BB BIOTECH AG
SC 13D, 1998-02-10
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<PAGE>   1
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                              SYNSORB BIOTECH INC.
                              --------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                      COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE PER SHARE
                      ------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                  87160V-10-4
                                  -----------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                DR. ANDERS HOVE
                     GRAFENAUWEG 4, 6301 ZUG CH/SWITZERLAND
                               011-41-41-724-5959
                               ------------------

                 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
               Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                    Copy to:

                            Daniel L. Goelzer, Esq.
                                Baker & McKenzie
                          815 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
                             Washington, D.C. 20006

                                January 21, 1998
                         (Date of Event which Requires
                           Filing of this Statement)


         If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G
to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following
box [ ].

         Note:  Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be
filed with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies
are to be sent.





                              (Page 1 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   2


CUSIP No. 87160V-10-4                     
- --------- -----------                     

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Name of Reporting Person

     BB Biotech AG

     S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person

     Not applicable: Foreign Corporation
                                                                  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member                  (a) [ ]
     of a Group*                                            (b) [x] 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)  SEC Use Only

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)  Source of Funds

     WC                                                       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)  Check Box is Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is required
Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)                                  [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6)  Citizenship or Place of Organization

     Switzerland                                              

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares                  (7)  Sole Voting Power
Beneficially Owned                     0 by BB Biotech AG
by Each Reporting                                                     
Person With                       --------------------------------------------
                                  (8)  Shared Voting Power
                                       1,979,510 by BB Biotech AG
                                       (See Item 5)
                                                                      
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  (9)  Sole Dispositive Power
                                       0 by BB Biotech AG
                                                                      
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                       1,979,510 by BB Biotech AG
                                       (See Item 5)                
    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                              (Page 2 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   3


(11)  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

      1,979,510 shares of common stock, no par value per share (See
Item 5).                                                         

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12)  Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
      Excludes Certain Shares*                                           [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13)  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

      9.9%                                                     

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14)  Type of Reporting Person*

      HC, CO                                                   

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





                              (Page 3 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   4
CUSIP No. 87160V-10-4                     
- --------- -----------                     


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Name of Reporting Person

     Biotech Target S.A.

     S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person

     Not applicable: Foreign Corporation                      

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member                  (a) [ ]
     of a Group*                                            (b) [x]
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)  SEC Use Only

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)  Source of Funds*

      AF                                                      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)  Check box if disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required
Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)                                  [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6)  Citizenship or Place of Organization

     Panama                                                   

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares                  (7)  Sole Voting Power
Beneficially Owned                     0 by Biotech Target S.A.
by Each Reporting                                                 
Person With                       --------------------------------------------
                                  (8)  Shared Voting Power
                                       1,979,510 by Biotech Target
                                       S.A.(See Item 5)

                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  (9)  Sole Dispositive Power
                                       0 by Biotech Target S.A.
                                                                      
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                       1,979,510 by Biotech Target
                                       S.A.(See Item 5)

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





                              (Page 4 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   5


(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

     1,979,510 shares of common stock, no par value per share (See Item 5).

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
     Excludes Certain Shares*                           [ ]   

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

     9.9%                                                     

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person*

     CO





                              (Page 5 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   6
ITEM 1.  SECURITY AND ISSUER

         This statement relates to the Common Stock, no par value per share,
(the "Common Stock")  of Synsorb Biotech Inc.  ("Synsorb"). Synsorb's principal
executive offices are located at 201, 1204 Kensington Road N.W., Calgary,
Alberta, Canada T2N 3P5.

ITEM 2.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

         This statement is filed jointly by BB Biotech AG ("BB Biotech") and
Biotech Target S.A. ("Biotech Target").  Biotech Target is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of BB Biotech.

         BB Biotech is a holding company incorporated in Switzerland.  BB
Biotech's business address is Vordergasse 3, 8200 Schaffhausen, CH/Switzerland.
BB Biotech invests in companies involved in the development, production, and
distribution of pharmaceuticals and other products based on biotechnology.  BB
Biotech is publicly traded on the Zurich Stock Exchange.

         Biotech Target is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BB Biotech
incorporated in the Republic of Panama.  Biotech Target's business address is
Swiss Bank Tower, Panama 1, Republic of Panama.   The principal business of
Biotech Target is to invest in companies in the biotechnology sector.

         The name, business address, present principal occupation, and
citizenship of each executive officer and director of BB Biotech and Biotech
Target are set forth on Appendix A hereto, which is incorporated herein by
reference.

         During the last five (5) years, neither BB Biotech nor Biotech Target,
nor to the best of their knowledge, any of their executive officers or
directors, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
violations or similar misdemeanors) or has been a party to a civil proceeding
of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of
which he was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to,
federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such
laws.

ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

         Biotech Target purchased 1,000,000 shares of the Common Stock in a
privately negotiated transaction pursuant to that certain





                             (Page 6 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   7

Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 28, 1997 by and between Synsorb
and Biotech Target (the "Agreement") for an aggregate consideration of
CAD$8,600,000.  Biotech Target also purchased 979,510 shares of the Common Stock
in two open market transactions.  Biotech Target used capital to purchase the
shares of the Common Stock, which, in turn, was working capital supplied by BB
Biotech.  BB Biotech is publicly traded on the Swiss Stock Exchange, and its
shareholders are both private and institutional investors.

