RESEARCH COLLABORATION

     This Research Collaboration (the "Agreement") is effective on this 6th day
of April, 1996 (the "Effective Date"),

     SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, a California nonprofit public benefit
corporation located at 10666 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California
92037, (hereinafter "Scripps") and

     INNOVIR LABORATORIES, INC., a Delaware corporation having its principal
place of business at 510 East 73rd Street, New York, New York 10021 (hereinafter
"Innovir"),

     in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, AGREE AS
FOLLOWS:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                           BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS

1.1      Scripps possesses proprietary materials, know-how, information and
         expertise regarding the Research and wishes to perform collaborative
         research with Innovir; and

1.2      Principal Investigator (as defined herein) has developed a unique
         transgenic mouse model which expresses fully assembled HBV particles.

1.3      Innovir has proprietary oligonucleotide-based anti-HBV compounds called
         external guide sequences ("EGSs") which have been shown to inhibit HBV
         replication in hepatoma cells producing human HBV.

1.4      Innovir desires to undertake a research collaboration with Scripps.

1.5      Scripps has the exclusive right to grant a license in and to any
         technology developed in performance of the Research program described
         herein, subject to any rights of the U.S. Government, resulting from
         the receipt by Scripps of U.S. Government funding, to use such
         technology for its own purposes, and subject to any agreement with
         third parties that prevent license of the technology for agricultural
         uses.

1.6      The parties wish to collaborate in the of Research under terms and
         conditions of this agreement.




                                    ARTICLE 2
                           DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH

2.1      The Research to be conducted hereunder is fully described in Schedule
         and relates to the use of EGSs to inhibit HBV replication.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                          SCRIPPS STAFF AND FACILITIES

3.1      The Research shall be carried out at Scripps under the direction of Dr.
         Francis V. Chisari ("Principal Investigator"), and any additional
         personnel assigned by the Principal Investigator and listed on Schedule
         3 ("Researcher(s)") to the Research and will notify Innovir of the
         selection. If the Principal Investigator is unable to continue the
         Research, Innovir in its sole discretion shall (i) consult with Scripps
         to select a mutually acceptable replacement or replacements from the
         Scripps staff to direct and conduct the Research, and/or (ii) terminate
         the Research.

3.2      Scripps hereby agrees to conduct the Research as expressly set forth on
         Schedule 1 attached hereto.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                   REPORTS AND TANGIBLE TECHNICAL INFORMATION

4.1      Principal Investigator shall keep Innovir informed of the progress of
         the Research it conducts hereunder on a regular basis as mutually
         agreed to by both parties. Principal Investigator shall provide Innovir
         with bimonthly reports of progress and a complete written report at the
         end of the Term.

4.2      Innovir shall have the right to use the reports submitted by Principal
         Investigator as it sees fit, however, Innovir may not make any
         reference to the Scripps Research Institute or any affiliate
         institution without first obtaining written consent from Scripps, which
         consent will not be unreasonably withheld; provided however, and upon
         notification to Scripps, Innovir may make such reference if Innovir's
         counsel deems it necessary or appropriate to comply with statute, court
         order or government regulation, for filing with a regulatory agency or
         for filing a patent application.

4.3      Scripps and Dr. Chisari shall to the best of their ability in a timely
         fashion permit Innovir full access to all information, inventions,
         improvements, designs and know-how which may be conceived, invented or
         reduced to practice in performance of the Research conducted hereunder.
         At the request of Innovir, Scripps and Dr. Chisari shall to the best of
         their ability deliver to Innovir copies of all laboratory notebooks and
         other technical and research data including

                                       -2-





         documents or computer stored data and formulations of any compounds
         associated with or prepared in performance of the Research; provided,
         however, such obligation shall terminate on the first anniversary of
         the termination or expiration of this Agreement and further provided,
         that if Innovir requests such information after the first anniversary
         and Scripps or Dr. Chisari still have such information they will
         provide such information to Innovir.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                            CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

