MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS INC
S-1/A, 1996-05-13
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
Previous: ZOMAX OPTICAL MEDIA INC, POS AM, 1996-05-13
Next: KENWOOD BANCORP INC, S-1/A, 1996-05-13



<PAGE>   1
 
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 13, 1996
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-02400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
 
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
          CALIFORNIA                        8731                        94-3186021
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF  (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)   CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                                850 MAUDE AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (415) 428-1550
   (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                 JAMES E. RURKA
                     PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND
                                    DIRECTOR
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                                850 MAUDE AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (415) 428-1550
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                               AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
          MICHAEL J. O'DONNELL, ESQ.                      THOMAS C. JANSON, JR.
    WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.                SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
              650 PAGE MILL ROAD                              MEAGHER & FLOM
         PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304                      300 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE
                (415) 493-9300                        LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
                                                              (213) 687-5000
</TABLE>
 
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
reinvestment plans, check the following box. / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following
box.  / /
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                 <C>             <C>             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        PROPOSED        PROPOSED
                                                        MAXIMUM         MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS                    AMOUNT           OFFERING       AGGREGATE       AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES TO                       TO BE             PRICE          OFFERING      REGISTRATION
BE REGISTERED                        REGISTERED       PER SHARE(2)      PRICE(2)         FEE(3)
- --------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $0.001
  per share..................... 2,875,000 shares(1)      $14.00      $40,250,000       $13,879
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes 375,000 shares which the Underwriters have the option to purchase
    to cover over-allotments, if any.
 
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration
    fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
(3) Fee previously paid in connection with original filing on March 18, 1996.
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ITEM AND HEADING IN
       FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT PROSPECTUS             LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
       ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>                                          <C>
  1.   Forepart of the Registration Statement and
       Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus....   Outside Front Cover Page
  2.   Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages
       of Prospectus ............................   Inside Front Cover Page; Outside Back
                                                    Cover Page
  3.   Summary Information and Risk Factors......   Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; The
                                                    Company
  4.   Use of Proceeds...........................   Use of Proceeds
  5.   Determination of Offering Price...........   Underwriting
  6.   Dilution..................................   Dilution
  7.   Selling Security Holders..................   Not Applicable
  8.   Plan of Distribution......................   Outside and Inside Front Cover Pages;
                                                    Underwriting
  9.   Description of Securities to be
       Registered................................   Prospectus Summary; Capitalization;
                                                    Description of Capital Stock
 10.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel....   Legal Matters
 11.   Information with Respect to the
       Registrant................................   Outside and Inside Front Cover Pages;
                                                    Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; The
                                                    Company; Use of Proceeds; Dividend Policy;
                                                    Capitalization; Dilution; Selected
                                                    Financial Data; Management's Discussion
                                                    and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                                                    Results of Operations; Business;
                                                    Management; Certain Transactions;
                                                    Principal Stockholders; Description of
                                                    Capital Stock; Shares Eligible for Future
                                                    Sale; Financial Statements
 12.   Disclosure of Commission Position on
       Indemnification for Securities Act
       Liabilities...............................   Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OF QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                   PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 13, 1996
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                2,500,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 
     All of the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being issued
and sold by Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Microcide" or the "Company").
Prior to this offering (the "Offering"), there has been no public market for the
Common Stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price
per share of Common Stock will be between $12.00 and $14.00. See "Underwriting"
for information relating to the factors to be considered in determining the
initial public offering price. Application has been made to have the Company's
Common Stock quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "MCDE."
 
      SEE "RISK FACTORS" (BEGINNING ON PAGE 5) FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
MATERIAL RISK FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
    ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
     CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                  <C>                  <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        PRICE TO           UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO
                                         PUBLIC             DISCOUNT(1)          COMPANY(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share.........................           $                   $                    $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)..........................           $                   $                    $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against, and to
    provide contribution with respect to, certain liabilities, including certain
    liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See
    "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $800,000 payable by the Company.
 
(3) The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
    days after the date hereof, to purchase up to 375,000 additional shares of
    Common Stock, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is
    exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and
    Proceeds to Company will be $          , $          and $          ,
    respectively. See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters and certain
other conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or
modify such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made in New York, New York, on or
about             , 1996.
                            ------------------------
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                            ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                                      INCORPORATED
                                                   COWEN & COMPANY
                            ------------------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1996.
<PAGE>   4
 


                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]






          [Narrative description:  Graphic description of the stages
                     of the Company's research programs]




 
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     Microcide(TM), Microcide Pharmaceuticals(TM) and the Microcide logo are
claimed as trademarks of the Company. This Prospectus also includes names and
marks of companies other than the Company.
<PAGE>   5
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Investors should carefully consider the information set forth under
the heading "Risk Factors."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Microcide is a biopharmaceutical company founded to discover, develop and
commercialize novel antibiotics for the treatment of serious bacterial
infections. The Company's discovery and development programs address the growing
problem of bacterial drug resistance through two principal themes: (i) Targeted
Antibiotics, which focuses on developing novel antibiotics and antibiotic
potentiators, and (ii) Targeted Genomics, which utilizes bacterial genetics to
discover new classes of antibiotics and other novel treatments for bacterial
disease.
 
     The Company believes that the antibiotics market provides an attractive
opportunity for its research and development activities because (i) it is the
third largest pharmaceutical market, totaling $22.9 billion in worldwide sales,
including $6.3 billion in the United States, for the twelve months ended
September 1995; (ii) there are significant unmet clinical needs, caused by
growing bacterial resistance problems, that require new antibacterial therapies;
and (iii) the preclinical and clinical development process for antibiotics
generally follows an efficient and well-defined path to the market.
 
     Microcide's Targeted Antibiotics programs seek to rapidly develop
clinically useful antibiotics tailored to treat specific bacterial infections,
as well as antibiotic potentiators, which will overcome resistance pathways and
restore usefulness to existing antibiotics that have been rendered ineffective.
The specific problematic bacteria being addressed by the Company (staphylococci,
enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae) are
responsible for 44% of the approximately two million hospital-acquired
infections occurring annually in the United States. These infections are
estimated to result in approximately eight million days of extended hospital
stay and account for more than $4.0 billion in additional health care costs each
year.
 
     Microcide's Targeted Genomics programs seek to identify the
pharmaceutically relevant portion of bacterial genomes that are essential to
bacterial viability in vitro (the Essential Genes Program) or to bacterial
growth and virulence in vivo (the Pathogenesis Program). In the Essential Genes
Program, Microcide has identified approximately 80 essential gene targets which
are being incorporated into the Company's high-throughput, multi-channel
screening system to discover new classes of antibiotics. In the Pathogenesis
Program, Microcide is developing and utilizing new molecular genetics
technologies to identify pathogenesis genes in order to discover and develop
novel therapeutic agents.
 
     The Company has entered into collaborative agreements with three major
pharmaceutical companies to enhance certain of its discovery and development
programs. To date, the Company's collaborative partners have provided the
Company with $11.3 million of license fees and research support payments and
$10.0 million in equity investments. Assuming each of the collaborative
agreements continues until its scheduled expiration, the Company will be
entitled to receive an additional $34.2 million of research support payments.
The Company has retained rights to products which may result from its internal
programs.
 
     Ortho/J&J.  Microcide is collaborating with Ortho Pharmaceutical
Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company ("Ortho/J&J"), to discover and develop
novel beta-lactam antibiotics, antibiotic potentiators and inhibitors of
bacterial signal transduction targeted at problematic Gram-positive bacteria,
including staphylococci and enterococci. The Company expects to select with
Ortho/J&J its initial product candidate, a Gram-positive beta-lactam, in 1996
and to enter into clinical trials during 1997. If specified research and
development milestones are achieved, the Company will be entitled to receive up
to $16.5 million for the initial product and up to $15.5 million for each
subsequent product developed within the collaboration.
 
     Daiichi.  Microcide is collaborating with Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
("Daiichi") to discover and develop bacterial efflux pump inhibitors to be used
in combination with Daiichi's quinolone antibiotics to target Gram-negative
bacteria, including pseudomonas. The Company expects to select with Daiichi its
first quinolone potentiation candidate by mid-1997 for clinical development. If
specified research and development milestones are achieved, Microcide will be
entitled to receive up to $13.0 million for each product developed within the
collaboration.
 
     Pfizer.  Microcide is collaborating with Pfizer Inc ("Pfizer") to implement
its essential gene and multi-channel screening system to discover novel classes
of antibiotics. If specified research and development milestones are achieved,
Microcide will be entitled to receive milestone payments of up to $32.5 million
for each product developed within the collaboration.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Common Stock offered.............................   2,500,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  Offering.......................................   10,256,981 shares(1)
Use of proceeds..................................   To fund certain of the Company's
                                                    research and development activities and
                                                    for general corporate purposes. See "Use
                                                    of Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol...........   MCDE
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 1996, on a
    fully converted basis. Excludes 160,187 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    exercise of warrants and 690,600 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 1996. See
    "Business -- Collaborative Agreements," "Management -- Employee Benefit
    Plans," "Description of Capital Stock," and Note 8 of Notes to Financial
    Statements.
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PERIOD FROM
                                                  INCEPTION                              THREE MONTHS
                                                (DECEMBER 11,         YEAR ENDED            ENDED
                                                    1992)            DECEMBER 31,         MARCH 31,
                                               TO DECEMBER 31,     -----------------   ----------------
                                                     1993           1994      1995      1995      1996
                                              ------------------   -------   -------   -------   ------
<S>                                           <C>                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  License fees...............................      $     --        $    --   $ 3,000   $    --   $1,000
  Research revenue...........................            --             --     1,985        --    1,625
                                                    -------        -------   -------
     Total revenues..........................            --             --     4,985        --    2,625
Operating expenses:
  Research and development...................         1,685          5,180     6,400     1,324    1,780
  General and administrative.................         1,251          1,823     2,080       479      526
                                                    -------        -------   -------
     Total operating expenses................         2,936          7,003     8,480     1,803    2,306
                                                    -------        -------   -------
Income (loss) from operations................        (2,936)        (7,003)   (3,495)   (1,803)     319
Interest income..............................            32            218       257        85      137
Interest expense.............................           (13)          (249)     (278)      (70)     (73)
                                                    -------        -------   -------
     Net income (loss).......................      $ (2,917)       $(7,034)  $(3,516)  $(1,788)  $  383
                                                    =======        =======   =======
Pro forma net income (loss) per share(1).....                                $ (0.44)  $ (0.22)  $ 0.04
                                                                             =======
Shares used in computing pro forma net loss
  per share(1)...............................                                  8,052     8,039    8,563
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                      ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                                      -------     --------------
<S>                                                                   <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents...........................................  $15,093        $ 44,518
Working capital.....................................................   11,020          40,445
Total assets........................................................   20,691          50,116
Long-term obligations...............................................    1,810           1,810
Deficit accumulated during development stage........................  (13,084)        (13,084)
Total stockholders' equity..........................................   14,596          44,021
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for information concerning the
    calculation of pro forma net loss per share.
 
(2) As adjusted to reflect the sale of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered
    by the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $13 per
    share and the receipt of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of
    Proceeds."
 
                            ------------------------
 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus (i) assumes
the Underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised, (ii) assumes the
Company's reincorporation in the State of Delaware, which will be completed
prior to the consummation of the Offering, (iii) reflects a 1-for-5 reverse
stock split effective April 5, 1996, and (iv) assumes the issuance of 6,880,791
shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of outstanding shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock, which will occur in accordance with the terms thereof upon
completion of the Offering. See "Capitalization," "Description of Capital Stock"
and "Underwriting."
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act"). Actual results and the timing of certain events could
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a
result of the risk factors set forth below and other factors discussed elsewhere
in this Prospectus. An investment in the shares of Common Stock being offered
hereby involves a high degree of risk. Accordingly, prospective investors should
consider carefully the following risk factors, as well as all other information
contained in this Prospectus, before purchasing the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby.
 
     ABSENCE OF DEVELOPED PRODUCTS; EARLY STAGE OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.  The
Company was founded in December 1992, has not commenced clinical development of
any drugs and does not expect that any drugs resulting from its and its
collaborative partners' research and development efforts will be commercially
available for a significant number of years, if at all. Since inception, the
Company has focused its activities on the development of a gene function-based
technology platform and other proprietary information to identify and
commercialize novel antibiotics for the treatment of serious bacterial
infections. It is difficult to predict when, if ever, the Company will be able
to successfully discover novel lead compounds for potential development as
product candidates. All compounds discovered by the Company will require
extensive preclinical and clinical testing prior to submission of any regulatory
application for commercial use. Extensive preclinical and clinical testing
required to establish safety and efficacy will take a number of years, and the
time required to commercialize new drugs cannot be predicted with accuracy.
There can be no assurance that the Company's approach to drug discovery, or the
efforts of any collaborative partner of the Company, will result in the
development of any drugs, or that any drugs, if successfully developed, will be
proven to be safe and effective in clinical trials, meet applicable regulatory
standards, be capable of being manufactured in commercial quantities at
reasonable costs or be successfully commercialized. Product development of new
pharmaceuticals is highly uncertain, and unanticipated developments, clinical or
regulatory delays, unexpected adverse effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy
would slow or prevent product development efforts of the Company or its
collaborative partners and have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations. See "Business."
 
     DEPENDENCE ON COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND OTHERS.  Part of the Company's
business strategy is to enhance its research and development capabilities, and
to fund in part its capital requirements by entering into collaborative and
licensing arrangements with major pharmaceutical companies. The Company has
entered into two Research and License Agreements, dated as of October 24, 1995,
with Ortho/J&J and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute (the
"Ortho/J&J Agreements"), a Joint Research Agreement, dated as of November 6,
1995, with Daiichi (the "Daiichi Agreement"), and a Collaborative Research
Agreement and License and Royalty Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1996, with
Pfizer (the "Pfizer Agreements" and, together with the Ortho/J&J Agreements and
the Daiichi Agreement, the "Collaborative Agreements"). Under the Collaborative
Agreements, which cover three of the Company's programs, each of Ortho/J&J,
Daiichi and Pfizer is responsible for (i) selecting compounds discovered in its
collaboration with the Company for subsequent development, (ii) conducting
preclinical testing, clinical trials and obtaining required regulatory approvals
of such drug candidates, and (iii) manufacturing and commercializing resulting
drugs. As a result, the Company's receipt of revenues (whether in the form of
continued research funding, product development milestones or royalties on
sales) under the Collaborative Agreements is dependent upon the decisions made
and activities undertaken by its collaborative partners and upon the
development, manufacturing and marketing resources of its collaborative
partners. The amount and timing of resources dedicated by the Company's
collaborative partners to their respective collaborations with the Company is
not within the Company's control. Moreover, certain compounds discovered by the
Company may be viewed by the Company's collaborative partners as competitive
with such partners' products or potential products. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that the Company's collaborators will elect to proceed with the
development of compounds which the Company believes to be promising, or that
they will not pursue their existing or alternative technologies in preference to
such compounds. There can be no assurance that the interests of the Company will
continue to coincide with those of its collaborative partners, that some of the
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
Company's collaborative partners will not develop independently or with third
parties drugs that could compete with drugs of the types covered by the
collaborations, or that disagreements over rights or technology or other
proprietary interests will not occur.
 
     The Company is dependent on its collaborative partners to fund a
substantial portion of its activities over the next several years. However,
Ortho/J&J can terminate its collaboration with the Company at any time upon six
months' prior written notice, Daiichi can terminate its collaboration with the
Company at any time after July 1, 1997 upon six months' prior written notice,
and Pfizer can terminate its collaboration with the Company at any time after
February 1999 upon six months' prior written notice. If any of the Company's
collaborative partners terminates or breaches its Collaborative Agreement with
the Company, or fails to devote adequate resources to or to conduct in a timely
manner its collaborative activities, the research program under the applicable
Collaborative Agreement or the development and commercialization of drug
candidates subject to such collaboration would be materially adversely affected.
Further, there can be no assurance that the Company's collaborations with
Ortho/J&J, Daiichi and Pfizer will be successful. Nor can there be any assurance
that the Company will be able to enter into acceptable collaborative or
licensing arrangements with other pharmaceutical companies in the future, or
that, if negotiated, such arrangements would be successful. See
"Business -- Collaborative Agreements."
 
     The Company intends to rely on its collaborative partners for the
manufacturing and marketing of any products which result from such
collaborations. In addition, as part of its business strategy, the Company plans
to retain rights to certain research programs not currently covered by the
Collaborative Agreements for internal product development and subsequent
commercialization by the Company in North America. Outside North America, the
Company anticipates entering into collaborations with third parties for
distribution and commercialization of any products developed internally by the
Company. See "Business -- Microcide's Research Programs." There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able either to successfully commercialize any
internally developed products in North America itself or to enter into any such
collaborations for distribution and commercialization of such products outside
North America on acceptable terms, if at all.
 
     FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS; UNCERTAINTY OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING.  The operation of
the Company's business will require substantial capital resources. The Company
believes that the anticipated net proceeds from this Offering, together with its
existing capital resources, interest income and future payments due under the
Collaborative Agreements, will be sufficient to enable it to satisfy its current
funding requirements through 1998. However, there is no assurance that such
funds will be sufficient to meet the capital needs of the Company during such
period. Moreover, a significant amount of the future payments due under the
Collaborative Agreements is contingent upon achieving various milestones, and
there can be no assurance that the Company will receive the expected level of
payments under the Collaborative Agreements. In the event that the Company
requires additional funding, the Company will seek to raise such additional
funding from other sources, including other collaborative partners and
licensees, and through public or private financings, including sales of equity
or debt securities. Any such collaborative or licensing arrangement could result
in limitations on the Company's ability to control the research and development
of potential drugs and the commercialization of resulting drugs, if any, and
could limit profits, if any, therefrom. Any such equity financing could result
in dilution to the Company's then-existing stockholders. There can be no
assurance that additional funds will be available on favorable terms or at all,
or that such funds, if raised, would be sufficient to permit the Company to
continue to conduct its operations. If adequate funds are not available, the
Company may be required to curtail significantly or eliminate one or more of its
research programs. See "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources" and "Business -- Collaborative Agreements."
 
     HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT; NO PRODUCT
REVENUE.  The Company has incurred net losses every year since its inception in
December 1992. At March 31, 1996, the Company's accumulated deficit was
approximately $13.1 million. Losses have resulted principally from costs
incurred in connection with the Company's research and development activities
and from general and administrative costs associated with the Company's
operations. The Company expects to continue to incur operating losses. The only
revenues generated by the Company to date have resulted from license fees and
research support payments under the Collaborative Agreements. Microcide's right
to receive research support payments under
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
the Ortho/J&J Agreements, the Daiichi Agreement and the Pfizer Agreements are
scheduled to expire in October 1998, March 1998 and February 2001, respectively,
unless the research programs under such agreements are extended or earlier
terminated. Research support payments under each of the Collaborative Agreements
will terminate if Ortho/J&J, Daiichi or Pfizer terminates its research program
with the Company earlier than the scheduled expiration date of such research
program. See "Business -- Collaborative Agreements." The Company will not
receive revenues or royalties from drug sales unless it or one of its
collaborative partners successfully completes clinical trials with respect to a
drug candidate, obtains regulatory approvals for that drug candidate and
commercializes the resulting drug. The Company will not receive revenues or
royalties from sales of drugs for a significant number of years, if at all.
Failure to receive significant revenue or achieve profitable operations could
impair the Company's ability to sustain operations, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will ever receive significant revenues or achieve
profitable operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
     DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY AND UNPREDICTABILITY OF PATENT
PROTECTION.  The Company's success depends, in part, on its ability to
establish, protect and enforce its proprietary rights relating to its lead
compounds, gene discoveries, screening technology and certain other proprietary
technology. The Company has filed approximately 30 patent applications in the
United States, in addition to applications filed in other countries, in order to
protect lead compounds, gene discoveries and screening technology, but no United
States or foreign patent has been issued to the Company to date. The patent
position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies is highly uncertain and
involves many complex legal and technical issues. There can be no assurance that
patents will be granted with respect to any of the Company's patent applications
currently pending in the United States or in other countries, or with respect to
applications filed by the Company in the future. The failure by the Company to
obtain patents pursuant to the applications referred to herein and any future
applications could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Furthermore,
no assurance can be given that any patents which may be issued to the Company
will not be infringed, challenged, invalidated or circumvented by others, or
that the rights granted thereunder will provide competitive advantages to the
Company. In particular, it is difficult to enforce patents covering methods of
use of screening and other similar technologies. Litigation to establish the
validity of patents, to defend against patent infringement claims and to assert
infringement claims against others can be expensive and time-consuming, even if
the outcome is favorable to the Company. If the outcome of patent prosecution or
litigation is not favorable to the Company, the Company could be materially
adversely affected.
 
     The commercial success of the Company also depends on the Company's ability
to operate without infringing patents and proprietary rights of third parties.
There can be no assurance that the Company's products will not infringe on the
patents or proprietary rights of others. The Company may be required to obtain
licenses to patents or other proprietary rights of others. No assurance can be
given that any such licenses would be made available on terms acceptable to the
Company, if at all. The failure to obtain such licenses could result in delays
in the Company's or its collaborative partners' activities, including the
development, manufacture or sale of drugs requiring such licenses, or preclude
such development, manufacture or sale. See "Business -- Collaborative
Agreements" and "Business -- Patents, Proprietary Technology and Trade Secrets."
 
     In addition to patent protection, the Company relies on trade secrets,
proprietary know-how and technological advances which it seeks to protect, in
part, by confidentiality agreements with its collaborative partners, employees
and consultants. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be
breached, that the Company would have adequate remedies for any such breach, or
that the Company's trade secrets, proprietary know-how and technological
advances will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered by
others.
 
     RISK OF TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE; HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY.  The
Company operates in a field in which new developments are occurring at an
increasing pace. Competition from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies,
joint ventures, academic and other research institutions and others is intense
and is expected to increase. Many of the Company's competitors have
substantially greater financial, technical and personnel resources than the
Company. Although the Company believes that it has identified new and distinct
approaches to drug discovery, there are other companies with drug discovery
programs, at least some of the
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
objectives of which are the same as or similar to those of the Company.
Competing technologies may be developed which would render the Company's
technologies obsolete or non-competitive. The Company is aware of many
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are engaged in efforts to treat
each of the infectious diseases for which the Company is seeking to develop
therapeutic products. There can be no assurance that competitors of the Company
will not develop competing drugs that are more effective than those developed by
the Company and its collaborative partners or obtain regulatory approvals of
their drugs more rapidly than the Company and its collaborative partners,
thereby rendering the Company's and its collaborative partners' drugs obsolete
or noncompetitive. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Company's
competitors will not obtain patent protection or other intellectual property
rights that would limit the Company's or its collaborative partners' ability to
use the Company's technology or commercialize its or their drugs. See
"Business -- Competition."
 
     NO ASSURANCE OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE OR THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT.  There can
be no assurance that any products successfully developed by the Company or its
collaborative partners, if approved for marketing, will achieve market
acceptance. The antibiotic products which the Company is attempting to develop
will compete with a number of well-established traditional antibiotic drugs
manufactured and marketed by major pharmaceutical companies. The degree of
market acceptance of any products developed by the Company will depend on a
number of factors, including the establishment and demonstration in the medical
community of the clinical efficacy and safety of the Company's product
candidates, their potential advantage over existing treatment methods, and
reimbursement policies of government and third-party payors. There is no
assurance that physicians, patients or the medical community in general will
accept and utilize any products that may be developed by the Company or its
collaborative partners.
 
     The ability of the Company and its collaborative partners to receive
revenues and income with respect to drugs, if any, developed through the use of
the Company's technology will depend, in part, upon the extent to which
reimbursement for the cost of such drugs will be available from third-party
payors, such as government health administration authorities, private health
care insurers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefits management
companies and other organizations. Third-party payors are increasingly
challenging the prices charged for pharmaceutical products. There can be no
assurance that third-party reimbursement will be available or sufficient to
allow profitable price levels to be maintained for drugs developed by the
Company or its collaborative partners. The inability to maintain profitable
price levels for such drugs could adversely affect the Company's business.
 
     LACK OF MANUFACTURING, MARKETING OR SALES CAPABILITIES.  The Company does
not have any experience in the manufacture of commercial quantities of drugs,
and its current facilities and staff are inadequate for the commercial
production or distribution of drugs. The Company intends to rely on its
collaborative partners for the manufacturing, marketing and sales of any
products which result from such collaborations. The Company will be required to
contract with third parties for the manufacture of other products or to acquire
or build production facilities before it can manufacture any such products
itself. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enter into
such contractual manufacturing arrangements with third parties on acceptable
terms, if at all, or acquire or build such production facilities itself. To date
the Company has no experience with sales, marketing or distribution.
Consequently, in order to market any of its products, the Company will be
required to develop marketing and sales capabilities, either on its own or in
conjunction with others. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to develop any of these capabilities.
 
     STRINGENT GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND NEED FOR PRODUCT APPROVALS.  The
preclinical testing and clinical trials of any compounds developed by the
Company or its collaborative partners and the manufacturing and marketing of any
drugs resulting therefrom are subject to regulation by numerous federal, state
and local governmental authorities in the United States, the principal one of
which is the United States Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"), and by
similar agencies in other countries in which drugs developed by the Company or
its collaborative partners may be tested and marketed (each of such federal,
state, local and other authorities and agencies, a "Regulatory Agency"). Any
compound developed by the Company or its collaborative partners must receive
Regulatory Agency approval before it may be marketed as a drug in a particular
country. The regulatory process, which includes preclinical testing and clinical
trials of each
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
compound in order to establish its safety and efficacy, can take many years and
requires the expenditure of substantial resources. Data obtained from
preclinical and clinical activities are susceptible to varying interpretations
which could delay, limit or prevent Regulatory Agency approval. In addition,
delays or rejections may be encountered based upon changes in Regulatory Agency
policy during the period of drug development and/or the period of review of any
application for Regulatory Agency approval for a compound. Delays in obtaining
Regulatory Agency approvals could adversely affect the marketing of any drugs
developed by the Company or its collaborative partners, impose costly procedures
upon the Company's and its collaborative partners' activities, diminish any
competitive advantages that the Company or its collaborative partners may attain
and adversely affect the Company's ability to receive royalties. There can be no
assurance that, even after such time and expenditures, Regulatory Agency
approvals will be obtained for any compounds developed by or in collaboration
with the Company. Moreover, if Regulatory Agency approval for a drug is granted,
such approval may entail limitations on the indicated uses for which it may be
marketed that could limit the potential market for any such drug. Furthermore,
approved drugs and their manufacturers are subject to continual review, and
discovery of previously unknown problems with a drug or its manufacturer may
result in restrictions on such drug or manufacturer, including withdrawal of the
drug from the market. In addition, Regulatory Agency approval of prices is
required in many countries and may be required for the marketing of any drug
developed by the Company or its collaborative partners in such countries. See
"Business -- Government Regulation."
 
     UNCERTAINTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING; IMPACT OF HEALTH CARE REFORM
MEASURES. The levels of revenue and profitability of pharmaceutical companies
may be affected by continuing governmental efforts to contain or reduce the
costs of health care through various means. For example, in certain foreign
markets pricing or profitability of prescription pharmaceuticals is already
subject to governmental control. In the United States, there have been, and the
Company expects that there will continue to be, a number of federal and state
proposals to implement similar governmental control. Cost control initiatives
could decrease the price that the Company or its collaborative partners receive
for any products which it or they may develop in the future and have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. Further, to the extent that such proposals or initiatives have a
material adverse effect on the Company's collaborative partners or potential
collaborative partners, the Company's ability to commercialize its potential
products may be materially adversely affected.
 
     POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS; ABSENCE OF INSURANCE.  The Company
faces an inherent business risk of exposure to potential product liability
claims in the event that drugs, if any, developed through the use of its
technology are alleged to have caused adverse effects on patients. Such risk
exists for products being tested in human clinical trials, as well as products
that receive regulatory approval for commercial sale. The Company does not carry
product liability insurance. The Company will, if appropriate, seek to obtain
product liability insurance with respect to drugs developed by it and by its
collaborative partners. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to obtain such insurance. Even if such insurance is obtainable, there
can be no assurance that it can be acquired at a reasonable cost or in a
sufficient amount to protect the Company against liability that could have an
adverse effect on the Company.
 
     DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  The Company is highly dependent on its
management and scientific staff, including James E. Rurka, its President and
Chief Executive Officer, and Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D., its Chief Operating
Officer, as well as members of its scientific advisory board. Loss of the
services of any key individual could have an adverse effect on the Company. The
Company does not carry key-man life insurance on any of its executives. The
Company believes that its future success will depend, in part, on its ability to
attract and retain highly talented managerial and scientific personnel and
consultants. The Company faces intense competition for such personnel from,
among others, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic
and other research institutions. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to attract and retain the personnel it requires on acceptable terms. See
"Management -- Executive Officers, Directors and Key Employees,"
"Business -- Scientific Consultants" and "Certain Transactions."
 
     STRINGENT REGULATIONS RELATING TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.  As with many
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, the Company's activities involve the
use of radioactive compounds and hazardous materials. As a consequence, the
Company is subject to numerous environmental and safety laws and regulations.
Any
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
violation of, and the cost of compliance with, these regulations could
materially adversely affect the Company's operations. The Company is subject to
periodic inspections, and has not received notice of any material violations of
any environmental or safety law or regulation. See "Business -- Government
Regulation."
 
     CONTROL BY MANAGEMENT AND CURRENT STOCKHOLDERS.  Upon completion of the
Offering, management of the Company, including executive officers and key
employees, will own or control approximately 4% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, and the existing stockholders of the Company will own or control
approximately 76% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (approximately 73%
if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) and will be
able to continue to elect the Company's Board of Directors and take other
corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, as well as dictate the
direction and policies of the Company. See "Principal Stockholders" and
"Underwriting."
 
     EFFECT OF CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAWS PROVISIONS; CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS.  Certain provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws to be adopted by the Company prior to the completion of the Offering in
connection with its reincorporation in Delaware (the "Restated Certificate" and
"Bylaws", respectively) may have the effect of making it more difficult for a
third party to acquire, or discouraging a third party from attempting to
acquire, control of the Company. Such provisions could limit the price that
certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Common
Stock. Certain of these provisions allow the Company to issue Preferred Stock
without any vote or further action by the stockholders, provide for staggered
elections of the Company's Board of Directors and specify procedures for
director nominations by stockholders and submission of other proposals for
consideration at stockholder meetings. None of these provisions provide for
cumulative voting in the election of directors. Certain provisions of Delaware
law applicable to the Company could also delay or make more difficult a merger,
tender offer or proxy contest involving the Company, including Section 203 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation
from engaging in any business combination with any stockholder owning fifteen
percent or more of Company's outstanding voting stock ("interested stockholder")
for a period of three years from the date a stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder unless certain conditions are met. The possible issuance of
Preferred Stock, the procedures required for director nominations and
stockholder proposals and Delaware law could have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company, including without
limitation, discouraging a proxy contest or making more difficult the
acquisition of a substantial block of Common Stock. These provisions could also
limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares
of Common Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock."
 
     POTENTIAL ADVERSE MARKET IMPACT OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  Sales
of substantial amounts of the Common Stock in the public market after the
Offering could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. Upon
completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding 10,256,981 shares
of Common Stock (including shares to be issued upon conversion of the
Convertible Preferred Stock upon completion of the Offering). All of the
2,500,000 shares sold in the Offering will be freely transferable as of the date
of this Prospectus by persons other than "affiliates" of the Company without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. The remaining
7,756,981 shares of Common Stock that will be outstanding upon completion of the
Offering (the "Restricted Shares") will be held by officers, directors,
employees, consultants and other stockholders of the Company. The Restricted
Shares were sold by the Company in reliance on exemptions from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and are "restricted securities" under the
Securities Act. The officers, directors, employees and certain stockholders of
the Company, who together hold the Restricted Shares, have agreed not to sell
their shares without the consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated for a period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus. Certain
holders of shares of Common Stock and securities convertible into or exercisable
for shares of Common Stock have certain registration rights under a registration
rights agreement among such holders and the Company. The shares of Common Stock
covered by these registration rights include: the 6,880,791 shares of Common
Stock which will be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock
upon completion of the Offering; and the 160,187 shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock for which warrants are
exercisable. These registration rights have been waived in connection with the
Offering but will, subject to the agreements not to sell referred to above,
continue to apply
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
to the aforementioned shares of Common Stock upon completion of the Offering. In
addition, the Company intends to register approximately 1,380,000 shares of
Common Stock subject to outstanding stock options or reserved for issuance under
the Company's stock option plans and employee stock purchase plan following
completion of the Offering. See "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans" and
"Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
     ABSENCE OF PRIOR TRADING MARKET; DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE;
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE.  Prior to the Offering, there has been no
public market for the Common Stock, and there can be no assurance that an active
trading market will develop or be sustained or that shares of Common Stock can
be resold at or above the initial public offering price after the Offering. The
initial public offering price of the Common Stock has been established by
negotiation between the Company and the Representatives of the Underwriters.
Such price should not, however, be considered indicative of the actual value of
the Common Stock. See "Underwriting." There has been a history of significant
volatility in the market prices for shares of biotechnology companies, and it is
likely that the market price of the Common Stock will be similarly volatile.
Prices for the Common Stock following the Offering may be influenced by many
factors, including the depth of the market for the Common Stock, investor
perception of the Company, fluctuations in the Company's operating results and
market conditions relating to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
In addition, the market price of the Common Stock may be influenced by
announcements of technological innovations, new commercial drugs or clinical
progress or the lack thereof by the Company, its collaborative partners or its
competitors. In addition, announcements concerning regulatory developments,
developments with respect to proprietary rights and the Company's collaborations
may also affect the market price of the Common Stock. Period-to-period
fluctuations in financial results and general market conditions could also have
a significant impact on the Company's business and on the market price of the
Common Stock. Finally, future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock by
existing stockholders could also adversely affect the prevailing price of the
Common Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock," "Shares Eligible for Future
Sale" and "Underwriting."
 
