SEQUENOM INC
S-1/A, 2000-01-24
COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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<PAGE>


AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 24, 2000.
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-91665
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                             AMENDMENT NO. 4
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-1
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------
                                SEQUENOM, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

<TABLE>
 <S>                               <C>                              <C>
             DELAWARE                            8731                          77-0365889
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF     (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)     CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
                                ---------------
                          11555 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                (858) 350-0345
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                                ---------------
                               DR. HUBERT KOSTER
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                SEQUENOM, INC.
                          11555 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                (858) 350-0345
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                ---------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
             FAYE H. RUSSELL, ESQ.                           ALAN F. DENENBERG, ESQ.
            THOMAS E. HORNISH, ESQ.                            SHEARMAN & STERLING
             ROBERT H. CUTLER, ESQ.                       1550 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 100
        BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP                    MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
         550 WEST C STREET, SUITE 1300                            (650) 330-2200
          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92101
                 (619) 234-1966
</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, check the following box. [X]

  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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 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 this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
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,
check the following box. [_]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PROPOSED        PROPOSED
                                                AMOUNT           MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM        AMOUNT OF
         TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                  TO BE        OFFERING PRICE     AGGREGATE      REGISTRATION
      SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED           REGISTERED (1)       PER UNIT    OFFERING PRICE(2)     FEE(3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>            <C>               <C>
                                                                                                 $28,304(5)
Common Stock, no par value(4)...........   5,817,826 shares       $25.00       $145,445,650       11,074(6)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) Includes 750,000 shares of Common Stock that the Underwriters have the
    option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any, and 67,826 shares of
    Common Stock to be sold by selling stockholders.
(2) The proposed maximum offering price per share is estimated solely for the
    purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee.
(3) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(a).
(4) The amount of shares registered also includes any shares initially offered
    or sold outside the United States that are thereafter sold or resold in
    the United States. Offers and sales of shares outside the United States
    are being made pursuant to the exemption afforded by Rule 901 of
    Regulation S and this Registration Statement shall not be deemed effective
    with respect to such offers and sales.
(5) Previously paid.

(6) Paid herewith.

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

  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 COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY +
+NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE     +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN    +
+OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE    +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.             +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS       Subject to completion
                                                           January 24, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5,067,826 Shares

[LOGO OF SEQUENOM INDUSTRIAL GENOMICS]
Common Stock

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

We are selling 5,000,000 shares of our common stock. This is our initial public
offering of shares of our common stock. No public market currently exists for
our common stock. We expect the public offering price to be between $23.00 and
$25.00 per share.

This prospectus also relates to the public offering of up to 67,826 shares of
our common stock by two of our stockholders, ALPHA Beteiligungsverwaltungs GbR
and Halford Enterprises Ltd. We refer to them as selling stockholders in this
prospectus. The prices at which the selling stockholders may sell the shares
will be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares by the selling
stockholders.

We have applied to have our common stock listed on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "SQNM."

Before buying any shares you should read the discussion of material risks of
investing in our common stock in "Risk factors" beginning on page 7.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         PER
                                                                       SHARE    TOTAL
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>      <C>
Public offering price                                               $        $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriting discounts and commissions                              $        $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeds, before expenses, to Sequenom                              $        $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The underwriters may also purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock from us
at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions,
within 30 days from the date of this prospectus. The underwriters may exercise
this option to only cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise
this option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions will be
$      , and the total proceeds, before expenses, to Sequenom, Inc. will be
$      .

The underwriters are offering the common stock as set forth under
"Underwriting." Delivery of the shares will be made on or about       .

WARBURG DILLON READ LLC

                         ROBERTSON STEPHENS

                                                                        SG COWEN
<PAGE>




                             PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

                                DRUG DEVELOPMENT

                                  AGRICULTURE

                                  DIAGNOSTICS


SEQUENOM ADDRESSES MARKETS WITH AN IMMEDIATE OR EMERGING NEED FOR LARGE-SCALE
ANALYSES OF SNPS, THE MOST COMMON GENETIC VARIATIONS.



<PAGE>


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                 [PICTURES OF COMPONENTS OF MASSARRAY SYSTEM]

THE TOTAL
 SNP
 SOLUTION

ACCURACY

  Direct measurement of molecules with a high level of accuracy

HIGH THROUGHPUT

  20,000 samples per day; multiple tests per sample

FLEXIBILITY

  Rapidly reconfigure tests based on new genetic information; analysis of DNA
  and other molecules of medical relevance

AUTOMATION

  Highly automated; no manual data interpretation

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

  Low labor, reduced quantities of reagents or chemicals; minimal data
  processing

INDUSTRIAL GENOMICS

  Large-scale commercial use of the knowledge of DNA variations for improving
  health, agriculture and livestock

