10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to

Commission File Number: 0-27316

Molecular Devices Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization) 94-2914362
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1311 Orleans Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(408) 747-1700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes þ No o

As of April 26, 2005, 16,923,487 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.001 par value, were outstanding.

MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2005

INDEX

		PAGE
		NUMBER
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004		3
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004		4
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004		5
	NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		6
ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		11
ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK		21
ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		22
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION		22
ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS		22
ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS		23
SIGNATURE			24
EXHIBIT 10.51
EXHIBIT 31.1
EXHIBIT 31.2
EXHIBIT 32.1

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts, unaudited)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2005			2004
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,326		$	30,175
Accounts receivable, net		35,614			36,995
Inventories, net		26,298			25,785
Deferred tax assets		9,756			9,654
Prepaids and other current assets		2,394			2,780
Total current assets		82,388			105,389
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net		11,115			11,762
Goodwill		104,228			104,228
Intangible assets		41,360			30,243
Other assets		3,437			3,607
Total assets	$	242,528		$	255,229
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,740		$	7,085
Accrued compensation		3,608			8,447
Other accrued liabilities		13,357			14,995
Deferred revenue		7,213			7,306
Total current liabilities		30,918			37,833
Other long-term liabilities		1,374			1,452
Deferred tax liabilities		5,312			5,324
Total liabilities		37,604			44,609
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.001 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 19,746,920 and 19,363,579 shares issued and 16,920,474 and 17,152,610 shares outstanding at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively		20			19
Additional paid-in capital		264,886			262,676
Accumulated deficit		(6,694	)		(8,873	)
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,826,446 and 2,429,446 shares at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively		(54,992	)		(46,595	)
Deferred stock compensation		(57	)		(113	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,761			3,506
Total stockholders’ equity		204,924			210,620
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	242,528		$	255,229

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

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MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2005			2004
Revenues	$	39,064		$	27,337
Cost of revenues		15,046			10,242
Gross profit		24,018			17,095
Operating expenses:
Research and development		6,226			4,017
Selling, general and administrative		14,313			10,920
Total operating expenses		20,539			14,937
Income from operations		3,479			2,158
Interest and other income, net		35			36
Income before income taxes		3,514			2,194
Income tax provision		(1,335	)		(764	)
Net income	$	2,179		$	1,430
Basic net income per share	$	0.13		$	0.10
Diluted net income per share	$	0.13		$	0.10
Shares used in computing basic net income per share		17,041			14,588
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share		17,361			14,791

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

4

MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2005			2004
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	2,179		$	1,430
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,748			1,311
Amortization of intangible assets		559			136
Amortization of deferred stock compensation		56			–
Equity investment exchanged for services		131			–
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable, net		891			4,909
Inventories		(1,099	)		(612	)
Deferred tax assets		(113	)		–
Other current assets		372			(266	)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable		(330	)		161
Accrued liabilities		(6,497	)		(4,893	)
Deferred revenue		(27	)		360
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(2,130	)		2,536
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments		–			9,850
Capital expenditures		(676	)		(684	)
Purchase of intangible assets		(10,035	)		–
Decrease (increase) in intangible assets		(1,820	)		36
Decrease (increase) in other assets		170			(246	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(12,361	)		8,956
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock, net		2,211			769
Purchase of treasury stock		(8,397	)		(12,026	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(6,186	)		(11,257	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(1,172	)		(77	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(21,849	)		158
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		30,175			50,260
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	8,326		$	50,418

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

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MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Molecular Devices Corporation (“Molecular Devices,” “the Company,” “our,” “us” or “we”), a Delaware corporation, is principally involved in the design, development, manufacture, sale and service of bioanalytical measurement systems that accelerate and improve drug discovery and other life sciences research. The customers for our products include leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as medical centers, universities, government research laboratories and other institutions throughout the world.

We operate in a single industry segment: the design, development, sale and service of bioanalytical measurement systems for drug discovery and life sciences research applications.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with the published rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to interim financial information. Certain information and footnote disclosures included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted in these interim statements as allowed by such SEC rules and regulations. However, we believe that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2005.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Molecular Devices and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein reflect all adjustments (which include only normal, recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.

Note 2. Stock Based Compensation

As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standard’s Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 123 (“FAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended, we apply the intrinsic value method of accounting as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB Opinion 25”) and related interpretations in accounting for our stock option plans and, accordingly, recognize no compensation expense for stock option grants with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant. If we had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value of the options granted on their grant date and shares issued under stock purchase plans as prescribed by FAS 123, net income and net income per share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated in the table below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2005			2004
Net income — as reported	$	2,179		$	1,430
Plus: Stock based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax		56			–
Less: Stock based compensation expense determined using the fair value method, net of tax		(1,792	)		(1,728	)
Net income (loss) — pro forma	$	443		$	(298	)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic — as reported	$	0.13		$	0.10
Basic — pro forma		0.03			(0.02	)
Diluted — as reported		0.13			0.10
Diluted — pro forma		0.03			(0.02	)

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The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2005			2004
Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
Expected stock price volatility		77	%		78	%
Risk-free interest rate		4	%		3	%
Expected life of options	6.0 years			6.7 years

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”) which is a revision of FAS 123, and supersedes APB Opinion 25. FAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values, beginning with the first annual period after June 15, 2005, with early adoption encouraged. On April 14, 2005, the SEC adopted a new rule that amended the compliance dates for FAS 123R such that we are now allowed to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2006. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under FAS 123 will no longer be an alternative to financial statement recognition. As permitted by FAS 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, recognize no compensation cost for employee stock options. Although expected to be material, we cannot predict the impact of adoption of FAS 123R at this time because it will depend on the valuation methodology adopted, assumptions used and the levels of share-based payments granted in the future.

Note 3. Balance Sheet Components (in thousands)

	March 31,		December 31,
	2005		2004
Inventories:
Raw materials	$	12,247	$	12,521
Work-in-process		2,062		2,202
Finished goods and demonstration equipment		11,989		11,062
	$	26,298	$	25,785
Other accrued liabilities:
Accrued income tax	$	1,399	$	3,128
Warranty accrual		2,303		2,276
Other		9,655		9,591
	$	13,357	$	14,995

Note 4. Intangible Assets

In March 2005, we completed the purchase of certain assets from Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Xsira”) relating to the Transfluor® technology, a cell-based fluorescent assay system for monitoring the function of G-protein coupled receptors. We acquired $11.7 million of intangible assets, including $11.5 million of developed technology and tradenames valued at $200,000. These intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives of ten years.

At March 31, 2005, purchased intangible assets not subject to amortization totaled $10.8 million and consisted of tradenames valued at $9.3 million and distribution rights valued at approximately $1.5 million. At December 31, 2004, purchased intangible assets not subject to amortization totaled $10.8 million and consisted of tradenames valued at $9.3 million and distribution rights valued at $1.5 million.

Purchased intangible assets subject to amortization over ten years consist of patents, developed technology, license fees, and certain tradenames. Purchased intangible assets subject to amortization over one year consist of order backlog. The gross and net carrying value of these assets at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were included as Intangible assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and were as follows (in thousands):

7

	Gross				Net
	Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
	Value		Amortization		Value
Order backlog	$	100	$	67	$	33
Patents		1,372		507		865
Developed technology		28,868		1,464		27,404
Tradenames		200		–		200
License fees		2,688		577		2,111
Total at March 31, 2005	$	33,228	$	2,615	$	30,613
Order backlog	$	100	$	42	$	58
Patents		1,372		472		900
Developed technology		17,368		1,029		16,339
License fees		2,688		513		2,175
Total at December 31, 2004	$	21,528	$	2,056	$	19,472

The estimated future amortization expense of purchased intangible assets as of March 31, 2005 was as follows (in thousands):

	Amortization
For the year ending December 31,	Expense
2005 (remaining nine months)	$	2,510
2006		3,303
2007		3,303
2008		3,303
2009		3,303
Thereafter		14,891
	$	30,613

Note 5. Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and common equivalent shares from outstanding stock options (using the treasury stock method), when dilutive. The computation of earnings per share is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2005		2004
Net income	$	2,179	$	1,430
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average common shares outstanding		17,041		14,588
Effect of dilutive securities — employee stock options		320		203
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — weighted average common shares outstanding plus dilutive securities		17,361		14,791
Basic net income per share	$	0.13	$	0.10
Diluted net income per share	$	0.13	$	0.10

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the total number of shares excluded from the calculations of diluted net income per share was 1,781,793, as the weighted-average exercise price of these outstanding stock options was greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the total number of shares excluded from the calculations of diluted net income per share was 1,981,212.

Note 6. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income, net of tax, was approximately $400,000 and $1.6 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The differences between reported net income and comprehensive income are principally comprised of changes in accumulated foreign currency translation, which is recorded in stockholders’ equity.

8

Note 7. Restructuring

On July 1, 2004, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Axon Instruments, Inc. (“Axon”). Concurrent with the acquisition, we implemented an integration plan which included the termination of Axon employees, the relocation or transfer to other sites of employees, and the closure of duplicate facilities. Costs for this plan associated with employee severance and relocation totaled $500,000 and costs associated with the closure of duplicate facilities totaled $2.2 million. In the fourth quarter of 2004, we implemented an integration plan which included the termination of additional employees. Termination costs related to Molecular Devices employees totaled $1.2 million. Activity for restructuring charges for the three months ended March 31, 2005 is as follows (in thousands):

						Balance at					Adjustments			Balance at
	Beginning					December					Included in			March 31,
	Balance		Payments			31, 2004		Payments			Net Income			2005
Axon employee severance and relocation	$	500	$	(365	)	$	135	$	(10	)	$	(100	)	$	25
Closure of duplicate facilities		2,200		–			2,200		(146	)		–			2,054
Molecular Devices employee severance		1,157		(124	)		1,033		(869	)		(61	)		103
Total	$	3,857	$	(489	)	$	3,368	$	(1,025	)	$	(161	)	$	2,182

Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies

GUARANTEES

Under our charter, we have agreed to indemnify any person who is made a party to any action or threatened with any action as a result of such person’s serving or having served as an officer or director of Molecular Devices or having served, at our request, as an officer or director of another company. The indemnification does not apply if the person is determined not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her actions were in the best interests of Molecular Devices. The maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under the charter provision and the corresponding indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have director’s and officer’s liability insurance policies that, in most cases, would limit our exposure and enable us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The estimated fair value of these indemnification provisions is minimal. Most of these indemnification provisions were grandfathered under the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” as they were in effect prior to December 31, 2003. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these provisions as of March 31, 2005.

We enter into indemnification provisions under our agreements with other companies in the ordinary course of business, typically with business partners, contractors, clinical sites and customers. Under these provisions we generally indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party as a result of our activities. These indemnification provisions generally survive termination of the underlying agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited. We have not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of March 31, 2005.

WARRANTY

At the time of sale, we record an estimate for warranty costs that may be incurred under product warranties. Our standard warranty generally includes parts and labor for a twelve month period. Warranty expense and activity are estimated based on historical experience. The warranty accrual is evaluated periodically and adjusted for changes in experience. Changes in the warranty liability during the three months ended March 31, 2005 were as follows (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2004	$	2,276
New warranties issued during the period		568
Cost of warranties incurred during the period		(541	)
Balance at March 31, 2005	$	2,303

LITIGATION

In January 2005, a former Axon distributor filed a claim against us. The claim alleges that we breached two authorized agency contracts that were entered into by the distributor and Axon. As we believe it is probable that we will pay some amount to settle this matter, we have accrued a liability for an amount as determined using the criteria in FASB Statement No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.”

9

Note 9. Revolving Credit Facility

In connection with the acquisition of Axon, we entered into a new senior unsecured credit facility with Union Bank of California, N.A., which provides us with a revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $30.0 million. The revolving credit facility is guaranteed by our domestic subsidiaries. All loans outstanding under the senior unsecured credit facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either the base rate plus 0.50% or the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.25%. The revolving credit facility may be drawn, paid and reborrowed at our option, and matures on July 1, 2007. The revolving credit facility had no outstanding balance as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Except for the historical information contained herein, the following discussion contains “forward-looking” statements. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “predicts,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “will,” “continue,” “may,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, those discussed in this section as well as under “Factors That May Affect Future Results,” and “Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and the risks detailed from time to time in our future SEC reports.

We are a leading supplier of high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems that accelerate and improve drug discovery and other life sciences research. Our systems and consumables enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to leverage advances in genomics, proteomics and parallel chemistry by facilitating the high-throughput and cost-effective identification and evaluation of drug candidates. Our solutions are based on our advanced core technologies that integrate our expertise in engineering, molecular and cell biology, and chemistry. We enable our customers to improve research productivity and effectiveness, which ultimately accelerates the complex process of discovering and developing new drugs.

Our customers include leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as medical centers, universities, government research laboratories and other institutions throughout the world. The success of our business is impacted by research and development spending trends of these customers, which has been unpredictable over the last three years and remains unpredictable in the near term. We focus on generating revenue growth through the development of innovative products for these customers. In each of the last four years, our internal research and development efforts have enabled us to exceed our goal of generating over 50% of annual revenues from products that are introduced in the last three years.

We divide our revenues into two product families based primarily on the customers to which they are sold. The drug discovery product family includes systems that integrate detection, liquid handling and automation, have price points in excess of $100,000, and are primarily sold to large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Product lines included in the drug discovery family are FLIPR, Analyst, IonWorks, PatchXpress, ImageXpress and Discovery-1 systems. The life sciences product family, which includes bench-top detection, imaging software and liquid handling products, consists of the SpectraMax, MetaMorph, GenePix, Threshold, Skatron and Axopatch product lines. These single-purpose instruments generally cost less than $60,000 and are sold throughout our entire customer base. We recognize revenue on the sale of these products, when collectibility is reasonably assured, at the time of shipment and transfer of title to customers and distributors. There are no significant customer acceptance requirements or post shipment obligations on our part.

We are deriving an increasing portion of our revenues from overseas operations. Sales to customers outside of the United States accounted for 47% of total revenues during the first three months of 2005, and 44% of total revenues during the first three months of 2004. We anticipate that international sales will account for an increasing percentage of revenues in the future, and we expect to continue expanding our international operations in order to take advantage of increasing international market opportunities.

On July 1, 2004, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Axon Instruments, Inc. (“Axon”). The total cost of the acquisition was $139.9 million including cash and stock paid, options assumed, and direct transaction costs. As a result of the acquisition, we received $22.1 million in cash that had been on the balance sheet of Axon. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of Axon have been included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, equity investments, income taxes and warranty obligations. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2005.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 and 2004

REVENUES. Revenues increased by 43% to $39.1 million in the first three months of 2005 from $27.3 million in first three months of 2004. Drug discovery product family revenues increased by 41% compared to the first three months of 2004, and represented 38%

11

of total revenue. Life sciences research product family revenues increased by 44% compared to the first three months of 2004, and represented 62% of total revenue. The $11.8 million increase in revenue was due to $10.4 million of sales of our acquired Axon product lines, including PatchXpress, ImageXpress, cellular neurosciences and genomics, $600,000 in growth in drug discovery products driven primarily by increased FLIPR sales, and $800,000 in growth in life sciences research products including our SpectraMax products and MetaMorph software.

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit remained relatively stable at 61.5% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 62.5% in the same period of the prior year primarily due to the addition of lower margin products from Axon.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE. Research and development expenses increased in the first quarter of 2005 by 55% to $6.2 million from $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2004. The increase was primarily due to $1.6 million of additional salary, benefits and other expenses associated with increased headcount, largely driven by the acquisition of Axon in the third quarter of 2004.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2005 increased by 31% to $14.3 million from $10.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. The increase was primarily due to $1.4 million of additional salary, benefits and other expenses associated with increased headcount, largely driven by the acquisition of Axon in the third quarter of 2004, $800,000 in increased accounting and consulting fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance, and $400,000 of increased amortization due to acquired intangible assets.

INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME, NET. Other income, net was $35,000 in the first quarter of 2005, compared to $36,000 in the first quarter of 2004.

INCOME TAX PROVISION. We recorded a tax provision of $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2005 compared to $800,000 in the first quarter of 2004. The tax provision for the first quarter of 2005 was based on a 38% annual estimated effective income tax rate for 2005, up from 35% in the first quarter of 2004. The increase was due primarily to the reduction of federal and state research and development credits. The effective tax rates for the first quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2004 are calculated on profit before tax.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We had cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investments of $8.3 million at March 31, 2005, compared to $30.2 million at December 31, 2004. Operating activities in the first three months of 2005 used $2.1 million of cash, compared to $2.5 million provided in the first three months of 2004, primarily due to lower cash generated by collections on accounts receivable and a higher payout of accrued liabilities, which included a $3.0 million income tax payment related to the gain on the sale of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2004.

We used $12.4 million of cash in investing activities in the first three months of 2005, primarily due to $10.0 million used to acquire intangible assets from Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in March 2005. In the first three months of 2004, we generated $9.0 million of cash from investing activities, primarily due to $9.9 million in proceeds received from the sale and maturity of short-term investments, which were partially offset by $700,000 in capital expenditures.

In the first three months of 2005, cash used in financing activities was $6.2 million. We repurchased 397,000 shares of our common stock for $8.4 million and raised $2.2 million from the issuance of common stock associated with stock option exercises and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan. The timing of and amounts received under our employee stock option and purchase plans are determined by the decisions of the respective option or rights holders, and are not controlled by us. Therefore, funds raised from the issuance of common stock under our employee stock option and purchase plans should not be considered an indication of additional funds to be raised in future periods. In the first three months of 2004, we used $11.3 million of cash in financing activities, primarily for the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

We believe that our existing cash and anticipated cash flow from our operations will be sufficient to support our current operating plan for the foreseeable future. Our ability to generate our anticipated cash flow from operations is subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed below under “Factors That May Affect Future Results,” including, in particular, variations in the amount of time it takes for us to sell our products and collect accounts receivable, the timing of customer orders, competition, risks associated with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, supplier or manufacturing problems or delays, and risks associated with past and potential future acquisitions.

Likewise, our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary as a result of a number of factors. We have based this estimate on our current plans which may change and assumptions that may prove to be wrong. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

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•   the progress of our research and development;

•   the number and scope of our research and development programs;

•   market acceptance and demand for our products;

•   the costs that may be involved in enforcing our patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

•   potential acquisition and technology licensing opportunities;

•   the costs associated with repurchasing shares of our common stock;

•   manufacturing capacity requirements; and

•   the costs of expanding our sales, marketing and distribution capabilities both in the United States and abroad.

We have generated sufficient cash flow to fund our capital requirements primarily through operating and financing activities over the last three years. However, we cannot assure you that we will not require additional financing in the future to support our existing operations or potential acquisition and technology licensing opportunities that may arise. Therefore, we may in the future seek to raise additional funds through bank facilities, debt or equity offerings or other sources of capital. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all, and may be dilutive to our then-current stockholders.

Our cash and investments policy emphasizes liquidity and preservation of principal over other portfolio considerations. We select investments that maximize interest income to the extent possible given these two constraints. We satisfy liquidity requirements by investing excess cash in securities with different maturities to match projected cash needs and limit concentration of credit risk by diversifying our investments among a variety of high credit-quality issuers.

Factors That May Affect Future Results

Our business faces significant risks and the risks described below may not be the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed and the trading price of our common stock could decline.

VARIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES FOR US TO SELL OUR PRODUCTS AND COLLECT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND THE TIMING OF CUSTOMER ORDERS MAY CAUSE FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR OPERATING RESULTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE.

The timing of capital equipment purchases by our customers has been and is expected to continue to be uneven and difficult to predict. Our products represent major capital purchases for our customers. The list prices for our instruments range from $5,000 to $469,500. Accordingly, our customers generally take a relatively long time to evaluate our products, and a significant portion of our revenues is typically derived from sales of a small number of relatively high-priced products. Purchases are generally made by purchase orders and not long-term contracts. Delays in receipt of anticipated orders for our relatively high priced products could lead to substantial variability from quarter to quarter. Furthermore, we have historically received purchase orders and made a significant portion of each quarter’s product shipments near the end of the quarter. If that pattern continues, even short delays in the receipt of orders or shipment of products at the end of a quarter could have a material adverse affect on results of operations for that quarter.

We expend significant resources educating and providing information to our prospective customers regarding the uses and benefits of our products. Because of the number of factors influencing the sales process, the period between our initial contact with a customer and the time when we recognize revenues from that customer, if ever, varies widely. Our sales cycles typically range from three to six months, but can be much longer. During these cycles, we commit substantial resources to our sales efforts in advance of receiving any revenues, and we may never receive any revenues from a customer despite our sales efforts.

The relatively high purchase price for a customer order contributes to collection delays that result in working capital volatility. While the terms of our sales orders generally require payment within 30 days of product shipment and do not provide return rights, in the past we have experienced significant collection delays. We cannot predict whether we will continue to experience similar or more severe delays.

The capital spending policies of our customers have a significant effect on the demand for our products. Those policies are based on a wide variety of factors, including resources available to make purchases, spending priorities, and policies regarding capital expenditures during industry downturns or recessionary periods. Any decrease in capital spending by our customers resulting from any of these factors could harm our business.

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WE DEPEND ON ORDERS THAT ARE RECEIVED AND SHIPPED IN THE SAME QUARTER AND THEREFORE HAVE LIMITED VISIBILITY OF FUTURE PRODUCT SHIPMENTS.

Our net sales in any given quarter depend upon a combination of orders received in that quarter for shipment in that quarter and shipments from backlog. Our products are typically shipped within ninety days of purchase order receipt. As a result, we do not believe that the amount of backlog at any particular date is indicative of our future level of sales. Our backlog at the beginning of each quarter does not include all product sales needed to achieve expected revenues for that quarter. Consequently, we are dependent on obtaining orders for products to be shipped in the same quarter that the order is received. Moreover, customers may reschedule shipments, and production difficulties could delay shipments. Accordingly, we have limited visibility of future product shipments, and our results of operations are subject to significant variability from quarter to quarter.

MANY OF OUR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL COMPETITORS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER RESOURCES THAN WE DO, AND INCREASED COMPETITION COULD IMPAIR SALES OF OUR PRODUCTS.

We operate in a highly competitive industry and face competition from companies that design, manufacture and market instruments for use in the life sciences research industry, from genomic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies and from academic and research institutions and government or other publicly-funded agencies, both in the United States and abroad. We may not be able to compete effectively with all of these competitors. Many of these companies and institutions have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and customer support resources than we do. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies or market developments by devoting greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of products, which could impair sales of our products. Moreover, there has been significant merger and acquisition activity among our competitors and potential competitors. These transactions by our competitors and potential competitors may provide them with a competitive advantage over us by enabling them to rapidly expand their product offerings and service capabilities to meet a broader range of customer needs. Many of our customers and potential customers are large companies that require global support and service, which may be easier for our larger competitors to provide.

We believe that competition within the markets we serve is primarily driven by the need for innovative products that address the needs of customers. We attempt to counter competition by seeking to develop new products and provide quality products and services that meet customers’ needs. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to successfully develop new products or that our existing or new products and services will adequately meet our customers’ needs.

Rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer needs, emerging competition and frequent new product and service introductions characterize the markets for our products. To remain competitive, we will be required to develop new products and periodically enhance our existing products in a timely manner. We are facing increased competition as new companies entering the market with new technologies compete, or will compete, with our products and future products. We cannot assure you that one or more of our competitors will not succeed in developing or marketing technologies or products that are more effective or commercially attractive than our products or future products, or that would render our technologies and products obsolete or uneconomical. Our future success will depend in large part on our ability to maintain a competitive position with respect to our current and future technologies, which we may not be able to do. In addition, delays in the launch of our new products may result in loss of market share due to our customers’ purchases of competitors’ products during any delay.

IF WE ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN DEVELOPING NEW AND ENHANCED PRODUCTS, WE MAY LOSE MARKET SHARE TO OUR COMPETITORS.

The life sciences instrumentation market is characterized by rapid technological change and frequent new product introductions. In the twelve months ended March 31, 2005, 73% of our revenues were derived from the sale of products that were introduced in the last three years, and our future success will depend on our ability to enhance our current products and to develop and introduce, on a timely basis, new products that address the evolving needs of our customers. We may experience difficulties or delays in our development efforts with respect to new products, and we may not ultimately be successful in developing or commercializing them, which would harm our business. Any significant delay in releasing new systems could cause our revenues to suffer, adversely affect our reputation, give a competitor a first-to-market advantage or cause a competitor to achieve greater market share. In addition, our future success depends on our continued ability to develop new applications for our existing products. If we are not able to complete the development of these applications, or if we experience difficulties or delays, we may lose our current customers and may not be able to attract new customers, which could seriously harm our business and our future growth prospects.

WE MUST EXPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS, AND IF THESE PRODUCTS DO NOT ACHIEVE COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE, OUR OPERATING RESULTS MAY SUFFER.

We expect to spend a significant amount of time and resources to develop new products and refine existing products. In light of the long product development cycles inherent in our industry, these expenditures will be made well in advance of the prospect of deriving revenues from the sale of new products. Our ability to commercially introduce and successfully market new products is subject to a wide variety of challenges during this development cycle that could delay introduction of these products. In addition, since our customers are not obligated by long-term contracts to purchase our products, our anticipated product orders may not materialize, or orders that do materialize may be canceled. As a result, if we do not achieve market acceptance of new products, our operating results

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will suffer. Our products are also generally priced higher than competitive products, which may impair commercial acceptance. We cannot predict whether new products that we expect to introduce will achieve commercial acceptance.

WE OBTAIN SOME OF THE CONSUMABLES, COMPONENTS AND SUBASSEMBLIES USED WITH OR INCLUDED IN OUR SYSTEMS FROM A SINGLE SOURCE OR A LIMITED GROUP OF SUPPLIERS, AND THE PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF ONE OF THESE SUPPLIERS COULD CAUSE CUSTOMER SUPPLY OR PRODUCTION DELAYS AND A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF REVENUES.

We rely on outside vendors to manufacture many consumables, components and subassemblies. Certain consumables, components, subassemblies and services necessary for the manufacture of our systems are obtained from a sole supplier or limited group of suppliers, some of which are our competitors. Additional components, such as optical, electronic and pneumatic devices, are currently purchased in configurations specific to our requirements and, together with certain other components, such as computers, are integrated into our products. We maintain only a limited number of long-term supply agreements with our suppliers, and some of these agreements provide that the supplier is the exclusive supplier of a particular consumable, component or subassembly.

Our reliance on a sole or a limited group of suppliers involves several risks, including the following:

•   our suppliers may cease or interrupt production of required consumables, components or subassemblies or otherwise fail to supply us with an adequate supply of required consumables, components or subassemblies for a number of reasons, including due to contractual disputes with our suppliers or due to adverse financial developments at or affecting the supplier;

•   we have reduced control over the pricing of third party-supplied consumables, components and subassemblies, and our suppliers may be unable or unwilling to supply us with required consumables, components and subassemblies on commercially acceptable terms, or at all;

•   we have reduced control over the timely delivery of third party-supplied consumables, components and subassemblies; and

•   our suppliers may be unable to develop technologically advanced products to support our growth and development of new systems.

Because the manufacturing of certain of these consumables, components and subassemblies involves extremely complex processes and requires long lead times, we may experience delays or shortages caused by suppliers. We believe that alternative sources could be obtained and qualified, if necessary, for most sole and limited source parts, subject in certain cases to the terms of exclusive supply agreements with suppliers. However, if we were forced to seek alternative sources of supply or to manufacture such consumables, components or subassemblies internally, we may be forced to redesign our systems, which could prevent us from shipping our systems to customers on a timely basis, and we may be liable to suppliers under the terms of existing supply agreements. Some of our suppliers have relatively limited financial and other resources. Any inability to obtain adequate deliveries, or any other circumstance that would restrict our ability to ship our products, could damage relationships with current and prospective customers and could harm our business, and any disputes with suppliers could have an adverse impact on our financial condition.

WE MAY ENCOUNTER MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS OR DELAYS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOST REVENUES.

We manufacture our products at our facilities in Sunnyvale and Union City, both in California, and in Norway. We assemble the Discovery-1 system at our facility in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Our manufacturing and assembly processes are highly complex and require sophisticated, costly equipment and specially designed facilities. As a result, any prolonged disruption in the operations of our manufacturing facilities could seriously harm our ability to satisfy our customer order deadlines. If we cannot deliver our systems in a timely manner, our revenues will likely suffer.

Our product sales depend in part upon manufacturing yields. We currently have limited manufacturing capacity and experience variability in manufacturing yields. We are currently manufacturing high-throughput instruments in-house, in limited volumes and with largely manual assembly. If demand for our high-throughput instruments increases, we will either need to expand our in-house manufacturing capabilities or outsource to other manufacturers. If we fail to deliver our products in a timely manner, our relationships with our customers could be seriously harmed, and our revenues could decline.

As we develop new products, we must transition the manufacture of a new product from the development stage to commercial manufacturing. We cannot predict whether we will be able to complete these transitions on a timely basis and with commercially reasonable costs. We cannot assure you that manufacturing or quality control problems will not arise as we attempt to scale-up our production for any future new products or that we can scale-up manufacturing and quality control in a timely manner or at commercially reasonable costs. If we are unable to consistently manufacture our products on a timely basis because of these or other factors, our product sales will decline.

IF WE DELIVER PRODUCTS WITH DEFECTS, OUR CREDIBILITY WILL BE HARMED AND THE SALES AND MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF OUR PRODUCTS WILL DECREASE.

Our products are complex and have at times contained errors, defects and bugs when introduced. If we deliver products with errors, defects or bugs, our credibility and the market acceptance and sales of our products would be harmed. Further, if our products contain errors, defects or bugs, we may be required to expend significant capital and resources to alleviate such problems. Defects could also lead to product liability as a result of product liability lawsuits against us or against our customers. We have agreed to indemnify our customers in some circumstances against liability arising from defects in our products. In the event of a successful product liability

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claim, we could be obligated to pay damages significantly in excess of our product liability insurance limits.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, WHICH EXPOSES US TO RISKS INHERENT IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

We maintain facilities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Australia and China. In addition to the increase in our international operations, we are also deriving an increasing portion of our revenues from customers located outside of the United States. Sales to customers outside of the United States accounted for approximately 47% our revenues during the first three months of 2005, and we anticipate that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues. A key aspect of our business strategy has been and is to expand our sales and support organizations internationally in order to take advantage of increasing international market opportunities resulting from worldwide growth in the life sciences industry.

Our reliance on international sales and operations exposes us to a number of risks associated with conducting operations internationally, including:

•   political, social and economic instability;

•   trade restrictions and changes in tariffs;

•   the impact of business cycles and downturns in economies outside of the United States;

•   unexpected changes in regulatory requirements that may limit our ability to export our products or sell into particular jurisdictions;

•   import and export license requirements and restrictions;

•   difficulties and costs of staffing, managing and monitoring geographically disparate operations;

•   difficulties in maintaining effective communications with employees and customers due to distance, language and cultural barriers;

•   disruptions in international transport or delivery;

•   difficulties in protecting our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where the laws and practices do not protect proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws and practices of the United States;

•   difficulties in enforcing agreements through non-U.S. legal systems;

•   longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting receivables; and

•   potentially adverse tax consequences.

If any of these risks materialize, our international sales could decrease and our foreign operations could suffer.

In addition, all of our sales to international distributors are denominated in U.S. dollars. Most of our direct sales in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Benelux, Canada and Japan are denominated in local currencies and totaled $13.0 million (33% of total revenues) for the first three months of 2005. To the extent that our sales and operating expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, our operating results may be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. Historically, foreign exchange gains and losses have been immaterial to our results of operations. However, we cannot predict whether these gains and losses will continue to be immaterial, particularly as we increase our direct sales outside North America. For example, we cannot predict whether other foreign exchange gains or losses in the future would have a material effect on our income. Owing to the number of currencies involved, the substantial volatility of currency exchange rates, and our constantly changing currency exposures, we cannot predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our future operating results. We do not currently engage in foreign currency hedging transactions, but may do so in the future.

MOST OF OUR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ARE FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS FACED BY THOSE INDUSTRIES.

We derive a significant portion of our revenues from sales to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We expect that sales to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies will continue to be a primary source of revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, we are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, such as availability of capital and reduction and delays in research and development expenditures by companies in these industries, pricing pressures as third-party payers continue challenging the pricing of medical products and services, government regulation, and the uncertainty resulting from technological change.

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In addition, our future revenues may be adversely affected by the ongoing consolidation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, which would reduce the number of our potential customers. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are our customers will not develop their own competing products or in-house capabilities.

OUR PRODUCTS COULD INFRINGE ON THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS, WHICH MAY CAUSE US TO ENGAGE IN COSTLY LITIGATION AND, IF WE ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL, COULD ALSO CAUSE US TO PAY SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES AND PROHIBIT US FROM SELLING OUR PRODUCTS.

Third parties may assert infringement or other intellectual property claims against us. We may have to pay substantial damages for infringement if it is ultimately determined that our products infringe on a third party’s proprietary rights. Further, any legal action against us could, in addition to subjecting us to potential liability for damages, prohibit us from selling our products before we obtain a license to do so from the party owning the intellectual property, which, if available at all, may require us to pay substantial royalties. Even if these claims are without merit, defending a lawsuit takes significant time, may be expensive and may divert management attention from other business concerns. There may be third-party patents that may relate to our technology or potential products. Any public announcements related to litigation or interference proceedings initiated or threatened against us could cause our stock price to decline. We believe that there may be significant litigation in the industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. If we become involved in litigation, it could consume a substantial portion of our managerial and financial resources.

WE MAY NEED TO INITIATE LAWSUITS TO PROTECT OR ENFORCE OUR PATENTS, WHICH WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND, IF WE LOSE, MAY CAUSE US TO LOSE SOME OF OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHICH WOULD REDUCE OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE MARKET.

We rely on patents to protect a large part of our intellectual property and our competitive position. In order to protect or enforce our patent rights, we may initiate patent litigation against third parties, such as infringement suits or interference proceedings. Litigation may be necessary to:

•   assert claims of infringement;

•   enforce our patents;

•   protect our trade secrets or know-how; or

•   determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others.