ITEM 4.  PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

         The shares of Common Stock held by Biotech Target are being held for
investment purposes only.  However, Biotech Target may, from time to time,
either increase or decrease its holdings of the Common Stock, subject to
applicable laws and limitations contained in the Agreement.  Any such decision
will depend, however, on numerous factors, including, without limitation, the
market price of shares of the Common Stock, the terms and conditions related to
their purchase and sale, the prospects and profitability of Synsorb, other
business and investment alternatives of Biotech Target and general economic and
market conditions.

         It is Biotech Target's general policy not to interfere with the
management of companies in which it holds portfolio investments.  Neither
Biotech Target nor BB Biotech have an intention to influence or direct
Synsorb's affairs, modify its corporate structure or interfere with the
business decisions of its management.  Except as set forth above, neither
Biotech Target nor BB Biotech, nor to the best knowledge of such persons, any
executive officer or director of either BB Biotech or Biotech Target, has any
plans or proposals which relate to or would result in:  (a) the acquisition by
any person of additional securities of Synsorb or the disposition of securities
of Synsorb; (b) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation, involving Synsorb; (c) a sale or transfer or a
material amount of assets of Synsorb; (d) any change in the present board of
directors or management of Synsorb, including any plans or proposals to change
the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the board;
(e) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of
Synsorb; (f) any other material change in Synsorb's business or corporate
structure; (g) changes in Synsorb's charter, bylaws or instruments
corresponding thereto or other actions which may impede the acquisition of
control of Synsorb by any person; (h) causing a class of securities of Synsorb
to be delisted from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized
to be quoted in an





                              (Page 7 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   8


interdealer quotation system of a registered national securities association;
(i) a class of equity securities of Synsorb to become eligible for termination
of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Exchange Act"); or (j) any action similar to any of those enumerated
above.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

         (a)     BB Biotech may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner
of the 1,979,510 shares of the Common Stock held directly by Biotech Target as
of Synsorb, which represents approximately 9.9% of the outstanding shares of
the Common Stock.  No shares of the Common Stock are held directly by BB
Biotech.  To the best knowledge of BB Biotech and Biotech Target, no director
or executive officer of BB Biotech or Biotech Target owns any shares of the
Common Stock.

         (b)  The number of shares of the Common Stock to which there is sole
power to vote or to direct the vote, shared power to vote or to direct the
vote, sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition, or shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition, is set forth in the cover pages hereof and
such information is incorporated herein by reference.  BB Biotech, through its
ownership of Biotech Target, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of
the Common Stock which are held directly by Biotech Target within the meaning
of Regulation 13D under the Exchange Act, and may be deemed to share with
Biotech Target the power to vote, or direct the vote of, and the power to
dispose of or direct the disposition of, the aggregate 1,979,510 shares of the
Common Stock held directly by Biotech Target.

         (c)     On February 5, 1998 Biotech Target purchased 1,000,000 shares
of the Common Stock in a privately negotiated transaction pursuant to the
Agreement for an aggregate consideration of CAD$8,600,000.  Biotech Target also
engaged in the following transactions with respect to the Common Stock. Each of
these additional transactions, as noted on the chart below,  was completed on
the open market.





                              (Page 8 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   9



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Date            Transaction        Amount            Price per 
                                                      Share
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>             <C>                <C>               <C>
 1/14/98         Bought             900,000           CAD$8.25
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 1/21/98         Bought             79,510            CAD$8.57
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

As of February 9, 1998, Biotech Target directly holds 9.9% of the outstanding
shares of the Common Stock.


         (d)  Not applicable.

         (e)  Not applicable.

ITEM 6.  CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS
         WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

         The response to this Item 6 is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the Agreement, the full text of which is filed as Exhibit 5 hereto and
incorporated herein by reference.

         Except for the Agreement, neither BB Biotech nor Biotech Target nor,
to the best of their knowledge, any of the executive officers or directors of
either BB Biotech or Biotech Target, is a party to any contract, arrangement,
understanding, or relationship (legal or otherwise) with any person with
respect to any securities of Synsorb (including the shares of Common Stock),
finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls,
guarantees of profits, divisions of profits or loss, or the giving or
withholding of proxies.

ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1:       Translation of minutes of the October 18, 1995, Board of
                 Directors Meeting of Biotech Target (evidencing a power of
                 attorney in favor of Dr. Andreas Bremer).*

Exhibit 2:       Translation of minutes of the January 3, 1997 Board of
                 Directors Meeting of Biotech Target (evidencing a power of
                 attorney in favor of Dr. Anders Hove).*





                              (Page 9 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   10

Exhibit 3:       Translation of evidence of a power of attorney in favor of
                 Victor Bischoff and Hans-Joerg Graf on behalf of BB Biotech.**

Exhibit 4:       Agreement by and between BB Biotech and Biotech Target with
                 respect to the filing of this disclosure statement.

Exhibit 5:       Share Purchase Agreement dated January 28, 1998.



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

*  See Powers of Attorney, attached as Exhibits 1 and 2 to the Schedule 13D
related to Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 18, 1997, which Exhibit is incorporated by reference
herein.

** See Power of Attorney, attached as an Exhibit 99.E to the Schedule 13D
relating to Biogen, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 2, 1994, which Exhibit is incorporated by reference herein.





                             (Page 10 of 13 Pages)
<PAGE>   11
                                  SIGNATURES

         After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.


                                       BB BIOTECH AG

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Hans-Joerg Graf     
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Hans-Joerg Graf       
                                       -----------------------

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Dr. Victor Bischoff 
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Dr. Victor Bischoff   
                                       -----------------------


                                       BIOTECH TARGET, S.A.