     DILUTION.  The initial public offering price is expected to be
substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of Common Stock.
Investors purchasing shares of Common Stock in the Offering will, therefore,
incur immediate and substantial dilution. Assuming an initial public offering
price of $13 per share, the immediate dilution to purchasers of shares of Common
Stock in the Offering is $8.71 per share of Common Stock, or 67%. Additional
dilution is likely to occur upon the exercise of options and warrants granted by
the Company. See "Dilution."
 
     ABSENCE OF CASH DIVIDENDS.  The Company has never paid any cash dividends
and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See
"Dividend Policy."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company originally was incorporated in California in December 1992, and
anticipates that it will reincorporate in Delaware prior to the completion of
the Offering. The Company's offices are located at 850 Maude Avenue, Mountain
View, California 94043, and its telephone number is (415) 428-1550.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of Common
Stock offered hereby, after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by the
Company, are estimated to be approximately
$29.4 million ($34.0 million if the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment
option in full).
 
     The Company expects to use approximately $18 million of the net proceeds of
the Offering to fund its research and development activities, including the
Company's Targeted Genomics programs and Cell Wall Program; approximately $6
million of the net proceeds of the Offering for leasehold improvements to the
Company's facilities, the purchase of additional laboratory equipment and other
capital expenditures; and the balance of the net proceeds of the Offering for
working capital and general corporate purposes. The amount and timing of these
expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of the
Company's research and development programs. Pending application of the net
proceeds of the Offering as described above, the Company intends to invest such
proceeds in United States government securities and investment grade,
interest-bearing instruments.
 
     The Company believes that its existing capital resources, together with the
net proceeds from the Offering, interest income and future payments due under
the Collaborative Agreements, will be sufficient to satisfy its current and
projected funding requirements at least through 1998. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its capital stock and does not
anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company
currently expects to retain future earnings to fund the growth and development
of its operations.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company (i) as of
March 31, 1996, after giving effect to the 1-for-5 reverse stock split of the
Common Stock and the Convertible Preferred Stock, (ii) on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Convertible
Preferred Stock into Common Stock and the authorization of 5,000,000 shares of
undesignated Preferred Stock upon the closing of the Offering, and (iii) as
adjusted to give effect to the receipt of the estimated net proceeds from the
sale of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial
public offering price of $13 per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         MARCH 31, 1996
                                                           -------------------------------------------
                                                             ACTUAL         PRO FORMA      AS ADJUSTED
                                                           -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>
Long-term obligations....................................   $   1,810       $   1,810       $   1,810
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, no par value, 7,810,000 shares
     authorized, 6,880,791 shares issued and outstanding,
     actual, 5,000,000 shares authorized, $0.001 par
     value, no shares issued and outstanding, pro forma
     and as adjusted.....................................      27,425              --              --
  Common Stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares
     authorized,
     876,190 shares issued and outstanding, actual,
     50,000,000 shares authorized, $0.001 par value,
     7,756,981 shares issued and outstanding pro forma,
     and 10,256,981 shares issued and outstanding as
     adjusted(1).........................................       2,266          29,691          59,116
  Stockholder note receivable............................         (35)            (35)            (35)
  Deferred compensation..................................      (1,974)         (1,974)         (1,974)
  Net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale...          (2)             (2)             (2)
  Deficit accumulated during development stage...........     (13,084)        (13,084)        (13,084)
                                                             --------        --------
     Total stockholders' equity..........................      14,596          14,596          44,021
                                                             --------        --------
       Total capitalization..............................   $  16,406       $  16,406       $  45,831
                                                             ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes as of March 31, 1996, 690,600 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 1996 with a weighted
    average exercise price of $0.97 per share, of which options to purchase
    236,696 shares of Common Stock are exercisable. Also excludes warrants to
    purchase 160,187 shares of various series of Convertible Preferred Stock at
    an average exercise price of $2.85 per share. See "Management -- Employee
    Benefit Plans."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
                                    DILUTION
 
     The pro forma net tangible book value of the Company's Common Stock as of
March 31, 1996, was approximately $14.6 million, or $1.88 per share. "Pro forma
net tangible book value" represents the amount of the Company's total tangible
assets reduced by the amount of its total liabilities and divided by the pro
forma total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (reflecting the
conversion of all outstanding Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock upon
the closing of the Offering). Without taking into account any changes in such
pro forma net tangible book value after March 31, 1996, other than to give
effect to the receipt by the Company of the net proceeds from the sale of the
2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial public
offering price of $13 per share, the adjusted pro forma net tangible book value
of the Company as of March 31, 1996 would have been $44.0 million, or $4.29 per
share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book
value of $2.41 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of
$8.71 per share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per share
dilution:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>       <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share.................              $13.00
Pro forma net tangible book value per share at March 31, 1996...     $1.88
Increase per share attributable to new investors................      2.41
                                                                        --
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after the                           4.29
  Offering......................................................                  --
Dilution per share to new investors.............................              $ 8.71
                                                                                  ==
</TABLE>
 
     The following table summarizes on a pro forma basis, as of March 31, 1996,
the differences between existing stockholders and new investors (at an assumed
initial public offering price of $13 per share and before deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the
Company) with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the
Company, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SHARES PURCHASED          TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                ----------------------     -----------------------     AVERAGE PRICE
                                  NUMBER       PERCENT       AMOUNT        PERCENT       PER SHARE
                                ----------     -------     -----------     -------     -------------
    <S>                         <C>            <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>
    Existing stockholders.....   7,756,981       75.6%     $27,579,000       45.9%        $  3.56
    New investors.............   2,500,000       24.4       32,500,000       54.1           13.00
                                                 ----                        ----
    Total.....................  10,256,981      100.0%     $60,079,000      100.0%
                                                 ====                        ====
</TABLE>
 
     The foregoing computations assume no exercise of stock options or warrants
after March 31, 1996. As of March 31, 1996, there were outstanding options to
purchase 690,600 shares of Common Stock, with a weighted average exercise price
of $0.97 per share and warrants to purchase 160,187 shares of various series of
Convertible Preferred Stock at an average price of $2.85 per share. In addition,
as of March 31, 1996, 485,450 shares of Common Stock were reserved for future
issuance under the Company's stock plans. If all options and warrants
outstanding at March 31, 1996 were exercised for cash, the pro forma net
tangible book value per share immediately after completion of the Offering would
be $4.06 per share. See "Management -- Employee Benefit Plans" and "Description
of Capital Stock."
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The selected financial data set forth below as of December 31, 1994 and
1995, for the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to December 31, 1993,
the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 have been derived from the Company's
financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, and are included elsewhere herein. The selected financial data set
forth below as of March 31, 1996, for the three month periods ended March 31,
1995 and 1996 and for the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to March 31,
1996 have been derived from unaudited financial statements included elsewhere
herein and include, in the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the
Company's financial position at that date and results of operations for those
periods. The results for the three months ended March 31, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results for any future period. The selected
financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the
Financial Statements of the Company and related notes thereto and other
financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PERIOD FROM                                                               PERIOD FROM
                                       INCEPTION                                                                 INCEPTION
                                     (DECEMBER 11,             YEAR ENDED                THREE MONTHS ENDED    (DECEMBER 11,
                                       1992) TO               DECEMBER 31,                    MARCH 31,          1992) TO
                                     DECEMBER 31,    -------------------------------     -------------------     MARCH 31,
                                         1993            1994              1995           1995        1996         1996
                                     -------------   -------------     -------------     -------     -------   -------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                  <C>             <C>               <C>               <C>         <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  License fees.....................     $    --         $       --        $    3,000     $    --     $ 1,000     $   4,000
  Research revenue.................          --                 --             1,985          --       1,625         3,610
                                        -------            -------           -------     --------
    Total revenues.................          --                 --             4,985          --       2,625         7,610
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.........       1,685              5,180             6,400       1,324       1,780        15,045
  General and administrative.......       1,251              1,823             2,080         479         526         5,680
                                        -------            -------           -------     --------
    Total operating expenses.......       2,936              7,003             8,480       1,803       2,306        20,725
                                        -------            -------           -------     --------
Income (loss) from operations......      (2,936)            (7,003)           (3,495)     (1,803)        319       (13,115)
Interest income....................          32                218               257          85         137           644
Interest expense...................         (13)              (249)             (278)        (70)        (73)         (613)
                                        -------            -------           -------     --------
    Net income (loss)..............     $(2,917)        $   (7,034)       $   (3,516)    $(1,788)    $   383     $ (13,084)
                                        =======            =======           =======     ========
Pro forma net income (loss) per
  share(1).........................                                       $    (0.44)    $ (0.22)    $  0.04
                                                                             =======     ========
Shares used in computing pro forma
  net income (loss) per share(1)...                                            8,052       8,039       8,563
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,          MARCH
                                                                          -------------------       31,
                                                                           1994        1995         1996
                                                                          -------     -------     --------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..............................................   $ 5,810     $ 8,517     $ 15,093
Working capital........................................................     4,845       6,388       11,020
Total assets...........................................................    11,340      13,493       20,691
Long-term obligations..................................................     2,530       2,075        1,810
Deficit accumulated during development stage...........................    (9,951)    (13,467)     (13,084)
Total stockholders' equity.............................................     7,506       9,151       14,596
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for information concerning the
    calculation of pro forma net loss per share.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
 
     Microcide is a biopharmaceutical company founded to discover, develop and
commercialize novel antibiotics for the treatment of serious bacterial
infections. The Company's discovery and development programs address the growing
problem of bacterial drug resistance through two principal themes: (i) Targeted
Antibiotics, which focus on developing novel antibiotics and antibiotic
potentiators, and (ii) Targeted Genomics, which utilize bacterial genetics to
discover new classes of antibiotics and other novel treatments for bacterial
disease.
 
     As part of the Company's strategy to enhance its research and development
capabilities and to fund, in part, its capital requirements, Microcide has
entered into collaborative agreements with three major pharmaceutical companies.
See "Business -- Strategy" and "Business -- Collaborative Agreements." Pursuant
to the Collaborative Agreements, the Company has received license fees and
research support payments, and can potentially receive additional research
support payments, milestone payments and royalty payments. License payments are
typically nonrefundable up-front payments for licenses to develop, manufacture
and market products, if any, that are developed as a result of the
collaboration. Research support payments are typically contractually obligated
payments to fund research and development over the term of the collaboration.
Milestone payments are payments contingent upon the achievement of specified
milestones, such as selection of candidates for drug development, the
commencement of clinical trials or receipt of regulatory approvals. If drugs are
successfully developed and commercialized as a result of the Collaborative
Agreements, the Company will receive royalty payments based upon the net sales
of such drugs.
 
     Through March 31, 1996, the Company had received in the aggregate $4.0
million in license payments and $5.6 million in research support payments under
the Collaborative Agreements. Assuming none of the Collaborative Agreements is
terminated prior to its scheduled expiration, the Company will be entitled to
receive an additional $35.9 million of research support payments in the
aggregate from Ortho, Daiichi and Pfizer. In addition, in the event that any of
the Collaborative Agreements are extended beyond their current terms, the
Company will be entitled to receive additional research support payments. See
"Risk Factors -- Dependence on Collaborative Partners and Others" and
"Business -- Collaborative Agreements."
 
     No milestone or royalty payments have yet been received. In the event that
the Company achieves the specified research and product development milestones,
the Company will be entitled to receive milestone payments as follows: up to
$16.5 million for the first product, and up to $15.5 million for each additional
product developed pursuant to the Ortho/J&J Agreements, up to $13.0 million for
each product developed pursuant to the Daiichi Agreement and up to $32.5 million
for each product developed pursuant to the Pfizer Agreements. Receipt of these
milestone payments are contingent upon achieving specified research and product
development milestones, a number of which may not be achieved for several years,
if ever. The Company does not expect to receive royalties based upon net sales
of drugs for a significant number of years, if at all. See "Risk
Factors -- Absence of Developed Products; Early Stage of Product Development."
 
     Quarterly results of operations are subject to significant fluctuations
based on the timing and amount of certain revenues earned under the
Collaborative Agreements. The Company expects to continue to incur operating
losses in the future.
 
     In addition to the revenues received under the Collaborative Agreements,
the Company received $5.0 million from the sale of equity to an affiliate of
Ortho/J&J in October 1995 in conjunction with the execution of the Ortho/J&J
Agreements, and an additional $5.0 million from the sale of equity to Pfizer in
March 1996 in conjunction with the execution of the Pfizer Agreements.
 
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995
 
     Revenues. Total revenues for the first quarter of 1996 were $2.6 million,
consisting of $1.0 million in license fees from Pfizer and $1.6 million in
revenues earned for research performed under the Collaborative Agreements.
Although the Company received $3.1 million in research support payments in the
first quarter of 1996, only $1.6 million was recognized as revenue in that
quarter, with the balance to be recognized as related research services are
performed under the Daiichi Agreement and the Pfizer Agreements. No revenues
were recognized for the first quarter of 1995 as no collaborative agreements
were in effect at that time. The Company expects revenues to increase in the
future due to scheduled research support payments from the Collaborative
Agreements.
 
     Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses for
the first quarter increased approximately 34% from $1.3 million in 1995 to $1.8
million in 1996, primarily due to increased compensation and supplies expenses
resulting from a 35% increase in the number of research personnel. The Company
expects research and development expenses to increase in the future due to the
hiring of additional research personnel to support its internal and
collaborative research programs, further expenditures for research materials,
additional utilization of outside research services and amortization of deferred
compensation.
 
     General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
for the first quarter increased 10% from $479,000 in 1995 to $526,000 in 1996,
primarily due to increased compensation expenses resulting from the amortization
of deferred compensation expense. The Company expects general and administrative
expenses to increase in the future due to the hiring of additional
administrative personnel to support the expansion of its research activities and
amortization of deferred compensation.
 
     Interest Income and Expense. Interest income for the first quarter
increased 61% from $85,000 in 1995 to $137,000 in 1996, primarily due to an
increase in average cash balances in 1996 related to proceeds received from the
sale of equity and cash received from the Collaborative Agreements. The Company
expects interest income to increase in the future due to an increase in average
cash balances related to net proceeds received from the Offering. Interest
expense for the first quarter increased 4% from $70,000 in 1995 to $73,000 in
1996 due to an increase in capital lease balances outstanding. The Company
expects interest expense to remain constant for 1996.
 
     Net Income (Loss). Net income (loss) for the first quarter increased $2.2
million from a loss of $1.8 million in 1995 to a profit of $383,000 in 1996
primarily as a result of the items discussed above.
 
     FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
     Revenues. The Company began receiving revenues upon the signing of the
Ortho/J&J Agreements in October 1995 and the Daiichi Agreement in November 1995.
Revenues recognized for research performed during 1995 totaled $5.0 million,
consisting of $3.0 million in license fees and $2.0 million in research revenue.
Although the Company received $2.4 million in research support payments in 1995,
only $2.0 million was recognized as revenue in that year, with the balance to be
recognized as revenue over the life of the Daiichi Agreement.
 
     Research and Development Expenses. The Company's research and development
expenses increased approximately 24% from $5.2 million for 1994 to $6.4 million
for 1995. This increase was largely due to higher compensation expenses,
purchases of research materials and outside research service payments.
 
     General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased approximately 14% from $1.8 million for 1994 to $2.1 million for 1995.
This increase was primarily due to increased compensation expense and legal,
travel and other expenses related to business development activities in 1995, in
particular the negotiation of the Collaborative Agreements. See
"Business -- Collaborative Agreements."
 
     Interest Income and Expense. Interest income increased 18% from $218,000
for 1994 to $257,000 for 1995. This increase was due to an increase in average
cash balances in 1995 related to proceeds received from the sale of equity and
cash received from the Collaborative Agreements. Interest expense increased 12%
from
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
$249,000 for 1994 to $278,000 for 1995. This increase was due to an increase in
capital lease balances outstanding in 1995.
 
     Net Loss. Net loss decreased by 50% from $7.0 million for 1994 to $3.5
million for 1995, primarily from the receipt of license fees and research
revenues used to support existing research programs.
 
     PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (DECEMBER 11, 1992) TO DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND
     FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Revenues. No revenues were received during this period.
 
     Research and Development Expenses. The Company's research and development
expenses increased 207% from $1.7 million in the period from inception to
December 31, 1993 to $5.2 million for 1994. This increase was primarily due to
additional personnel hired to support the Company's increased research efforts.
Depreciation related to increased capital equipment purchases increased by
$850,000, supply costs increased by $405,000, and other costs also increased as
a result of these increased research activities.
 
     General and Administrative Expenses. The Company's general and
administrative expenses increased 46% from $1.3 million in the period from
inception to December 31, 1993 to $1.8 million for 1994. This increase was
primarily due to additional personnel which increased compensation expense,
benefit costs, relocation and recruiting expenses.
 
     Interest Income and Expense. Interest income increased from $32,000 in the
period from inception to December 31, 1993 to $218,000 in 1994. This increase
was due to an increase in average cash balances in 1994 related to proceeds
received from the sale of equity. Interest expense increased from $13,000 in the
period to December 31, 1993 to $249,000 in 1994. This increase was due to an
increase in capital lease balances outstanding.
 
     Net Loss. Net loss increased 141% from $2.9 million for the period from
inception to December 31, 1993 to $7.0 million for 1994, primarily as a result
of the items discussed above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The Company has financed its operations since inception primarily through
the sale of equity, through funds provided under the Collaborative Agreements
and through equipment financing. As of March 31, 1996, the Company had received
approximately $27.4 million in net proceeds from the sale of equity and
approximately $9.6 million in cash for license fees and research support
payments under the Collaborative Agreements.
 
     Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 1996 were $15.1 million compared to
$8.5 million at December 31, 1995. The increase during the first quarter of 1996
was due primarily to the proceeds received from the sale of equity and payments
received under the Collaborative Agreements.
 
     Net cash used in the Company's operations was $2.7 million, $6.2 million
and $1.2 million for the period from inception to December 31, 1993 and for 1994
and 1995, respectively. The cash used in operations was primarily used to fund
research and development expenses and for general and administrative expenses to
support the Company's activities. Net cash provided by the Company's operations
was $2.8 million for the first quarter of 1996. The cash provided by operations
was primarily due to prepayments of research support payments due under the
Collaborative Agreements which are included in deferred revenue.
 
     Through March 31, 1996, the Company had invested approximately $7.7 million
in property and equipment, including $4.6 million in equipment and leasehold
improvements under capital leases. The present value of obligations under
capital leases at March 31, 1996 was $2.8 million. Minimum annual principal
payments due under capital leases total $1.1 million in 1996 and decline each
year thereafter until expiration in the year 2000. The Company made principal
payments under capital lease obligations in the period from inception to
December 31, 1993, and in 1994 and 1995 of $29,000, $569,000 and $927,000,
respectively. The Company expects its capital expenditures in 1996 to be $3.3
million, consisting of $1.2 million of leasehold improvements and $2.1 million
of laboratory and other equipment purchases.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
     Of the $3.3 million in expected capital equipment expenditures in 1996,
approximately $120,000 is expected to be spent on environmental control
equipment required by federal, state and local health statutes and regulations.
Ongoing environmental control expenses, which include hazardous material
removal, are expected to total approximately $50,000 in 1996 and approximately
$60,000 in each of 1997 and 1998.
 
     The Company believes that the anticipated net proceeds from the Offering,
together with its existing capital resources, interest income and future
revenues due under the Collaborative Agreements, will be sufficient to satisfy
its funding requirements at least through 1998. These funding requirements
include continued expenditures for research and development activities, as well
as expenditures related to leasehold improvements and the purchase of additional
laboratory and other equipment. The Company has not entered into any formal
commitments to use the proceeds from the Offering for increased personnel,
capital expenditures or any other purpose. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
     The Company has not generated significant taxable income to date. At
December 31, 1995, the net operating losses available to offset future taxable
income for federal income tax purposes were approximately $13.0 million. Because
the Company has experienced ownership changes, future utilization of the
carryforwards may be limited in any one fiscal year pursuant to Internal Revenue
Code regulations. The carryforwards expire at various dates beginning in 2008
through 2010 if not utilized. As a result of the annual limitation, a portion of
these carryforwards may expire before becoming available to reduce the Company's
federal income tax liabilities.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
                                    BUSINESS
INTRODUCTION
 
     Microcide is a biopharmaceutical company founded to discover, develop and
commercialize novel antibiotics for the treatment of serious bacterial
infections. The Company's discovery and development programs address the growing
problem of bacterial drug resistance through two principal themes: (i) Targeted
Antibiotics, which focuses on developing novel antibiotics and antibiotic
potentiators, and (ii) Targeted Genomics, which utilizes bacterial genetics to
discover new classes of antibiotics and other novel treatments for bacterial
disease.
 
     The Company believes that the antibiotics market provides an attractive
opportunity for its research and development activities because (i) it is the
third largest pharmaceutical market, totaling $22.9 billion in worldwide sales,
including $6.3 billion in the United States, for the twelve months ended
September 1995; (ii) there are significant unmet clinical needs, caused by
growing bacterial resistance problems, that require new antibacterial therapies;
and (iii) the preclinical and clinical development process for antibiotics
generally follows an efficient and well-defined path to the market.
 
     Microcide's Targeted Antibiotics programs seek to rapidly develop
clinically useful antibiotics tailored to treat specific bacterial infections,
as well as antibiotic potentiators, which will overcome resistance pathways and
restore usefulness to existing antibiotics that have been rendered ineffective.
The specific problematic bacteria being addressed by the Company (staphylococci,
enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae) are
responsible for 44% of the approximately two million hospital-acquired
infections occurring annually in the United States. These infections are
estimated to result in approximately eight million days of extended hospital
stay and account for more than $4.0 billion in additional health care costs each
year.
 
     Microcide's Targeted Genomics programs seek to identify the
pharmaceutically relevant portion of bacterial genomes that are essential to
bacterial viability in vitro (the Essential Genes Program) or to bacterial
growth and virulence in vivo (the Pathogenesis Program). In the Essential Genes
Program, Microcide has identified approximately 80 essential gene targets, which
are being incorporated into the Company's high-throughput, multi-channel
screening system to discover new classes of antibiotics. In the Pathogenesis
Program, Microcide is developing and utilizing new molecular genetics
technologies to identify pathogenesis genes in order to discover and develop
novel therapeutic agents.
 
     The Company has entered into collaborative agreements with three major
pharmaceutical companies to enhance certain of its discovery and development
programs. To date, the Company's collaborative partners have provided the
Company with $11.3 million of license fees and research support payments and
$10.0 million in equity investments. Assuming each of the collaborative
agreements continues until its scheduled expiration, the Company will be
entitled to receive an additional $34.2 million of research support payments.
The Company has retained rights to products which may result from its internal
programs.
 
     Ortho/J&J.  Microcide is collaborating with Ortho/J&J to discover and
develop novel beta-lactam antibiotics, antibiotic potentiators and inhibitors of
bacterial signal transduction targeted at problematic Gram-positive bacteria,
including staphylococci and enterococci. The Company expects to select with
Ortho/J&J its initial product candidate, a Gram-positive beta-lactam, in 1996
and to enter into clinical trials during 1997. If specified research and
development milestones are achieved, the Company will be entitled to receive up
to $16.5 million for the initial product and up to $15.5 million for each
subsequent product developed within the collaboration.
 
     Daiichi.  Microcide is collaborating with Daiichi to discover and develop
bacterial efflux pump inhibitors to be used in combination with Daiichi's
quinolone antibiotics to target Gram-negative bacteria, including pseudomonas.
The Company expects to select with Daiichi its first quinolone potentiation
candidate by mid-1997 for clinical development. If specified research and
development milestones are achieved, Microcide will be entitled to receive up to
$13.0 million for each product developed within the collaboration.
 
     Pfizer.  Microcide is collaborating with Pfizer to implement its essential
gene and multi-channel screening system to discover novel classes of
antibiotics. If specified research and development milestones are achieved,
Microcide will be entitled to receive milestone payments of up to $32.5 million
for each product developed within the collaboration.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
INFECTIOUS DISEASE ENVIRONMENT
 
     BACTERIAL INFECTIONS AND ANTIBIOTICS OVERVIEW
 
     Bacterial infections are a significant and growing medical problem. They
occur when the body's immune system cannot prevent the invasion and colonization
of the body by disease-causing bacteria. These infections may either be confined
to a single organ or tissue, or disseminated throughout the body by blood stream
infections, and can cause many serious diseases, including pneumonias,
endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, deep-seated soft tissue infections,
bacteremia and complicated urinary tract infections.
 
     According to estimates from the United States Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (the "CDC") for the period 1980 to 1992, approximately two
million hospital-acquired infections occur annually in the United States,
accounting for more than eight million days of extended hospital stay and
causing more than $4.0 billion in additional health care costs each year. While
overall per capita mortality rates declined in the United States from 1980 to
1992, the per capita mortality rate due to infectious diseases increased 58%
over this period, making infectious diseases the third leading cause of death in
the United States. The Company believes that bacterial infections, especially
infections caused by difficult-to-treat, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, cause or
contribute to a substantial majority of these deaths.
 
     Antibiotics are administered both to prevent bacterial infections and to
treat established bacterial disease. When administered to prevent an infection,
antibiotics are given prophylactically, before any clinical signs or symptoms of
an infection are present. When administered to treat an established infection,
antibiotics are often chosen and administered empirically, before diagnostic
testing has established the causative bacterium and its susceptibility to
specific antibiotics.
 
     Antibiotics work by interfering with a vital bacterial cell function at a
specific cellular target, either killing the bacteria or arresting their
multiplication, thereby allowing the patient's immune system to clear the
bacteria from the body. Currently available antibiotics work on relatively few
targets, through mechanisms such as inhibiting protein or cell wall synthesis.
These targets tend to be present in all bacteria and are highly similar in
structure and function, such that certain antibiotics kill or inhibit growth of
a broad range of bacterial species (i.e., broad-spectrum antibiotics).
 
     Major structural classes of antibiotics include beta-lactams,
fluoro-quinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, glycopeptides and
trimethoprim combinations. Penicillin, a member of the beta-lactam class (which
also includes extended-spectrum penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems),
was first developed in the 1940s. Nalidixic acid, the earliest member of the
quinolone class, was discovered in the 1960s. The creation of broad-spectrum
antibiotics began in the 1970s and 1980s, with major advances seen in the 1970s
with the development of newer beta-lactams, and in the 1980s with the
development of fluoro-quinolones. These antibiotics are still being used
extensively. No major new class of antibiotics has been discovered and
commercialized in the last 20 years.
 
     ANTIBIOTICS MARKET
 
     According to sales data compiled by IMS International, an independent
pharmaceutical industry research firm, the market for systemic (orally or
parenterally administered) antibiotics constitutes the third largest worldwide
pharmaceutical market, generating $22.9 billion in worldwide sales for the 12
months ended September 1995, including $6.3 billion in the United States. The
in-hospital antibiotic market, where bacterial resistance poses the most serious
threat, totaled $7.7 billion worldwide during this period, including $2.2
billion in the United States. Worldwide systemic antibiotic sales, aggregated by
major antibiotic class, are shown below, along with a listing of the top 20
systemic antibiotic products, shown in rank order of sales within each class.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
                    WORLDWIDE SALES OF SYSTEMIC ANTIBIOTICS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>                  <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    WORLDWIDE           TOP 20
                                                     SALES(1)           ANTIBIOTICS
                    DRUG CLASS                     ($ MILLIONS)         (WITHIN CLASS)
<S>                                                <C>                  <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Beta-lactams--Cephalosporins.....................   $  8,446          Cefaclor
                                                                        Cefuroxime/axetil
                                                                        Ceftriaxone
                                                                        Ceftazidime
                                                                        Cephalexin
                                                                        Cefixime
                                                                        Cefazolin
  Beta-lactams--Broad-spectrum Penicillins.........      3,804          Amoxicillin/clavulanate
                                                                        Amoxicillin
                                                                        Ampicillin/sulbactam
  Fluoro-quinolones................................      3,309          Ciprofloxacin
                                                                        Ofloxacin
                                                                        Levofloxacin
  Macrolides.......................................      2,927          Clarithromycin
                                                                        Erythromycin
                                                                        Azithromycin
  Tetracyclines....................................        744          Minocycline
  Aminoglycosides..................................        729          (2)
  Beta-lactams--Medium/Narrow-spectrum
     Penicillins...................................        609          (2)
  Glycopeptides....................................        462(3)       Vancomycin
  Beta-lactams--Carbapenems........................        443          Imipenem
  Trimethoprim Combinations........................        381          TMP/SMX
  All Other Systemic Antibiotics...................      1,049          (2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL.......................................   $ 22,903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) For the 12-month period ended September 1995.
(2) No single antibiotic in this class ranks among the top 20 antibiotics.
(3) Includes Vancomycin only.
 
     ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PROBLEMS
 
     One of the key contributors to the increase in mortality and morbidity due
to bacterial infections is the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria.
Evidence of bacterial resistance to penicillin was first seen in the 1940s
shortly after its introduction. Methicillin and subsequent second-generation
penicillins were developed to overcome these penicillin-resistant organisms, but
resistance to methicillin in turn began to occur in the 1970s shortly after its
release, and has continued to increase. Similar resistance problems are now seen
with a number of clinically important bacteria targeted by the Company's initial
products, including staphylococci, enterococci, pseudomonas and pneumococci.
Strains of these bacteria have become resistant to all but a few antibiotics.
According to estimates based on CDC data, these four bacteria are responsible
for 44% of all hospital-acquired infections and for 63% of hospital-acquired
blood stream infections in the United States.
 
     A number of factors are believed to contribute to the increased rate of
bacterial drug resistance: (i) physician reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics
for empiric treatment of an infection before it is definitively diagnosed; (ii)
repeated exposure of bacteria to long-term antibiotic therapy, providing a
competitive advantage to bacteria harboring drug resistance; (iii) the
increasing number of immunosup-
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
pressed patients (from cancer chemotherapy, AIDS and organ transplants); (iv)
the growing number of institutionalized, often elderly, patients receiving
multiple courses of antibiotics; (v) the increased frequency of invasive medical
procedures; and (vi) societal and technological changes, including air travel,
that accelerate the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.
 
     One example of the seriousness of antibiotic resistance is
methicillin-resistant staphylococci ("MRS"), which have become resistant to
virtually all currently used antibiotics, except vancomycin. The heavy use of
vancomycin to treat MRS infections has in turn contributed to the emergence of
new strains of enterococci, the third most prevalent cause of bacterial
infection in hospitals in the United States, which are resistant to vancomycin.
Infections caused by these vancomycin-resistant enterococci ("VRE") frequently
do not respond to any current therapies, and in many cases prove fatal. The
transfer of vancomycin resistance from enterococci to staphylococci has been
demonstrated experimentally. If vancomycin resistance is transferred in the
clinical setting by VRE to staphylococci, the leading cause of hospital-acquired
bacterial infections, no effective antibiotic therapy will remain to treat MRS
infections.
 
     As a result of increasing bacterial resistance to existing antibiotics,
numerous clinical infections occur that resist first-line therapy. When bacteria
develop resistance to established first-line antibiotics, it is often necessary
to use a combination of two drugs, or multiple antibiotic therapy of three or
more drugs, to treat these resistant infections. Such combination or multiple
antibiotic therapy is generally more costly, potentially less effective, and
more toxic to the patient due to additive and sometimes synergistic side
effects. The table below outlines some of the major problematic drug-resistant
bacteria, the classes of antibiotics to which they already show clinically
significant levels of resistance, and the remaining recommended treatments:
 
                      PROBLEMATIC DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA
- ------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------
- ------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                      <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACTERIA                            CLINICALLY               REMAINING
                                    SIGNIFICANT              RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
                                    RESISTANCE PROBLEMS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Staphylococci                     Beta-lactams             Vancomycin
     (Staphylococcus aureus)        Fluoro-quinolones        Combination Therapy
     (coagulase-negative            Aminoglycosides
       staphylococci)
                                    Macrolides
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Enterococci                       Beta-lactams             Multiple Antibiotic Therapy
                                    Aminoglycosides
                                    Glycopeptides
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa            Beta-lactams             Combination Therapy
                                    Fluoro-quinolones
                                    Aminoglycosides
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Streptococcus pneumoniae          Beta-lactams             Cephalosporin or Carbapenem
                                    Macrolides               Vancomycin
                                    Tetracyclines
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company believes that the antibiotics market provides an attractive
opportunity for its research and development activities because (i) there are
significant unmet clinical needs, caused by growing bacterial resistance
problems, that require new antibacterial therapies and (ii) the preclinical and
clinical development process for antibiotics typically follows an efficient and
well-defined path to the market, and early testing is generally predictive of
later stage results. The Company believes these factors will lead to shorter
overall development timelines and higher approval rates for its products.
Microcide's strategy is to focus near-term preclinical research activities on
drug resistance pathways and to conduct longer-term drug discovery using
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
novel antibacterial targets identified through its Targeted Genomics programs.
This strategy is comprised of the following five key elements:
 
     Develop Novel Antibiotics by Targeting Drug Resistance
Pathways.  Microcide's near-term research programs focus on rapidly identifying
and optimizing proprietary compounds that are effective against problematic
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, notably MRS, VRE, penicillin-resistant
pneumococci and quinolone-resistant pseudomonas. Since antibiotic resistance
problems are often due to a single defined pathway, the Company believes that
targeting those pathways will enable it to rapidly develop novel antibiotics
tailored to specific resistant bacteria, as well as to develop antibiotic
potentiators that overcome resistance pathways and restore the usefulness of
established antibiotics that have been rendered ineffective. The Company's
Gram-Positive, Efflux Pump and Cell Wall Programs are focused in this area.
 