Lawsuits could be expensive, take significant time and divert management’s attention from other business concerns. They would put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing. We may also provoke third parties to assert claims against us. Patent law relating to the scope of claims in the technology fields in which we operate is still evolving and, consequently, patent positions in our industry are generally uncertain. If initiated, we cannot assure you that we would prevail in any of these suits or that the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, would be commercially valuable. During the course of these suits, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions and other interim proceedings or developments in the litigation. If securities analysts or investors were to perceive any of these results to be negative, our stock price could decline.

THE RIGHTS WE RELY UPON TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY UNDERLYING OUR PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE, WHICH COULD ENABLE THIRD PARTIES TO USE OUR TECHNOLOGY AND WOULD REDUCE OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE MARKET.

Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain commercially valuable patent claims and to protect our intellectual property. Our patent position is generally uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. Legal standards relating to the validity and scope of claims in our technology field are still evolving. Therefore, the degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain.

The risks and uncertainties that we face with respect to our patents and other proprietary rights include the following:

•   the pending patent applications we have filed or to which we have exclusive rights may not result in issued patents or may take longer than we expect to result in issued patents;

•   the claims of any patents which are issued may not provide meaningful protection;

•   we may not be able to develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;

•   the patents licensed or issued to us or our customers may not provide a competitive advantage;

•   other companies may challenge patents licensed or issued to us or our customers;

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•   patents issued to other companies may harm our ability to do business;

•   other companies may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate our technologies; and

•   other companies may design around technologies we have licensed or developed.

In addition to patents, we rely on a combination of trade secrets, nondisclosure agreements and other contractual provisions and technical measures to protect our intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, these measures may not be adequate to safeguard the proprietary technology underlying our products. If these measures do not protect our rights, third parties could use our technology, and our ability to compete in the market would be reduced. In addition, employees, consultants and others who participate in the development of our products may breach their agreements with us regarding our intellectual property, and we may not have adequate remedies for the breach. We also may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights in some foreign countries. For a variety of reasons, we may decide not to file for patent, copyright or trademark protection or prosecute potential infringements of our patents. We also realize that our trade secrets may become known through other means not currently foreseen by us. Notwithstanding our efforts to protect our intellectual property, our competitors may design around our proprietary technologies or may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or products that are equal or superior to our technology and products without infringing on any of our intellectual property rights.

WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY MANAGING OUR GROWTH.

We expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and customers and the scope of our operations, including as a result of potential acquisitions. This growth may continue to place a significant strain on our management and operations. Our ability to manage this growth will depend upon our ability to broaden our management team and our ability to attract, hire and retain skilled employees. Our success will also depend on the ability of our officers and key employees to continue to implement and improve our operational and other systems, to manage multiple, concurrent customer relationships and to hire, train and manage our employees. Our future success is heavily dependent upon growth and acceptance of new products. If we cannot scale our business appropriately or otherwise adapt to anticipated growth and new product introductions, a key part of our strategy may not be successful.

WE RELY UPON DISTRIBUTORS FOR PRODUCT SALES AND SUPPORT OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA.

In the first three months of 2005, approximately 17% of our sales were made through distributors. We often rely upon distributors to provide customer support to the ultimate end users of our products. As a result, our success depends on the continued sales and customer support efforts of our network of distributors. The use of distributors involves certain risks, including risks that distributors will not effectively sell or support our products, that they will be unable to satisfy financial obligations to us and that they will cease operations. Any reduction, delay or loss of orders from our significant distributors could harm our revenues. We also do not currently have distributors under contract in a number of significant international markets that we have targeted and will need to establish additional international distribution relationships. There can be no assurance that we will engage qualified distributors in a timely manner, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

IF WE CHOOSE TO ACQUIRE NEW AND COMPLEMENTARY BUSINESSES, PRODUCTS OR TECHNOLOGIES INSTEAD OF DEVELOPING THEM OURSELVES, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THESE ACQUISITIONS OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE AN ACQUIRED BUSINESS OR TECHNOLOGY IN A COST-EFFECTIVE AND NON-DISRUPTIVE MANNER.

Our success depends on our ability to continually enhance and broaden our product offerings in response to changing technologies, customer demands and competitive pressures. To this end, from time to time we have acquired complementary businesses, products or technologies instead of developing them ourselves, and we may choose to do so in the future. For example, we acquired intellectual property relating to the Transfluor® technology in March 2005 and acquired Axon in July 2004. We do not know if we will be able to complete any additional acquisitions, or whether we will be able to successfully integrate any acquired business, operate it profitably or retain its key employees. Integrating any business, product or technology we acquire involves considerable operational and financial risks and strains, including:

•   the potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of our management;

•   the potential strain on our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures;

•   unanticipated expenses and potential delays related to integration of the operations, technology and other resources of acquired businesses;

•   the impairment of relationships with employees, suppliers and customers as a result of any integration of new management personnel

•   greater than anticipated costs and expenses related to restructuring, including employee severance or relocation costs and costs

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     related to vacating leased facilities; and

•   potential unknown liabilities associated with any acquisition, including higher than expected integration costs, which may cause our quarterly and annual operating results to fluctuate.

We may not succeed in addressing these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with the acquisition of complementary businesses, products or technologies. If we are unable to successfully integrate the operations, products, technology and personnel of acquired businesses in a timely manner or at all, or if we do achieve the perceived benefits of any acquisition as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial analysts or investors, the market price of our common stock could decline.

In addition, in order to finance any acquisitions, we might need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financings. In that event, we could be forced to obtain financing on terms that are not favorable to us and, in the case of equity financing, that may result in dilution to our stockholders. In connection with the acquisition of Axon, we borrowed $30 million on our revolving credit facility in order to partially finance the cash portion of the merger consideration to be paid to Axon shareholders and optionholders. The revolving credit facility has no outstanding balance at March 31, 2005. While management believes that our cash flows will be more than adequate to service new debt, there may be circumstances in which required payments of principal and/or interest on new debt could adversely affect our cash flows and operating results, and therefore the market price of our common stock. In addition, any impairment of goodwill and amortization of other intangible assets or charges resulting from the costs of acquisitions could harm our business and operating results.

DUE TO THE AXON ACQUISITION, MOLECULAR DEVICES IS A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX ORGANIZATION, AND IF MOLECULAR DEVICES’ MANAGEMENT IS UNABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY MANAGE THE COMBINED COMPANY, ITS OPERATING RESULTS WILL SUFFER.

On July 1, 2004, Molecular Devices acquired a global business, which included approximately 128 employees based at Axon’s office in Union City, California and at its facilities in San Luis Obispo, California and Melbourne, Australia. The combined company continues to face challenges inherent in efficiently managing an increased number of employees over large geographic distances. The inability to successfully manage the substantially larger and internationally diverse organization could have a material adverse effect on the combined company and, as a result, on the market price of Molecular Devices common stock.

WE DEPEND ON OUR KEY PERSONNEL, THE LOSS OF WHOM WOULD IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE.

We are highly dependent on the principal members of our management, engineering and scientific staff. The loss of the service of any of these persons could seriously harm our product development and commercialization efforts. In addition, research, product development and commercialization will require additional skilled personnel in areas such as chemistry and biology, and software and electronic engineering. Our corporate headquarters are located in Sunnyvale, California, where demand for personnel with these skills is extremely high and is likely to remain high. As a result, competition for and retention of personnel, particularly for employees with technical expertise, is intense and the turnover rate for qualified personnel is high. If we are unable to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, our ability to conduct and expand our business could be seriously reduced. The inability to retain and hire qualified personnel could also hinder the planned expansion of our business.

CHANGES TO FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS MAY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CAUSE US TO CHANGE OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES.

We prepare our financial statements to conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles are subject to interpretation by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and various other bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting principles. A change in those principles can have a significant effect on our reported results and may affect our reporting of transactions completed before a change is announced. Changes to those rules or the questioning of current practices may adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business. For example, accounting principles affecting many aspects of our business, including rules relating to equity-related compensation, have recently been revised or are under review. The Financial Accounting Standards Board and other agencies have finalized changes to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles that will require us, starting in fiscal year 2006, to record a charge to earnings for employee stock option grants and other equity incentives. We will have significant and ongoing accounting charges resulting from option grant and other equity incentive expensing that could reduce our overall net income. In addition, since we historically have used equity-related compensation as a component of our total employee compensation program, the accounting change could make the use of equity-related compensation less attractive to us and therefore make it more difficult to attract and retain employees. See Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the impact on our financial results if we were to use the fair value method of accounting for equity awards to our employees.

OUR OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE AND ANY FAILURE TO MEET FINANCIAL EXPECTATIONS MAY

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DISAPPOINT SECURITIES ANALYSTS OR INVESTORS AND RESULT IN A DECLINE IN OUR STOCK PRICE.

We have experienced and in the future may experience a shortfall in revenues or earnings or otherwise fail to meet public market expectations, which could materially and adversely affect our business and the market price of our common stock. Our total revenues and operating results may fluctuate significantly because of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. These factors include:

•   customer confidence in the economy, evidenced, in part, by stock market levels;

•   changes in the domestic and international economic, business and political conditions;

•   economic conditions within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries;

•   levels of product and price competition;

•   the length of our sales cycle and customer buying patterns;

•   the size and timing of individual transactions;

•   the timing of new product introductions and product enhancements;

•   the mix of products sold;

•   levels of international transactions;

•   activities of and acquisitions by competitors;

•   the timing of new hires and the allocation of our resources;

•   changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

•   our ability to develop and market new products and control costs; and

•   changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

One or more of the foregoing factors may cause our operating expenses to be disproportionately high during any given period or may cause our revenues and operating results to fluctuate significantly. In particular, we typically experience a decrease in the level of sales in the first calendar quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of the preceding year because of budgetary and capital equipment purchasing patterns in the life sciences industry. Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past, and we expect they will fluctuate in the future as a result of many factors, some of which are outside of our control.

In addition, we manufacture our products based on forecasted orders rather than on outstanding orders. Accordingly, our expense levels are based, in part, on expected future sales, and we generally cannot quickly adjust operating expenses. For example, research and development and general and administrative expenses are not directly affected by variations in revenues. As a result, if sales levels in a particular quarter do not meet expectations, we may not be able to adjust operating expenses in a sufficient timeframe to compensate for the shortfall, and our results of operations for that quarter may be seriously harmed. Likewise, our manufacturing processes may in certain instances create a risk of excess or inadequate inventory levels if orders do not match forecasts.

Based upon the preceding factors, we may experience a shortfall in revenues or earnings or otherwise fail to meet public market expectations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our common stock. Because our revenues and operating results are difficult to predict, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not a good indication of our future performance.

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 404 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR STOCK PRICE.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm attesting to and reporting on these assessments. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC. If we cannot favorably assess, or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide an unqualified attestation report on our assessment of, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investor confidence in the reliability of our financial reports may be adversely affected, which

20

could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

OUR STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE, WHICH COULD CAUSE STOCKHOLDERS TO LOSE A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THEIR INVESTMENT IN OUR STOCK.

The stock market in general, and the stock prices of technology companies in particular, have recently experienced volatility which has often been unrelated to the operating performance of any particular company or companies. In the twelve months ended March 31, 2005, the closing sales price of our common stock ranged from $17.05 to $25.30. Our stock price could decline regardless of our actual operating performance, and stockholders could lose a substantial part of their investment as a result of industry or market-based fluctuations. In the past, our stock has traded relatively thinly. If a more active public market for our stock is not sustained, it may be difficult for stockholders to resell shares of our common stock. Because we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future, stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.

The market price of our common stock will likely fluctuate in response to a number of factors, including the following:

•   domestic and international economic, business and political conditions;

•   economic conditions within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries;

•   our failure to meet our performance estimates or the performance estimates of securities analysts;

•   changes in financial estimates of our revenues and operating results by us or securities analysts;

•   changes in buy/sell recommendations by securities analysts; and

•   the timing of announcements by us or our competitors of significant products, contracts or acquisitions or publicity regarding actual or potential results or performance thereof.

PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND DELAWARE LAW MAY INHIBIT A TAKEOVER, WHICH COULD LIMIT THE PRICE INVESTORS MIGHT BE WILLING TO PAY IN THE FUTURE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing an acquisition, or merger in which we are not the surviving company or which results in changes in our management. For example, our certificate of incorporation gives our Board of Directors the authority to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be harmed by, the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock may delay, defer or prevent a change in control, as the terms of the preferred stock that might be issued could potentially prohibit our consummation of any merger, reorganization, sale of substantially all of our assets, liquidation or other extraordinary corporate transaction without the approval of the holders of the outstanding shares of preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock could also have a dilutive effect on our stockholders. In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock, from consummating a merger or combination involving us. Further, in October 2001, our Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan, commonly known as a “poison pill.” These provisions described above and our poison pill could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock.

OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN OUR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that relate to future events or our future financial performance. When used in this report, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “predicts,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “will,” “continue,” “may,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions. These statements are only predictions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth above and elsewhere in this report.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements. We assume no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report or to conform these statements to actual results. Accordingly, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks, including changes in interest rates and foreign currency rates.

21

Foreign Currency Exchange

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates primarily in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Benelux, Canada, Japan and South Korea, where we sell our products directly in local currencies. All other foreign sales are denominated in U.S. dollars and bear no exchange rate risk. However, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar could make our products less competitive in overseas markets. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions have historically been immaterial. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in exchange rates applied to our projected foreign sales for the remainder of 2005, indicated that such movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Translation gains and losses related to our foreign subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, China and Australia are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. We do not currently engage in foreign currency hedging transactions, but may do so in the future.

Interest and Investment Income

Our interest and investment income is subject to changes in the general level of interest rates, primarily U.S. interest rates. In this regard, changes in U.S. interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash equivalents and short-term investments. We invest our excess cash primarily in demand deposits with U.S. banks and money market accounts and short-term securities. These securities are carried at market value, which approximate cost, typically mature or are redeemable within 90 days to two years and bear minimal risk. We have not experienced any significant losses on these investments. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in interest rates applied to our investment balances at March 31, 2005 indicated that such market movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Actual gains or losses in the future may differ materially from this analysis, depending upon actual balances and changes in the timing and amount of interest rate movements.

Debt and Interest Expense

In connection with the acquisition of Axon, we entered into a new senior unsecured credit facility with Union Bank of California, N.A., which provides us with a revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $30.0 million. The revolving credit facility is guaranteed by our domestic subsidiaries. All loans outstanding under the senior unsecured credit facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either the base rate plus 0.50% or the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.25%. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in interest rates applied to our debt balance at March 31, 2005, indicated that such market movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition, as there was no balance at quarter end. Actual gains or losses in the future may differ materially from this analysis, depending on the level of our outstanding debt and changes in the timing and amount of interest rate movements.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program during the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

22

	Total				Total Number of		Maximum Number
	Number of		Average Price		Shares Purchased as		of Shares that
	Shares		Paid		Part of Publicly		May Yet Be Purchased
Period	Purchased		Per Share		Announced Programs		Under the Programs
January 1, 2005 through January 31, 2005		—		—		—		—
February 1, 2005 through February 28, 2005		397,000	$	21.15		397,000		1,678,000
March 1, 2005 through March 31, 2005		—		—		—		—
Total		397,000	$	21.15		397,000		1,678,000

On August 2, 2001, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved our current stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we were authorized and did repurchase 1,500,000 shares of our common stock. On October 25, 2001, our Board of Directors determined to continue the stock repurchase program and authorized the repurchase of an additional 1,500,000 shares of our common stock, all of which have since been repurchased. On July 29, 2004, our Board of Directors again determined to continue the stock repurchase program and authorized the repurchase of an additional 1,500,000 shares of our common stock of which 1,322,000 shares have been repurchased. On February 17, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 1,500,000 shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase program. The stock repurchase program will continue until all 1,678,000 shares currently approved for repurchase under the stock repurchase program have been repurchased, unless terminated earlier by our Board of Directors. In the event that all of such shares have been repurchased, our Board of Directors may again determine to continue our stock repurchase program and authorize management to repurchase additional shares of our common stock.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number	Description of Exhibit
3.1(1)	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
3.2(1)	Bylaws of the Registrant.
3.3(2)	Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation.
4.1(1)	Specimen Certificate of Common Stock of the Registrant.
10.45(3)	Employee Offer Letter for Steven Davenport.
10.46(3)	Employee Offer Letter for Jan Hughes.
10.47(3)	Amended Employee Offer Letter for Jan Hughes.
10.51†	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2005, by and between Molecular Devices Corporation and Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
31.1	Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
31.2	Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
32.1*	Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C 1350).

(1)	Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-98926), as amended.
(2)	Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and filed on April 1, 2002.
(3)	Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and on filed March 16, 2005.
†	Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
*	The certification attached as Exhibit 32.1 accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Registrant for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

23

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Molecular Devices Corporation

Date: May 4, 2005	By:	/s/ TIMOTHY A. HARKNESS
	Timothy A. Harkness
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Duly Authorized and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

24

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number	Description of Exhibit
3.1(1)	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
3.2(1)	Bylaws of the Registrant.
3.3(2)	Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation.
4.1(1)	Specimen Certificate of Common Stock of the Registrant.
10.45(3)	Employee Offer Letter for Steven Davenport.
10.46(3)	Employee Offer Letter for Jan Hughes.
10.47(3)	Amended Employee Offer Letter for Jan Hughes.
10.51†	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2005, by and between Molecular Devices Corporation and Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
31.1	Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
31.2	Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
32.1*	Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C 1350).

(1)	Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-98926), as amended.
(2)	Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and filed on April 1, 2002.
(3)	Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and on filed March 16, 2005.
†	Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
*	The certification attached as Exhibit 32.1 accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Registrant for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

EX-10.51

================================================================================

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.51

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    between:

                           XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                       (FORMERLY NORAK BIOSCIENCES, INC.),
                             a Delaware corporation;

                                       and

                          MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION
                             a Delaware corporation

                            Dated as of March 9, 2005
================================================================================



                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

      This Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of
March 9, 2005 (the "Effective Date"), by and between Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(formerly Norak Biosciences, Inc.), a Delaware corporation ("Seller"), and
Molecular Devices Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser"). Purchaser
and Seller may be referred to herein individually as a "Party" or, collectively,
as the "Parties." Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined
in Exhibit A.

                                    RECITALS

A. Seller is currently engaged in and has been engaged in the development and
commercialization of products and services relating to cell-based fluorescent
monitoring of the function of G protein-coupled receptors, and owns or has
licenses to certain intellectual property rights and other assets associated
with such development efforts, products and services.

B. Purchaser desires to acquire such intellectual property rights and assets to
commercialize resulting products and services.

C. Seller wishes to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser wishes to acquire from
Seller, such intellectual property rights and assets on the terms set forth in
this Agreement.

D. Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement, Purchaser and Seller are
also executing certain ancillary agreements specified herein, including without
limitation the License Agreement, BioImage Sublicense Agreement, GFP Sublicense
Agreement, Technology Transfer Agreement, Notebook Escrow Agreement and Escrow
Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

Purchaser and Seller, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS; RELATED AGREEMENTS

      1.1 ASSETS. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, Seller hereby sells, transfers, conveys, assigns, grants and delivers
to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby purchases, acquires and receives, the Assets.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that such sale and conveyance is taking place
in the State of North Carolina, where the Transferred Assets are currently
located. For purposes of this Agreement, "Assets" shall mean Seller's right,
title and interest as of the Effective Date in and to all properties, assets and
rights of every nature (tangible and intangible), including goodwill, wherever
located, whether in the possession of Seller or another Person, and whether now
existing or hereinafter acquired, that are used or held in connection with the
Acquired Business or related to the Acquired Business, but excluding all of the
Excluded Assets, and including all of the following assets:

            (a) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

                  (i) PATENT RIGHTS. (1) All patents and patent applications
listed on Exhibit B; (2) all continuations, continuations-in-part, divisions,
provisional, nonprovisional and

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        1


substitute applications of the foregoing; (3) all patents arising from the
foregoing; (4) all reissues, reexaminations, renewals, extensions, or
supplemental protection certificates of the foregoing; (5) all foreign
equivalents of the foregoing; (6) all other patents and patent applications
owned by Seller that disclose or claim Inventions; and (7) all other patents and
patent applications owned by Seller and used in the Acquired Business as it is
being, [*] conducted by Seller (collectively, the "Assigned Patent Rights").

                  (ii) KNOW-HOW. All Know-How owned by Seller (the "Assigned
Know-How").

                  (iii) EVALUATION DATA. All of Seller's right, title, and
interest in and to any data, information, or results received from [*] prior to
[*] under [*] to the extent which Seller has the right to transfer to Purchaser
under the terms of the respective [*] (the "Evaluation Data"). Such Evaluation
Data shall include, without limitation, any such data, information, or results
received under such [*] that Seller [*] but to which Seller has [*].

                  (iv) COPYRIGHTS AND OTHER RELATED PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. All
copyrights, moral rights, registrations, authorizations, or other rights
necessary or useful to use or otherwise exploit any works of authorship owned by
Seller and used by Seller in the Acquired Business as it is being, [*] conducted
by Seller, including without limitation the Promotional Materials and the
Scientific/Technical Materials (the "Copyrights").

                  (v) TRADEMARKS. All trademarks (whether registered, pending,
restored or common law), trademark applications, and any related trade dress,
logos and similar rights used in the Acquired Business as it is being, [*]
conducted by Seller, including without limitation "Transfluor" (US Registration
#76049305) and "LITe" (US Registration #78356488), but excluding the Norak Mark
and any related logos, trade dress, or rights (the "Assigned Trademarks").

      The Assigned Patent Rights, Assigned Know-How, Evaluation Data, Copyrights
and Assigned Trademarks shall be referred to collectively as the "Assigned
Intellectual Property."

            (b) CONTRACTS. All of Seller's rights (including the right to
receive any payment due by the other Party thereto after the Effective Date)
under the Contracts listed in Exhibit C (the "Assumed Contracts").

            (c) TRANSFERRED ASSETS. All assets transferred pursuant to the
Technology Transfer Agreement, including without limitation all
Biological/Chemical Materials, Promotional Materials, and Scientific/Technical
Materials (the "Transferred Assets").

            (d) CLAIMS. All Claims (including, without limitation, claims for
past infringement of the Assigned Patent Rights, Duke Patent Rights or Assigned
Trademarks, past misappropriation of the Assigned Know-How, and past breach or
other violations of the Assumed Contracts by Persons other than Seller) and
causes of action of the Seller against other Persons relating to the Assets
and/or the Acquired Business (regardless of whether or not such claims and
causes of action have been asserted by the Seller), and all rights of indemnity,
warranty rights, rights of contribution, rights to refunds, rights of
reimbursement and other rights

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        2


of recovery possessed by the Seller relating to the Assets and/or Acquired
Business (regardless of whether such rights are currently exercisable).

            (e) BOOKS AND RECORDS. Copies or originals of all books, records,
reports, files, correspondence, and other documentation of the Seller relating
solely to the Assets and/or the Acquired Business, other than the Seller's Tax
Returns.

            (f) GOODWILL. All goodwill of the Acquired Business.

      1.2 Licenses and Sublicenses.

            (a) PATENT SUBLICENSE. Seller hereby grants to Purchaser, to the
extent permitted by the applicable license to Seller, a perpetual, irrevocable,
fully paid sublicense, with, to the extent permitted by the applicable license
to Seller, the right to grant further sublicenses through multiple tiers of
sublicensees, under all patents and patent applications that are licensed to
Seller with the right to grant sublicenses (except for patents and patent
applications licensed pursuant to an Assumed Contract or Excluded Contract) and
that disclose or claim Inventions, to practice, develop and commercialize the
Transfluor Technology. The foregoing sublicense shall be exclusive (even as to
Seller) except with respect to such patents and patent applications for which
the Seller only has a non-exclusive license, in which case it shall be an
exclusive sublicense (even as to Seller) by Seller of its non-exclusive license
to such patents and patent applications.

            (b) KNOW-HOW SUBLICENSE. Seller hereby grants to Purchaser, to the
extent permitted by the applicable license to Seller, a perpetual, irrevocable,
fully paid sublicense, with, to the extent permitted by the applicable license
to Seller, the right to grant further sublicenses through multiple tiers of
sublicensees, under all Know-How licensed to Seller with the right to grant
sublicenses (except for Know-How licensed pursuant to an Assumed Contract or
Excluded Contract), to practice, develop and commercialize the Transfluor
Technology. The foregoing sublicense shall be exclusive (even as to Seller)
except with respect to such Know-How for which the Seller only has a
non-exclusive license, in which case it shall be an exclusive sublicense (even
as to Seller) by Seller of its non-exclusive license to such Know-How.

      1.3 NO ASSUMED LIABILITIES.

            (a) Subject to Section 1.3(c), the Purchaser shall not assume any
Liabilities of the Seller whatsoever, whether relating to the Assets, the
Acquired Business, the Transfluor Technology or otherwise (collectively, the
"Excluded Liabilities"), including:

                  (i)    [*];

                  (ii)   [*];

                  (iii)  [*];

                  (iv)   [*];

                  (v)    [*];

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3


                  (vi)   [*];

                  (vii)  [*];

                  (viii) [*];

                  (ix)   [*];

                  (x)    [*];

                  (xi)   [*];

                  (xii)  [*];

                  (xiii) [*];

                  (xiv)  [*];

                  (xv)   [*];

                  (xvi)  [*]; and

                  (xvii) [*].

            (b) Seller will retain and remain liable for, and will pay, perform
and discharge when due, the Excluded Liabilities.

            (c) Notwithstanding Section 1.3(a), the following liabilities shall
be assumed by the Purchaser (collectively, the "Assumed Liabilities"):

                  (i)    [*];

                  (ii)   [*]; and

                  (iii)  [*].

      1.4 PURCHASE PRICE.

            (a) PURCHASE PRICE. The Parties agree that the entire consideration
for the sale, assignment, conveyance and delivery of the Assets to the Purchaser
and Seller's performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents
shall be $11,000,000 and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities (the
"Purchase Price"), to be paid in cash in immediately available funds, by wire
transfer to a bank account specified in writing by Seller, as follows:

                  (i) INITIAL PAYMENT. On the Effective Date, Purchaser shall
pay to Seller $8,250,000;

                  (ii) INDEMNIFICATION ESCROW AMOUNT. On the Effective Date,
Purchaser shall deposit $1,100,000 (the "Indemnification Escrow Amount") into an
escrow

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        4


account (the "Escrow Account"), to be held and distributed in accordance
with the terms of the Escrow Agreement that the Parties are entering into or
have entered into on the Effective Date (the "Escrow Agreement"); and

                  (iii) COMPLETION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. Within [*] of the
earlier of (i) Purchaser's receipt of written notice from Seller that the
Initial Training Completion Date (as such term is defined in the Technology
Transfer Agreement) has passed, or (ii) Seller's receipt of written notice from
Purchaser acknowledging Purchaser's achievement of Minimal Competence in
accordance with Section 4.2(e) of the Technology Transfer Agreement, Purchaser
shall pay Seller $1,650,000; provided, however, that [*], then [*].

            (b) SALE AND USE TAXES. Seller shall [*] any sales taxes, use taxes
due under North Carolina law, transfer taxes, documentary charges, recording
fees or similar taxes, charges, fees or expenses that may become payable in
connection with the sale of the Assets to the Purchaser.

      1.5 TRANSACTIONAL AGREEMENTS. On the Effective Date, Purchaser and Seller
shall also enter into the License Agreement, BioImage Sublicense Agreement, GFP
Sublicense Agreement, Technology Transfer Agreement, Notebook Escrow Agreement,
Escrow Agreement, Patent Assignment Agreement, Trademark Assignment Agreement,
and AV GFP Sublicense Agreement in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits F-1
through F-9 (the "Transactional Agreements") and Purchaser and Seller shall
agree to immediately terminate, and Purchaser shall cause [*] to terminate, the
[*], between Seller and [*].

      1.6 FURTHER ACTION. After the Effective Date, the Parties shall also
provide to each other any additional documents reasonably necessary to evidence
or effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including a bill of
sale. If, at any time after the Effective Date, any further action shall be
necessary on the part of either Party hereto to effect the intentions of the
Parties as expressed in this Agreement, as and when requested by a Party and at
such Party's expense, each such Party shall take all such further action as may
reasonably be necessary to effect such intentions, including without limitation
(a) providing to the other Party information relevant to determining the amount
of Taxes due with respect to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement;
and (b) executing and filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) and equivalent foreign entities documents demonstrating the assignment
to Purchaser of the Assigned Intellectual Property.

      1.7 FIRPTA MATTERS. Seller has delivered to Purchaser a certificate of
Seller, in the form reasonably requested by Purchase prior to the Effective
Date, dated the Effective Date and sworn to under penalty of perjury, setting
forth the name, address and federal tax identification number of Seller and
stating that Seller is not a "foreign person" within the meaning of Section 1445
of the Code, such certificate to be in the form set forth in the Treasury
Regulations thereunder.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        5


2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

      Seller hereby represents and warrants as follows:

      2.1 DUE ORGANIZATION.

            (a) Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

            (b) Seller in the course of operating the Acquired Business is not
required to be qualified, authorized, registered or licensed to do business as a
foreign corporation in any jurisdiction other than the jurisdictions listed in
Part 2.1(b) of the Disclosure Schedule.

            (c) Seller has all necessary power and authority:

                  (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which it is
currently being conducted; and

                  (ii) to own and use its assets in the manner in which its
assets are currently owned and used.

            (d) Seller has never approved, or commenced any proceeding or made
any election contemplating, the winding up or cessation of Seller's business or
affairs.

      2.2 RECORDS. The books of account and other records of the Seller relating
to the Assets are accurate, up-to-date and complete, and have been maintained in
accordance with sound and prudent business practices.

      2.3 CUSTOMERS. The Seller has not received any notice or other
communication (in writing or otherwise), and the Seller has not received any
other information, indicating that any customer or other Person may cease
dealing with the Seller with respect to the Assets or may otherwise reduce the
volume of business transacted by such Person with the Seller with respect to the
Assets; provided, that, Seller can provide no assurances or representations
regarding any customer's intent to request services or conduct business with
Seller with respect to the Assets after the expiration of the current term of
any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract.

      2.4 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

            (a) All Assigned Intellectual Property is owned by Seller free and
clear of any Encumbrances (other than licenses granted pursuant to the Contracts
listed in Part 2.4(b) of the Disclosure Schedule), and Seller has good, valid
and freely transferable title to all such intellectual property.

            (b) Part 2.4(b) of the Disclosure Schedule accurately identifies
each Contract pursuant to which any Person has been granted any license under,
or otherwise has received or acquired any right (whether or not currently
exercisable) or interest in, any Assigned Intellectual Property. Except for the
licenses granted under the [*], the Seller has not granted any licenses to any
Third Party which would permit such Third Party to [*]. The Seller is not bound
by, and no

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        6


Assigned Intellectual Property is subject to, any Contract containing any
covenant or other provision that in any way limits or restricts the ability of
the Seller to use, exploit, assert, or enforce any Assigned Intellectual
Property anywhere in the world.

            (c) Exhibit B accurately identifies (i) each Assigned Patent Right
(whether filed or registered exclusively in the name of Seller, jointly with
another Person, or otherwise), (ii) the jurisdiction in which such Assigned
Patent Right has been registered or filed and the applicable registration or
serial number, and (iii) any other Person that has an ownership interest in such
Assigned Patent Right and the nature of such ownership interest. The Seller has
provided to the Purchaser the opportunity to inspect complete and accurate
copies of all applications, correspondence, and other material documents related
to each Assigned Patent Right.

            (d) Exhibit D accurately identifies (i) each Duke Patent Right
(whether filed or registered exclusively in the name of the Duke University,
jointly with another Person, or otherwise), (ii) the jurisdiction in which such
Duke Patent Right has been registered or filed and the applicable registration
or serial number, and (iii) any other Person other than Duke or the United
States Government that has an ownership interest in such Duke Patent Right and
the nature of such ownership interest, provided that Howard Hughes Medical
Institute, ("HHMI") though not an owner of any Duke Patent Rights, retains [*].
The Seller has provided to the Purchaser the opportunity to inspect complete and
accurate copies of all applications, correspondence with the U.S. and foreign
patent offices, and other material documents related to each Duke Patent Right.

            (e) All of the In-Licensed Patent Rights are licensed to Seller and
Seller has obtained and executed all consents or other documentation and
instruments necessary for Seller to assign all of its right and interest in and
to such patent rights (and the related Assumed Contracts) to enable Purchaser to
practice such licensed patent rights and exercise all other rights of Seller
under such Assumed Contracts.

            (f) All documents and instruments which may be reasonably necessary
to perfect the rights of the Seller in the Assigned Intellectual Property and
In-Licensed Patent Rights have been validly executed, delivered and filed in a
timely manner with the appropriate Governmental Body.

            (g) Except as set forth in Part 2.4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule,
no funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Body were used, directly
or indirectly, to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Assigned Patent
Rights or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, In-Licensed Patent Rights.

            (h) To the Knowledge of Seller, there are no defects in the filing
or prosecution of the Assigned Patent Rights or In-Licensed Patent Rights that
could reasonably be expected to cause either the invalidity or unenforceability
of any patent that may issue from the Assigned Patent Rights or In-Licensed
Patent Rights, or cause a patent not to issue from the Assigned Patent Rights or
In-Licensed Patent Rights.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       7


            (i) All patents or patent applications that are filed or registered
with any Governmental Body and included within the Assigned Intellectual
Property and Duke Patent Rights are subsisting and, to the Knowledge of Seller,
as to issued patents only, are valid and enforceable. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing:

                  (i) Each U.S. patent application and U.S. patent comprising
the Assigned Intellectual Property or the Duke Patent Rights which has been
filed with a Governmental Body, was to Seller's Knowledge filed within one year
of the first printed publication, public use or offer for sale of each invention
described in such U.S. patent application or U.S. patent. Except as set forth at
Part 2.4(i)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, each foreign patent application and
foreign patent comprising the Assigned Intellectual Property or the Duke Patent
Rights which has been filed with a Governmental Body, was to Seller's Knowledge
filed, or claims priority to a patent application filed, before the time at
which each invention described in such foreign patent application or foreign
patent was first made available to the public.