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Dr. Andreas Bremer  
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Dr. Andreas Bremer    
                                       -----------------------

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Dr. Anders Hove     
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Dr. Anders Hove       
                                       -----------------------





                             (Page 11 of Pages 13)
<PAGE>   12
                              APPENDIX A TO ITEM 2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PRESENT
NAME AND POSITION            RESIDENCE OR                    PRINCIPAL
WITH COMPANY                 BUSINESS ADDRESS                OCCUPATION
- ------------                 ----------------                ----------
<S>                          <C>                             <C> 
BB BIOTECH                                              
                                                        
Dr. Ernst Thomke             Vordergasse 3,                  Chairman
(Swiss citizen)              8200 Schaffhausen,              and Director
                             CH/Switzerland             
                                                        
Dr. Victor Bischoff          Vordergasse 3,                  Vice-
(Swiss citizen)              8200 Schaffhausen,              Chairman
                             CH/Switzerland                  and Director
                                                        
Dr. David Baltimore          Massachusetts Institute         Professor
(U.S. citizen)               of Technology                   and Director
                             Building 68, Room 380      
                             77 Massachusetts Avenue    
                             Cambridge, MA  02139       
                                                        
BIOTECH TARGET                                          
                                                        
Dr. Andreas Bremer           Grafenauweg 4,                  Signatory
(German citizen)             6301 Zug                        Authority
                             CH/Switzerland             
                                                        
Dr. Anders Hove              Grafenauweg 4,                  Signatory
(Danish citizen)             6301 Zug                        Authority
                             CH/Switzerland             
                                                        
Hans-Joerg Graf              Grafenauweg 4,                  Signatory
(Swiss citizen)              6301 Zug                        Authority
                             CH/Switzerland             
                                                        
Pablo Javier Espino          Swiss Bank Tower,               President
(Panamanian citizen)         Panama 1,                       and Director
                             Republic of Panama         
                                                        
Adelina M. de Estribi        Swiss Bank Tower,               Director
(Panamanian citizen)         Panama 1,                  
                             Republic of Panama         

</TABLE>





                             (Page 12 of Pages 13)

<PAGE>   1
                                   EXHIBIT 4

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT


         We, the undersigned, hereby express our agreement that the attached
Schedule 13D (including all amendments thereto) is filed on behalf of each of
the undersigned.



                                       BB BIOTECH AG

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Hans-Joerg Graf     
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Hans-Joerg Graf       
                                       -----------------------

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Dr. Victor Bischoff 
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Dr. Victor Bischoff   
                                       -----------------------


                                       BIOTECH TARGET, S.A.

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Dr. Andreas Bremer  
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Dr. Andreas Bremer    
                                       -----------------------

Date:  February 9, 1998           By: /s/ Dr. Anders Hove     
                                     -------------------------
                                  Name: Dr. Anders Hove       
                                       -----------------------





                             (Page 13 of Pages 13)

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 5

                              SYNSORB BIOTECH INC.

                            SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT


         THIS SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of January
28, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), by and between SYNSORB BIOTECH INC., an
Alberta  corporation (the "Company") and BIOTECH TARGET S.A., a Panama
corporation (the "Purchaser").

SECTION I  PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company
agrees to issue and sell to the Purchaser and the Purchaser agrees to purchase
from the Company one million (1,000,000) common shares (the "Shares"), for a
purchase price of EIGHT MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND ($8,600,000) DOLLARS.

SECTION II CLOSING DATE; DELIVERY


         2.1   CLOSING DATE.  The closing of the purchase and sale
of the Shares hereunder (the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of Baker &
McKenzie, 181 Bay Street, Suite 2100, Toronto, Ontario at 10:00 a.m., on
February 12, 1998 or at such other time and place upon which the Company and
Purchaser shall agree.  The date of the Closing is hereinafter referred to as
the "Closing Date".


         2.2   DELIVERY.  At the Closing, the Company will deliver
to Purchaser one certificate representing the Shares to be purchased by the
Purchaser, registered in the Purchaser's name.  Such delivery shall be made
against payment of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer to the
Company's bank account.


SECTION III    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser as of the Closing
Date as follows:

         3.1   ORGANIZATION AND STANDING.  The Company is a corporation duly 
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
province of Alberta and has full 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 qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction in which the ownership of its property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification.

<PAGE>   2
                                     - 2 -



         3.2   LISTING AND REPORTING ISSUER STATUS.  The common shares of the 
Company are listed and posted for trading on The Toronto Stock  Exchange (the
"TSE") and the Company is not in breach of any TSE requirements applicable to it
or necessary for it to remain so listed.  The Company is and has been a
reporting issuer or the equivalent in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta
and Ontario, and is not and has not been in default of any of the requirements
of the provincial securities laws, rules, regulations, policies, rulings or
orders applicable to it since January 28, 1997.


         3.3   CORPORATE POWER; AUTHORIZATION.  The Company has all
requisite corporate power to, and has taken all requisite corporate action to,
execute and deliver this Agreement, to sell and issue the Shares and to carry
out and perform all of its obligations under this Agreement, and this Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally; and (ii) as limited by
equitable principles generally.  Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the
Company will (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company; (ii) conflict with or violate any law,
rule, regulation, ordinance, order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree
applicable to the Company or its business, which violation would have a
material adverse effect on the Company; or (iii) conflict with or result in any
breach of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of
time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of
termination or cancellation of, or accelerate the performance required by or
maturity of, or result in the creation of any security interest, lien, charge
or encumbrance on any of the Company's assets pursuant to any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, permit,
license, franchise, lease, contract, or other instrument or obligation to which
the Company is a party, which breach, default, termination, cancellation,
acceleration, security interest, lien, charge or encumbrance would have a
material adverse effect on the Company.


