respective authorized officers of the
Parties.

     5.11 RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES.  Nothing herein shall be construed to create
any relationship of employer and employee, agent and principal, partnership or
joint venture between the Parties.  Each Party is an independent contractor.
Neither party shall assume, either directly or indirectly, any liability of or
for the other Party.  Neither Party shall have the authority to bind or obligate
the other Party and neither Party shall represent that it has such authority.

     5.12 LIMITED LIABILITY.  Neither Party shall be liable to the other Party
under any contract, negligence, strict liability or other legal or equitable
theory for any incidental or consequential damages for failure to perform
hereunder.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement by their
proper officers as of the date and year first above written



                              NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES INC.



                              By:             /s/ Paul W. Hawran
                                   -----------------------------------------


                              Title          Senior V.P. & C.F.O.
                                     ---------------------------------------



                              NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES (CANADA) INC.



                              By:             /s/ Paul W. Hawran
                                   -----------------------------------------


                              Title              V.P. & C.F.O.
                                     ---------------------------------------

                                      -7-


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