                  (ii) To Seller's Knowledge, no trademark (whether registered
or unregistered) or trade name comprising the Assigned Trademarks conflicts,
interferes or is confusingly similar in the applicable market territory with any
trademark (whether registered or unregistered) or trade name applied for, or
owned or used by any other Person. None of the goodwill associated with or
inherent in any trademark (whether registered or unregistered) in which the
Seller has or purports to have an ownership interest has, to Seller's Knowledge,
been impaired.

                  (iii) Each item of Assigned Intellectual Property or Duke
Patent Rights that is registered, filed or issued under the authority of a
Governmental Body is and at all times has been in compliance with all Legal
Requirements, and all filings, payments, and other actions required to be made
or taken to maintain such item of Assigned Intellectual Property or Duke Patent
Rights in full force and effect have been made by the applicable deadline.
Except as indicated in Part 2.4(i)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule, (1) no
application for a patent or for a copyright, mask work or trademark registration
or any other type of Assigned Intellectual Property or Duke Patent Rights filed
by or on behalf of the Seller or Duke University has been abandoned or allowed
to lapse and (2) no provisional patent application has expired without the
filing of a nonprovisional patent application that claims the benefit of such
provisional patent application.

            (j) Each Person who is or was an employee, consultant or contractor
of the Seller and who is or was involved in the creation or development of any
Assigned Intellectual Property has signed a valid, enforceable agreement with
the Seller containing an assignment of Assigned Intellectual Property to the
Seller and confidentiality provisions protecting the Assigned Intellectual
Property. No past or current Seller employee, consultant or contractor has any
claim, right (whether or not currently exercisable) or interest to or in any
Assigned Intellectual Property.

            (k) The Seller has taken all reasonable steps to maintain the
confidentiality and secrecy of, and otherwise protect and enforce its rights in,
all proprietary information used in

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        8


or included in the Assigned Intellectual Property and held by the Seller, or
purported to be held by the Seller, as a trade secret.

            (l) The Seller is not and was never a member or promoter of, or a
contributor to, any industry standards body or similar organization that could
require or obligate the Seller to grant or offer to any other Person any license
or right to any Assigned Intellectual Property.

            (m) Part 2.4(m) of the Disclosure Schedule accurately identifies
each filing and action that, as of the Effective Date, must be made or taken on
or before the date that is one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective
Date in order to maintain each item of the Assigned Intellectual Property and
the Duke Patents Rights in full force and effect.

            (n) No interference, opposition, reissue, reexamination or other
proceeding of any nature is or has been pending, or to the Knowledge of Seller,
threatened in which the scope, validity or enforceability of any of the Assigned
Intellectual Property or Duke Patent Rights is being, has been or could
reasonably be expected to be contested or challenged.

            (o) To the Knowledge of Seller the practice of the Transfluor
Technology does not infringe or constitute a misappropriation of any proprietary
asset owned or controlled by any other Person, provided that the Person
practicing the Transfluor Technology has sufficient right to any Third Party
proprietary detectable molecules, GPCRs, promoters, expression vectors, or
compounds or compound libraries used to construct [*] or to perform any
Transfluor Assay, including but not limited to any of the items listed on
Exhibit F to the Technology Transfer Agreement. Except as set forth on Part
2.4(o) of the Disclosure Schedule with respect to [*], Seller has not received
any written notice from any Person of any actual, alleged, possible or potential
infringement, misappropriation or unlawful use of, any intellectual property
owned or controlled by such Person.

            (p) Except as set forth at Part 2.4(p) of the Disclosure Schedule,
to the Knowledge of Seller, in conducting the Acquired Business, the Seller has
never materially infringed (directly, contributorily, by inducement, or
otherwise), misappropriated or otherwise violated any intellectual property
right of any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to
the Knowledge of Seller:

                  (i) No product, information or service ever manufactured,
produced, distributed, published, used, provided or sold by or on behalf of the
Seller and in connection with the Assets or the Acquired Business, and no
Assigned Intellectual Property or In-Licensed Patent Rights, has ever materially
infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any intellectual property right
of any other Person.

                  (ii) No infringement, misappropriation or similar claim or
Proceeding relating to the Assets or Acquired Business is pending or has been
threatened against the Seller or against any other Person who may be entitled to
be indemnified, defended, held harmless or reimbursed by the Seller with respect
to such claim or Proceeding. With respect to the Assets or the Acquired Business
the Seller has never received any notice or other communication (in writing or
otherwise) relating to any actual, alleged or suspected infringement,
misappropriation or violation of any intellectual property right of another
Person.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        9


            (q) To the Knowledge of Seller, except as set forth at Part 2.4(q)
of the Disclosure Schedule, no Person has materially infringed, misappropriated
or made any unlawful use of, and no Person is materially infringing,
misappropriating or making any unlawful use of any Assigned Intellectual
Property or Duke Patent Right. No letter or other written or electronic
communication or correspondence has been received by the Seller or any
Representative of the Seller from a Third Party (including those Persons
identified in Part 2.4(q)), or sent by the Seller or any Representative of the
Seller to a Third Party (including those Persons identified in Part 2.4(q)),
regarding any actual, alleged, or suspected infringement or misappropriation of
any Assigned Intellectual Property or Duke Patent Right. No action has been
taken by Seller with regard to any Person identified in Part 2.4(q).

            (r) There are no Claims pending against Seller or, to Seller's
Knowledge, threatened by any Person (i) contesting Seller's right to use,
exclusively, the Assigned Intellectual Property or Duke Patent Rights or (ii)
otherwise challenging the ownership, validity, enforceability or use of any of
the Assigned Intellectual Property or Duke Patent Rights.

            (s) The Assigned Intellectual Property and In-Licensed Patent Rights
together constitute all of the proprietary assets of Seller that are reasonably
necessary to enable Purchaser to conduct the Acquired Business as it is being,
[*] conducted by Seller.

            (t) Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement, the Consent Agreements or any of the Transactional Agreements, nor
the consummation of any of the Transactions will, with or without notice or the
lapse of time, result in or give any other Person the right or option to cause
or declare: (i) a loss of, or Encumbrance on, any Assigned Intellectual Property
or In-Licensed Patent Right; (ii) a breach of any Assumed Contract or Retained
Contract; (iii) the release, disclosure or delivery of any Assigned Intellectual
Property by or to any escrow agent or other Person; or (iv) the grant,
assignment or transfer to any other Person of any license or other right or
interest under, to or in any Assigned Intellectual Property or In-Licensed
Patent Right.

            (u) All registrations on behalf of the Seller with, and applications
to, any Governmental Body in respect of the Assigned Intellectual Property are
valid and in full force and effect and are not subject to the payment of any
delinquent Taxes or delinquent maintenance fees or the taking of any other
actions by the Seller to maintain their validity or effectiveness.

            (v) Except as set forth at Part 2.4(v) of the Disclosure Schedule,
Seller has taken all action reasonably necessary to prosecute all existing
applications and to maintain all registrations in the Assigned Intellectual
Property and the Duke Patent Rights in full force and effect, and has not taken
or failed to take any action which could reasonably be expected to have the
effect of waiving any rights to the Assigned Intellectual Property or the Duke
Patent Rights.

            (w) Seller has taken all reasonable measures to protect and preserve
the security, confidentiality, value and ownership of the know-how and other
confidential information included in the Assigned Intellectual Property. To
Seller's Knowledge, none of the Know-How is part of the public domain or
knowledge, nor has the Know-How been used by, disclosed or divulged to, or
appropriated by or for the benefit of any Person other than Seller or otherwise
to the detriment of the Acquired Business.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       10


            (x) The Transfluor Technology-related laboratory notebooks provided
under Exhibit D of the Technology Transfer Agreement and Exhibit B of the
Notebook Escrow Agreement constitute all notebooks documenting the inventions
claimed under the Assigned Patent Rights.

      2.5 CONTRACTS.

            (a) The Seller has delivered to the Purchaser accurate and complete
copies of each Assumed Contract and the [*], including all amendments thereto.
Each Assumed Contract and Consent Agreement is valid and in full force and
effect.

            (b) The Seller has delivered to the Purchaser accurate and complete
copies of each Retained Contract, including all amendments thereto, except that
Seller [*].

            (c) Except as set forth in Part 2.5(c) of the Disclosure Schedule:
(i) Seller has not, and to Seller's Knowledge, no other Person has violated or
breached, or declared or committed any default under, any Assumed Contract or
Retained Contract; (ii) to Seller's Knowledge, no event has occurred, and no
circumstance or condition exists, that might (with or without notice or lapse of
time) (A) result in a violation or breach of any of the provisions of any
Assumed Contract or Retained Contract, (B) give any Person the right to declare
a default or exercise any remedy under any Assumed Contract or Retained
Contract, (C) give any Person the right to accelerate the maturity or
performance of any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract, or (D) give any Person
the right to cancel, terminate or modify any Assumed Contract or Retained
Contract; and (iii) the Seller has not received any written notice regarding any
actual, alleged, possible or potential violation or breach of, or default under,
any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract.

            (d) The Seller has never guaranteed or otherwise agreed to cause,
insure or become liable for, and the Seller has never pledged any of the Assets
to secure, the performance or payment of any obligation or other Liability of
any other Person in connection with the Acquired Business.

            (e) The performance of the Assumed Contracts and Retained Contracts
will not result in any violation of or failure to comply with any material Legal
Requirement.

            (f) Seller has not waived any of its rights under any of the Assumed
Contracts or Retained Contracts.

            (g) Seller has obtained all consents, documentation, and other
instruments necessary for the Assumed Contracts to be sold, transferred,
conveyed, assigned, granted, or delivered to Purchaser.

            (h) After the closing of the Transactions (which will include the
execution and delivery of the Transactional Agreements and Consent Agreements),
Seller will have all rights necessary to fulfill its obligations under the
Retained Contracts and Assumed Service Contracts.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       11


            (i) No Person is renegotiating, or has the right to reduce or
modify, in its sole discretion, any amount paid or payable to the Seller under
any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract or any other term or provision of any
Assumed Contract or Retained Contract.

            (j) There is no basis upon which any party to any Assumed Contract
may declare default or breach of such Assumed Contract upon (i) the assignment
to the Purchaser of any right under such Assumed Contract or (ii) the delegation
to or performance by the Purchaser of any obligation under such Assumed
Contract.

            (k) The Assumed Contracts, Retained Contracts and Excluded Contracts
collectively constitute all of the Contracts materially relied upon by Seller to
conduct the Acquired Business as it is being, [*] conducted by Seller, excluding
certain contracts regarding the acquisition and use of equipment and generally
applicable data and image analysis software.

            (l) Except as set forth on Part 2.5(l) of the Disclosure Schedule,
the Assumed Contracts, Retained Contracts and Excluded Contracts collectively
constitute all of the Contracts reasonably necessary to enable Purchaser to
license the Transfluor Technology, perform Transfluor Technology services, and
sell Transfluor Technology products in the manner in which the Acquired Business
as it is being, [*] conducted by Seller, provided that, Purchaser shall be
solely responsible for obtaining sufficient personnel, equipment, intellectual
property rights or licenses with respect to the items identified on, or
technology(ies) included or incorporated in the items identified on, Part 2.5(l)
of the Disclosure Schedule, and/or generally applicable data and image analysis
software as necessary to do the foregoing.

            (m) Seller has completed all obligations under the Assumed Contracts
(other than the Assumed Services Contracts) to perform Services.

            (n) Part 2.5(n) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies (i) all
Persons to whom Seller has granted a sublicense under the License Agreement
between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and Duke University dated [*]; (ii) for each
such Person, the Contract in which such sublicense was granted; and (iii) for
each Person, whether such sublicense is in effect as of the Effective Date.
Seller has paid all amounts due to Duke University prior to the Effective Date
on account of such sublicenses. Seller has not received any amounts from any
such Persons for which a payment would be owed to Duke University but such
payment has not yet been made.

            (o) Part 2.5(o) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies (i) all
Persons to whom Seller has granted a sublicense under the Non-Exclusive License
Agreement between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and BioImage A/S [*]; (ii) for each
such Person, the Contract in which such sublicense was granted; and (iii) for
each Person, whether such sublicense is in effect as of the Effective Date.
Seller has paid all amounts due to BioImage A/S prior to the Effective Date on
account of such sublicenses. Seller has not received any amounts from any such
Persons for which a payment would be owed to BioImage A/S but such payment has
not yet been made.

            (p) Part 2.5(p) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies (i) all
Persons to whom Seller has granted a sublicense under the License Agreement
between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and Prolume, Ltd. [*]; (ii) for each such
Person, the Contract in which such sublicense was granted; and (iii) for each
Person, whether such sublicense is in effect as of the Effective Date.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       12


Seller has paid all amounts due to Prolume, Ltd. prior to the Effective Date on
account of such sublicenses. Seller has not received any amounts from any such
Persons for which a payment would be owed to Prolume, Ltd. but such payment has
not yet been made.

            (q) Part 2.5(q) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies (i) all
Persons who currently qualify or have previously qualified as [*] as such term
is defined in Non-Exclusive License Agreement between Norak Biosciences, Inc.
and [*]; (ii) for each such Person, the Contract that conferred upon such Person
status as a [*]; and (iii) for each Person, whether such Contract is in effect
as of the Effective Date and whether such Contract provides for such Person to
pay any optional or mandatory annual renewal fees after the Effective Date.
Seller has paid all amounts due to [*] prior to the Effective Date on account of
amounts received from such Persons. Seller has not received any amounts from any
such Persons for which a payment would be owed to [*] but such payment has not
yet been made.

            (r) Part 2.5(r) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies (i) each
Contract entered into prior to the Effective Date that is a [*] or [*] as such
terms are defined in the Evaluation License Marketing Agreement between Norak
Biosciences, Inc. and [*]; and (ii) for each such Contract, whether it is a [*]
or [*]. Seller has paid all amounts due to [*] prior to the Effective Date on
account of such Contracts and amounts received pursuant thereto. Seller has not
entered into any [*] or [*] for which a payment would be owed to [*] but such
payment has not yet been made.

            (s) Part 2.5(s) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each Contract
whereby Seller received a license under any intellectual property rights owned
or controlled by a Third Party that are reasonably necessary or useful to
practice the Transfluor Technology or conduct the Acquired Business.

            (t) To the Knowledge of Seller, the [*] did not make any
improvements to the Transfluor Technology pursuant to the Technology Evaluation
Agreement between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and [*].

            (u) Except as set forth in Sections 8 and 8A of the Duke Consent,
Seller has entered into no Contract with Duke University.

      2.6 PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS.

            (a) There is no pending Proceeding against Seller, and to the
Knowledge of Seller, no Person has threatened by written notice to commence any
Proceeding that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying,
making illegal or otherwise interfering with, any of the Transactions.

            (b) To the Knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred, and no claim,
dispute or other condition or circumstance exists, that might give rise to or
serve as a basis for the commencement of any Proceeding described in Section
2.6(a).

            (c) There are no Claims pending or, to Seller's Knowledge,
threatened before any Governmental Body which relate to, or which could affect
Seller or the Assets or which could delay or prevent the consummation of the
Transaction or which could result in a

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       13


diminution of the benefits contemplated by this Agreement, nor to the Knowledge
of Seller is there any reasonable basis on which any Claim may be brought in the
future.

            (d) There is no outstanding writ, judgment, stipulation, injunction,
decree, determination, award or other order of any Governmental Body against
Seller that adversely affects, or could adversely affect, the condition
(financial or otherwise), operations or prospects of the Acquired Business.

            (e) There is no pending investigation of any Governmental Body
relating to the Seller, the Acquired Business or the Assets.

            (f) To the Knowledge of Seller, there is no reasonable basis on
which any Claim may be brought in the future by Seller against any Person,
including a former or current employee, consultant or contractor, relating to
such Person's unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary
information of Seller.

            (g) To the Knowledge of Seller, there is no reasonable basis on
which any Claim may be brought in the future by any Third Party, relating to
Seller's unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary
information of such Third Party.

      2.7 AUTHORITY; BINDING NATURE OF AGREEMENTS.

            (a) Seller has all requisite corporate right, power and authority to
enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Consent
Agreements and each of the Transactional Agreements.

            (b) The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this
Agreement, the Consent Agreements and the Transactional Agreements have been
duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Seller and its Board of
Directors and stockholders.

            (c) This Agreement, the Consent Agreements and each of the
Transactional Agreements constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Seller that is enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, subject
to (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the
relief of debtors and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance,
injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.

      2.8 NON-CONTRAVENTION; CONSENTS. Neither the execution, delivery nor
performance of, nor actions taken pursuant to, this Agreement, Consent
Agreements or any of the Transactional Agreements will (with or without notice
or lapse of time):

            (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of (i) any of
the provisions of Seller's Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or (ii) any
resolution adopted by Seller's Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) or
stockholders;

            (b) cause any of the Assets to be reassessed or revalued by any
taxing authority in North Carolina or other Governmental Body currently having
authority over the Assets, other than solely as a consequence of this
transaction;

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       14


            (c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the
terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke,
withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization
that is held by the Seller or any employee of the Seller and is related to the
Acquired Business;

            (d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give
any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge this Agreement, the
Consent Agreements or any of the Transactional Agreements or to exercise any
remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which
Seller, or any of the assets owned or used by Seller, is subject;

            (e) give any Person the right to (i) declare a default or exercise
any remedy under any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract, (ii) accelerate the
maturity or performance of any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract or (iii)
cancel, terminate or modify any Assumed Contract or Retained Contract; or

            (f) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or
with respect to the Purchased Assets.

Except as set forth at Part 2.8 of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller was not, is
not and will not be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or
to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or any of the Transactional Agreements.

      2.9 SOLVENCY. Except as set forth in Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule,
the Seller has not, at any time, (i) made a general assignment for the benefit
of creditors, (ii) filed, or had filed against it, any bankruptcy petition or
similar filing, (iii) suffered the attachment or other judicial seizure of all
or a substantial portion of its assets, (iv) admitted in writing its inability
to pay its debts as they become due, (v) been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or
no contest to, any felony, or (vi) taken or been the subject of any action that
may have an adverse effect on its ability to comply with or perform any of its
covenants or material obligations under this Agreement, the Consent Agreements
or any of the Transactional Agreements.

      2.10 COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. Without exception (a) the Seller
is in full compliance with each material Legal Requirement that is applicable to
it in the conduct of the Acquired Business or the ownership or use of the
Assets; (b) the Seller has at all times been in full compliance with each
material Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it in the conduct of its
business or the ownership or use of any of the Assets; (c) no event has
occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that might (with or without
notice or lapse of time) constitute or result directly or indirectly in a
violation by the Seller of, or a failure on the part of the Seller to comply
with, any material Legal Requirement applicable to the Acquired Business; and
(d) the Seller has not received, at any time, any notice or other communication
(in writing or otherwise) from any Governmental Body or any other Person
regarding (i) any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation of, or
failure to comply with, any material Legal Requirement applicable to the
Acquired Business, or (ii) any actual, alleged, possible or potential obligation
on the part of the Seller to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the
cost of, any cleanup or any remedial, corrective or response action of any
nature. The Seller has delivered to the

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       15


Purchaser an accurate and complete copy of each report, study, survey or other
document which the Seller or its Representatives has or knows exists that
addresses or otherwise relates to the compliance of the Seller with, or the
applicability to the Seller of, any Legal Requirement affecting the Acquired
Business or involving the ownership or use of any of the Assets.

      2.11 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS. Seller holds no Governmental
Authorizations applicable to the conduct of the Acquired Business. The Seller is
and has at all times been in full compliance with all of the terms and
requirements of all Governmental Authorization applicable to the conduct of the
Acquired Business. No event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance
exists, that might (with or without notice or lapse of time) (a) constitute or
result directly or indirectly in a violation of or a failure to comply with any
term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization applicable to the conduct
of the Acquired Business; or (b) result directly or indirectly in the
revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or modification of
any Governmental Authorization applicable to the conduct of the Acquired
Business. The Seller has never received any notice or other communication (in
writing or otherwise) from any Governmental Body or any other Person regarding
(a) any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation of or failure to comply
with any term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization applicable to the
conduct of the Acquired Business, or (b) any actual, proposed, possible or
potential revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or
modification of any Governmental Authorization applicable to the conduct of the
Acquired Business. All applications required to have been filed for the renewal
of the Governmental Authorizations applicable to the conduct of the Acquired
Business have been duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate
Governmental Bodies, and each other notice or filing required to have been given
or made with respect to such Governmental Authorizations has been duly given or
made on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Body. Seller has
disclosed no Governmental Authorizations necessary (i) to enable the Seller to
conduct the Acquired Business in the manner in which such business is currently
being conducted and in the manner in which such business is proposed to be
conducted and (ii) to permit the Seller to own and use the Assets in the manner
in which they are currently owned and used and in the manner in which they are
proposed to be owned and used.

      2.12 TAX MATTERS.

            (a) To the extent that the Purchaser would become liable for any Tax
imposed on the transfer of Assets from Seller to Purchaser under applicable law
or such Tax would create an Encumbrance on the Assets: (i) each Tax required to
have been paid, or claimed by any Governmental Body to be payable, by the Seller
has been duly paid in full on a timely basis; and (ii) any Tax required to have
been withheld or collected by the Seller has been duly withheld and collected,
and (to the extent required) each such Tax has been paid to the appropriate
Governmental Body; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to any
sales tax or use tax that may be imposed under the laws of any state other than
North Carolina or on Purchaser by reason of its transfer of the Transferred
Assets to a location outside of North Carolina or by reason of Purchaser's use
of the Assets on or after the Effective Date. All Tax Returns required to be
filed with respect to the Acquired Business and the Assets have been filed. Each
such Tax Return has been prepared in material compliance with all applicable
laws and regulations, and all such Tax Returns are true and accurate in all
material respects.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       16


            (b) No claim or other Proceeding is pending or has been threatened
against or with respect to the Seller in respect of any Tax relating to the
Assets or the Acquired Business. There are no unsatisfied Liabilities for Taxes
relating to the Assets or the Acquired Business (including liabilities for
interest, additions to tax and penalties thereon and related expenses) with
respect to any notice of deficiency or similar document received by the Seller.
The Seller has not entered into or become bound by any agreement or consent
affecting the Assets pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code.

            (c) No claim has ever been made by a taxing authority in a
jurisdiction where the Seller does not file Tax Returns with respect to the
Acquired Business or the Assets that the Seller is or may be subject to Taxes
assessed by such jurisdiction with respect to the Acquired Business or the
Assets.

      2.13 PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES. All services that have been performed by or
on behalf of the Seller in the course of conducting the Acquired Business were
performed in accordance with [*] standards and in conformity with the terms and
requirements of all applicable warranties and other contracts and with all
applicable Legal Requirements. The Purchaser will not incur or otherwise become
subject to any Liability arising directly or indirectly from any services
performed by the Seller in the course of conducting the Acquired Business. There
is no claim pending or being threatened against the Seller relating to any
services performed by or on behalf of the Seller in the course of conducting the
Acquired Business, and there is no basis for the assertion of any such claim.

      2.14 INSURANCE. No insurance claim has ever been made by the Seller
related to the Acquired Business. The Seller has not received: (i) any notice or
other communication (in writing or otherwise) regarding the actual or possible
cancellation or invalidation of any of the Seller's existing insurance policies
which relate to the Acquired Business or regarding any actual or possible
adjustment in the amount of the premiums payable with respect to any of said
policies; or (ii) any notice or other communication (in writing or otherwise)
regarding any actual or possible refusal of coverage under, or any actual or
possible rejection of any claim under, any such policies.

      2.15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth in Part 2.15 of the
Disclosure Schedule: (a) no Related Party has any direct, or to the Knowledge of
Seller, any indirect interest of any nature in any of the Assets; (b) [*], no
Related Party has entered into, or has had any direct or, to the Knowledge of
Seller, indirect financial interest in, any Assumed Contract or Retained
Contract, transaction or business dealing of any nature involving the Assets or
relating to the Acquired Business; (c) no Related Party is competing, or has at
any time [*] competed, directly or indirectly, with the Acquired Business; (d)
no Related Party has any claim or right against the Seller that is or would
reasonably be likely to be adverse to the Assets or the Acquired Business; and
(e) no event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that might
(with or without notice or lapse of time) directly or indirectly give rise to or
serve as a basis for any claim or right in favor of any Related Party with
respect to the Assets or the Acquired Business.

      2.16 CERTAIN PAYMENTS, ETC. The Seller has not, and no officer, employee,
agent or other Person acting for or on behalf of the Seller has, in connection
with the Acquired Business

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       17


at any time, directly or indirectly: (a) used any corporate funds (i) to make
any unlawful political contribution or gift or for any other unlawful purpose
relating to any political activity, (ii) to make any unlawful payment to any
governmental official or employee or (iii) to establish or maintain any unlawful
or unrecorded fund or account of any nature; (b) made any intentionally false or
fictitious entry in any of the books of account or other records of the Seller;
(c) made any payoff, influence payment, bribe, rebate, kickback or unlawful
payment to any Person; (d) made any payment (whether or not lawful) to any
Person, or provided (whether lawfully or unlawfully) any favor or anything of
value (whether in the form of property or services, or in any other form) to any
Person, for the purpose of obtaining or paying for (i) favorable treatment in
securing business or (ii) any other special concession; or (e) agreed, committed
or offered (in writing or otherwise) to take any of the actions described in
clauses "(a)" through "(d)" above.

      2.17 ABSENCE OF CHANGE. During the [*] period immediately prior to the
Effective Date, Seller has operated the Acquired Business in the ordinary course
of business reasonably consistent with past practice, and Seller has not (other
than in the ordinary course of business reasonably consistent with past practice
and other than as contemplated by the consummation of the Transaction):

            (a) lost any significant customer (other than by expiration of a
Contract in accordance with its terms) or suffered any material adverse change
in the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, or operations of
the Acquired Business;

            (b) amended any of its prices for its services or for granting
licenses to the Transfluor Technology pursuant to an existing Contract;

            (c) settled, compromised, waived, released or canceled any Claim or
other valuable rights;

            (d) sold, assigned or otherwise transferred its rights to any
tangible assets or intangible assets (e.g., patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises, know-how) that are related to,
and material to, the Acquired Business;

            (e) subjected any of the Assets to the creation of any Lien;

            (f) made or become bound to any capital expenditure, individually or
in the aggregate, in excess of [*] with respect to the Acquired Business or any
asset material to the Acquired Business;

            (g) suffered any damage to or destruction or loss of (whether or not
covered by insurance) any asset material to the operation of the Acquired
Business;

            (h) changed any of its accounting methods or practices used in
preparation of financial statements that relate to the Acquired Business;

            (i) made any agreement or taken any action, not otherwise referred
to above, that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Acquired Business; or

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       18


            (j) entered into any agreement or commitment, whether in writing or
otherwise, to do any of foregoing.

      2.18 SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS. The Assets, taken as a whole, constitute all
the properties, assets and rights (except for (i) the Excluded Contracts, (ii)
the items listed on Exhibit F to the Technology Transfer Agreement, (iii)
compounds or compound libraries against which the Transfluor Assay may be
performed, (iv) any detectable molecules, GPCRs, promoters, or expression
vectors that may be contained in [*] generally, (v) any Third Party proprietary
rights with respect to any of the foregoing, including but not limited to any
such rights of any Third Party regarding any of the Biological/Chemical
Materials, and (vi) such equipment, software, facilities, personnel, and
commercially available consumables (e.g. general reagents or supplies) not
explicitly included in the Assets or provided under any Transactional Agreements
that may be necessary for the use of the Transfluor Technology) that are
reasonably necessary or useful for Purchaser to conduct and operate the Acquired
Business as it is being, [*] conducted by Seller. To Seller's Knowledge, there
are no facts or conditions affecting Seller or the Assets which could,
individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with the use
or operation of the Assets, taken as a whole, as currently used or operated, or
their adequacy for such use.

      2.19 BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL MATERIALS.

            (a) To the Knowledge of Seller's [*], Exhibit F of the Technology
Transfer Agreement and the document entitled [*] provided to Purchaser by Seller
prior to the Effective Date [*].

            (b) Exhibit A of the Technology Transfer Agreement identifies all
plasmids, nucleic acids, cell lines, ligands, compounds and other materials and
reagents that are not commercially available, but are in the possession of
Seller, as of the Effective Date and that, to Seller's knowledge, (a) are
reasonably necessary or useful to practice the Transfluor Technology or (b) have
been used to conduct and operate the Acquired Business as it is being, [*]
conducted by Seller, except for: [*].

      2.20 NAME CHANGE. Norak Biosciences, Inc. became Xsira Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. as a result of a name change and not a merger, acquisition or corporate
restructuring. Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the same entity as the former
Norak Biosciences, Inc. and possesses all assets and liabilities (but no
additional liabilities) possessed by Norak Biosciences, Inc. immediately prior
to such name change.

      2.21 FULL DISCLOSURE.

            (a) This Agreement (including the Disclosure Schedule), the Consent
Agreements and the Transactional Agreements do not (i) contain any materially
untrue statement of fact or (ii) omit to state any material fact necessary to
make any of the representations, warranties or other statements or information
contained herein or therein (in the light of circumstances under which such
representations, warranties and information were or will be made or provided)
not materially misleading.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       19


            (b) Seller has provided Purchaser and Purchaser's Representatives
with full and complete access to all of Seller's material records, documents and
data with respect to the Purchased Assets including, without limitation, all
records, documents or other data requested in writing by Purchaser as part its
of its pre-acquisition review and diligence.

      2.22 DOCUMENT RETENTION. During the period commencing [*] prior to the
Effective Date and continuing through the Effective Date, Seller has not
destroyed or transferred to any Third Party any material that (a) was in
Seller's possession [*] prior to the Effective Date and (b) if it were still in
Seller's possession on the Effective Date, would constitute a
Biological/Chemical Material, Promotional Material or Scientific/Technical
Material, with the exception of certain webpages displaying the "NORAK"
trademark.

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

      Purchaser represents and warrants as follows:

      3.1 DUE ORGANIZATION.

            (a) Purchaser is a corporation duly organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware, and has all necessary power and authority:

                  (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which it is
currently being conducted; and

                  (ii) to own and use its assets in the manner in which its
assets are currently owned and used.

      3.2 PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS.

            (a) There is no pending Proceeding against Purchaser, and to the
Knowledge of Purchaser, no Person has threatened by written notice to commence
any Proceeding that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, any of the Transactions.

            (b) To the Knowledge of Purchaser, no event has occurred, and no
claim, dispute or other condition or circumstance exists, that would reasonably
be expected to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement of any
Proceeding described in Section 3.2(a).

      3.3 AUTHORITY; BINDING NATURE OF AGREEMENT.

            (a) Purchaser has all requisite corporate right, power and authority
to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the
Transactional Agreements.

            (b) The execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this
Agreement and of the Transactional Agreements have been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of Purchaser and its Board of Directors and
stockholders.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       20


            (c) This Agreement and each of the Transactional Agreements
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable
against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors, and
(ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other
equitable remedies.

      3.4 NON-CONTRAVENTION; CONSENTS. Neither the execution, delivery nor
performance of this Agreement or any of the Transactional Agreements will (with
or without notice or lapse of time):

            (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of (i) any of
the provisions of Purchaser's Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or (ii)
any resolution adopted by Purchaser's Board of Directors (or any committee
thereof) or stockholders; or

            (b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give
any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge this Agreement or
any of the Transactional Agreements or to exercise any remedy or obtain any
relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which Purchaser, or any of
the assets owned or used by Purchaser, is subject.

      3.5 FINANCIAL CONDITION. Each of the consolidated balance sheets,
statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity included in the
Purchaser's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including any related
notes and schedules) has been prepared in accordance with GAAP throughout the
period indicated, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X for Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, and fairly presents the consolidated financial condition,
operating results and cash flows of Purchaser and its subsidiaries for the
period set forth therein (subject to notes and normal year-end audit adjustments
that were not expected to be material in amount or effect).

4. INDEMNIFICATION, ETC.

      4.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS.

            (a) Subject to the time limitations set forth in Sections 4.1(b) and
4.1(e) below, the representations, warranties, covenants and obligations of the
Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive: (i) [*], (ii) [*], and (iii)
[*].

            (b) Except in the event of [*], the representations and warranties
made by Seller in this Agreement (including without limitation the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 2) shall expire either [*]
after the Effective Date or, solely for representations set forth in [*], [*]
after the Effective Date (the "Expiration Date" for such representation and
warranty) and any Liability of Seller (for indemnification or otherwise) with
respect to such representations and warranties shall thereupon cease; provided,
however, that if, at any time prior to the Expiration Date, any Purchaser
Indemnitee (acting in good faith) [*], then the claim asserted in such notice
shall [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       21


            (c) All post-closing covenants and post-closing obligations of the
Seller and Purchaser shall [*].

            (d) Subject to Section 4.1(f), the representations, warranties,
covenants and obligations of the Seller, and the rights and remedies that may be
exercised by the Purchaser Indemnitees, shall not be limited or otherwise
affected by or as a result of any information furnished to, or any investigation
made by or any knowledge of, any of the Purchaser Indemnitees or any of their
Representatives.

            (e) The representations and warranties made by Purchaser in this
Agreement (including without limitation the representations and warranties set
forth in Section 3) shall expire [*] after the Effective Date, and any Liability
of Purchaser with respect to such representations and warranties shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that if, at any time prior to the Expiration Date, any
Seller Indemnitee (acting in good faith) [*], then the claim asserted in such
notice shall [*].

            (f) For purposes of this Agreement, each statement or other item of
information set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or in any update to the
Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty made by
Seller in this Agreement.

      4.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLER. Subject to Sections 4.1, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.7,
from and after the Effective Date, Seller shall hold harmless and indemnify each
of the Purchaser Indemnitees from and against, and shall compensate and
reimburse each of the Purchaser Indemnitees for, any Damages that are suffered
or incurred by any of the Purchaser Indemnitees or to which any of the Purchaser
Indemnitees may otherwise become subject at any time (regardless of whether or
not such Damages relate to any Third Party claim) and which arise from or as a
result of, or are connected with:

            (a) Any Breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller in
this Agreement [*];

            (b) Any Breach of any representation, warranty, statement,
information or provision contained in the Disclosure Schedule (giving effect to
any update thereto);

            (c) Seller's use of the Assets prior to the Effective Date;

            (d) Seller's exercise of any rights under the License Agreement;

            (e) The research, development, use, manufacture, import, sale and
offer for sale of any product or service discovered or developed pursuant to the
License Agreement;

            (f) Seller's performance under or exercise of any rights under any
of the Assumed Contracts, Retained Contracts or Excluded Contracts, including
the performance or provision of Services;

            (g) Any Breach of any covenant or obligation of Seller in this
Agreement, the Transactional Agreements or the Consent Agreements or in any
certificate, document, writing or instrument delivered by Seller pursuant to
this Agreement;

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       22


            (h) Any noncompliance with applicable bulk sales or fraudulent
transfer Legal Requirements in connection with the Transactions;

            (i) Seller's failure to deliver any necessary conveyance instrument
or any other certificate to be delivered by Seller in connection with this
Agreement;

            (j) any Liability of the Seller, other than the Assumed Liabilities;
or

            (k) any Proceeding relating directly or indirectly to any Breach,
alleged Breach, Liability or matter of the type referred to in clauses (a)
through (j) above (including any Proceeding commenced by any Purchaser
Indemnitee for the purpose of enforcing any of its rights under this Section 4),
subject in the case of (a) and (b) above to the time limitations set forth in
Section 4.1(b).

      4.3 INDEMNIFICATION BY PURCHASER. Subject to Sections 4.1, 4.4, 4.5 and
4.7, Purchaser shall hold harmless and indemnify each of the Seller Indemnitees
from and against, and shall reimburse each of the Seller Indemnitees for, any
Damages which are suffered or incurred by any of the Seller Indemnitees or to
which any of the Seller Indemnitees may otherwise become subject at any time
(regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any Third Party claim) and
which arise from or as a result of:

            (a) Any Assumed Liability;

            (b) Any Breach of any representation or warranty made by Purchaser
in this Agreement [*];

            (c) Any Breach of any covenant or obligation of Purchaser in this
Agreement or the Transactional Agreements or in any certificate, document,
writing or instrument delivered by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement;

            (d) Any infringement of Third Party intellectual property rights
covering the items identified on Exhibit F of the Technology Transfer Agreement
arising from Purchaser's use or sale of any Biological/Chemical Materials or any
derivatives or progeny derived from such materials by Seller; and

            (e) any Proceeding relating directly or indirectly to any Breach,
alleged Breach, Liability or matter of the type referred to in clauses (a)
through (c) above (including any Proceeding commenced by any Seller Indemnitee
for the purpose of enforcing any of its rights under this Section 4), subject in
the case of (b) above to the time limitations set forth in Section 4.1(e).

      4.4 LIMITATIONS.

            (a) The Seller shall only be liable under Section 4.2(a) and 4.2(b),
and the Purchaser shall only be liable under Section 4.3(b), with respect to any
claims that are properly asserted in writing pursuant to Section 4.1(a) prior to
the first anniversary of the Effective Date or, if later, the Expiration Date
for the relevant representation and warranty.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       23


            (b) Neither Party shall have any obligation or liability to the
other Party pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of this Agreement, as applicable,
except to the extent that the aggregate amount of Damages incurred or suffered
by the Person seeking indemnification which the indemnifying Party is otherwise
responsible for under such the applicable Section exceeds [*] (the "Threshold"),
at which time the Person seeking indemnification shall be entitled to assert
claims against the indemnifying Party for Damages in excess of, but [*];
provided, however, that:

                  (i) The maximum liability of Seller for all claims by
Purchaser under [*], in each case with respect to all representations and
warranties set forth in [*], shall [*].

                  (ii) The maximum liability of Seller for all claims by
Purchaser in connection with [*] and any [*] shall [*].

                  (iii) The maximum liability of Seller shall not in any case
exceed [*] of [*] for all claims by Purchaser under: [*].

                  (iv) There is [*] on the liability of Seller for all claims by
Purchaser under: [*].

                  (v) The maximum liability for Purchaser for all claims by
Seller under [*] shall [*] of the [*].

                  (vi) There is [*] on the liability of Purchaser for all claims
by Seller under [*].

                  (vii) The Threshold shall not apply to claims by Seller
related to failure by the Purchaser to [*].

            (c) If any matter as to which Purchaser may be able to assert a
claim is pending or unresolved at the time any payment is due from Purchaser to
Seller under this Agreement or otherwise, Purchaser shall [*]. Any indemnity
amount payable pursuant to Section 4.2 shall [*] before [*].

            (d) Each Party agrees to use [*] to [*] any Damages which form the
basis for any claim for indemnification hereunder.

            (e) Each Party agrees [*] under this Agreement for which such Party
is [*], except to the extent that [*].

      4.5 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES; DEFENSE OF THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. Promptly
after receipt by an Indemnitee under Section 4.2 or 4.3 of notice of any Third
Party Claim or the assertion or commencement of any claim or Proceeding against
it, such Indemnitee will, if such claim is to be made against an Indemnitee
under such Section, give Claim Notice to the indemnifying Party of the
commencement of such claim, but the failure to notify the indemnifying Party
will not relieve the indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to any
Indemnitee (except to the extent that such failure materially prejudices the
defense of such claim or Proceeding). The indemnifying Party shall have the
right, at its election and by written

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       24


notice to the Indemnitee within [*] after it receives a Claim Notice to conduct
and control the defense of such claim or Proceeding.

            (a) If the indemnifying Party makes such election:

                  (i) Indemnitee shall make available to the indemnifying Party
any non-privileged documents and materials in possession of Indemnitee that may
be necessary to the defense of such claim or Proceeding;

                  (ii) The indemnifying Party shall keep Indemnitee informed of
all material developments and events relating to such claim or Proceeding;

                  (iii) Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the
defense of such claim or Proceeding at its own expense; and

                  (iv) The indemnifying Party shall not settle, adjust or
compromise such claim or Proceeding without prior written consent of Indemnitee
not to be unreasonably withheld.

            (b) If the indemnifying Party does not so elect, then with respect
to any such claim brought against an Indemnitee:

                  (i) The indemnifying Party shall make available to the
Indemnitee any non-privileged documents and materials in its possession that may
be necessary or useful to the defense of such claim or Proceeding;

                  (ii) The indemnifying Party shall have the right to
participate in the defense of such claim or Proceeding at its own expense;

                  (iii) The Indemnitee shall keep the indemnifying Party
informed of all material developments and events relating to such claim or
Proceeding and, if requested by the indemnifying Party, shall confer with the
indemnifying Party regarding defense strategy; and

                  (iv) The Indemnitee shall not settle, adjust or compromise
such claim or Proceeding in a manner that may reasonably give rise to any
liability of the indemnifying Party (including by reasons of claims that may be
asserted under this Section 4) without the prior written consent of the
indemnifying Party (not to be unreasonably withheld).

      4.6 TREATMENT OF INDEMNIFICATION PAYMENTS. All indemnification payments
made under this Agreement shall [*] as [*].

      4.7 SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. Except with respect to (a) [*], (b) fraud,
and (c) [*], from and after the Effective Date, the indemnification rights
provided in this Section 4 of this Agreement shall [*].

5. POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

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      5.1 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY SELLER. Seller shall provide to Purchaser
certain Services as set forth in the Technology Transfer Agreement.

      5.2 SELLER'S CONTINUING PERFORMANCE OF RETAINED CONTRACTS AND ASSUMED
SERVICES CONTRACTS.

            (a) GENERALLY. Seller shall continue to perform, in good faith and
at its sole expense, all of its obligations under all Retained Contracts,
including without limitation any obligations to perform Services. Seller shall
continue to perform, in good faith and at its sole expense, all Services
obligations under all Assumed Services Contracts.

            (b) SERVICES. Seller shall perform the Services under each Retained
Contract and Assumed Services Contract in accordance with the terms and
conditions of each such agreement and with all applicable federal, state, and
local laws, ordinances, and regulations. Seller shall not be permitted to
subcontract or delegate performance of the Services under any Retained Contract
or Assumed Services Contract without the prior written consent of Purchaser.

            (c) REPORTS. On a [*] basis for so long as Seller has any remaining
Services obligations under any Retained Contract or Assumed Services Contract
(the "Post-Closing Service Period"), subject to any confidentiality restrictions
set forth in the applicable Retained Contract, Seller shall provide a [*] report
to Purchaser [*]. Each [*] report shall include [*]. Subject to any
confidentiality restrictions set forth in the applicable Retained Contract,
Seller shall [*].

            (d) RECORDS. Seller shall maintain [*] records of information and
data related to the performance of the Services under each Retained Contract and
Assumed Service Contract in a [*] manner. Seller shall maintain such information
and data in compliance with the terms and conditions of the relevant Retained
Contract or Assumed Services Contract, Purchaser's [*] instructions [*], and all
applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations. During
the Post-Closing Service Period and for [*] thereafter, subject to any
confidentiality restrictions set forth in the applicable Retained Contract,
Seller shall [*]. After completion of the Services, Seller shall maintain such
records for at least [*] and shall [*].

            (e) REVIEW OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION. Seller shall maintain its
records in a manner so as to permit Purchaser to review the records in full
without disclosing to Purchaser any confidential or proprietary information of
any Customers under Retained Contracts. In the event [*], Seller will, [*].

            (f) SELLER SERVICES MANAGER. During the Post-Closing Service Period,
Seller will designate one (1) individual (the "Services Manager") to be the
services manager for the Services provided by Seller. The Services Manager will
be an employee of Seller, will serve as the single point of accountability to
Purchaser for performance of the Services, and will have day-to-day authority
for ensuring performance of the Services in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. All inquiries, responses, and other communications from Purchaser
regarding the Services shall be directed to the Services Manager (or any
substitute designated by Seller from time to time).

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       26


            (g) SITE VISITS. During the Post-Closing Service Period, upon [*]
prior written notice, Purchaser's Representatives may visit Seller's facilities
at [*] times and with [*] frequency during normal business hours to [*]. Seller
will [*].

            (h) CUSTOMER CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Seller shall [*]. If [*],
then Seller shall [*].

            (i) ASSUMED SERVICES CONTRACT CONFIDENTIALITY. Seller shall abide by
and comply with the terms and conditions of the confidentiality provisions of
each Assumed Services Contract, as if it were a party to each such agreement.

            (j) ASSUMED SERVICES CONTRACT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Seller shall
notify Purchaser in writing of any and all data, inventions, technology,
discoveries, or ideas, whether patentable or not, resulting from or reduced to
practice as a result of Seller's conducting the Services under each Assumed
Services Contract (each a "Service Invention"), promptly after each such
invention is made. As between Seller and Purchaser, Seller agrees and
acknowledges that Purchaser shall own all right, title, and interest in and to
all Service Inventions and all intellectual property rights arising therefrom
(collectively, the "Service IP"). Seller hereby assigns and transfers to
Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to the Service IP and agrees to
take all further acts reasonably required to evidence such assignment and
transfer to Purchaser at Purchaser's expense. To the extent any such Service IP
does not incorporate or otherwise directly relate to any Transfluor Technology,
Purchaser agrees to grant Seller a [*] license to such intellectual property,
[*]; provided, however, that such license shall [*]. Seller shall be party to an
agreement with each employee of Seller performing work in connection with the
Services under each Assumed Services Contract, pursuant to which such person
shall grant all rights in the Service IP to Seller. Seller hereby appoints
Purchaser as its attorney-in-fact to sign such documents as Purchaser deems
necessary for Purchaser to obtain ownership and to apply for, secure, and
maintain patent or other proprietary protection of such Service IP if Purchaser
is unable, after reasonable inquiry, to obtain Seller's (or its employee's)
signature on such a document.

            (k) AMENDMENT. Purchaser shall not amend, extend or otherwise modify
any Assumed Service Agreement so as to expand the obligations of Seller under
the Assumed Services Agreement as they exist as of the Effective Date.

      5.3 PURCHASER'S RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO RETAINED CONTRACTS.

            (a) CUSTOMER'S CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS. For [*] after the
Effective Date, if Seller becomes aware of any breach or potential breach by a
Customer of its confidentiality obligations under such Retained Contract, Seller
shall promptly inform Purchaser in writing. Seller shall [*].

            (b) REVIEW OF DRAFT PUBLICATIONS. For [*] after the Effective Date,
Seller shall promptly provide Purchaser with all draft publications and
presentations provided to Seller by a Customer for pre-publication review and/or
approval pursuant to a Retained Contract. Seller shall [*]. Under no
circumstances shall Seller [*], nor shall Seller [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       27


            (c) EVALUATION DATA. Seller shall promptly transfer to Purchaser all
Evaluation Data received by Seller after the Effective Date pursuant to a
Retained Contract to the extent permitted under the terms of the relevant
Retained Contract.

            (d) AMENDMENT. Seller shall not amend, terminate, prevent the
automatic renewal of, or extend, any Retained Agreement or any license contained
therein without the prior written consent of Purchaser. Seller shall not perform
or agree to perform, without the prior written consent of Purchaser, any
Services for a Customer that were not required by, or which Customer may have
the option to require under, the relevant Retained Contract as of the Effective
Date.

      5.4 TERMINATION OF EVALUATION LICENSE MARKETING AGREEMENT BETWEEN NORAK
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND [*]. Within [*] after the Effective Date, Seller shall
terminate the Evaluation License Marketing Agreement between Norak Biosciences,
Inc. and [*].

      5.5 MARKETING AGREEMENTS. Seller shall obtain Purchaser's written consent
prior to performing any acts that are permitted, but not required, under any
Marketing Agreement, including without limitation, providing or approving
promotional materials. Promptly after the Effective Date, Seller shall give
notice of its intent to terminate all Marketing Agreements that Seller can
unilaterally terminate. Seller shall use [*] efforts to effect the prompt
termination by mutual agreement of all other Marketing Agreements. Seller shall
provide Purchaser with quarterly written reports summarizing all activities, if
any, performed by Seller or the relevant other party pursuant to a Marketing
Agreement.

      5.6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Although Purchaser is acquiring from Seller patent
rights only to the extent included in the Assigned Patent Rights, Seller
acknowledges that Purchaser may, in its discretion, elect to file patent
applications and patents claiming other aspects of the Assets, and that
Purchaser shall, as between the Parties, own any such patent applications and
patents.

      5.7 TRANSFER OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK FILES AND ACCESS TO RELATED FILES.
Within [*] after the Effective Date, the Seller shall provide to the Purchaser
[*]. For [*] after the Effective Date, Seller will continue [*]. Seller shall
provide Purchaser with [*]. Within [*] after the Effective Date, Seller shall
[*]. Seller shall [*] provide Purchaser with [*].

      5.8 CORRECTION OF [*]. Within [*] after the Effective Date, Seller shall
file all paperwork with and pay all fees to the United States Patent and
Trademark Office as necessary to [*] and [*] with respect to the Assigned Patent
Rights and the Duke Patent Rights. Seller shall promptly provide Purchaser with
copies of all such paperwork and payment records and with all additional
documentation reasonably requested by Purchaser to demonstrate that such [*] has
been made.

      5.9 REFERRAL OF TRANSFLUOR TECHNOLOGY RELATED QUESTIONS. For a period of
[*] following the Effective Date and subject to any obligations of
confidentiality contained in any applicable Retained Contract, Seller agrees to
promptly provide a copy of any written communications or correspondence it
receives from any Third Party regarding the sale, licensing, or other research
or commercial use of Transfluor Technology related services or products to

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

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Purchaser, and to direct any Third Parties making telephonic or oral inquires
with respect to same to contact Purchaser with respect thereto.

      5.10 ACCESS TO SELLER PERSONNEL REGARDING LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS. During the
Post-Closing Service Period and for [*] thereafter, Seller agrees to provide
Purchaser with [*] access to relevant employees, [*], solely for the purpose of
confirming otherwise illegible text in any laboratory notebooks provided under
Exhibit D of the Technology Transfer Agreement and Exhibit B of the Notebook
Escrow Agreement.

      5.11 NO CONFUSING TRADEMARKS. Seller agrees not to adopt or otherwise
claim any trademarks (including without limitation common law trademarks),
trademark applications, and any related trade dress, logos and similar rights
that may be confusingly similar to the Assigned Trademarks.

      5.12 CONDUCT UNDER THE [*]. Seller shall not exercise any of its rights
under [*] of the [*].

6. CONFIDENTIALITY

      6.1 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Each Party receiving Confidential
Information (the "Receiving Party") shall maintain in confidence all such
Confidential Information disclosed by the other Party (the "Disclosing Party"),
and shall not use, disclose or grant the use of the Confidential Information for
any purpose other than those permitted hereunder or pursuant to the
Transactional Agreements, except on a need-to-know basis to its Affiliates and
actual or potential business partners, acquirors, acquisition targets, investors
or sublicensees, directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, clinical
investigators, contractors, distributors or permitted assignees, to the extent
such disclosure is reasonably necessary in connection with such Party's
activities in connection with its performance under and exercise of rights
expressly provided in this Agreement or the Transactional Agreements. The
foregoing obligations shall apply for [*] after the Effective Date, except that
Seller's obligations under this Section 6 with respect to any Confidential
Information relating to the Transfluor Technology or products or services
related to the Transfluor Technology shall continue for [*] after the Effective
Date. To the extent that disclosure is authorized by this Agreement, prior to
disclosure, a Party hereto shall obtain agreement of any such person to hold in
confidence and not make use of the Confidential Information of the other Party
for any purpose other than those permitted by this Agreement.

      6.2 PERMITTED DISCLOSURES. The confidentiality obligations contained in
this Section 6 shall not apply to the extent that the receiving Party (the
"Recipient") is required (a) to disclose information by law, order or regulation
of a Governmental Body or a court of competent jurisdiction, or (b) to disclose
information to any Governmental Body for purposes of obtaining approval to test
or market a product, provided in either case that the Recipient shall provide
written notice thereof to the other Party and reasonable opportunity to object
to any such disclosure or to request confidential treatment thereof, and shall
use reasonable efforts to secure confidential treatment of or a protective order
for the information so required to be disclosed. Additionally, notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, any Party to this Agreement (and any employee,
representative, shareholder or other agent of any Party to this Agreement) may
disclose to any and all Persons, the United States federal tax treatment and
United States federal

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

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tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all
materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are
provided to it relating to such tax treatment and tax structure (except to the
extent that nondisclosure of such matters is reasonably necessary for either
Party to comply with applicable securities laws).

      6.3 ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE. Pursuant to the [*], the Disclosing Party
is not waiving, and will not be deemed to have waived or diminished, any of its
attorney work product protections, attorney-client privileges or similar
protections and privileges as a result of disclosing its Confidential
Information (including Confidential Information related to pending or threatened
litigation) to the Receiving Party, regardless of whether the Disclosing Party
has asserted, or is or may be entitled to assert, such privileges and
protections. The Parties (a) share a common legal and commercial interest in all
of the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information that is subject to such
privileges and protections; (b) are or may become joint defendants in
Proceedings to which the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information covered by
such protections and privileges relates; (c) intend that such privileges and
protections remain intact should either Party become subject to any actual or
threatened Proceeding to which the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information
covered by such protections and privileges relates; and (d) intend that after
the Effective Date the Receiving Party shall have the right to assert such
protections and privileges. No Receiving Party shall admit, claim or contend, in
Proceedings involving either Party or otherwise, that any Disclosing Party
waived any of its attorney work-product protections, attorney-client privileges
or similar protections and privileges with respect to any information, documents
or other material not disclosed to a Receiving Party due to the Disclosing Party
disclosing its Confidential Information (including Confidential Information
related to pending or threatened litigation) to the Receiving Party.

7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

      7.1 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each Party hereto shall execute and/or cause to be
delivered to each other Party hereto such instruments and other documents, and
shall take such other actions, as such other Party may reasonably request after
the Effective Date for the purpose of carrying out or evidencing this Agreement,
the Consent Agreements or any of the Transactional Agreements.

      7.2 FEES AND EXPENSES. Each Party to this Agreement shall bear and pay all
fees, costs and expenses (including legal fees and accounting fees) that have
been incurred or that are incurred in the future by such Party in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all fees, costs
and expenses incurred by such Party in connection with or by virtue of the
negotiation, preparation and review of this Agreement (including the Disclosure
Schedule), the Consent Agreements, the Transactional Agreements and all
certificates, opinions and other instruments and documents delivered or to be
delivered in connection with this Agreement.

      7.3 NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be
delivered to any Party under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed properly delivered, given and received when delivered (by hand, by
registered mail, by courier or express delivery service or by fax) to the
address or fax number set forth beneath the name of such Party

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

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below (or to such other address or fax number as such Party shall have specified
in a written notice given to the other Parties hereto):

                  if to Seller:

                           Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                           7030 Kit Creek Road
                           Morrisville, NC 27560
                           Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                           Telephone: (919) 248-8000
                           Facsimile: (919) 248-8033

                  with a copy to:

                           Kenneth E. Eheman, Jr.
                           Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
                           4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300
                           Raleigh, NC 27607
                           Telephone:  (919) 781-4000
                           Facsimile:  (919) 781-4865

                  if to Purchaser:

                           Molecular Devices Corporation
                           1311 Orleans Avenue
                           Sunnyvale, CA  94089-1136
                           Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                           Telephone: [*]
                           Facsimile: [*]

                  with a copy to:

                           Cooley Godward LLP
                           Five Palo Alto Square
                           3000 El Camino Real
                           Palo Alto, CA 94306
                           Attention:  Marya A. Postner, Esq.
                           Telephone:  (650) 843-5000
                           Facsimile:  (650) 849-7400

      7.4   PUBLICITY. On and at all times after the Effective Date, except for
any press release or publicity approved in advance in writing by Purchaser, no
press release or other publicity concerning the Agreement shall be issued or
otherwise disseminated by or on behalf of Seller or any of its Representatives.
Purchaser may issue or have issued one or more press releases or other publicity
concerning the Agreement at any time provided that Purchaser [*]. Each Party
shall continue to keep the existence and terms of this Agreement, the Consent
Agreements, the Transactional Agreements, and any non-public document or other
information

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

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in its possession strictly confidential; provided, that either Party may (i)
disclose the terms of this Agreement, the Consent Agreements, or the
Transactional Agreements insofar as required to comply with applicable
securities laws or applicable rules of a national securities exchange, provided
that in the case of such securities disclosures such Party notifies the other
Party reasonably in advance of such disclosure and cooperates to minimize the
scope and content of such disclosure, and (ii) disclose the terms of this
Agreement, the Consent Agreements and the Transactional Agreements in confidence
to [*].

      7.5   TIME OF THE ESSENCE. Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

      7.6   HEADINGS. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this
Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

      7.7   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when
taken together, shall constitute one agreement.

      7.8   GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

            (a)   GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with, and governed in all respects by, the laws of the State of California
(without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws that would require the
application of any other law).

            (b)   DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Except with respect to any claim seeking
injunctive relief hereunder, in the event of any controversy or claim arising
out of, relating to or in connection with any provision of this Agreement or the
rights or obligations of the Parties hereunder, the Parties will try to settle
their differences amicably between themselves as contemplated herein. To the
extent not provided for herein, any Party may initiate such informal dispute
resolution by sending written notice of the dispute to the other Party, and
within [*] after such notice, the Chief Financial Officer of the Purchaser will
meet with the Chief Financial Officer of the Seller, for attempted resolution by
good faith negotiations. If such persons are unable to resolve promptly such
disputed matter within [*] after such meeting, such dispute shall be finally
settled by arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of
the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), then in force, by one (1)
arbitrator appointed in accordance with said rules, provided that the appointed
arbitrator shall have appropriate experience in the biotechnology industry. The
place of arbitration shall be Denver, Colorado. The award rendered shall be
final and binding upon all parties participating in such arbitration. The
judgment rendered by the arbitrator(s) may, at the arbitrator's discretion,
include costs of arbitration, reasonable attorneys' fees and reasonable costs
for any expert and other witnesses. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed as
preventing either Party from seeking injunctive relief (or any other provisional
remedy) from any court having jurisdiction over the Parties and the subject
matter of the dispute as necessary to protect any Party's name, proprietary
information, trade secrets, know-how or any other proprietary rights. Judgment
upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or application
may be made to such court for judicial acceptance of the award and/or an order
of enforcement as the case may be. The Parties agree to use their good faith
efforts to resolve the dispute within [*] of receipt of the original

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       32



notice of dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any disputes regarding the
scope, validity, enforceability or inventorship of any patents or patent
applications shall be submitted for final resolution by a court of competent
jurisdiction.

      7.9   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; ASSIGNMENT. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation
hereunder may be assigned or otherwise transferred (whether voluntarily, by
operation of law or otherwise), without the prior express written consent of the
other Party; provided, however, that either Party may, without such consent,
assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder to its successor
in interest in connection with the transfer or sale of all or substantially all
of its assets, or its merger, consolidation, change in control or similar
transaction, provided that [*]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may
[*]; provided that [*].

      7.10  WAIVER.

            (a)   No failure on the part of any Party to exercise any power,
right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of any
Party in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement,
shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no
single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right,
privilege or remedy.

            (b)   Neither Party shall be deemed to have waived any claim arising
out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this
Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is
expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on
behalf of such Party; and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any
effect except in the specific instance in which it is given.

      7.11  AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or
supplemented other than by means of a written instrument duly executed and
delivered on behalf of Purchaser and Seller.

      7.12  SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or
the application of any such provision to any Party, Person or set of
circumstances, shall be determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement, and the
application of such provision to the Parties, Persons or circumstances other
than those as to which it is determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or
unenforceable, shall not be impaired or otherwise affected and shall continue to
be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

      7.13  PARTIES IN INTEREST. Except for the provisions of Section 4 hereof,
none of the provisions of this Agreement is intended to provide any rights or
remedies to any Person other than the Parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns (if any).

      7.14  INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. The Parties hereto are independent
1contractors and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to place
them in the relationship of partners, principal and agent, employer/employee or
joint venturer. Both Parties agree that they

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

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shall neither have the power or right to bind or obligate the other, nor shall
either hold itself out as having such authority.

      7.15  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the Consent Agreements and the
Transactional Agreements (including all schedules and exhibits attached thereto)
set forth the entire understanding of the Parties relating to the subject matter
thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings among or between
any of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof, except for the [*],
which shall remain in full force and effect. For clarity, the [*] shall each be
superseded in its entirety by this Agreement, the Consent Agreements and the
Transactional Agreements.

      7.16  DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE.

            (a)   The information in the Disclosure Schedule constitutes (i)
exceptions to particular representations, warranties, covenants and obligations
of Seller as set forth in this Agreement or (ii) descriptions or lists of assets
and liabilities and other items referred to in this Agreement. If there is any
inconsistency between the statements in this Agreement and those in the
Disclosure Schedule (other than an exception expressly set forth as such in the
Disclosure Schedule with respect to a specifically identified representation or
warranty), the statements in this Agreement will control.

            (b)   The Disclosure Schedule is arranged in sections corresponding
to the corresponding provision of Section 2, and the disclosures in any section
of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify only the corresponding subsection of
Section 2 and no other subsections in Section 2.

            (c)   The inclusion of any information in the Disclosure Schedule
shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment, in and of itself, that
such information is required by the terms hereof to be disclosed.

      7.17  CONSTRUCTION.

            (a)   For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires:
the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine
gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall
include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include
the masculine and feminine genders.

            (b)   The Parties hereto agree that any rule of construction to the
effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party shall not
be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

            (c)   As used in this Agreement, the words "include" and
"including," and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of
limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."

            (d)   Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this
Agreement to "Sections" and "Exhibits" are intended to refer to Sections of this
Agreement and Exhibits to this Agreement.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       34



                            [Signature Page Follows]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       35



      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both Purchaser and Seller have executed this
Agreement, in duplicate originals, by their respective officers duly hereunto
duly authorized, the day and year first written above.

"PURCHASER":                           MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ Tim Harkness
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Tim Harkness
                                       Title: Chief Financial Officer

"SELLER":                              XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                                       By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Roger D. Blevins
                                       Title: CEO

                   SIGNATURE PAGE FOR ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       36



                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit A:        Certain Definitions

Exhibit B:        Assigned Patent Rights

Exhibit C:        Assumed Contracts

Exhibit D:        Duke Patent Rights

Exhibit E:        Retained Contracts

Exhibit F-1:      License Agreement

Exhibit F-2:      BioImage Sublicense Agreement

Exhibit F-3:      GFP Sublicense Agreement

Exhibit F-4:      Technology Transfer Agreement

Exhibit F-5:      Notebook Escrow Agreement

Exhibit F-6:      Escrow Agreement

Exhibit F-7:      Patent Assignment Agreement

Exhibit F-8:      Trademark Assignment Agreement

Exhibit F-9:      AV GFP Sublicense Agreement

Exhibit G:        Excluded IP

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       37



                                    EXHIBIT A

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

      For purposes of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A):

      [*]

      ACQUIRED BUSINESS. "Acquired Business" shall mean the business conducted
by Seller in (a) the design, development, validation, manufacture, marketing and
sale of products based on and services employing the Transfluor Technology, (b)
the procurement and maintenance of intellectual property rights related to the
Transfluor Technology, and (c) the granting of licenses to practice the
Transfluor Technology. The Acquired Business shall not include Seller's Internal
Product Discovery Program.

      AFFILIATE. "Affiliate" shall mean and include any officer or director of
Purchaser or Seller or any Person which controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with Purchaser or Seller.

      AGREEMENT. "Agreement" shall mean the Asset Purchase Agreement to which
this Exhibit A is attached (including without limitation the Disclosure Schedule
and any other exhibits, schedules or attachments thereto), as it may be amended
from time to time.

      ASSETS. "Assets" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Agreement.

      ASSIGNED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. "Assigned Intellectual Property" shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a) of the Agreement and shall include
without limitation any such (a) patent, patent application, copyright (whether
registered or unregistered and whether or not relating to a published work),
trademark application, trade name, fictitious business name, service mark
(whether registered or unregistered), trademark service mark application, trade
secret, know-how, franchise, system, computer software, invention, design,
blueprint, proprietary product, technology, proprietary right or other
intellectual property right or intangible asset; or (b) right to use or exploit
any of the foregoing.

      ASSIGNED KNOW-HOW. "Assigned Know-How" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1.(a)(ii) of the Agreement.

      ASSIGNED PATENT RIGHTS. "Assigned Patent Rights" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 1.1(a)(i) of the Agreement.

      ASSIGNED TRADEMARKS. "Assigned Trademarks" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 1.1(a)(iv) of the Agreement.

      ASSUMED CONTRACTS. "Assumed Contracts" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1(b) of the Agreement.

      ASSUMED SERVICES CONTRACTS. "Assumed Services Contracts" shall mean the
following Assumed Contracts:

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-1



      [*]

      ASSUMED LIABILITIES. "Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 1.3(c) of the Agreement.

      AV GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT. "AV GFP Sublicense Agreement" shall mean that
certain AV GFP Sublicense Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F-9.

      [*]

      [*]

      BIOIMAGE SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT. "BioImage Sublicense Agreement" shall mean
that certain BioImage Sublicense Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F-2.

      BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL MATERIALS. "Biological/Chemical Materials" shall have
the meaning set forth in the Technology Transfer Agreement.

      BREACH. There shall be deemed to be a "Breach" of a representation,
warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision if there is or has been any
material inaccuracy in or breach of, or any material failure to comply with or
perform, such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision,
and the term "Breach" shall be deemed to refer to any such material inaccuracy,
breach, failure, claim or circumstance.

      [*]

      CLAIMS. "Claims" shall mean and include all past, present and future
disputes, claims, controversies, demands, rights, obligations, liabilities,
actions and causes of action of every kind and nature.

      CLAIM NOTICE. "Claim Notice" shall mean a written notice that contains (i)
a description and the amount of any Damages incurred or that may be incurred by
the Purchaser Indemnitees or the Seller Indemnitees, (ii) a statement that the
Purchaser Indemnitees or the Seller Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification
under Section 4.2 or 4.3 and a reasonable explanation of the basis therefor, and
(iii) a demand for payment in the amount of such Damages.

      CODE. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

      CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. "Confidential Information" shall mean, with
respect to a Party, all information of any kind whatsoever, and all tangible and
intangible embodiments thereof of any kind whatsoever, which is disclosed by
such Party to the other Party and is marked, identified as or otherwise
acknowledged to be confidential at the time of disclosure to the other Party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information of a Party shall not
include information which the other Party can establish by written documentation
(a) to have been publicly known prior to disclosure to such information by the
disclosing Party to the other Party, (b) to have become publicly known, without
fault on the part of the other Party, subsequent to disclosure of such
information by the disclosing Party to the other Party, (c) to have been
received by the other Party without obligation of confidentiality at any time
from a

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-2



source, other than the disclosing Party, rightfully having possession of and the
right to disclose such information, (d) to have been otherwise known by the
other Party prior to disclosure of such information by the disclosing Party to
the other Party, or (e) to have been independently developed by persons on
behalf of the other Party without access to or use or benefit of such
information disclosed by the disclosing Party to the other Party. For purposes
of this Agreement, all information disclosed pursuant to the [*] shall
constitute Confidential Information of the disclosing Party, subject to the
provisions of clauses (a) and (b) of the second sentence of this definition. For
purposes of this Agreement, the following shall constitute Confidential
Information of Purchaser, subject to the provisions of clauses (a) and (b) of
the second sentence of this definition: (i) the Assets, (ii) all information
disclosed to Purchaser pursuant to the Technology Transfer Agreement, (iii) all
information disclosed to Purchaser pursuant to Section 5.2 or 5.3 of this
Agreement, and (iv) all information generated by Seller pursuant to any Assumed
Contract or Retained Contract.