         3.4   ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY OF SHARES.  The Shares, when
issued and paid for in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, will
be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  The issuance and delivery of
the Shares is not subject to preemptive, co-sale, right of first refusal or any
other similar rights of the shareholders of the Company or any liens or
encumbrances, provided however, that the Shares may be subject to restrictions
on transfer under provincial securities laws as set forth herein or as
otherwise required by such laws at the time a transfer is proposed.
<PAGE>   3
                                     - 3 -


         3.5   FULL DISCLOSURE.  The Company has furnished to the
Purchaser the following documents filed with or to be filed with the Ontario
Securities Commission (collectively, the "OSC Documents") and the Company
warrants that the information contained in such documents, as of their
respective dates, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, and
did not omit to state any material fact necessary to make any statement, in
light of the circumstances under which such statement was made, not misleading:


         (a)   The Information Circular for the Annual and Special
               Meeting of Shareholders held on May 15, 1997;


         (b)   The Company's Interim Reports for the quarters ended
               September 30, 1997, June 30, 1997 and March 31, 1997;
               and


         (c)   The Company's Annual Reports for the years ended
               December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995.


         3.6   LITIGATION.  Except as set forth in the OSC
Documents, there is no pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
action, suit or other proceeding before any court, governmental body or
authority, stock exchange, or arbitrator to which the Company is a party or to
which its property or assets are subject and to the Company's knowledge, no
basis exists for any (i) material legal proceeding by or against the Company or
(ii) governmental proceeding or investigation of the Company.


         3.7   GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  No consent, approval, order
or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration
or filing with, any federal, provincial or local governmental authority on the
part of the Company is required in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement except for (a) compliance with the
Securities Act (Ontario) R.S.O. 1990 c. S. 5 (the "Securities Act") and the
Securities Act (Alberta) R.S.A. 1981, c. S-6.1, as amended from time to time,
(the "Securities Act (Alberta)"); (b) compliance with the requirements of the
TSE; and (c) compliance with the requirements of the ABCA. Business
Corporations Act (Alberta) R.S.A. 1981 c. B-15, as amended from time to time,
(the "ABCA").


         3.8   NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  Since September 30, 1997
there have not been any changes in the assets, liabilities, financial condition
or operations of the Company from that reflected in the OSC Documents except
changes in the ordinary course of business which have not been, either
individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse.
<PAGE>   4
                                     - 4 -



         3.9   CAPITALIZATION.  As of January 26, 1998 the Company
had 18,978,020 common shares outstanding and 0 preferred shares outstanding.
As of January 26, 1998, there were 1,691,646 options to purchase 1,691,646
common shares and 0 warrants to purchase common shares outstanding.


         3.10  NO SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company does not have any
subsidiary bodies corporate (as such term is defined in subsection 2(4) of the
ABCA.


         3.11  NO VIOLATIONS.  The Company is not in violation of
its charter, bylaws or other organizational document, or of any law,
administrative regulation, ordinance, order, judgment or decree of any court or
governmental agency, arbitration panel or authority applicable to the Company,
except for violations which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company.  The Company is not in default in any
material respect in the performance of any obligation, agreement or condition
contained in any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of indebtedness in
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other agreement or instrument to
which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or by which the
properties of the Company are bound or affected, except for violations which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on
the Company, and there exists no condition which, with the passage of time or
otherwise, would constitute a material default under any such document or
instrument or result in the imposition of any material penalty or the
acceleration of any material indebtedness.


         3.12  GOVERNMENTAL PERMITS, ETC.  The Company has all
necessary franchises, licenses, permits, certificates and other authorizations
from any foreign, federal, provincial or local government or governmental
agency, department, or body that are currently necessary for the operation of
the business of the Company as currently conducted and as described in reports
required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the absence of
which would have a material adverse effect on the Company.


         3.13  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The financial statements of
the Company and the related notes contained in the OSC Documents present
fairly, subject to normal year end adjustments in the case of the quarterly
statements, the financial position of the Company as of the dates indicated,
and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods therein
specified and the assets and liabilities of the Company have not changed
materially since September 30, 1997 except for changes in the ordinary course
of business.  Such financial statements (including the related notes) have been
prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods therein specified.
<PAGE>   5
                                     - 5 -



         3.14  OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS.  The Company owns and
retains all such assets and contractual rights necessary for it to operate its
business as described in the OSC Documents, except where the failure to own or
retain such assets or contractual rights would not have a material adverse
effect upon the operations of the Company.


         3.15  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  The Company is in compliance
with all applicable local, provincial and federal safety and environmental laws
and regulations in all material respects.


         3.16  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  The Company owns or possesses
sufficient rights to use all material patents, patent rights, industrial
designs (design patents), trademarks, service marks, copyrights, licenses,
inventions, trade secrets, know-how ("Intellectual Property") described or
referred to in the OSC Documents, as owned or used by it or that are necessary
for the conduct of its business as now conducted or as described in the OSC
Documents.  Except as described in the OSC Documents, the Company has not
entered into or become party to any material development, license or other
agreement pursuant to which it has secured the right or obligation to use, or
granted others the right or obligation to use any Intellectual Property or any
other intellectual property right.  All technical information developed by or
belonging to the Company which has not been patented has been kept confidential
by the Company except for disclosure to third parties subject to
confidentiality restrictions.