5.1      All proprietary information and data supplied or generated under this
         Agreement (including biological materials) by either party which is
         marked "Confidential" shall be considered confidential (hereinafter
         "Confidential Information") and, for a period of three (3) years from
         the Effective Date, shall not be disclosed or given by the recipient to
         any third party without the prior approval of the disclosing party. The
         foregoing shall not apply when and to the extent the Confidential
         Information disclosed:

                (a)     becomes generally available to the public through no
                        fault of the receiving party;

                (b)     was already known to the receiving party at the time of
                        disclosure as evidenced by written records in the
                        possession of the receiving party prior to such time or;

                (c)     is subsequently received by the receiving party in good
                        faith from a third party without breaching any
                        confidential obligation between the third party and the
                        disclosing party;

                (d)     is required to be disclosed by the receiving party to
                        comply with judicial, statutory or regulatory
                        requirements; provided that the receiving party provides
                        prior written notice of such disclosure to the
                        disclosing party and takes reasonable and lawful actions
                        to avoid or minimize the degree of such disclosure;

                (e)     is inherent in any product which is sold by Innovir; or

                (f)     is developed independently by employees of the receiving
                        party and the receiving party shall have the burden to
                        prove it was developed independently.

5.2     Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, no rights are provided
        to Scripps, the Principal Investigator or Researchers under any patents,
        patent applications, trade secrets or other proprietary rights of
        Innovir. In particular, no rights are provided to use the materials or
        modifications or any related patents of Innovir for profit making or
        commercial purposes, such as sale of the materials or modifications used
        in manufacturing, provision of a service to a third party in exchange
        for consideration, or use in research or consulting for a for-profit or
        non-profit entity under which the entity obtains rights to research
        results; provided, however, Scripps is entitled to use the materials for
        the

                                       -3-




        Research hereunder even though the U.S. government may be entitled to
        certain rights to the results of the Research.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                                   PUBLICATION

6.1     To protect Innovir's proprietary and patent rights in the Confidential
        Information, Scripps agrees to provide Innovir with an advance copy of
        any proposed publication that makes reference to the Confidential
        Information. Innovir agrees to review proposed publications and to
        inform Scripps of any comments within forty-five (45) days. Innovir
        shall have the right to remove any of Innovir's Confidential Information
        from any publication. If the publication contains patentable material,
        Scripps agrees to delay publication after the review period for up to
        forty-five (45) days to allow patent protection to be obtained. If a
        publication does result from Research, authorship shall be jointly
        decided by Innovir and Scripps based on accepted scientific practice.

6.2     Innovir shall have the right to use the data generated in the Research
        in filing patent applications, in filing for regulatory approvals and
        for other internal research purposes.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                                   INVENTIONS

7.1     Intellectual Property shall mean any discoveries, inventions,
        improvements and/or commercially useful products or processes, whether
        patentable or not, developed or made in performance of this Agreement.
        Scripps will promptly notify Innovir of any Intellectual Property
        conceived and/or made during the term of this Agreement in performance
        of the Research. Inventorship on any invention shall be determined in
        accordance with United States patent law.

7.2     Results of the Research shall be owned as follows:

        (a)     If all inventors are employees of Innovir, by Innovir, and such
                Intellectual Property will not be subject to this Agreement.

        (b)     If all inventors are employees of Scripps, by Scripps.

        (c)     If Intellectual Property is invented jointly by at least one
                person employed by Innovir and at least one person employed by
                Scripps, jointly by both Innovir and Scripps and each party
                shall have an undivided interest to make, have made, use and
                sell such Intellectual Property subject only to Innovir's option
                under Section 7.4.