      CONSENT. "Consent" shall mean any approval, consent, ratification,
permission, waiver or authorization (including without limitation any
Governmental Authorization).

      CONSENT AGREEMENTS. "Consent Agreements" shall mean [*].

      CONTRACT. "Contract" shall mean any written, oral, implied or other
agreement, contract, understanding, arrangement, instrument, note, guaranty,
indemnity, representation, supply agreement, sourcing agreement, warranty, deed,
assignment, power of attorney, certificate, purchase order, sales order, work
order, insurance policy, benefit plan, commitment, covenant, assurance or
undertaking of any nature.

      COPYRIGHTS. "Copyrights" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1(a)(iv) of the Agreement.

      CUSTOMER. "Customer" shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.2(c) of
the Agreement.

      [*]

      DAMAGES. "Damages" shall include any loss, damage, injury, Liability,
claim, demand, settlement, judgment, award, fine, penalty, Tax, fee (including
without limitation any reasonable legal fee, expert fee, accounting fee or
advisory fee), cost (including without limitation any reasonable cost of
investigation), or reasonable related Third Party expenses.

      DEDUCTIBLE. "Deductible" shall have the meaning set forth at Section
4.4(b).

      [*]

      DISCLOSING PARTY. "Disclosing Party" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.1 of the Agreement.

      DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE. "Disclosure Schedule" shall mean the schedule (dated
as of the date of the Agreement) delivered to Purchaser on behalf of Seller, a
copy of which is attached to the Agreement and incorporated in the Agreement by
reference.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-3



      [*]

      DUKE PATENT RIGHTS. "Duke Patent Rights" shall mean all patents and patent
applications licensed pursuant to the License Agreement between Norak
Biosciences, Inc. and Duke University dated [*], and [*] including without
limitation the patents and patent applications set forth on Exhibit D.

      [*]

      EFFECTIVE DATE. "Effective Date" shall have the meaning specified in the
introductory paragraph of the Agreement.

      ENCUMBRANCE. "Encumbrance" shall mean any lien, pledge, hypothecation,
mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, equitable interest, preference, right
of possession, lease, tenancy, license, proxy, covenant, Order, option, right of
first refusal or preemptive right, whether arising out of an obligation to pay
any Taxes or otherwise.

      ENTITY. "Entity" shall mean any corporation (including without limitation
any non-profit corporation), general partnership, limited partnership, limited
liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including without
limitation any limited liability company or joint stock company), firm or other
enterprise, association, organization or entity.

      ESCROW ACCOUNT. "Escrow Account" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.4(ii) of the Agreement.

      ESCROW AGREEMENT. "Escrow Agreement" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.4(ii) of the Agreement.

      EVALUATION AGREEMENT. "Evaluation Agreement" shall mean any of the
following agreements: [*].

      EVALUATION DATA. "Evaluation Data" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1(a)(iii) of the Agreement.

      EXCLUDED ASSETS. "Excluded Assets" shall mean the Excluded Contracts, the
Retained Contracts, and the Excluded IP; the Purchase Price; Seller's rights
under this Agreement, the Duke Consent and the Transactional Agreements;
Seller's cash, cash equivalents and deposit accounts, accounts receivable, real
property and real property leases, facilities, equipment, equipment leases and
other tangible personal property; Seller's insurance policies and rights
thereunder; Seller's personnel and personnel records; Seller's employee benefit
plans and rights thereunder; Seller's accounting and financial records, Seller's
corporate records (formation documents, stock records, board resolutions and
minutes, and the like) any rights to Seller's claim for tax refunds, tax
credits, or items of a similar nature; and any other tangible or intangible
property related primarily and directly to Seller's Internal Product Discovery
Program, provided that, for clarity, all the assets explicitly listed in Section
1.1(a)-(f) are not Excluded Assets.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-4



      EXCLUDED CONTRACT. "Excluded Contract" shall mean any of the following
agreements: [*].

      EXCLUDED IP. "Excluded IP" shall mean the intellectual property rights set
forth on Exhibit G.

      EXCLUDED LIABILITIES. "Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 1.3(a) of the Agreement.

      EXHIBITS. "Exhibits" shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.17(d)
of the Agreement.

      EXPIRATION DATE. "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1(b) of the Agreement.

      GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT. "GFP Sublicense Agreement" shall mean that
certain GFP Sublicense Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F-3.

      GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION. "Governmental Authorization" shall mean any
permit, license, certificate, franchise, concession, approval, consent,
ratification, permission, clearance, confirmation, endorsement, waiver,
certification, designation, rating, registration, qualification or authorization
that is, has been or may in the future be issued, granted, given or otherwise
made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to
any Legal Requirement.

      GOVERNMENTAL BODY. "Governmental Body" shall mean any:

      (a)   nation, principality, state, commonwealth, province, territory,
county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature;

      (b)   federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government;

      (c)   governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature
(including without limitation any governmental division, subdivision,
department, agency, bureau, branch, office, commission, council, board,
instrumentality, officer, official, representative, organization, unit, body or
Entity and any court or other tribunal);

      (d)   multi-national organization or body; or

      (e)   individual, Entity or body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any
executive, legislative, judicial, administrative, regulatory, police, military
or taxing authority or power of any nature.

      GPCR. "GPCR" shall mean any receptor, including but not limited to any
G-protein coupled receptor or other protein in a signaling pathway involving a
receptor, and includes receptors occurring in nature as well as receptors that
have been modified.

      HHMI. "HHMI" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(d) of this
Agreement.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-5



      INDEMNIFICATION ESCROW AMOUNT. "Indemnification Escrow Amount" shall have
the meaning specified in Section 1.4(a)(ii) of the Agreement.

      INITIAL TRAINING COMPLETION DATE. "Initial Training Completion Date" shall
have the meaning set forth in the Technology Transfer Agreement.

      IN-LICENSED PATENT RIGHTS. "In-Licensed Patent Rights" shall mean all
rights under patents and patent applications licensed pursuant to the following
agreements:

      (a)   License Agreement between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and Duke
University dated [*], and [*];

      (b)   Non-Exclusive License Agreement between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and
BioImage A/S dated [*];

      (c)   [*]; and

      (d)   License Agreement between Norak Biosciences, Inc. and Prolume, Ltd.
dated [*] and [*].

      INVENTION. "Invention" shall mean any invention that (a) is reasonably
necessary or useful for the practice of the Transfluor Technology; (b)
constitutes an improvement to the Transfluor Technology; or (c) was made,
conceived or reduced to practice pursuant to an Assumed Contract.

      KNOW-HOW. "Know-How" shall mean any knowledge, data, information,
protocols, methods, results, ideas or other intellectual property that is not
generally known, owned or licensed by the Seller, and (a) is necessary or useful
to practice the Transfluor Technology, (b) constitutes an improvement to the
Transfluor Technology, (c) was made, conceived or reduced to practice pursuant
to an Assumed Contract, (d) is described or disclosed in the Transfluor
Technical Reference Manual provided by Seller to Purchaser prior to the
Effective Date, (e) is described, disclosed, implemented, conveyed or otherwise
provided to Purchaser in the course of Seller's performance of the Technology
Transfer Agreement, or (f) used in the Acquired Business as it is being, [*]
conducted by Seller.

      KNOWLEDGE. An individual shall be deemed to have "Knowledge" of a
particular fact or other matter if such individual is actually aware of such
fact or other matter. An entity shall have "Knowledge" of a particular fact or
other matter if any officer of the entity is actually aware of such fact or
other matter after reasonable investigation or inquiry.

      LEGAL REQUIREMENT. "Legal Requirement" shall mean any federal, state,
local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, legislation, constitution,
principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree,
proclamation, treaty, convention, rule, regulation, ruling, directive,
pronouncement, requirement, specification, determination, decision, opinion or
interpretation that is or has been issued, enacted, adopted, passed, approved,
promulgated, made, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the
authority of any Governmental Body.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-6



      LICENSE AGREEMENT. "License Agreement" shall mean that certain License
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F-1.

      LIABILITY. "Liability" shall mean any debt or financial obligation, duty
or liability of any nature regardless of whether such debt or financial
obligation, duty or liability would be required to be disclosed on a balance
sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and regardless of whether such debt,
obligation, duty or liability is immediately due and payable.

      LITE ASSAY. "LITe Assay" shall mean an assay involving constitutive
translocation as described in International Patent Application [*] or U.S.
Patent Application No. [*].

      [*]

      [*]

      MARKETING AGREEMENT. "Marketing Agreement" shall mean any of the following
agreements: [*].

      [*]

      [*]

      NOTEBOOK ESCROW AGREEMENT. "Notebook Escrow Agreement" shall mean that
certain Notebook Escrow Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F-5.

      NORAK MARK. "Norak Mark" shall mean the "NORAK" trademark and any
derivative or related marks.

      ORDER. "Order" shall mean any:

      (a)   order, judgment, injunction, edict, decree, ruling, pronouncement,
determination, decision, opinion, verdict, sentence, subpoena, writ or award
that is, has been or may in the future be issued, made, entered, rendered or
otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any court, administrative
agency or other Governmental Body or any arbitrator or arbitration panel; or

      (b)   Contract with any Governmental Body that is, has been or may in the
future be entered into in connection with any Proceeding.

      PARTY. "Party" shall have the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph of the Agreement.

      PARTIES. "Parties" shall have the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph of the Agreement.

      PERSON. "Person" shall mean any individual, Entity or Governmental Body.

      POST-CLOSING SERVICE PERIOD. "Post-Closing Service Period" shall have the
meaning set forth at Section 5.2(c).

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-7



      PROCEEDING. "Proceeding" shall mean any action, suit, litigation,
arbitration, proceeding (including without limitation any civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding and any informal
proceeding), prosecution, contest, hearing, inquiry, inquest, audit, examination
or investigation that is, has been commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or
before, or that otherwise has involved or may involve, any Governmental Body or
any arbitrator or arbitration panel.

      [*]

      PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. "Promotional Materials" shall have the meaning set
forth in the Technology Transfer Agreement.

      PURCHASE PRICE. "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.4(a) of the Agreement.

      PURCHASER. "Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph to the Agreement.

      PURCHASER INDEMNITEES. "Purchaser Indemnitees" shall mean the following
Persons:

      (a)   Purchaser;

      (b)   Purchaser's current and future Affiliates;

      (c)   The respective Representatives of the Persons referred to in clauses
"(a)" and "(b)" above; and

      (d)   The respective successors and assigns of the Persons referred to in
clauses "(a)", "(b)" and "(c)" above.

      RECEIVING PARTY. "Receiving Party" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.1 of the Agreement.

      RECIPIENT. "Recipient" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.2 of
the Agreement.

      RELATED PARTY. Each of the following shall be deemed to be a "Related
Party": (a) each individual who is, or who has at any time been, an officer of
the Seller; (b) each member of the family of each of the individuals referred to
in clause "(a)" above; and (c) any Entity (other than the Seller) in which any
one of the individuals referred to in clauses "(a)" and "(b)" above holds or
held (or in which more than one of such individuals collectively hold or held),
beneficially or otherwise, a controlling interest or a material voting,
proprietary or equity interest.

      REPRESENTATIVES. "Representatives" shall mean officers and directors,
employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, advisors and representatives.

      RETAINED CONTRACT. "Retained Contract" shall mean any of the agreements
set forth on Exhibit E.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-8



      SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL MATERIALS. "Scientific/Technical Materials" shall
have the meaning set forth in the Technology Transfer Agreement.

      SECTIONS. "Sections" shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.17(d)
of the Agreement.

      SELLER. "Seller" shall have the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph of the Agreement.

      SELLER INDEMNITEES. "Seller Indemnitees" shall mean the following Persons:

      (a)   Seller;

      (b)   Seller's current and future Affiliates;

      (c)   The respective Representatives of the Persons referred to in clauses
"(a)" and "(b)" above; and

      (d)   The respective successors and assigns of the Persons referred to in
clauses "(a)", "(b)" and "(c)" above.

      SELLER'S INTERNAL PRODUCT DISCOVERY PROGRAM. "Seller's Internal Product
Discovery Program" shall mean that research and development program of Seller as
existing prior to the Effective Date and conducted by Seller to [*].

      SERVICE INVENTION. "Service Invention" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 5.2(j) of the Agreement.

      SERVICE IP. "Service IP" shall have the meaning specified in Section
5.2(j) of the Agreement.

      SERVICES. "Services" shall mean (i) the performance of Transfluor
Technology-related research or experiments, (ii) the provision of [*] or other
Transfluor Technology-related products or services, and (iii) the provision of
customer support with respect to the Transfluor Technology.

      SERVICES MANAGER. "Services Manager" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 5.2(f) of the Agreement.

      [*]

      [*]

      [*]

      [*]

      TAX. "Tax" shall mean any tax (including without limitation any income
tax, franchise tax, capital gains tax, estimated tax, gross receipts tax, value
added tax, surtax, excise tax, ad

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       A-9



valorem tax, transfer tax, stamp tax, sales tax, use tax, property tax, business
tax, occupation tax, inventory tax, occupancy tax, withholding tax or payroll
tax), levy, assessment, tariff, impost, imposition, toll, duty (including
without limitation any customs duty), deficiency or fee, and any related charge
or amount (including without limitation any fine, penalty or interest), that is,
has been or may in the future be (a) imposed, assessed or collected by or under
the authority of any Governmental Body, or (b) payable pursuant to any tax
sharing agreement or similar Contract.

      TAX RETURN. "Tax Return" shall mean any return (including without
limitation any information return), report, statement, declaration, estimate,
schedule, notice, notification, form, election, certificate or other document or
information that is, has been or may in the future be filed with or submitted
to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in
connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax
or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or
compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.

      THIRD PARTY. "Third Party" shall mean any person or entity other than
Purchaser, Seller or an Affiliate of either of them.

      THIRD PARTY CLAIM. "Third Party Claim" shall mean any claim against any
Indemnitee by a Third Party, whether or not involving a Proceeding.

      THRESHOLD. "Threshold" shall have the meaning set forth at Section 4.4(b).

      TRANSACTIONAL AGREEMENTS. "Transactional Agreements" shall have the
meaning specified in Section 1.5 of the Agreement.

      TRANSACTIONS. "Transactions" shall mean (a) the execution and delivery of
the respective Transactional Agreements, and (b) all of the transactions
contemplated by the respective Transactional Agreements.

      TRANSFERRED ASSETS. "Transferred Assets" shall have the meaning specified
in Section 1.1(c) of the Agreement.

      TRANSFLUOR ASSAY. "Transfluor Assay" shall mean (a) any assay that uses a
[*] to detect the activity or function of a GPCR, including but not limited to
the assays described in U.S. Patent No. [*], U.S. Patent No. [*], U.S. Patent
No. [*], U.S. Patent No. [*], U.S. Patent Application No. [*], U.S. Patent
Application No. [*] and International Patent Application [*] or (b) any LITe
Assay. The different types of Transfluor Assay or means of conducting the
Transfluor Assay are: [*].

      [*]

      [*]

      [*]

      TRANSFLUOR TECHNOLOGY. "Transfluor Technology" shall mean the Transfluor
Assays, [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      A-10



      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      A-11



                                    EXHIBIT B

                             ASSIGNED PATENT RIGHTS

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       B-1



                                    EXHIBIT C

                                ASSUMED CONTRACTS

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       C-1



                                    EXHIBIT D

                               DUKE PATENT RIGHTS

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       D-1



                                    EXHIBIT E

                               RETAINED CONTRACTS

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      E-1



                                   EXHIBIT F-1

                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F1-1



                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

      THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
effective this 9th day of March, 2005 (the "Effective Date") between Molecular
Devices Corporation, a Delaware corporation with a place of business at 1311
Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 (hereinafter referred to as
"Purchaser"), and Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Norak Biosciences,
Inc.), a Delaware corporation having an address at 7030 Kit Creek Road,
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (hereinafter referred to as "Seller").
Purchaser and Seller may be referred to individually as a "Party," or
collectively as the "Parties."

                                   WITNESSETH

      WHEREAS, Purchaser has purchased certain proprietary technology, know-how,
information, and other intellectual property assets from Seller relating to the
Transfluor screening technology pursuant to the terms of that certain Asset
Purchase Agreement entered into between the Parties as of the date hereof (the
"Asset Purchase Agreement"); and

      WHEREAS, Seller seeks licenses to practice such technology, know-how and
other proprietary information for certain internal research and development
purposes, on the terms further described below; and

      WHEREAS, Purchaser wishes to grant to Seller such licenses on such terms.

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants, conditions, and
undertakings hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the Parties as
follows:

      1.    DEFINITIONS.

      Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to
such terms in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The following terms, when used
herein with initial capital letters, will have the meanings ascribed to such
terms in this Article 1.

            1.1   "DUKE AGREEMENT" means the License Agreement between Norak
Biosciences, Inc. and Duke University dated [*] and [*], and assigned to
Purchaser pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement.

            1.2   "EXCLUDED COMPOUND" means any compound to which [*] and where
[*].

            1.3   "EXCLUDED RECEPTOR" means any receptor or protein to which [*]
and where [*].

            1.4   "IMPROVEMENT" means any enhancement, modification, or
improvement of or to the Transfluor Technology that is owned by, or licensed to,
Seller, whether patentable or not, resulting from or conceived or reduced to
practice as a result of Seller's exercise of its rights or performance of its
obligations under this Agreement or the Technology Transfer Agreement

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        1



(which includes enhancements, modifications or improvements made by the Customer
under a Retained Contract), provided that [*] shall not be Improvements for
purposes of this Agreement.

            1.5   "INTERNAL RESEARCH PURPOSES" means (a) research and
development conducted [*] by Seller to [*], and (b) research and development
conducted by Seller pursuant to a [*].

            1.6   "NON-PRODUCT CLAIM" means any claim of the Transfluor Patents
other than a Product Claim.

            1.7   "PARTNER" means a Third Party that is, at the applicable time,
a licensee under a Transfluor License. A Third Party shall cease to be a Partner
[*], and [*].

            1.8   [*]

            1.9   "PRODUCT" means a product that (a) does not contain or
comprise any Transfluor Technology, (b) does not use any Transfluor Technology
as part of its operation, (c) does not infringe a Non-Product Claim, and (d) is
not manufactured or used via a method claimed in a Non-Product Claim.

            1.10  "PRODUCT CLAIM" means any claim identified in Exhibit A (as
such claim exists on the Effective Date), or any other Transfluor Patent claim
of the same or reduced scope as that claimed in a claim identified in Exhibit A
(as such claim exists on the Effective Date), except that Product Claims do not
include (a) any method claim related to assessing the activity of any arrestin,
receptor or related pathways, (b) any claim of materials that contain or
comprise Transfluor Technology, and (c) any claim of materials that use any
Transfluor Technology as part of their manufacture or operation.

            1.11  "SELLER COMPOUND" means any: (a) commercially available
compound purchased by Seller, (b) novel compound discovered or synthesized by
Seller, (c) compound licensed by Seller from a Third Party, or (d) compound
generated by Seller that is an analog or derivative of a compound described in
(a), (b) or (c) above, which prior compound was identified or characterized by
Seller, using the Transfluor Technology, as an agonist, antagonist,
desensitization agent, or other modulating agent with respect to a Seller
Receptor or other protein or component of a signaling pathway related to a
Seller Receptor.

            1.12  "SELLER RECEPTOR" means any receptor, including but not
limited to any GPCR, or other protein in a signaling pathway involving a
receptor, where such receptor or protein: (i) is commercially available and is
purchased by Seller, (ii) is in the public domain (i.e., the composition of
matter of the protein or receptor is not covered by a claim in a patent or
pending patent application), (iii) is licensed by Seller from a Third Party, or
(iv) for which Seller filed, in good faith and prior to the execution of any
agreement with any Third Party granting such Third Party intellectual property
rights covering such receptor or protein, a patent application claiming the
composition of matter of such receptor or protein.

            1.13  "SCREENING SERVICES" means screening or assaying compounds
using Transfluor Technology where the Third Party obtains access and/or rights
to any of the information, data and/or intellectual property resulting from such
screening or assaying, and such

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        2



Third Party owns or controls rights to any of the compounds tested, or the
receptor or other protein that was the intended assay target, in the screening
or assaying.

            1.14  [*]

            1.15  "TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT" means the Technology Transfer
Agreement between the Parties of even date hereof.

            1.16  "TRANSFLUOR KNOW-HOW" means all Assigned Know-How in existence
as of the Effective Date which Purchaser has the right to disclose and license
to Seller.

            1.17  "TRANSFLUOR LICENSE" means a license granted to a Third Party
by from Purchaser (or any Affiliate, licensee, or sublicensee of Purchaser)
under the Transfluor Patents and Transfluor Know-How, which license must at
least grant such rights to such Third Party's screening and development
facility(ies) consistent with the license rights Purchaser typically grants to
other similar Third Parties for similar uses.

            1.18  "TRANSFLUOR PATENTS" means (a) all Assigned Patent Rights in
existence as of the Effective Date as well as any and all additions, divisions,
continuations, continuations-in-part (to the extent claiming subject matter
claimed in the Assigned Patent Rights), substitutions, extensions, renewals,
re-examinations, or reissues thereto or thereof, any patents issuing therefrom,
and any and all foreign counterparts of any of the foregoing, and (b) all
patents and patent applications licensed pursuant to the Duke Agreement.

            1.19  "TRANSITION SERVICES" shall mean Seller's provision of
materials, training and support to Purchaser pursuant to the Technology Transfer
Agreement.

2.    LICENSES.

      2.1   TRANSFLUOR LICENSES.

            (a)   Internal Research Purposes. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a nonexclusive,
non-transferable (except pursuant to a permitted assignment of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 6), royalty-free, fully-paid, [*] license, without the right
to sublicense, under the Transfluor Patents and Transfluor Know-How, to make and
use the Transfluor Technology solely for Internal Research Purposes.

            (b)   Performance of Transition Services. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a nonexclusive,
non-transferable (except pursuant to a permitted assignment of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 6), royalty-free, fully-paid, [*] license, without the right
to sublicense, under the Transfluor Patents and Transfluor Know-How, to make and
use the Transfluor Technology solely to perform the Transition Services.

            (c)   Performance of Continuing Services. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a nonexclusive,
non-transferable (except pursuant to a permitted assignment of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 6), royalty-free, fully-paid, [*] license, without the right
to sublicense, under the Transfluor Patents and

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        3



Transfluor Know-How, to make, use and sell the Transfluor Technology solely to
the extent necessary to satisfy its obligations, as existing on the Effective
Date, to perform Services or otherwise to perform under the Retained Contracts
and Assumed Services Contracts in accordance with Section 5.2 of the Asset
Purchase Agreement.

                  (i)   Additional Rights under Assigned Trademarks. Subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a
[*] license, [*] under the Assigned Trademarks solely as necessary to perform
its obligations under [*]. For clarity, the license granted under this Section
2.1(c)(i) shall immediately terminate upon expiration or termination of the [*].

            (d)   Licenses under Retained Contracts. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a nonexclusive,
royalty-free, fully-paid, [*] license, under the Transfluor Patents, and
Transfluor Know-How, solely to grant a sublicense of such license to each
Customer that, as of the Effective Date, has an in-force and unexpired license
under some or all of the Transfluor Patents, or Transfluor Know-How, pursuant to
a Retained Contract, and solely to the extent that such sublicense is necessary
for Seller to satisfy its licensing obligation to such Customer as of the
Effective Date. Seller hereby represents and warrants that Exhibit B sets forth:
(i) the full name of each Customer that, as of the Effective Date, has an
in-force and unexpired license, under some or all of the Transfluor Patents
and/or Transfluor Know-How pursuant to a Retained Contract; (ii) complete
identifying information for the Retained Contract under which such license was
granted; and (iii) accurate references to the section(s) in such Retained
Contract that contains the grant of such license(s). Seller acknowledges that
the licenses set forth in this Section 2.1(d) (including Section 2.1(d)(i)
below) do not grant Seller any rights to practice the Transfluor Patents,
Transfluor Know-How or Assigned Trademarks for any purpose. Rather, it is simply
a pass-through license intended to prevent Seller's default of its license
obligations, as of the Effective Date, to Customers under the Retained Contracts
as a result of the Transactions.

                  (i)   Additional Rights under Assigned Trademarks. Subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a
[*] license, under the Assigned Trademarks, solely to [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        4



            2.2   LICENSE LIMITATIONS.

                  (a)   Seller hereby covenants that it shall not knowingly use
or practice, directly or indirectly, any technology or intellectual property
rights disclosed or claimed in the Transfluor Patents, Transfluor Know-How or
Assigned Trademark for any purposes other than those expressly permitted by this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Seller hereby covenants that, it will
not: (i) use the Transfluor Technology to provide any Screening Services to any
Third Party except pursuant to a [*], (ii) provide to any Third Party any
Transferred Asset or any other material or intellectual property right necessary
or useful to make or use the Transfluor Technology, or (iii) sell or otherwise
provide to any Third Party any product or service that contains or comprises any
Transfluor Technology, uses any Transfluor Technology as part of its operation,
infringes a Non-Product Claim, or is manufactured or used via a method claimed
in a Non-Product Claim. [*].

                  (b)   The licenses granted to Seller in Section 2.1 include
sublicenses under the Duke Agreement. Seller acknowledges that such sublicenses
are subject to the terms of the Duke Agreement, and Seller hereby covenants to
comply with such terms.

                  (c)   Purchaser and Seller agree that Purchaser possesses
certain intellectual property, including but not limited to inventions,
know-how, trade secrets, analytical methods, computer technical expertise,
software and statistical methodologies originated, acquired or licensed by
Purchaser, prior to or under or during the term of this Agreement, that are the
sole property of Purchaser and are not Transfluor Patents or Transfluor Know-How
("Purchaser Intellectual Property"). Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as conferring on Seller any express or implied license or option to
license any Purchaser Intellectual Property, Confidential Information of
Purchaser (other than the license rights under Section 2.1 to information
comprising the Transfluor Patents, Transfluor Know-How, and Assigned
Trademarks), or any patents, patent applications, trade secrets or other
proprietary rights of Purchaser (other than the Transfluor Patents, Transfluor
Know-How, and Assigned Trademarks) in connection thereto.

            2.3   PRODUCT CLAIMS. Purchaser covenants that neither it nor any of
its Affiliates (nor, in each case, any such entity's successors, licensees or
assigns) shall assert or enforce any Product Claim anywhere in the world against
Seller or its Affiliates, Partners, licensees, sublicensees or distributors (and
each such entity's successors and assigns) with respect to such party's
manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or importation of materials or methods
claimed in Product Claims.

            2.4   ADDITIONAL LICENSES.

                  (a)   SELLER. Upon the written request of Seller and solely to
the extent reasonably necessary for Seller to exercise the license rights
granted in Section 2.1, Purchaser shall [*].

                  (b)   PARTNERS. In the event that Seller wishes to enter or
has entered into an agreement or joint venture with a Third Party that would
qualify as a [*] or [*] if such Third Party were a Partner, and such Third Party
wishes to obtain from Purchaser a Transfluor

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        5



License sufficient to qualify as a Partner, then Purchaser shall, [*]. Upon [*],
Purchaser shall [*].

                  (c)   [*].

      3.    IMPROVEMENTS.

            3.1   DISCLOSURE. Promptly after each Improvement is made, Seller
shall send Purchaser a written notice that describes such Improvement in detail
and shall provide Purchaser with a reasonable quantity of any material generated
by Seller or in Seller's possession that is necessary or useful to practice such
Improvement. Except to the extent prohibited by the express terms of any
applicable contract of Seller with a Third Party, Seller shall provide Purchaser
with all additional information reasonably requested by Purchaser regarding the
practice or implementation of one or more Improvements.

            3.2   LICENSE TO PURCHASER. Seller hereby grants to Purchaser and
its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable,
co-exclusive license (with the right to sublicense), under the Improvements and
all intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to Seller concerning or
covering one or more Improvements, to make, have made, use, import, offer for
sale and sell the Improvements solely in conjunction with the development,
practice, use, or commercialization of the Transfluor Technology and/or products
or services incorporating or embodying the Transfluor Technology and/or one or
more Improvements. For the purposes of this Section 3.2, "co-exclusive" shall
mean, with respect to Seller's rights, that Seller retains only those rights
specified in Section 3.3 and does not have any right to grant licenses or
sublicenses except in accordance with Section 3.3.

            3.3   SELLER'S PRACTICE OF IMPROVEMENTS. Seller shall limit its
practice of the Improvements to those activities that fall within the scope of
the licenses granted to Seller pursuant to Section 2.1. Except as required by
the terms of a Retained Contract as of the Effective Date, Seller shall not have
any right to license or sublicense any rights to the Improvements to any party
other than Purchaser for any purpose.

            3.4   RIGHT OF FIRST NEGOTIATION. Subject to the terms of any
Retained Contracts that are in effect as of the Effective Date, Seller hereby
grants to Purchaser an exclusive option (each, an "Option") to negotiate in good
faith for an assignment or exclusive license (with the right to sublicense),
under all intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to Seller claiming
an Improvement, to make, have made, use, import, offer for sale and sell such
Improvement solely in conjunction with the practice, use or commercialization of
the Transfluor Technology and/or products and services incorporating or
embodying such Improvement. If Purchaser notifies Seller in writing that it is
exercising an Option within respect to a specific Improvement, then Purchaser
and Seller shall negotiate in good faith the [*] terms of an agreement governing
such assignment or license and shall enter into such an agreement.

      4.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Except as set forth in the next sentence,
all information disclosed pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute
Confidential Information of the disclosing Party, and the receiving Party shall
comply with the non-use and non-disclosure obligations set forth in Section 6 of
the Asset Purchase Agreement with respect thereto.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        6



Notwithstanding the foregoing, all information regarding Improvements shall
constitute Confidential Information of Purchaser, and Seller shall comply with
the non-use and non-disclosure obligations set forth in Section 6 of the Asset
Purchase Agreement with respect thereto.

      5.    WAIVER. It is agreed that no waiver by either party hereto of any
breach or default of any of the covenants or agreements herein set forth shall
be deemed a waiver as to any subsequent and/or similar breach or default.

      6.    ASSIGNMENT. Except as otherwise expressly provided below in this
Section 6, neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation hereunder may be
assigned or otherwise transferred by a Party (whether voluntarily, by operation
of law or otherwise), without the prior express written consent of the other
Party; provided, however, that either Party may, without such consent, assign
this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder to its successor in
interest in connection with the transfer or sale of all or substantially all of
assets or its merger, consolidation, change in control or similar transaction,
provided that [*]. The Agreement shall be binding on the permitted assignees of
each Party. Any purported assignment or transfer in violation of this Section 6
shall be void. Further, Purchaser may assign this Agreement to its Affiliate or
to a purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets relating to the
Transfluor Technology.

      7.    INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. Each Party, for all purposes related to
this Agreement, shall be deemed an independent contractor of the other Party,
and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create a relationship of agency
or to constitute the Parties as partners or joint venturers.

      8.    TERM; TERMINATION.

            8.1   EFFECTIVENESS. The term of this Agreement shall commence on
the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated as provided herein, shall
expire on the expiration of the last to expire of the rights granted herein.

            8.2   TERMINATION FOR MATERIAL BREACH. Upon a Party's failure to
comply with any of its material obligations set forth in this Agreement, the
other Party shall give written notice to the breaching Party of such default,
specifying the nature of the default, requiring the breaching Party to make good
or otherwise cure such default, and stating its intention to terminate if such
default is not cured. The breaching Party shall have [*] after its receipt of
such notice to cure the default. If such default is not cured within such [*]
period or, with respect to defaults which cannot reasonably be cured within such
[*] period, the defaulting Party has not made reasonable efforts to cure such
default (to the extent curable within such [*] period), then the non-breaching
Party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement.

            8.3   SURVIVAL. The following provisions of this Agreement shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement: Articles 1 and 4 and
Sections 2.1(c), 2.1(d), and 2.2. In addition to the sections identified in the
previous sentence, Section 2.3 shall survive termination of this Agreement by
Purchaser pursuant to Section 8.2 on account of Seller's uncured material
breach.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        7



      9.    GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California (without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws).

      10.   NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall
be in writing, shall specifically refer to this Agreement, and shall be sent by
hand, recognized international overnight courier, confirmed facsimile
transmission, or registered or certified air mail service, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, to the following addresses or facsimile numbers of the
parties:

      Molecular Devices Corporation           Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
      1311 Orleans Avenue                     7030 Kit Creek Road
      Sunnyvale, CA  94089-1136               Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
      Attention:  Chief Financial Officer     Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
      Telephone: [*]                          Telephone: 919-248-8000
      Facsimile: [*]                          Fax:   919-248-8033

      All notices under this Agreement shall be deemed received (i) upon receipt
when sent by hand, (ii) [*] after deposit with a recognized international
overnight courier, (iii) upon confirmation of delivery when sent by facsimile
and (iv) [*] after deposit in registered or certified air mail service. A party
may change its contract information immediately upon written notice to the other
party in the manner provided in this Section.

      11.   COMPLETE AGREEMENT. It is understood and agreed between Purchaser
and Seller that this Agreement, the other Transactional Agreements, and the
Asset Purchase Agreement constitute the entire agreement, both written and oral,
between the parties, and that all prior agreements respecting the subject matter
hereof, either written or oral, expressed or implied, shall be abrogated,
canceled, and are null and void and of no effect. No modification of this
Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and executed by both parties.

      12.   SEVERABILITY. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction
holds any provision of this Agreement to be invalid, such holding shall have no
effect on the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and they shall continue in
full force and effect.

      13.   FORCE MAJEURE. Neither party will be liable for any failure to
perform as required by this Agreement, if the failure to perform is caused by
circumstances reasonably beyond such party's control, such as labor
disturbances, accidents, civil disorders, governmental law or regulation,
failure of utilities, mechanical breakdowns, material shortages, or other such
occurrences; provided, however, that such party shall use reasonable efforts to
overcome such circumstances.