     Accelerate the Discovery of New Antibiotic Classes through Targeted
Genomics.  Microcide has developed a technology platform which utilizes
bacterial genetics to discover the genes which are essential for a bacterium's
in vitro survival or in vivo pathogenecity. Microcide is utilizing essential
bacterial genes discovered in its Essential Genes Program as the basis for
identifying and characterizing novel antibiotic targets. The Company has
developed an innovative methodology for parallel high- throughput screening of
these targets to identify a large number of lead compounds. The Company believes
that this genetics technology platform will enable it to rapidly identify drug
candidates within new classes of antibiotics.
 
     Extend Targeted Genomics to Pathogenesis Genes, Creating Novel Therapeutic
Approaches. Microcide has extended its molecular genetics technologies in
targeted genomics to identify and characterize genes that are critical to
bacterial growth or virulence in vivo. The Company believes that inhibitors of
such targets have not been previously sought in antibiotic discovery programs,
and that its Pathogenesis Program utilizes novel methods to discover inhibitors
of pathogenesis genes for development as new treatment approaches for bacterial
disease.
 
     Enhance Research and Development and Reduce Capital Requirements
through Collaborative Agreements. The Company has entered into collaborations
with three major pharmaceutical companies to develop its initial products. Such
collaborations are expected to provide Microcide with funding, discovery
technologies, research staffing, access to molecular diversity, and development
and commercialization capabilities. By utilizing the resources of its
collaborators, Microcide expects to lower its capital requirements and reduce
the time needed to commercialize its products worldwide.
 
     Retain the Ability to Independently Develop and Market Certain
Products.  Microcide's long-term development strategy is to continue to utilize
strategic collaborations selectively to complement internal efforts. Microcide
plans to retain rights to market products resulting from specific programs,
including the Company's Pathogenesis and Cell Wall Programs, and to enter into
collaborative relationships where appropriate for distribution and
commercialization.
 
MICROCIDE'S RESEARCH PROGRAMS
 
     Microcide's research programs employ an interdisciplinary approach that
incorporates several drug discovery and research technologies, including
targeted genomics, high-throughput and multi-channel screening, combinatorial
and medicinal chemistry, computer-assisted drug design and bioinformatics. The
Company believes that its interdisciplinary approach more effectively utilizes a
broader range of novel bacterial targets for new compound discovery than
traditional biochemical approaches. Microcide believes that drug resistance
genes, essential genes and pathogenesis genes can be developed into screens for
selective inhibitors and widely employed in the lead discovery process.
 
     Access to molecular diversity libraries for screening against targets is
critical to drug discovery. In some instances, the Company's collaborative
partners are providing molecular diversity libraries to support the screening
process. However, the Company is committed to establishing a stand-alone
molecular diversity capability for its programs, and is actively building
strategically defined libraries of synthetic compounds and natural product
extracts for this purpose. The Company's natural products program provides
access to broad-based molecular diversity not possible in synthetic compound
libraries alone. The Company believes that both its libraries contain
significant structural diversity. These libraries currently provide more than
50,000 samples
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
for high-throughput screening. The Company is in the process of expanding its
libraries to more than 100,000 samples by the end of 1996.
 
     The Company's discovery and preclinical research activities center on two
themes: Targeted Antibiotics and Targeted Genomics. The Company's Targeted
Antibiotics programs focus on overcoming bacterial drug resistance, either by
interfering with resistance pathways to potentiate existing antibiotics, or by
developing novel lead compounds which avoid such resistance pathways. The
Company's Targeted Genomics programs utilize bacterial genetics and genomics
approaches to discover inhibitors of novel drug targets for further development
as effective antibiotics.
 
                         MICROCIDE'S RESEARCH PROGRAMS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                           <C>              <C>       <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------
- ----------------
- -------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                           <C>              <C>       <C>
                                                                             CURRENT
PROGRAM                    PROGRAM GOAL                                     STAGE(1)       PARTNER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TARGETED ANTIBIOTICS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Gram-Positive Program
   Novel Beta-lactams      Novel antibiotics for treatment of Gram-         Candidate     Ortho/J&J
                           positive bacteria, including resistant           Selection
                           strains (MRS, VRE and penicillin-resistant
                           Streptococcus pneumoniae)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Antibiotic              Potentiators which restore efficacy to             Drug        Ortho/J&J
      Potentiators         existing classes of antibiotics through           Design
                           inhibition of resistance mechanisms
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Signal Transduction     Anti-virulence adjunct to existing                 Leads       Ortho/J&J
                           antibiotics for treatment of resistant and      Identified
                           susceptible staphylococci
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Efflux Pump Program       Potentiators for use with existing                 Drug         Daiichi
                           quinolones against resistant Gram-negative        Design
                           bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cell Wall Program
   First Generation        Narrow-spectrum antibiotics                        Drug         Internal
                                                                             Design
   Second Generation       Broad-spectrum antibiotics                         Drug         Internal
                                                                             Design
- -------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TARGETED GENOMICS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Essential Genes Program   Novel classes of broad- and narrow-spectrum      Screening       Pfizer
                           antibiotics
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Pathogenesis Program      Novel anti-virulence or anti-pathogenesis          Gene         Internal
                           bacterial therapeutics                        Identification
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company's preclinical research programs generally consist of the
    following stages, listed chronologically:
 
    "Gene Identification" -- development and implementation of methods to
    identify appropriate gene targets to be used in screening.
 
    "Screening" -- development and implementation of assay technologies to
    identify selective target inhibitors ("leads").
 
    "Leads Identified" -- lead compounds have been identified whose in vitro and
    in vivo characteristics are being evaluated in biochemical, microbiological,
    pharmacological and toxicological tests for entry into drug design programs.
 
    "Drug Design" -- structure-activity relationships of selected compounds are
    being defined and such compounds optimized through medicinal chemistry
    efforts.
 
    "Candidate Selection" -- optimized leads are being scaled-up and evaluated
    in key efficacy, toxicological and pharmacological tests in the final stage
    of preclinical research for selection as clinical development candidates.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
TARGETED ANTIBIOTICS
 
     Microcide's Targeted Antibiotics programs involve two approaches: (i) the
development of novel antibiotics which overcome bacterial resistance by
interfering with resistance pathways to potentiate existing antibiotics, and
(ii) the development of novel lead compounds which avoid such resistance
pathways. The Company's Targeted Antibiotics programs include the Gram-Positive,
Efflux Pump and Cell Wall programs.
 
     GRAM-POSITIVE PROGRAM
 
     Microcide's Gram-Positive Program is focused on discovering and developing
novel antibiotics and antibiotic potentiators for the treatment of infections
caused by drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, including MRS, VRE and
pneumococci. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have fundamentally
different surface characteristics. These surface properties greatly affect the
ability of an antibiotic to penetrate the bacterium and reach its target site.
As a result, antibiotics that are effective against Gram-positive bacteria are
often less effective against Gram-negative bacteria, and vice versa. The
problematic Gram-positive bacteria targeted by this program cause serious
infections, including endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, deep-seated soft
tissue infections, bacteremia, complicated urinary tract infections and
pneumonias.
 
     The Gram-Positive Program is being conducted in collaboration with
Ortho/J&J and consists of the following major areas: (i) discovery of
beta-lactam antibiotics with specific efficacy against resistant Gram-positive
bacteria; (ii) discovery of novel antibiotic potentiators of existing
beta-lactams or vancomycin for use against MRS and VRE, respectively; and (iii)
discovery of inhibitors of signal transduction in bacteria.
 
     Novel Beta-lactams
 
     Traditional beta-lactam antibiotics work by inhibiting enzymes
(penicillin-binding proteins, or PBPs) that carry out crucial steps in the
synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in
MRS is primarily caused by bacterial production of PBP2a, an enzyme capable of
conducting cell-wall synthesis in the presence of such antibiotics, as well as
by the production of beta-lactamases, which render beta-lactams ineffective.
 
     Microcide's beta-lactam program seeks initially to develop a novel
beta-lactam antibiotic which is beta-lactamase-stable and inhibits PBPs,
including PBP2a, thereby gaining efficacy against MRS. Compounds emerging from
the Company's beta-lactam program are expected to be active against
staphylococci, including MRS, enterococci, including VRE, and possibly other
Gram-positive bacteria. The Company has prepared over 400 new synthetic analogs
and has made advances in drug design, resulting in several leads with desirable
in vitro potency, in vivo efficacy, favorable pharmacokinetics and solubility,
and low toxicity.
 
     Antibiotics developed within this program are expected to be parenterally
administered in the institutional setting to prevent or treat infections caused
by Gram-positive bacteria, including those resistant to other antibiotics. Such
newly developed antibiotics could potentially be clinically adopted for the
following uses: as a single agent following treatment failure in patients with a
documented drug-resistant infection, or empirically as a single agent or in
combination with a broad-spectrum antibiotic to extend coverage to resistant
bacterial strains. The Company believes that the clinical adoption of such
antibiotics could be similar to that of vancomycin as a single agent, or
ceftazidime or an aminoglycoside in combination use for empiric therapy.
 
     The Company, in collaboration with Ortho/J&J, expects to select its first
beta-lactam drug candidate for clinical development in 1996 and enter into
clinical trials during 1997. There can be no assurance that such selection will
occur, or that the Company will begin clinical trials, by such dates, or ever.
The Company has filed patent applications on ten series of lead structures
discovered in this program in the United States and elsewhere. See "Risk
Factors -- Dependence on Collaborative Partners and Others" and "Risk Factors --
Dependence on Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
     Antibiotic Potentiation
 
     The loss of utility of an antibiotic class in the treatment of bacteria is
often due to a single, defined resistance pathway, as is the case in MRS and
VRE. The goal of the Company's antibiotic potentiation program is to discover
compounds that directly interfere with methicillin or vancomycin resistance
pathways in these organisms, in order to restore the effectiveness of
beta-lactams or glycopeptides in the treatment of
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
MRS or VRE infections. Microcide has developed novel screening technologies to
discover inhibitors of these pathways, and has discovered leads from these
screens which show desirable characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Several of
the methicillin potentiator leads, tested in combination with a number of
currently marketed beta-lactams, demonstrate control of MRS infection in animal
models at doses where the beta-lactams alone are ineffective.
 
     Potentiators resulting from this program may be developed for use with oral
or parenteral antibiotics, with the goal of creating a combination product which
either targets a specific resistance problem (for example, in combination with
an anti-staphylococcal penicillin) or alternatively provides broad-spectrum
empiric coverage (such as in combination with imipenem). The Company believes
that the clinical adoption of such potential products could be similar to that
of vancomycin as a targeted narrow-spectrum potentiator, or
amoxicillin/clavulanate or imipenem as a broad-spectrum potentiator.
 
     The Company, in collaboration with Ortho/J&J, is designing compounds based
on methicillin potentiation leads, and expects to select its first candidate
from this program in 1997 for clinical development. There can be no assurance
that such selection will occur in 1997 or ever. The Company has filed patent
applications covering two series of lead structures originating from this
program in the United States. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Collaborative
Partners and Others" and "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Proprietary Technology
and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
     Inhibitors of Bacterial Signal Transduction
 
     Signal transduction is a mechanism by which a cell senses and responds to
changes in its external environment and which occurs when a sensor protein,
usually at the cell surface, receives and transmits a signal that results in the
expression of a specific set of genes. A wide range of bacteria use signal
transduction systems to regulate a variety of cellular functions. For example,
it is generally believed that disease-causing bacteria are able to use such
mechanisms to establish infections in different sites of the body. Signal
transduction systems are also utilized by staphylococci and enterococci to
express methicillin and vancomycin resistance. Elements of these regulatory
systems are conserved within bacteria and across bacterial species, but are
dissimilar to signal transduction mechanisms found in mammalian cells. For that
reason, the Company believes that bacterial-specific signal transduction
inhibitors can be developed into effective therapeutic agents.
 
     Microcide is initially focused on a specific signal-transduction system in
staphylococci, which controls the expression of a large number of bacterial
toxins and surface proteins produced during infection. The Company has developed
screening and lead evaluation technologies and has identified compounds which
block signal transduction control in staphylococci. These compounds are
currently undergoing biochemical, microbiological and pharmacological testing in
vitro and in vivo.
 
     Any products resulting from the bacterial signal transduction program will
represent a new therapeutic approach, in that they will be anti-pathogenesis or
anti-virulence agents. Potential initial products will be targeted at
Gram-positive bacteria, and are expected to be used independently or in
combination to enhance the potency of existing antibiotics in particularly
difficult-to-treat clinical situations, such as deep-seated soft tissue
infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and meningitis.
 
     The Company, in collaboration with Ortho/J&J, is in the process of
selecting lead compounds for drug design efforts. The Company has filed a patent
application covering the screening technology and is preparing to file a patent
application in the United States covering four series of lead structures
discovered to date in this program. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on
Collaborative Partners and Others" and "Risk Factors -- Dependence on
Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
     EFFLUX PUMP PROGRAM
 
     The high intrinsic resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to many
antibiotics, including quinolones, has generally been attributed to the
impermeable outer membrane of this Gram-negative bacterium. Recent information,
however, indicates that this intrinsic resistance is due to the combined effects
of low membrane permeability and the production of membrane proteins (efflux
pumps) which bind to antibiotics of many different types as they enter the
bacterial cell and eject (efflux) them from the bacterium.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
     The Company believes that the combination of bacterial efflux pump
inhibitors with existing antibiotics could increase the susceptibility of
Gram-negative bacteria like pseudomonas to such antibiotics and could increase
the activity of such antibiotics in bacteria expressing efflux pump-mediated
drug resistance ("MDR"). The Company has established a genetics and molecular
biology program which focuses on bacterial efflux systems, and has developed
novel screening and lead evaluation technologies which have resulted in the
discovery of lead compounds with the desired potency, specificity for bacterial
efflux pumps, and low toxicity in mammalian cells. Drug design efforts are being
pursued to identify metabolically stable and pharmacologically suitable efflux
pump inhibitors for selection as clinical development candidates. The Company
expects that any products resulting from this effort will be combined with
Daiichi's oral and parenteral quinolone antibiotics to increase their
effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria and to overcome efflux
pump-mediated MDR in pseudomonas and other bacteria. The Company believes that
the clinical adoption of such antibiotic/inhibitor combinations could be similar
to that of Daiichi's levofloxacin and other quinolones.
 
     The Company, in collaboration with Daiichi, is designing compounds based on
efflux pump inhibitor leads and expects by mid-1997 to select its first
candidate from this program for clinical development. There can be no assurance
that such selection will occur by such date, or ever. The Company has filed
patent applications related to the initial series of lead structures originating
from this program in the United States and is preparing patent applications
relating to four other series of lead structures. See "Risk Factors --
Dependence on Collaborative Partners and Others" and "Risk Factors -- Dependence
on Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
     CELL WALL PROGRAM
 
     Enzymes involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis represent attractive
and proven targets for antibiotic development. Many inhibitors of this process,
which is essential and unique to bacteria, have been identified. However,
relatively few of these inhibitors have been developed into commercially usable
antibiotic classes. Microcide's Cell Wall Program is based on unexploited
structural classes of known inhibitors which fall outside existing cell wall
drug classes, and for that reason are not expected to be subject to existing
resistance mechanisms.
 
     One class of inhibitors currently under research at Microcide shows potent
activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and certain other bacteria, and is well
tolerated and non-toxic in animal studies. The Company is working toward the
design of a first-generation drug candidate, to be administered orally or
parenterally, and to be targeted against specific, difficult-to-treat
infections. The Company believes that the clinical adoption of the Company's
potential first-generation product from this program could be similar to that of
existing narrow-spectrum antibiotics such as aztreonam, a Gram-negative
beta-lactam. The Company is also pursuing a second-generation antibiotic with an
expanded spectrum of activity which could include Gram-negative and possibly
Gram-positive bacteria.
 
     The Company has retained all commercial rights relating to this program and
expects to fund it internally. The Company expects to select in the second half
of 1997 the initial first-generation candidate for clinical development. There
can be no assurance that such selection will occur by such date, or ever. The
Company is preparing patent applications in the United States related to two
series of lead structures originating from this program. See "Risk
Factors -- Dependence on Collaborative Partners and Others" and "Risk
Factors -- Dependence on Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of Patent
Protection."
 
TARGETED GENOMICS
 
     Microcide believes that it has developed a unique approach to antibiotic
research using bacterial genetics as a foundation for drug discovery. The
Company believes that this approach will yield a large number of relevant novel
drug targets that in turn are expected to lead to the development of new classes
of antibiotics. The Company's strategy is to target its gene discovery efforts
to the pharmaceutically relevant portion of bacterial genomes, by identifying
genes that are essential to bacterial viability in vitro (the Essential Genes
Program) or to bacterial pathogenicity in vivo (the Pathogenesis Program). These
target genes, once identified, are incorporated into the Company's
high-throughput screening systems to identify compounds for further development.
The Company believes that its targeted genomics approach may also be applied to
other cellular systems, such as other microbial pathogens or mammalian cells.
The Company believes that this
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
approach offers significant advantages over traditional pharmaceutical company
approaches, as well as the more recent bacterial genomic sequencing approaches.
 
     Traditional approaches to antibiotic drug discovery have centered on
biochemically defined targets. In such approaches, screening assays are
developed based on selectively chosen enzyme or receptor targets. Appropriately
designed assays can be highly effective but have several significant drawbacks.
First, such an approach is limited in its application since it requires
pre-existing data with respect to the function or mechanism of an identified
target, and only identifies inhibitors of that specific target. Since many
targets lack such information, the range of targets that can be employed to find
inhibitors is limited. Second, target-specific assays have relatively high
set-up times and costs. Third, these techniques often employ an extracellular
biochemical approach which may identify compounds that are excellent inhibitors
of essential biochemical enzymes, but subsequently prove not to be good
antibiotic candidates because sufficient concentrations within the bacterium are
not achieved at the target site, or for other reasons.
 
     Drug discovery efforts have recently employed whole-genome sequencing
approaches to antibiotic target identification. Although such approaches reveal
all of the genetic information in a bacterium, the Company believes that only an
estimated 5% - 10% of the total bacterial genetic material encodes proteins that
are pharmaceutically relevant as drug targets. Genome sequencing approaches can
only address gene function through sequence analysis and comparison, and do not
adequately address the issue of the relevance of a particular gene as a drug
target. Thus, while two complete bacterial genomes were sequenced and publicized
in the summer of 1995, considerable research will be necessary to identify the
pharmaceutically relevant target genes from this information, and to develop
screens for potential inhibitors. Such screens will then face many of the same
limitations as traditional screening approaches.
 
     ESSENTIAL GENES PROGRAM
 
     In contrast, Microcide's Essential Genes Program utilizes a targeted
genomic approach to discover the pharmaceutically relevant genes present in
bacterial genomes, and focuses on several important and diverse pathogenic
bacteria. The Company has created unique molecular tools and approaches in
bacterial molecular genetics, which allow it to create and use gene mutants to
quickly and directly clone essential bacterial genes. These same mutants are
then used to characterize and prioritize drug targets. This targeted genomics
approach accelerates the entire discovery process by focusing on the relevant
portions of the genome and bypassing the task of sequencing and characterizing
irrelevant portions of the genome.
 
     To date, Microcide has identified approximately 80 of the estimated
150 - 200 essential genes in its bacterial genomic systems. Because essential
genes are generally common among different bacteria, the Company believes that a
number of the drug targets identified to date could lead to the discovery of new
classes of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The Company has filed patent applications
covering approximately 55 essential genes and related screening methods in the
United States.
 
     The Company has also created a multi-channel screening process that it
believes will accelerate antibiotic discovery in several important ways.
Foremost is the ability to move directly and rapidly from gene identification to
drug screen using gene mutants. Using genetic rather than biochemical assays,
many targets can be utilized simultaneously to evaluate compounds, as opposed to
the traditional screening approach which utilizes few targets in single assay
format. This multi-channel process creates a multi-dimensional profile or
"phenoprint" of each compound tested. Both multiple targets and multiple
biological properties of compounds can thus be simultaneously evaluated during
primary screening. Using defined testing algorithms and statistical analyses of
resulting data, many compounds are tested in high-throughput mode. Collectively,
the resulting compound phenoprints, along with other data on the properties of
the genes and the compounds, form a database of information correlating
biological effects of compounds and their structures to the various targets
early in the development process. This facilitates and enhances the selection of
optimal hits and most promising leads prior to commitment to drug design
efforts.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]



   [Narrative description:  Graphic showing the Company's targeted genomic
               approach and multi-channel screening process.]


 
     The Company's multi-channel screening method has the following benefits:
(i) it is broadly applicable to all of the pharmaceutically relevant essential
genes identified; (ii) it identifies compounds that can enter cells and effect
inhibitory action, given its whole-cell based nature; (iii) it utilizes more
sensitive assays than traditional whole-cell screens, allowing for the
identification of a broader range of potential drug candidates; and (iv) it can
be applied even before the novel genes or biochemical targets are fully
characterized. The database created by the Company's Essential Genes Program is
expected to grow in information content and ability to discriminate among
compounds as each new gene or compound is evaluated and added to the database.
The Company believes this database represents a significant competitive
advantage in antibiotic development.
 
     The Company, in collaboration with Pfizer, is implementing its essential
gene and multi-channel screening systems to discover and develop multiple new
antibiotic drug classes. In addition, Microcide and Pfizer will select between
four and six essential gene targets of high interest for biochemical screening.
The molecular diversity libraries of the Company and Pfizer will be selectively
applied to these screening efforts. Potential products resulting from the drug
design efforts of this program are expected to constitute new classes of
broad-spectrum antibiotics. The Company believes that the clinical adoption of
such compounds could be similar to that of clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin or
imipenem. In addition to patent applications covering essential genes, the
Company has filed patent applications covering its multi-channel screening
technology in the United States and elsewhere. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence
on Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
     PATHOGENESIS PROGRAM
 
     Bacterial pathogenesis is a complex process by which bacteria enter the
host, locate and establish an appropriate growth niche, evade host defenses,
circumvent host clearing mechanisms, and amplify at the site of infection.
Specialized bacterial genes are required for survival in the host that are not
required for growth in the laboratory environment. Damage to the host arises
from bacterial products produced during growth, and from the bacterium's ability
to modify and destroy host tissue. The bacterial gene products causing this
damage contribute to bacterial virulence. The Company believes that cellular
functions underlying these processes of pathogenicity and virulence are
conserved among many disease-causing bacteria, and inhibitors of these cellular
functions may be broadly acting and detrimental to the bacterium and its
disease-causing ability.
 
     Microcide's Pathogenesis Program is targeted to the genetic determinants
underlying bacterial pathogenicity and virulence. The genetic basis of bacterial
pathogenicity is largely unknown and unexplored for drug targeting. The Company
has developed novel molecular and genetic methods to identify pathogenesis gene
targets in vitro and in animal models, and to genetically assess the effect of
target inhibition in vivo. These methods are being employed to create a library
of such genes for drug discovery research. To date, the Company has identified
37 pathogenesis gene mutants, and cloned and sequenced at least eight potential
pathogenesis gene targets, which are being examined in vitro and in animal
systems. Specific screens will be devised and implemented to identify inhibitors
of the most attractive pathogenesis gene targets, in which inhibition of the
target function will prevent the bacterium's proliferation or virulence in vivo.
Inhibition of genetic processes underlying pathogenesis is expected to
constitute a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of bacterial
disease, and potentially offer therapeutic advantages over traditional
antibiotic therapy.
 
     The Company has retained all commercial rights to this program and intends
to fund this program internally. The Company has filed patent applications in
the United States covering methods for discovery and characterization of
pathogenesis genes.
 
COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company's strategy is to enter into collaborations with major
pharmaceutical companies to develop its initial products. Such collaborations
are expected to provide the Company with funding, discovery technologies,
research staffing, access to molecular diversity, and development and
commercialization capabilities. To date the Company has entered into
Collaborative Agreements with three major pharmaceutical companies: Ortho/J&J
with regard to the Gram-Positive Program; Daiichi with regard to the Efflux Pump
Program; and Pfizer with regard to the Essential Genes Program. The Company has
certain rights to co-promote in North America products developed pursuant to
these collaborations.
 
     ORTHO/J&J -- GRAM-POSITIVE PROGRAM
 
     In October 1995, Microcide and Ortho/J&J entered into the Ortho/J&J
Agreements pursuant to which they agreed to collaborate to discover and develop
certain antibiotics and antibiotic potentiators targeted at Gram-positive
bacteria. The term of the Ortho/J&J Agreements is three years, subject to
Ortho/J&J's right to earlier terminate the Ortho/J&J Agreements on six months
prior written notice, and with Ortho/J&J having an option to extend the term for
an additional one-year period. Ortho/J&J has made a $3.0 million up-front
license payment to the Company and an affiliate of Ortho/J&J has made a $5.0
million equity investment in the Company. Ortho/J&J is obligated to provide the
Company with $3.5 million per year in research support payments throughout the
term of the Ortho/J&J Agreements. Microcide may also receive from Ortho/J&J
milestone payments of up to $16.5 million for the first product and $15.5
million for each subsequent product upon the achievement of product development
milestones and, in addition, royalties on the worldwide sale of drugs resulting
from the collaboration. The Ortho/J&J Agreements provide Ortho/J&J with
exclusive worldwide rights to products developed during the collaboration. The
development, manufacture and sale of drugs resulting from the collaboration will
be conducted by Ortho/J&J, provided that Microcide has the right to undertake
certain co-promotion activity in North America subject to Ortho/J&J's approval.
There can be no assurance that any potential products will be discovered during
the collaboration or that, if discovered, Ortho/J&J will elect to proceed with
the development of such potential products. As a result,
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
there can be no assurance that any of the milestone or royalty payments
contemplated by the Ortho/J&J Agreements will be made. See "Targeted
Antibiotics -- Gram-Positive Program."
 
     DAIICHI -- EFFLUX PUMP PROGRAM
 
     In November 1995, Microcide and Daiichi entered into the Daiichi Agreement
pursuant to which they agreed to collaborate to discover and develop antibiotics
and antibiotic potentiators, acting through inhibition of the efflux pump
mechanism, primarily targeted at pseudomonas. The term of the research program
under the Daiichi Agreement is two years and nine months commencing as of July
1, 1995 subject to Daiichi's right to earlier terminate the research program
under the Daiichi Agreement after July 1, 1997 upon six months prior notice, and
with Daiichi having an option to extend the term of the research program under
the Daiichi Agreement for an additional six months or one year. Daiichi is
obligated to provide research support funding to Microcide of $3.0 million for
the first nine months and $3.5 million for each subsequent year during the term
of the research program. Daiichi has the right to enter into a license agreement
(the "Daiichi License Agreement") for exclusive worldwide rights to products
developed during the collaboration. Pursuant to the Daiichi License Agreement,
Microcide is entitled to receive from Daiichi milestone payments of up to $13.0
million for each product developed during the collaboration upon the achievement
of certain drug development milestones and, in addition, royalties on the
worldwide sale of drugs resulting from the collaboration. The development,
manufacture and sale of drugs resulting from the collaboration will be conducted
by Daiichi subject to Microcide's right to co-promote such drugs in North
America, for which Microcide shall receive reasonable compensation. There can be
no assurance that any potential products will be discovered during the
collaboration or that, if discovered, Daiichi will elect to proceed with the
development of such potential products. As a result, there can be no assurance
that any of the milestone or royalty payments contemplated by the Daiichi
License Agreement will be made. See "Targeted Antibiotics -- Efflux Pump
Program."
 
     PFIZER -- ESSENTIAL GENES PROGRAM
 
     In March 1996, Microcide and Pfizer entered into the Pfizer Agreements
pursuant to which they agreed to collaborate to implement genetics-based
screening technology to identify and subsequently develop antibacterial
products. The term of the Pfizer Agreements is five years, subject to Pfizer's
right to earlier terminate after February 1999 with six months prior written
notice. Pfizer has made a $1.0 million up-front license payment to the Company
and a $5.0 million equity investment in the Company. Pfizer is obligated to
provide Microcide with $4.2 million per year in research support payments during
the term of the Pfizer Agreements. Microcide may also receive from Pfizer
milestone payments of up to $32.5 million for each product developed during the
collaboration upon the achievement of product development milestones and, in
addition, royalties on the worldwide sale of drugs resulting from the
collaboration. The Pfizer Agreements provide Pfizer with exclusive worldwide
rights to products developed during the collaboration. The development,
manufacture and sale of drugs resulting from the collaboration will be conducted
by Pfizer, subject to Microcide's right to co-promote such products in North
America. There can be no assurance that any potential products will be
discovered during the collaboration or that if discovered, Pfizer will elect to
proceed with the development of such potential product. As a result, there can
be no assurance that any of the milestone or royalty payments contemplated by
the Pfizer Agreements will be made. See "Targeted Genomics -- Essential Genes
Program."
 
     The Company is dependent on its collaborative partners for drug
development, obtaining regulatory approvals, funding and other resources for
products emerging from these collaborations. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on
Collaborative Partners and Others" and "Risk Factors -- Future Capital Needs;
Uncertainty of Additional Funding."
 
PATENTS, PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY AND TRADE SECRETS
 
     Protection of the Company's proprietary compounds and technology is
essential to the Company's business. The Company's policy is to seek, when
appropriate, protection for its lead compounds, gene discoveries, screening
technologies and certain other proprietary technology by filing patent
applications in the
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
 
United States and other countries. The Company has filed approximately 30 patent
applications in the United States, in addition to applications filed in other
countries, covering its inventions. To date, the Company has not been issued any
United States or foreign patents. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Proprietary
Technology and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
     Patent law as it relates to inventions in the biotechnology field is still
evolving, and involves complex legal and factual questions for which legal
principles are not firmly established. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that patents will be granted with respect to any of the Company's pending patent
applications or with respect to any patent applications filed by the Company in
the future. Moreover, because patent applications in the United States are
maintained in secrecy until patents issue, because patent applications in
certain other countries generally are not published until more than eighteen
months after they are filed, because publication of technological developments
in the scientific or patent literature often lags behind the date of such
developments, and because searches of prior art may not reveal all relevant
prior inventions, the Company cannot be certain that it was the first to invent
the subject matter covered by its patent applications or that it was the first
to file patent applications for such inventions.
 
     The commercial success of the Company will depend in part on not infringing
patents or proprietary rights of others. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to obtain a license to any third-party technology it may
require to conduct its business or that if obtainable, such technology can be
licensed at reasonable cost. Failure by the Company to obtain a license to
technology that it may require to utilize its technologies or commercialize its
products may have a material adverse effect on the Company. In some cases,
litigation or other proceedings may be necessary to defend against or assert
claims of infringement, to enforce patents issued to the Company, to protect
trade secrets, know-how or other intellectual property rights owned by the
Company, or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of
third parties. Any potential litigation could result in substantial costs to and
diversion of resources by the Company and could have a material adverse impact
on the Company. There can be no assurance that any of the Company's issued or
licensed patents would ultimately be held valid or that efforts to defend any of
its patents, trade secrets, know-how or other intellectual property rights would
be successful. An adverse outcome in any such litigation or proceeding could
subject the Company to significant liabilities, require the Company to cease
using the subject technology or require the Company to license the subject
technology from the third party, all of which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business.
 
     In addition to patent protection, the Company relies upon trade secrets,
proprietary know-how and continuing technological advances to develop and
maintain its competitive position. To maintain the confidentiality of its trade
secrets and proprietary information, the Company requires its employees,
consultants and collaborative partners to execute confidentiality agreements
upon the commencement of their relationships with the Company. In the case of
employees, the agreements also provide that all inventions resulting from work
performed by them while in the employ of the Company will be the exclusive
property of the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that these
agreements will not be breached, that the Company would have adequate remedies
in the event of any such breach or that the Company's trade secrets or
proprietary information will not otherwise become known or developed
independently by others. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Proprietary
Technology and Unpredictability of Patent Protection."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive.
Many companies, including large, multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies, are actively engaged in activities similar to those of the Company.
Many of these companies may employ in such activities greater financial and
other resources, including larger research and development staffs and more
extensive marketing and manufacturing organizations, than the Company or its
collaborative partners. There are also academic institutions, governmental
agencies and other research organizations that are conducting research in areas
in which the Company is working. See "Risk Factors -- Highly Competitive
Industry."
 
     The Company also expects to encounter significant competition with respect
to the drugs that it and its collaborative partners plan to develop. Companies
that complete clinical trials, obtain required Regulatory Agency approvals and
commence commercial sale of their drugs before their competitors may achieve a
significant competitive advantage. In order to compete successfully, the
Company's goal is to obtain patent
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
 
protection for its potential products and to make those available selectively to
pharmaceutical companies through collaborative and licensing arrangements. There
can be no assurance, however, that the Company will obtain patents covering its
potential products that protect them against competitors. Moreover, there can be
no assurance that the Company's competitors will not succeed in developing
technologies and drugs that are more effective than those developed by the
Company and its collaborative partners or that would render technology or drugs
of the Company and its collaborators less competitive or obsolete. See
"-- Patents, Proprietary Technology and Trade Secrets."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     The development, manufacture and marketing of drugs developed by the
Company or its collaborative partners are subject to regulation by numerous
governmental agencies in the United States and in other countries. The FDA and
comparable Regulatory Agencies in other countries impose mandatory procedures
and standards for the conduct of certain preclinical testing and clinical trials
and the production and marketing of drugs for human therapeutic use. Product
development and approval of a new drug are likely to take a number of years and
involve the expenditure of substantial resources. See "Risk Factors -- Stringent
Government Regulation and Need For Product Approvals."
 
     The steps required by the FDA before new drugs may be marketed in the
United States include: (i) preclinical studies; (ii) the submission to the FDA
of a request for authorization to conduct clinical trials on an investigational
new drug (an "IND"); (iii) adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to
establish the safety and efficacy of the drug for its intended use; (iv)
submission to the FDA of a new drug application (an "NDA"); and (v) review and
approval of the NDA by the FDA before the drug may be shipped or sold
commercially.
 