                                       -4-





7.3      If Intellectual Property is solely owned by Scripps, Section 7.2(b),
         Scripps shall as soon as reasonably possible, either upon conception or
         reduction to practice, as the case may be, for each and every
         application of such Intellectual Property, disclose the same in writing
         to Innovir. Such disclosure shall contain sufficient detail to enable
         Innovir to evaluate the advisability of exercising the option granted
         hereunder with respect to such application. All such disclosures shall
         be maintained in confidence by Innovir. If Scripps shall file a patent
         application before the expiration of the Option Period, Scripps shall
         bear all costs incurred in connection with such preparation, filing,
         prosecution and maintenance of U.S. and foreign application(s) directed
         to said Intellectual Property. During the Option Period and prior to
         filing such application, Scripps shall take reasonable efforts to
         consult with Innovir and shall attempt to assure that such
         application(s), will cover, to the best of Scripps' and Innovir's
         combined knowledge, all items of commercial interest and importance;
         provided, however, Scripps shall, in its sole discretion, be
         responsible for making all decisions regarding scope and content of
         application(s) to be filed and prosecution thereof, Innovir shall be
         given an opportunity to review and provide input thereto. During the
         Option Period, Scripps shall keep Innovir advised as to all
         developments with respect to such application(s) and shall promptly
         supply to Innovir copies of all papers received and filed in connection
         with the prosecution thereof in sufficient time for Innovir to comment
         thereon.

7.4      If Intellectual Property is jointly owned by Scripps and Innovir,
         Section each party, as soon as reasonably feasible, either upon
         conception or reduction to practice, as the case may be, of each and
         every such application, shall disclose the same in writing to the other
         party. Such disclosure shall contain sufficient detail to enable each
         party to evaluate whether such technology is, in fact, jointly
         developed technology. Scripps shall deliver to Innovir a written notice
         describing the jointly developed technology and Scripps' intent to
         exclusively license its rights to the same to Innovir. If during the
         Option Period, Innovir directs that a patent application or other
         intellectual property protection be filed, Innovir shall promptly take
         action to have prepared, filed, and prosecuted such U.S. and foreign
         application. Innovir shall pay all costs incurred in connection with
         such preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of U.S. and
         foreign application(s) directed to said Intellectual Property. Innovir
         shall cooperate with Scripps to assure that such application(s) will
         cover, to the best of their combined knowledge, all items of commercial
         interest and importance. While Innovir shall be responsible for making
         decisions regarding scope and content of application(s) to be filed and
         prosecution thereof, Scripps shall be given an opportunity to review
         and provide input thereto. Innovir shall keep Scripps advised as to all
         developments with respect to such application(s) and shall promptly
         supply to Scripps copies of all papers received and filed in connection
         with the prosecution thereof in sufficient time for Scripps to comment
         thereon. Further, Innovir shall promptly notify Scripps in writing of
         any matter which has been patented under this Section 7.4.

                                       -5-





7.5      If Innovir elects to discontinue the financial support of the
         prosecution or maintenance of the protection of Intellectual Property
         under Section 7.4, Scripps shall be free to file or continue
         prosecution or maintain any such application(s), and to maintain any
         protection issuing thereon in the U.S., and in any foreign country at
         its sole expense. Any discontinuance of financial support shall not
         affect Innovir's rights to Intellectual Property under Section 7.4.

7.6      If Innovir wants an exclusive license to make, have made use or sell
         products, methods or services under any Intellectual Property conceived
         or made, at least in part, by Scripps in performance and the Research
         during the term of this Agreement, it shall have an option to obtain an
         exclusive, worldwide license to such Intellectual Property or any
         interest therein under the specific terms hereof, on an
         application-by-application basis, where each application is with
         respect to a specific field. It is the further intention of the parties
         hereto that Innovir shall elect to exercise its option from time to
         time and at multiple times during the term hereof, as and when Scripps
         makes the disclosure of each application of Intellectual Property. This
         option shall expire four (4) months from the date of receipt by Innovir
         of each disclosure described in Section 7.3 and 7.4 (the "Option
         Period").