      14.   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each counterpart shall constitute an original instrument, but
all such separate counterparts shall constitute only one and the same
instrument.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        8



                           [Signature page to follow.]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                        9



      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both Purchaser and Seller have executed this
Agreement, in duplicate originals, by their respective officers hereunto duly
authorized, the day and year first above written.

MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION                   XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By: /s/ Tim Harkness                            By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
    -------------------------------                 ----------------------------
Name: Tim Harkness                              Name: Roger D. Blevins
Title: Chief Financial Officer                  Title: CEO

                      SIGNATURE PAGE FOR LICENSE AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.



                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 PRODUCT CLAIMS

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      A-1



                                    EXHIBIT B

                        LICENSES UNDER RETAINED CONTRACTS

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       B-1


                                   EXHIBIT F-2

                          BIOIMAGE SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                     F2-1


                          BIOIMAGE SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT

      THIS BIOIMAGE SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into effective this 9th day of March, 2005 (the "Effective Date") between
Molecular Devices Corporation, a Delaware corporation with a place of business
at 1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 (hereinafter referred to as
"Purchaser"), and Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Norak Biosciences,
Inc.), a Delaware corporation having an address at 7030 Kit Creek Road,
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (hereinafter referred to as "Seller").
Purchaser and Seller may be referred to individually as a "Party," or
collectively as the "Parties."

                                   WITNESSETH

      WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement
entered into between the Parties as of the date hereof (the "Asset Purchase
Agreement"), Purchaser has purchased certain proprietary technology, know-how,
other proprietary information, and other intellectual property assets from
Seller relating to the Transfluor screening technology, including but not
limited to that certain Non-Exclusive License Agreement between Seller and
BioImage A/S ("BioImage"), dated [*] (the "BioImage License"); and

      WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain License Agreement entered
into between the Parties as of the date hereof (the "License Agreement"),
Purchaser has granted Seller a license to practice certain such technology,
know-how and other proprietary information for internal research and development
purposes; and

      WHEREAS, Seller seeks a non-exclusive license to the patents licensed
under the BioImage License, on the terms further described below; and

      WHEREAS, Purchaser wishes to grant to Seller such license on such terms.

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants, conditions, and
undertakings hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties as
follows:

1.    DEFINITIONS.

      Any capitalized terms appearing in this Agreement that are not otherwise
defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
BioImage License.

      1.1 "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Purchase
Agreement.

      1.2 "Partner" shall have the meaning set forth in the License Agreement.

      1.3 [*]

      1.4 "Screening Services" shall have the meaning set forth in the License
Agreement.

      1.5 [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.



      1.6 "Third Party" shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Purchase
Agreement.

      1.7 "Transactional Agreements" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Asset Purchase Agreement.

2.    LICENSES.

      2.1   LICENSE. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
            Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a royalty-free, non-exclusive,
            non-transferable (except pursuant to a permitted assignment of this
            Agreement pursuant to Section 6), world-wide license, without rights
            of sublicense, under all BioImage Patents and BioImage Improvements,
            to [*].

      2.2   LICENSE LIMITATIONS. Seller hereby covenants that it shall not
            knowingly use or practice, directly or indirectly, any technology or
            intellectual property rights disclosed or claimed in the BioImage
            Patents and/or BioImage Improvements to perform or provide any [*]
            to any Third Party except pursuant to a [*]. The license granted to
            Seller in Section 2.1 is subject to the terms of the BioImage
            License, and Seller hereby covenants to comply with such terms.

      2.3   ADDITIONAL LICENSES. In the event that Seller is working with a
            particular Partner pursuant to a [*] or [*] and such Partner
            requires a license to the BioImage Patents and BioImage Improvements
            to perform its obligations pursuant to such [*] or [*], then
            Purchaser shall, [*].

3.    LICENSE FEE. Seller shall pay Purchaser an [*] license fee of [*] on the
      Effective Date.

4.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. All information disclosed pursuant to this
      Agreement shall constitute Confidential Information of the disclosing
      Party, and the receiving Party shall comply with the non-use and
      non-disclosure obligations set forth in Section 6 of the Asset Purchase
      Agreement with respect thereto.

5.    WAIVER. It is agreed that no waiver by either Party hereto of any breach
      or default of any of the covenants or agreements herein set forth shall be
      deemed a waiver as to any subsequent and/or similar breach or default.

6.    ASSIGNMENT. Except as expressly provided herein, Seller may neither assign
      nor delegate this Agreement nor any interest hereunder without the prior
      written consent of Purchaser; provided, however, that Seller may assign
      this Agreement to its Affiliate or to its successor in interest by way of
      merger, acquisition or sale of all or substantially all of its assets [*].
      This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns
      of the Parties. Any assignment not in accordance with this Section 6 shall
      be void.

7.    INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. Each Party, for all purposes related to this
      Agreement, shall be deemed an independent contractor of the other Party,
      and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create a relationship of
      agency or to constitute the Parties as partners or joint venturers.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2


8.    DISCLAIMER. Purchaser makes no warranty, express or implied, including
      without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or any implied
      warranty of fitness for a particular purpose with respect to Bioimage
      Patents and Bioimage Improvements and hereby disclaims the same. Further,
      Purchaser does not warrant the validity of the patent rights licensed
      hereunder and makes no representations whatsoever with regard to the scope
      of the licensed patent rights or that such patent rights may be exploited
      by Seller without infringing other patents.

9.    TERM; TERMINATION.

      9.1   EFFECTIVENESS. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the
            Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated as provided herein,
            shall expire on the expiration of the last to expire of the BioImage
            Patents and BioImage Improvements.

      9.2   TERMINATION FOR MATERIAL BREACH. Upon a Party's failure to comply
            with any of its material obligations set forth in this Agreement,
            the other Party shall give written notice to the breaching Party of
            such default, specifying the nature of the default, requiring the
            breaching Party to make good or otherwise cure such default, and
            stating its intention to terminate if such default is not cured. The
            breaching Party shall have [*] after its receipt of such notice to
            cure the default. If such default is not cured within such [*]
            period, then the non-breaching Party shall be entitled to terminate
            this Agreement.

      9.3   SURVIVAL. The following provisions of this Agreement shall survive
            the termination or expiration of this Agreement: Articles 1 and 4.

10.   GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
      accordance with the laws of the State of California (without giving effect
      to principles of conflicts of laws).

11.   NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in
      writing, shall specifically refer to this Agreement, and shall be sent by
      hand, recognized international overnight courier, confirmed facsimile
      transmission, or registered or certified air mail service, postage
      prepaid, return receipt requested, to the following addresses or facsimile
      numbers of the Parties:

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3


      Molecular Devices Corporation         Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
      1311 Orleans Avenue                   7030 Kit Creek Road
      Sunnyvale, CA  94089-1136             Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
      Attention:  Chief Financial Officer   Attn: Chief Financial Officer
      Telephone: [*]                        Telephone: 919-248-8000
      Facsimile: [*]                        Fax: 919-248-8333

      All notices under this Agreement shall be deemed received (i) upon receipt
      when sent by hand, (ii) [*] after deposit with a recognized international
      overnight courier, (iii) upon confirmation of delivery when sent by
      facsimile and (iv) [*] after deposit in registered or certified air mail
      service. A Party may change its contract information immediately upon
      written notice to the other Party in the manner provided in this Section.

12.   COMPLETE AGREEMENT. It is understood and agreed between Purchaser and
      Seller that this Agreement, the other Transactional Agreements, and the
      Asset Purchase Agreement constitute the entire agreement, both written and
      oral, between the Parties, and that all prior agreements respecting the
      subject matter hereof, either written or oral, expressed or implied, shall
      be abrogated, canceled, and are null and void and of no effect. No
      modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and
      executed by both Parties.

13.   SEVERABILITY. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction holds
      any provision of this Agreement to be invalid, such holding shall have no
      effect on the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and they shall
      continue in full force and effect.

14.   FORCE MAJEURE. Neither Party will be liable for any failure to perform as
      required by this Agreement, if the failure to perform is caused by
      circumstances reasonably beyond such Party's control, such as labor
      disturbances, accidents, civil disorders, governmental law or regulation,
      failure of utilities, mechanical breakdowns, material shortages, or other
      such occurrences; provided, however, that such Party shall use reasonable
      efforts to overcome such circumstances.

15.   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
      counterparts, and each counterpart shall constitute an original
      instrument, but all such separate counterparts shall constitute only one
      and the same instrument.

                           [Signature page to follow.]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both Purchaser and Seller have executed this Agreement, in
duplicate originals, by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, the
day and year first above written.

MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION                XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By: /s/ Tim Harkness                         By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
    ---------------------------------            ----------------------------

Name: Tim Harkness                           Name: Roger D. Blevins
      -------------------------------              --------------------------

Title: Chief Financial Officer               Title: CEO
       ------------------------------               -------------------------

                 SIGNATURE PAGE FOR BIOIMAGE SUBLICENSE CONSENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       5


                                   EXHIBIT F-3

                            GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F3-1


                            GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT

      THIS GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
effective this 9th day of March, 2005 (the "Effective Date") between Molecular
Devices Corporation, a Delaware corporation with a place of business at 1311
Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 (hereinafter referred to as
"Purchaser"), and Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Norak Biosciences,
Inc.), a Delaware corporation having an address at 7030 Kit Creek Road,
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (hereinafter referred to as "Seller").
Purchaser and Seller may be referred to individually as a "Party," or
collectively as the "Parties."

                                   WITNESSETH

      WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement
between the Parties as of the date hereof (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"),
Purchaser has purchased certain proprietary technology, know-how, other
proprietary information, and other intellectual property assets from Seller
relating to the Transfluor screening technology, including but not limited to
that certain License Agreement between Seller and Prolume Ltd. ("Prolume") dated
[*] (the "Prolume License");

      WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain License Agreement entered
into between the Parties as of the date hereof (the "License Agreement"),
Purchaser has granted Seller a license to practice certain such technology,
know-how and other proprietary information for internal research and development
purposes; and

      WHEREAS, Seller seeks a non-exclusive license to the technology and
patents licensed under the Prolume License, on the terms further described
below; and

      WHEREAS, Purchaser wishes to grant to Seller such license on such terms.

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants, conditions, and
undertakings hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the Parties as
follows:

1.    DEFINITIONS.

      Any capitalized terms appearing in this Agreement that are not otherwise
defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Prolume License.

      1.1   "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Purchase
            Agreement.

      1.2   "Partner" shall have the meaning set forth in the License Agreement.

      1.3   [*]

      1.4   "Screening Services" shall have the meaning set forth in the License
            Agreement.

      1.5   [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.



      1.6   "Third Party" shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Purchase
            Agreement.

      1.7   "Transactional Agreements" shall have the meaning set forth in the
            Asset Purchase Agreement.

2.    LICENSES.

      2.1   GFP LICENSE. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
            Purchaser hereby grants to Seller a non-exclusive, non-transferable
            (except pursuant to a permitted assignment of this Agreement
            pursuant to Section 7), world-wide license, without rights of
            sublicense, under the Prolume Patent Rights and Related Technology,
            to [*]

      2.2   LICENSE LIMITATIONS. Seller hereby covenants that it shall not
            knowingly use or practice, directly or indirectly, any technology or
            intellectual property rights disclosed or claimed in the Prolume
            Patent Rights and/or Related Technology to perform or provide any
            [*] to any Third Party except pursuant to a [*]. The license granted
            to Seller in Section 2.1 (or, if applicable, Section 2.1.1) is
            subject to the terms of the Prolume License, and Seller hereby
            covenants to comply with such terms.

      2.3   ADDITIONAL LICENSES. In the event that Seller is working with a
            particular Partner pursuant to a [*] or [*] and such Partner
            requires a license to the Prolume Patent Rights and Related
            Technology to perform its obligations pursuant to such [*] or [*],
            then Purchaser shall, [*].

3     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. All information disclosed pursuant to this
      Agreement shall constitute Confidential Information of the disclosing
      Party, and the receiving Party shall comply with the non-use and
      non-disclosure obligations set forth in Section 6 of the Asset Purchase
      Agreement with respect thereto.

4     LICENSE FEE.

      4.1   PAYMENT OPTION 1. Seller shall pay Purchaser an initial license fee
            of [*] on the Effective Date. Thereafter until such time (if ever)
            as Seller provides notice and payment to Purchaser pursuant to
            Section 4.2, Seller shall pay Purchaser a renewal fee of [*] no
            later than [*] of each year during the term of this Agreement.

      4.2   PAYMENT OPTION 2. Seller may elect to convert its license under
            Section 2.1 to a [*] by providing Purchaser with written notice of
            such desire and a [*]; provided, however, that the option set forth
            in this Section 4.2 shall [*].

5     ABANDONMENT OF PROLUME LICENSE BY PURCHASER. In the event Purchaser, at
      its sole discretion, chooses to abandon its rights under the Prolume
      License, Purchaser shall [*].

6     TERM; TERMINATION.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2


      6.1   TERM. This Agreement and the license granted hereunder shall be
            effective on the Effective Date and have an initial term of [*] (the
            "Initial Term"), unless terminated earlier as provided in Section
            6.2. Following the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically
            renew and be effective for subsequent additional [*] terms.

      6.2   TERMINATION.

            6.2.1 TERMINATION FOR MATERIAL BREACH. Upon a Party's failure to
                  comply with any of its material obligations set forth in this
                  Agreement, the other Party shall give written notice to the
                  breaching Party of such default, specifying the nature of the
                  default, requiring the breaching Party to make good or
                  otherwise cure such default, and stating its intention to
                  terminate if such default is not cured. The breaching Party
                  shall have [*] after its receipt of such notice to cure the
                  default. If such default is not cured within such [*] period,
                  then the non-breaching Party shall be entitled to terminate
                  this Agreement.

            6.2.2 TERMINATION BY SELLER. Seller may terminate this Agreement, in
                  its sole discretion, at any time upon [*] written notice to
                  Purchaser.

            6.2.3 TERMINATION BY PURCHASER. Purchaser may terminate this
                  Agreement upon written notice to Seller on account of the
                  expiration or termination of the Prolume License. Seller
                  acknowledges that, if Prolume terminates the Prolume License
                  on account of Purchaser's uncured material breach of the
                  Prolume License, Prolume is [*].

      6.3   SURVIVAL. The following provisions of this Agreement shall survive
            the termination or expiration of this Agreement: Articles 1 and 3.

7     WAIVER. It is agreed that no waiver by either Party hereto of any breach
      or default of any of the covenants or agreements herein set forth shall be
      deemed a waiver as to any subsequent and/or similar breach or default.

8     ASSIGNMENT. Except as expressly provided herein, Seller may neither assign
      nor delegate this Agreement nor any interest hereunder without the prior
      written consent of Purchaser; provided, however, that Seller may assign
      this Agreement to any Affiliate or to any successor in interest by way of
      merger, acquisition or sale of all or substantially all of its assets [*].
      This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns
      of the Parties. Any assignment not in accordance with this Section 8 shall
      be void.

9     INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. Each Party, for all purposes related to this
      Agreement, shall be deemed an independent contractor of the other Party,
      and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create a relationship of
      agency or to constitute the Parties as partners or joint venturers.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3


10    DISCLAIMER. PURCHASER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
      WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY IMPLIED
      WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO PROLUME
      PATENT RIGHTS AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS THE SAME.
      FURTHER, PURCHASER DOES NOT WARRANT THE VALIDITY OF THE PROLUME PATENT
      RIGHTS AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER WITH REGARD TO THE SCOPE OF
      THE PROLUME PATENT RIGHTS OR THAT SUCH PATENT RIGHTS MAY BE EXPLOITED BY
      SELLER WITHOUT INFRINGING OTHER PATENTS.

11    GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
      accordance with the laws of the State of California (without giving effect
      to principles of conflicts of laws).

12    NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in
      writing, shall specifically refer to this Agreement, and shall be sent by
      hand, recognized international overnight courier, confirmed facsimile
      transmission, or registered or certified air mail service, postage
      prepaid, return receipt requested, to the following addresses or facsimile
      numbers of the Parties:

      Molecular Devices Corporation         Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
      1311 Orleans Avenue                   7030 Kit Creek Road
      Sunnyvale, CA  94089-1136             Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
      Attention:  Chief Financial Officer   Attn: Chief Financial Officer
      Telephone: [*]                        Telephone: 919-248-8000
      Facsimile: [*]                        Fax: 919-248-8333

      All notices under this Agreement shall be deemed received (i) upon receipt
      when sent by hand, (ii) [*] after deposit with a recognized international
      overnight courier, (iii) upon confirmation of delivery when sent by
      facsimile and (iv) [*] after deposit in registered or certified air mail
      service. A Party may change its contract information immediately upon
      written notice to the other Party in the manner provided in this Section.

13    COMPLETE AGREEMENT. It is understood and agreed between Purchaser and
      Seller that this Agreement, the other Transactional Agreements, and the
      Asset Purchase Agreement constitute the entire agreement, both written and
      oral, between the Parties, and that all prior agreements respecting the
      subject matter hereof, either written or oral, expressed or implied, shall
      be abrogated, canceled, and are null and void and of no effect. No
      modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and
      executed by both Parties.

14    SEVERABILITY. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction holds
      any provision of this Agreement to be invalid, such holding shall have no
      effect on the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and they shall
      continue in full force and effect.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       4


15    FORCE MAJEURE. Neither Party will be liable for any failure to perform as
      required by this Agreement, if the failure to perform is caused by
      circumstances reasonably beyond such Party's control, such as labor
      disturbances, accidents, civil disorders, governmental law or regulation,
      failure of utilities, mechanical breakdowns, material shortages, or other
      such occurrences; provided, however, that such Party shall use reasonable
      efforts to overcome such circumstances.

16    COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
      counterparts, and each counterpart shall constitute an original
      instrument, but all such separate counterparts shall constitute only one
      and the same instrument.

                           [Signature Page to Follow]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       5


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both Purchaser and Seller have executed this
Agreement, in duplicate originals, by their respective officers hereunto duly
authorized, the day and year first above written.

MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION                    XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By: /s/ Tim Harkness                             By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
    -------------------------------------            ------------------------

Name: Tim Harkness                               Name: Roger D. Blevins
      -----------------------------------              ----------------------

Title: Chief Financial Officer                   Title: CEO
       ----------------------------------               ---------------------

                  SIGNATURE PAGE FOR GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       6


                                  EXHIBIT F-4

                         TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F4-1


                          TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT

      THIS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of March 9, 2005 (the "Effective Date") by and between MOLECULAR
DEVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation with a place of business at 1311
Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 ("Purchaser"), and XSIRA
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation with a place of business at 7030
Kit Creek Road, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 ("Seller", formerly known as
Norak Biosciences, Inc.). Purchaser and Seller may be referred to herein
individually as a "Party" or, collectively, as the "Parties."

                                    RECITALS

      WHEREAS, Purchaser and Seller are entering into that certain Asset
Purchase Agreement as of the date hereof (the "Asset Purchase Agreement")
providing for the sale and purchase of certain materials, intellectual property
and other assets relating to the Transfluor screening technology;

      WHEREAS, Seller desires to transfer to Purchaser, and Purchaser desires to
acquire from Seller, the purchased materials and other tangible assets relating
to the Transfluor screening technology; and

      WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to learn how to practice the Transfluor
screening technology, and Seller is willing to train Purchaser's employees.

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

1.    DEFINITIONS.

      Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to
such terms in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The following terms, when used
herein with initial capital letters, will have the meanings ascribed to such
terms in this Article 1.

      1.1 "BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL MATERIALS" shall mean (a) all items specifically
identified in Exhibit A, in the volumes and/or amounts described on Exhibit A,
and (b) [*] other [*] that (i) [*], (ii) [*], (iii) [*], and (iv) that Seller
may transfer to Purchaser [*], in amounts [*] corresponding to the amounts set
forth on Exhibit A with respect to the corresponding types of materials
specified therein.

      1.2 "INITIAL TRAINING" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

      1.3 "INITIAL TRAINING COMPLETION DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.2(d).

      1.4 "KNOWN LIGAND" means a natural or synthetic ligand to a GPCR that has
been characterized in detail in publicly available peer-reviewed academic
journals.

      1.5 "LIAISON" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       1.


      1.6 "MERCK LICENSE" shall mean the License Agreement between Merck & Co.,
Inc. and Norak Biosciences, Inc. dated [*].

      1.7 "MINIMAL COMPETENCE" shall mean that Purchaser has achieved a level of
competence in which it can, [*]:

            (a) create [*], provided that [*];

            (b) use [*], provided that [*]. Purchaser's ability to use the [*]
as described in this Section 1.7(b) shall [*];

            (c) provide to its customers [*]; and

            (d) reproducibly and consistently manufacture [*], provided that,
[*].

      For purposes of this Agreement (including but not limited to this Section
1.7), the ability to [*] means [*].

      1.8 "ORPHAN RECEPTOR" shall mean a GPCR lacking any identified Known
Ligand.

      1.9 "PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS" shall mean all promotional and marketing
information and materials related to and [*] useful in the Acquired Business
that (a) were developed or used [*], (b) are [*], and (c) [*]. Promotional
Materials shall include, to the extent satisfying the foregoing conditions, but
not be limited to, [*].

      1.10 "PURCHASER FACILITY" shall mean a Purchaser facility in Sunnyvale,
California; Union City, California; or Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

      1.11 "SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL MATERIALS" shall mean [*] scientific and
technical information and documentation that is [*] related to the [*], or may
be [*] useful with respect to the [*], of the Transfluor Technology, to the
extent in either case such information or documentation [*].
Scientific/Technical Materials shall include, to the extent satisfying the
foregoing conditions, but be not limited to: [*]. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or anything to the contrary in this Agreement and provided that Seller has [*]
preserved, for at least [*] prior to the Effective Date, all
Scientific/Technical Materials [*] prior to the Effective Date, Seller shall
[*].

      1.12 "SUBSEQUENT SUPPORT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

      1.13 "TRAINING PLAN" shall mean the training plan described in Exhibit E.

      1.14 "TRAINING TASKS" shall mean the tasks itemized in the Training Plan.

      1.15 "TRANSFERRED ASSETS" shall mean, collectively, the
Biological/Chemical Materials, Scientific/Technical Materials, and Promotional
Materials.

      1.16 "TRANSITION SERVICES" shall mean the Initial Training and Subsequent
Support.

      1.17 "TRAVEL EXPENSES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2.


2.    TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

      2.1 TRANSFER OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL MATERIALS.

            (a) As soon as reasonably practicable but no later than [*] of
Purchaser's written request, Seller shall transfer to Purchaser those
Biological/Chemical Materials described or otherwise identified in such request,
in the form and quantity as specified in Exhibit A or Section 1.1. Each delivery
of Biological/Chemical Materials hereunder shall include [*].

            (b) Purchaser shall have the right to make requests under Section
2.1(a) within [*] of the Effective Date, and Seller shall only be obligated
under this Agreement to comply with such requests made within such [*] period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall have the right to make requests
under Section 2.1(a) for those Biological/Chemical materials that contain
features identified in Exhibit F for a period of [*] following the Effective
Date.

            (c) Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b), if Purchaser subsequently
determines, within a period of [*] following the Effective Date, that additional
[*] are [*] the Transfluor Technology or to [*], Seller shall, to the extent
such materials [*], cooperate with Purchaser to identify such additional
materials (which shall be deemed to be Biological/Chemical Materials) and shall
transfer such additional documents and/or materials to Purchaser in accordance
with the procedures described in this Section 2.1.

            (d) Exhibit F sets forth certain features of some of the
Biological/Chemical Materials that [*]. Purchaser shall [*].

      2.2 TRANSFER OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL MATERIALS.

            (a) Within [*] of Purchaser's request to receive particular
Scientific/Technical Materials, Seller shall notify Purchaser of the form(s)
(electronic, tangible, or both; and if electronic, the name of the relevant
computer program or format in which such material is saved) of such
Scientific/Technical Materials [*]. If, within [*] after Seller's notice,
Purchaser notifies Seller in writing designating in which of the form(s)
described in Seller's notice Seller should transfer such Scientific/Technical
Material, then Seller shall transfer to Purchaser such Scientific/Technical
Materials in the designated form within [*] after Purchaser's notice. If
Purchaser does not so notify Seller in writing within such [*] period, then
Seller shall transfer to Purchaser such Scientific/Technical Materials in any
form described in Seller's notice to Purchaser, [*] within [*] after Seller's
notice. Unless Purchaser specifies otherwise or the file size makes such
transfer infeasible or unreasonable (in which case such transfer shall be made
by a means reasonably determined by Seller in its sole discretion), Seller shall
transfer electronic form Scientific/Technical Materials by email] Each delivery
of Scientific/Technical Materials hereunder shall include [*].

            (b) In addition to the Scientific/Technical Materials provided by
Seller pursuant to Section 2.2(a), Seller shall transfer to Purchaser, within
[*] of the Effective Date, [*] copies of all original laboratory notebooks [*]
as of the Effective Date that relate to the Transfluor Technology or document
Transfluor Technology-related patentable inventions, including those notebooks
listed in Exhibit D, provided that Seller may [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3.


            (c) Purchaser shall have the right to make requests under Section
2.2(a) within [*] of the Effective Date, and Seller shall only be obligated
under this Agreement to comply with such requests made within such [*] period.

            (d) Notwithstanding Section 2.2(c), if Purchaser subsequently
determines, within a period of [*] following the Effective Date, that additional
scientific or technical documents and/or materials are [*] the Transfluor
Technology or to [*], Seller shall, [*], cooperate with Purchaser to identify
such additional documents and/or materials (which shall be deemed to be
Scientific/Technical Materials) and shall transfer such additional documents
and/or materials to Purchaser in accordance with the procedures described in
this Section 2.2.

      2.3 TRANSFER OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS.

            (a) Within [*] of Purchaser's request to receive particular
Promotional Materials, Seller shall notify Purchaser of the form(s) (electronic,
tangible or both; and if electronic, the name of the relevant computer program
or format in which such material is saved) of such Promotional Materials [*].
If, within [*] after Seller's notice, Purchaser notifies Seller in writing in
which of the form(s) described in Seller's notice Seller should transfer such
Promotional Material, then Seller shall transfer to Purchaser such Promotional
Materials in the designated form within [*] after Purchaser's written notice. If
Purchaser does not so notify Seller in writing within such [*] period, then
Seller shall transfer to Purchaser such Promotional Materials in any form
described in Seller's notice to Purchaser, [*] within [*] after Seller's notice.
Unless Purchaser specifies otherwise or the file size makes such transfer
reasonably impractical or unreasonable (in which case such transfer shall be
made by a means reasonably determined by Seller in its sole discretion), Seller
shall transfer electronic form Promotional Materials by email. Each delivery of
Promotional Materials hereunder shall include [*].

            (b) Purchaser shall have the right to make requests under Section
2.3(a) within [*] of the Effective Date, and Seller shall only be obligated
under this Agreement to comply with such requests made within such [*] period.

      2.4 DELIVERY OF TRANSFERRED ASSETS. Seller shall ship [*] Transferred
Assets requested by Purchaser hereunder in accordance with Purchaser's [*]
instructions [*] to the Purchaser Facility specified in Purchaser's written
request. Risk of loss shall [*]. Seller will [*] and [*] the shipment [*].

      2.5 ACCEPTANCE OF TRANSFERRED ASSETS.

            (a) Upon receipt of any Biological/Chemical Materials transferred to
Purchaser pursuant to a request under Section 2.1 above, Purchaser shall have
[*] to inspect the materials and perform validation protocols to confirm that
(i) [*] and (ii) [*]. If any of the delivered Biological/Chemical Materials [*]
fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements, Purchaser may reject such
deliverable, in which case Purchaser shall (i) [*] and (ii) [*] and Seller shall
[*]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall [*] without [*], during the
[*] period following such notice and with [*].

            (b) Upon receipt of any Scientific/Technical Materials or
Promotional Materials transferred to Purchaser pursuant to a request under
Section 2.2 or 2.3 above,

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       4.


Purchaser shall have [*] to inspect the documents and materials to confirm that
such delivered materials are [*]. If any of the Scientific Materials or
Promotional Materials fail to [*], Purchaser may reject such deliverable, in
which case Purchaser shall (i) [*] and (ii) [*] and Seller shall [*], provided
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Promotional Materials, to
the extent Seller [*], further provided that Seller has used [*] efforts to [*].
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall [*] without [*], during the [*]
period following such notice and with [*].

      2.6 IMPROPER REJECTION. If any Biological/Chemical Materials,
Scientific/Technical Materials, or Promotional Materials which have been
rejected by Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.5 are, [*] found to have been
delivered by Seller in proper satisfaction of Seller's obligations under this
Agreement, Purchaser shall (a) [*], and (b) [*].

      2.7 RETENTION OF MATERIALS.

            (a) Seller shall retain and maintain, under [*], at least [*]
archive copy of each of the Biological/Chemical Materials for a period of [*]
following the Effective Date. Seller shall provide Purchaser with [*] to such
archived Biological/Chemical Materials within [*] of Purchaser's written request
made prior to expiration of Seller's obligation to retain such archived copies.
For purposes of this Section 2.7(a), "[*] archive copy" shall mean [*] of such
material as specified in Exhibit A or Section 1.1 and provided to Purchaser
pursuant to Section 2.1.

            (b) Seller shall retain and maintain [*] archive copy of each of the
Scientific/Technical Materials and Promotional Materials [*] until the earlier
of (i) [*] or (ii) the date [*] following the Effective Date. Seller shall
provide Purchaser with [*] to such archived Scientific/Technical Materials and
Promotional Materials within [*] of Purchaser's request made prior to expiration
of Seller's obligation to retain such archived copies.

      2.8 AEQUOREA VICTORIA GFP SUBLICENSE. Purchaser shall execute,
simultaneously with this Agreement, a Non-Exclusive License Agreement with
Aurora Biosciences Corporation and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech UK Ltd. (under
name change to Amersham Biosciences Ltd.) (the "AV GFP Sublicense"), which shall
be substantially in the form of the AV GFP Sublicense Agreement attached as
Exhibit F-9 to the Asset Purchase Agreement. Purchaser shall [*], and Seller
shall [*]. Seller shall [*] with respect to the AV GFP Sublicense.

3.    ESCROW OBLIGATIONS.

      3.1 INFORMATION TO BE PLACED INTO ESCROW. Within [*] of fulfilling
Seller's obligations to transfer copies of the laboratory notebooks to Purchaser
as set forth in Section 2.2(b), Seller shall place the originals of such
laboratory notebooks into escrow with Iron Mountain Intellectual Property
Management, Inc. (formerly known as DSI Technology Escrow Services, Inc.),
pursuant to the terms of the Notebook Escrow Agreement between the Parties of
even date herewith (the "Notebook Escrow Agreement"). The Parties acknowledge
that such notebooks may be necessary for (i) Purchaser to practice, protect or
enforce the intellectual property rights it has licensed, acquired or been
assigned under the Asset Purchase Agreement or (ii) Seller to practice, protect
or enforce the intellectual property rights it retains or may develop following
the Effective Date.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       5.


      3.2 RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION. [*] shall have the right to access the
original escrowed laboratory notebooks for the purposes detailed in the Notebook
Escrow Agreement, including, but not limited to, [*].

      3.3 RETENTION OF ESCROWED NOTEBOOKS. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, Seller shall retain and maintain, under the terms of
the Notebook Escrow Agreement, the escrowed notebooks until [*].

      3.4 REIMBURSEMENT. In the event Seller's annual amounts paid to Iron
Mountain Intellectual Property Management, Inc. or any successor thereto under
the Notebook Escrow Agreement [*], Purchaser shall reimburse Purchaser in an
amount equal to [*].

4.    TRANSITION SERVICES.

      4.1 OVERVIEW. To effectuate the Parties' desire that Purchaser employees
and agents learn how to practice the Transfluor Technology and be able to
instruct others to do the same, Seller shall provide such Purchaser employees
and agents with certain training and support, which collectively will comprise
Transition Services as specified in this Article 4.

      4.2 INITIAL TRAINING.

            (a) At Purchaser's request, but no later than within [*] of
Purchaser's receipt of the applicable Biological/Chemical Materials, Seller
shall begin to provide Purchaser employees and agents with training regarding
the preparation and use of the Transfluor Technology pursuant to the Training
Plan detailed on Exhibit E, which training shall consist of [*] to help it learn
how to practice the Transfluor Technology (collectively, the "Initial
Training"), provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, Seller shall [*].

            (b) [*] Initial Training [*] shall be performed by Seller at (i) the
Purchaser Facility or Purchaser Facilities specified in Purchaser's request or
(ii) [*]. Seller shall provide, at each Purchaser Facility designated by
Purchaser and/or at [*], consistent with the Training Plan or Purchaser's
requests, [*] for each of the Training Tasks, and, if and as requested by
Purchaser in writing, [*]. Additionally, Seller shall use [*] to provide
Purchaser with additional [*] technical support via the telephone or email
during [*]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if certain Training Tasks require
[*], then the Initial Training for such Training Tasks shall [*].

            (c) The Initial Training shall be conducted by [*] personnel [*].
Seller shall use [*] to [*] to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.2.

            (d) Seller's obligation to provide Initial Training to Purchaser
shall continue until the earlier of (i) such time that Purchaser achieves
Minimal Competence, (ii) the [*] of the Effective Date, provided that Seller has
provided all Initial Training properly requested under this Agreement by
Purchaser prior to [*], or (iii) such time as Seller has documented to
Purchaser's [*] satisfaction that Seller has provided [*] of assistance in the
aggregate to Purchaser under this Section 4.2 (the earlier of (i), (ii), or
(iii), the "Initial Training Completion Date"). Seller shall [*] written
statement to Purchaser within [*] of the last day of each [*] during which
Seller provides Initial Training hereunder stating [*]. If the number of [*] of

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       6.


Seller-provided Initial Training described in any such statement are not [*]
disputed in writing by Purchaser within [*] of receiving such statement, Seller
shall be deemed to have documented to Purchaser's [*] satisfaction, as required
by (iii) in the first sentence of this paragraph, the provision of [*] included
in such statement and [*] shall be credited towards the [*] described in (iii)
in the first sentence of this Section 4.2(d), provided that regardless of
whether or not Seller submits such a statement with respect to any particular
[*], [*] of Initial Training provided by Seller during such [*] shall, [*] so
long as [*] can be documented by Seller to Purchaser's [*] satisfaction. Prior
to the Initial Training Completion Date, and subject to the [*] limitation
described in Section 4.2(a) above, Seller shall [*], as [*] requested by
Purchaser, as promptly as reasonably possible and [*] to Purchaser [*].

            (e) Minimal Competence will be deemed achieved by Purchaser at such
time as (i) Purchaser notifies Seller in writing that it has achieved Minimal
Competence or (ii) [*], whichever occurs earlier. Upon Seller's request pursuant
to this Section 4.2(e), Purchaser shall [*]. Purchaser shall notify Seller in
writing within [*] of achieving Minimal Competence.

            (f) Purchaser shall use [*] to cooperate with Seller in Seller's
provision of assistance under this Section 4.2 to achieve Minimal Competence,
including but not limited to [*].

      4.3 SUBSEQUENT SUPPORT. Beginning on the Initial Training Completion Date,
and continuing for [*] thereafter, Seller shall provide additional training and
support to Purchaser employees and agents as reasonably requested by Purchaser.
[*] such training and support shall be at Purchaser's request and may consist of
[*] (collectively, the "Subsequent Support"), provided that, notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Seller shall have no
obligation to provide any Subsequent Support (a) [*] or (b) in [*] in the
aggregate. Purchaser shall compensate Seller for providing Subsequent Support as
set forth in Section 5.3.

      4.4 OBSERVATION RIGHTS OF SUPPORT TO [*]. To facilitate Purchaser's use of
the Transfluor Technology, [*], (a) Seller shall [*], (b) Seller shall [*].

      4.5 TRANSITION COORDINATION. Within [*] of the Effective Date, Purchaser
and Seller shall each designate one (1) representative from its own organization
with appropriate technical expertise to serve as a liaison for the purpose of
receiving and accepting the Transferred Assets and for coordinating the
provision of Transition Services (such person, the "Liaison"). The Liaison shall
also hold primary responsibility for communications with the other Party
regarding the Transferred Assets and Transition Services. The Liaisons shall act
[*] with respect to the activities related to the Transferred Assets and
Transition Services. A Party may replace its Liaison from time to time by
written notice to the other Party specifying the prior Liaison to be replaced
and the replacement therefor.

      4.6 TRAINING AND SUPPORT EFFORTS. Seller shall use [*] to perform the
training set forth in this Article 4 on the dates, times, places and manner as
requested by Purchaser, subject to the limitations of this Article 4. Such
training shall be performed [*] and shall provide Purchaser with a level of
training that is [*]. All Seller employees who provide on-site training or
support at a Purchaser Facility shall [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       7.


      4.7 NONSOLICITATION. Prior to the Initial Training Completion Date, [*],
provided that the foregoing [*] shall [*].

5.    COMPENSATION.

      5.1 GENERALLY. Except as set forth in this Section 5.1 or in Sections 5.2
or 5.3, [*] expenses, [*] incurred by Seller in the course of fulfilling its
obligations under this Agreement shall [*]. Seller shall [*]. Purchaser shall
[*], provided that [*].

      5.2 COMPLETION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. Purchaser shall make the payment
set forth in Section 1.4(a)(iii) of the Asset Purchase Agreement within [*] days
of the earlier of (i) Purchaser's receipt of written notice from Seller that the
Initial Training Completion Date has passed or (ii) Purchaser's sending of
written notice to Seller with respect to Purchaser's achievement of Minimal
Competence in accordance with Section 4.2(e), provided that if Purchaser [*],
then [*].

      5.3 PAYMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT SUPPORT AND EXPENSES. In consideration of
Seller's provision of Subsequent Support to Purchaser, Purchaser agrees to
compensate Seller at a rate of [*], for such Subsequent Support. Additionally,
Purchaser shall [*]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall [*]. Purchaser
shall [*].

6.    TERMINATION.

      6.1 TERM. The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the
Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated as provided herein, shall expire
on the later of the [*] of the Initial Training Completion Date or the [*] of
the Effective Date.

      6.2 TERMINATION FOR MATERIAL BREACH. Upon a Party's failure to comply with
any of its material obligations set forth in this Agreement, the other Party
shall give written notice to the breaching Party of such default, specifying the
nature of the default, requiring the breaching Party to make good or otherwise
cure such default, and stating its intention to terminate if such default is not
cured. The breaching Party shall have [*] after its receipt of such notice to
cure the default. If such default is not cured or, with respect to breaches or
defaults which may not be reasonably cured within such [*] period, reasonable
efforts to cure such breach or default are not initiated and being [*] pursued
within such [*] period, then the non-breaching Party shall be entitled to
terminate this Agreement.

      6.3 SURVIVAL. The following provisions of this Agreement shall survive the
termination or expiration of this Agreement: Articles 1 (including but not
limited to the limitations on use and disclosure under Section 1.7(b) regarding
[*] provided hereunder), 3, 6, and 7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
any payment obligations of Purchaser incurred under this Agreement prior to such
termination or expiration shall survive such termination or expiration.

7.    MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

      7.1 RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. Each Party will be deemed to be an
independent contractor and not an agent, joint venturer, or representative of
the other Party. Neither Party

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       8.


may create any obligations or representations on behalf of or in the name of the
other Party. Neither Party will hold itself out to be a partner, employee,
franchisee, representative, servant, or agent of the other Party.

      7.2 NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement must be
in writing and will be deemed properly delivered, given and received when
delivered (by hand, by registered mail, by courier or express delivery service
or by facsimile) to the address or facsimile telephone number set forth beneath
the name of such Party below (or to such other address or facsimile telephone
number as such Party shall have specified in a written notice given to the other
Party):

            Molecular Devices Corporation   Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
            1311 Orleans Drive              7030 Kit Creek Road
            Sunnyvale, CA 94089             Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
            Attn: Chief Financial Officer   Attn: Chief Financial Officer
            Telephone: [*]                  Telephone: (919) 248-8000
            Fax: [*]                        Fax: (919) 248-8033

      7.3 ASSIGNMENT. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation hereunder may be assigned or
otherwise transferred (whether voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise),
without the prior express written consent of the other Party; provided, however,
that either Party may, without such consent, assign this Agreement and its
rights and obligations hereunder in connection with the transfer or sale of all
or substantially all of its assets, or in the event of its merger,
consolidation, change in control or similar transaction. Any permitted assignee
shall [*]. Any purported assignment or transfer in violation of this Section 7.3
shall be void.

      7.4 SEVERABILITY. When possible, each provision of this Agreement will be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid
under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of
such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this
Agreement.

      7.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Asset Purchase
Agreement and other Transactional Agreements, sets forth the entire
understanding of the Parties and supersede all other agreements and
understandings between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and
thereof.

      7.6 HEADINGS. The captions and headings to this Agreement are for
convenience only and are to be of no force or effect in construing or
interpreting any of the provisions of this Agreement.

      7.7 WAIVER. A waiver by either Party of any of the terms and conditions of
this Agreement in any instance shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver
of such term or condition for the future, or of any subsequent breach hereof.
All rights, remedies, undertakings, obligations and agreements contained in this
Agreement shall be cumulative and none of them

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       9.


shall be in limitation of any other remedy, right, undertaking, obligation or
agreement of either Party.

      7.8 AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or
supplemented except by means of a written instrument executed on behalf of both
Parties.

      7.9 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with,
and governed in all aspects by, the laws of the State of California, without
giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

      7.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
each containing the signature of one Party. Each counterpart shall be deemed an
original, and both counterparts together shall constitute one and the same
agreement.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      10.


       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above
written, each copy of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original.

"PURCHASER"                          MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

                                     By: /s/ Tim Harkness
                                         ---------------------------------
                                     Name: Tim Harkness
                                          --------------------------------
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                           -------------------------------

"SELLER"                             XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                                     By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
                                        ----------------------------------
                                     Name: Roger D. Blevins
                                          --------------------------------
                                     Title: CEO
                                           -------------------------------

                SIGNATURE PAGE FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      11.


                                    EXHIBIT A

                          BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL MATERIALS

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      A-1.


                                    EXHIBIT B

                          GPCRS TO BE USED BY PURCHASER
                                       TO
            CREATE TRANSFLUOR-ENABLED CELL LINES UNDER SECTION 1.7(A)

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      B-1.


                                    EXHIBIT C

                      CONTROL COMPOUNDS FOR SECTION 1.7(B)

                                       [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      C-1.


                                    EXHIBIT D

                  LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS TO BE PLACED INTO ESCROW

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      D-1.


                                    EXHIBIT E

                             TRAINING PLAN AND TASKS

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      E-1.


                                    EXHIBIT F

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F-1.


                                  EXHIBIT F-5

                           NOTEBOOK ESCROW AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F5-1


                            NOTEBOOK ESCROW AGREEMENT

                       DEPOSIT ACCOUNT NUMBER: [*]________

1.    INTRODUCTION.

This Notebook Escrow Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is entered into by and between
Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation located at 7030 Kit Creek
Road, Morrisville, North Carolina, 27560 (the "DEPOSITOR") and by Molecular
Devices Corporation, a Delaware corporation located at 1311 Orleans Drive,
Sunnyvale, California 94089 (the "BENEFICIARY") and by Iron Mountain
Intellectual Property Management, Inc. ("IRON MOUNTAIN") on this 9th day of
March, 2005 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE"). Depositor, Beneficiary, and Iron Mountain
may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties"
throughout this Agreement.

The use of the term "SERVICES" in this Agreement shall refer to Iron Mountain
Services that facilitate the creation, management, and enforcement of
intellectual property escrow accounts as described in Exhibit A attached hereto.
A Party shall request Services under this Agreement (i) by submitting a work
request associated for certain Iron Mountain Escrow Services via the online
portal maintained at the Website [*] or any other Websites or Web pages owned or
controlled by Iron Mountain that are linked to that Website (collectively the
"IRON MOUNTAIN WEBSITE"), or (ii) by submitting a written work request attached
hereto as Exhibit A (each, individually, a "WORK REQUEST").

The Parties desire this Agreement to be supplementary to the Asset Purchase
Agreement and Transactional Agreements, including the Technology Transfer
Agreement, entered into on even date herewith by and between Depositor and
Beneficiary. Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, certain
assets, including intellectual property, of Depositor relating to the Transfluor
Technology were sold to Beneficiary.

The Parties agree that capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings given to such terms in the Asset Purchase Agreement and Technology
Transfer Agreement.

2.    DEPOSITOR RESPONSIBILITIES.

(a)   Depositor shall provide all information designated as required to fulfill
      a Work Request ("REQUIRED INFORMATION") and may also provide other
      information ("OPTIONAL INFORMATION") at its discretion to assist Iron
      Mountain in the fulfillment of requested Services.

(b)   Depositor must authorize and designate one or more persons whose action(s)
      will legally bind the Depositor ("DEPOSITOR AUTHORIZED PERSON(s)" who
      shall be identified in the Authorized Person(s)/Notices Table of this
      Agreement) and who may manage the Iron Mountain escrow account through the
      Iron Mountain Website or via written Work Request. Depositor Authorized
      Person(s) will maintain the accuracy of their name and contact information
      provided to Iron Mountain during the Term of this Agreement (the
      "DEPOSITOR INFORMATION").

(c)   Within [*] of the Effective Date, Depositor shall make a deposit to Iron
      Mountain, pursuant to the terms of the Technology Transfer Agreement, of
      [*] original laboratory notebooks including those laboratory notebooks
      listed in Exhibit B of this Agreement (the "DEPOSIT MATERIAL"). Depositor
      represents that such Deposit Material includes all original laboratory
      notebooks that relate to the Transfluor Technology or document Transfluor
      Technology-related patentable inventions. At the time of such deposit,
      Depositor will provide [*] of all Deposit Material sent to Iron Mountain
      via the Iron Mountain Website or using the form attached hereto as Exhibit
      B.

(d)   Depositor consents to Iron Mountain's performance of verification Services
      described in Exhibit A attached hereto and further consents to Iron
      Mountain's use of a subcontractor (who shall be bound by the same
      confidentiality obligations as Iron Mountain and who shall not be a direct
      competitor to either Depositor or Beneficiary) to provide such Services as
      needed.

(e)   Depositor represents that it lawfully possesses all Deposit Material
      provided to Iron Mountain under this Agreement free and clear of any
      encumbrances as of the date of their deposit. Any Deposit Material liens
      or encumbrances made after their deposit will not prohibit, limit, or
      alter the rights and obligations of Iron Mountain under this Agreement;

(f)   Depositor represents that all Deposit Material is provided with all rights
      necessary for Iron Mountain to verify such proprietary technology and
      materials upon receipt of a Work Request for such Services; and

(g)   Depositor warrants that Iron Mountain's use of the Deposit Material or
      other materials supplied by Depositor to perform the verification Services
      described in Exhibit A is lawful and does not violate the rights of any
      third parties. Depositor agrees to use [*] efforts to provide Iron
      Mountain with any necessary use rights or permissions to use materials
      necessary to perform verification of the Deposit Material.

3.    BENEFICIARY RESPONSIBILITIES.

(a)   Beneficiary shall provide Required Information and may also provide
      Optional Information at its discretion to assist Iron Mountain in the
      fulfillment of requested Services.

(b)   Beneficiary must authorize and designate one or more persons whose
      action(s) will legally bind the Beneficiary ("BENEFICIARY AUTHORIZED
      PERSON(s)" who shall be identified in the Authorized Person(s)/Notices
      Table of this Agreement) who shall manage the Iron Mountain escrow account
      through the Iron Mountain Website or via written Work Request. Beneficiary
      Authorized Person(s)

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       1.


            will maintain the accuracy of their name and contact information
            provided to Iron Mountain during the Term of this Agreement (the
            "BENEFICIARY INFORMATION").

      (c)   Beneficiary is responsible for verifying the completeness and/or
            functionality of all Deposit Material. Beneficiary may submit a
            verification Work Request to Iron Mountain for one of more of the
            Services defined in Exhibit A attached hereto and further consents
            to Iron Mountain's use of a subcontractor if needed to provide such
            Services.

      (d)   Beneficiary warrants that Iron Mountain's use of any materials
            supplied by Beneficiary to perform the verification Services
            described in Exhibit A is lawful and does not violate the rights of
            any third parties.

4.    IRON MOUNTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES.

      (a)   Iron Mountain agrees to use [*] efforts to provide the Services
            requested by authorized Depositor and Beneficiary representatives in
            a Work Request. Iron Mountain may reject a Work Request (in whole or
            in part) that does not contain all Required Information at any time
            upon notification to the Party originating the Work Request.

      (b)   Iron Mountain will conduct a deposit inspection upon receipt of any
            Deposit Material and associated Exhibit B to verify that that the
            Deposit Material matches, [*] to the associated Exhibit B. If Iron
            Mountain determines that the Deposit Material does not match the
            description provided by Depositor represented in Exhibit B attached
            hereto, Iron Mountain will provide Depositor with notice by
            electronic mail, telephone, or regular mail of such discrepancies.
            Iron Mountain will work directly with the Depositor to resolve any
            such discrepancies prior to accepting Deposit Material. Iron
            Mountain will provide Depositor with notice from time to time during
            the [*] from the Effective Date as a reminder that submission of
            initial Deposit Material is required. Iron Mountain may also send
            notices every [*] thereafter to Depositor and/or Beneficiary related
            to Deposit Material activity if such Services are requested in a
            Work Request.

      (c)   Iron Mountain will provide notice by electronic mail, telephone, or
            regular mail to the Beneficiary of all Deposit Material that is
            accepted and deposited into the escrow account under this Agreement.

      (d)   Iron Mountain will work with a Party who submits any verification
            Work Request for Deposit Material covered under this Agreement to
            fulfill any verification Services Work Request.

      (e)   Iron Mountain will hold and protect all Deposit Material in physical
            and/or electronic vaults that are either owned or under the direct
            control of Iron Mountain.

      (f)   Iron Mountain will permit the replacement and/or removal of
            previously submitted Deposit Material upon Work Request that may be
            subject to the written joint instructions of the Depositor and
            Beneficiary.

      (g)   Iron Mountain will strictly follow the procedures set forth in
            Exhibit C attached hereto to process any Beneficiary Work Request to
            release Deposit Material.

      5.    PAYMENT.

      (a)   The Paying Party, as specified in Exhibit A, shall pay to Iron
            Mountain all fees as set forth in the Work Request form attached
            hereto as Exhibit A ("SERVICE FEES"). The Parties agree that [*]
            shall be the Paying Party for Service Fees relating to the
            establishment and maintenance of the escrow deposit account, [*].
            Thereafter, [*] shall be the Paying Party for Service Fees relating
            to the maintenance of the escrow deposit account, including annual
            fees.

      (b)   Except as set forth below, all Service Fees are due to Iron Mountain
            within [*] from the date of invoice in U.S. currency and are [*]. If
            Iron Mountain rejects all or part of a Work Request, Iron Mountain
            shall refund any collected Service Fees associated with such
            rejected Work Request within [*] of notice of the rejection. Iron
            Mountain may update Service Fees with a [*] written notice to the
            Paying Party during the Term of this Agreement. The Paying Party is
            liable for any taxes related to Services purchased under this
            Agreement or shall present to Iron Mountain an exemption certificate
            acceptable to the taxing authorities. Applicable taxes shall be
            billed as a separate item on the invoice, to the extent possible.
            Any Service Fees not collected by Iron Mountain when due shall bear
            interest until paid at a rate of [*] per month [*] or the [*],
            whichever is less. Delinquent accounts may be referred to a
            collection agency at the sole discretion of Iron Mountain.
            Notwithstanding, the non-performance of any obligations of Depositor
            to deliver Deposit Material under the License Agreement or this
            Agreement, [*]. All Service Fees will not be subject [*] except as
            specifically provided hereunder.

      6.    TERM AND TERMINATION.

      (a)   The initial "TERM" of this Agreement is for a period of [*] from the
            Effective Date and will automatically renew for additional [*] Terms
            and continue in full force and effect until one of the following
            events occur: (i) Depositor and Beneficiary provide [*]; (ii)
            Beneficiary provides a [*]; or (iii) Iron Mountain provides a [*].

      (b)   In the event this Agreement is terminated under Sections 6(a)(i) or
            6(a)(iii) above, Depositor and Beneficiary may provide Iron Mountain
            [*]; provided that, in the event of any termination under Section
            6(a)(iii) above, [*]. If Iron Mountain does not receive [*]
            regarding the disposition of the Deposit Materials within [*] after
            the date of the notice of termination under Sections 6(a)(i) or
            6(a)(iii), Iron Mountain shall [*]. In the event this Agreement is
            terminated under Section 6(a)(ii) above, Iron Mountain shall [*]. If
            after using its [*] efforts to [*] pursuant to a termination under
            Section 6(a)(ii) above, Iron Mountain is [*], Iron Mountain shall
            [*]; provided that [*].

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2.


      (c)   In the event of the nonpayment of Service Fees owed to Iron
            Mountain, Iron Mountain shall provide all Parties to this Agreement
            with notice by electronic mail and/or regular mail. Any Party to
            this Agreement shall have the right [*] of the date of such notice
            from Iron Mountain. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Party [*],
            then the Paying Party shall have [*], to [*]. If the Paying Party
            [*], then the [*], provided that such [*]. Upon receipt of the [*].
            If the Party [*]. If the past due payment is not received in full by
            Iron Mountain within [*] of the date of such notice, then Iron
            Mountain shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any
            time thereafter by sending notice by electronic mail and/or regular
            mail of termination to all Parties. Iron Mountain shall have no
            obligation to take any action under this Agreement so long as any
            Iron Mountain invoice issued for Services rendered under this
            Agreement remains uncollected.

      7.    GENERAL INDEMNITY.

      Depositor and Beneficiary each agree to defend, indemnify and hold
      harmless Iron Mountain, its corporate affiliates and their respective
      officers, directors, employees, and agents and their respective successors
      and assigns from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities,
      damages, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
      attorneys' fees), arising under this Agreement from the negligent or
      intentional acts or omissions of Depositor or Beneficiary (whichever is
      the indemnifying Party) or its subcontractors, or the officers, directors,
      employees, agents, successors and assigns of any of them. Additionally,
      Iron Mountain agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Depositor and
      Beneficiary, their respective corporate affiliates and their respective
      officers, directors, employees, and agents and their respective successors
      and assigns from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities,
      damages, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
      attorneys' fees), arising under this Agreement from the negligent or
      intentional acts or omissions of Iron Mountain or its subcontractors, or
      the officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns of any
      of them.

      8.    WARRANTIES.

      (a)   Iron Mountain. ANY AND ALL SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER SHALL BE
            PERFORMED IN A WORKMANLIKE MANNER. EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED IN THIS
            SECTION, ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND
            WARRANTIES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR
            CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
            SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OR ARISING FROM A COURSE
            OF DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED TO THE
            EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW. AN AGGRIEVED PARTY MUST NOTIFY
            IRON MOUNTAIN PROMPTLY OF ANY CLAIMED BREACH OF ANY WARRANTIES AND
            SUCH PARTY'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY SHALL
            BE [*]. THIS DISCLAIMER AND EXCLUSION SHALL APPLY EVEN IF THE
            EXPRESS WARRANTY AND LIMITED REMEDY SET FORTH ABOVE FAILS OF ITS
            ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. THE WARRANTY PROVIDED IS SUBJECT TO THE
            LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SET FORTH IN SECTION 11 HEREIN.

      (b)   Depositor. Depositor warrants that all Depositor Information
            provided hereunder is accurate and reliable and undertakes to
            promptly correct and update such Depositor Information during the
            Term of this Agreement.

      (c)   Beneficiary. Beneficiary warrants that all Beneficiary Information
            provided hereunder is accurate and reliable and undertakes to
            promptly correct and update such Beneficiary Information during the
            Term of this Agreement.

9.    INSURANCE.

      Iron Mountain shall, at its sole cost and expense, throughout the term of
      this Agreement, procure and maintain in full force and effect, the
      following insurance coverage, with an insurance carrier that is rated B+
      or better by A.M. Best.

      [*]
      All certificates of insurance shall name the Parties as additional
      beneficiaries with respect to General Liability coverage. All certificates
      of insurance shall require that the Parties be provided with advance
      written notice of cancellation of the stated coverage, and Iron Mountain
      shall request that its insurer use its best efforts to provide at least
      [*] advance written notification of such cancellation.

10.   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

      Iron Mountain shall have the obligation to reasonably protect the
      confidentiality of the Deposit Material. Except as provided in this
      Agreement Iron Mountain shall not disclose, transfer, make available or
      use the Deposit Material. Iron Mountain shall not disclose the terms of
      this Agreement to any third Party. If Iron Mountain receives a subpoena or
      any other order from a court or other judicial tribunal pertaining to the
      disclosure or release of the Deposit Material, Iron Mountain will
      immediately notify the Parties to this Agreement unless prohibited by law.
      It shall be the responsibility of Depositor and/or Beneficiary to
      challenge any such order; provided, however, that Iron Mountain does not
      waive its rights to present its position with respect to any such order.
      Iron Mountain will not be required to disobey any order from a court or
      other judicial tribunal, including, but not limited to, notices delivered
      pursuant to Section 13(g) below.

11.   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3.


      NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING ELSE HEREIN, ALL LIABILITY, IF ANY, WHETHER
      ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, OF
      DEPOSITOR AND/OR BENEFICIARY TO IRON MOUNTAIN, AND OF IRON MOUNTAIN TO
      DEPOSITOR AND/OR BENEFICIARY, SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE
      GREATER OF [*] OR [*] OF FEES PAID OR OWED TO IRON MOUNTAIN UNDER THIS
      AGREEMENT. IF CLAIM OR LOSS IS MADE IN RELATION TO A SPECIFIC DEPOSIT OR
      DEPOSITS, SUCH LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE FEES RELATED SPECIFICALLY
      TO SUCH DEPOSITS. THIS LIMIT SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY PARTY FOR: (I) ANY
      CLAIMS OF INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER
      PROPRIETARY RIGHT; (II) LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR BODILY INJURY; (III) DAMAGE
      TO TANGIBLE PROPERTY (EXCLUDING THE DEPOSIT ITEMS); (IV) THEFT; OR (V)
      PROVEN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

12.   CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WAIVER.

      IN NO EVENT SHALL DEPOSITOR AND/OR BENEFICIARY BE LIABLE TO IRON MOUNTAIN,
      NOR SHALL IRON MOUNTAIN BE LIABLE TO ANOTHER PARTY, FOR ANY INCIDENTAL,
      SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS OR LOST DATA OR
      INFORMATION, ANY COSTS OR EXPENSES FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE
      SERVICES, OR ANY OTHER INDIRECT DAMAGES, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT
      (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE EVEN IF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF MAY BE
      KNOWN IN ADVANCE TO ONE OR MORE PARTIES.

13.   GENERAL.

      (a)   Incorporation of Work Requests. All Depositor and/or Beneficiary
            Work Requests are incorporated into this Agreement.

      (b)   Purchase Orders. The terms and conditions of this Agreement prevail
            regardless of any conflicting or additional terms on any Purchase
            Order or other correspondence. Any contingencies or additional terms
            contained on any Purchase Order are not binding upon Iron Mountain.
            All Purchase Orders are subject to approval and acceptance by Iron
            Mountain.

      (c)   Right to Make Copies. Iron Mountain shall have the right to make
            copies of all Deposit Material as reasonably necessary to perform
            this Agreement. Iron Mountain shall copy all copyright,
            nondisclosure, and other proprietary notices and titles contained on
            Deposit Material onto any copies made by Iron Mountain. Any copying
            expenses incurred by Iron Mountain as a result of a Work Request to
            copy will be borne by the Party requesting the copies. Iron Mountain
            may request Depositor's reasonable cooperation in promptly copying
            Deposit Material in order for Iron Mountain to perform this
            Agreement.

      (d)   Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this
            Agreement shall be controlled by and construed under the laws of the
            State of California, United States of America, as if performed
            wholly within the state and without giving effect to the principles
            of conflicts of laws.

      (e)   Right to Rely on Instructions. Iron Mountain may act in reliance
            upon any instruction, instrument, or signature reasonably believed
            by Iron Mountain to be genuine. Iron Mountain may assume that any
            employee of a Party to this Agreement who gives any written notice,
            request, or instruction has the authority to do so. Iron Mountain
            will not be required to inquire into the truth or evaluate the merit
            of any statement or representation contained in any notice or
            document. Iron Mountain shall not be responsible for failure to act
            as a result of causes beyond the reasonable control of Iron
            Mountain.

      (f)   Force Majeure. Except for the obligation to pay monies due and
            owing, no Party shall be liable for any delay or failure in
            performance due to events outside the defaulting Party's reasonable
            control, including without limitation acts of God, earthquake, labor
            disputes, shortages of supplies, riots, war, acts of terrorism,
            fire, epidemics, or delays of common carriers or other circumstances
            beyond its reasonable control. The obligations and rights of the
            excused Party shall be extended on a day-to-day basis for the time
            period equal to the period of the excusable delay.

      (g)   Notices. All notices regarding Exhibit C shall be sent by commercial
            express mail. All other correspondence, including invoices,
            payments, and other documents and communications, shall be sent by
            (i) electronic mail; (ii) via regular mail to the Parties at the
            addresses specified in the Authorized Persons/Notices Table which
            shall include the title(s) of the individual(s) authorized to
            receive notices; or (iii) via the online portal maintained at the
            Iron Mountain Website. It shall be the responsibility of the Parties
            to notify each other as provided in this Section in the event of a
            change of physical or e-mail addresses. The Parties shall have the
            right to rely on the last known address of the other Parties. Any
            correctly addressed notice or last known address of the other
            Parties that is relied on herein that is refused, unclaimed, or
            undeliverable because of an act or omission of the Party to be
            notified as provided herein shall be deemed effective as of the
            first date that said notice was refused, unclaimed, or deemed
            undeliverable by electronic mail, the postal authorities by mail,
            through messenger or commercial express delivery services.

      (h)   No Waiver. No waiver of rights under this Agreement by any Party
            shall constitute a subsequent waiver of this or any other right
            under this Agreement.

      (i)   Assignment. No assignment of this Agreement by Depositor and/or
            Beneficiary or any rights or obligations of Depositor and/or
            Beneficiary under this Agreement is permitted without the written
            consent of Iron Mountain, which shall not be unreasonably withheld
            or delayed.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       4.


      (j)   Severability. In the event any of the terms of this Agreement become
            or are declared to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable by any
            court of competent jurisdiction, such term(s) shall be null and void
            and shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement. All remaining terms
            of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
            Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this paragraph becomes applicable
            and, as a result, the value of this Agreement is materially impaired
            for either Party, as determined by such Party in its sole
            discretion, then the affected Party may terminate this Agreement by
            notice to the others.

      (k)   Independent Contractor Relationship. Depositor and Beneficiary
            understand, acknowledge, and agree that Iron Mountain's relationship
            with Depositor and Beneficiary will be that of an independent
            contractor and that nothing in this Agreement is intended to or
            should be construed to create a partnership, joint venture, or
            employment relationship.

      (l)   Attorneys' Fees. In any suit or proceeding between the Parties
            relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party will have the right
            to recover from the other(s) it's costs and reasonable fees and
            expenses of attorneys, accountants, and other professionals incurred
            in connection with the suit or proceeding, including costs, fees and
            expenses upon appeal, separately from and in addition to any other
            amount included in such judgment. This provision is intended to be
            severable from the other provisions of this Agreement, and shall
            survive and not be merged into any such judgment.

      (m)   No Agency. No Party has the right or authority to, and shall not,
            assume or create any obligation of any nature whatsoever on behalf
            of the other Parties or bind the other Parties in any respect
            whatsoever.

      (n)   Disputes. Any dispute, difference or question relating to or arising
            among Iron Mountain and Depositor and/or Beneficiary concerning the
            construction, meaning, effect or implementation of this Agreement
            will be submitted to, and settled by arbitration by a single
            arbitrator chosen in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the
            American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall apply
            California law. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, arbitration
            will take place in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. Any court having
            jurisdiction over the matter may enter judgment on the award of the
            arbitrator. Service of a petition to confirm the arbitration award
            may be made by regular mail or by commercial express mail, to the
            attorney for the Party or, if unrepresented, to the Party at the
            last known business address. If however, Depositor and/or
            Beneficiary refuse to submit to arbitration, the matter shall not be
            submitted to arbitration and Iron Mountain may submit the matter to
            any court of competent jurisdiction for an interpleader or similar
            action. Unless adjudged otherwise, any costs of arbitration incurred
            by Iron Mountain, including reasonable attorney's fees and costs,
            shall be divided equally and paid by Depositor and Beneficiary.
            Notwithstanding the foregoing, any dispute, difference or question
            relating to or arising between Depositor and Beneficiary, and
            excluding Iron Mountain, shall be subject to Section 7.8 of the
            Asset Purchase Agreement (Governing Law; Dispute Resolution).

      (o)   Regulations. All Parties are responsible for and warrant - to the
            extent of their individual actions or omissions - compliance with
            all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not
            limited to: customs laws; import; export and re-export laws; and
            government regulations of any country from or to which the Deposit
            Material may be delivered in accordance with the provisions of this
            Agreement.

      (p)   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.

      (q)   Survival. Sections 6 (Term and Termination), 7 (General Indemnity),
            8 (Warranties), 10 (Confidential Information), 11 (Limitation of
            Liability), 12 (Consequential Damages Waiver), and 13 (General) of
            this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement or any
            Exhibit attached hereto.

              NOTE: SIGNATURE BLOCKS AND AUTHORIZED PERSONS/NOTICES
                         TABLE FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       5.


      The Parties agree that this Agreement is the complete agreement between
      the Parties hereto concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and
      replaces any prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications
      between the Parties. There are no conditions, understandings, agreements,
      representations, or warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to such
      subject matter, which are not specified herein. Each of the Parties herein
      represents and warrants that the execution, delivery, and performance of
      this Agreement has been duly authorized and signed by a person who meets
      statutory or other binding approval to sign on behalf of its business
      organization as named in this Agreement. This Agreement may only be
      modified by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

DEPOSITOR: XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.      BENEFICIARY: MOLECULAR DEVICES
                                            CORPORATION

SIGNATURE:    /S/ ROGER D. BLEVINS          SIGNATURE:     /S/ TIM HARKNESS
              --------------------                         ----------------
PRINT NAME:   ROGER D. BLEVINS              PRINT NAME:    TIM HARKNESS
TITLE:        CEO                           TITLE:         CFO
DATE:         3/9/05                        DATE:          3/9/05
EMAIL ADDRESS [*]                           EMAIL ADDRESS: [*]


      IRON MOUNTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.

      SIGNATURE:     /S/ PAULA SMITH
                     ---------------
      PRINT NAME:    PAULA SMITH
      TITLE:         MANAGER, CLIENT SERVICES
      DATE:          3/9/05
      EMAIL ADDRESS: [*]

      AUTHORIZED PERSONS/NOTICES TABLE

      Please provide the name and contact information of the Authorized Persons
      under this Agreement. All Notices will be sent to these individuals at the
      addresses set forth below.

      DEPOSITOR: XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

      [*]

      BENEFICIARY: MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

      [*]

      IRON MOUNTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.

      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       6.


                                    EXHIBIT A
                           ESCROW SERVICE WORK REQUEST
[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      A-7.


                                    EXHIBIT B
                          DEPOSIT MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

                         For Deposit Account Number: [*]
[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      B-1.



                                    EXHIBIT C
                          RELEASE OF DEPOSIT MATERIALS

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      C-1.



                                   EXHIBIT F-6

                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F6-1


                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

      This ESCROW AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of March
9, 2005 (the "Effective Date"), by and among: MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation with a place of business at 1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale,
California 94089 ("Purchaser"); XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware
corporation with a place of business at 7030 Kit Creek Road, Morrisville, North
Carolina 27560 ("Seller", formerly known as Norak Biosciences, Inc.); and ZIONS
FIRST NATIONAL BANK (the "Escrow Agent"). Purchaser and Seller may be referred
to herein individually as a "Party" or, collectively, as the "Parties."

      The Asset Purchase Agreement between Purchaser and Seller of even date
hereof (the "Asset Purchase Agreement") requires the establishment of this
Escrow Agreement to secure rights to indemnification, compensation and
reimbursement of Purchaser and the other Indemnitees under Section 4 of the
Asset Purchase Agreement. The Escrow Agent is not a party to the Asset Purchase
Agreement and has no duty to review the Asset Purchase Agreement or to interpret
in any manner the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement.

      The Parties and the Escrow Agent, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:

1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW

      (a) On or about the Effective Date, Purchaser is depositing with Escrow
Agent an amount equal to $1,100,000 in immediately available funds (as increased
by any earnings thereon pursuant to Sections 2 and 7 and as reduced by any
disbursements, amounts withdrawn under Section 7, or losses on investments, the
"Escrow Amount"). Escrow Agent acknowledges receipt thereof and agrees to hold
the Escrow Amount in an escrow account (the "Escrow Account").

      (b) Escrow Agent hereby agrees to act as escrow agent and to hold,
safeguard and disburse the Escrow Amount pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement.

2. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS

      Unless otherwise instructed in a writing signed by Purchaser and Seller,
Escrow Amount moneys shall be invested in the [*]. The Parties acknowledge that,
pursuant to national banking regulations, they are entitled to receive separate
notification of every security transaction and hereby [*] to be provided by the
Escrow Agent.

3. CLAIMS

      (a) From time to time on or before the [*] of the Effective Date,
Purchaser may deliver a notice signed by an officer of the Purchaser (each, a
"Notice") to Seller and Escrow Agent specifying [*] the dollar amount of Damages
(as such term is defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) related to each claim
(a "Claim") it may have under Article 4 of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the
basis for each Claim and the nature of the misrepresentation, breach of warranty
or covenant, or other indemnity obligation, as applicable, to which the Claim
relates. Purchaser may make [*] Claim with respect to any underlying state of
facts. If Seller gives notice signed by

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       1


an officer of Seller to Purchaser and Escrow Agent disputing any Claim (a
"Counter Notice") within [*] following receipt by Escrow Agent of the Notice
regarding such Claim, such Claim shall be resolved as provided in Section 3(b).
If no Counter Notice is received by Escrow Agent within such [*], then the
dollar amount of Damages claimed by Purchaser as set forth in its Notice shall
be deemed established for purposes of this Escrow Agreement and the Asset
Purchase Agreement and, at the end of such [*], Escrow Agent shall pay to
Purchaser the dollar amount claimed in the Notice from (and only to the extent
available in) the Escrow Amount.

      (b) If the Seller delivers a Counter Notice indicating that there is a
contested Claim, the Seller and Purchaser shall attempt in good faith to resolve
the dispute related to the contested Claim for [*] after the delivery of the
Counter Notice ("Initial Resolution Period"). If the Purchaser and the Seller
resolve such dispute within the Initial Resolution Period, such resolution shall
be binding on the Seller and Purchaser and a settlement agreement shall be
signed by the Purchaser and the Seller and sent to the Escrow Agent, which
shall, upon receipt thereof, if applicable, release the amount specified in the
settlement agreement from the Escrow Account. Unless and until the Escrow Agent
shall receive written notice that any such dispute has been resolved by the
Purchaser and the Seller, the Escrow Agent may assume without inquiry that such
dispute has not been resolved.

      (c) If the Seller and the Purchaser are unable to resolve the dispute
relating to any contested Claim and enter into a settlement agreement within the
Initial Resolution Period, then the claim described in the original Claim shall
be settled by binding arbitration in Denver, Colorado in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect of the American Arbitration
Association (the "AAA Rules"). Arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator,
mutually selected by Purchaser and Seller. If Purchaser and the Seller fail to
mutually select an arbitrator within [*] following the expiration of the Initial
Resolution Period, then arbitration will be conducted by [*] arbitrators: [*].
If Purchaser or the Seller fails to select an arbitrator within [*] following
the expiration of the Initial Resolution Period, then the other Party shall be
entitled to select the [*] arbitrator. The Parties agree to use all [*] efforts
to cause the arbitration hearing to be conducted within [*] after the
appointment of the mutually-selected arbitrator or the last of the [*]
arbitrators, as the case may be, and to use all reasonable efforts to cause the
decision of the arbitrator(s) to be furnished within [*] after the appointment
of the mutually-selected arbitrator or the last of the [*] arbitrators, as the
case may be. The Parties further agree that discovery shall be completed at
least [*] prior to the date of the arbitration hearing. The decision of the
arbitrator(s) shall relate solely: (i) to whether the Purchaser is entitled to
recover the contested amount (or a portion thereof), and the portion of such
amount the Purchaser is entitled to recover; and (ii) to the determination of
the non-prevailing Party as provided below. The final decision of the
arbitrator(s) shall be furnished to the Seller, the Purchaser and the Escrow
Agent in writing and shall be supported by written findings of fact and
conclusions which shall set forth whether the Purchaser is entitled to recover
the contested amount (or a portion thereof), the portion of such amount the
Purchaser is entitled to recover and the determination of the non-prevailing
Party, and such written decision shall constitute a conclusive determination of
the issue(s) in question, binding upon the Seller, Purchaser and the Escrow
Agent and shall not be contested by any of them. The non-prevailing Party in any
arbitration shall pay the reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) of the
prevailing Party, any additional reasonable fees and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) of the Escrow Agent, and the fees and expenses
associated with the arbitration (including the arbitrators' fees and expenses).
The Escrow Agent

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2


shall release the amount (if any) specified in the arbitrator(s)' final decision
upon its receipt of such decision.

4. TERMINATION OF ESCROW

      Within [*] after the [*] of the Effective Date, Escrow Agent shall pay and
distribute the then remaining Escrow Amount to Seller, unless any Claims are
then pending, in which case an amount equal to the aggregate dollar amount of
such pending Claims (as shown in the Notices of such Claims) shall be retained
by Escrow Agent in the Escrow Amount (and the balance paid to Seller. In the
case of such pending Claims, this Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect until the claim has been resolved and the Escrow Amount released in
accordance with this Agreement, or until Escrow Agent receives joint written
instructions of Purchaser and Seller.

5. DUTIES OF ESCROW AGENT

      (a) Escrow Agent shall not be under any duty to give the Escrow Amount
held by it hereunder any greater degree of care than it gives its own similar
property and shall not be required to invest any funds held hereunder except as
directed in this Agreement. Uninvested funds held hereunder shall not earn or
accrue interest.

      (b) Escrow Agent shall not be liable, except for its own negligence or
willful misconduct and, except with respect to claims based upon such negligence
or willful misconduct that are successfully asserted against Escrow Agent, the
other Party hereto shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless
Escrow Agent (and any successor Escrow Agent) from and against any and all
losses, liabilities, claims, actions, damages and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising out of and in connection with this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Escrow Agent shall in no event be
liable in connection with its investment or reinvestment of any cash held by it
hereunder in good faith, in accordance with the terms hereof, including, without
limitation, any liability for any delays (not resulting from its gross
negligence or willful misconduct) in the investment or reinvestment of the
Escrow Amount, or any loss of interest incident to any such delays.

      (c) Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any order, judgment,
certification, demand, notice, instrument or other writing delivered to it
hereunder without being required to determine the authenticity or the
correctness of any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity of the
service thereof. Escrow Agent may act in reliance upon any instrument or
signature believed by it to be genuine and may assume that the person purporting
to give receipt or advice or make any statement or execute any document in
connection with the provisions hereof has been duly authorized to do so. Escrow
Agent may conclusively presume that the undersigned representative of any Party
hereto which is an entity other than a natural person has full power and
authority to instruct Escrow Agent on behalf of that Party unless written notice
to the contrary is delivered to Escrow Agent.

      (d) Escrow Agent may act pursuant to the advice of counsel with respect to
any matter relating to this Agreement and shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such advice.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3


      (e) Escrow Agent does not have any interest in the Escrow Amount deposited
hereunder but is serving as escrow holder only and having only possession
thereof. Any payments of income from this Escrow Amount shall be subject to
withholding regulations then in force with respect to United States taxes. The
Parties hereto will provide Escrow Agent with appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Forms W-9 for tax identification number certification, or non-resident
alien certifications. This Section 5(e) and Section 5(b) shall survive
notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the resignation of Escrow
Agent.

      (f) Escrow Agent makes no representation as to the validity, value,
genuineness or the collectability of any security or other document or
instrument held by or delivered to it.

      (g) Escrow Agent shall not be called upon to advise any Party as to the
wisdom in selling or retaining or taking or refraining from any action with
respect to any securities or other property deposited hereunder.

      (h) Escrow Agent (and any successor Escrow Agent) may at any time resign
as such by delivering the Escrow Amount to any successor Escrow Agent jointly
designated by the other Parties hereto in writing, or to any court of competent
jurisdiction, whereupon Escrow Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all
further obligations arising in connection with this Agreement. The resignation
of Escrow Agent will take effect on the earlier of (i) the appointment of a
successor (including a court of competent jurisdiction) or (ii) the day which is
[*] after the date of delivery of its written notice of resignation to the other
Parties hereto. If at that time Escrow Agent has not received a designation of a
successor Escrow Agent, Escrow Agent's sole responsibility after that time shall
be to retain and safeguard the Escrow Amount until receipt of a designation of
successor Escrow Agent or a joint written disposition instruction by the other
Parties hereto or a final non-appealable order of a court of competent
jurisdiction.

      (i) In the event of any disagreement between the other Parties hereto
resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection with the Escrow
Amount or in the event that Escrow Agent is in doubt as to what action it should
take hereunder, Escrow Agent shall be entitled to retain the Escrow Amount until
Escrow Agent shall have received (i) a final non-appealable order of a court of
competent jurisdiction directing delivery of the Escrow Amount (ii) a written
agreement executed by the other Parties hereto directing delivery of the Escrow
Amount, in which event Escrow Agent shall disburse the Escrow Amount in
accordance with such order or agreement or (iii) a written arbitrator's decision
in accordance with Section 3(c). Any court order shall be accompanied by a legal
opinion by counsel for the presenting Party satisfactory to Escrow Agent to the
effect that the order is final and non-appealable. Escrow Agent shall act on
such court order and legal opinion without further question.

      (j) Seller shall pay Escrow Agent compensation (as payment in full) for
the services to be rendered by Escrow Agent hereunder in the amount of [*] at
the time of execution of this Agreement and agree to reimburse Escrow Agent for
[*] reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by Escrow
Agent in performance of its duties hereunder (including reasonable fees,
expenses and disbursements of its counsel). Any fees or expenses of Escrow Agent
or its counsel that are not paid as provided for herein may be taken from any
property, including the Escrow Amount, held by Escrow Agent hereunder.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       4


      (k) No printed or other matter in any language (including, without
limitation, prospectuses, notices, reports and promotional material) that
mentions Escrow Agent's name or the rights, powers, or duties of Escrow Agent
shall be issued by the other Parties hereto or on such Parties' behalf unless
Escrow Agent shall first have given its specific written consent thereto or such
disclosure is required by law.

      (l) The other Parties hereto authorize Escrow Agent, for any securities
held hereunder, to use the services of any United States central securities
depository it reasonably deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the
Depositary Trust Company and the Federal Reserve Book Entry System.

6. LIMITED RESPONSIBILITY

      This Agreement expressly sets forth all the duties of Escrow Agent with
respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto. No implied duties or
obligations shall be read into this agreement against Escrow Agent. Escrow Agent
shall not be bound by the provisions of any agreement among the other Parties
hereto except this Agreement.

7. OWNERSHIP FOR TAX PURPOSES

      For purposes of federal and other taxes based on income, Seller will be
treated as the owner of the Escrow Amount, and Seller will report all income, if
any, that is earned on, or derived from, the Escrow Amount as its income in the
taxable year or years in which such income is properly includible and pay any
taxes attributable thereto. Notwithstanding any other provision in this
Agreement, within [*] after the end of each [*] (or as soon as reasonably
practicable thereafter after taking into account the maturity dates of any
applicable investments) while any Escrow Amount is held by Escrow Agent, the
Escrow Agent shall make a [*] distribution to Seller equal to [*] of the
investment income attributable to the preceding [*] (or portion thereof). All
remaining investment income shall become part of the Escrow Amount.

8. NOTICES

      All notices, consents, waivers and other communications under this
Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a)
delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by telecopier
(with written confirmation of receipt) provided that a copy is mailed by
registered mail, return receipt requested, or (c) when received by the
addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service
(receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and telecopier
numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and telecopier numbers as a
Party may designate by notice to the other Parties):

            if to Seller:

                     Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                     7030 Kit Creek Road
                     Morrisville, NC 27560
                     Attention: Chief Executive Officer
                     Telephone: (919) 248-8000
                     Facsimile: (919) 248-8333

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       5


            with a copy to:
            --------------

                     Kenneth E. Eheman, Jr.
                     Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
                     4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300
                     Raleigh, NC 27607
                     Telephone:  (919) 781-4000
                     Facsimile:  (919) 781-4865

            if to Purchaser:

                     Molecular Devices Corporation
                     1311 Orleans Avenue
                     Sunnyvale, CA  94089-1136
                     Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                     Telephone: [*]
                     Facsimile: [*]

            with a copy to:
            --------------

                     Cooley Godward LLP
                     Five Palo Alto Square
                     3000 El Camino Real
                     Palo Alto, CA 94306
                     Attention:  Marya A. Postner, Esq.
                     Telephone:  (650) 843-5000
                     Facsimile:  (650) 849-7400

            if to Escrow Agent:

                     Zions First National Bank
                     550 South Hope Street
                     Suite 2650
                     Los Angeles, CA  90071
                     Attention:       Corporate Trust Department [*]
                     Telephone: (213) 593-3150
                     Facsimile: (213) 593-3160

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, notices addressed to the Escrow Agent shall
be effective only upon receipt. If any Notice, Counter Notice or other document
of any kind is required to be delivered to the Escrow Agent and any other Party,
the Escrow Agent may assume without inquiry that such other Party received such
document on the date on which the Escrow Agent received it.

9. ATTORNEYS' FEES

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       6


      In any action at law or suit in equity to enforce or interpret this
Agreement or the rights of any of the Parties hereunder, the prevailing Party in
such action or suit shall be entitled to receive a reasonable sum for its
attorneys' fees and all other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in such
action or suit.

10. TRANSFERABILITY

      The interests and obligations of the Seller and Purchaser in the Escrow
Amount shall not be assignable or transferable without the prior express written
consent of the other Party, provided, however, that either Party may, without
such consent, assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder to
its successor in interest in connection with the transfer or sale of all or
substantially all of its assets or its merger, consolidation, change in control
or similar transaction, [*]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may assign
this Agreement to its Affiliate or to a purchaser of all or substantially all of
its assets relating to the Transflour Technology. The Agreement shall be binding
on the permitted assignees of each Party. No such permitted assignment or
transfer of any of such interests or obligations shall be recognized or given
effect until the other Party and the Escrow Agent have received written notice
of such assignment or transfer.

11. COUNTERPARTS

      This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
will be deemed to be an original and all of which, when taken together, will be
deemed to constitute one and the same.

12. SECTION HEADINGS

      The headings of sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience
only and will not affect its construction or interpretation.

13. WAIVER

      The rights and remedies of the Parties to this Agreement are cumulative
and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any Party in
exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement or the documents
referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or
privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or
privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power, or
privilege or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege. To the
maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of
this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged
by one Party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or
right unless in writing signed by the other Party; (b) no waiver that may be
given by a Party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it
is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one Party will be deemed to be a
waiver of any obligation of such Party or of the right of the Party giving such
notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in
this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       7


14. SEVERABILITY

      Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable
in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or
enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in
any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, the Parties hereto agree that the court making such determination
shall have the power to limit the term or provision, to delete specific words or
phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a
term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to
expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and
this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does
not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the Parties hereto
agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid
and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the
economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term.

15. EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION

      This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements among the Parties with
respect to its subject matter and constitutes (along with the documents referred
to in this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the
agreement between the Parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement
may not be amended except by a written agreement executed by the Purchaser, the
Seller and the Escrow Agent.

16. GOVERNING LAW

      This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California,
without regard to conflicts of law principles.

                                        [Signature page follows.]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       8


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement
as of the date first written above.

"PURCHASER"                                 "SELLER"
MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION               XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By: /s/ Tim Harkness                        By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
    ----------------                            --------------------

Name: Tim Harkness                          Name: Roger D. Blevins

Title: Chief Financial Officer              Title: CEO

"ESCROW AGENT"
ZIONS FIRST NATIONAL BANK

By: /s/ Scott C. Emmons
    -------------------

Name: Scott C. Emmons

Title: Vice President

                       SIGNATURE PAGE FOR ESCROW AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       9


                                   EXHIBIT F-7

                           PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F7-1


                           PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

      This PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made and effective
as of March 9, 2005, by and between Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Norak
Biosciences, Inc.), a Delaware corporation having an address at 7030 Kit Creek
Road, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 ("SELLER"), and Molecular Devices
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, having its principal place of business at
1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 ("PURCHASER").

      WHEREAS, Seller is an owner of the patents and patent applications listed
on SCHEDULE 1 (collectively, the "PATENTS") and inventions set forth therein
(the "INVENTIONS"); and

      WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell, and Purchaser desires to acquire, all of
Seller's right, title and interest in and to the Patents and Inventions pursuant
to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Seller and Purchaser dated
as of the date hereof (the "ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT");

      NOW, THEREFORE, for good and sufficient consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, Seller does hereby sell, assign, and transfer, to
the Purchaser, its successors, legal representatives, and assigns, the Seller's
entire right, title, and interest in:

            (a)   the Inventions;

            (b)   the Patents;

            (c)   the right to file applications for patent of the United States
                  or other countries on the Inventions, including all rights
                  under the Hague Convention, the Paris Convention for the
                  Protection of Industrial Property, and under the Patent
                  Cooperation Treaty;

            (d)   any provisional or other right to recover damages, including
                  royalties, for prior infringement of any Patent; and

            (e)   any patents of the United States or other countries that may
                  be granted for or on any patent application included in the
                  Patents or identified in clause (c) above, including
                  continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part, reissues,
                  re-examinations and extensions of any such application or
                  patent.

      The above-granted rights, titles, and interests are to be held and enjoyed
by the Purchaser, for its own use and behalf and the use and behalf of its
successors, legal representatives, and assigns, as fully and entirely as the
same would have been held and enjoyed by the Seller had this sale and assignment
not been made.

      The Seller hereby covenants and agrees to and with the Purchaser and its
successors, legal representatives, and assigns, that the Seller will sign all
papers and documents, take all lawful oaths, and do all acts necessary or
required to be done in connection with (i) the transfer and assignment of the
Patents to Purchaser, including the execution of documents necessary to record
the assignment with the appropriate government agencies, at Seller's expense,
and (ii) any and all proceedings for

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       1.


the procurement, maintenance, enforcement and defense of the Patents, including
interference proceedings, at the sole cost and expense of the Purchaser and its
successors, legal representatives, and assigns.

      In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Asset Purchase
Agreement, the Asset Purchase Agreement shall control. Nothing in this Agreement
shall be deemed to amend or modify in any way any of the terms and conditions of
the Asset Purchase Agreement or any rights or obligations of the parties
thereto.

      The Seller hereby requests the Commissioner of Patents to issue said
patents of the United States to the Purchaser for the sole use and behalf of the
Purchaser, its successors, legal representatives, and assigns.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Patent Assignment
Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

PURCHASER:                              MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ Tim Harkness
                                            --------------------------

                                        Print Name: Tim Harkness

                                        Title: Chief Financial Officer

SELLER:                                 XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                                        By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
                                            --------------------------

                                        Print Name: Roger D. Blevins

                                        Title: CEO

                 SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2.


                                   SCHEDULE 1

[*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      SL-1.


                                   EXHIBIT F-8

                         TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F8-1



                         TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

      This TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made and
effective as of March 9, 2005, by and between Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(formerly Norak Biosciences, Inc.), a Delaware corporation having an address at
7030 Kit Creek Road, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 ("SELLER"), and Molecular
Devices Corporation, a Delaware corporation, having its principal place of
business at 1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089 ("PURCHASER").

      WHEREAS, Seller has adopted, owns, uses or intends to use the registered
and unregistered trademarks set forth in Attachment 1 of this Agreement
(collectively, the "MARKS");

      WHEREAS, Seller has obtained registrations for or has applied to register
certain of the Marks as set forth in Attachment 1 of this Agreement (the
"APPLICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS");

      WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to acquire all of Seller's right, title and
interest in and to the Marks and the Applications and Registrations and the
portion of Seller's business to which the Marks pertain pursuant to the Asset
Purchase Agreement by and between Seller and Purchaser dated as of the date
hereof (the "ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT").

      NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged:

      1. Seller hereby sells, assigns and transfers to Purchaser, its successors
and assigns, as the successor to Seller's business to which the Marks pertain,
all its right, title and interest in and to the Marks and Applications and
Registrations, including all common law rights, in the United States of America
and all other countries and jurisdictions of the world, together with the
goodwill of the business symbolized by the Marks and Applications.

      2. Seller hereby assigns to Purchaser all causes of action, claims and
rights to damages or profits, due or accrued, arising out of past infringement
of the Marks, or injury to the goodwill associated with the Marks, as well as
the rights to sue for and recover the Marks in Purchaser's own name.

      3. Seller covenants that it will cooperate in any actions (i) necessary or
useful for Purchaser to effectuate the transfer and assignment of the Marks to
Purchaser, including the execution of documents necessary to record the
assignment with the appropriate government agencies, at Seller's expense; (ii)
necessary or useful for Purchaser to prosecute, renew or register its rights,
title and interests in and to the Marks and Applications, including United
States and foreign registrations, at Purchaser's expense, and (iii) brought to
enforce the rights accompanying this Assignment against third parties, at
Purchaser's expense.

      4. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Asset
Purchase Agreement, the Asset Purchase Agreement shall control. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to amend or modify in any way any of the terms and
conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement or any rights or obligations of the
parties thereto.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       1.


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller and Purchaser have each caused this Trademark
Assignment Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first
written above.

PURCHASER:                                       MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

                                                 By: /s/ Tim Harkness
                                                     ---------------------------

                                                 Print Name: Tim Harkness

                                                 Title: Chief Financial Officer

SELLER:                                          XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                                                 By: /s/ Roger D. Blevins
                                                     ---------------------------

                                                 Print Name: Roger D. Blevins

                                                 Title: CEO

                SIGNATURE PAGE FOR TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       2.


                                  ATTACHMENT 1

                                      [*]

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                       3.


                                   EXHIBIT F-9

                           AV GFP SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      F9-1

                                  CONFIDENTIAL

                         NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Non-Exclusive License Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of 3/9/05 (the
"Effective Date") by and between Molecular Devices Corporation ("`Licensee") and
AMERSHAM PHARMACIA BIOTECH UK LTD.. (UNDER NAME CHANGE TO AMERSHAM BIOSCIENCES
UK LTD.) ("Amersham").

1. DEFINITIONS.

"Aurora " means Aurora Biosciences Corporation

"Aurora Mutant GFP" means mutant Aequorea victoria fluorescent proteins or
polynucleotides encoding mutant Aequorea victoria fluorescent proteins.

"Amersham Patents" means [*] and all divisions, continuations,
continuations-in-part, re-issues, re-examinations, extensions and substitutes
thereof and all United States and foreign counterparts issuing therefrom.

"Aurora Patents" means [*] and continuations, divisions, reissues, extensions,
substitutions and continuations-in-part with respect thereto, and all U.S.
patents and foreign counterparts issuing therefrom.

"Product" means any TransFluor(TM) assay incorporating an Aurora Mutant GFP that
is developed by Norak Biosciences, Inc. and transferred to Licensee.

"Stanford Patents" means [*] and continuations, divisions, reissues or
continuations-in-part with respect thereto, and all U.S. patents issuing
therefrom.

"Stanford Agreement" means that certain exclusive license agreement between [*].

"Stanford Licensed Product" means any product or process, or part thereof, in
the Field, the manufacture, use or sale of which is covered by a valid claim of
an issued, unexpired Stanford Patent, which Stanford Patent will be presumed to
be valid unless and until it has been held to be invalid by a final judgment of
a court of competent jurisdiction from which no appeal can be or is taken.

2. LICENSE GRANT. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Amersham hereby grants to Licensee a [*] license, [*] under the Aurora Patents,
the Stanford Patents and the Amersham Patents to use the Product [*]. Amersham
retains all rights not expressly granted herein. There are no implied licenses
granted herein.

3. LIMITATIONS. Licensee will use the Product [*]. Licensee will [*]. Licensee
will [*].

4. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS. In partial consideration for the license granted under
Section 2, Licensee will pay to Amersham a [*] license fee of [*], payable as
follows: [*] and [*]. All payments shall be paid by [*].

5. COMPLIANCE with LAWS; PRECAUTIONS. Licensee will use the Product in strict
accordance with all local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and
guidelines. Licensee understands that the Product, under certain circumstances,
may have biological and/or chemical properties that are unpredictable and
unknown at the time of transfer, that it is to be used with caution and
prudence, and that it is not to be used for testing in or treatment of humans.

6. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. AMERSHAM HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY
WARRANTY OF TITLE, FREEDOM TO OPERATE, MERCHANTABILITY, Fitness FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT WILL LICENSEE BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER
FROM AMERSHAM OR AURORA ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE LICENSE GRANTED
HEREUNDER.

8. INDEMNIFICATION. Licensee will indemnify, hold harmless and defend Amersham
and Aurora and their officers, employees and agents from and against any and all
claims, suits, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses resulting
from or arising out of (i) the practice by Licensee of the license granted
hereunder, or (ii) the use, handling or storage of any Product (or any materials
derived therefrom) by Licensee or its employees or agents.

9. TERM; TERMINATION. This Agreement will commence upon the Effective Date and
will [*], unless terminated earlier as provided herein. Licensee may terminate
this Agreement for any reason upon [*] written notice to Amersham. Amersham may
terminate this Agreement upon or after the breach of any provision of this
Agreement by Licensee (including non-payment) if Licensee has not cured such
breach within [*] after written notice thereof by Amersham. The rights and
obligations under Sections 1, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 will
survive the termination of this Agreement. Upon the termination of this
Agreement, (i) the license granted hereunder will terminate, and (ii) Licensee
will promptly destroy all remaining Product, and any Product cloned, replicated
or otherwise reproduced, including all analogs or derivatives thereof.

10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement sets forth the
complete and entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes and terminates all prior agreements and

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.


understandings between the parties. No subsequent amendment, modification or
addition to this Agreement will be binding upon the parties unless reduced to
writing and signed by the respective authorized officers of the parties.
Licensee may not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Amersham,
and any such attempted assignment or other transfer will be void. Amersham may
assign this Agreement upon written notice to Licensee.

11. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
New York, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

12. WAIVER; SEVERABILITY. Except as specifically provided for herein, the waiver
from time to time by either party of any right or failure to exercise any remedy
will not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver of the same right or
remedy or of any other of such party's rights or remedies provided in this
Agreement. In case any provision of this Agreement will be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

13. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. It is expressly agreed that Amersham and Licensee
will be independent contractors and that the relationship between the two
parties will not constitute a partnership or agency of any kind. Neither
Amersham nor Licensee will have the authority to make any statements,
representations or commitments of any kind, or to take any action, which will be
binding on the other party, without the prior written consent of the other
party.

14. AURORA PATENTS. With respect to rights licensed to Amersham through Aurora
by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ("HHMI") or by The Regents of the
University of California ("UC"), Licensee hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold harmless HHMI or UC, as appropriate, and their respective officers,
directors, employees, sponsors and agents from and against all damages or other
amounts payable to a third party (including product liability) resulting or
arising from Licensee's use of the rights granted herein to the extent that such
indemnification by Licensee is required by HHMI or UC pursuant to agreements
between HHMI and Aurora or between UC and Aurora.

15. STANFORD PATENTS.

      15.1 EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, PURSUANT TO THE
STANFORD AGREEMENT, STANFORD MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES
OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE
USE OF THE STANFORD LICENSED PRODUCTS OR SERVICES WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT,
COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER RIGHTS OR ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES. Pursuant to the Stanford Agreement, nothing in this Agreement is or
will be construed as:

            (i) A warranty or representation by Stanford as to the validity or
scope of the Stanford Patents;

            (ii) A warranty or representation that anything made, used, sold or
otherwise disposed of under any license granted in this Agreement is or will be
free from infringement of patents, copyrights and other rights of third parties;

            (iii) An obligation to bring or prosecute actions or suits against
Third Parties for infringement, except to the extent and in the circumstances
described in Article 11 of the Stanford Agreement;

            (iv) Granting by implication, estoppel, or otherwise any licenses or
rights under patents or other rights of Stanford or other persons other the
Stanford Patents, regardless of whether such patents or other rights are
dominant or subordinate to any of the Stanford Patents; or

            (v) An obligation to furnish any technology or technological
information other than the technology as set forth herein.

      15.2 Licensee agree that Licensee will not identify Stanford in any
promotional advertising or other promotional materials to be disseminated to the
public or any portion thereof or to use the name of any Stanford faculty member,
employee or student or any trademark, service mark, trade name or symbol of
Stanford, UCSF Stanford Health Care or Stanford Health Services, or that is
associated with either of them, without Stanford's prior written consent.

      15.3 Licensee will indemnify, hold harmless and defend Stanford, UCSF
Stanford Health Care and Stanford Health Services, and their respective
trustees, officers, employees, students and agents against any and all claims
for death, illness, personal injury, property damage and improper business
practice arising out of the manufacture, use, sale or other disposition of
Stanford Patents or Stanford Licensed Products by Licensee, or its customers.

      15.4 Pursuant to the terms of the Stanford Agreement, Stanford will not be
liable for any indirect, special, consequential or other damages whatsoever,
whether grounded in tort (including negligence), strict liability, contract or
otherwise. Stanford will not have any responsibilities or liabilities whatsoever
with respect to Stanford Licensed Products.

16. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be signed and delivered
by facsimile, each of which will be binding when sent.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by
their duly authorized officers as of the Effective Date.

AMERSHAM PHARMACIA BIOTECH UK LTD
(UNDER NAME CHANGE TO AMERSHAM
BIOSCIENCES UK LTD)                                MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION

By: /s/ Royal N. Ronning, Jr.                      By: /s/ Tim Harkness
    ------------------------                           -----------------

Name: Royal N. Ronning, Jr.                        Name: Tim Harkness

Title: Attorney in Fact                            Title: CFO

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.



                                    EXHIBIT G

                                   EXCLUDED IP

1.    The trademarks listed below and all associated tradenames, logos, and
      tradedress:

      NORALUX (US Serial No. 78404092)
      PALLACOR  (US Serial No. 78488274)
      ADENOGESIC (US Serial No. 78497635)
      XSIRA (US Serial No. 78505052)
      XSIRA PHARMA (US Serial No. 78501254)
      XSIRA PHARMACEUTICALS (US Serial No. 78502735)

2.    Know-how, knowledge, data, information, protocols, methods, results,
      ideas, inventions (whether patentable or not), and other intellectual
      property directly and primarily relating to "Seller's Internal Product
      Discovery Program" and not otherwise related to the sale, licensing,
      and/or commercialization of the Transfluor Technology or products
      incorporating the same ("Xsira Product Know-How").

3.    All intellectual property rights (including but not limited to copyright
      and similar right of authorship) to web pages, domain names (including but
      not limited to "xsira.com", "noralux.com", "reperex.com", and
      "pallacor.com"), promotional materials, and the like directly and
      primarily relating to Seller's Internal Product Discovery Program or other
      business that is not directly related to the Acquired Business or to any
      Assigned IP.

4.    The "norakbio.com" domain name.

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                      G-1-

EX-31.1

                                                                   Exhibit 31.1

I, Joseph D. Keegan, Ph.D., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Molecular Devices
Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the
registrant and have:

      a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
      disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
      to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including
      its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
      entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
      prepared;

      b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such
      internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
      supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
      financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
      external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles;

      c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
      procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
      effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of
      the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

      d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal
      control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
      most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the
      case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
      likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over
      financial reporting.

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors
(or persons performing the equivalent functions):

      a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
      operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
      reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
      process, summarize and report financial information; and

      b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
      employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control
      over financial reporting.

Date: May 4, 2005

/s/ Joseph D. Keegan
- --------------------------

Joseph D. Keegan, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

                                                                    Exhibit 31.2

I, Timothy A. Harkness, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Molecular Devices
Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the
registrant and have:

      a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
      disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
      to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including
      its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
      entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
      prepared;

      b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such
      internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
      supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
      financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
      external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles;

      c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
      procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
      effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of
      the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

      d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal
      control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
      most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the
      case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
      likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over
      financial reporting.

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors
(or persons performing the equivalent functions):

      a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
      operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
      reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
      process, summarize and report financial information; and

      b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
      employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control
      over financial reporting.

Date: May 4, 2005

/s/ Timothy A. Harkness
- --------------------------

Timothy A. Harkness
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

                                                                    Exhibit 32.1

    CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      Pursuant to Section 906 of the Public Company Accounting Reform and
Investor Protection Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted) (the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), Joseph D. Keegan, Ph.D., the Chief Executive
Officer of Molecular Devices Corporation (the "Company"), and Timothy A.
Harkness, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies
that, to his knowledge:

1. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31,
2005, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the "Periodic
Report"), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

Dated: May 4, 2005

      /s/ Joseph D. Keegan, Ph.D.              /s/ Timothy A. Harkness
      -----------------------------------      -------------------------------
      Joseph D. Keegan, Ph.D.                  Timothy A. Harkness
      President and Chief Executive Officer    Senior Vice President and Chief
                                               Financial Officer

This Certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed "filed" by
the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.