     In the United States, preclinical testing includes both in vitro and in
vivo laboratory evaluation and characterization of the safety and efficacy of a
drug and its formulation. Laboratories involved in preclinical testing must
comply with FDA regulations regarding Good Laboratory Practices. Preclinical
testing results are submitted to the FDA as part of the IND and are reviewed by
the FDA prior to the commencement of human clinical trials. Unless the FDA
objects to an IND, the IND becomes effective 30 days following its receipt by
the FDA. There can be no assurance that submission of an IND will result in the
commencement of human clinical trials.
 
     Clinical trials, which involve the administration of the investigational
drug to healthy volunteers or to patients under the supervision of a qualified
principal investigator, are typically conducted in three sequential phases,
although the phases may overlap with one another. Clinical trials must be
conducted in accordance with the FDA's Good Clinical Practices under protocols
that detail the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used to monitor
safety and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol must be
submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. Further, each clinical study must be
conducted under the auspices of an independent Institutional Review Board (the
"IRB") at the institution where the study will be conducted. The IRB will
consider, among other things, ethical factors, the safety of human subjects and
the possible liability of the institution. Compounds must be formulated
according to the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP").
 
     Phase I clinical trials represent the initial administration of the
investigational drug to a small group of healthy human subjects or, more rarely,
to a group of selected patients with the targeted disease or disorder. The goal
of Phase I clinical trials is typically to test for safety (adverse effects),
dose tolerance, absorption, biodistribution, metabolism, excretion and clinical
pharmacology and, if possible, to gain early evidence regarding efficacy.
 
     Phase II clinical trials involve a small sample of the actual intended
patient population and seek to assess the efficacy of the drug for specific
targeted indications, to determine dose tolerance and the optimal dose range and
to gather additional information relating to safety and potential adverse
effects.
 
     Once an investigational drug is found to have some efficacy and an
acceptable safety profile in the targeted patient population, Phase III clinical
trials are initiated to establish further clinical safety and efficacy of the
investigational drug in a broader sample of the general patient population at
geographically dispersed study sites in order to determine the overall
risk-benefit ratio of the drug and to provide an adequate basis for
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
 
all physician labeling. The results of the research and product development,
manufacturing, preclinical testing, clinical trials and related information are
submitted to the FDA in the form of an NDA for approval of the marketing and
shipment of the drug.
 
     Timetables for the various phases of clinical trials and NDA approval
cannot be predicted with any certainty. The Company, its collaborative partners
or the FDA may suspend clinical trials at any time if it is believed that
individuals participating in such trials are being exposed to unacceptable
health risks. Even assuming that clinical trials are completed and that an NDA
is submitted to the FDA, there can be no assurance that the NDA will be reviewed
by the FDA in a timely manner or that once reviewed, the NDA will be approved.
The approval process is affected by a number of factors, including the severity
of the targeted indications, the availability of alternative treatments and the
risks and benefits demonstrated in clinical trials. The FDA may deny an NDA if
applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied, or may require additional
testing or information with respect to the investigational drug. Even if initial
FDA approval is obtained, further studies, including post-market studies, may be
required in order to provide additional data on safety and will be required in
order to gain approval for the use of a product as a treatment for clinical
indications other than those for which the product was initially tested. The FDA
will also require post-market reporting and may require surveillance programs to
monitor the side effects of the drug. Results of post-marketing programs may
limit or expand the further marketing of the drug. Further, if there are any
modifications to the drug, including changes in indication, manufacturing
process or labeling, an NDA supplement may be required to be submitted to the
FDA.
 
     Each manufacturing establishment for new drugs is also required to receive
some form of approval by the FDA. Among the conditions for such approval is the
requirement that the prospective manufacturer's quality control and
manufacturing procedures conform to GMP, which must be followed at all times. In
complying with standards set forth in these regulations, manufacturers must
continue to expend time, monies and effort in the area of production and quality
control to ensure full technical compliance. Manufacturing establishments, both
foreign and domestic, are also subject to inspections by or under the authority
of the FDA and may be subject to inspections by foreign and other federal, state
or local agencies.
 
     There can be no assurance that the regulatory framework described above
will not change or that additional regulations will not arise that may affect
approval of or delay an IND or an NDA. Moreover, because the Company's present
collaborative partners are, and it is expected that the Company's future
collaborative partners may be, primarily responsible for preclinical testing,
clinical trials, regulatory approvals, manufacturing and commercialization of
drugs, the ability to obtain and the timing of regulatory approvals are not
within the control of the Company.
 
     Prior to the commencement of marketing a product in other countries,
approval by the Regulatory Agencies in such countries is required, whether or
not FDA approval has been obtained for such product. The requirements governing
the conduct of clinical trials and product approvals vary widely from country to
country, and the time required for approval may be longer or shorter than the
time required for FDA approval. Although there are some procedures for unified
filings for certain European countries, in general, each country has its own
procedures and requirements.
 
     The Company is also subject to regulation under other federal laws and
regulation under state and local laws, including laws relating to occupational
safety, laboratory practices, the use, handling and disposition of radioactive
materials, environmental protection and hazardous substance control. Although
the Company believes that its safety procedures for handling and disposing of
radioactive compounds and other hazardous materials used in its research and
development activities comply with the standards prescribed by federal, state
and local regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these
materials cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of any such accident,
the Company could be held liable for any damages that result and any such
liability could exceed the resources of the Company.
 
SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANTS
 
     The Company has consulting arrangements with a number of leading academic
scientists and clinicians who serve as members of its scientific advisory board
("SAB") or as consultants to the SAB and management. Many of these individuals
are experts in the fields of bacterial pathogenesis, cellular biochemis-
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
try, bacterial genetics and genomics, medicinal chemistry, host-pathogen
signaling and clinical infectious disease. The consultants bring unique insight
into product selection, access to leading academic research in molecular biology
and microbial pathogenesis, and significant experience in clinical trial design
and patient care.
 
     Scientific advisory board members attend periodic SAB meetings as well as
certain project meetings on an ad hoc basis and are frequently contacted by the
Company's scientific staff and management for advice. Members of the SAB
generally provide approximately 10 days of consulting services per year. Members
of the SAB are paid fixed fees on a quarterly basis and per diem fees and travel
expenses for their attendance at SAB meetings. Other scientific consultants are
paid fixed fees for their services on a monthly or quarterly basis.
 
     Many of the Company's consultants, including several of those identified
below, have purchased shares of Common Stock and have written contracts with the
Company pursuant to which they are required to provide to the Company a minimum
number of days per year of consulting services, typically 8 - 10 days. In 1995,
the Company paid its consultants approximately $300,000 in the aggregate. In
1994, such payments aggregated approximately $260,000.
 
     None of the consultants is an employee of the Company. Most of the
consultants have other commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with,
their employers and other institutions.
 
     The Company's consultants include the following individuals:
 
     Sydney Brenner, Ph.D., is Honorary Professor of Genetic Medicine in the
Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge Clinical School. He is
known for his research in molecular genetics and particularly for his work on
the genetic code and on the transfer of information from DNA to proteins. In the
1960's, he was one of the pioneers in the area of the molecular biology of
multicellular organisms, establishing the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans,
as a model for the genetic and cellular basis of development and behavior. Dr.
Brenner was formerly Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in
Cambridge, and a member of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla,
California.
 
     Henry Chambers, M.D., is Chief of the Division of Infectious Disease and
Director of the Microbial Pathogenesis Unit at University of California, San
Francisco Hospital and San Francisco General Hospital. He is also an Associate
Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Chambers
is an expert in clinical infectious diseases, serving as Co-Chairman of San
Francisco General Hospital's Infection Control Committee and Chairman of the
Antibiotic Advisory Committee of Pharmacy and Therapeutics. Dr. Chambers has
published widely, and is a member of the editorial board of Antimicrobial Agents
and Chemotherapy.
 
     Burton G. Christensen, Ph.D., was formerly Senior Vice President,
Chemistry, of the Merck Research Laboratories. Dr. Christensen holds over 180
issued United States patents. Dr. Christensen received the Thomas Alva Edison
Patent Award for his discovery of cefoxitin (Mefoxin), and was an inventor of
imipenem (Primaxin). He is a recipient of the Chemical Pioneer Award by the
American Institute of Chemistry for his development of novel synthetic
methodology in beta-lactam chemistry, and led programs at Merck responsible for
the discovery of ivermectin (Ivomec), an animal health product, PedVaxHIB, a
conjugate vaccine for the prevention of H. influenza, and finasteride (Proscar),
for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
 
     Patrice Courvalin, M.D., is a Professor at the Pasteur Institute, where he
directs the French National Reference Center for Antibiotics and is the head of
the Antibacterial Agents Unit. He is an internationally recognized expert in the
genetics and biochemistry of antibiotic resistance. His work has defined the
molecular mechanisms of the evolution, dissemination and function of antibiotic
resistance genes, which has led to a revision of the dogma on natural
dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Dr. Courvalin has received numerous
awards and honors including the Jacques Monod Award of the Foundation de France,
the Louis Garrod award of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and
the Hamao Umezawa award of the International Society for Chemotherapy for his
work on antibiotic resistance.
 
     Julian Davies, Ph.D., F.R.S., is Professor and the Head of the Department
of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the West-East Center at the
University of British Columbia. He has been actively engaged in studies of
antibiotic mode-of-action and resistance mechanisms for more than 25 years. He
received the Hoechst-Roussel Prize for studies of antimicrobial agents and
numerous other awards for his
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   39
 
work in this field. He was the first to identify the mechanism-of-action and
resistance of the aminoglycosides. Dr. Davies was formerly Head of the Microbial
Engineering Unit at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and President and Research
Director of Biogen.
 
     Stanley Falkow, Ph.D., is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and
Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Falkow is recognized
internationally for his research related to the molecular mechanisms of
bacterial pathogenesis. Dr. Falkow has been elected to the National Academy of
Sciences and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a recipient of
the Squibb Award (Infectious Diseases Society of America), the Becton Dickinson
Award (American Society for Microbiology), and the Paul Ehrlich-Ludwig
Darmstaedter Prize. He has served on the editorial boards of Infection and
Immunology, Molecular Microbiology, the Journal of Infectious Diseases and the
Journal of Bacteriology. Dr. Falkow formerly held faculty appointments at
University of Washington, Georgetown University and Walter Reed Army Institute
of Research.
 
     Robert Moellering, Jr., M.D., is the Shields Warren-Mallinckrodt Professor
of Medical Research at Harvard University Medical School and Physician-in-Chief
at the New England Deaconess Hospital, where he serves as Chairman of the
Department of Medicine. Dr. Moellering is an internationally recognized expert
in clinical infectious diseases and in research on the mechanism of action and
resistance to antimicrobial agents. Dr. Moellering is the recipient of the
Garrod Medal from the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, the
Hoechst-Roussel Award from the American Academy of Microbiology and the Feldman
Award from the Infectious Diseases Society of America for which he is a past
President. He is Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Antimicrobial Agents and
Chemotherapy, Editor of Infectious Disease Clinics of North America and Editor
of the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
 
     Hiroshi Nikaido, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology at University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Nikaido is internationally
recognized for his pioneering work on the structure, function and biosynthesis
of macromolecules that comprise the surface of the bacterial cell. His studies
have dealt mainly with the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria; studies of
channel-forming proteins ("porins"); studies of numerous specific transport
channels; and the unusual barrier properties of the lipid bilayer in the
membrane conferred by the presence of lipopolysaccharides. Dr. Nikaido was
awarded the Paul Ehrlich Prize of West Germany for his work on the biosynthesis
of lipopolysaccharides and the Hoechst-Roussel Award of the American Society for
Microbiology for his work on the role of the outer membrane in antibiotic
resistance.
 
     Staffan Normark, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor of Bacteriology at Karolinska
Institute and Head of the Bacteriology Unit at the Swedish Institute for
Infectious Disease Control. Dr. Normark is internationally known for his work on
the molecular mechanisms of microbial attachment to host cells and antibiotic
resistance. He is a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, the Nobel
Assembly and the Nobel Committee for Medicine or Physiology. Dr. Normark has
received the Femstrom's Award to Young Scientists (for studies on gene
amplification), the Svedberg's Award in Biochemistry (for studies on bacterial
adhesions), the Axel Hirsch's Award in Bacteriology and the Domagk Award (for
studies on beta-lactams and beta-lactamases), the Goran Gustavsson Award in
Medicine and Jean-Pierre Lecoqc Award in Molecular Medicine. He is a member of
the editorial boards of Molecular Microbiology and Science.
 
     David Relman, M.D., is Assistant Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases
and Geographic Medicine) and of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford
University School of Medicine, and is a staff physician at the Palo Alto
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Relman's expertise is in the
molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. He discovered two previously
uncharacterized, uncultivated bacterial pathogens, agents of bacillary
angiomatosis and Whipple's disease. Dr. Relman is a recipient of a Biomedical
Scholar Award from the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust and the Baxter
Diagnostics MicroScan Young Investigator Award from the American Society for
Microbiology.
 
     Merle Sande, M.D., is Chief of Medical Services at San Francisco General
Hospital, and Professor and Vice Chairman of Medicine at University of
California, San Francisco. Dr. Sande is recognized internationally as a clinical
infectious disease expert, is actively involved in the medical community and has
served on a variety of AIDS and infectious disease advisory boards at the state
and national level. He serves on several editorial boards including AIDS,
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Infectious Diseases in Clinical
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
 
Practice, Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Journal of
Infectious Diseases. He is editor of the premier AIDS textbook and co-editor of
the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. He holds numerous professional
society memberships and honors including the American Association for the
Advancement of Science.
 
     Robert M. Williams, Ph.D., is Professor of Chemistry at Colorado State
University. Dr. Williams is an expert in organic and biological chemistry. He
developed a general method for synthesis of non-proteinogenic amino acids widely
used by industry. He has designed and synthesized numerous antibiotics and
anti-tumor agents, and has advanced synthetic chemistry to probe and discover
molecular mechanisms of small molecule drug interactions with biomacromolecular
targets. Dr. Williams serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Chemistry and
Biology and is Editor-in-Chief of Amino Acids. His honors and awards include an
Eli Lilly Young Investigator award, a Merck Academic Development Award and an
NIH Research Career Development Award.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of March 31, 1996, the Company had 68 full-time employees, 27 of whom
hold Ph.D. degrees. Of the Company's full-time employees, approximately 57 are
engaged directly in scientific research and 11 are engaged in general and
administrative functions. The Company believes that its future success will
depend, in part, on its continuing ability to attract, retain and motivate
qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel. The Company faces
intense competition in this regard from other companies, research and academic
institutions, government entities and other organizations. None of the Company's
employees is represented by a collective bargaining agreement, nor has the
Company experienced work stoppages. The Company considers its relations with
employees to be good.
 
FACILITIES
 
     The Company's principal facility consists of approximately 35,500 square
feet of leased laboratory and office space in Mountain View, California under a
lease agreement with an initial term expiring on September 30, 2000. The Company
intends to exercise its option to extend the term of this lease for five
additional years. From the Company's inception through March 31, 1996, the
Company has made capital expenditures aggregating approximately $3.7 million in
constructing and equipping its Mountain View facility. The Company believes that
its facilities are sufficient to accommodate the anticipated research and
administrative needs of the Company through the end of 1996. Thereafter, the
Company believes that it will be able to secure adequate additional facilities
for its continued operations.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
 
     The executive officers, directors and key employees of the Company are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               NAME                  AGE                      POSITION
- -----------------------------------  ---   ----------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>   <C>
James E. Rurka.....................  50    President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                           Director
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D. ...........  44    Chief Operating Officer and Director
Joseph S. Lacob(1).................  40    Chairman of the Board of Directors
Hugh Y. Rienhoff, Jr., M.D.(1).....  44    Director
Jon S. Saxe(1).....................  59    Director
David Schnell, M.D.(2).............  35    Director
L. James Strand, M.D.(2)...........  54    Director
John P. Walker(2)..................  47    Director
Matthew J. Hogan...................  36    Chief Financial Officer
Ving J. Lee, Ph.D. ................  45    Vice President, Medicinal Chemistry and
                                           Preclinical Evaluation
James G. Christenson, Ph.D. .......  53    Executive Director, Project Management
Molly B. Schmid, Ph.D. ............  42    Director, Discovery Biology
Scott J. Hecker, Ph.D. ............  37    Associate Director, Chemistry
May D. Lee, Ph.D. .................  46    Associate Director, Molecular Diversity
Suzanne Chamberland, Ph.D. ........  35    Assistant Director, In Vitro Pharmacology
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Member of Audit Committee.
 
(2) Member of Compensation Committee.
 
     James E. Rurka, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director, joined
the Company in February 1994. From August 1983 to December 1993 he was with
Cetus Corporation and Chiron Corporation where he was most recently President of
the Cetus Oncology Division. Prior to joining Cetus Corporation, Mr. Rurka held
several group marketing and product management positions at Bristol Laboratories
and Schering Laboratories. Mr. Rurka holds a B.A. in English with a minor in
Business from Seton Hall University, and he attended Seton Hall University
Graduate School of Business.
 
     Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer and a Director, is a
Founder of the Company. Dr. Bostian joined the Company in December 1992. From
June 1987 through December 1992 he was employed at Merck Research Laboratories,
where he was Executive Director of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Dr.
Bostian was an Assistant and Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology in the
Division of Biology at Brown University from 1982 to 1990 and was elected to the
American Academy of Microbiology in 1993. Dr. Bostian received a B.A. in Biology
and Chemistry from Augustana College and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Queen Mary
College, University of London.
 
     Joseph S. Lacob, Chairman of the Board, has served as a Director of the
Company since December 1992. Mr. Lacob, a Partner with Kleiner Perkins Caufield
& Byers since May 1987, has participated in investments of 33 new life science
companies. He is Chairman of the Board of CellPro, Inc. and he is a Director of
Pharmacyclics, Inc., Heartport and Axion, Inc. and several other life science
companies. Mr. Lacob has served as General Manager for FHP International, a
management consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton and a Marketing Manager at
Cetus Corporation. Mr. Lacob received a B.S. in Biochemistry from University of
California, Irvine, an M.P.H. from University of California, Los Angeles and an
M.B.A. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
 
     Hugh Y. Rienhoff, Jr., M.D., became a Director of the Company in July 1994.
Dr. Rienhoff is a Partner at New Enterprise Associates, where his focus is on
biopharmaceuticals and health information technology. Prior to joining New
Enterprise Associates in July 1992, Dr. Rienhoff was a member of the faculty in
the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at The Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine from
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
July 1989 through June 1992. Dr. Rienhoff trained in internal medicine and human
genetics at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and received a B.A. in English and
Biology at Williams College and an M.D. from The Johns Hopkins University.
 
     Jon S. Saxe became a Director of the Company in October 1993. Mr. Saxe
performed consulting services for the Company from August 1993 to July 1995. Mr.
Saxe serves as a Director on several corporate boards, including Protein Design
Labs, Inc., Insite Vision, Inc., ID Biomedical Inc. and InCyte Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. Mr. Saxe has served as President of Protein Design Labs, Inc. since January
1995. He was President of Saxe Associates in Boulder, Colorado from April 1993
to January 1995, and was President of Synergen, Inc. from October 1989 to April
1993. He has over 25 years of experience with Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc. primarily in
the areas of patent law, licensing and corporate development. Mr. Saxe received
a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University, a J.D. from
George Washington University School of Law and an LL.M. from New York University
School of Law.
 
     David Schnell, M.D., has served as a Director of the Company since December
1992 and is a Founder of the Company. He has been a partner at Kleiner Perkins
Caufield & Byers since January 1994 where he leads the firm's investments in
health care services and information systems. From August 1987 to December 1993,
he was a marketing and business development executive at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
Corporation. From January 1992 to December 1993, he managed Sandoz' venture
capital activities and with Avalon Medical Partners founded the Company. Dr.
Schnell is the founding President of HealthScape and serves on the Board of
Directors of Neurocrine Biosciences and several other privately-held companies.
Dr. Schnell received a B.S. in Biological Sciences and an A.M. in Health
Services Research from Stanford University and an M.D. from Harvard University.
 
     L. James Strand, M.D., became a Director of the Company in January 1993.
Dr. Strand joined Institutional Venture Partners as a Consultant in 1987, was
named a Venture Partner of Institutional Venture Partners in 1993 and a General
Partner of Institutional Venture Management VI in 1994. Prior to joining IVP
full time, Dr. Strand was President of Advanced Marketing Decisions, a
biomedical marketing and product development consulting company. Previously, he
was Vice President of Medical Affairs and Director of Marketing Planning at
Syntex Laboratories, Medical Director and Chairman of the Product Assessment
Committee at Alza and CEO and Director of both DDI Pharmaceuticals and
Laserscope. He is currently a Director of Accordant Health Services, Aviron and
Prograft. He was Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Texas
Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Dr. Strand holds a B.S., M.A. and M.D.
from University of California, San Francisco and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara
University.
 
     John P. Walker became a Director of the Company in December 1995. He has
been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Arris Pharmaceutical
Corporation since February 1993. From September 1991 to January 1993 he was a
General Partner of Alpha Venture Partners. From June 1986 to January 1991, Mr.
Walker was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vitaphore
Corporation, a company which was acquired in April 1990 by Union Carbide
Chemicals and Plastics Company Inc. Following that acquisition, Mr. Walker
served as the latter company's Vice President, BioMaterials Systems from January
1991 to September 1991. From 1971 to 1985, Mr. Walker was employed by American
Hospital Supply Corporation in a variety of general management, sales, and
marketing positions, most recently serving as President of the American Hospital
Company. Mr. Walker received a B.A. from State University of New York at Buffalo
and conducted graduate business studies at Northwestern University Institute for
Management. He serves as a director of several private companies.
 
     Matthew J. Hogan, Chief Financial Officer, joined the Company in May 1996.
Prior to joining the Company, he held various positions since 1986 in the
investment banking group at Merrill Lynch & Co., most recently as a Director
focusing on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Mr. Hogan holds a B.A.
in Economics from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of
Business Administration.
 
     Ving J. Lee, Ph.D., Vice President, Medicinal Chemistry and Preclinical
Evaluation, joined the Company in December 1993. He held various positions at
Lederle Laboratories, Division of American Cyanamid, from September 1977 to
December 1993, most recently Head of the Department of Chemistry for Infectious
Diseases and Molecular Biology Research. He was a recipient of the Cyanamid
Scientific Achievement
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   43
 
Award in 1981 for research in Natural Products. Dr. Lee received a B.A. in
Chemistry from Ohio State University, Columbus, and an M.S. in Organic Chemistry
and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
 
     James G. Christenson, Ph.D., Executive Director, Project Management, joined
the Company in August 1995. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Christenson was an
independent consultant from November 1994 to August 1995. Dr. Christenson held a
series of research positions at Hoffmann-LaRoche from June 1968 to November
1994, most recently as International Project Director. He was instrumental in
the discovery and development of Rocephin(R) (ceftriaxone). Dr. Christenson
received a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University, an S.M. in Biology from
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from City
University of New York for research at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology.
 
     Molly B. Schmid, Ph.D., Director, Discovery Biology, joined the Company in
June 1994. Dr. Schmid served as a consultant to the Company from December 1993
to May 1994 prior to joining the Company. She was an Associate Professor of
Biology at University of Houston from January 1994 to August 1995, where she was
on leave from May 1994 to August 1995. Dr. Schmid was Assistant Professor of
Molecular Biology at Princeton University from April 1986 to January 1994. She
is a recipient of the Searles Scholar's Award from The Chicago Community Trust.
Dr. Schmid earned a B.S. in Biology from State University of New York, Albany
and a Ph.D. in Biology from University of Utah.
 
     Scott J. Hecker, Ph.D., Associate Director, Chemistry, joined the Company
in December 1993. From November 1985 to December 1993 he was employed at Pfizer
Inc. Dr. Hecker received a B.A. in Chemistry from Wesleyan University and a
Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California, Berkeley.
 
     May D. Lee, Ph.D., Associate Director, Molecular Diversity, joined the
Company in May 1994. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Lee was with American
Cyanamid Co., Medical Research Division, from September 1977 to March 1994. She
was a recipient of the Cyanamid Scientific Achievement Award in 1986. Dr. Lee
received a B.Sc. in Honors Chemistry from University of British Columbia and an
M.S. and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Illinois,
Champaign-Urbana.
 
     Suzanne Chamberland, Ph.D., Assistant Director, In Vitro Pharmacology,
joined the Company in March 1994. From July 1991 to March 1994, Dr. Chamberland
was Assistant Professor at Universite Laval and a Scholar of the Health Research
Foundation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Association of Canada and the
Medical Research Council of Canada. Dr. Chamberland received a B.S. in
Microbiology at Universite de Sherbrooke (Canada), an M.S. in Microbiology and
Immunology at Universite de Montreal (Canada) and a Ph.D. in Medical Science
(Medical Microbiology) from University of Calgary (Canada).
 
     The Company's Restated Certificate provides for a Board of Directors that
is divided into three classes. The directors in Class I hold office until the
first annual meeting of stockholders following this Offering, the directors in
Class II hold office until the second annual meeting of stockholders following
this Offering, and the directors in Class III hold office until the third annual
meeting of stockholders following this Offering (or, in each case, until their
successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier resignation, removal
from office or death), and, after each such election, the directors in each such
case will then serve in succeeding terms of three years and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers of the Company serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among
the Company's directors and executive officers. However, Ving J. Lee, Ph.D. and
May D. Lee, Ph.D., key employees of the Company, are husband and wife.
 
     The Board of Directors currently has an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the actions taken by the Company's
independent auditors and reviews the Company's internal financial and accounting
controls and policies. The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining
salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for officers and other
employees of the Company and administers various incentive compensation and
benefit plans.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     Except as described below, members of the Company's Board of Directors do
not receive compensation for their services as directors.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   44
 
     Non-employee directors are entitled to participate in the 1996 Director
Option Plan (the "Director Plan"). The Director Plan was adopted by the Board of
Directors in March 1996, and will be submitted to the shareholders for approval
at the Company's 1996 annual stockholders meeting. The Director Plan has a term
of ten years, unless terminated sooner by the Board of Directors. A total of
80,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Director
Plan.
 
     The Director Plan provides for the automatic grant of an option (the "First
Option") to purchase 12,000 shares of Common Stock to each non-employee director
who first becomes a non-employee director after the effective date of the
Director Plan, provided that such director was not an employee director of the
Company immediately prior to becoming a non-employee director. Each non-employee
director, whether or not eligible to receive a First Option, shall automatically
be granted an option to purchase 4,000 shares of Common Stock (a "Subsequent
Option") each year on the date of the Company's annual stockholders meeting, if
on such date he or she has served on the Board for at least six months. First
Options and Subsequent Options have terms of ten years. First Options vest and
become exercisable as to 1/6th of the shares subject to the option six months
after the date of grant, and as to 1/36th of the shares each month thereafter.
Subsequent Options vest as to 1/12th of the shares subject to the option each
month after the date of grant. The exercise prices of First Options and
Subsequent Options are 100% of the fair market value per share of the Common
Stock, generally determined with reference to the closing price of the Common
Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of grant.
 
     In the event of a merger of the Company or the sale of substantially all of
the assets of the Company, each option granted under the Director Plan may be
assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation. If an
option is assumed or substituted, it will continue to vest as provided in the
Director Plan. However, if a non-employee director's status as a director of the
Company or the successor corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than
upon a voluntary resignation by the non-employee director, each option granted
to such non-employee director will become fully vested and exercisable. If the
successor corporation does not agree to assume or substitute the option, each
option will also become fully vested and exercisable for a period of 30 days
from the date the Board of Directors notifies the optionee of the option's full
exercisability, after which period the option will terminate. Options granted
under the Director Plan must be exercised within three months of the end of the
optionee's tenure as a director of the Company, or within twelve months after
such director's termination by death or disability, but in no event later than
the expiration of the option's ten-year term. No option granted under the
Director Plan is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and each option is exercisable, during the lifetime of
the optionee, only by such optionee.
 
     The administration and other terms of the Director Plan have been
structured so that options granted to any non-employee directors who administer
the Company's stock plans will qualify as transactions exempt from Section 16(b)
of the Exchange Act, pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated thereunder.
 
     Pursuant to a letter agreement dated August 2, 1993, as revised and
superseded by letter agreements dated August 30, 1993 and September 20, 1993,
Director Jon S. Saxe has received options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share which vest over a four-year period
at a rate of 1/48th of the total number of shares subject to the option for each
month Mr. Saxe serves as a Director of the Company.
 
     Pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated January 29, 1996, Director
John Walker purchased 20,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $0.375 per
share, subject to a repurchase option by the Company with 1/48th of the total
number of shares being released from the Company's repurchase option for each
month Mr. Walker serves as a Director of the Company.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
determining salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for officers
and other employees of the Company and administers various incentive
compensation and benefit plans. The Compensation Committee consists of Directors
Schnell, Strand and Walker. Mr. Rurka, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, participates in all discussions and decisions regarding salaries
and incentive compensation for all employees and
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   45
 
consultants of the Company, except that Mr. Rurka is excluded from discussions
regarding his own salary and incentive compensation.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth total compensation for the year ended
December 31, 1995 for the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other
executive officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus for such fiscal
year exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers"):
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              LONG-TERM
                                                                             COMPENSATION
                                                                                AWARDS
                                              1995 COMPENSATION              ------------
                                    --------------------------------------    SECURITIES
                                                            OTHER ANNUAL      UNDERLYING       ALL OTHER
   NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      SALARY($)   BONUS($)   COMPENSATION($)    OPTIONS(#)    COMPENSATION($)
- ----------------------------------  ---------   --------   ---------------   ------------   ---------------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>        <C>               <C>            <C>
James E. Rurka....................  $ 254,166   $50,000        $35,721(1)        60,000(2)         --
President and Chief
  Executive Officer
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D. ..........    244,391    50,000         70,433(3)            --            --
Chief Operating Officer
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Represents the portion of a forgivable loan for moving, housing and other
    expenses incurred by Mr. Rurka in connection with relocating to the
    Company's geographic region attributed to 1995 compensation.
 
(2) Pursuant to the Company's 1993 Amended Incentive Stock Plan, an option to
    purchase 60,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $0.375 per share was
    granted to Mr. Rurka in December 1995. At December 31, 1995, such option was
    vested with respect to 27,500 shares of Common Stock. Such option vested at
    the rate of 1/4th of the shares on the first anniversary of Mr. Rurka's date
    of hire and vests at the rate of an additional 1/48th of the shares each
    month thereafter. As of December 31, 1995, Mr. Rurka held 75,833 shares of
    Common Stock which were subject to repurchase rights by the Company having a
    value of $985,829 based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $13
    per share.
 
(3) Represents reimbursement for taxes incurred by Dr. Bostian as a result of
    the payment by the Company in 1994 of $100,908 of moving, housing and other
    expenses incurred by Dr. Bostian in connection with relocating to the
    Company's geographic region.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
     The following table provides information concerning each grant of options
to purchase Common Stock made during the year ended December 31, 1995 to the
Named Executive Officers:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                        VALUE MINUS
                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                      EXERCISE PRICE AT
                              -------------------------------------------------   ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                              NUMBER OF    % OF TOTAL                                   STOCK PRICE
                              SECURITIES    OPTIONS      EXERCISE                      APPRECIATION
                              UNDERLYING   GRANTED TO      PRICE                    FOR OPTION TERM(1)
                               OPTIONS    EMPLOYEES IN   PER SHARE   EXPIRATION   -----------------------
            NAME               GRANTED    FISCAL YEAR     (2)(3)        DATE        5%($)        10%($)
- ----------------------------  ---------   ------------   ---------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                           <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
James E. Rurka..............    60,000           41%      $ 0.375    12/07/2005   $1,248,038   $2,000,619
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Potential realizable value is based on the assumption that the Common Stock
    appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded annually) from the date of
    grant until the expiration of the ten-year option term, assuming an initial
    public offering price of $13 per share. These numbers are calculated based
    on the requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
    and do not reflect the Company's estimate of future stock price growth.
 
(2) The option granted to Mr. Rurka in 1995 became exercisable as to 1/4th on
    the first anniversary of Mr. Rurka's date of hire and becomes exercisable as
    to an additional 1/48th each month thereafter with full vesting occurring on
    the fourth anniversary of the date of hire. Under the 1993 Amended Incentive
    Stock Plan, the Board of Directors retains the discretion to reduce the
    exercise price of outstanding options in certain limited circumstances.
 
(3) Options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
    the Common Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors on the date of
    grant.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   46
 
               AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                         FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock options
held as of December 31, 1995 by the Named Executive Officers. No options were
exercised by such individuals in 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                      UNDERLYING                   VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT            IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1995 (#)           DECEMBER 31, 1995 ($)(1)
                                             -----------------------------     -----------------------------
                   NAME                      EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------------------  -----------     -------------     -----------     -------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
James E. Rurka.............................     27,500           32,500         $ 347,188        $ 410,312
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D.....................      4,375            5,625            55,234           71,016
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $13 per share minus
    the exercise price.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
     1993 AMENDED INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
 
     The Company's 1993 Amended Incentive Stock Plan (the "Option Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors in April 1993 and approved by the shareholders
in April 1994. A total of 1,380,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for
issuance under the Option Plan. The Option Plan provides for grants of incentive
stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code") to employees (including officers and employee
directors), and nonstatutory stock options and stock purchase rights ("SPRs") to
employees (including officers and employee directors) and consultants.
Non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the Option Plan. The
Option Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or by a committee of
the Board (the "Committee"), which Committee must be constituted to comply with
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and applicable laws. The Board of Directors
or the Committee (the "Administrator") determines the grantees and the terms of
options and SPRs to be granted, including the exercise price, number of shares
subject to the option or SPR, and the exercisability thereof.
 