         3.17  RELIANCE.  The Company acknowledges that the Purchaser has 
reviewed and relied upon the OSC Documents in making its decision to purchase 
the Shares.

SECTION IV       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

         The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company, effective
as of the Closing Date, as follows:


         4.1   AUTHORIZATION.  The Purchaser represents and warrants
to the Company that: (i) the Purchaser has all requisite legal and corporate or
other power and capacity and has taken all requisite corporate or other action
to execute and deliver this Agreement, to purchase the Shares and to carry out
and perform all of its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) this
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (a) as limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to
or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) as limited
by equitable principles generally.
<PAGE>   6
                                     - 6 -



         4.2   RESIDENCE.  The Purchaser is not a resident of Canada.


         4.3   INVESTMENT KNOWLEDGE.  The Purchaser has had access
to and has acquired information about the Company sufficient to answer the
Purchaser's question with respect of the business and affairs of the Company,
the Shares and the transactions contemplated hereby.


         4.4   INVESTMENT INTENT.  The Purchaser is purchasing the
Shares for its own account as principal, for investment purposes only, and not
with a view to, or for, resale or distribution to, or for the benefit of, any
other person.  Purchaser understands that the Shares are being issued to it in
reliance on exemptions from the prospectus requirements of the Securities Act
and the Securities Act (Alberta).  If required by applicable securities
legislation, policy or order or by any securities commission, stock exchange or
other regulatory authority, the Purchaser will, at the reasonable expense of
the Company, execute, deliver, file and otherwise assist the Company in filing
such reports, undertakings and other documents with respect to the issuance of
the Shares as may be required, and without restricting the foregoing, the
Purchaser will complete or cause to be completed the Undertaking to the TSE
attached hereto as Exhibit A for use in connection with fulfilment of the TSE
requirements for the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, and will
deliver such undertaking to the Company on or prior to the date of Closing.


         4.5   NO LEGAL, TAX OR INVESTMENT ADVICE.  The Purchaser
understands that nothing in this Agreement or any other materials presented in
connection with the purchase and sale of the Shares constitutes legal, tax or
investment advice and that independent legal counsel has reviewed these
documents and materials on the Purchaser's behalf.  The Purchaser has consulted
such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has
deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with its purchase of the Shares.


         4.6   EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS.  The Purchaser has been
independently advised as to the applicable hold period and restrictions with
respect to trading imposed in respect of the Shares by securities legislation
in the jurisdiction in which it resides.


         4.7   OFFERING MEMORANDUM.  The Purchaser has not received,
nor has it requested, any offering memorandum describing the business and
affairs of the Company which has been prepared for delivery to, and review by,
prospective purchasers in order to assist them in making an investment decision
in respect of the Shares, and it has not become aware of any advertisement in
printed media of general and regular paid circulation or on radio or television
with respect to the distribution of the Shares.
<PAGE>   7
                                     - 7 -


         4.8   INFORMATION RELIED UPON.  Except as otherwise provided herein, 
the Purchaser has relied upon certain publicly available information
relating to the Company and not upon any verbal or written representation as to
fact or otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company and agrees that the
Company and its representatives assume no responsibility or liability of any
nature whatsoever for the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of publicly
available information not prepared by the Company.


         4.9   PURPOSE OF INCORPORATION.  The Purchaser was not incorporated or
created solely to permit the purchase of the Shares without the need for the
filing of a prospectus, or if it is a corporation incorporated or created for
such purpose, each shareholder of Purchaser is an individual who has contributed
at least $150,000 to Purchaser for the purpose of investment by the Purchaser in
the Shares.

SECTION V      COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY


         5.1   If requested by the Purchaser in writing, the Company
shall forthwith after the date of Closing use its best efforts to create a
vacancy on the board of its directors and to cause a nominee of the Purchaser
to be appointed to the board of its directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of the shareholders of the Company.  If requested by the Purchaser in
writing prior to March 1, 1998, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause
a nominee of the Purchaser to be nominated as a director of the Company for
election at its next annual meeting of shareholders.  The Company will put
forth the said nominee of the Purchaser for election to its board of directors
as aforesaid and will use its best efforts to cause to be solicited proxies for
its annual meeting of shareholders in favour of the election of such
individual.  In both of the above cases, the suggested nominee of the Purchaser
must be acceptable to the Company, acting reasonably.  The obligations of the
Company pursuant to this paragraph 5.1 shall terminate and be of no further
force or effect after the first annual meeting of its shareholders following
the date of this Agreement.


         5.2   RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL


         (a)   The Company hereby grants to the Purchaser the right
               of first refusal to purchase the Purchaser's Pro Rata Share of
               New Securities which the Company may sell or issue between the
               Closing Date and one year after the Closing Date.  "New
               Securities" means any common shares of the Company, whether now
               authorized or not, and any rights, options or warrants to
               purchase any common shares of the Company which are sold or
               issued pursuant to a public offering or private placement other
               than those options issued to employees, directors and
               consultants.  "Pro Rata Share" is the ratio of the number of
               common shares owned by the Purchaser in relation to all of the

<PAGE>   8
                                     - 8 -


               issued and outstanding common shares, immediately prior to the
               issuance of New Securities, assuming full conversion of any
               convertible or exchangeable shares and the exercise of any right,
               option or warrant for common shares, other than those options
               issued to employees, directors or consultants.

         (b)   In the event that the Company proposes to issue or sell New 
               Securities, it shall give the Purchaser written notice
               of the proposal describing the proposed New Securities and the
               terms (including the range of proposed pricing) upon which the
               Company proposes to sell or issue the New Securities and the
               proposed buyers, if known (the "New Securities Notice").
               
               
         (c)   The Purchaser shall have twenty four (24) hours after the New 
               Securities Notice has been received to conditionally agree in
               writing to purchase such New Securities upon the terms specified
               in the New Securities Notice (the "Conditional Acceptance"). The
               Conditional Acceptance shall state the quantity of New Securities
               to be purchased, which in any event may not exceed the
               Purchaser's Pro Rata Share.
               
               
         (d)   Upon final agreement as to pricing of the New Securities, the 
               Company shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Purchaser in
               writing of same and of the deadline for notification of the
               private placement to applicable stock exchanges ("Final Price
               Notice").  The Purchaser shall have, upon receipt of the Final
               Price Notice, 18 hours to provide the Company with an
               unconditional acceptance of the offer to purchase the New
               Securities.

SECTION VI     CONDITIONS TO CLOSING OF PURCHASER

         Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Shares at the Closing is, at
the option of Purchaser, subject to the fulfilment or waiver as of the Closing
Date of the following conditions:


         6.1   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations
and warranties made by the Company in Section 3 hereof shall be true and
correct in all material respects when made, and 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 said date.
<PAGE>   9
                                     - 9 -



         6.2   LEGAL OPINION.  The Company shall have delivered a legal opinion
from Bennett Jones Verchere, counsel to the Company, in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit B with respect to the sale of the Shares by the
Company hereunder.


         6.3   OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.  The Company shall deliver to
Purchaser a certificate dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, stating that the representations and
warranties set forth in Section 3 are true as of, and all of the closing
conditions set forth in this Section 6 have been satisfied on the Closing Date.


         6.4   TSE APPROVAL.  The Company shall deliver at Closing
evidence of TSE approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The Company shall obtain all necessary approvals of the TSE for the listing on
the TSE of the Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement.


         6.5   COVENANTS.  All covenants, agreements and conditions
contained in this Agreement to be performed by the Company on or prior to the
Closing Date shall have been performed or complied with in all material
respects.


SECTION VII    CONDITIONS TO CLOSING OF COMPANY

         The Company's obligation to sell and issue the Shares is, at the
option of the Company, subject to the fulfilment or waiver of the following
conditions:


         7.1   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations
made by Purchaser in Section 4 hereof shall be true and correct in all material
respects when made, and 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 such date.


         7.2   COVENANTS.  All covenants, agreements and conditions
contained in this Agreement to be performed by Purchaser on or prior to the
Closing Date shall have been performed or complied with in all material
respects.


SECTION VIII   INDEMNIFICATION


         8.1   MUTUAL INDEMNIFICATIONS FOR BREACHES OF WARRANTY, ETC.


         (a)   The Company hereby covenants and agrees with the Purchaser, and 
               the Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees with the Company (the
               Party or Parties so covenanting and agreeing to indemnify another
               Party being hereinafter in this Section referred to
<PAGE>   10
                                     - 10 -


               as the "Indemnifying Party" and the Party so to be indemnified
               being hereinafter called the "Indemnified Party") to indemnify
               and save harmless the Indemnified Party, effective as and from
               the Closing Date from and against any claims, demands, actions,
               causes of action, damage, loss, (including from a reduction in
               the price of the Shares), costs, liability or expense
               (hereinafter in this Section 8 called "Claims") which may be made
               or brought against the Indemnified Party and/or which it may
               suffer or incur as a result of, in respect of, or arising out of
               any non-fulfilment of any covenant or agreement on the part of
               the indemnifying Party under this Agreement or any incorrectness
               in or breach of any representation or warranty of the
               Indemnifying Party contained herein or in any certificate or
               other document furnished by the Indemnifying Party pursuant
               hereto.  The foregoing obligation of indemnification in respect
               of such Claims shall be subject to the requirements that the
               Indemnifying Party shall, in respect of any Claims made by any
               third party, be afforded an opportunity at its sole expense to
               resist, defend and compromise the same, provided that the
               Indemnified Party shall provide the Indemnifying Party with
               notice of any claims, forthwith upon its receipt of same.

         (b)   Promptly after receipt by any indemnified person of a
               notice of a claim or the commencement of any action in respect
               of which indemnity is to be sought against an indemnifying person
               pursuant to this Section 8.1, such indemnified person shall
               notify the indemnifying person in writing of such claim or of the
               commencement of such action, and, subject to the provisions
               hereinafter stated, in case any such action shall be brought
               against an indemnified person and the indemnifying person shall
               have been notified thereof, the indemnifying person shall be
               entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it shall
               wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof, with counsel
               reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified person.  After notice
               from the indemnifying person to such indemnified person of the
               indemnifying person's election to assume and undertake the
               defense thereof, indemnifying person shall not be liable to such
               indemnified person for any legal expenses subsequently incurred
               by such indemnified person in connection with the defense
               thereof; provided, however, that if there exists or shall exist a
               conflict of interest that would make it inappropriate in the
               reasonable judgment of the indemnified person for the same
               counsel to represent both the indemnified person and such
               indemnifying person or any affiliate or associate thereof, the
               indemnified person shall be entitled to retain its own counsel at
               the expense of such indemnifying person.

<PAGE>   11
                                     - 11 -



         8.2   EXPIRY OF LIABILITY.  The representations, warranties, agreements
and covenants set forth herein and the obligations of the parties hereto shall
survive the date of the Agreement and the Closing and shall continue in full
force and effect until the fifth business day following the first anniversary of
the Closing Date except for:


         (a)   those relating to title to the Shares which shall survive 
               without limit;


         (b)   those relating to environmental matters referred to in Section 
               3.15 which shall survive without limit; and


         (c)   those relating to Claims, notice of which has been provided by 
               the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party prior to the 
               fifth business day following the first anniversary of the 
               Closing Date.

SECTION IX      RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY OF SHARES:
                COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES ACT


         9.1   RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY.  The Shares may not be 
transferred or sold other than either:


         (a)   unless the Shares have been held for at least one year from the 
               date of Closing and the Shares are listed and posted for 
               trading on the TSE; or
               
         (b)   with the approval of the TSE:


               (i)    pursuant to a prospectus qualified in the applicable 
                      Canadian jurisdictions; or


               (ii)   upon receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel 
                      reasonably acceptable to it stating that such sale or 
                      transfer is exempt from the registration and prospectus 
                      requirements of applicable provincial securities 
                      legislation.


         9.2   RESTRICTIVE LEGEND.  Each certificate representing Shares shall 
bear substantially the following legends:

         THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY WAY OF
         EXEMPTION FROM PROSPECTUS AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER
         APPLICABLE PROVINCIAL SECURITIES
<PAGE>   12
                                     - 12 -


         LEGISLATION.  THESE SHARES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
         ONLY, AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR
         DISTRIBUTION HEREOF.  THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED:

         (1)   UNLESS THE SHARES HAVE BEEN HELD FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR FROM
               [DATE] AND THE SHARES ARE LISTED AND POSTED ON THE TORONTO
               STOCK EXCHANGE; OR

         (2)   WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE:

               (i)      BY WAY OF PROSPECTUS QUALIFIED IN THE APPLICABLE
                        CANADIAN JURISDICTIONS; OR

               (ii)     THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
                        ACCEPTABLE TO IT STATING THAT SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER
                        IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS
                        REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICABLE PROVINCIAL SECURITIES
                        LEGISLATION

               Upon the request of Purchaser, the Company shall remove the
foregoing legend from the certificates evidencing the Shares and issue to
Purchaser new certificates free of any transfer legend if with such request,
and at the request of the Company, the Company shall have received an opinion
of counsel satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that the proposed
transfers by Purchaser of such Shares may be made in compliance with applicable
provincial securities law and TSE requirements.

SECTION X      MISCELLANEOUS


         10.1  WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS.  The terms of this Agreement
may be waived or amended with the written consent of the Company and Purchaser.


         10.2  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be construed and
enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties hereto shall be
governed by, the laws of the Province of Ontario, excluding any conflict of
laws, rule or principle which might refer such construction to the laws of
another jurisdiction.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably attorns to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.
<PAGE>   13
                                     - 13 -



         10.3  CURRENCY.  All statements of or reference to dollar
amounts in this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall mean
lawful money of Canada.


         10.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  The provisions hereof shall
inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs,
executors and administrators of the parties to this Agreement.  This Agreement
shall not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the
other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.


         10.5  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement constitutes the
full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to
the subjects thereof.


         10.6  NOTICES, ETC.  All notices and other communications
required or permitted under this Agreement shall be effective upon receipt and
shall be in writing and may be delivered in person, by telecopy, overnight
delivery service or registered or certified mail, addressed to the Company or
Purchaser, as the case may be, at their respective addresses set forth below:

If to the Company:

               SYNSORB Biotech Inc.
               201, 1204 Kensington Road N.W.
               Calgary, Alberta
               T2N 3P5
               Attn:        Douglas A. Ball
                            Vice President, Finance and
                            Chief Financial Officer
               Telephone:   (403) 270-1321
               Facsimile:   (403) 283-5907 (please telephone first)

with a copy to:

               Bennett Jones Verchere
               4500, 855 2nd Street S.W.
               Calgary, Alberta T2P 4K7
               Attn:      Neil Stevenson
               Telephone: (403) 298-3155
               Facsimile: (403) 265-7219
<PAGE>   14
                                     - 14 -



and:

               Bogle & Gates, PLLC
               Two Union Square
               601 Union Street
               Seattle, Washington
               98101-2346
               Attn:       Randall Jones
               Telephone:  (206) 621-1555
               Facsimile:  (206) 621-2660


If to Purchaser:

               Biotech Target S.A.
               Swiss Bank Tower
               Panama 1
               Republic of Panama

With copies to:

               Bellevue Asset Management AG
               Grafenauweg 4
               CH-5301 Zug
               SWITZERLAND
               Attn:       Dr. Anders Hove
               Telephone:  011-41-41-724-5959
               Facsimile:  011-41-41-724-5958

and:

               Baker & McKenzie
               BCE Place
               181 Bay Street, Suite 2100
               Toronto, Ontario
               M5J 2T3

               Attn:       Edward J. Kowal
               Telephone:  (416) 865-6913
               Facsimile:  (416) 863-6275


               All notices and other communications shall be effective upon
the earlier of actual receipt thereof by the person to whom notice is directed
or (i) in the case of notices and communications sent by personal delivery or
telecopy, one business day after such notice or communication arrives at the
applicable address or was successfully sent to the applicable telecopy
<PAGE>   15
                                     - 15 -


number, (ii) in the case of notices and communications sent by overnight
delivery service, at noon (local time) on the second business day following the
day such notice or communication was sent, and (iii) in the case of notices and
communications sent by registered mail, seven days after such notice or
communication shall have been deposited in the mail.  Any notice delivered to a
party hereunder shall be sent simultaneously, by the same means, to such
party's counsel as set forth above.

         10.7    SEVERABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT.  If any provision of
this Agreement shall be judicially determined to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.


         10.8    COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.


         10.9    FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Each party to this Agreement
shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts
and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements,
certificates, instruments and documents as the other party hereto may
reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                 The foregoing Agreement is hereby executed as of the date
first above written.

                                     BIOTECH TARGET S.A.
                                  
                                  
                                     Per:    /s/ DR. ANDERS HOVE             
                                             ----------------------------
                                             Dr. Anders Hove
                                             Authorized Signatory
                                  
                                     Per:    /s/ H.J. GRAF
                                             ----------------------------
                                             Authorized Signatory
                                             H.J. Graf

                                     SYNSORB BIOTECH INC.
                                  
                                  
                                     Per:    /s/ BRAD THOMPSON
                                             --------------------------
                                             Brad Thompson
                                             Chairman & CEO


                                     Per:    /s/ DOUG BELL
                                             --------------------------
                                             Doug Bell 
                                             Vice President Finance &
                                             Chief Financial Officer 
<PAGE>   16
                                   EXHIBIT A


                           THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE

                PRIVATE PLACEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE AND UNDERTAKING

TO BE COMPLETED BY EACH PROPOSED PRIVATE PLACEMENT PURCHASER OF LISTED
SECURITIES OR SECURITIES WHICH ARE CONVERTIBLE INTO LISTED SECURITIES

                                QUESTIONNAIRE

1.       DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION

         (a)     NAME OF ISSUER OF THE SECURITIES


                 Synsorb Biorech Inc.

         (b)     NUMBER AND CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE PURCHASED


                 Common Shares
                 1,000,000

         (c)     PURCHASE PRICE

                 CAD 8,60/Share

2.       DETAILS OF PURCHASER

         (a)     NAME OF PURCHASER


                 Biotech Target S.A.

         (b)     ADDRESS

                 Swiss Bank Tower
                 Panama 1
                 Republic of Panama


         (c)     NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PERSONS HAVING A GREATER THAN 10%
                 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE PURCHASER.

                 None
<PAGE>   17


3.       RELATIONSHIP TO ISSUER

         (a)     IS THE PURCHASER (OR ANY PERSON NAMED IN RESPONSE TO 2(c)
                 ABOVE) AN INSIDER OF THE ISSUER FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE
                 ONTARIO SECURITIES ACT (BEFORE GIVING EFFECT TO THIS PRIVATE
                 PLACEMENT)?  IF SO, STATE THE CAPACITY IN WHICH THE PURCHASER
                 (OR PERSON NAMED IN RESPONSE TO 2(c)) QUALIFIES AS AN INSIDER.

                                      NO

         (b)     IF THE ANSWER TO (a) IS "NO", ARE THE PURCHASER AND THE ISSUER
                 CONTROLLED BY THE SAME PERSON OR COMPANY?  IF SO, GIVE
                 DETAILS.

                                      NO

4.       DEALINGS OF PURCHASER IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

         GIVE DETAILS OF ALL TRADING BY THE PURCHASER, AS PRINCIPAL, IN THE
         SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER (OTHER THAN DEBT SECURITIES WHICH ARE NOT
         CONVERTIBLE INTO EQUITY SECURITIES), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WITHIN
         THE 60 DAYS PRECEDING THE DATE HEREOF.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Trade         Date            # of Shares         Price per Share
         -----         ----            -----------         ---------------
<S>                  <C>              <C>                  <C>
         Bought      24-Jan-98           900,000                8.25

         Bought      24-Jan-98            79,510                8.57
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   18
                                  UNDERTAKING


TO:      The Toronto Stock Exchange

         The undersigned has subscribed for and agreed to purchase, as
principal, the securities described in Item 1 of this Private Placement
Questionnaire and Undertaking.

         The undersigned undertakes not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of
the said securities so purchased or any securities derived therefrom for the
lesser of:

1.       a period of six months from the date of the closing of the
         transactions herein or for such period as is prescribed by applicable
         securities legislation, whichever is longer, without a prior consent
         of The Toronto Stock Exchange and any other regulatory body having
         jurisdiction.


DATED AT  ZUG                         BIOTCH TARGET S.A.
         ------------------           --------------------------------------
                                      (Name of Purchaser - Please Print)
this 5th day of February.  
                                         
                                         
                                         
                                      /s/ H.J. GRAF/A. HOVE
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      (Authorized Signature)
                                         
                                         
                                         
                                         
                                      Authorized Signatory/Authorized Signatory
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      (Official Capacity - Please Print)
                                         
                                         
                                         
                                         
                                      H.J. GRAF / A. HOVE    
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      (Please print here name of individual
                                      whose signature appears above, if 
                                      different from name of purchaser
                                      printed above)


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