    [REPRESENTATION OF DNA SEQUENCE; PHOTOGRAPH OF COMPONENTS OF MASSARRAY
                                   SYSTEMS]

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<PAGE>


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Until            , 2000 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all
dealers selling shares of our common stock, whether or not participating in
this offering, may need to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is
in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting
as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Prospectus summary........................................................    3
The offering..............................................................    5
Summary consolidated financial and operating data.........................    6
Risk factors..............................................................    7
Forward-looking information...............................................   17
Use of proceeds...........................................................   18
Dividend policy...........................................................   18
Capitalization............................................................   19
Dilution..................................................................   21
Selected consolidated financial data......................................   23
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
 operations...............................................................   25
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
Business....................................................................  32
Management..................................................................  48
Related party transactions..................................................  60
Principal stockholders......................................................  63
Description of securities...................................................  65
Shares eligible for future sale.............................................  70
Underwriting................................................................  72
Selling stockholders........................................................  74
Plan of distribution........................................................  75
Legal matters...............................................................  76
Experts.....................................................................  76
Where you can find more information.........................................  77
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements                                   F-1
</TABLE>
Sequenom, MassArray, Industrial Genomics, SpectroCHIP, SpectroJET,
BiomassPROBE, BioMASS and Genolyzer are trademarks of Sequenom, Inc. This
prospectus also refers to trade names and trademarks of other organizations.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

Prospectus summary

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. You
should read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing
in our common stock discussed under "Risk factors." Our principal executive
offices are located at 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92121. Our
telephone number is (858) 350-0345. Our web site is http://www.sequenom.com. We
do not intend the information found on our web site to be a part of this
prospectus.

OUR BUSINESS

We are a pioneer in the new field of industrial genomics. Industrial genomics
is the large scale commercial use of the knowledge of DNA variations for
improving health, agriculture and livestock. These variations are the origin of
most differences between individuals, including disease predispositions and
variations in drug responses. Single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, are the
most common variations. SNPs represent the smallest possible genetic change,
and occur where the DNA molecules of different persons vary at a single
location. We believe that SNP analysis will play an essential role in the
development of drugs, diagnostics and other life science applications in the
immediate future. Our goal is to be the leader in the commercialization of
industrial-scale SNP analysis.

We have developed the MassArray system, a highly accurate, cost-effective
technology that is capable of high throughput SNP analysis at high speeds. Our
strategy is to capitalize on the quickly emerging demand for SNP analysis in
the areas of drug discovery and development, DNA diagnostics, patient
stratification by genetic traits, clinical trials, seed development and
livestock breeding. Six centers, including several academic and governmental
sites, diagnostic laboratories and a leading biotechnology company, are using
our MassArray system, assessing its performance in the field, and providing us
with information regarding its performance.

THE SNP ANALYSIS MARKET

The SNP analysis market represents a significant portion of both the biochip,
or miniaturized chips containing DNA or other substances, and the DNA
sequencing markets and can be divided into three segments:

 . confirmation of new sites of genetic variation in DNA, which typically
  requires the analysis of a SNP in up to a hundred people;

 . determination of the medical importance of SNPs, which typically requires the
  analysis of a SNP in a few thousand diseased and healthy people; and

 . utilization of SNPs in genomics-based drug development, disease
  predisposition determination and diagnostic test development, which could
  eventually require the analysis of multiple SNPs in millions of people.

Current methods of SNP analysis are inaccurate, non-automated, inflexible,
expensive or slow and are therefore primarily effective only as research tools.
To compensate for deficiencies in accuracy, current methods require either
repetitive testing of each sample or the use of a larger test population, which
makes current methods impractical for most commercial applications.

OUR SOLUTION

Our MassArray system directly analyzes SNPs by improving on a technology called
mass spectrometry. By using mass spectrometry to measure molecular weight, our
MassArray system is capable of characterizing molecules with a high level of
accuracy. This is done at a competitive price and in a single reading. Our
technology is also extremely versatile and can be rapidly reconfigured for
different types of analyses. In addition, the MassArray system is capable of
reading up to 20,000 SNPs per day, which we believe is a throughput that can
meet commercial needs.

                                                                               3
<PAGE>


Our MassArray system has three components--hardware, software and disposables.
The hardware components include a mass spectrometer and liquid dispensing
units, which are off-the-shelf instruments modified to accommodate our
MassArray technology. Our proprietary Genolyzer bioinformatics software
automatically calculates, records, compares and reports genotypes at a rate of
three seconds per sample. Our disposables consist of MassArray kits for SNP
sample preparation, including the proprietary SpectroCHIP on which we place
samples in a 96 spot array for reading by the mass spectrometer.