     The terms of options granted under the Option Plan generally may not exceed
10 years. The exercise price of such options granted is determined by the
Administrator, but, in the case of incentive stock options, cannot be less than
100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Options
granted under the Option Plan to new employees and consultants generally have
not been immediately exercisable but have vested at the rate of 25% of the
shares subject to option on the first anniversary of the date of hire and 1/48th
of such shares at the end of each calendar month thereafter. Subsequent grants
generally vest as to 1/48th of the option shares at the end of each month after
the date of grant. Shares that may be purchased upon exercise of SPRs generally
vests according to similar schedules. No option or SPR may be transferred by the
grantee other than by will or the laws of descent or distribution. An optionee
whose relationship with the Company or any related corporation ceases for any
reason (other than by death or permanent and total disability) may exercise
options in the 30-day period following such cessation (unless such options
terminate or expire sooner by their terms) or in such longer period determined
by the Administrator. Unvested shares purchased upon exercise of an SPR by a
purchaser whose relationship with the Company ceases generally must be resold to
the Company at the original purchase price.
 
     Shares subject to options and SPRs granted under the Option Plan which have
lapsed or terminated may again be subject to options and SPRs granted under the
Option Plan. Furthermore, the Board of Directors may offer to exchange new
options for existing options, with the shares subject to the existing options
again becoming available for grant under the Option Plan. Upon any merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or upon a
sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, all outstanding options and
SPRs may either be assumed or substituted for by the surviving entity.
 
     As of March 31, 1996, 203,950 shares of Common Stock had been issued upon
the exercise of options or SPRs granted under the Option Plan, options to
purchase 690,600 shares of Common Stock at a weighted
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   47
 
average exercise price of $0.965 per share were outstanding and 485,450 shares
remained available for future grants of options and SPRs. The Option Plan
terminates in April 2003, unless terminated sooner by the Board of Directors.
 
     1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
     The Company's 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "1996 Purchase Plan")
was adopted by the Board of Directors in March 1996 and will be submitted to the
shareholders for approval at the Company's 1996 annual shareholders meeting. A
total of 120,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under the
1996 Purchase Plan. The 1996 Purchase Plan, which is intended to qualify under
Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, has two six-month offering periods
each year beginning on the first trading day on or after May 1 and November 1,
except for the first offering period, which begins on the effective date of the
Company's initial public offering and ends on the last trading day on or before
October 31, 1996. The 1996 Purchase Plan is administered by the Board of
Directors or by a committee appointed by the Board. Employees are eligible to
participate if they are customarily employed by the Company or any participating
subsidiary for at least 20 hours per week and more than five months in any
calendar year. The 1996 Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to purchase
Common Stock through payroll deductions of up to 10% of an employee's
"compensation," which includes base earnings and commissions but excludes
overtime and other bonuses and incentive compensation, up to a maximum of
$21,250 for all offering periods ending within the same calendar year. The price
of stock purchased under the 1996 Purchase Plan will be 85% of the lower of the
fair market value of the Common Stock at the beginning and at the end of each
offering period. Employees may end their participation in the offering at any
time during an offering period, and upon withdrawal are paid their payroll
deductions to date not yet used to purchase Common Stock. Participation ends
automatically on termination of employment with the Company.
 
     Rights granted under the 1996 Purchase Plan are not transferable by a
participant other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as
otherwise provided under the 1996 Purchase Plan. The 1996 Purchase Plan provides
that, in the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation
or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, the offering period then
underway is shortened (so that employees' rights to purchase stock under the
1996 Purchase Plan are exercised prior to the merger or sale of assets. The 1996
Purchase Plan terminates in March 2006. The Board of Directors has the authority
to amend or terminate the 1996 Purchase Plan, except that no such action may
adversely affect any outstanding rights to purchase stock under the 1996
Purchase Plan.
 
     401(K) PLAN
 
     The Company adopted a 401(k) savings plan (the "401(k) Plan") effective in
June 1994. Eligible employees who have attained age 18 may participate in the
401(k) Plan. Participants in the 401(k) Plan may defer compensation in an amount
not in excess of 15% of the employee's total annual compensation from the
Company, up to the annual statutory limit ($9,500 in 1996). The Company may make
matching contributions in an amount determined annually by the Board of
Directors. All contributions are credited to separate accounts maintained in
trust for each participant and are invested, at the participant's direction, in
one or more of the investment funds made available under the 401(k) Plan.
Matching contributions are subject to 25% annual vesting over a four-year
period. The 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401 and 501 of the
Internal Revenue Code so that contributions to the 401(k) Plan, and income
earned on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn, and
so that the contributions will be deductible by the Company when made.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     In February 1994, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
James E. Rurka, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, for a
three-year term. Pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Rurka receives an annual base
salary of $260,000. Also pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Rurka received the
right to purchase 140,000 shares of Common Stock at $0.25 per share, on which
shares the Company has a right of repurchase which lapses over a four-year
period subject to Mr. Rurka's continued employment with the
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   48
 
Company, and an option to purchase an additional 60,000 shares of Common Stock
based on Mr. Rurka's having met certain bonus objectives. In addition, the
Company provided Mr. Rurka, pursuant to the agreement, a forgivable loan to
cover certain relocation expenses. See "Certain Transactions -- Transactions
with Directors and Executive Officers."
 
     In December 1992, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer and a Director, for a
three-year term which provides for a minimum annual salary of $150,000 subject
to annual review and increase by mutual agreement, in addition to a guaranteed
annual bonus of $79,000, and the right to purchase 256,000 shares of Common
Stock at a purchase price of $0.005 per share subject to vesting over a
four-year period at the rate of 1/48th of such shares each month based upon
continued employment. The Company subsequently agreed with Dr. Bostian to modify
his compensation to an annual salary of $250,000, with no guaranteed bonus. The
Company's employment agreement with Dr. Bostian was automatically renewed for an
additional term of one year on January 11, 1996 and provides for further
automatic renewal for successive terms of one year each unless either party
gives notice of cancellation 90 days prior to such renewal.
 
     The Company currently has no other compensatory plan or arrangement with
any of the Named Executive Officers where the amounts to be paid exceed $100,000
and which are activated upon resignation, termination or retirement of any such
executive officer upon a change in control of the Company.
 
LIMITATIONS ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
     The Restated Certificate limits the liability of directors to the maximum
extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that directors of a
corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of
their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for (i) any breach of
their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock
repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. Such limitation of liability does not
apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not
affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or
rescission.
 
     The Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors and
executive officers and may indemnify its other officers and employees and other
agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company believes that
indemnification under its Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence
on the part of indemnified parties. The Company's Bylaws also permit it to
secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for
any liability arising out of his or her actions in such capacity, regardless of
whether the Bylaws permit such indemnification.
 
     The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers
and directors containing provisions which may require the Company, among other
things, to indemnify the officers and directors against certain liabilities that
may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers (other
than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature), and to
advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to
which they could be indemnified. The Company believes that these provisions and
agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and executive officers.
 
     At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving
a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company in which
indemnification would be required or permitted. The Company is not aware of any
threatened litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such
indemnification.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   49
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF SECURITIES
 
     The price per share and number of shares presented herein give effect to
the 1-for-5 reverse stock split which will be completed prior to the
consummation of the Offering and assume conversion of all outstanding
Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company into Common Stock, which will occur
automatically upon the completion of the Offering.
 
     In connection with the incorporation of the Company in December 1992,
240,000 shares of Common Stock were sold to Avalon Medical Partners, L.P. for an
aggregate price of $1,200 and 256,000 shares of Common Stock were sold to Dr.
Keith A. Bostian for an aggregate price of $1,280.
 
     Since the Company's inception in December 1992, the Company issued, in
private placement transactions (collectively, the "Private Placement
Transactions"), the following shares of Common Stock and Convertible Preferred
Stock: 496,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $0.005 per share; 170,200
shares of Common Stock at a price of $0.025 per share; 17,771 shares of Common
Stock at $0.20 per share; 164,470 shares of Common Stock at a price of $0.25 per
share; 27,748 shares of Common Stock at a price of $.375 per share; 1,078,267
shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $1.875 per share; 1,591,000
shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price of $2.50 per share; 3,066,666
shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a price of $3.75 per share; 573,429 shares
of Series D Preferred Stock at a price of $8.75 per share, and 571,429 shares of
Series E Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $8.75 per share. In connection
with certain equipment leasing agreements, the Company issued warrants to
purchase the following shares of Preferred Stock: 19,467 shares of Series A
Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.875 per share; 86,320 shares of
Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share; and 54,400
shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $3.75 per share. See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Warrants."
 
     All of the Convertible Preferred Stock issued in the Private Placement
Transactions will convert into Common Stock on a 1-for-1 basis upon the closing
of the sale of the shares of the Common Stock offered hereby. All of the
outstanding warrants terminate, if not previously exercised, three years after
this offering. The Company can, under certain conditions, cause all of the
outstanding warrants issued to Dominion Ventures to be exercised in connection
with the Offering.
 
     The purchasers of the Convertible Preferred Stock and Common Stock
described above included, among others, the following officers and directors and
holders of more than five percent of the Company's voting securities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
                                                     CONVERSION OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK(1)(2)
                                                     -----------------------------------------------
                                           COMMON    SERIES    SERIES    SERIES    SERIES    SERIES
                PURCHASER                   STOCK       A         B         C         D         E
- -----------------------------------------  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
  Entities(3)............................       --   506,667   760,000   533,334        --        --
Institutional Venture
  Partners/Institutional Venture
  Management Entities(4).................       --   374,400   561,200   533,334        --        --
Avalon Entities..........................  240,000   177,600   266,800        --        --        --
Johnson & Johnson Development
  Corporation............................       --        --        --        --   571,429        --
Pfizer Inc ..............................       --        --        --        --        --   571,429
Atlas Venture Europe Fund Entities.......       --        --        --   533,334        --        --
New Enterprise Associates VI(5)..........       --        --        --   533,333        --        --
Abingworth Bioventures...................       --        --        --   400,000        --        --
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D...................  256,000     8,000        --        --        --        --
James E. Rurka...........................  140,000        --        --        --        --        --
David Schnell, M.D.......................   20,000     3,600
John P. Walker...........................   20,000        --        --        --        --        --
L. James Strand, M.D.....................    8,000
Jon S. Saxe..............................    6,040        --        --        --        --        --
</TABLE>
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   50
 
- ---------------
(1) The purchasers of these securities are entitled to registration rights. See
    "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."
 
(2) Except as otherwise indicated, shares held by affiliated persons and
    entities have been aggregated. See "Principal Stockholders."
 
(3) Does not include 20,000 shares of Common Stock and 3,600 shares of Series A
    Preferred Stock held by David Schnell, M.D., a Director of the Company. Dr.
    Schnell is a Venture Limited Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI
    Associates, which is the General Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
    VI and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI Founders Fund. Joseph A. Lacob,
    the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, is a General Partner
    of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
 
(4) Does not include 8,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by L. James
    Strand, M.D., a Director of the Company. Does not include 12,000 shares of
    Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Dr. Strand. Dr.
    Strand is a General Partner of Institutional Venture Management VI.
 
(5) Hugh Y. Rienhoff, Jr., M.D., a Director of the Company, is a Partner of New
    Enterprise Associates.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     In February 1994, under the terms of his acceptance of employment with the
Company and in order to defray the costs of relocating to the Company's
geographic area, James E. Rurka, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
of the Company, borrowed $53,861 from the Company pursuant to an Employment
Agreement between the Company and Mr. Rurka dated effective February 1994. The
loan to Mr. Rurka did not bear interest, and was forgiven over a two-year period
at the rate of one-quarter of the loan amount for each six-month period of his
employment with the Company. See "Management -- Employment Agreements."
 
     In 1993, under the terms of his acceptance of employment with the Company
and in order to defray the costs of relocating to the Company's geographic area,
the Company reimbursed Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D. $100,908 for expenses incurred by
Dr. Bostian with respect to his relocation. In 1995, pursuant to the terms of
his employment agreement, Dr. Bostian received $70,433 to cover the income tax
impact of the reimbursement by the Company of his moving expenses.
 
     In January 1993 Institutional Venture Partners transferred to L. James
Strand, M.D., a Director of the Company, and a General Partner of Institutional
Venture Partners, 8,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company in
consideration of Dr. Strand's assistance on behalf of the Company.
 
     Prior to his appointment as a Director of the Company, pursuant to a letter
agreement dated August 2, 1993, as revised and superseded by letter agreements
dated August 30, 1993 and September 20, 1993, which terminated in July 1995, Jon
S. Saxe agreed to provide consulting services to the Company on business
development issues in exchange for $1,333 per consulting day in cash and 267
shares of Common Stock of the Company per consulting day. Mr. Saxe received
$3,048 and 1,000 shares of Common Stock in 1993, $12,609 in 1994 and $15,422 and
5,040 shares of Common Stock in 1995 for consulting services rendered to the
Company.
 
     The Company believes that all of the transactions set forth above were made
on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from
unaffiliated third parties. All future transactions, including loans, between
the Company and its officers, directors, principal stockholders and their
affiliates will be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, including a
majority of the independent and disinterested outside directors and will
continue to be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained
from unaffiliated third parties.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   51
 
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 1996, assuming
conversion of all shares of the Company's outstanding Preferred Stock into
shares of the Company's Common Stock, and as adjusted to reflect the sale by the
Company of the shares offered hereby, (i) by each person (or group of affiliated
persons) who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) by each of the Company's directors,
(iii) by the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) by all directors and executive
officers as a group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 PERCENTAGE
                                                                                            BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)
                                                                              SHARES        ---------------------
                                                                           BENEFICIALLY      BEFORE       AFTER
                  NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL HOLDER                      OWNED(1)       OFFERING     OFFERING
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------     --------     --------
<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>          <C>
Entities Affiliated with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (2)(3).........     1,823,600       23.5         17.8
  2750 Sand Hill Road
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
Entities Affiliated with Institutional Venture Partners(4)...............     1,488,934       19.2         14.5
  3000 Sand Hill Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. 290
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
Entities Affiliated with Avalon Ventures(5)..............................       684,400        8.8          6.7
  1020 Prospect Street, #405
  La Jolla, CA 92037
Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation................................       571,429        7.4          5.6
  1 Johnson & Johnson Plaza
  New Brunswick, NJ 08933
Pfizer Inc...............................................................       571,429        7.4          5.6
  Eastern Point Road
  Groton, CT 06340
Entities Affiliated with Atlas Venture(6)................................       533,333        6.9          5.2
  222 Berkeley Street
  Boston, MA 02116
New Enterprise Associates VI (7).........................................       533,333        6.9          5.2
  1119 St. Paul Street
  Baltimore, MD 21202
Abingworth Bioventures...................................................       400,000        5.2          3.9
  231 Valdes Bon Malades
  Kirchberg 2121
  Luxembourg
David Schnell, M.D. (2)..................................................     1,823,600       23.5         17.8
  Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
  2750 Sand Hill Road
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
Joseph S. Lacob (3)......................................................     1,800,000       23.2         17.5
  Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
  2750 Sand Hill Road
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
L. James Strand, M.D. (4)................................................     1,488,934       19.2         14.5
  Institutional Venture Partners
  3000 Sand Hill Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. 290
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
Hugh Y. Rienhoff, Jr., M.D. (7)..........................................       533,333        6.9          5.2
  New Enterprise Associates
  1119 St. Paul Street
  Baltimore, MD 21202
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D. (8)..............................................       271,084        3.5          2.6
James E. Rurka (9).......................................................       176,875        2.3          1.6
John P. Walker...........................................................        20,000          *            *
Jon S. Saxe(10)..........................................................        19,374          *            *
Matthew J. Hogan (11)....................................................             0          *            *
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)(12)..........     4,333,200       55.4         42.0
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
   * Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   52
 
 (1) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 7,756,981 shares of Common
     Stock outstanding as of March 31, 1996, together with applicable options
     for such stockholder. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with
     the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes
     voting or investment power with respect to securities, subject to the
     community property laws, where applicable. Shares of Common Stock subject
     to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of
     March 31, 1996 are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding
     such options for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of
     such person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing
     the purchase of any other person.
 
 (2) David Schnell, M.D., a Director of the Company, is a Venture Limited
     Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI Associates, which is the
     General Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI and Kleiner Perkins
     Caufield & Byers VI Founders Fund. Includes 1,560,600 shares held by
     Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI, L.P., 239,400 shares held by Kleiner
     Perkins Caufield & Byers Founders Fund VI, L.P., and 23,600 shares held by
     Dr. Schnell.
 
 (3) Joseph S. Lacob, Chairman of the Board of the Company, is a General Partner
     of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Includes 1,560,600 shares held by
     Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers VI, L.P. and 239,400 shares held by
     Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Founders Fund VI, L.P.
 
 (4) L. James Strand, M.D., a Director of the Company, is a General Partner of
     Institutional Venture Management VI. Includes 1,444,233 shares held by
     Institutional Venture Partners V, L.P., 24,701 shares held by Institutional
     Venture Management V, L.P. 8,000 shares held by Dr. Strand, and 12,000
     shares issuable to Dr. Strand pursuant to options exercisable within 60
     days of March 31, 1996.
 
 (5) Includes 222,200 shares held by Avalon BioVentures II, L.P. and 462,200
     shares held by Avalon Medical Partners, L.P.
 
 (6) Includes 200,000 shares held by Atlas Venture Europe Fund BV and 333,333
     shares held by Atlas Venture Fund II.
 
 (7) Hugh Y. Rienhoff, Jr., M.D., a Director of the Company, is a Partner of New
     Enterprise Associates.
 
 (8) Includes 240,000 shares held by Dr. Bostian, 16,000 shares held by Arthur
     Weil as trustee for Dr. Bostian's children with respect to which Dr.
     Bostian disclaims beneficial ownership, and 7,084 shares issuable pursuant
     to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
 (9) Includes 140,000 shares held by Mr. Rurka and 36,875 shares issuable
     pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
(10) Includes 6,040 shares held by Mr. Saxe and 13,334 shares issuable pursuant
     to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1996.
 
(11) Mr. Hogan joined the Company on May 6, 1996 as Chief Financial Officer and
     will receive options to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock, none of
     which were exercisable as of March 31, 1996.
 
(12) Includes 69,293 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
     days of March 31, 1996.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   53
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will be authorized to issue
50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, and 5,000,000
shares of undesignated Preferred Stock, $.001 par value per share. The price and
per share information presented herein give effect to the 1-for-5 reverse stock
split which will be completed prior to the consummation of the Offering, and the
assumed conversion of all outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company
into Common Stock, which will occur automatically upon the completion of the
Offering.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     As of March 31, 1996, there were 7,756,981 shares of Common Stock
outstanding held of record by approximately 40 stockholders, assuming no
exercise after March 31, 1996 of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock,
and after giving effect to the conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock
into Common Stock at a 1-to-1 ratio and assuming no exercise of outstanding
warrants to purchase 160,187 shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible
into Common Stock). There will be 10,256,981 shares of Common Stock outstanding
(assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option) after giving
effect to the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. See
"Management -- Employee Benefit Plans."
 
     The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted on by stockholders. Subject to the prior rights of holders
of Preferred Stock, if any, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive
such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of
Directors in its discretion from funds legally available therefore. Upon
liquidation or dissolution of the Company, after payment of liabilities and the
liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, the
remainder of the assets of the Company will be distributed ratably among the
holders of Common Stock. The Common Stock has no preemptive or other
subscription rights and there are no conversion rights or redemption rights or
sinking fund provisions with respect to such shares. All of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock are, and the shares to be sold in the Offering will be,
fully paid and nonassessable.
 
WARRANTS
 
     As of March 31, 1996, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 19,467
shares of Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.875 per share,
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 86,320 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
at an exercise price of $2.50 per share, and warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 54,400 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $3.75 per
share. The warrants were issued in May 1993 and June 1994 in connection with
lease financing arrangements between the Company and Dominion Ventures, and in
September 1993 in connection with a lease financing arrangement between the
Company and Comdisco, Inc. All of the outstanding warrants terminate, if not
previously exercised, three years after the Offering. The Company can, under
certain conditions, cause all of the outstanding warrants issued to Dominion
Ventures to be exercised in connection with the Offering.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Effective upon the closing of the Offering, the Company will be authorized
to issue 5,000,000 shares of undesignated Preferred Stock. The Board of
Directors has the authority to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series
and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof,
including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights,
terms of redemption, redemption rights, redemption prices, liquidation
preferences and the number of shares constituting a Series or the designation of
such Series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of
Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control in the Company without further action by the stockholders and
may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of,
the holders of Common Stock. Upon the closing of the Offering, the Company will
have no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. At present, the Company has no
plans to issue any of the Preferred Stock.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     The holders of approximately 6,880,791 shares of Common Stock and their
permitted transferees (the "Holders") are entitled to certain rights with
respect to the registration of such shares under the Securities
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   54
 
Act. Under the terms of the Information and Registration Rights Agreement dated
June 29, 1994, as amended to date, among the Company and certain holders of its
securities, if the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the
Securities Act, either for its own account or the account of other security
holders holding registration rights, the Holders are entitled to notice of such
registration and are entitled to include their registrable securities therein;
provided, among other conditions, that the underwriters have the right to limit
the number of such shares included in any such registration. The Holders also
have the right, beginning six months after the date of the Offering, to request
on two occasions that the Company file a registration statement under the
Securities Act at the Company's expense with respect to their shares of Common
Stock, and the Company, subject to certain limitations, is required to use its
best efforts to effect such registration. In addition, the Holders may require
the Company to register, at the expense of the Company, all or a portion of
their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 when such form becomes available to the
Company. All of the foregoing registration rights are subject to certain
conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an
offering to limit the number of shares to be included in such registration. In
addition, the Company need not effect a requested registration on a form other
than Form S-3 within three months of the effective date of any Company-initiated
registration. All of the foregoing registration rights terminate on the date
eight years after the closing of the Offering. See "Risk Factors -- Potential
Adverse Market Impact of Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
CERTAIN CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS
 
     The Company anticipates it will reincorporate in Delaware prior to the
Offering and will be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held
Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an
"interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date the
person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the
"business combination" or the transaction in which the person became an
interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a
"business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other
transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates
and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of
interested stockholder status, did own) 15% or more of a corporation's voting
stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an
anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the
Board of Directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a
premium over the market price for the shares of Common Stock held by
stockholders.
 
     The Restated Certificate provides for a Board of Directors that is divided
into three classes. The directors in Class I hold office until the first annual
meeting of stockholders following this Offering, the directors in Class II hold
office until the second annual meeting of stockholders following this Offering,
and the directors in Class III hold office until the third annual meeting of
stockholders following this Offering, (or, in each case, until their successors
are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal from
office or death), and, after each such election, the directors in each such
class will then serve in succeeding terms of three years and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. The classification system of electing
directors may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or
otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company and may maintain the
incumbency of the Board of Directors, as the classification of the Board of
Directors generally increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of the
directors.
 
     The Restated Certificate and Bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in
the election of directors. The authorization of undesignated Preferred Stock
makes it possible for the Board of Directors to issue Preferred Stock with
voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any
attempt to change control of the Company. These and other provisions may have
the effect of delaying or preventing hostile takeovers or delaying changes in
control or management of the Company. The amendment of any of these provisions
would require approval by holders of at least 66-2/3rd% of the outstanding
Common Stock. See "Risk Factors -- Effect of Certain Charter and Bylaw
Provisions; Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions."
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
     The transfer agent for the Company's Common Stock is Chemical Mellon
Shareholder Services L.L.C.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   55
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have 10,256,981 shares of
Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding options and warrants. Of
these shares, the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock sold in this offering will be
freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act unless they are
held by "affiliates" of the Company as that term is used under the Securities
Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The remaining approximately
7,756,981 shares of Common Stock (the "Restricted Shares") held by officers,
directors, employees, consultants and other stockholders of the Company were
sold by the Company in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act and are "restricted" securities within the meaning of Rule
144 under the Securities Act and may not be sold publicly unless they are
registered under the Securities Act or are sold pursuant to Rule 144 or another
exemption from registration.
 
     Beginning 180 days after commencement of the Offering, approximately
6,612,373 Restricted Shares that are subject to lock-up agreements (as described
below under "Underwriting") will become eligible for sale upon expiration of
such agreements, subject to compliance with Rule 144. The remaining
approximately 1,144,858 Restricted Shares, which are also subject to such
lock-up agreements, will have been held for less than two years upon the
expiration of such lock-up agreements and will become eligible for sale under
Rule 144 at various dates thereafter as the holding period provisions of Rule
144 are satisfied. In addition, 160,187 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock for which warrants are currently
outstanding will be subject to 180-day lock-up agreements and the two-year
holding period of Rule 144.
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned
shares for at least two years is entitled to sell, within any three-month period
commencing 90 days after the Offering, a number of shares that does not exceed
the greater of (i) 1% of the then outstanding Common Stock (approximately
102,570 shares immediately after the Offering) or (ii) the average weekly
trading volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding such
sale, subject to the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale and certain
other limitations and restrictions. In addition, a person who is not deemed to
have been an affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months
preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold
for at least three years, would be entitled to sell such shares under Rule
144(k) without regard to the volume limitations described above or certain other
restrictions of Rule 144.
 
     Under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, any employee, officer or director
of or consultant to the Company, who is not an affiliate of the Company, and who
purchased shares pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract, including
the Option Plan, is entitled to sell such shares without having to comply with
the public information, holding period, volume limitation or notice provisions
of Rule 144, and affiliates of the Company are permitted to sell such shares
without having to comply with the Rule 144 holding period restrictions, in each
case commencing 90 days after the Offering.
 
     The Company presently intends to file a registration statement under the
Securities Act to register Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the exercise of
options, including options granted or to be granted under the Option Plan and
the Director Plan, as well as Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1996
Purchase Plan. Taking into account the effect of the lock-up agreements with the
holders of options, 325,002 shares issuable upon exercise of vested options will
be eligible for sale in the public market beginning 180 days after commencement
of this offering, subject, in the case of sales by affiliates, to the volume,
manner of sale, notice and public information requirements of Rule 144. See
"Management -- Employee Benefit Plans."
 
     The holders of approximately 6,880,791 shares of Common Stock and their
permitted transferees are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. See "Description of
Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the securities
of the Company. No predictions can be made of the effect, if any, that the sale
or availability for sale of shares of additional Common Stock will have on the
market price of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales of a substantial amount of
such shares by existing stockholders or by stockholders purchasing in the
Offering could have a negative impact on the market price of the Common Stock.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   56
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement") between the Company and each of the underwriters named
below (the "Underwriters"), the Company has agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters, for whom Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated and Cowen & Company
are acting as the representatives (the "Representatives"), has severally agreed
to purchase from the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock set forth
opposite its name below. In the Purchase Agreement, the several Underwriters
have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase
all of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby, if any are purchased. In the
event of default by an Underwriter, the Purchase Agreement provides that, in
certain circumstances, purchase commitments of the non-defaulting Underwriters
may be increased or the Purchase Agreement may be terminated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NUMBER
                                       UNDERWRITER                        OF SHARES
        -------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------
        <S>                                                            <C>
        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                     Incorporated....................................
        Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated..............................
        Cowen & Company..............................................
 
                                                                           ---------
                     Total...........................................      2,500,000
                                                                           =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose
initially to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at the initial
public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and to
certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $          per
share of Common Stock. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow,
a discount not in excess of $          per share of Common Stock on sales to
certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering
price, concession and discount may be changed.
 
     At the request of the Company, the Underwriters have reserved up to 150,000
shares of Common Stock for sale at the initial public offering price to
directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons of the
Company. The number of shares of Common Stock available for sale to the general
public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved shares.
Any reserved shares which are not so purchased will be offered by the
Underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered
hereby.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option exercisable for 30
days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 375,000
shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial public
offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less the underwriting
discount. If the Underwriters exercise this option, each Underwriter will have a
firm commitment, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof that the number of shares of Common Stock to be
purchased by it shown in the foregoing table is of the 2,500,000 shares of
Common Stock initially offered hereby.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   57
 
     The Company, its officers, directors and certain stockholders of the
Company have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to, directly or
indirectly, (i) sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise transfer or
dispose of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock or file a registration statement
under the Securities Act with respect to the foregoing or (ii) enter into any
swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, the
economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, without the prior written
consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, for a period of
180 days after the date of this Prospectus. The foregoing does not prohibit the
Company's issuing shares pursuant to the exercise of the Underwriters'
overallotment option or under the Option Plan, the Director Plan or the 1996
Purchase Plan.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters and others against
certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act and
other applicable securities laws, or to contribute to payments the Underwriters
may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters do not
intend to confirm sales of the Common Stock offered hereby to any accounts over
which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
     Prior to this Offering, there has been no market for the Common Stock of
the Company. The initial public offering price will be determined through
negotiations between the Company and the Representatives. Among the factors to
be considered in determining the initial public offering price, in addition to
prevailing market conditions, are certain financial information of the Company,
estimates of the business potential and earnings prospects of the Company, an
assessment of the Company's management, the present state of the Company's
development and operations, and the above factors in relation to market values
and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar
to the Company. The initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus should not, however, be considered an indication of the actual
value of the Common Stock. Such price is subject to change as a result of market
conditions and other factors. There can be no assurance that an active trading
market will develop for the Common Stock or that the Common Stock will trade in
the public market subsequent to the Offering at or above the initial public
offering price.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., Palo Alto, California.
Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for
the Underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Los Angeles,
California. As of the date of this Prospectus, Michael J. O'Donnell, Secretary
of the Company and a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.,
beneficially owns 3,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at December 31,
1994 and 1995, and for the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to December
31, 1993, the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the period from
inception to December 31, 1995, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration
Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set
forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration
Statement, and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
     The statements in this Prospectus under the captions "Risk
Factors -- Dependence on Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of Patent
Protection" and "Business -- Patents, Proprietary Technology and Trade Secrets"
with respect to the intellectual property of the Company have been reviewed by
Lyon & Lyon, patent counsel for the Company.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   58
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act,
with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the
Company and such Common Stock, reference is made to the Registration Statement
and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part thereof. Statements contained in
this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document
referred to are not necessarily complete. In each instance, reference is made to
the copy of such contract or document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by such
reference. Copies of the Registration Statement, including exhibits and
schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at the Commission's principal
office in Washington, D.C., or obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. The Company intends to distribute to its stockholders annual reports
containing audited financial statements and will make available copies of
quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing
unaudited interim financial information.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   59
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.....................................  F-2
Audited Financial Statements
Balance Sheets........................................................................  F-3
Statements of Operations..............................................................  F-4
Statement of Stockholders' Equity.....................................................  F-5
Statements of Cash Flows..............................................................  F-6
Notes to Financial Statements.........................................................  F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   60
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG, LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Microcide
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a development stage company) as of December 31, 1994 and
1995, and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to December 31, 1993,
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995 and for the
period from inception (December 11, 1992) to December 31, 1995 (not separately
presented herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Microcide Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to December 31,
1993, for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995 and for
the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to December 31, 1995 (not
separately presented herein), in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
February 13, 1996, except for
the fourth paragraph of Note 8,
as to which the date is April 5, 1996
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   61
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                      (In thousands, except share amounts)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        UNAUDITED
                                                          DECEMBER 31,       MARCH      PRO FORMA
                                                       ------------------     31,      STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                        1994       1995       1996      EQUITY AT
                                                       -------   --------   --------    MARCH 31,
                                                                                           1996
                                                                            (UNAUDITED) ------------
                                                                                         (Note 8)
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..........................  $ 5,810   $  8,517   $ 15,093
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets..........      339        138        212
                                                       -------   --------   --------
Total current assets.................................    6,149      8,655     15,305
Property and equipment, net..........................    4,959      4,606      5,177
Other assets.........................................      232        232        209
                                                       -------   --------   --------
                                                       $11,340   $ 13,493   $ 20,691
                                                       =======   ========   ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable...................................  $   266   $    463   $    823
  Accrued compensation and other accrued
     liabilities.....................................      232        273        309
  Current portion of capital lease obligations.......      806      1,118      1,116
  Deferred revenue...................................       --        413      2,037
                                                       -------   --------   --------
Total current liabilities............................    1,304      2,267      4,285
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations.......    2,413      1,920      1,657
Accrued rent.........................................      117        155        153
Commitments
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, no par value; 7,810,000 shares
     authorized, issuable in series; 5,735,933
     shares, 6,309,362 and 6,880,791 shares issued
     and outstanding as of December 31, 1994 and 1995
     and March 31, 1996, respectively -- aggregate
     liquidation value of $27,517 at March 31, 1996;
     pro forma -- no shares..........................   17,443     22,435     27,425     $     --
  Common stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares
     authorized, 836,533 shares, 855,440 and 876,190
     shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
     1994 and 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively;
     pro forma 7,756,981 shares......................       49        632      2,266       29,691
  Stockholder note receivable........................      (35)       (35)       (35)         (35)
  Deferred compensation..............................       --       (412)    (1,974)      (1,974)
  Net unrealized loss on securities
     available-for-sale..............................       --         (2)        (2)          (2)
  Deficit accumulated during the development stage...   (9,951)   (13,467)   (13,084)     (13,084)
                                                       -------   --------   --------
Total stockholders' equity...........................    7,506      9,151     14,596     $ 14,596
                                                                            ========
                                                       -------   --------
                                                       $11,340   $ 13,493   $ 20,691
                                                       =======   ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   62
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 PERIOD FROM                                                     PERIOD FROM
                                  INCEPTION                                                       INCEPTION
                                (DECEMBER 11,        YEARS ENDED         THREE MONTHS ENDED     (DECEMBER 11,
                                  1992) TO          DECEMBER 31,           MARCH 31, 1996         1992) TO
                                DECEMBER 31,     -------------------     -------------------      MARCH 31,
                                    1993          1994        1995        1995        1996          1996
                                -------------    -------     -------     -------     -------    -------------
                                                                             (UNAUDITED)         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                             <C>              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
Revenues:
  License fees................     $    --       $    --     $ 3,000     $    --     $ 1,000      $   4,000
  Research revenue............          --            --       1,985          --       1,625          3,610
                                                                         --------
                                                                               -
                                  --------       --------    --------
Total revenues................          --            --       4,985          --       2,625          7,610
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....       1,685         5,180       6,400       1,324       1,780         15,045
  General and
    administrative............       1,251         1,823       2,080         479         526          5,680
                                                                         --------
                                                                               -
                                  --------       --------    --------
Total operating expenses......       2,936         7,003       8,480       1,803       2,306         20,725
                                                                         --------
                                                                               -
                                  --------       --------    --------
Income (loss) from
  operations..................      (2,936)       (7,003)     (3,495)     (1,803)        319        (13,115)
Interest income...............          32           218         257          85         137            644
Interest expense..............         (13)         (249)       (278)        (70)        (73)          (613)
                                                                         --------
                                                                               -
                                  --------       --------    --------
Net income (loss).............     $(2,917)      $(7,034)    $(3,516)    $(1,788)    $   383      $ (13,084)
                                  ========       ========    ========    =========
Pro forma net income (loss)
  per share...................                               $ (0.44)    $ (0.22)    $  0.04
                                                             ========    =========
Shares used in computing pro
  forma net income (loss) per
  share.......................                                 8,052       8,039       8,563
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   63
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                       STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
          PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (DECEMBER 11, 1992) TO MARCH 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         DEFICIT
                                                                                                       ACCUMULATED
                       PREFERRED STOCK      COMMON STOCK    STOCKHOLDER                NET UNREALIZED  DURING THE       TOTAL
                     -------------------   ---------------     NOTE        DEFERRED       LOSS ON      DEVELOPMENT  STOCKHOLDERS'
                      SHARES     AMOUNT    SHARES   AMOUNT  RECEIVABLE   COMPENSATION    SECURITIES       STAGE        EQUITY
                     ---------   -------   -------  ------  -----------  ------------  --------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                  <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>
  Issuance of
    common stock at
    $0.005 per
    share to
    founders for
    cash and
    services in
    December
    1992...........         --   $    --   496,000  $   2     $    --      $     --         $ --        $      --      $     2
  Issuance of
    Series A
    convertible
    preferred stock
    to investors at
    $1.875 per
    share for cash
    in December
    1992...........     62,160       117        --     --          --            --           --               --          117
  Issuance of
    Series A
    convertible
    preferred stock
    to investors at
    $1.875 per
    share for cash
    in January
    1993, less
    issuance costs
    of $18.........  1,016,107     1,887        --     --          --            --           --               --        1,887
  Issuance of
    Series B
    convertible
    preferred stock
    to investors at
    $2.50 per share
    for cash in
    September and
    December 1993,
    less issuance
    costs of $6....  1,454,600     3,630        --     --          --            --           --               --        3,630
  Issuance of
    common stock at
    $0.025 to $0.25
    share to
    employees and
    consultants for
    cash in
    January,
    October and
    December
    1993...........         --        --   191,200     10          --            --           --               --           10
  Net loss.........         --        --        --     --                        --           --           (2,917)      (2,917)
                     ---------   -------   -------  ------  -----------  ------------        ---       -----------  -------------
Balances at
  December 31,
  1993.............  2,532,867     5,634   687,200     12          --            --           --           (2,917)       2,729
  Issuance of
    Series B
    convertible
    preferred stock
    to investors at
    $2.50 per share
    for cash in
    January 1994...    136,400       341        --     --          --            --           --               --          341
  Issuance of
    Series C
    convertible
    preferred stock
    to investors at
    $3.75 per share
    for cash and
    conversion of
    subordinated
    debt in July
    1994, less
    issuance costs
    of $32.........  3,066,666    11,468        --     --          --            --           --               --       11,468
  Exercise of
    common stock
    options by
    employees at
    $0.20 and $0.25
    per share for
    cash and note
    receivable in
    March, July,
    September and
    October 1994...         --        --   149,333     37         (35)           --           --               --            2
  Net loss.........         --        --        --     --          --            --           --           (7,034)      (7,034)
                     ---------   -------   -------  ------  -----------  ------------        ---       -----------  -------------
Balances at
  December 31,
  1994.............  5,735,933    17,443   836,533     49         (35)           --           --           (9,951)       7,506
  Issuance of
    Series D
    convertible
    preferred stock
    to investors at
    $8.75 per share
    for cash in
    October and
    November 1995,
    less issuance
    costs of $26...    573,429     4,992        --     --          --            --           --               --        4,992
  Exercise of
    common stock
    options by
    employees and
    issuance of
    common stock
    for services at
    $0.25 to $0.38
    per share for
    cash in April,
    May and July
    1995...........         --        --    18,907      5          --            --           --               --            5
  Net unrealized
    loss on
    securities
    available-for-
    sale...........         --        --        --     --          --            --           (2)              --           (2)
  Deferred
    compensation...         --        --        --    578          --          (578)          --               --           --
  Amortization of
    deferred
    compensation...         --        --        --     --          --           166           --               --          166
  Net loss.........         --        --        --     --          --            --           --           (3,516)      (3,516)
                     ---------   -------   -------  ------  -----------  ------------        ---       -----------  -------------
Balances at
  December 31,
  1995.............  6,309,362   $22,435   855,440  $ 632     $   (35)     $   (412)        $ (2)       $ (13,467)     $ 9,151
Issuance of Series
  E convertible
  preferred stock
  to investors at
  $8.75 per share
  for cash in March
  1996, less
  issuance costs of
  $10
  (unaudited)......    571,429     4,990        --     --          --            --           --               --        4,990
Exercise of common
  stock options by
  employees and
  issuance of
  common stock for
  services at $0.25
  to $0.375 per
  share for cash in
  January
  (unaudited)......         --              20,750      8          --            --           --               --           --
Deferred
  compensation
  (unaudited)......         --        --        --  1,626                    (1,626)          --               --           --
Amortization of
  deferred
  compensation
  (unaudited)......         --        --        --     --          --            64           --               --           64
Net income
  (unaudited)......         --        --        --     --          --            --           --              383          383
                     ---------   -------   -------  ------  -----------  ------------        ---       -----------  -------------
Balances at March
  31, 1996
  (unaudited)......  6,880,791   $27,425   876,190  $2,266    $   (35)     $ (1,974)        $ (2)       $ (13,084)     $14,596
                      ========   =======   =======  ======  =========    ===========   ============    ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   64
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In thousands)
 
                INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PERIOD FROM                                                        PERIOD FROM
                                                  INCEPTION                                THREE MONTHS ENDED        INCEPTION
                                                (DECEMBER 11,          YEARS ENDED                                 (DECEMBER 11,
                                                   1992) TO           DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31,             1992) TO
                                                 DECEMBER 31,      -------------------     -------------------       MARCH 31,
                                                     1993           1994        1995        1995        1996            1996
                                                --------------     -------     -------     -------     -------     --------------
                                                                                               (UNAUDITED)          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                             <C>                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).............................     $ (2,917)       $(7,034)    $(3,516)    $(1,787)    $   383        $(13,084)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
  net cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities:
  Depreciation and amortization...............           63            859       1,247         297         351           2,520
  Amortization of deferred compensation.......           --             --         166          --          64             230
  Accrued rent................................           54             63          38           4          (2)            153
  Net unrealized loss on securities...........           --             --          (2)         --          --              (2)
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Prepaid expenses and other current
      assets..................................         (137)          (202)        201         210         (74)           (212)
    Other assets..............................         (209)           (23)         --         (79)         23            (209)
    Accounts payable..........................          229             37         197        (106)        360             823
    Accrued compensation and other accrued
      liabilities.............................          181             51          41          37          36             309
    Deferred revenue..........................           --             --         413          --       1,624           2,037
                                                    -------        -------     -------     --------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities..................................       (2,736)        (6,249)     (1,215)     (1,424)      2,765          (7,435)
                                                    -------        -------     -------     --------
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures..........................       (1,372)          (692)       (148)         --        (922)         (3,134)
                                                    -------        -------     -------     --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of convertible
  promissory notes............................           --          2,000          --                                   2,000
Principal payments on capital lease
  obligations.................................          (29)          (569)       (927)       (177)       (265)         (1,790)
Proceeds from issuances of common stock.......           12              2           5          --           8              27
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible
  preferred stock.............................        5,634          9,809       4,992          --       4,990          25,425
                                                    -------        -------     -------     --------
Net cash provided by financing activities.....        5,617         11,242       4,070        (177)      4,733          25,662
                                                    -------        -------     -------     --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.....        1,509          4,301       2,707      (1,601)      6,576          15,093
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period......................................           --          1,509       5,810       5,810       8,517              --
                                                    -------        -------     -------     --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period....     $  1,509        $ 5,810     $ 8,517     $ 4,209     $15,093        $ 15,093
                                                    =======        =======     =======     ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION:
Interest paid.................................     $     12        $   246     $   274     $    73     $    70        $    602
                                                    =======        =======     =======     ========
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND
  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Equipment purchased under capital leases......     $  1,817        $ 2,000     $   746     $    --     $    --        $  4,563
                                                    =======        =======     =======     ========
Stockholder note receivable...................     $     --        $    35     $    --     $    --     $    --        $     35
                                                    =======        =======     =======     ========
Conversion of convertible promissory notes to
  convertible preferred stock.................     $     --        $ 2,000     $    --     $    --     $    --        $  2,000
                                                    =======        =======     =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   65
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") is a biopharmaceutical
company founded to discover, develop and commercialize novel antibiotics for the
treatment of serious bacterial infections. The Company's discovery and
development programs address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in
certain bacteria through two principal themes: (i) Targeted Antibiotics, which
focuses on developing novel antibiotics and antibiotic potentiators, and (ii)
Targeted Genomics, which utilizes bacterial genetics to discover new classes of
antibiotics and other novel treatments for bacterial disease. The Company's
results of operations for the period from inception (December 11, 1992) to
December 31, 1992 were immaterial.
 
     The Company's activities to date have consisted principally of raising
capital, arranging for facilities, acquiring equipment and intellectual
property, recruiting managerial and technical personnel and conducting research
and development. Accordingly, the Company is classified as a development stage
enterprise at December 31, 1995.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles 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.
 
  Interim Financial Information
 
     The financial information at March 31, 1996 and for the three month periods
ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 is unaudited but includes all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company considers
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at such date and the
operating results and cash flows for those periods. Results of the March 31,
1996 period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
 
  Stock-Based Compensation
 
     In accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees," the Company records and amortizes over the related vesting periods
deferred compensation representing the difference between the price per share of
stock issued or the exercise price of stock options granted and the deemed fair
value (for accounting purposes) of the Company's common stock at the time of
issuance or grant.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenues related to research contracts are recognized ratably over the
related funding periods for each contract. The Company is required to perform
research activities as specified in each respective agreement on a best efforts
basis and the Company is reimbursed based on the costs associated with the
number of full time equivalent employees working on each specific contract,
which is generally on a ratable basis over the term of the agreement. Deferred
revenue may result when the Company does not incur the required level of effort
during a specific period in comparison to funds received under the respective
contracts. Revenues related to license agreements with noncancelable,
nonrefundable terms and no significant future obligations are recognized upon
execution of the agreements. Milestone payments will be recognized pursuant to
collaborative agreements upon the achievement of specified milestones, such as
selection of candidates for drug
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   66
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
development, the commencement of clinical trials or receipt of regulatory
approvals. For collaborative arrangements which include both revenue received on
a cost reimbursement basis and funds received associated with the purchase of
the Company's equity, the Company accounts for the equity component based on the
estimated fair value of the Company's securities issued at the date that the
terms of the respective agreements were agreed upon.
 
  Net Income (Loss) Per Share
 
     Except as noted below, historical net income (loss) per share is computed
using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common
equivalent shares from stock options and warrants are excluded from the
computation if their effect is antidilutive, except that, pursuant to the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Staff Accounting Bulletins, common
and common equivalent shares (stock options and preferred stock) issued during
the 12 month period prior to the initial filing of the proposed public offering
at prices below the assumed public offering price have been included in the
calculation as if they were outstanding for all periods presented (using the
treasury stock method for stock options).
 
     Historical net income (loss) per share information is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         PERIOD FROM
                                          INCEPTION                               THREE MONTHS
                                        (DECEMBER 11,        YEAR ENDED               ENDED
                                          1992) TO          DECEMBER 31,            MARCH 31,
                                        DECEMBER 31,      -----------------     -----------------
                                            1993           1994       1995       1995       1996
                                        -------------     ------     ------     ------     ------
                                                (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    <S>                                 <C>               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
    Net income (loss) per share.......     $ (1.37)       $(3.11)    $(1.52)    $(0.78)    $ 0.14
                                            ======        ======     ======
    Shares used in computing net
      income
      (loss) per share................       2,126         2,263      2,316      2,303      2,827
</TABLE>
 
     Pro forma net income (loss) per share has been computed as described above
and also gives effect, pursuant to SEC staff policy, to common equivalent shares
from convertible preferred shares issued more than 12 months from the initial
filing of the proposed initial public offering that will be automatically
converted upon completion of the offering.
 
  Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity from
date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company
maintains deposits with financial institutions in the United States and invests
its excess cash in commercial paper which bears minimal risk.
 
     In May 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities" ("Statement 115"). The Company adopted the
provisions of Statement 115 as of January 1, 1994, the cumulative effect of
which was immaterial.
 
     Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities in
accordance with Statement 115 at the time of purchase and reevaluates such
designation as of each balance sheet date. At December 31, 1994, 1995 and March
31, 1996, all debt securities are designated as available-for-sale.
Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized
gains and losses reported in stockholders' equity. The amortized cost of debt
securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   67
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included
in interest income. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be
other-than-temporary for available-for-sale securities are included in interest
income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification
method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale
are included in interest income.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which
are five to seven years. Equipment under capital lease and leasehold
improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
 
2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,        MARCH 31,
                                                             ------------------     ---------
                                                              1994       1995         1996
                                                             ------     -------     ---------
                                                                      (In thousands)
    <S>                                                      <C>        <C>         <C>
    Laboratory and office equipment........................  $3,137     $ 3,949      $ 4,015
    Leasehold improvements.................................   2,744       2,826        3,682
                                                             ------     -------
                                                              5,881       6,775        7,697
    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.........    (922)     (2,169)      (2,520)
                                                             ------     -------
    Property and equipment, net............................  $4,959     $ 4,606      $ 5,177
                                                             ======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     Properties leased under capital leases are included above with a cost of
approximately $3,817,000 and $4,559,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively, with accumulated amortization of approximately $682,000 and
$1,589,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
3. INVESTMENTS
 
     The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (estimated fair
value) as of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,        MARCH 31,
                                                              -----------------     ---------
                                                               1994       1995        1996
                                                              ------     ------     ---------
                                                                      (In thousands)
    <S>                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
    Cash equivalents:
      Money market funds....................................  $  290     $1,039      $ 7,181
      Commercial paper......................................   5,520      7,478        7,912
                                                              ------     ------
                                                              $5,810     $8,517      $15,093
                                                              ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   68
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
4. LEASES
 
     The Company is making payments under capital lease lines of credit with
leasing companies which financed certain equipment purchases.
 
     The Company also leases its office and research facilities under operating
leases. Future minimum lease payments under all noncancelable leases are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                                      LEASES       LEASES
                                                                      -------     ---------
                                                                         (In thousands)
    <S>                                                               <C>         <C>
    Year ended December 31,
      1996..........................................................  $ 1,360      $   386
      1997..........................................................    1,247          393
      1998..........................................................      764          412
      1999..........................................................      197          418
      2000..........................................................       --          329
                                                                      -------       ------
    Total minimum payment required..................................    3,568      $ 1,938
                                                                                    ======
    Less amount representing interest...............................     (530)
                                                                      -------
    Present value of future lease payments..........................    3,038
    Less current portion............................................   (1,118)
                                                                      -------
                                                                      $ 1,920
                                                                      =======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for operating leases was approximately $161,000 for the period
from inception (December 11, 1992) to December 31, 1993, $377,000 in 1994 and
1995, $94,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and $1,009,000 for the
period from inception (December 11, 1992) to March 31, 1996.
 
     The Company has a commitment with a general contractor to install leasehold
improvements and certain equipment at a total cost of $1,217,000, subject to
modifications which may be requested by the Company. At March 31, 1996 the
Company estimates that its remaining obligation is approximately $350,000.
 
5. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  Stock Purchase Agreements
 
     Through December 31, 1995, the Company has issued 422,600 shares of its
common stock to officers, employees and consultants subject to stock purchase
agreements that allow the Company to repurchase, at the original issuance price,
unvested shares upon termination of employment. Under the agreements, shares
purchased vest at a rate of 25% at the end of the first year with the remaining
balance vesting in equal amounts monthly over the next three years. As of
December 31, 1995, 93,988 shares were subject to this repurchase provision (at
the original purchase prices ranging from $0.005 to $0.375 per share).
 
  Preferred Stock
 
     All series of preferred stock are convertible at the stockholders' option
at any time into common stock at a conversion rate of one share of common stock
for each share of preferred stock, subject to adjustment for antidilution.
Conversion is automatic upon the closing of an underwritten public offering with
aggregate offering proceeds exceeding $10,500,000 and an offering price of at
least $10.00 (adjusted for any
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   69
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
recapitalizations) per share or written election of holders of record more than
 2/3 of the outstanding shares. The Company has reserved 6,469,549 shares of
common stock to be issued to stockholders upon conversion of the outstanding
preferred stock and exercise of warrants.
 
     Holders of Series A, B, C, D and E convertible preferred stock are entitled
to noncumulative dividends of $0.15, $0.20, $0.30, $0.875 and $0.875 per share,
respectively, if and when declared by the board of directors. These dividends
are to be paid in advance of any distributions to common stockholders. No
dividends have been declared through March 31, 1996.
 
     In the event of a liquidation or winding up of the Company, holders of
Series A, B, C, D and E convertible preferred stock shall have a liquidation
preference of $1.875, $2.50, $3.75, $8.75 and $8.75 per share, respectively,
together with any declared but unpaid dividends, over holders of common shares.
 
     Preferred stockholders are entitled to the number of votes they would have
upon conversion of their preferred shares into common stock.
 
     The authorized and outstanding Series A, B, C, D and E shares of
convertible preferred stock were as follows at March 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        AGGREGATE
                                                                                       LIQUIDATION
                                                          SHARES        ISSUANCE          VALUE
                                         AUTHORIZED     ISSUED AND      PRICE PER     --------------
       DESIGNATION (ALL CONVERTIBLE)       SHARES       OUTSTANDING       SHARE
    -----------------------------------  ----------     -----------     ---------     (In thousands)
    <S>                                  <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>
    Series A...........................   1,100,000       1,078,267      $ 1.875         $  2,022
    Series B...........................   1,700,000       1,591,000      $  2.50            3,977
    Series C...........................   3,210,000       3,066,666      $  3.75           11,500
    Series D...........................   1,200,000         573,429      $  8.75            5,018
    Series E...........................     600,000         571,429      $  8.75            5,000
                                         ----------      ----------                       -------
                                          7,810,000       6,880,791                      $ 27,517
                                         ==========      ==========                       =======
</TABLE>
 
  Warrants
 
     In connection with various capital lease arrangements, the Company issued
warrants to purchase 19,467 shares of Series A preferred stock at $1.875 per
share, 86,320 shares of Series B preferred stock at $2.50 per share and 54,400
shares of Series C preferred stock at $3.75 per share. As of December 31, 1995,
no warrants had been exercised. The warrants expire the earlier of seven years
after their issuance or three years after an underwritten initial public
offering.
 
  1993 Stock Plan
 
     During 1993, the board of directors adopted the 1993 Stock Plan (the
"Plan"). The Company has reserved a total of 880,000 common shares for issuance
under the Plan.
 
     Under the Plan, options and stock purchase rights may be granted by the
board of directors to employees and consultants. Options granted may be either
incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options. Incentive stock options
may be granted to employees with exercise prices of no less than the fair value
and nonstatutory options may be granted to employees or consultants at exercise
prices of no less than 85% of the fair value of the common stock on the grant
date as determined by the board of directors. Options vest as determined by the
board of directors, generally at the rate of 25% at the end of the first year
with the
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   70
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
remaining balance vesting ratably over the next three years. Common stock issued
pursuant to exercise of stock purchase rights are subject to repurchase by the
Company upon termination of employment. The Company's repurchase right generally
lapses over four years.
 
     Activity under the Plan is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SHARES          OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                                                           AVAILABLE      -------------------------
                                                           FOR GRANT      NUMBER OF      PRICE PER
                                                           OF OPTIONS      SHARES          SHARE
                                                           ----------     ---------     -----------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>           <C>
Shares reserved..........................................     680,000            --         --
  Options granted........................................   (188,200)       188,200     $0.20-$0.25
  Options exercised......................................          --       (20,000)    $      0.25
                                                             --------      --------     -----------
Balance at December 31, 1993.............................     491,800       168,200     $0.20-$0.25
  Additional shares reserved.............................     200,000            --         --
  Options granted........................................   (402,700)       402,700     $0.25-$0.38
  Options exercised......................................          --      (149,333)    $0.20-$0.25
  Options canceled.......................................      37,167       (37,167)    $0.20-$0.25
                                                             --------      --------     -----------
Balance at December 31, 1994.............................     326,267       384,400     $0.20-$0.38
  Options granted........................................   (144,800)       144,800     $      0.38
  Options exercised......................................          --       (13,867)    $0.25-$0.38
  Options canceled.......................................      18,833       (18,833)    $0.20-$0.38
                                                             --------      --------     -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995.............................     200,300       496,500     $0.20-$0.38
  Additional shares reserved.............................     500,000        --             --
  Options granted........................................   (215,600)       215,600     $0.38-$2.50
  Options exercised......................................                   (20,750)    $0.25-$0.38
  Options canceled.......................................         750          (750)    $      0.25
                                                             --------      --------     -----------
Balance at March 31, 1996................................     485,450       690,600     $0.20-$2.50
                                                             ========      ========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
     As of March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, options to purchase 236,696 and
212,967 shares of common stock, respectively, were exercisable under the Plan.
Through March 31, 1996, 180,000 shares of common stock have been issued pursuant
to stock purchase rights granted under the Plan, of which 80,625 shares were
subject to the Company's repurchase right at original purchase prices, ranging
from $0.25 to $0.38 per share (69,375 shares subject to repurchase at March 31,
1996).
 
     At December 31, 1995, the Company has recorded deferred compensation of
$578,000 representing the difference between the exercise price and the deemed
fair value for financial reporting purposes of the Company's common stock
ranging from $1.25 to $6.25 per share for 144,500 shares subject to common stock
options and stock purchase rights granted. The deferred stock compensation is
amortized to expense over the period during which the options become
exercisable, generally four years. During the first quarter of 1996 options to
purchase a total of 215,600 shares were granted at a weighted average exercise
price of $2.44 per share, and for which deemed fair values of $9.25 to $10.00
per share were recorded, resulting in additional deferred compensation of
$1,626,000.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   71
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
6. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
 
  Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
 
     In October 1995, the Company entered into a research and development
agreement with Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation ("Ortho"), a Johnson & Johnson
company, to discover and develop novel beta-lactam antibiotics, antibiotic
potentiators and inhibitors of bacterial signal transduction targeted at
problematic Gram-positive bacteria, including staphylococci and enterococci. The
agreement provides for certain revenue payments, including payments for research
and development costs for three years and for reaching certain research and
development goals. Ortho received exclusive worldwide rights to products
developed during the collaboration in the field of use as defined in the
agreement. The development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of drugs
resulting from the collaboration will be conducted by Ortho, provided that the
Company has the right to undertake certain co-promotion activities in North
America, subject to Ortho's approval. Should the development efforts result in a
marketable product, the Company will receive royalty payments based on Ortho's
sales. In connection with the agreement, Ortho made a nonrefundable $3,000,000
up-front license payment to the Company, and an affiliate of Ortho made an
equity investment of $5,000,000 in return for 571,429 shares of Series D
preferred stock (see Note 5). Total revenue recognized under the agreement for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 was
$3,647,000 and $875,000, respectively.
 
  Daiichi Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.
 
     In November 1995, the Company entered into a research and development
agreement with Daiichi Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. ("Daiichi") to discover and
develop bacterial efflux pump inhibitors to be used in combination with
Daiichi's quinolone antibiotics to target Gram-negative bacteria, including
pseudomonas. The agreement provides for certain revenue payments, including
payments for research and development costs for three years commencing March 31,
1995 and for reaching certain research and development goals. Daiichi has the
right to enter into a license agreement for exclusive worldwide rights to
products developed during the collaboration in the field of use as defined in
the agreement. The development, manufacturing and sale of drugs resulting from
the collaboration will be conducted by Daiichi, subject to the Company's right
to co-promote such drugs in North America. Should the development efforts result
in a marketable product, the Company will receive royalty payments based on
Daiichi's sales. Total research revenue recognized under the agreement for the
year ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 was
$1,338,000 and $652,000, respectively.
 
     Costs related to research revenues under the above agreements for the year
ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 approximated
the related revenue recognized.
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
     As of December 31, 1995, the Company had federal and state net operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $13,000,000 and $4,000,000, respectively.
The Company also had federal research and development tax credit carryforwards
of approximately $300,000. The federal net operating loss and credit
carryforwards will expire at various dates beginning in 2008 through 2010, if
not utilized. The state net operating loss carryforward will expire at various
dates beginning in 1998 through 2000, if not utilized.
 
     Utilization of the net operating losses and credits may be subject to an
annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   72
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
     Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax assets are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                        1994        1995
                                                                       -------     -------
                                                                         (In thousands)
    <S>                                                                <C>         <C>
    Deferred tax assets:
      Net operating loss carryforwards...............................  $ 3,400     $ 4,700
      Research credit carryforwards..................................      300         500
      Other..........................................................      300         400
                                                                       -------     -------
    Total deferred tax assets........................................    4,000       5,600
    Valuation allowance..............................................   (4,000)     (5,600)
                                                                       -------     -------
    Net deferred tax assets..........................................  $    --     $    --
                                                                       =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     The valuation allowance increased by $1,600,000 during the year ended
December 31, 1995 ($2,900,000 in 1994).
 
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     In February 1996, the Company entered into a research and development
agreement with Pfizer Inc ("Pfizer") to implement its essential gene and
multi-channel screening system to discover novel classes of antibiotics. The
agreement provides for certain revenue payments, including payments for research
and development costs for five years and for reaching certain research and
development goals. Pfizer received exclusive worldwide rights to products
developed during the collaboration. The development, manufacturing, and sale of
drugs resulting from the collaboration will be conducted by Pfizer, subject to
the Company's right to co-promote such products in North America. Should the
development efforts result in a marketable product, the Company will receive
royalty payments based on Pfizer's sales. In connection with the agreement,
Pfizer made a $1,000,000 up-front license payment and a $5,000,000 equity
investment in return for 571,429 shares of Series E preferred stock. Revenue
recognized under the agreement for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was
$1,098,000.
 
     On February 23, 1996, the board of directors authorized the filing of a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting
the Company to sell shares of its common stock to the public. If the offering is
consummated under terms presently anticipated, all of the currently outstanding
preferred stock will automatically convert to 6,880,791 shares of common stock.
Unaudited pro forma stockholders' equity as adjusted for the matters described
above is set forth in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
     On February 23, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors, subject to
stockholder approval, (1) authorized the reincorporation of the Company in the
State of Delaware, and (2) approved a one-for-five reverse stock split of its
common stock and preferred stock through an amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation. All share and per share amounts in the accompanying financial
statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.
The Board has also approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to
change the number of authorized shares of common stock to 50,000,000 shares and
preferred stock to 5,000,000 shares upon the closing of the offering, both of
which will have a par value of $0.001 per share. On March 7, 1996, the Board
approved the adoption of the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 1996
Directors' Stock Option Plan, which authorizes the issuance of 120,000 and
80,000 shares, respectively, under
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   73
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                     MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
the plans. The Board also approved an amendment to the Company's 1993 stock
option plan to increase the number of common shares authorized for issuance by
500,000 shares for a total of 1,380,000 common shares reserved for issuance
under the plan. In April 1996, the above actions were approved by the
stockholders.
 
     On April 5, 1996 the Company effected the one-for-five reverse stock split
described in the previous paragraph.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   74
 
                             [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
 
           [Narrative Description: Graphic depiction of the molecular
                  aspects of bacteria and antibiotic action.]
<PAGE>   75
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS,
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE TO
WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, TO
ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................    3
Risk Factors..........................    5
The Company...........................   12
Use of Proceeds.......................   12
Dividend Policy.......................   12
Capitalization........................   13
Dilution..............................   14
Selected Financial Data...............   15
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   16
Business..............................   20
Management............................   39
Certain Transactions..................   47
Principal Stockholders................   49
Description of Capital Stock..........   51
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   53
Underwriting..........................   54
Legal Matters.........................   55
Experts...............................   55
Additional Information................   56
Index to Financial Statements.........  F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
  UNTIL             , 1996 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE
OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK,
WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD
ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
                                2,500,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                        MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
                               ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                                COWEN & COMPANY
                                           , 1996
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   76
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth all costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection
with the sale of the Common Stock being registered hereunder. All of the amounts
shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       ITEM
        ------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        SEC registration fee..............................................  $ 13,879
        NASD filing fee...................................................     4,525
        Nasdaq National Market listing fees...............................    43,142
        Accounting fees and expenses......................................   135,000
        Blue Sky fees and expenses........................................    20,000
        Legal fees and expenses...........................................   225,000
        Printing and engraving fees and expenses..........................   150,000
        Transfer Agent and Registrar fees.................................    10,000
        Directors and officers insurance..................................   185,000
        Miscellaneous.....................................................    13,454
                                                                              ------
                  TOTAL...................................................  $800,000
                                                                              ======
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation
to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and other agents in terms
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification (including reimbursement for
expenses) under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Registrant's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions covering
indemnification of corporate directors, officers and other agents against
certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of proceedings involving
such persons in their capacities as directors, officers, employees or agents,
including proceedings under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
 
     The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for the
indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware
law.
 
     The Registrant's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of officers,
directors and third parties acting on behalf of the corporation if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not opposed
to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe his conduct
was unlawful.
 
     The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in
the Registrant's Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements
with any new directors and executive officers in the future.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration
Statement provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of the Registrant and
its officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the Securities
Act, or otherwise.
 
     At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a
director, officer, employee or other agent of the Registrant in which
indemnification is being sought, nor is the Registrant aware of any threatened
litigation that may result in a claim for indemnification by any director,
officer, employee or other agent of the Registrant.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   77
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
     Since inception in December 1992, the Registrant has sold and issued the
following securities which were not registered under the Securities Act:
 
          (1) From December 31, 1992 to March 13, 1996, the Registrant sold and
     issued an aggregate of 427,200 shares of Common Stock to employees and
     consultants for cash in the aggregate amount of $5,785. An additional
     203,950 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of options and stock
     purchase rights granted under the Registrant's Amended 1993 Incentive Stock
     Plan. 240,000 shares were issued to Avalon Medical Partners, L.P. for cash
     in the aggregate amount of $1,200. 5,040 shares were issued to Jon S. Saxe
     valued at $0.375 per share for services rendered to the Registrant pursuant
     to the terms of a consulting agreement.
 
          (2) In January 1993, the Registrant sold and issued an aggregate of
     1,078,267 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at a purchase price of $1.875
     per share, for cash in the aggregate amount of $2,000,000 to a group of
     investors pursuant to a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
 
          (3) In September and December 1993, the Registrant sold and issued an
     aggregate of 1,591,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, at a purchase
     price of $2.50 per share, for cash in the aggregate amount of $3,977,500 to
     a group of investors pursuant to a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
 
          (4) In July 1994, the Registrant sold and issued an aggregate of
     3,066,666 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, at a purchase price of $3.75
     per share, for cash in the aggregate amount of $11,500,000 to certain
     investors pursuant to a Series C Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
 
          (5) In October and November 1995, the Registrant sold and issued an
     aggregate of 573,429 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, at a purchase
     price of $8.75 per share, for cash in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 to
     investors pursuant to a Series D Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements.
 
          (6) In March 1996, the Registrant sold and issued an aggregate of
     571,429 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, at a purchase price of $8.75
     per share, for cash in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 to Pfizer Inc,
     pursuant to a Series E Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
 
     The sales and issuances of securities in the above transactions were deemed
to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, principally by virtue
of Section 4(2) thereof as transactions by an issuer not involving a public
offering. The purchasers of such securities represented their intention to
acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in
connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to
the securities issued in such transactions. In addition, certain issuances
described in Item 15(1) were exempt from registration under the Securities Act
in reliance upon Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   78
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (A) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER
- --------
<S>      <C>                                                                         
 1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 3.1+    Restated Articles of Incorporation of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
         California corporation, as in effect prior to the Registrant's
         reincorporation in Delaware.
 3.2+    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
         a Delaware corporation, as in effect immediately following the
         Registrant's reincorporation in Delaware.
 3.3+    Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant to be
         filed upon the closing of the offering under the Registration Statement.
 3.4+    Bylaws of the Registrant, as in effect prior to the Registrant's
         reincorporation in Delaware.
 3.5+    Bylaws of the Registrant, as in effect immediately following the
         Registrant's reincorporation in Delaware.
 4.1     Form of Lock-Up Agreement (included as Exhibit B to Exhibit 1.1).
 4.2     Form of Common Stock Certificate.
 4.3+    Series A Preferred Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrant between Dominion
         Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant dated May 10, 1993.
 4.4+    Series B Preferred Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrant between Dominion
         Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant dated May 10, 1993.
 4.5+    Series C Preferred Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrant between Dominion
         Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant dated June 10, 1994.
 4.6+    Series B Preferred Warrant Agreement between Comdisco, Inc. and the
         Registrant dated September 1, 1993.
 4.7+    Series C Preferred Warrant Agreement between Comdisco, Inc. and the
         Registrant dated September 1, 1993.
 5.1     Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation.
 5.2     Opinion of Lyon & Lyon, patent counsel for the Company (included as
         Exhibit C to Exhibit 1.1).
10.1+    Information and Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 29, 1994 as
         amended.
10.2+    1993 Amended Incentive Stock Plan.
10.3+    1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
10.4+    1996 Director Option Plan.
10.5+    401(k) Plan.
10.6+    Research and License Agreement between the Registrant and Ortho
         Pharmaceutical Corporation and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research
         Institute dated October 24, 1995.
10.7+    Research and License Agreement between the Registrant and Ortho
         Pharmaceutical Corporation and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research
         Institute dated October 24, 1995.
10.8+    Joint Research Agreement between the Registrant and Daiichi Pharmaceutical
         Co., Ltd. dated November 6, 1995.
10.9+    Collaborative Research Agreement between the Registrant and Pfizer Inc
         dated March 1, 1996.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   79
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER
- --------
<S>      <C>                                                                       
10.10+   License and Royalty Agreement between the Registrant and Pfizer Inc dated
         March 1, 1996.
10.11+   Master Lease Agreement between Dominion Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant,
         dated May 10, 1993, as amended on June 10, 1994 and November 22, 1994.
10.12+   Master Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Comdisco, Inc. dated
         September 1, 1993.
10.13+   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Portola Land Company dated
         April 1993.
10.14+   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its Officers
         and Directors.
10.15+   Employment Agreement dated January 31, 1994 between the Registrant and
         James E. Rurka.
10.16+   Employment Agreement dated December 23, 1992 between the Registrant and
         Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D.
11.1+    Calculation of net income (loss) per share.
23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young L.L.P., independent auditors (see page II-7).
23.2     Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
         (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3+    Consent of Lyon & Lyon, patent counsel for the Company (see page II-8).
24.1+    Power of Attorney (see page II-6).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 + Previously filed.
 