7.7      Innovir shall exercise its option to obtain a license hereunder by
         delivering to Scripps a written notice within the Option Period which
         specifies the particular application of Intellectual Property for which
         the option is being exercised. Innovir and Scripps shall have a period
         of sixty (60) days from the date of exercise of the option by Innovir
         within which to agree upon the license terms. Scripps and Innovir shall
         negotiate in good faith to reach the terms of the exclusive, worldwide
         license; provided, however, if Scripps and Innovir do not reach
         agreement, Scripps, for two (2) years, will provide Innovir a right of
         first refusal to any license of such Intellectual Property offered to a
         third party where such license is on terms less favorable in material
         respects than the terms offered Innovir under this Section 7.7. Innovir
         shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of any such license to
         exercise its rights of first refusal. Such license shall include a
         reasonable royalty based on the respective party's contributions and
         relevant university and industry standards and, shall include such
         other terms as are typical in licenses of similar technology from
         nonprofit organizations to for-profit organizations.

7.8      Scripps reserves the right to use any Intellectual Property owned
         solely or jointly by Scripps that may be subject to an option pursuant
         to this Agreement or covered by a license granted hereunder solely for
         Scripps' own educational and non-commercial research purposes and the
         educational and non-commercial research purposes of any other nonprofit
         organization, without Scripps or such other nonprofit organization
         being obligated to pay Innovir any royalties or other compensation
         related thereto.

                                       -6-





7.9      Innovir and Scripps acknowledge that Scripps has received and expects
         to continue to receive funding from the United States Government in
         support of Scripps' research activities. Innovir acknowledges and
         agrees that its rights and obligations pursuant to this Agreement with
         respect to Intellectual Property owned solely or jointly by Scripps,
         shall be subject to Scripps' obligations and the rights of the United
         States Government, if any, which arise or result from Scripps' receipt
         of research support from the United States Government.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                          WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATION

8.1      Scripps hereby warrants and represents that it has the full right and
         power to enter into this Agreement.

8.2      NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE RESEARCH PROGRAM OR
         ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT.
         WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, NEITHER PARTY REPRESENTS OR WARRANTS
         THAT IT WILL SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE RESEARCH PROGRAM OR THAT, IF
         COMPLETED, THE RESEARCH PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
         WHICH WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN OPTION HEREUNDER OR WHICH INNOVIR WILL
         DESIRE TO LICENSE. NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY,
         INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
         FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AS TO ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. NEITHER
         PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION AS TO THE VALIDITY OR SCOPE
         OF ANY PATENT RIGHTS OR THAT ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WILL BE FREE
         FROM ANY INFRINGEMENT OF PATENTS OF THIRD PARTIES, OR THAT NO THIRD
         PARTIES ARE IN ANY WAY INFRINGING ANY PATENT RIGHTS.

8.3      Scripps represents that neither Scripps and to its best knowledge nor
         Dr. Chisari or the Researcher(s) have obligations or commitments which
         are inconsistent with the research to be conducted hereunder. Further,
         during the term of this Agreement, Scripps agrees not to approve any
         agreement involving Dr. Chisari and Dr. Chisari agrees not to enter
         into any relationships which involve research on ribozyme therapeutic
         related to the research conducted under this Agreement.

8.4      Innovir hereby warrants and represents that it has the full right and
         power to enter into this agreement.

                                       -7-





                                    ARTICLE 9
                                  COMPENSATION

9.1     In support of the Research to be conducted at Scripps, Innovir shall pay
        Scripps according to the amounts specified and under the terms shown in
        Schedule 2

9.2     Within the thirty (30) days after the end of each year during the Term,
        Scripps shall provide an expenditure report, a financial accounting
        detailing actual expenditures for that year to Innovir.