COMMERCIALIZATION PLAN

We are seeking to penetrate the SNP analysis market by identifying areas of
potential widespread interest and establishing commercial relationships with
opinion leaders. We have initiated this effort by selecting six highly visible
academic, government and commercial centers as collaborators to validate our
MassArray system in pre-launch testing. These centers are Genzyme Corporation,
the US Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health, the
National Cancer Institute, the University of Munster and GLE Medicon in
Germany. In October 1999, we contracted for the first sale of a MassArray
system. We commenced a commercial launch of our MassArray system during the
fourth quarter of 1999.

We intend to develop proprietary disposable SNP tests, called assays, and
software products that are useful initially as research tools to confirm the
association of particular SNPs with particular diseases and subsequently as
diagnostic kits that can be sold for SNP profiling. In addition, we will seek
to retain commercial rights to assays that we develop on behalf of or together
with our customers. Over time, with our customers, we intend to develop
knowledge-based genomic products that combine pharmaceutical, medical and
genetic information, such as validated SNP sets for specific diseases. Also, in
addition to DNA, we believe our MassArray technology can serve as a platform
for the analysis of many other biomolecules. We therefore intend to develop new
products for applications other than DNA and SNP analysis.

4
<PAGE>

The offering

The following information assumes that the underwriters do not exercise the
over-allotment option we granted to them to purchase additional shares in the
offering.

<TABLE>
 <C>                                         <S>
 Common stock we are offering............... 5,000,000 shares
 Common stock to be outstanding after the
  offering.................................. 22,601,477 shares
 Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol..... SQNM
                                             For general corporate purposes,
                                             including hiring additional sales
                                             and customer support personnel,
                                             expansion of our facilities,
                                             continued development and
                                             manufacturing of existing
                                             products, research and
                                             development of additional
                                             products, expenses for filing and
                                             pursuing patent applications,
                                             working capital and potential
                                             acquisitions of products,
                                             technologies or companies and
                                             repayment of long-term debt of
                                             approximately $3.3 million.
 Use of proceeds............................ Please see "Use of proceeds."
</TABLE>

Except as otherwise indicated, you should assume the following when analyzing
information in this prospectus:

 . the conversion of 14,842,757 outstanding shares of our preferred stock into
  14,842,757 shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis upon the closing
  of this offering;

 . the sale of approximately $1,560,000 in shares of common stock to two German
  consulting firms in a private sale to be completed immediately prior to this
  offering, or 65,000 shares assuming an initial public offering price of
  $24.00 per share;

 . the conversion of debt owed to Technologie Beteiligungs Gesellschaft, or TBG,
  in the amount of DEM4 million, approximately $2.1 million, into 272,108
  shares of our common stock upon the closing of this offering at an assumed
  price of $24.00 per share;

 . the issuance of 24,792 shares of our common stock upon the closing of this
  offering in satisfaction of accrued interest of approximately DEM1.7 million
  or $930,625 payable to TBG; and

 . no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.

We have an obligation to issue shares of common stock upon exercise of options
and warrants outstanding at December 27, 1999, in addition to the shares of
common stock to be outstanding after this offering. These shares, when issued,
will include:

 . 750,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment
  option;

 . 1,287,049 shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of
  December 27, 1999, at a weighted average exercise price of $1.66 per share.
  This share amount consists of 2,475,250 shares issuable upon the exercise of
  options outstanding at September 30, 1999 and 335,250 shares issuable upon
  the exercise of options granted during October 1999, less 1,523,451 shares
  issued upon exercise of options during the period October 1, 1999 through
  December 27, 1999;

 . 176,503 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of
  December 27, 1999 at a weighted average exercise price of $2.10 per share;
  and

 . 248,750 additional shares available for future grant as of December 27, 1999
  under our 1998 stock plan, and an additional 850,000 shares made available
  for future grant under our stock plans to be adopted at the close of this
  offering. For a description of our stock option and stock purchase plans,
  please see "Management--Employee benefit plans."

We base our calculation of the number of shares of common stock outstanding
after the offering on shares outstanding as of December 27, 1999. Please see
"Capitalization."

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

Summary consolidated financial and operating data

The pro forma balance sheet data reflects the conversion of long-term debt into
common stock, which will occur upon the closing of this offering, and stock
option activity from October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999. The pro forma
as adjusted balance sheet data reflects the receipt of the net proceeds from
the sale of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at an assumed price to the
public of $24.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses, and the repayment of long-term
debt and accrued interest.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                                                                       ENDED
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                 1994     1995     1996     1997      1998     1998      1999
<S>                       <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF                       (In thousands, except per share
OPERATIONS DATA                                              data)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and development
 grants.................          $--      $--     $893     $527      $351     $126       $81
Costs and expenses:
  Research and
   development..........          922    1,274    3,136    3,532     6,188    3,550     7,138
  General and
   administrative.......          230      420    1,032    1,861     4,218    2,640     5,363
  Amortization of
   deferred stock
   compensation.........           --       --       --       --        --       --     3,615
                          -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------
Total costs and
 expenses...............        1,152    1,694    4,168    5,393    10,406    6,190    16,116
                          -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------
Loss from operations....       (1,152)  (1,694)  (3,275)  (4,866)  (10,055)  (6,064)  (16,035)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.......            3        2       73       57       397      291     1,225
  Interest expense......           --      (28)    (275)    (308)     (613)    (230)     (576)
                          -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------
Net loss................      $(1,149) $(1,720) $(3,477) $(5,117) $(10,271) $(6,003) $(15,386)
                          ===========  =======  =======  =======  ========  =======  ========
Net loss per share,
 basic and diluted......  $(1,149,498) $(65.87) $(23.45) $(22.62)  $(33.33) $(20.12)  $(39.41)
Shares used in computing
 net loss per share,
 basic and diluted......           --       26      148      226       308      298       390
Pro forma net loss per
 share, basic and
 diluted................                                            $(1.02)            $(1.03)
Shares used in computing
 pro forma net loss per
 share basic and
 diluted................                                             9,749             14,714
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                  ACTUAL PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
<S>                                              <C>     <C>       <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA                         (In thousands)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term invest-
 ments.......................................... $28,069  $29,562   $136,742
Working capital.................................  24,771   26,264    133,444
Total assets....................................  34,632   36,125    143,305
Total long-term obligations.....................   7,690    5,512      1,313
Total stockholders' equity......................  22,967   21,633    133,017
</TABLE>

Please see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for an explanation
of the method used to calculate the net loss per share and the number of shares
used in the computation of per share amounts.

6
<PAGE>


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Risk factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of
the other information included in this prospectus before making an investment
decision. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business,
financial condition or results of operations could be harmed. In that case,
the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or
part of your investment.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

WE ARE AT AN EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND MAY NOT SUCCEED OR BECOME
PROFITABLE.

We commenced operations in 1994 and are at an early stage of development. We
have incurred significant losses to date and our revenues have been limited to
grants from governmental bodies. Our initial products are in testing at a
number of sites and will not be commercially launched until late 1999. As a
result, our business is subject to all of the risks inherent in the
development of a new business enterprise, such as the need:

 . to obtain substantial capital to support the expenses of developing our
  technology and commercializing our products;

 . to develop a market for our products;

 . to successfully transition from a company with a research focus to a company
  capable of supporting commercial activities; and

 . to attract and retain qualified management, sales, technical and scientific
  staff.

Our operations also may be affected by problems frequently encountered with
the use of new technologies and by the competitive environment in which we
operate, as well as the risks detailed below.

IF WE INCUR LOSSES IN THE FUTURE, AS WE EXPECT TO DO, THE VALUE OF OUR STOCK
COULD DECREASE.

Since inception, we have recognized no revenue from product sales. Our
expenses have exceeded revenue in each of the years since our inception. It is
uncertain when, if ever, we will become profitable. As of September 30, 1999,
our accumulated deficit was $37.1 million. Our expenses have consisted
principally research and development and of general and administrative
expenses incurred while building our business infrastructure. We expect to
continue to experience significant operating losses in the future as we
continue our research and development efforts, further develop our
manufacturing capabilities and expand our marketing and sales force in an
effort to commercialize our products. Our net operating loss and credit
carryforwards may be limited due to a cumulative change in ownership of more
than 50%, which occurred during 1998 and which is anticipated to occur with
the offering.

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS, AS WE EXPECT, WE WOULD HAVE TO
REDUCE OR CEASE OPERATIONS, ATTEMPT TO SELL SOME OR ALL OF OUR OPERATIONS OR
MERGE WITH ANOTHER ENTITY.

Based on our current plans, we believe our existing cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments, together with the net proceeds of this offering will
be sufficient to fund our operating expenses, debt obligations and capital
requirements through at least the next 24 months. However, the actual amount
of funds that we will need during or after the next 24 months will be
determined by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, and we may
need funds sooner than currently anticipated. These factors include:

 . the level of our success in selling our MassArray system and associated
  technologies;

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                                                                              7
<PAGE>

RISK FACTORS

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

 . our progress with research and development;

 . our ability to introduce and sell new products;

 . the level of our sales and marketing expenses;

 . the level of our expenses associated with unforeseen litigation;

 . the costs and timing of obtaining new patent rights; and

 . regulatory changes and competition and technological developments in the
  market.

If additional funds are required and we are unable to obtain them on terms
favorable to us, we may be required to cease or reduce further
commercialization of our products, to sell some or all of our technology or
assets or to merge with another entity. If we raise additional funds by
selling additional shares of our capital stock, the ownership interest of our
stockholders will be diluted.

WE MUST DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE OUR NEXT GENERATION PRODUCTS AT REDUCED
COSTS FOR US TO BE PROFITABLE.

Our current products do not provide sufficient gross margin for us to become
profitable. We intend to develop and manufacture our next generation products
at a lower cost than the cost of our current products. We may not be
successful in doing so. In addition, our gross margin and profitability may be
negatively impacted if we are unable to achieve market acceptance or
appropriate pricing for our next generation products.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY ADAPT OUR PRODUCTS FOR COMMERCIAL
APPLICATIONS.

We have completed the initial development of our MassArray technology for
applications in the genetic aspects of drug development and life science
research. We may not be able to successfully adapt our products to the
commercial requirements of these fields. A number of potential applications of
our technology in these fields will require significant enhancements in our
core technology, including adaptation of our software and further
miniaturization. In addition, we need to enhance our population-based DNA
bank, establish databases for determining the medical importance of SNPs and
rapidly design assays for SNP analysis in sufficient quantity to meet the high
throughput that we expect our future customers will require. If we are unable,
for technological or other reasons, to complete the development, introduction
or scale-up of the manufacturing of any product, or if any product does not
achieve a significant level of market acceptance, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed. Market
acceptance will depend on many factors, including demonstrating to customers
that our technology is superior to other technologies and products which are
available now or which may become available in the future. We believe that our
revenue growth and profitability will substantially depend on our ability to
overcome significant technological challenges and successfully introduce our
products into the marketplace.

OUR SYSTEM AND RELATED DISPOSABLE SALES MAY BE LIMITED IF OUR MASSARRAY SYSTEM
IS USED BELOW ITS CAPACITY AS A RESULT OF THE SPEED OF SAMPLE PREPARATION AND
THE NEED FOR ASSAY DESIGN.

The need to design a unique assay for each newly discovered SNP can
substantially delay the commencement of the analysis of that SNP. In addition,
the extraction of DNA from biological material is time consuming. MassArray
system users who need to develop assays or who lack sufficient sample
preparation resources therefore may be unable to use our system to its full
capacity. Customers who are unable to use our MassArray system to full
capacity may share MassArray systems, which would result in lower system
sales. Therefore, customers may not purchase sufficient quantities of
disposables for us to become profitable.

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WE DEPEND ON OUR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF SPECTROCHIPS
AND OTHER DISPOSABLES FOR US TO BE PROFITABLE.

Our customers may not generate sufficient throughput using our MassArray
system. This may limit their purchases of SpectroCHIPs and other disposables.
Factors which may limit the use of SpectroCHIPs and other disposables include:
the acceptance of our technology by our customers, the ability to analyze more
than one SNP simultaneously on a single spot and the training of customer
personnel. If our customers are slow to, or never, achieve sufficient
throughput, we may never achieve profitability.

IF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE SAMPLES AS REQUIRED BY OUR
SYSTEM, THE OVERALL MARKET DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS MAY DECLINE.

Before using our MassArray system, customers must prepare samples by following
several steps that are prone to human error, including DNA isolation and DNA
segment amplification. If DNA samples are not prepared appropriately, our
MassArray system will not generate a reading. If our customers experience
similar difficulties, they may achieve lower levels of throughput than those
for which our system was designed. If our customers are unable to generate
expected levels of throughput, they may not continue to purchase our
disposables, they may express their discontent with our products in the
marketplace, potentially driving down demand for our products, or they may
collaborate with others to jointly use our products. Any or all of these
actions would reduce the overall market demand for our products.

IF ETHICAL AND OTHER CONCERNS SURROUNDING THE USE OF GENETIC INFORMATION BE-
COME WIDESPREAD, WE MAY HAVE LESS DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS.

Genetic testing has raised ethical issues regarding confidentiality and the
appropriate uses of the resulting information. For these reasons, governmental
authorities may call for limits on or regulation of the use of genetic testing
or prohibit testing for genetic predisposition to certain conditions,
particularly for those that have no known cure. Any of these scenarios could
reduce the potential markets for our products, which could seriously harm our
business, financial condition and results of operations.

WE DEPEND ON THIRD-PARTY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND SOLE OR LIMITED SOURCES OF
SUPPLY TO DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE SOME COMPONENTS OF OUR PRODUCTS.

We rely to a substantial extent on outside vendors to manufacture many of the
components and subassemblies used in our products. Some of these components
and subassemblies are obtained from a single supplier or a limited group of
suppliers. Our reliance on outside vendors generally, and a sole or a limited
group of suppliers in particular, involves several risks, including:

 . the inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components due to
  manufacturing capacity constraints, a discontinuance of a product by a
  third-party manufacturer or other supply constraints;

 . reduced control over quality and pricing of components; and

 . delays and long lead times in receiving materials from vendors.

WE HAVE LIMITED COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE AND MAY EN-
COUNTER MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS OR DELAYS WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOWER REVENUE.

