AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT


AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT effective as of the 24th day of June 1997 between
IGENE Biotechnology, Inc. of 9110 Red Branch Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045-2020
("IGENE") and Fermic, S.A. de C.V., Reforma No. 873-Iztapalapa, 09850 Mexico
D.F., Mexico ("Fermic").

                                    RECITALS

IGENE owns patents, patents pending and proprietary know-how concerning
microbial and biochemical processes by which the astaxanthin-producing yeast,
PHAFFIA RHODOZYMA, is grown and processed to yield a dried yeast product
("AstaXin(R)") containing the pigment astaxanthin.

IGENE wishes to produce AstaXin(R) in commercial quantities and, in order to do
so, requires access to a facility with adequate fermentation capacity and a
trained labor force.

Fermic owns and operates a fermentation plant in Mexico City (the "Facility")
which has the capacity and the labor force required to produce a sufficient
quantity of AstaXin(R) for commercialization.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:


                             ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS


As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified
in this Article I:

"AstaXin(R)" - as defined in the first recital.

"Auxiliary Equipment" - centrifuges, drum dryers and milling and packaging
equipment and piping and other items required for installation of the equipment.

"Cracking Enzyme" - enzyme needed for treatment of PHAFFIA RHODOZYMA.

"Equipment" - fermentors and Auxiliary Equipment.

"Facility" - as defined in the third recital.

"Know-How" - all confidential information, know-how and data not disclosed in a
published patent, whether or not patentable, relating to the Patented Process,
the Microorganism and AstaXin(R) including, without limitation, the Cracking
Enzyme.

"Microorganism" - A strain of PHAFFIA RHODOZYMA developed by and proprietary to
IGENE as modified from time to time by IGENE.

"Operations Manual" - the detailed written operations manual prepared by IGENE
describing the process for manufacturing AstaXin(R).

"Patents" - means the patents and patent applications set out in Exhibit A and
any patent and patents issuing therefrom or thereon, any patents and patent
applications based on improvements to the patent and patent applications set out
in Exhibit A, including foreign patents claiming priority under patent
conventions, the inventions claimed thereby and any continuations or
continuations in party, reissues, substitutions or divisions thereof.

"Patented Process" - means the process for manufacturing AstaXin(R) covered by
one or more of the claims of Patents.

"Proprietary Information" - any information, drawings, manuals and other
documents transmitted or communicated directly or indirectly on behalf of the
disclosing party to the receiving party and marked confidential or proprietary
and any information or data orally described as confidential or proprietary or
which the receiving party has reason to believe is such. Proprietary Information
may include, without limitation, information relating to the disclosing party's
business and activities, product research and development, marketing plans or
techniques, client lists, and any scientific or technical information, design,
process, procedure, formula, or know-how (whether or not patentable). The
Know-How, including the Operations Manual, and the Microorganism are Proprietary
Information of IGENE.

"Repayment Date" - the first day of the twenty-third month from the month for
which IGENE first pays the tolling fee.


                  ARTICLE II. AGREEMENT TO MANUFACTURE; LICENSE


2.1    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Fermic agrees to
       manufacture AstaXin(R) at the Facility during the term of this Agreement
       using the Microorganism, the Patented Process and the Know-How provided
       by IGENE.

2.2    IGENE hereby grants to Fermic a nonexclusive right and license during the
       term of this Agreement, and only during the term of this Agreement, to
       use the Patented Process, the Microorganism and the Know-How for the
       purpose of manufacturing AstaXin(R). Except as otherwise agreed upon by
       the parties pursuant to Article XI, all AstaXin(R) manufactured by Fermic
       shall belong to IGENE and (a) Fermic may not produce AstaXin(R) other
       than for or on behalf of IGENE and (b) no right, express or implied, is
       granted by this Agreement to Fermic to use in any manner the trademark
       "AstaXin(R)" or any other trade name of IGENE in connection with the
       performance of this Agreement.

2.3    Fermic shall obtain and maintain all required licenses, certifications
       and approvals necessary to authorize and permit (a) the import of the
       Microorganism and any Auxiliary Equipment purchased by IGENE (b) the
       manufacture of AstaXin(R) at the Facility and (c) the delivery and export
       of the AstaXin(R) manufactured by this Agreement. Applications for such
       licenses, certifications and approvals will be made in the name of IGENE
       (except for the license, if any, required to manufacture AstaXin(R)) and
       Fermic will furnish to IGENE copies of all such documentation promptly
       after its creation. IGENE shall be responsible for obtaining any licenses
       or permits required for export of the Microorganism from the United
       States to Mexico.