     (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:
 
     All Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted because
they are not required under the related instructions, are inapplicable or
because the information required thereby has been included in the financial
statements of the Registrant.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters
at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14 or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   80
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
 
     (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such new securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   81
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on
Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Mountain View, State of California, on the 10th day
of May, 1996.
 
                                          MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
                                          By: /s/  JAMES E. RURKA
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            President, Chief Executive Officer,
                                            and Director
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                       DATE
- ----------------------------------------    ----------------------------------    -------------
<S>                                         <C>                                   <C>
/s/  JAMES E. RURKA                         President, Chief Executive Officer     May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------    and Director (Principal Executive
James E. Rurka                              Officer)
/s/  MATTHEW J. HOGAN                       Chief Financial Officer (Principal     May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------    Financial and Accounting Officer)
Matthew J. Hogan
KEITH A. BOSTIAN*                           Chief Operating Officer and            May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------    Director
Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D.
JOSEPH S. LACOB*                            Chairman of the Board of Directors     May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
Joseph Lacob
HUGH Y. RIENHOFF, JR.*                      Director                               May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
Hugh Y. Rienhoff, Jr., M.D.
JON S. SAXE*                                Director                               May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
Jon S. Saxe
DAVID SCHNELL*                              Director                               May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
David Schnell, M.D.
L. JAMES STRAND*                            Director                               May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
L. James Strand, M.D.
JOHN P. WALKER*                             Director                               May 10, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
John P. Walker
        *By: /s/ JAMES E. RURKA
    James E. Rurka,
   Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   82
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Selected Financial Data" and to the use of our report dated February 13, 1996
(except for the fourth paragraph of Note 8, as to which the date is April 5,
1996), in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-02400)
and related Prospectus of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration
of 2,875,000 shares of its common stock.
 
                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
May 9, 1996
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   83
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                   NUMBERED
NUMBER                                        EXHIBITS                                      PAGE
- -------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>                                                                         <C>
   1.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement..............................................
   3.1+     Restated Articles of Incorporation of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
            California corporation, as in effect prior to the Registrant's
            reincorporation in Delaware.................................................
   3.2+     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
            Delaware corporation, as in effect immediately following the Registrant's
            reincorporation in Delaware.................................................
   3.3+     Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant to be filed
            upon the closing of the offering under the Registration Statement...........
   3.4+     Bylaws of the Registrant, as in effect prior to the Registrant's
            reincorporation in Delaware.
   3.5+     Bylaws of the Registrant, as in effect immediately following the
            Registrant's reincorporation in Delaware....................................
   4.1      Form of Lock-Up Agreement (included as Exhibit B to Exhibit 1.1)............
   4.2      Form of Common Stock Certificate............................................
   4.3+     Series A Preferred Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrant between Dominion
            Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant dated May 10, 1993........................
   4.4+     Series B Preferred Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrant between Dominion
            Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant dated May 10, 1993........................
   4.5+     Series C Preferred Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrant between Dominion
            Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant dated June 10, 1994.......................
   4.6+     Series B Preferred Warrant Agreement between Comdisco, Inc. and the
            Registrant dated September 1, 1993..........................................
   4.7+     Series C Preferred Warrant Agreement between Comdisco, Inc. and the
            Registrant dated September 1, 1993..........................................
   5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation.......
   5.2      Opinion of Lyon & Lyon, patent counsel for the Company (included as Exhibit
            C to Exhibit 1.1)...........................................................
  10.1+     Information and Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 29, 1994 as
            amended.....................................................................
  10.2+     1993 Amended Incentive Stock Plan...........................................
  10.3+     1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan...........................................
  10.4+     1996 Director Option Plan...................................................
  10.5+     401(k) Plan.................................................................
  10.6+     Research and License Agreement between the Registrant and Ortho
            Pharmaceutical Corporation and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research
            Institute dated October 24, 1995............................................
  10.7+     Research and License Agreement between the Registrant and Ortho
            Pharmaceutical Corporation and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research
            Institute dated October 24, 1995............................................
  10.8+     Joint Research Agreement between the Registrant and Daiichi Pharmaceutical
            Co., Ltd. dated November 6, 1995............................................
  10.9+     Collaborative Research Agreement between the Registrant and Pfizer Inc dated
            March 1, 1996...............................................................
 10.10+     License and Royalty Agreement between the Registrant and Pfizer Inc dated
            March 1, 1996...............................................................
 10.11+     Master Lease Agreement between Dominion Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant,
            dated May 10, 1993, as amended on June 10, 1994 and November 22, 1994.......
 10.12+     Master Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Comdisco, Inc. dated
            September 1, 1993...........................................................
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   84
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                   NUMBERED
NUMBER                                        EXHIBITS                                      PAGE
- -------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>                                                                         <C>
 10.13+     Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Portola Land Company dated April
            1993........................................................................
 10.14+     Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its Officers
            and Directors...............................................................
 10.15+     Employment Agreement dated January 31, 1994 between the Registrant and James
            E. Rurka....................................................................
 10.16+     Employment Agreement dated December 23, 1992 between the Registrant and
            Keith A. Bostian, Ph.D. ....................................................
  11.1+     Calculation of net income (loss) per share..................................
  23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young L.L.P., independent auditors (see page II-7).......
  23.2      Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
            (included in Exhibit 5.1)...................................................
  23.3+     Consent of Lyon & Lyon, patent counsel for the Company (see page II-8)7
  24.1+     Power of Attorney (see page II-6)...........................................
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 + Previously filed.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                                2,500,000 Shares

                         MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                            (a Delaware corporation)

                                  Common Stock

                           (Par Value $.001 Per Share)

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                                          , 1996

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
         as Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York  10281-1209

Dear Sirs:

                  Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), hereby confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), Alex. Brown & Sons
Incorporated ("Alex. Brown"), Cowen & Company ("Cowen") and each of the other
Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the "Underwriters," which
term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in
Section 10 hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch, Alex. Brown and Cowen are acting as
representatives (in such capacity, Merrill Lynch, Alex. Brown and Cowen shall
hereinafter be referred to as the "Representatives"), with respect to the sale
by the Company, and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not
jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock, par value $.001
per share, of 
<PAGE>   2
the Company ("Common Stock") set forth in said Schedule A (except as may
otherwise be provided in the Pricing Agreement, as hereinafter defined) and with
respect to the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and
not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or
any part of 375,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments,
except as may otherwise be provided in the Pricing Agreement. The aforesaid
2,500,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Initial Securities") to be purchased by
the Underwriters and all or any part of the 375,000 shares of Common Stock
subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the "Option Securities")
are collectively hereinafter called the "Securities."

                  Prior to the purchase and public offering of the Securities by
the several Underwriters, the Company and the Representatives, acting on behalf
of the several Underwriters, shall enter into an agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto (the "Pricing Agreement"). The Pricing Agreement may
take the form of an exchange of any standard form of written telecommunication
among the Company and the Representatives and shall specify such applicable
information as is indicated in Exhibit A hereto. The offering of the Securities
will be governed by this Agreement, as supplemented by the Pricing Agreement.
From and after the date of the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement,
this Agreement shall be deemed to incorporate the Pricing Agreement.

                  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (No.
333-02400), for the registration of 2,875,000 shares of Common Stock, under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), including the related
preliminary prospectus, such amendments thereto, if any, and such amended
preliminary prospectuses as may have been required to the date hereof, and will
file such additional amendments thereto and such amended or supplemental
prospectuses as may hereafter be required. Promptly after execution and delivery
of this Agreement, the Company will either (i) prepare and file a prospectus in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A ("Rule 430A") of the rules and
regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations")
and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 ("Rule 424(b)") of the 1933 Act Regulations or
(ii) if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434 ("Rule 434") of the 1933
Act Regulations, prepare and file a term sheet (a "Term Sheet") in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule 424(b). The information included in
such prospectus or in such Term Sheet, as the case may be, that was omitted from
such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed
to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective (a)
pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as "Rule 430A Information"
or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 434 is referred to as "Rule 434
Information." Each prospectus used before such registration statement became
effective, and any prospectus that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A
Information or the Rule 434 Information, that was used after such effectiveness
and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a
"preliminary prospectus." Such registration statement, including the exhibits
thereto and schedules thereto, if any, at the time it became effective and
including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Informa-

                                       2
<PAGE>   3
tion, as applicable, as from time to time amended or supplemented pursuant to
the 1933 Act, is herein called the "Registration Statement." Any registration
statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein
referred to as the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement," and after such filing
the term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement. The final prospectus, in the form furnished to the Underwriters for
use in connection with the offering of the Securities, as from time to time
amended or supplemented in accordance with the 1933 Act, is herein called the
"Prospectus," except that if any revised prospectus shall be provided to the
Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the
Securities which differs from the Prospectus on file at the Commission (whether
or not such revised prospectus is required to be filed by the Company pursuant
to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations), the term "Prospectus" shall refer
to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the
Underwriters for such use. If Rule 434 is relied on, the term "Prospectus" shall
refer to the preliminary prospectus dated April 22, 1996 together with the Term
Sheet, and all references in this Agreement to the date of the Prospectus shall
mean the date of the Term Sheet.

                  The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make
a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem
advisable after the Pricing Agreement has been executed and delivered.

                  Section 1.  Representations and Warranties.

                  (a) The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as
         of the date hereof, as of the date of the Pricing Agreement (such
         latter date being hereinafter referred to as the "Representation Date")
         and as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and
         agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

                           (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. Each
                  of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration
                  Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop
                  order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
                  Statement or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been
                  issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose
                  have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of
                  the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any
                  request on the part of the Commission for additional
                  information has been complied with.

                           At the respective times the Registration Statement,
                  the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective
                  amendments thereto became effective, at the Representation
                  Date and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities
                  are purchased, up to the Date of Delivery referred to below),
                  the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration
                  Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto complied
                  and will comply in all material respects with the requirements
                  of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations 


                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                  and did not contain and will not contain an untrue statement
                  of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
                  to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
                  therein not misleading. The Prospectus, at the Representation
                  Date (unless the term "Prospectus" refers to prospectuses
                  which have been provided to the Underwriters by the Company
                  for use in connection with the offering of Securities which
                  differ from the Prospectus on file at the Commission, in which
                  case at the time the Prospectus is first provided to the
                  Underwriters for their use) and at the Closing Time, will not
                  include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
                  state a material fact necessary in order to make the
                  statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
                  which they were made, not misleading; and if Rule 434 is used,
                  the Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434;
                  provided, however, that the representations and warranties in
                  this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions
                  from the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance
                  upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
                  Company in writing by any Underwriter through the
                  Representatives expressly for use in the Registration
                  Statement or Prospectus. The Company makes no representation
                  or warranty as to (i) the last paragraph on the outside front
                  cover page of the Prospectus and (ii) the statements contained
                  in the second and seventh paragraphs under the caption
                  "Underwriting" in the Prospectus. The Company acknowledges
                  that the statements referred to in the previous sentence
                  constitute the only information furnished in writing by the
                  Representatives on behalf of the several Underwriters
                  specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, any
                  preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus.

                           Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus filed
                  as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or
                  as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule
                  424(b) under the 1933 Act Regulations, complied when so filed
                  in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
                  Regulations.

                           (ii) Independent Accountants. The accountants who
                  certified the financial statements and supporting schedules
                  included in the Registration Statement are independent public
                  accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
                  Regulations.

                           (iii) Financial Statements. The financial statements
                  included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
                  together with the related schedules and notes present fairly
                  the financial position of the Company at the dates indicated
                  and the statement of operations, stockholders' equity and cash
                  flows of the Company for the periods specified; said financial
                  statements have been prepared in conformity with generally
                  accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a
                  consistent basis throughout the periods involved; and the
                  sup-

                                       4
<PAGE>   5
                  porting schedules, if any, included in the Registration
                  Statement present fairly in accordance with GAAP the
                  information required to be stated therein. The selected
                  financial data and the summary financial information included
                  in the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein
                  and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the
                  audited financial statements included in the Registration
                  Statement.

                           (iv) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since
                  the respective dates as of which information is given in the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise
                  stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change
                  in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
                  business affairs or business prospects of the Company (a
                  "Material Adverse Change"), whether or not arising in the
                  ordinary course of business, (B) there have been no
                  transactions entered into by the Company, other than those in
                  the ordinary course of business, which are required to be
                  disclosed under the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, and
                  (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind
                  declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its
                  capital stock.

                           (v) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has
                  been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
                  corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
                  Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease
                  and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
                  described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its
                  obligations under this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement;
                  and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
                  transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
                  in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of
                  the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
                  business, except where the failure to so qualify could not,
                  singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result
                  in a Material Adverse Change.

                           (vi)  Subsidiaries.  The Company has no subsidiaries.

                           (vii) Capitalization; Authorization and Description
                  of Securities. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital
                  stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus in the
                  column entitled "Actual" under the caption "Capitalization"
                  (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this
                  Agreement or the Pricing Agreement); the shares of issued and
                  outstanding Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly
                  issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; none of the
                  outstanding shares of Common Stock was issued in violation of
                  preemptive or other similar rights arising by operation of
                  law, under the charter or bylaws of the Company, under any
                  agreement to which the Company is a party or otherwise; the
                  Securities have been duly authorized 


                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                  for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this
                  Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company
                  pursuant to this Agreement against payment of consideration
                  set forth herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and
                  nonassessable; the Common Stock conforms in all material
                  respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the
                  Prospectus and such description conforms to the rights set
                  forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the
                  Securities will be subject to personal liability by reason of
                  being such a holder; and the issuance of the Securities is not
                  subject to preemptive or other similar rights arising by
                  operation of law, under the charter or bylaws of the Company,
                  under any agreement to which the Company is a party or
                  otherwise. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, (a) there
                  are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights calling
                  for the issuance of, and no commitments, plans or arrangements
                  to issue, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any
                  security convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock of
                  the Company and (b) there are no persons with registration or
                  other similar rights to have any securities registered
                  pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered
                  by the Company under the 1933 Act.

                           (viii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. The Company
                  is not (a) in violation of its charter or bylaws or (b) in
                  breach or default in the performance or observance of any
                  obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any
                  contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit
                  agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to
                  which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound, or
                  to which any of the property or assets of the Company is
                  subject (collectively, "Agreements and Instruments"),
                  excluding in each case in this clause (b), breaches or
                  defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, could not,
                  singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result
                  in a Material Adverse Change; and the execution, delivery and
                  performance of this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and
                  the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein,
                  therein and in the Registration Statement (including the use
                  of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described
                  in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and
                  compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and
                  thereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary
                  corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or
                  without the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
                  conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or
                  result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
                  encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company
                  pursuant to any Agreements and Instruments, excluding in each
                  case, conflicts, breaches or defaults which, singly or in the
                  aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a
                  Material Adverse Change, nor will such action result in any
                  violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the
                  Company or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation,
                  judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government
                  instrumentality or court,


                                        6
<PAGE>   7

                  domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or
                  any of its assets or properties.

                           (ix) Absence of Labor Disputes or Violations. The
                  Company is not in violation of any federal, state or local law
                  relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of
                  employees nor any applicable wage or hour laws that, singly or
                  in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a
                  Material Adverse Change. The Company is not bound by or
                  subject to (and none of its properties or assets is bound by
                  or subject to) any written or oral, express or implied,
                  contract, commitment or arrangement with any labor union, and
                  no labor union has requested or, to the best knowledge of the
                  Company, has sought to represent any of the employees,
                  representatives or agents of the Company. No labor dispute in
                  which the Company is involved exists, nor, to the best
                  knowledge of the Company, is any labor dispute imminent, and
                  the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor
                  disturbance by the employees of any of its principal
                  suppliers, manufacturers, customers, contractors or licensees,
                  which, in either case, could, singly or in the aggregate,
                  reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
                  The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all
                  presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement
                  Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Internal Revenue
                  Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations and
                  published interpretations thereunder, including but not
                  limited to Sections 4975 and 4980B of the Code. Any "pension
                  plans" established or maintained by the Company to which the
                  Company is a contributor that are intended to be qualified
                  under Section 401(a) of the Code are so qualified. The Company
                  does not contribute to any "multi-employer pension plan."

                           (x) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit,
                  proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court or
                  governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending
                  or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or
                  affecting the Company, which is required to be disclosed in
                  the Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein),
                  or which could, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be
                  expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, or could,
                  singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
                  materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of
                  the Company or the consummation of this Agreement or the
                  performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; the
                  aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to
                  which the Company is a party or to which any of its properties
                  or assets is subject which are not described in the
                  Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation
                  incidental to the business, could not, singly or in the
                  aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material
                  Adverse Change.


                                        7
<PAGE>   8
                           (xi) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or
                  documents which are required to be described in the
                  Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as
                  exhibits thereto by the 1933 Act or by the 1933 Act
                  Regulations which have not been so described and filed as
                  required.

                           (xii) Possession of Intellectual Property. The
                  Company has sufficient title and ownership of patent rights,
                  licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade
                  secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary
                  or confidential information, systems or procedures),
                  trademarks, service marks, trade names and other intellectual
                  property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to
                  carry on the business it now operates, and the Company has not
                  received any notice or is not otherwise aware of any claim,
                  action or demand of any person in the United States or
                  elsewhere or any proceeding in the United States or elsewhere,
                  pending or threatened, which (a) challenges the ownership
                  interests of the Company in any of the Intellectual Property
                  or (b) alleges that any product or service of the Company
                  infringes or misappropriates the Intellectual Property rights
                  of others or of any facts or circumstances which would render
                  any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the
                  interest of the Company therein, and which action or
                  proceeding (including without limitation infringement,
                  misappropriation, and unfair competition), if the subject of
                  any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, or invalidity or
                  inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
                  expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                           (xiii) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing
                  with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order,
                  registration, qualification or decree of, any court or
                  governmental authority, agency or body is necessary or
                  required for the performance by the Company of its obligations
                  hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale
                  of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the
                  transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as
                  have already been obtained or as may be required under the
                  1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws.

                           (xiv) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company
                  possesses such certificates, authorities, permits, licenses,
                  approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively,
                  "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal,
                  state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies
                  necessary to conduct the business it now operates; the Company
                  is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such
                  Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply
                  could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
                  to result in a Material Adverse Change; all of the
                  Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect,
                  except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or
                  the failure of such Governmental Licenses to


                                        8
<PAGE>   9
                  be in full force and effect could not, singly or in the
                  aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material
                  Adverse Change; and the Company has not received any notice of
                  proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any
                  such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate,
                  if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding,
                  could, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
                  result in a Material Adverse Change.

                           (xv) Title to Property. The Company has good and
                  marketable title to all of its real property and good title to
                  all of its personal property, free and clear of all liens,
                  encumbrances and defects, except as stated in the Prospectus
                  or such as could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably
                  be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and all of
                  the leases material to the business of the Company, and under
                  which the Company holds properties described in the
                  Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and the Company does
                  not have notice of any material claim of any sort that has
                  been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company
                  under any of the leases mentioned above, or affecting or
                  questioning the rights of the Company to the continued
                  possession of the leased premises under any such lease.

                           (xvi) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has
                  been, and, at the Representation Date the Pricing Agreement
                  will have been, duly and validly authorized, executed and
                  delivered by the Company.

                           (xvii) Relations with Cuba. The Company has not done,
                  and is not presently doing, business with the government of
                  Cuba or with any person or any affiliate located in Cuba.

                           (xviii) Descriptions in Registration Statement. The
                  descriptions in the Registration Statement of laws,
                  regulations and rules, of legal and governmental proceedings
                  and of contracts, agreements, leases and other documents
                  including, without limitation, under the headings "Business --
                  Collaborative Agreements, -- Patents, Proprietary Technology
                  and Trade Secrets, and -- Government Regulation" and
                  "Description of Capital Stock" are accurate in all material
                  respects.

                           (xix) Environmental Laws. The Company is not in
                  violation of any federal, state, local or foreign laws or
                  regulations relating to pollution or protection of human
                  health or the environment (including, without limitation,
                  ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or
                  subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation,
                  laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges,
                  releases or threatened releases of toxic or hazardous
                  substances, materials or wastes, or petroleum and petroleum
                  products, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials or
                  polychlorinated biphenyls ("Materials of


                                        9
<PAGE>   10
                  Environmental Concern"), or otherwise relating to the
                  protection of human health and safety, or the storage,
                  disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental
                  Concern (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), which violation
                  includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with any
                  permits or other governmental authorizations, excluding any
                  violations which individually or in the aggregate could not
                  reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change
                  or otherwise would require disclosure in the Prospectus; the
                  Company has not received any communication (written or oral),
                  whether from a governmental authority or otherwise, alleging
                  any such violation or noncompliance, and, to the Company's
                  knowledge, there are no circumstances, either past, present or
                  that are reasonably foreseeable, that may lead to such
                  violation in the future; there is no pending or threatened
                  claim, action, investigation or notice (written or oral) by
                  any person or entity alleging potential liability for
                  investigatory, cleanup, or governmental responses costs, or
                  natural resources or property damages, or personal injuries,
                  attorneys' fees or penalties relating to (x) the presence, or
                  release into the environment, of any Material of Environmental
                  Concern at any location owned or operated by the Company, now
                  or in the past, or (y) circumstances forming the basis of any
                  violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law
                  (collectively, "Environmental Claims"); and there are no past
                  or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions,
                  events or incidents that could form the basis of any
                  Environmental Claim against the Company or against any person
                  or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the
                  Company has retained or assumed either contractually or by
                  operation of law.

                           (xx) Adequate Insurance. The Company maintains
                  insurance of the types and in the amounts generally deemed
                  adequate for its business, including, without limitation,
                  insurance covering real and personal property owned or leased
                  by the Company against theft, damage, destruction, acts of
                  vandalism and all other material risks customarily insured
                  against, all of which insurance is in full force and effect.
                  The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able
                  to renew existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage
                  expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as
                  may be necessary to continue its business.

                           (xxi) No Related Party Transactions. There are no
                  outstanding loans, advances or guarantees of indebtedness by
                  the Company to or for the benefit, directly or indirectly, of
                  any of the officers or directors of the Company or any other
                  related party transactions required by the 1933 Act or by the
                  1933 Act Regulations to be disclosed in the Prospectus, except
                  as disclosed in the Prospectus.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
                           (xxii) Internal Accounting Methodology. The Company
                  maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient
                  to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
                  executed in accordance with management's general or specific
                  authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to
                  permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with
                  GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access
                  to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's
                  general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded
                  accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at
                  reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
                  respect to any differences.

                           (xxiii) Taxes. The Company has filed all necessary
                  federal, state and foreign income, franchise, payroll, sales
                  and other required tax returns, and all such returns are
                  complete and correct in all material respects. The Company has
                  paid all federal, state and foreign taxes when due. The
                  Company has no knowledge of any material tax deficiency which
                  has been or is likely to be asserted or threatened against the
                  Company which deficiency has not been fully and fairly
                  reflected in the Company's financial statements included in
                  the Prospectus.

                           (xxiv) Nasdaq Listing. Application has been made to
                  effect the quotation of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
                  National Market.

                           (xxv) Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth in
                  the Prospectus, the Company is in compliance in all material
                  respects with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, rules
                  or regulations, the enforcement of which, singly or in the
                  aggregate, could be reasonably expected to result in a
                  Material Adverse Change.

                           (xxvi) Investment Company. The Company is not, and
                  upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein
                  contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom
                  as described in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of
                  Proceeds" will not be, an "investment company" or an entity
                  "controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                           (xxvii) No Brokers. Other than as contemplated by
                  this Agreement, there is no broker, finder or other party that
                  is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or
                  finder's fee or any other fee, commission or payment as a
                  result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                           (xxviii) No Stabilization. The Company has not (i)
                  taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or
                  to result in, or that has constituted or that could reasonably
                  be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipu-


                                       11
<PAGE>   12
                  lation of the price of any security of the Company to
                  facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or (ii) since
                  the initial filing of the Registration Statement (a) sold, bid
                  for, purchased or paid anyone any compensation for soliciting
                  purchases of the Securities or (b) paid or agreed to pay to
                  any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase
                  any other securities of the Company.

                           (xxix) Lock-ups. The Company has obtained and
                  delivered to the Representatives the agreements of the persons
                  and entities named in Schedule B hereto substantially in the
                  form of Exhibit B hereto.

                           (xxx) No Other Prospectus. The Company has not
                  distributed and, prior to the later to occur of (i) the
                  Closing Time and (ii) completion of the distribution of the
                  Securities, will not distribute any prospectus (as such term
                  is defined in the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations) in
                  connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other
                  than the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus
                  filed with the Commission, the Prospectus or other materials,
                  if any, permitted by the 1933 Act or by the 1933 Act
                  Regulations and approved by the Representatives.

                  (b) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and
         delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters
         shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each
         Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

                  Section 2.  Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

                  (a) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein
         contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
         Company agrees to sell the number of Securities set forth in Schedule A
         to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly,
         agrees to purchase from the Company, at the price per share set forth
         in the Pricing Agreement, the number of Initial Securities set forth in
         Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter (except as otherwise
         provided in the Pricing Agreement), plus any additional number of
         Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to
         purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

                  (b) In addition, on the basis of the representations and
         warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions
         herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the
         Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to all of the
         Option Securities at the purchase price per share set forth in the
         Pricing Agreement. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after
         the Representation Date and may be exercised in whole or in part on one
         occasion only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be
         made in connection with the offering and


                                       12
<PAGE>   13
         distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the
         Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of Option
         Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the
         option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option
         Securities. Such time and date of delivery (the "Date of Delivery")
         shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than
         seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any
         event prior to the Closing Time, as hereinafter defined, unless
         otherwise agreed by the Representatives and the Company. If the option
         is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of
         the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that
         proportion of the total number of Options Securities then being
         purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule
         A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of
         Initial Securities (except as otherwise provided in the Pricing
         Agreement), subject in each case to such adjustments as the
         Representatives in their discretion shall make to eliminate any
         purchases of fractional interests, plus any additional number of Option
         Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase
         pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

                  (c) Payment of the purchase price for the Securities shall be
         made at the office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, 650 Page Mill
         Road, Palo Alto, California, or at such other place as shall be agreed
         upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 7:00 A.M. California
         time on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. New
         York time) business day (unless postponed in accordance with the
         provisions of Section 10 hereof) after the Representation Date, or such
         other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be
         agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date
         of payment and delivery being herein called the "Closing Time").
         Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer or transfer 
         in immediately available funds against delivery to the
         Representatives at Merrill Lynch's World Headquarters, North Tower,
         World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281 for the respective
         accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities to be
         purchased by them. Certificates for the Securities shall be in such
         denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may
         request in writing at least two business days before the Closing Time.
         It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the
         Representatives, for their account, to accept delivery of, receipt for,
         and make payment of the purchase price for, the Securities which it has
         agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as
         representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to)
         make payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased
         by any Underwriter whose check has not been received by the Closing
         Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, but such payment shall not
         relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder. The
         certificates for the Securities will be made available for examination
         and packaging by the Representatives not later than 10:00 A.M. on the
         last business day prior to the


                                       13
<PAGE>   14
         Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery at Merrill Lynch's World
         Headquarters, North Tower, World Financial Center, New York, New York
         10281.

                  (d) In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option
         Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase
         price for such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned
         offices of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, or at such other place as
         shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on the
         Date of Delivery specified in the notice from the Representatives to
         the Company. Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer or
         transfer in immediately available funds against delivery to the
         Representatives at the above mentioned offices of Merrill Lynch for the
         respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for the Option
         Securities to be purchased by them. Certificates for the Option
         Securities, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in
         such names as the Representatives may request in writing at least two
         business days before the Closing Time or the Date of Delivery, as the
         case may be. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the
         Representatives, for their accounts, to accept delivery of, receipt
         for, and make payment of the purchase price for the Option Securities,
         if any, which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually
         and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be
         obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Option
         Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have
         not been received by the Date of Delivery, but such payment shall not
         relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder. The
         certificates for the Option Securities, if any, will be made available
         for examination and packaging by the Representatives not later than
         10:00 A.M. on the last business day prior to the Date of Delivery. For
         purposes of this agreement "business day" means a day on which the New
         York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business.

                  Section 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants
with each Underwriter as follows:

                  (a) The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the
         requirements of Rule 430A and will notify the Representatives
         immediately of (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and
         of the effectiveness of any post-effective amendment to the
         Registration Statement or of the filing of any amendment or supplement
         to the Prospectus, (ii) the receipt of any comments from the
         Commission, (iii) any request by the Commission for any amendment to
         the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the
         Prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) the issuance by the
         Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
         Registration Statement or any order preventing or suspending the use of
         any preliminary prospectus, or the suspension of the qualification of
         the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or the
         initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of


                                       14
<PAGE>   15
         such purposes. The Company will promptly effect the filings necessary
         pursuant to Rule 424(b) and will take such steps as it deems necessary
         to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for
         filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and,
         in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus.
         The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance
         of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the
         lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

                  (b) The Company will give the Representatives notice of its
         intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration
         Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)), any Term Sheet or
         any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included
         in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the
         Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act or otherwise, will furnish
         the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable
         amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may
         be, and will not file or use any such document to which the
         Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

                  (c) The Company has furnished or will deliver to the
         Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge,
         signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of
         each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed
         copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also
         deliver to the Representatives a conformed copy of the Registration
         Statement as originally filed and of each amendment or post-effective
         amendment or supplement or Term Sheet thereto (without exhibits) for
         each of the Underwriters.

                  (d) The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without
         charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such
         Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to
         the use of such copies for the purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The
         Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, from time to
         time, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered
         under the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
         (the "1934 Act"), such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended
         or supplemented) and the Term Sheet, if any, as such Underwriter may
         reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the 1933 Act, the
         1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations of the
         Commission under the 1934 Act (the "1934 Act Regulations").

                  (e) The Company will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
         Regulations and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to
         permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as
         contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time
         any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it
         is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or the
         Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the
         Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to


                                       15
<PAGE>   16
         state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein
         not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time
         it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the
         opinion of such counsel or the Company, at any such time to amend the
         Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order
         to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act
         Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the
         Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as
         may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements,
         and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters a reasonable number of
         copies of such amendment or supplement.

                  (f) The Company will use its diligent reasonable efforts, in
         cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for
         offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states
         and other jurisdictions of the United States as the Representatives may
         designate; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated
         to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a
         foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so
         qualified. In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so
         qualified, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be
         required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such
         qualification in effect for a period of not less than one year from the
         date of the Pricing Agreement and the effective date of any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement. The Company will inform the Florida Department
         of Banking and Finance if, prior to the completion of the distribution
         of the Securities by the Underwriters, the Company commences engaging
         in business with the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate
         located in Cuba. Such information will be provided within 90 days of
         the commencement thereof or after a change to any such previously
         reported information.

                  (g) The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the
         1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its
         security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than 90 days
         after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement
         (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of the 1933 Act
         Regulations) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than
         the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the
         "effective date" (as defined in said Rule 158) of the Registration
         Statement.

                  (h) The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is
         required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, will file
         all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to
         Section 13, 14 or 15 of the 1934 Act within the time periods required
         by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

                  (i) During a period of 180 days from the Representation Date,
         the Company will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill
         Lynch, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, grant any option
         for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of (whether


                                       16
<PAGE>   17
         directly or synthetically) or enter into any agreement to sell or
         otherwise dispose of (whether directly or synthetically) any Common
         Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable into or
         exercisable for Common Stock (except for Common Stock issued pursuant
         to this Agreement, pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the
         Prospectus, pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities, options
         or warrants described in the Prospectus or pursuant to joint ventures
         or similar arrangements entered into with corporate partners after the
         date of this Agreement), or file any registration statement under the
         1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing (except for any
         registration statement on Form S-8 or successor to such form).

                  (j) If the Company uses Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations,
         it will comply with the requirements of Rule 434 of such regulations
         and the Prospectus will not be "materially different," as such term is
         used in Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, from the Prospectus first
         given to the Underwriters for their use.

                  (k) The Company will use its best efforts to effect and
         maintain the quotation of the Securities on the Nasdaq National Market
         and will file with the Nasdaq National Market all documents and notices
         required by the Nasdaq National Market of companies that have
         securities that are traded in the over-the-counter market and
         quotations for which are reported by the Nasdaq National Market.

                  (l) The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from
         the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus
         under the caption "Use of Proceeds."