We have not yet produced our SpectroCHIP in commercial quantities. We may not
be able to maintain acceptable quality standards while producing commercial
quantities. Our customers also require that we comply with current good
manufacturing practices that we may not be able to meet. To achieve the

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production levels necessary for successful commercialization of our products,
we will need to scale-up our manufacturing facilities, establish more
automated manufacturing capabilities and maintain adequate levels of
inventory. We may not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities to meet
market demand. If we cannot achieve the required level and quality of
production, we may need to outsource production or rely on licensing and other
arrangements with third parties who possess sufficient manufacturing
facilities and capabilities. This could reduce our gross margins and expose us
to the risks inherent in relying on others. We may not be able to successfully
outsource our production or enter into licensing or other arrangements with
these third parties, which could adversely affect our business.

WE HAVE A LIMITED SALES FORCE AND LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCIALIZING OUR
PRODUCTS WHICH MAY CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTIES IN COMMERCIALIZING OUR PROD-
UCTS.

Our direct sales force may not be sufficiently large or knowledgeable to
successfully penetrate the market. We may not be able to expand our direct
sales force to meet our commercial objectives. In addition, our sales force
may not be able to address complex scientific and technical issues raised by
our customers. Our customer support personnel may also lack the broad range of
technical expertise required to adequately service and support our products in
the field.

OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE MARKET MAY DECLINE IF WE LOSE SOME OF OUR INTEL-
LECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS DUE TO BECOMING INVOLVED IN EXPENSIVE LAWSUITS TO PRO-
TECT OR ENFORCE OUR PATENTS.

Our success will depend on our ability to obtain and protect patents on our
technology and to protect our trade secrets. Our patents, which have been or
may be issued, may not afford meaningful protection for our technology and
products. Others may challenge our patents and, as a result, our patents could
be narrowed, invalidated or unenforceable. In addition, our current and future
patent applications may not result in the issue of patents in the United
States or foreign countries. Competitors may develop products similar to ours
that do not conflict with our patents. In addition, others may develop
products for use in the MassArray system in violation of our patents that may
reduce sales of disposables. In order to protect or enforce our patent rights,
we may initiate patent litigation against third parties, such as infringement
suits or interference proceedings. These lawsuits could be expensive, take
significant time and divert management's attention from other business
concerns. We may also provoke these third parties to assert claims against us.
The patent position of biotechnology firms generally is highly uncertain,
involves complex legal and factual questions, and has recently been the
subject of much litigation. No consistent policy has emerged from the US
Patent and Trademark Office or the courts regarding the breadth of claims
allowed or the degree of protection afforded under biotechnology patents. In
addition, there is a substantial backlog of biotechnology patent applications
at the US Patent and Trademark Office, and the approval or rejection of patent
applications may take several years.

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

We require our employees, consultants and advisors to execute confidentiality
agreements. However, we cannot guarantee that these agreements will provide us
with adequate protection against improper use or disclosure of confidential
information. In addition, in some situations, these agreements may conflict
with, or be subject to, the rights of third parties with whom our employees,
consultants or advisors have prior employment or consulting relationships.
Further, others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary
information and techniques, or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets.

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OUR SUCCESS WILL DEPEND PARTLY ON OUR ABILITY TO OPERATE WITHOUT INFRINGING ON
OR MISAPPROPRIATING THE PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF OTHERS.

We may be sued for infringing on the patent rights of others. Intellectual
property litigation is costly, and, even if we prevail, the cost of such
litigation could adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations. In addition, litigation is time consuming and could
divert management attention and resources away from our business. If we do not
prevail in any litigation, in addition to any damages we might have to pay, we
could be required to stop the infringing activity or obtain a license. Any
required license may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. In
addition, some licenses may be non-exclusive, and therefore, our competitors
may have access to the same technology licensed to us. If we fail to obtain a
required license or are unable to design around a patent, we may be unable to
sell some of our products, which could have a material adverse affect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. From time to time, we
receive letters from companies regarding their issued patents and patent
applications alleging possible infringement. For example, we have received
correspondence from a company informing us of its recently issued patent
concerning a diagnostic method relying upon a specific manner for comparing
mass spectra, upon which it believes we may be infringing. We do not believe
that we infringe this patent.

IF WE DO NOT SUCCEED IN OBTAINING DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING RIGHTS FOR SOME OF
THE ASSAYS DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR REVENUE AND
PROFITABILITY COULD BE REDUCED.

Our business strategy includes the development of assays in collaboration with
customers, and we intend to obtain commercialization rights for those assays.
If we are unable to obtain rights to those assays, our revenue and
profitability could be reduced. To date, we have not initiated significant
activities with respect to the exploitation of any commercialization rights or
products developed in collaboration with third parties. Even if we obtain
commercialization rights, commercialization of products may require resources
that we do not currently possess and may not be able to develop or obtain.

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO OBTAIN LICENSES TO PATENTED SNPS WHICH COULD PREVENT US
FROM OBTAINING SIGNIFICANT REVENUE OR BECOMING PROFITABLE.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued at least one patent to a third
party relating to a SNP. If important SNPs are patented, we will need to
obtain rights to those SNPs in order to develop, use and sell related assays.
Required licenses may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, or at
all. If we fail to obtain licenses to important patented SNPs, we may never
achieve significant revenue or become profitable.