9.3     Scripps shall maintain written records with respect to its operations
        pursuant to this Agreement in sufficient detail to enable Innovir to
        obtain an accounting of how the compensation has been spent by Scripps
        in performance of the research. In this regard, Scripps agrees that upon
        ten (10) days notice Innovir may, at its expense, send an auditor to
        examine during normal business hours the books of Scripps solely for the
        purpose of performing the accounting. Innovir's right to audit the
        records of Scripps shall continue for two (2) years after termination of
        the Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                              TERM AND TERMINATION

10.1    This Agreement shall commence the on Effective Date and shall continue
        for a two (2) year period (the Term); provided, however, any license
        granted to Innovir pursuant to Article hereof and the terms of this
        Agreement applicable to such license shall continue through the life of
        such license.

10.2    In the event that Innovir determines that it has an interest in the
        continued funding of the Research beyond the end of the Term, and upon
        mutual agreement of the parties Innovir shall have the option to fund
        the Research for an additional time period of agreed-upon length,
        whereupon the Term shall be renewed and extended for such additional
        time period. It is agreed that said option shall be exercised in writing
        by Innovir at least sixty (60) days prior to expiration of the Term then
        in affect, and it is further agreed that if the option to fund the
        Research is exercised by Innovir, the conditions governing the rights of
        the parties for the results of the Research and any additional Terms
        shall be identical to those detailed in this Agreement, the level of
        funding for any additional years will be negotiated to reflect the
        research to be conducted under the Research by the parties to this
        Agreement during any renewal and extended Term.

10.3    Innovir may terminate this Agreement by giving at least sixty (60) days
        prior notice in writing to Scripps. If Innovir terminates under this
        Section 10.3, Scripps shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred with
        Innovir's consent up to and including the day of termination and any
        reasonable expense incurred in

                                       -8-





         terminating the Research, and any unexpended funds shall be returned to
         Innovir.

10.4    Scripps may terminate this Agreement by giving at least sixty (60) days
        prior notice to Innovir. If Scripps terminates under this Section 10.4,
        Innovir shall not be required to make any additional payments and
        Scripps shall return all money not expended before notice of termination
        is given; provided, however, termination under this Section 10.4 shall
        not terminate Innovir rights under Article 7.

10.5    If Scripps, the Principal Investigator, or the Researcher(s) is in
        breach of this Agreement and (where the breach is remediable) fails to
        remedy the breach within twenty (20) days of being requested to do so by
        Innovir, Innovir shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement at any
        time by notice in writing to Scripps. Termination shall be without
        prejudice to Innovir's other rights in respect of the breach of the
        Agreement.

10.6    If Innovir is in breach of this Agreement and (where the breach is
        remediable) fails to remedy the breach within twenty (20) days of being
        requested to do so by Scripps, Scripps shall be entitled to terminate
        this Agreement at any time by notice in writing to Innovir. Termination
        shall be without prejudice to Scripps' other rights in respect of the
        breach of the Agreement.

10.7    Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12 shall survive the termination of this
        Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                        RETURN OF DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS

11.1    Upon termination of this Agreement, or at any time during the course of
        this Agreement, either party may request the return of all papers,
        records and other documents including any materials such as reagents,
        that it supplied to the other party, which are then in the possession of
        the other party, except:

        (a)     each party may retain one copy for archival purposes;

        (b)     Scripps shall not require Innovir to return any documents or
                materials which Innovir requires to make an evaluation of its
                interest in exercising its license option pursuant to Section
                hereof, until after the conclusion of said license option
                period;

        (c)     Scripps shall not require Innovir to return the written reports
                and tangible technical information made by Scripps pursuant to
                Article 4; and

        (d)     Innovir may retain materials required for government approval.

                                       -9-






                                   ARTICLE 12
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1     Both parties shall, at all times during the performance of this
         Agreement, remain as independent contractors and the Agreement shall
         not make the parties partners, joint venturers, or agents of one
         another. No party to this Agreement shall have the power to bind or
         obligate the other party.

12.2     None of the materials supplied under this Agreement by either party to
         the other, shall be used in human subjects without obtaining
         appropriate government approvals.

12.3     Neither party assumes responsibility or liability for the nature,
         conduct, or results of any research, testing or other work performed by
         the other party.

12.4     This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior
         written consent of the other party; provided, however, Innovir may
         assign its interest to a successor of all or substantially all of its
         business associated with this Agreement.

12.5     Any notice, report or communication to be given under this Agreement
         may be delivered personally, sent by registered or certified mail,
         return receipt requested, or transmitted by facsimile copy or
         electronic mail to the parties at the addresses given below or such
         other addresses may be notified from time to time. Any notice, report
         or communication so sent shall not be deemed to have been given until
         it has been received by the party to whom it has been addressed.

                  The Scripps Research Institute
                  Office of Technology Transfer
                  10666 North Torrey Pines Road; TPC-9
                  La Jolla, California 92037

                           Attention:  Vice President
                           Telephone 619-554-8496
                           Facsimile 619-554-9910

                  Innovir Laboratories, Inc.
                  510 East 73rd Street
                  New York, NY  10021

                           Attention:  Allan R. Goldberg, Ph.D.
                           Telephone 212-249-4703
                           Facsimile 212-249-4513

                                      -10-





12.6     The terms and conditions herein contained constitute the entire
         agreement between the parties and supersede all previous
         communications, whether oral or written, between the parties hereto
         with respect to the subject matters hereof, and no previous agreement
         or understanding varying or extending the same shall be binding upon
         either party hereto.

12.7     No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective
         unless it is in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives
         of all parties.

12.8     The parties covenant and agree that, if either party fails or neglects
         for any reason to take advantage of any of the terms provided for the
         termination of this Agreement, or if either party, having the right to
         declare this Agreement terminated shall fail to do so, any such failure
         or neglect by either party shall not be a waiver or be deemed or be
         construed to be a waiver of any cause for the termination of this
         Agreement subsequently arising or as a waiver of any of the terms,
         covenants or conditions of this Agreement, or the performance thereof.
         None of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement may be
         waived by either party except by its written consent.

12.9     All parties hereby especially agree and contract that neither party
         intends to violate any public policy, statutory or common law, rule or
         regulation, treaty or decision of any government agency or executive
         body thereof of any country or community or association of countries;
         if any word, sentence, paragraph or clause or combination thereof of
         this Agreement is found, by a court or executive body with judicial
         powers having jurisdiction over this Agreement or any of its parties
         hereto, in a final unappealed order to be in violation of any such
         provision in any country or community or association of countries, such
         words, sentences, paragraphs or clauses or combination shall be
         inoperative in such country or community or association of countries
         and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain binding upon the
         parties hereto.

12.10    Neither party shall be liable for delays caused by bona fide labor
         disputes, war, civil or military disturbances, acts or lack of action
         of governments or governmental authorities, accidents, fires,
         explosions, epidemics, forces of nature, acts of God or other causes
         reasonably beyond its control, but each party shall use all reasonable
         efforts to avoid such delays and to minimize the extent of any delays
         that do occur.

12.11    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be
         enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and
         permitted assigns.

12.12    This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made under, and shall be
         construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
         New York, U.S.A.

                                      -11-






12.13    Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
         this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding
         arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration Rules of the
         American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), and the procedures set forth
         below. In the event of any inconsistency between the Rules of AAA and
         the procedures set forth below, the procedures set forth below shall
         control. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be
         enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

        (a)     Location. Unless the parties agree otherwise, if Scripps invokes
                the arbitration, the arbitration shall be held in New York, New
                York and if Innovir invokes the arbitration, the arbitration
                shall be held in the county of San Diego, California.

        (b)     Section of Arbitrations. The arbitration shall be conducted by a
                panel of three neutral arbitrators who are independent and
                disinterested with respect to the parties, this Agreement, and
                the outcome of the arbitration. Each party shall appoint one
                neutral arbitrator, and these two arbitrators so selected by the
                parties shall then select the third arbitrator. If one party has
                given written notice to the other party as to the identity of
                the arbitrator appointed by the party, and the party hereafter
                makes a written demand on the other party to appoint its
                designated arbitrator within the next ten days, and the other
                party fails to appoint its designated arbitrator within ten days
                after receiving said written demand, then the arbitrator who has
                already been designated shall appoint the other two arbitrators.

        (c)     Discovery. Unless the parties mutually agree in writing to some
                additional and specific pre-hearing discovery, the only
                pre-hearing discovery shall be (a) reasonably limited production
                to relevant and non-privileged documents, and (b) the
                identification of witnesses to be called at the hearing, which
                identification shall give the witness's name, general
                qualifications and position, and a brief statement as to the
                general scope of the testimony to be given by the witness. The
                arbitrators shall decide any disputes and shall control the
                process concerning these pre-hearing discovery matters. Pursuant
                to the rules of AAA, the parties may subpoena witnesses and
                documents for presentation at the hearing.

        (d)     Case Management. Prompt resolution of any dispute is important
                to both parties; and the parties agree that the arbitration of
                any dispute shall be conducted expeditiously. The arbitrators
                are instructed and directed to assume case management initiative
                and control over the arbitration process (including scheduling
                of events, pre-hearing discovery and activities, and the conduct
                of the

                                      -12-





                hearing), in order to complete the arbitration as expeditiously
                as is reasonably practical for obtaining a just resolution of
                the dispute.

        (e)     Remedies. The arbitrators may grant any legal or equitable
                remedy or relief that the arbitrators deem just and equitable,
                to the same extent that remedies or relief could be granted by a
                state or federal court, provided however, that no punitive
                damages may be awarded. No court action may be maintained
                seeking punitive damages. The decision of any two of the three
                arbitrators appointed shall be binding upon the parties.

        (f)     Expenses. The expenses of the arbitration, including the
                arbitrators' fees, expert witness fees, and attorney's fees, may
                be awarded to the prevailing party, in the discretion of the
                arbitrators, or may be apportioned between the parties in the
                manner deemed appropriate by the arbitrators. Unless and until
                the arbitrators decide that one party is to pay for all (or a
                share) of such expenses, both parties shall share equally in the
                payment of the arbitrators' fees as and when billed by the
                arbitrators.

        (g)     Confidentiality. Except as set forth below, the parties shall
                keep confidential the fact of the arbitration, the dispute being
                arbitrated, and the decision of the arbitrators. Notwithstanding
                the foregoing, the parties may disclose information about the
                arbitration to persons who have a need to know, such as
                directors, trustees, management employees, witnesses, experts,
                investors, attorneys, lenders, insurers, and others who may be
                directly affected. Additionally, if a party has stock which is
                publicly traded, the party may make such disclosures as are
                required by applicable securities laws. Further, if a party is
                expressly asked by a third party about the dispute or the
                arbitration, the party may disclose and acknowledge in general
                and limited terms that there is a dispute with the other party
                which is being (or has been) arbitrated. Once the arbitration
                award has become final, if the arbitration award is not promptly
                satisfied, then these confidentiality provisions shall no longer
                be applicable.




                                      -13-




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Scripps and Innovir have caused this Agreement to
be executed in duplicate by their respective duly authorized officers.

INNOVIR LABORATORIES, INC.                           SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

By: /s/ ALLAN R. GOLDBERG                            By: /s/ ARNOLD LaGUARDIA
   -------------------------------                       ----------------------
     Allan R. Goldberg, Ph.D                                Arnold LaGuardia
      Chairman and President                             Senior Vice President

Date:       6/3/96                                   Date:     5/31/96
      ---------------------------                         ----------------------


     I HAVE READ AND AGREED TO THE OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR.

FRANCIS V. CHISARI                                 Date:  5-31-96
- -------------------------------                          ---------------------- 
         Francis V. Chisari, Ph.D.

                                      -14-