                  (m) The Company will file with the Commission such reports on
         Form SR as may be required pursuant to Rule 463 of the 1933 Act
         Regulations.

                  Section 4. Payment of Expenses. The Company will pay all
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement
(including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each
amendment thereto, including any post-effective amendments, (ii) the
preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of such other documents
as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery
of the Securities in accordance with customary practice and to the extent
reasonably required to effect the sale of the Securities, (iii) the preparation,
issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the
Underwriters, (iv) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Company's
counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities
under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof,
including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation,
printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and
any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of
copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment


                                       17
<PAGE>   18
thereto, of each preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheets and of the Prospectus
and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees and expenses of any
transfer agent or registrar for the Securities, (viii) the filing fees incident
to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in
connection with, the review by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (the "NASD") of the terms of the sale of the Securities, and (ix) the fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the inclusion of the Securities in the
Nasdaq National Market.

                  If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) hereof, the
Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket
expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Underwriters.

                  Section 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The
obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of
the representations and warranties of the Company herein contained, to the
performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to the following
further conditions:

                  (a) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement, shall have become effective not later than 5:30
         P.M. on the date of this Agreement. At the Closing Time, no stop order
         suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have
         been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or
         threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the
         Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to
         the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. The price
         of the Securities and any price-related information previously omitted
         from the effective Registration Statement and any Term Sheet used
         pursuant to Rule 434 shall have been transmitted to the Commission for
         filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the prescribed time period and,
         prior to the Closing Time, the Company shall have provided evidence
         satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing, or a
         post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been
         promptly filed and declared effective.

                  (b)  At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have 
         received:

                           (i) The favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing
                  Time, of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, counsel for the
                  Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the
                  Underwriters, to the effect that:

                                    a. The Company has been duly incorporated
                           and is validly existing as a corporation in good
                           standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.


                                       18
<PAGE>   19
                                    b. The Company has the corporate power and
                           authority to own, lease and operate its properties
                           and to conduct its business as described in the
                           Registration Statement and to enter into and perform
                           its obligations under this Agreement and the Pricing
                           Agreement.

                                    c. The Company is duly qualified as a
                           foreign corporation to transact business and is in
                           good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
                           qualification is required, whether by reason of the
                           ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
                           business, except where the failure so to qualify to
                           be in good standing could not, singly or in the
                           aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a
                           Material Adverse Change.

                                    d. The authorized, issued and outstanding
                           capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the
                           Prospectus in the column entitled "Actual" under the
                           caption "Capitalization" (except for subsequent
                           issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement or the
                           Pricing Agreement); the shares of issued and
                           outstanding Common Stock have been duly authorized
                           and validly issued and are fully paid and
                           non-assessable; no holder of Common Stock is or will
                           be subject to personal liability by reason of being
                           such a holder; and none of the outstanding shares of
                           capital stock of the Company was issued in violation
                           of preemptive or other similar rights of any
                           stockholder of the Company arising by operation of
                           law, under the charter or bylaws of the Company or
                           under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or
                           credit agreement, note, lease or other material
                           agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the
                           Registration Statement or otherwise known to such
                           counsel (the "Reviewed Documents").

                                    e. The Securities have been duly authorized
                           for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to
                           this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and, when
                           issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this
                           Agreement and the Pricing Agreement against payment
                           of the consideration required pursuant to this
                           Agreement, will be validly issued and fully paid and
                           nonassessable.

                                    f. The issuance of the Securities is not
                           subject to statutory pre-emptive or other similar
                           rights arising by operation of law, under the charter
                           or bylaws of the Company or any Reviewed Document.

                                    g. Except as disclosed in or specifically
                           contemplated by the Prospectus, to their knowledge,
                           there are no outstanding options, warrants or other
                           rights calling for the issuance of, and no
                           commitments, obligations, plans or arrangements to
                           issue, any shares of capital


                                       19
<PAGE>   20
                           stock of the Company or any security convertible into
                           or exchangeable for capital stock of the Company. The
                           outstanding stock options relating to the Common
                           Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued
                           and the description thereof contained in the
                           Prospectus is accurate in all material respects.

                                    h. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement
                           have each been duly authorized, executed and
                           delivered by the Company.

                                    i. The Registration Statement, including any
                           Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has been declared
                           effective under the 1933 Act; any required filing of
                           the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made
                           in the manner and within the time period required by
                           Rule 424(b); and, to their knowledge, no stop order
                           suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
                           Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act or
                           proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the
                           Commission.

                                    j. The Registration Statement, including any
                           Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the Rule 430A
                           Information and the Rule 434 Information, as
                           applicable, the Prospectus, and each amendment or
                           supplement to the Registration Statement and
                           Prospectus, as of their respective effective or issue
                           dates (other than the financial statements, financial
                           information and supporting schedules included
                           therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered)
                           complied as to form in all material respects with the
                           requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
                           Regulations.

                                    k. The form of certificate used to evidence
                           the Common Stock complies in all material respects
                           will all applicable statutory requirements, with any
                           applicable requirements of the charter and bylaws of
                           the Company and the requirements of the Nasdaq
                           National Market.

                                    l. To their knowledge, there is no pending
                           or threatened action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or
                           investigation to which the Company is a party, or to
                           which the property of the Company is subject, before
                           or brought by any court or governmental agency or
                           body, which could, singly or in the aggregate,
                           reasonably be expected to result in a Material
                           Adverse Change or which could, singly or in the
                           aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially and
                           adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or
                           the consummation of this Agreement or the Pricing
                           Agreement or the performance of the Company's
                           obligations hereunder or thereunder or the
                           transactions contemplated by the Registration
                           Statement.


                                       20
<PAGE>   21
                                    m. The Common Stock conforms to the
                           description thereof contained in the Prospectus under
                           the caption "Description of Capital Stock" and the
                           information in the Prospectus under the captions
                           "Business -- Collaborative Agreements", "Business --
                           Government Regulation", "Business -- Facilities",
                           "Business -- Legal Proceedings", "Certain
                           Transactions", "Description of Capital Stock" and
                           "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and in the
                           Registration Statement under Items 14 and 15, to the
                           extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries
                           of legal matters, the Company's charter or bylaws or
                           legal proceedings or legal conclusions, has been
                           reviewed by them and is accurate and complete in all
                           material respects.

                                    n. To their knowledge, the Company is not in
                           violation of its charter or bylaws and no default by
                           the Company exists in the due performance or
                           observance of any Reviewed Document.

                                    o. To their knowledge and information, there
                           are no Agreements and Instruments, statutes,
                           regulations or proceedings required to be described
                           or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be
                           filed as exhibits thereto other than those described
                           or referred to therein or filed as exhibits thereto;
                           and the descriptions thereof or references thereto
                           are accurate and complete in all material respects.

                                    p. No authorization, approval, consent or
                           order of any court or governmental authority or
                           agency (other than under the 1933 Act and the 1933
                           Act Regulations, which have been obtained, or as may
                           be required under the securities or blue sky laws of
                           the various states, as to which no opinion need be
                           expressed) is required in connection with the due
                           authorization, execution and delivery of this
                           Agreement and the Pricing Agreement by the Company or
                           for the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities
                           by the Company to the Underwriters.

                                    q. The execution, delivery and performance
                           of this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and the
                           consummation of the transactions contemplated herein
                           and therein and in the Registration Statement
                           (including the use of proceeds from the sale of the
                           Securities as described in the Prospectus under the
                           caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the
                           Company with its obligations hereunder and thereunder
                           will not, whether with or without the giving of
                           notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or
                           constitute a breach of, or default under, or result
                           in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
                           encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
                           Company pursuant to any Reviewed Document that could
                           reasonably be expected to result in a Material
                           Adverse Change, nor will such action result in any
                           violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws
                           of the Company, or any


                                       21
<PAGE>   22
                           applicable law (applicable law for this purpose shall
                           be limited to those United States, California and
                           Delaware statutes, laws or regulations currently in
                           effect which, in such counsel's experience, are
                           normally applicable to transactions of the type
                           contemplated by this Agreement).

                                    r. The Company has sufficient title and
                           ownership of the Intellectual Property necessary to
                           carry on the business it now operates, and, to the
                           best of their knowledge, the Company has not received
                           any notice or is not otherwise aware of any claim,
                           action or demand of any person in the United States
                           or elsewhere or any proceeding in the United States
                           or elsewhere, pending or threatened, which (a)
                           challenges the ownership interests of the Company in
                           any of the Intellectual Property or (b) alleges that
                           any product or service of the Company infringes or
                           misappropriates the Intellectual Property rights of
                           others or of any facts or circumstances which would
                           render any Intellectual Property invalid or
                           inadequate to protect the interest of the Company
                           therein, and which action or proceeding (including
                           without limitation infringement, misappropriation,
                           and unfair competition), if the subject of any
                           unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, or
                           invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate,
                           could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
                           Adverse Change.

                                    s. In addition, such counsel shall state
                           that they have participated in conferences with
                           directors, officers and other representatives of the
                           Company, the Representatives, the Company's
                           independent accountants and counsel for the
                           Underwriters at which conferences the contents of the
                           Registration Statement and the Prospectus and related
                           matters were discussed and, although they are not
                           passing upon, and they do not assume responsibility
                           for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
                           statements contained in the Registration Statement or
                           Prospectus (including financial statements and other
                           financial data included therein), and they have not
                           made any independent check or verification thereof,
                           on the basis of the foregoing, nothing has come to
                           their attention that caused them to believe that the
                           Registration Statement, including the Rule 430A
                           Information and the Rule 434 Information (if
                           applicable) (except for financial statements and
                           schedules and other financial data included therein,
                           as to which such counsel need make no statement), at
                           the time it became effective, contained any untrue
                           statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
                           material fact required to be stated therein or
                           necessary to make the statements therein not
                           misleading or that the Prospectus or any amendment or
                           supplement thereto (except for the financial
                           statements and schedules and other financial
                           information contained therein, as to which such
                           counsel


                                       22
<PAGE>   23
                           need make no statement), at the time the Prospectus
                           was issued, at the time any such amended or
                           supplemental prospectus was issued or at the Closing
                           Time, included or includes an untrue statement of a
                           material fact or omitted or omits to state a material
                           fact necessary in order to make the statements
                           therein, in the light of the circumstance under which
                           they were made, not misleading.

                           (ii) The signed opinion, dated as of the Closing
                  Time, of Lyon & Lyon, special patent counsel to the Company,
                  in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

                           (iii) The favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing
                  Time, of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, counsel for the
                  Underwriters, with respect to the matters set forth in (a),
                  (e), (f) (solely as to preemptive rights arising by operation
                  of law or under the charter or bylaws of the Company), (h),
                  (i), (j), (k) and (m) (solely as to the information in the
                  Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock")
                  of subsection (b)(i) of this Section, except that, with
                  respect to the matters referred to in (n), no opinion need be
                  expressed as to whether any of the Company's outstanding
                  shares of Common Stock, other than the Securities, have been
                  duly authorized or validly issued or are fully paid or
                  nonassessable.

                           In addition, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
                  shall state that they have participated in conferences with
                  directors, officers and other representatives of the Company,
                  the Representatives, the Company's independent accountants and
                  counsel for the Underwriters at which conferences the contents
                  of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and related
                  matters were discussed and, although they are not passing
                  upon, and they do not assume responsibility for, the accuracy,
                  completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
                  Registration Statement or Prospectus (including financial
                  statements and other financial data included therein), and
                  they have not made any independent check or verification
                  thereof, on the basis of the foregoing, nothing has come to
                  their attention that would lead them to believe that the
                  Registration Statement including the Rule 430A Information and
                  Rule 434 Information (if applicable), (except for financial
                  statements and schedules and other financial data included
                  therein, as to which such counsel need make no statement), at
                  the time it became effective, contained an untrue statement of
                  a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
                  to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
                  therein not misleading or that the Prospectus or any amendment
                  or supplement thereto (except for financial statements and
                  schedules and other financial data included as to which such
                  counsel need make no statement), at the time the Prospectus
                  was issued, at the time any such amended or supplemental
                  prospectus was issued or at the Closing Time,


                                       23
<PAGE>   24
                  included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
                  omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order
                  to make the statements therein, in the light of the
                  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (c) At the Closing Time there shall not have been, since the
         date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is
         given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, any Material
         Adverse Change, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
         business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of
         the president and chief executive officer of the Company and of the
         chief operating officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Time,
         to the effect that (i) there has been no such Material Adverse Change,
         (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 1(a)
         hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though
         expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, (iii) the Company has
         complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part
         to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (iv)
         no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
         Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been
         initiated or threatened by the Commission.

                  (d) At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the
         Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young, LLP a letter
         dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Representatives, to the effect that (i) they are independent public
         accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the 1933
         Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; (ii) it is their opinion that the
         financial statements and supporting schedules included in the
         Registration Statement and covered by their opinions therein comply as
         to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
         requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; (iii) based
         upon the limited procedures set forth in detail in such letter, nothing
         has come to their attention which causes them to believe that (A) the
         unaudited financial statements and supporting schedules of the Company
         included in the Registration Statement do not comply as to form in all
         material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
         1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations or are not presented in
         conformity with GAAP applied on a basis substantially consistent with
         that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration
         Statement, (B) the unaudited income statement data set forth under
         "Selected Combined Financial Data" in the Prospectus were not
         determined on a basis substantially consistent with that used in
         determining the corresponding amounts in the audited financial
         statements included in the Registration Statement, or (C) at a
         specified date not more than five days prior to the date of this
         Agreement, there has been any change in the capital stock of the
         Company or any increase in the long term debt of the Company or any
         decrease in current assets or total assets as compared with the amounts
         shown in the latest balance sheet included in the Registration 
         Statement or, during the period from March 31, 1996 to a specified 
         date not more than five days prior to the date of this Agreement, 
         there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding period 
         in the preceding year, in net


                                       24
<PAGE>   25
         sales, net income, or net income per share of the Company, except in
         all instances for changes, increases or decreases which the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus disclose have occurred or may
         occur; (iv) in addition to the audit referred to in their opinions and
         the limited procedures referred to in clause (iii) above, they have
         carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit,
         with respect to certain amounts, percentages and financial information
         which are included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and
         which are specified by the Representatives, and have found such
         amounts, percentages and financial information to be in agreement with
         the relevant accounting, financial and other records of the Company
         identified in such letter; and (v) they have compared the information
         in the Prospectus under selected captions with the disclosure
         requirements in Regulation S-K and on the basis of limited procedures
         specified in such letter nothing came to their attention as a result of
         the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe that this
         information does not conform in all material respects with the
         disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d),
         respectively, of Regulation S-K. Such letter shall also include such
         statements regarding pro forma financial information as the
         Representatives shall reasonably request.

                  (e) At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have
         received from Ernst & Young, LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing
         Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the
         letter furnished pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section, except
         that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than five
         days prior to the Closing Time and to the further effect that they have
         each carried out procedures as specified in clause (iv) of subsection
         (d) of this Section with respect to certain amounts, percentages and
         financial information specified by the Representatives and have found
         such amounts, percentages and financial information to be in agreement
         with the records specified in such clause (iv).

                  (f) At the Closing Time and at the Date of Delivery, if any,
         the Securities shall have been approved for inclusion in the Nasdaq
         National Market, subject only to official notice of issuance.

                  (g) The NASD shall not have raised any objection with respect
         to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and
         arrangements.

                  (h) At the Closing Time and at the Date of Delivery, if any,
         counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such
         documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose
         of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities
         as herein contemplated and related proceedings, or in order to evidence
         the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the
         fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all
         proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and
         sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall


                                       25
<PAGE>   26
         be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and
         counsel for the Underwriters.

                  (i) In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option
         provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the
         Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company
         contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by
         the Company hereunder shall be true and correct as of the Date of
         Delivery and, at the Date of Delivery, the Representatives shall have
         received:

                  (i) A certificate, dated the Date of Delivery, of the
                  president and chief executive officer of the Company and of
                  the chief operating officer of the Company, confirming that
                  the respective certificate delivered at the Closing Time
                  pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof remains true and correct as of
                  the Date of Delivery.

                  (ii) The favorable opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich &
                  Rosati, counsel for the Company, in form and substance
                  satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Date
                  of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased
                  on the Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as
                  the opinion required by Section 5(b)(i) hereof.

                  (iii) The favorable opinion of Lyon & Lyon, special patent
                  counsel to the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to
                  counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Date of Delivery,
                  relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on the Date
                  of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion
                  required by Section 5(b)(ii) hereof.

                  (iv) The favorable opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
                  Flom, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Date of
                  Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on
                  the Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the
                  opinion required by Section 5(b)(iii) hereof.

                  (v) A letter from Ernst & Young, LLP, in form and substance
                  satisfactory to the Representatives and dated the Date of
                  Delivery, substantially the same in form and substance as the
                  letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section
                  5(e) hereof, except that the "specified date" in the letter
                  furnished pursuant to this Section 5(i)(v) shall be a date not
                  more than five days prior to the Date of Delivery.

                  If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been
fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated
by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the
Closing Time, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to
any other party except as provided in Section 4 and


                                       26
<PAGE>   27
except that Sections 6 and 7 shall survive any such termination and remain in
full force and effect.

                  Section 6.  Indemnification.

                  (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
         Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter
         within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the
         1934 Act as follows:

                           (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim,
                  damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any
                  untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
                  fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
                  thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
                  Information, if applicable, or the omission or alleged
                  omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated
                  therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
                  misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
                  untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
                  preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus (or any amendment or
                  supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission
                  therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the
                  statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
                  which they were made, not misleading;

                           (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim,
                  damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of
                  the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or
                  any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
                  body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever
                  based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
                  alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject
                  to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with
                  the written consent of the Company; and

                           (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as
                  incurred (including, subject to Section 6(c) below, the fees
                  and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill Lynch),
                  reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
                  against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
                  any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or
                  any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or
                  omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid
                  under (i) or (ii) above;

         provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any
         loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of
         any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
         omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
         information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the
         Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any
         amendment


                                       27
<PAGE>   28
         thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
         Information, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus or the
         Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and, provided
         further, that this indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary
         prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom
         the person asserting any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
         based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
         material fact or omission or alleged omission to state therein a
         material fact purchased Securities, if a copy of the Prospectus in
         which such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
         alleged omission was corrected has not been sent or given to such
         person within the time required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
         Regulations (provided that copies of the Prospectus shall have been
         provided to such Underwriter in a timely fashion by the Company in
         compliance with Section 3(d) hereof.

                  (b) Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold
         harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed
         the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the
         Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20
         of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this
         Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
         omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the
         Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule
         430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any
         preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or
         supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
         information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
         Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any
         amendment thereto), or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus
         (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

                  (c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as
         reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action
         commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought
         hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not
         relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may have
         otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of
         parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the
         indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in the
         case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to
         the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An
         indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of
         any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying
         party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also
         be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying
         parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in
         addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all
         indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but
         similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the
         same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall,
         without the prior written consent of the


                                       28
<PAGE>   29
         indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of
         any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or
         proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,
         or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or
         contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof
         (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties
         thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an
         unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability
         arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and
         (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault,
         culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified
         party.

                  (d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested
         an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and
         expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be
         liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section
         6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
         entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party
         of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have
         received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior
         to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party
         shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with
         such request prior to the date of such settlement.

                  Section 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for
in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold
harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages
and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering
of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided
by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations.

                  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the
Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same
respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the
Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by
the Company and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in
each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used,
the corresponding location on the Term Sheet, bear to the aggregate initial
public offering price of the Securities as set forth on such cover.


                                       29
<PAGE>   30
                  The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

                  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for
such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The
aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred
by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed
to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.

                  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

                  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

                  For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who
controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such
Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who
signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the
1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. The
Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7
are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite
their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

                  Section 8. Representations, Warranties, Agreements and
Indemnities to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties, agreements and
indemnities contained in this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement, or contained
in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto, shall
remain operative and in full force and effect,


                                       30
<PAGE>   31
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or
controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive
delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters.

                  Section 9.  Termination of Agreement.

                  (a) The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by
         notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time (i)
         if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or
         since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
         Prospectus, any Material Adverse Change, whether or not arising in the
         ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material
         adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or
         elsewhere or any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other
         calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective
         change in national or international political, financial or economic
         conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in
         the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to market the
         Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or
         (iii) if trading in the Common Stock has been suspended or limited by
         the Commission or the Nasdaq National Market, or if trading generally
         on either the American Stock Exchange or the NYSE or in the
         over-the-counter market has been suspended or limited, or minimum or
         maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for
         prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or systems or by
         order of the Commission, the NASD or any other governmental authority,
         or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either federal,
         New York or California authorities.

                  (b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section,
         such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
         party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that
         Sections 1, 6 and 7 shall survive such termination and remain in full
         force and effect.

                  Section 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one
or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time to purchase the
Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement and
the Pricing Agreement (the "Defaulted Securities"), the Representatives shall
have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more
of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all,
but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be
agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the
Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour
period, then:

                  (a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10%
         of the Securities, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be
         obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount
         thereof in the proportions that their respective


                                       31

<PAGE>   32
         underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations
         of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

                  (b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the
         Securities, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the
         part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

                  No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

                  In the event of any such default which does not result in a
termination of this Agreement, either the Representatives or the Company shall
have the right to postpone the Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven
days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used in this
Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes any person substituted for an
Underwriter under this Section 10.

                  Section 11. Default by the Company. If the Company shall fail
at the Closing Time or at the Date of Delivery, if any, to sell and deliver the
number of Securities which it is obligated to sell hereunder, then this
Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any nondefaulting
party; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 4, 6 and 7 shall
remain in full force and effect. No action taken pursuant to this Section shall
relieve the Company from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

                  Section 12. Notices. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if
mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the
Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at c/o Merrill Lynch &
Co., 10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, California 90024,
attention of H. Allen Bouch, Director; notices to the Company shall be directed
to the Company at 850 Maude Avenue, Mountain View, California 94043, attention
James E. Rurka, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

                  Section 13. Parties. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement
shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters and the
Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this
Agreement or the Pricing Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any
person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Company and
their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and
directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal
representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement or any provision herein or
therein contained. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and all conditions
and provisions hereof and thereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors, and
said controlling persons and officers and directors and


                                       32
<PAGE>   33
their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person,
firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be
deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

                  Section 14. Governing Law and Time. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN
SAID STATE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF THE DAY
REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.


                                       33
<PAGE>   34
                  If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of
our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding
agreement among the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.


                                      By___________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, 
as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated



By__________________________________
        Authorized Signatory

For each of themselves and as Representatives 
of the other Underwriters named in
Schedule A hereto.


                                       34
<PAGE>   35
                                   SCHEDULE A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        Number of
Name of Underwriter                                                                                Initial Securities
- -------------------                                                                                ------------------
<S>                                                                                                <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
    Fenner & Smith
    Incorporated................................................................................

Alex. Brown & Sons
    Incorporated................................................................................

Cowen & Company.................................................................................
                                                                                                         -------

Total..........................................................................................        2,500,000
</TABLE>


                                    Sch A - 1
<PAGE>   36
                                   SCHEDULE B

        Michael J. O'Donnell
        Stuart Schreiber





                                    Sch B - 1
<PAGE>   37
                                                                       Exhibit A

                                2,500,000 Shares

                         MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                            (a Delaware corporation)

                                  Common Stock

                           (Par Value $.001 Per Share)

                                PRICING AGREEMENT

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.                                           ___________, 1996
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
    as Representatives of the several
    Underwriters named in the within-
    mentioned Purchase Agreement
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York  10281

Dear Sirs:

                  Reference is made to the Purchase Agreement dated __________,
1996 (the "Purchase Agreement") relating to the purchase by the several
Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto, for whom Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated and
Cowen & Company are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), of the
above shares of Common Stock (the "Securities"), of Microcide Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                  Pursuant to Section 2 of the Purchase Agreement, the Company
agrees with each Underwriter as follows:


                                        1
<PAGE>   38
                           1. The initial public offering price per share for
         the Securities, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be
         $[______] .

                           2. The purchase price per share for the Securities to
         be paid by the several Underwriters shall be $[______], being an amount
         equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less
         $[_____] per share; provided that the purchase price per share for any
         Option Securities (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) purchased upon
         exercise of the over-allotment option described in Section 2(b) of the
         Purchase Agreement shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any
         dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities
         (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) but not payable on the Option
         Securities.


                                        2
<PAGE>   39
                  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE
AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SAID STATE.

                  If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of
our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding
agreement among the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.



                                                By_____________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, 
as of the date first above written:


MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated

By_____________________________
    Authorized Signatory


For each of themselves and as Representatives
of the other Underwriters named in
Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement.


                                        3
<PAGE>   40
                                                                       Exhibit B

                                                       _____, 1996

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
         as Representative of the several Underwriters
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281-1209

         Re:      Proposed Public Offering by Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dear Sirs:

                  The undersigned, a stockholder [and an officer and/or
director] of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), understands that Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated and
Cowen & Company propose to enter into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase
Agreement") with the Company providing for the public offering of shares (the
"Securities") of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the
"Common Stock"), and a related Pricing Agreement (the "Pricing Agreement") which
will set forth, among other things, the initial public offering price of the
Securities. In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon
the undersigned as a stockholder [and an officer and/or director]* of the
Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each
underwriter to be named in the Purchase Agreement that, during a period of 180
days from the date of the Pricing Agreement, the undersigned will not, without
the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch and the other representatives, if
any, of the several underwriters named in the Purchase Agreement, directly or
indirectly, sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise
dispose of or transfer, whether directly or synthetically, any shares of the
Company's Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the
undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires
the power of disposition, or file any registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing.


                                       Very truly yours,


                                       Signature:___________________________


                                       Print Name:__________________________



                                        1
<PAGE>   41
                                                                       Exhibit C



                   [FORM OF OPINION OF SPECIAL PATENT COUNSEL]

                                                        _______, 1996

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
         as Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York  10281-1209

Dear Sirs:

                  This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to Section 5(b)(ii)
of the Purchase Agreement dated _____, 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement") between
you, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule A thereto,
and Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                  We represent the Company as patent counsel in connection with
intellectual property matters, including the preparation, filing and prosecution
of certain patent applications in the United States and other countries. In
connection with our responsibilities as patent counsel for the Company, we have
filed (except for U.S.S.N. 08/222,262) and are prosecuting, the pending patent
applications concerning the Company's Gram-Positive, Efflux Pump, Essential
Genes and Pathogenesis Programs (collectively, the "Patent Applications").

                  Based upon our experience as patent counsel to the Company and
a review of our records of the Company's intellectual property assets, we state
as follows:

                  Prior to the filing of the Patent Applications, we conducted
limited investigations of the published prior art found by Microcide scientists
(in some cases with our assistance), relating to some of the inventions claimed
in the Patent Applications. No other searches for other prior art were conducted
by us. Based on the information provided us from these investigations, we
believe we have disclosed or will disclose in the Patent Applications all
material prior art references known to us during the prosecution of the Patent
Applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO"). We
believe that the information submitted to the PTO in the Patent Applications,
and in connection with the prosecution of the Patent Applications, was accurate.
We believe that neither this firm, nor the Company, made any misrepresentation
or concealed any material fact from the PTO in any of the Patent Applications,
or in connection with the prosecution of the Patent Applications.

                  We have reviewed only two sections of the Registration
Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18, 1996, filed by the Company [the
"Registration Statement"] namely, Paragraphs 1 and 2 inclusive under the caption
"Risk Factors--Dependence on Proprietary Technology and Unpredictability of
Patent Protection," and Paragraphs 1-3 inclusive of "Business--Patents,
Proprietary Technology and Trade Secrets" [hereinafter "Two


                                        1
<PAGE>   42
Sections"]. We opine only with regard to the Two Sections and on no other
section of the Registration Statement or related prospectus [the "Prospectus"].
We give no opinion with regard to statements in the Two Sections concerning
business matters, including any reference to the Company's success, agreements,
competition, expectations, goals, policies, trade secrets, and know-how. We
opine only with regard to the Patent Applications, and with respect to the
information in the Two Sections relating thereto, nothing has come to our
attention that would lead us to believe that such information contains any
untrue statement or omits to state a material fact that is required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances under which they were made. We provide no opinion
with regard to trade secrets, know-how, and agreements since we have not
reviewed such matters of the Company.

                  Subject to the above limitations, we are of the opinion that:

                  Based solely on communications with officials at the Company:
(1) we understand that the Company is not subject to any current claim or notice
of infringement or other violation of any patent; and (2) we have no knowledge
of any material facts which would preclude the Company from having clear title
to the Patent Applications.

                  From our review of the Patent Applications, except as set
forth in the Prospectus, (1) to our knowledge and belief, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings or interference proceedings pending relating to the
Patent Applications, other than a standard review of the pending Patent
Applications; (2) to our knowledge and belief, each of the non-provisional
Patent Applications has been assigned or will be assigned to the Company by the
inventors named therein, and has been filed by, or on behalf of, the Company
with the PTO in accordance with the rules and regulations of the PTO; (3) to our
knowledge and belief, substantially all such Patent Applications have been
awarded a filing date by the PTO; and (4) we are unaware of any facts which form
a basis for a finding of unenforceability or invalidity of any of the Patent
Applications that are material to the Company's business.

                  We have no reason to believe that the Patent Applications will
not eventuate in issued patents or that any patents issued in respect of the
Patent Applications will not be valid.

                  In addition, nothing has come to our attention that would lead
us to believe that the Registration Statement or Prospectus (insofar as if
discusses patents), in the Two Sections, at the time they became effective,
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading.

                  We are delivering this opinion to you solely for your benefit
and the benefit of the several underwriters named in Schedule A to the Purchase
Agreement, and no other person may rely upon it.

                                Very truly yours,



                                        2
<PAGE>   43
                                                              _____, 1996


MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
         as Representative of the several Underwriters
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281-1209

         Re:      Proposed Public Offering by Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dear Sirs:

                  The undersigned, a stockholder [and an officer and/or
director] of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), understands that Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated and
Cowen & Company propose to enter into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase
Agreement") with the Company providing for the public offering of shares (the
"Securities") of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the
"Common Stock"), and a related Pricing Agreement (the "Pricing Agreement") which
will set forth, among other things, the initial public offering price of the
Securities. In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon
the undersigned as a stockholder [and an officer and/or director] of the
Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each
underwriter to be named in the Purchase Agreement that, during a period of 180
days from the date of the Pricing Agreement, the undersigned will not, without
the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch and the other representatives, if
any, of the several underwriters named in the Purchase Agreement, directly or
indirectly, sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise
dispose of or transfer, whether directly or synthetically, any shares of the
Company's Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the
undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires
the power of disposition, or file any registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing.

                                             Very truly yours,



                                             Signature:_____________________

                                             Print Name:____________________

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 4.2


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                                         <C>
      COMMON STOCK                                                                               COMMON STOCK

        [SYMBOL]                                   [MPI LOGO]                                      [SYMBOL]

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS              MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.             SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE                                                            AND A STATEMENT AS TO THE RIGHTS,
                                                                                     PREFERENCES, PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS
                                                                                     ON SHARES
                                                                                                CUSIP 595018 10 2



      THIS CERTIFIES THAT











      IS THE RECORD HOLDER OF



                      FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK, $.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF

                                                  MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this 
Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the
Registrar.

      WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

      Dated:



 /s/ Michael J. O'Donnell                                                                           /s/ James E. Ruka
- ---------------------------                              [SEAL]                               ----------------------------------
       SECRETARY                                                                                   CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
     CHEMICAL MELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
                         TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

BY


                                 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE



- ---------------------------------------------------------
AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY            APRIL 25, 1996
3504 ATLANTIC AVENUE
SUITE 12
LONG BEACH, CA  90807                     043643fc
(310) 989-2333
(FAX) (310) 426-7450          7B            NEW
- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   2
        A statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series
thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences
and/or rights as established, from time to time, by the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation and by any certificate of determination, the
number of shares constituting each class and series, and the designations
thereof, may be obtained by the holder hereof upon request and without charge
from the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal office of the
Corporation.

        The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                 <C>
TEN COM - as tenants in common                       UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ________ Custodian  ________
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                                    (Cust)              (Minor)
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of                                 under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          survivorship and not as tenants                                Act _________________________
          in common                                                                  (State)
COM PROP- as community property                       UNIF TRF MIN ACT - ______ Custodian (until age ____)
                                                                         (Cust)
                                                                         ________ under Uniform Transfers
                                                                         (Minor)
                                                                         to Minors Act __________________
                                                                                            (State)

</TABLE>



      Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer
unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
______________________________________


______________________________________


<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                      <C>
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________ Shares
of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint

________________________________________________________________________________  Attorney
to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full
power of substitution in the premises.


</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
Dated ________________________________

                                                  X ___________________________________________________________

                                                  X ___________________________________________________________
                                                    THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE
                                           NOTICE:  NAME(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY
                                                    PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE
                                                    WHATEVER.

Signature(s) Guaranteed



By _______________________________________________________________________________
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN
APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17AG-15.
                                                               
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                                          May 10, 1996
 
Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
850 Maude Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043
 
     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-1 which is being
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration
Statement"), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, of 2,875,000 shares of your Common Stock (the "Shares"), all
of which are authorized but heretofore unissued. The Shares are to be sold to
the underwriters for resale to the public as described in the Registration
Statement and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement being filed as an exhibit
thereto. As your counsel, we have examined the proceedings proposed to be taken
in connection with said sale and issuance of the Shares.
 
     It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken or
contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states, where required, the Shares, when issued and sold in the
manner referred to in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          15,093
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,305
<PP&E>                                           7,697
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,520)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  20,691
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,285
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                     27,425
<COMMON>                                         2,266
<OTHER-SE>                                    (15,095)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    20,691
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,625
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,306
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  73
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       383
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission