Lynx Therapeutics, Inc., S-8

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

25861 Industrial Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 670-9300
(Address of principal executive offices)

1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)

Edward C. Albini
Chief Financial Officer
Lynx Therapeutics, Inc.
25861 Industrial Blvd.
Hayward, California 94545
(510) 670-9300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

James C. Kitch, Esq.
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
Five Palo Alto Square
3000 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 94306

	(1)		This Registration Statement shall cover any additional shares of common stock that become issuable under the 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended, set forth herein by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any similar transaction without receipt of consideration, which results in an increase in the number of shares of the outstanding common stock of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc.

	(2)		Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The offering price per share and aggregate offering price for the unissued stock options and common stock are based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market System on June 12, 2003.

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
as soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-8
NOS. 333-86634, 333-94872, 333-21997, 333-59157, 333-39480, 333-63804 and 333-100793

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering an additional 200,000 shares of the Registrant’s common stock to be issued pursuant to the Registrant’s 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). The contents of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 333-86634, 333-94872, 333-21997, 333-59157, 333-39480, 333-63804 and 333-100793 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 1994, July 24, 1995, February 19, 1997, July 15, 1998, June 16, 2000, June 25, 2001 and October 28, 2002, respectively, are incorporated by reference herein.

* Filed previously as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2000, filed with the Commission on August 14, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.

** Filed previously as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Commission on March 28, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hayward, County of Alameda, State of California, on June 17, 2003.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Corcoran and Edward C. Albini, and each or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

EX-5.1 3 f90917exv5w1.txt EXHIBIT 5.1 EXHIBIT 5.1 [Cooley Godward Letterhead] June 17, 2003 Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. 25861 Industrial Blvd. Hayward, California 94545 Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection with the filing by Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the offering of an aggregate of 200,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Shares"), pursuant to the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and related Prospectus, your Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof. On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plan, the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made in full). We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, Cooley Godward LLP By: /s/ James C. Kitch ----------------------- James C. Kitch EX-23.1 4 f90917exv23w1.txt EXHIBIT 23.1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the 1992 Stock Option Plan of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. of our report dated February 7, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Palo Alto, California June 11, 2003 EX-99.1 5 f90917exv99w1.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 LYNX THERAPEUTICS, INC. 1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN ADOPTED JULY 1, 1992 LAST AMENDED BY THE BOARD ON MARCH 20, 2003 LAST APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS ON MAY 22, 2003 TERMINATION DATE: MARCH 11, 2006 1. PURPOSES. (a) ELIGIBLE OPTION RECIPIENTS. The persons eligible to receive Options are the Employees, Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates. (b) AVAILABLE OPTIONS. The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means by which eligible recipients of Options may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of the following Options: (i) Incentive Stock Options, and (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options. (c) GENERAL PURPOSE. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Options, to secure and retain the services of new members of this group and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Affiliates. 2. DEFINITIONS. (a) "AFFILIATE" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code. (b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. (c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (d) "COMMITTEE" means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance with subsection 3(c). (e) "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company. (f) "COMPANY" means Lynx Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation. (g) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, (1) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and who is compensated for such services or (2) who is a member of the Board of Directors of an Affiliate. However, the term "Consultant" shall not include either Directors of the Company who are not compensated 1. by the Company for their services as Directors or Directors of the Company who are merely paid a director's fee by the Company for their services as Directors. (h) "CONTINUOUS SERVICE" means that the Optionholder's service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. The Optionholder's Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Optionholder renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Optionholder renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or a Director of the Company will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave. (i) "COVERED EMPLOYEE" means the chief executive officer and the four (4) other highest compensated officers of the Company for whom total compensation is required to be reported to stockholders under the Exchange Act, as determined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. (j) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. (k) "DISABILITY" means the permanent and total disability of a person within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. (l) "EMPLOYEE" means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director's fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company or an Affiliate. (m) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (n) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows: (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as the Board deems reliable. (ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board. 2. (o) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. (p) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director of the Company who either (i) is not a current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or a subsidiary, does not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its parent or a subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K and is not engaged in a business relationship as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3. (q) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. (r) "OFFICER" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. (s) "OPTION" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan. (t) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. (u) "OPTIONHOLDER" means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option. (v) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director of the Company who either (i) is not a current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" at any time and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. (w) "PLAN" means this Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan. (x) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time. (y) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 3. (z) "TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDER" means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates. 3. ADMINISTRATION. (a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD. The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in subsection 3(c). (b) POWERS OF BOARD. The board shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan: (i) To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Options; when and how each Option shall be granted; what type or combination of types of Option shall be granted; the provisions of each Option granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to receive stock pursuant to an Option; and the number of shares with respect to which an Option shall be granted to each such person. (ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Options granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Option Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective. (iii) To amend the Plan or an Option as provided in Section 11. (iv) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan. (c) DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE. (i) GENERAL. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term "Committee" shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. (ii) COMMITTEE COMPOSITION WHEN COMMON STOCK IS PUBLICLY TRADED. At such time as the Common Stock is publicly traded, in the discretion of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more Outside Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the 4. Code, and/or solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (i) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors, the authority to grant Options to eligible persons who are either (a) not then Covered Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of recognition of income resulting from such Option or (b) not persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or (ii) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Options to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. (a) SHARE RESERVE. Subject to the provisions of Section 10 relating to adjustments upon changes in stock, the stock that may be issued pursuant to Options shall not exceed in the aggregate one million seventy-one thousand fifty-two (1,071,052) shares of Common Stock less any shares of Common Stock remaining outstanding which were originally issued to Employees, Officers or Directors of, or Consultants to, the Company pursuant to stock purchase agreements or similar compensatory arrangements approved by the Board. (b) REVERSION OF SHARES TO THE SHARE RESERVE. If any Option shall for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without having been exercised in full, the stock not acquired under such Option shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. If any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall for any reason be repurchased by the Company under an unvested share repurchase option provided under the Plan, the stock repurchased by the Company under such repurchase option shall not revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. (c) SOURCE OF SHARES. The stock subject to the Plan may be unissued shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise. 5. ELIGIBILITY. (a) ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC OPTIONS. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants. (b) TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS. No Ten Percent Stockholder shall be eligible for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant. (c) SECTION 162(m) LIMITATION. Subject to the provisions of Section 10 relating to adjustments upon changes in stock, no employee shall be eligible to be granted Options covering more than one hundred forty two thousand eight hundred fifty seven (142,857) shares of the Common Stock during any calendar year. 5. (d) CONSULTANTS. (i) A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of an Option if, at the time of grant, a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act ("Form S-8") is not available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company's securities to such Consultant because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, or because the Consultant is not a natural person, or as otherwise provided by the rules governing the use of Form S-8, unless the Company determines both (i) that such grant (A) shall be registered in another manner under the Securities Act (e.g., on a Form S-3 Registration Statement) or (B) does not require registration under the Securities Act in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, if applicable, and (ii) that such grant complies with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions. (ii) Form S-8 generally is available to consultants and advisors only if (i) they are natural persons; (ii) they provide bona fide services to the issuer, its parents, its majority-owned subsidiaries or majority-owned subsidiaries of the issuer's parent; and (iii) the services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the issuer's securities. 6. OPTION PROVISIONS. Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares purchased on exercise of each type of Option. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions: (a) TERM. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted. (b) EXERCISE PRICE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code. (c) EXERCISE PRICE OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. The exercise price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonstatutory Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or 6. substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code. (d) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised or (ii) at the discretion of the Board at the time of the grant of the Option (or subsequently in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, according to a deferred payment or other arrangement (which may include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of other Common Stock) with the Optionholder or in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board; provided, however, that at any time that the Company is incorporated in Delaware, payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred payment. In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the deferred payment arrangement or at such higher rate of interest necessary in order to avoid variable award treatment for financial accounting purposes. (e) TRANSFERABILITY OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 6(e), the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option. (f) TRANSFERABILITY OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. A Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be transferable to the extent provided in the Option Agreement. If the Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 6(f), the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option. (g) VESTING GENERALLY. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments which may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The provisions of this subsection 6(g) are subject to any Option provisions governing the minimum number of shares as to which an Option may be exercised. (h) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the event an Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder's death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise it as 7. of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Option Agreement, the Option shall terminate. (i) EXTENSION OF TERMINATION DATE. An Optionholder's Option Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service (other than upon the Optionholder's death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in subsection 6(a) or (ii) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration requirements. (j) DISABILITY OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event an Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise it as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. (k) DEATH OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event (i) an Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's death or (ii) the Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise the Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the option upon the Optionholder's death pursuant to subsection 6(e) or 6(f), but only within the period ending on the earlier of (1) the date twelve (12) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement) or (2) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. (l) EARLY EXERCISE. The Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any unvested shares so purchased may be subject to an unvested share repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. 8. 7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. (a) AVAILABILITY OF SHARES. During the terms of the Options, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Options. (b) SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Options and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Options; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Option or any stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Option. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell stock upon exercise of such Options unless and until such authority is obtained. 8. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK. Proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant to Options shall constitute general funds of the Company. 9. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND VESTING. The Board shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Option may first be exercised or the time during which an Option or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Option stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest. (b) STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. No Optionholder shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares subject to such Option unless and until such Optionholder has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Option pursuant to its terms. (c) NO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER SERVICE RIGHTS. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Option granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Optionholder or other holder of Options any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Option was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement with the Company or an Affiliate or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. (d) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION $100,000 LIMITATION. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars 9. ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. (e) INVESTMENT ASSURANCES. The Company may require an Optionholder, as a condition of exercising or acquiring stock under any Option, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Optionholder's knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Option; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Optionholder is acquiring the stock subject to the Option for the Optionholder's own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (iii) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of stock under the Option has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (iv) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the stock. (f) WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. To the extent provided by the terms of an Option Agreement, the Optionholder may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of stock under an Option by any of the following means (in addition to the Company's right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Optionholder by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment; (ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares from the shares of the Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Optionholder as a result of the exercise or acquisition of stock under the Option; or (iii) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered shares of the Common Stock. 10. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK. (a) CAPITALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS. If any change is made in the stock subject to the Plan, or subject to any Option, without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of securities subject to award to any person pursuant to subsection 5(c), and the outstanding Options will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to such outstanding Options. Such adjustments shall be made by the Board, the determination of which shall be final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a transaction "without receipt of consideration" by the Company.) 10. (b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then such Options shall be terminated if not exercised (if applicable) prior to such event. (c) ASSET SALE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR REVERSE MERGER. In the event of (1) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, (2) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (3) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, then any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation shall assume any Options outstanding under the Plan or shall substitute similar Options (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the transaction described in this subsection) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation refuses to assume such Options or to substitute similar Options for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to Options held by Optionholders whose Continuous Service has not terminated, the vesting shall be accelerated in full, and the Options shall terminate if not exercised at or prior to such event. With respect to any other Options outstanding under the Plan, such Options shall terminate if not exercised prior to such event. 11. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND OPTIONS. (a) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 10 relating to adjustments upon changes in stock, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3 or any Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements. (b) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers. (c) CONTEMPLATED AMENDMENTS. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith. (d) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Rights under any Option granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Optionholder and (ii) the Optionholder consents in writing. (e) AMENDMENT OF OPTIONS. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Options; provided, however, that the rights under any Option shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Optionholder and (ii) the Optionholder consents in writing. 11. 12. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN. (a) PLAN TERM. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on March 11, 2006. No Options may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated. (b) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Rights and obligations under any Option granted while the Plan is in effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the Plan, except with the written consent of the Optionholder. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no Option shall be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. 12. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----


