Vice President, Corporate Development Employment Agreement

EXHIBIT 10.41


October 27, 1998


Stephen F. Keane 2780 Angell Avenue San Diego, CA 92122


Dear Steve:


SIBIA Neurosciences, Inc., is pleased to offer you the position of Vice President, Corporate Development reporting to me, the President and CEO. Your main responsibility will be to establish value-building relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as with academic institutions, especially to initiate, structure and negotiate business development agreements that maximize the company's assets and support its strategic mission. Duties will include overseeing Intellectual Property, Investor Relations and developing the rationale for acquisition of products/businesses that significantly enhance the realization of the company's vision. Your starting salary will be $12,500.00 per month and you will be eligible for SIBIA benefits which include medical, dental, long term disability, 401(k), life insurance, vacation, and sick leave. These benefits may be amended from time to time.


After your acceptance of this offer, and commencement of employment at SIBIA, I will recommend to the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of SIBIA's Board of Directors that you be granted an option to purchase 60,000 shares of SIBIA Common Stock under our 1996 Equity Incentive Plan. You will also be eligible for additional stock option grants on a yearly basis under the company's lo ...