                          ARTICLE III. PILOT PLANT RUN

3.1    As soon as practicable after signing of this Agreement, IGENE and Fermic
       shall conduct pilot plant runs at the Facility using the Microorganism
       provided by IGENE, and a 500 liter fermentor and Auxiliary Equipment
       provided by Fermic.

3.2    IGENE will provide, at no cost to Fermic, a technical representative
       knowledgeable about the Patented Process and the Know-How and acceptable
       to Fermic to train Fermic's employees before and during the pilot plant
       runs and to otherwise assist with the pilot plant runs. IGENE will
       provide Fermic with a copy of the Operations Manual and such other
       written or oral information and documents concerning the Patented Process
       and the Know-How as IGENE considers necessary to permit Fermic to product
       AstaXin(R).

3.3    If, in IGENE's sole judgment, the pilot plant runs reveal no significant
       production problems with the Equipment, the Facility or the labor force
       and if the yield is acceptable to IGENE, Fermic will begin large scale
       production of AstaXin(R) as soon as possible, but in no event later than
       October 1, 1997. If IGENE determines that there are significant
       production problems or if the Microorganism fails to produce a yield that
       is acceptable to IGENE, it shall promptly notify Fermic in writing
       whereupon this Agreement will automatically terminate without either
       party having any liability for breach as a result of such termination,
       except that, if termination is caused by insufficient yield, IGENE will
       pay Fermic U.S. $1,000 at the time of giving notice of termination. Upon
       such payment, neither party shall have any liability to the other except
       under those Sections of the Agreement which specifically survive its
       termination.

3.4    Each party will bear its own costs in connection with the pilot test run.
       Fermic will provide the raw materials for IGENE's account (other than the
       Microorganism and the Cracking Enzyme) required for the pilot test run.
       IGENE will reimburse Fermic for the raw materials within 30 days of
       receipt of an invoice therefor.


                   ARTICLE IV. PRODUCTION; AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT


4.1    Fermic shall (a) provide the Equipment, laboratory facilities and labor
       at the Facility necessary to manufacture and store the AstaXin(R) and (b)
       be responsible for purchasing raw materials (other than the Microorganism
       and the Cracking Enzyme which shall be supplied by IGENE). One [ 1 ]
       liter fermentor and all necessary Auxiliary Equipment at the Facility
       will initially be dedicated to the manufacture of AstaXin(R). IGENE shall
       have the option to require an upgrade to a [ 2 ] liter fermentor by
       giving one month's notice to Fermic.

4.2    The Equipment and laboratory facilities to be used by Fermic must be
       acceptable to IGENE and no changes shall be made to the Equipment and
       facilities used in the manufacture of AstaXin(R) unless approved in
       advance by IGENE (except in an emergency and then only for the duration
       of the emergency).

4.3    Fermic acknowledges that once manufactured, AstaXin(R) must be kept
       refrigerated until shipment to IGENE's customers. Fermic agrees,
       therefore, to provide refrigeration capacity sufficient for storage of up
       to 45 days of production of AstaXin(R) and will, if necessary, rent
       refrigeration equipment at its cost to provide such storage at the
       Facility.

4.4    Fermic agrees to assign a technical representative acceptable to IGENE to
       act as liaison with IGENE. Fermic warrants that the Equipment, the
       laboratory facilities and the Facility will be maintained in good
       condition and that Fermic will retain a trained workforce adequate to
       manufacture AstaXin(R) under this Agreement notwithstanding any
       obligations it might have to third parties. Fermic gives no warranty
       whatsoever that the Patented Process or the Microorganism will produce
       AstaXin(R) in any given quantity or of any given quality.

4.5    Fermic shall have sole responsibility for compliance with all
       environmental laws and regulations applicable to the Facility and the
       manufacture of AstaXin(R) and for disposal of wastes in compliance with
       law and IGENE shall have no liability to Fermic or others in connection
       with the disposal of wastes from the Facility or noncompliance with such
       environmental laws or regulations.

4.6    Fermic agrees to package and ship the AstaXin(R) in such packaging,
       volumes and to such IGENE customers as IGENE shall instruct. All shipping
       and any other directly related costs actually incurred by Fermic in
       connection with packaging and shipping the AstaXin(R) shall be invoiced
       separately to IGENE which shall pay the amounts due within 30 days of
       receipt of the invoice.

4.7    IGENE and Fermic have determined that additional Auxiliary Equipment is
       needed for the downstream processing of AstaXin(R) at the Facility. IGENE
       will determine the optimum design for the downstream processing, locate
       vendors for the Auxiliary

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1      This information has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential
       treatment. The omitted information has been filed separately with the
       Commission.
2      This information has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential
       treatment. The omitted information has been filed separately with the
       Commission.

       Equipment (new or used), purchase the Auxiliary Equipment for
       installation at the Facility, and work with Fermic engineers in
       installing it. Other than items included in Auxiliary Equipment, which
       shall be paid by IGENE, Fermic will be responsible for the costs of any
       structural changes or additions to the Facility that may be needed for
       the installation and operation of the additional Auxiliary Equipment,
       including the cost of labor. Fermic shall reimburse IGENE up to U.S.
       $500,000 for the Auxiliary Equipment over a twenty-three month period by
       reduction of the tolling fees as set forth in Section 5.3. Until the
       Equipment is fully paid for, IGENE shall have a security interest in said
       Equipment.

4.8    If, prior to the Repayment Date, Fermic terminates this Agreement or this
       Agreement is terminated because of Fermic's breach, the additional
       Auxiliary Equipment shall belong to IGENE and IGENE shall have the right
       to remove said Equipment (at IGENE's expense). If, prior to the Repayment
       Date, IGENE terminates this Agreement or this Agreement is terminated
       because of IGENE's breach, Fermic may elect either to keep the additional
       Auxiliary Equipment and pay IGENE the balance due or require IGENE to
       remove the equipment (at IGENE's expense) and reimburse Fermic the total
       amount of credits actually allowed toward payment pursuant to Section
       5.3.

4.9    IGENE will provide Fermic with new variants of the Microorganism from
       time to time. Each new variant will be subjected to a test run under the
       supervision of Fermic and IGENE personnel before it is used to
       manufacture AstaXin(R) in large volumes. There will be no additional
       charge to IGENE for these test runs.

                             ARTICLE V. TOLLING FEES

5.1    As compensation to Fermic for manufacturing, storing, and labor involved
       in packaging and handling the AstaXin(R), for any structural or other
       additions made to the Facility, and for all of its other services under
       this Agreement IGENE shall pay Fermic a tolling fee of [ 3 ] per month
       per cubic meter of fermentor capacity. In addition, IGENE will reimburse
       Fermic for the actual cost of raw materials used in the manufacture of
       AstaXin(R).

5.2    Payment of the tolling fees shall be made monthly in advance on the first
       business day of each month by wire transfer to the account designated by
       Fermic. The cost of raw materials shall be invoiced monthly by Fermic and
       paid by IGENE within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

5.3    The amount owed by Fermic to IGENE for the purchase of the additional
       Auxiliary Equipment for use by Fermic at the Facility shall be limited to
       U.S. $500,000 and shall be paid by a monthly credit against the tolling
       fee owed for each month of the first twenty-

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3      This information has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential
       treatment. The omitted information has been filed separately with the
       Commission.

       three months of production of AstaXin(R) at the Facility equal to the
       smaller of one- twenty-third of the purchase price plus 10% interest or
       U.S. $24,000.

5.4    If at anytime during the term of this Agreement production of AstaXin(R)
       is stopped or delayed because of one or more problems with the Equipment
       or the Facility, there will be a pro rata reduction in the tolling fee
       proportional to the duration of the stoppage or delay. IGENE may either
       credit the reduction against the tolling payment due immediately
       following restoration of production or request direct reimbursement.
       Fermic shall pay IGENE any reimbursement due within thirty (30) days of
       request therefor by IGENE.

                           ARTICLE VI. CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1    Except as specifically provided by this Agreement, (a) Fermic shall not
       acquire any right, title or interest in the Patents, the Microorganism or
       the Know-How, (b) Fermic shall use the Patents, the Know-How and any
       Microorganism in its possession solely in accordance with its rights and
       licenses hereunder and not for any other purpose, and (c) IGENE shall not
       acquire any right, title or interest in the Proprietary Information of
       Fermic.

6.2    From and after the date hereof and for a period of five (5) years from
       the date of expiration or termination of this Agreement, each party
       agrees to hold in confidence all Proprietary Information of the other.

6.3    Each party will restrict disclosure of and access to the other's
       Proprietary Information to the minimum number of its employees necessary
       to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and each party will use its
       best efforts, including efforts fully commensurate with those employed by
       it for the protection of its own confidential information and
       microorganisms to protect the other's Proprietary Information disclosed
       to it pursuant to this Agreement.

6.4    The parties agree that these confidentiality obligations do not apply to
       the following:

       6.4.1  Information which appears in issued patents or printed
              publications in integrated form or which otherwise is or becomes
              generally known in the trade through no fault of the receiving
              party;

       6.4.2  Information which the receiving party can show by dated records
              was in its possession prior to the disclosure thereof by it; or

       6.4.3  Information which comes into a party's possession from a third
              party without breach of any obligation to the other party to
              maintain the confidentiality of the Information.

6.5    Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may disclose the other's
       Proprietary Information to the extent such disclosure is reasonably
       necessary to comply with government regulations, provided that it gives
       the other party reasonable advanced notice of the pending disclosure and
       uses its best efforts to secure confidential treatment of the information
       required to be disclosed.

6.6    The provisions of this Article VI shall not relieve the parties of their
       obligations under the Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement dated April
       24, 1997.

            ARTICLE VII. INFRINGEMENT INDEMNITY; WARRANTY DISCLAIMER

7.1    IGENE shall indemnify and hold Fermic harmless against any liability for
       infringement of any patents owned by others on the basis of the
       manufacture by Fermic of AstaXin(R) for IGENE under this Agreement. The
       defense, settlement, adjustment or compromise of any claim or suit for
       which IGENE becomes obligated under this indemnity shall be in the sole
       control of IGENE. Fermic may, if it desires, employ counsel at its own
       expense.

7.2    EXCEPT FOR THE WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT AS TO WHICH THE INDEMNITY IN
       SECTION 7.1 IS PROVIDED, IGENE GIVES NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER TO FERMIC
       WITH RESPECT TO THE MICROORGANISM OR THE ASTAXIN(R) OR WHETHER PRODUCTION
       OF ASTAXIN(R) AS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN WILL BE COMMERCIALLY VIABLE OR
       WHETHER IGENE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN MARKETING ASTAXIN(R) IN COMMERCIAL
       QUANTITIES. IGENE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
       INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
       FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

                       ARTICLE VIII. TERM AND TERMINATION

8.1    Unless earlier terminated under Section 3.3 or pursuant to Sections 8.2
       and 8.3, this Agreement shall terminate on December 31, 1997 unless IGENE
       gives notice to Fermic on or prior to October 31, 1997 that IGENE is
       extending the duration of the contract to December 31, 1998, in which
       event this Agreement shall terminate on December 31, 1998.

8.2    If the Microorganism is not producing a yield that is acceptable to
       IGENE, or if Fermic is unable to manufacture the AstaXin(R) at the
       Facility for any reason, including force majeure, for a period of more
       than one month, IGENE may terminate this Agreement effective as of the
       end of a month by giving Fermic at least 30 days advanced written notice
       of termination, whereupon neither party shall have any further obligation
       to the other except payment for amounts due the other as of the date of
       termination and obligations under those ARTICLES and Sections of the
       Agreement that specifically survive its termination or expiration.

8.3    Either party shall have the right (but not the obligation), by giving
       written notice to the other, to terminate this Agreement upon the
       happening of any of the following events:

       8.3.1  The other party defaults in the performance or observance of any
              agreement contained in this Agreement and such default is not
              cured within 30 days of notice thereof from the non-defaulting
              party;

       8.3.2  The other party admits in writing its inability to pay its debts
              generally as they become due; files or consents to the filing
              against it of a petition under bankruptcy or any insolvency or
              similar law; appoints or consents to the appointment of a receiver
              of itself of all or a substantial part of its property; becomes
              subject to a court order under which all or a substantial part of
              its property is under the control and custody of a court; is
              subject to an involuntary filing against it of a petition under
              bankruptcy or other insolvency law; or is in a circumstance
              substantially similar in character to any of the above.

8.4    Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each party shall
       promptly return or destroy all Proprietary Information of the other.
       Without limiting the foregoing, Fermic shall return or destroy all
       Cracking Enzyme and Microorganism. Each party shall certify in writing to
       the other that it has fully complied with this Section 8.4.

8.5    The following Articles and Sections shall survive termination or
       expiration of this Agreement: ARTICLE VI (Confidentiality), ARTICLE VII
       (Indemnity; Warranty Disclaimer); Section 8.4 (return or destruction of
       Proprietary Information); Section 12.3 (independent contractor
       relationship); Section 12.6 (governing law); Section 12.7 (dispute
       resolution); and Section 12.9 (mutual indemnification).

                       ARTICLE IX. RISK OF LOSS; INSURANCE

9.1    Fermic shall bear the risk of loss of the AstaXin(R) while the AstaXin(R)
       is stored at the Facility. As between Fermic and IGENE, the risk of loss
       shall pass to IGENE upon shipment of the AstaXin(R) to the customers
       designated by IGENE or upon its purchase by Fermic.

9.2    Fermic shall maintain in continuous force insurance against loss or
       damage of the Equipment (including any additional Auxiliary Equipment
       purchased by IGENE pursuant to Section 4.7), the Facility, all raw
       materials (other than the Microorganism), work in process, and the
       AstaXin(R) while it is stored at the Facility from all casualty risks and
       all other risks usually insured against by persons operating a similar
       business. Fermic will authorize its insurance carrier to provide a
       certificate of insurance to IGENE verifying such insurance coverage. In
       the event of any casualty loss to Auxiliary Equipment purchased by IGENE
       and installed at the Facility prior to payment therefor by Fermic, Fermic
       hereby assigns to IGENE the right to collect insurance proceeds up to the
       amount still owed by Fermic. In the event of any casualty loss to the
       AstaXin(R), Fermic hereby assigns to IGENE the right to collect insurance
       proceeds for such loss or damage to the extent the loss or damage to the
       AstaXin(R) is covered by insurance maintained by Fermic.

9.3    IGENE shall maintain in continuous force insurance against loss of or
       damage to the Microorganism.

                            ARTICLE X. FORCE MAJEURE

10.1   Except as specifically provided in Section 8.2, no failure or omission to
       carry out or to observe any of the terms, provisions or conditions of
       this Agreement shall give rise to any claim by one party against the
       other, or be deemed to be a breach of this Agreement, if such failure or
       omission is caused by one or more of the following: war (whether or not
       declared and whether or not the United States is a participant) or
       hostilities; acts of the public enemy or belligerents; sabotage;
       blockade, revolution, insurrection, riot or disorder; expropriation,
       requisition, confiscation or nationalization; embargoes; export or import
       restrictions or rationing or allocation, whether imposed by law, decree
       or regulation or by voluntary cooperation of industry at the instance or
       request of any governmental authority or organization owned or controlled
       by any government or person purporting to act therefor; interference by,
       or restriction or onerous regulation imposed by, any governmental
       authority to whose jurisdiction the party is subject; act of God; fire;
       earthquake; storm; epidemics; quarantine; strikes, lockouts or other
       labor disturbances; explosion; breakage or accidents by fire or otherwise
       to transportation or distribution facilities or equipment; unavailability
       of raw materials; failure of the Facility to operate for any reason
       beyond the control of Fermic; shutdown of the Facility for prudent
       maintenance; or any other event, matter or thing wherever occurring, and
       whether or not of the same class or kind as those set forth above which,
       by the exercise of due diligence, the party concerned is unable to
       overcome.

10.2   A party affected by an actual or potential force majeure situation shall
       promptly notify the other party of such situation. IGENE shall not be
       required to pay Fermic a tolling fee and shall be entitled to a refund
       for any tolling fee already paid for any period in excess of 24 hours
       that the Equipment then being used to manufacture AstaXin(R) or the
       Facility is not in operation. Any refund may be in the form of a credit
       toward future tolling fees.

                           ARTICLE XI. SALES BY FERMIC

IGENE acknowledges that Fermic is interested in having the right to purchase
AstaXin(R) for resale and Fermic acknowledges that, at this time, IGENE is not
in a position to negotiate a distribution or other sales agreement with Fermic.
The parties agree therefore to begin good faith negotiations of such an
arrangement agreeable to both parties once the test plant runs are completed and
volume production of AstaXin(R) at the Facility has begun. Any agreement under
which Fermic is authorized to market and sell AstaXin(R) shall be independent of
this Agreement.

                           ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS

12.1   Any notice to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
       delivered by a recognized overnight courier service, addressed as
       follows:

If to Fermic to it at:                       If to IGENE to it at:

Fermic, S.A. de C.V.                         IGENE Biotechnology, Inc.
Reforma No. 873 - Iztapalapa                 9110 Red Branch Road
09850 Mexico D.F., Mexico                    Columbia, Maryland  21045-2020
Attention:  Mr. Alessandro Falzoni           Attention:  Ramin Abrishamian

Telephone:  011-525 656 1644                 Telephone:  1-410-997-2599
Facsimile:   011-525 656 1542                Facsimile:   1-410-730-0540



12.2   Failure of either party to insist upon strict observance of or compliance
       with all of the terms of this Agreement in one or more instances shall
       not be deemed to be a waiver of its rights to insist upon such observance
       in the future or compliance with the other terms hereof.

12.3   Except for the limited agency established in Section 4.6, this Agreement
       shall not be deemed to establish the relationship of principal and agent,
       master and servant or a partnership or joint venture of any kind between
       Fermic and IGENE, and neither party shall be liable for any act of or
       failure to act by the other party except as expressly provided in this
       Agreement. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, Fermic will be
       responsible for any liability derived from the labor relationship with
       its employees and in no case nor under any circumstances shall IGENE be
       considered a direct or substitute employer of Fermic or any of Fermic's
       employees. Fermic agrees to indemnify IGENE from any claims demands,
       liabilities, suits, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's
       fees) of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of claims that IGENE
       has liability with respect to Fermic's employees, whether such claims,
       demands, liabilities or suits are of a civil, commercial, labor, fiscal
       or other nature. This provision shall survive termination of this
       Agreement.

12.4   This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and supersedes all
       prior agreements between the parties hereto with respect to the subject
       matter hereof. The provisions herein shall not be extended or modified
       except by written agreement between Fermic and IGENE.

12.5   In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be
       unenforceable, invalid or otherwise indefinite, the balance of this
       Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, unless the severance
       of the portions held unenforceable would reasonably frustrate the
       commercial purposes of this Agreement, in which case, reasonable efforts
       will be made to reform this Agreement to achieve such commercial
       purposes.

12.6   This Agreement is written in English language and shall be construed
       accordingly. This Agreement shall be performed, interpreted and enforced
       under the applicable laws of the City of Mexico, Federal District.

12.7   The parties will use their best efforts to resolve by negotiation any
       dispute, controversy or claim which may arise in connection with this
       Agreement. In the event of parties cannot directly resolve such dispute,
       controversy or claim, the parties agree to be bound by arbitration to
       occur in New York, New York. The arbitration is to be conducted in
       English by a single arbitration acceptable to both parties in accordance
       with the Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration of the International
       Chamber of Commerce. The arbitration decision shall be binding and final
       and the local courts shall have no jurisdiction over this matter.

12.8   This Agreement may not be assigned by Fermic without the prior written
       consent of IGENE. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
       binding on the successors and permitted assigns of the parties.

12.9   Each party shall indemnify and hold the other harmless from any claims,
       demands, liabilities, taxes, suits, costs and expenses (including
       attorney's fees) of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of any and
       all activities carried out by the indemnifying party or its officers,
       directors, employees or agents under this Agreement. This provision shall
       survive termination of this Agreement.

12.10  Each party represents to the other that the person signing below on its
       behalf is legally authorized and empowered to do so under applicable law
       and that, upon signature by such individual on behalf of such party, this
       Agreement and any amendments hereto shall be binding upon and enforceable
       against it in accordance with its terms.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this instrument to be executed in
duplicate as of the year and day first above written.

FERMIC S.A. DE C.V.                       IGENE BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.


Falzoni Alessandro                        Stephen F. Hiu, President
- ---------------------------------         -------------------------------


/s/ Falzoni Alessandro                    /s/ Stephen F. Hiu
- ---------------------------------         -------------------------------
Signature                                 Signature

Date:  18th July 1997