Delaware		94-3161073
(State of Incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


Exhibit
Number		Description

4.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company*

4.1.1		Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company**

4.2		Bylaws of the Company, as amended*

5.1		Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP

23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

23.2		Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement

24.1		Power of Attorney is contained on the signature page to this Registration Statement

99.1		1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended


		LYNX THERAPEUTICS, INC.

		By:		/s/ Kevin P. Corcoran

				Kevin P. Corcoran
				President and Chief Executive Officer


Signature	Title	Date


/s/ Kevin P. Corcoran Kevin P. Corcoran	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)	June 17, 2003

/s/ Edward C. Albini Edward C. Albini	Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	June 17, 2003

/s/ Craig C. Taylor Craig C. Taylor	Chairman of the Board	June 17, 2003

/s/ Marc D. Kozin Marc D. Kozin	Director	June 17, 2003

/s/ Sydney Brenner, M.B., D.Phil. Sydney Brenner, M.B., D. Phil.	Director	June 17, 2003

/s/ James C. Kitch James C. Kitch	Director	June 17, 2003

/s/ Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D. Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D.	Director	June 17, 2003

David C. U’Prichard, Ph.D.	Director	June , 2003

/s/ Richard P. Woychik, Ph.D. Richard P. Woychik, Ph.D.	Director	June 17, 2003

/s/ James V. Mitchell James V. Mitchell	Director	June 17, 2003


Exhibit
Number		Description

4.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company*

4.1.1		Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company**

4.2		Bylaws of the Company, as amended*

5.1		Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP

23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

23.2		Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement

24.1		Power of Attorney is contained on signature pages to this Registration Statement

99.1		1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents


EXHIBITS
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 5.1
EXHIBIT 23.1
EXHIBIT 99.1