BECAUSE OUR PRODUCTS CURRENTLY DEPEND ON COMPONENTS LICENSED FROM THIRD PAR-
TIES, A BREACH BY US OF ANY OF THE TERMS OF THESE LICENSES COULD RESULT IN THE
LOSS OF ACCESS TO THESE COMPONENTS AND COULD DELAY OR SUSPEND OUR COMMERCIAL-
IZATION EFFORTS.

Some aspects of our technology have been acquired or licensed from third
parties. A failure by us to maintain the right to use these components could
seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In
addition, changes to or termination of our agreements with these third parties
could result in the loss of access to these aspects of our technology and
could delay or suspend our commercialization efforts.

Our grants from the government give the government certain license rights to
inventions resulting from funded work in the event that we fail to
commercialize the technology developed using government funds. Our business
could be harmed if the government exercises those rights.


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OUR ACADEMIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR BUSINESS AND FAILURE TO
MAINTAIN EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS OR ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL RELATIONSHIPS COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

We have relationships with scientists and consultants at academic and other
institutions who conduct research at our request. Our existing relationships
may not be successful. These researchers are not employed by us and may have
commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with, other entities that
may limit their availability to work on our projects. As a result, we have
limited control over their activities and, except as otherwise required by our
agreements with these persons, we can expect only limited amounts of their
time to be dedicated to our projects. Our ability to make new discoveries and
to commercialize products based on those discoveries may depend in part on
continued arrangements with researchers at academic and other institutions. We
may not be able to negotiate acceptable arrangements with academic or other
institutions or individuals.

FAILURE TO EXPAND OUR INTERNATIONAL SALES AS WE INTEND WOULD REDUCE OUR ABIL-
ITY TO BECOME PROFITABLE.

We expect that a significant portion of our sales will be made outside the
United States. A successful international effort will require us to develop
relationships with international customers and partners. We may not be able to
identify, attract or retain suitable international customers and partners. As
a result, we may be unsuccessful in our international expansion efforts.
Furthermore, expansion into international markets will require us to continue
to establish and grow foreign operations, hire additional personnel to run
these operations and maintain good relations with our foreign customers and
partners.

International operations involve a number of risks not typically present in
domestic operations, including:

 . currency fluctuation risks;

 . changes in regulatory requirements;

 . costs and risks of deploying systems in foreign countries;

 . licenses, tariffs and other trade barriers;

 . political and economic instability;

 . difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;

 . potentially adverse tax consequences; and

 . the burden of complying with a wide variety of complex foreign laws and
  treaties.

Our international operations will also be subject to the risks associated with
the imposition of legislation and regulations relating to the import or export
of high technology products. We cannot predict whether tariffs or restrictions
upon the importation or exportation of our products will be implemented by the
United States or other countries.

WE MAY LOSE MONEY WHEN WE EXCHANGE FOREIGN CURRENCY RECEIVED FROM INTERNA-
TIONAL SALES INTO US DOLLARS.

A significant portion of our business is expected to be conducted in
currencies other than the US dollar. We recognize foreign currency gains or
losses arising from our operations in the period incurred. As a result,
currency fluctuations between the US dollar and the currencies in which we do
business will cause foreign currency translation gains and losses. We cannot
predict the effects of exchange rate fluctuations upon our future operating
results because of the number of currencies involved, the variability of

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currency exposure and the potential volatility of currency exchange rates. We
do not currently engage in foreign exchange hedging transactions to manage our
foreign currency exposure.

THE SALES CYCLE FOR OUR PRODUCTS IS LENGTHY. WE MAY EXPEND SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS
AND MANAGEMENT EFFORT WITH NO ASSURANCE OF SUCCESSFULLY SELLING OUR PRODUCTS
OR SERVICES.

Our ability to obtain customers for our products and services depends in
significant part upon the perception that our products and services can help
accelerate efforts in genomics. The sales cycle is typically lengthy. Our
sales effort requires the effective demonstration of the benefits of our
products and services to and significant training of many different
departments within a potential customer. These departments might include
research and development personnel and key management. In addition, we may be
required to negotiate agreements containing terms unique to each customer. We
may expend substantial funds and management effort with no assurance that we
will successfully sell our products or services.

OUR INDUSTRY IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND WE MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES REQUIRED
TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE.

The biotechnology industry is highly competitive. We compete with companies in
the United States and abroad that are engaged in the development and
production of products that analyze genetic information. They include:

 . biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and other companies;

 . academic and scientific institutions;

 . governmental agencies; and

 . public and private research organizations.

Many of our competitors have much greater financial, technical, research,
marketing, sales, distribution, service and other resources than we do.
Moreover, our competitors may offer broader product lines and have greater
name recognition than we do, and may offer discounts as a competitive tactic.
In addition, several development stage companies are currently making or
developing products that compete with or will compete with our products. Our
competitors may develop or market technologies or products that are more
effective or commercially attractive than our current or future products, or
that may render our technologies and products obsolete.

WE ARE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON PRINCIPAL MEMBERS OF OUR MANAGEMENT AND SCIENTIFIC
STAFF, THE LOSS OF WHOM WOULD IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE.

We are highly dependent on the principal members of our management and
scientific staff. The loss of the services of any of these persons could delay
or reduce our product development and commercialization efforts. In addition,
we will require additional personnel in the areas of scientific research,
diagnostic testing, manufacturing and marketing. We may not be able to attract
and retain qualified personnel, which could seriously harm our business,
financial condition and results of operations.

WE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE AND IF WE BECOME SUBJECT TO PRODUCT LIABIL-
ITY CLAIMS, WE MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS OR BE REQUIRED
TO PAY DAMAGES THAT EXCEED OUR INSURANCE LIMITATIONS.

Our business exposes us to potential product liability claims that are
inherent in the life science field. Any product liability claim in excess of
our insurance coverage would have to be paid out of our cash-

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reserves which would have a detrimental effect on our financial condition. It
is difficult to determine whether we have obtained sufficient insurance to
cover potential claims. Also, we cannot assure you that we can or will
maintain our insurance policies on commercially acceptable terms, or at all.

RESPONDING TO CLAIMS RELATING TO IMPROPER HANDLING, STORAGE OR DISPOSAL OF
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND RADIOACTIVE AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS WHICH WE USE,
COULD BE TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY.

We use controlled hazardous and radioactive materials in our business. The
risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be
completely eliminated. If an accident with these substances occurs, we could
be liable for any damages that result, which could seriously harm our
business. Additionally, an accident could damage our research and
manufacturing facilities and operations, resulting in delays and increased
costs.

IF OUR MANUFACTURING FACILITY IS DAMAGED, WE COULD EXPERIENCE LOST REVENUE AND
OUR BUSINESS WOULD BE SERIOUSLY HARMED.

Our only manufacturing facility is located in San Diego, California. Damage to
our facility due to fire, natural disaster, power loss, communications
failure, unauthorized entry or other events could cause us to cease
development and manufacturing of our products. We have limited insurance to
protect against business interruption; however, there can be no assurance this
insurance will be adequate or will continue to be available to us on
commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

IF WE OR OUR SUPPLIERS FAIL TO BE YEAR 2000 OR Y2K COMPLIANT IT COULD CAUSE
INTERRUPTIONS IN OUR SUPPLY OF PRODUCTS AND GENERATE SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSES FOR
OUR BUSINESS.

The Y2K issue is a situation that results from computer systems and software
products being coded using two digits rather than four digits to define the
applicable year. Computer systems and software products often utilize embedded
technology that is time-sensitive and may recognize a date falling in the year
2000 as falling in the year 1900 which could cause computer system failures
and errors leading to a disruption of our business operations. The Y2K issue
could affect not only our operations but also the operations of our business
partners, customers and suppliers among others. If we or our suppliers fail to
be Y2K compliant, our business, financial condition and results of operations
could be materially disrupted. Please see "Management's discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations--Impact of the year
2000" for additional information regarding the Y2K issue.

IF WE DO NOT EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OUR GROWTH, IT COULD AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
PURSUE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPAND OUR BUSINESS.

Growth in our business has placed, and will continue to place, a significant
strain on our management systems and resources. We will need to continue to
improve our operational and financial systems and managerial controls and
procedures and expand, train and manage our workforce. We will have to
maintain close coordination among our technical, accounting, marketing, sales
and research departments. If we fail to effectively manage our growth and
address the above concerns, it could affect our ability to pursue business
opportunities and expand our business.

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RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK AMONG OUR EXISTING EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS MAY PREVENT NEW INVESTORS FROM
INFLUENCING SIGNIFICANT CORPORATE DECISIONS.

Upon completion of this offering, our executive officers, directors and
beneficial owners of 5% or more of our common stock and their affiliates will,
in aggregate, beneficially own approximately    % of our outstanding common
stock or    % if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full.
As a result, these persons, acting together, will have the ability to
determine the outcome of all matters submitted to our stockholders for
approval, including the election and removal of directors and any merger,
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition,
such persons, acting together, will have the ability to control the management
and affairs of our company. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership may
harm the market price of our common stock by:

 . delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company;

 . impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination
  involving our company; or

 . discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise
  attempting to obtain control of our company.

Please see "Principal stockholders" for additional information on
concentration of ownership of our common stock.

THERE MAY NOT BE AN ACTIVE, LIQUID TRADING MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK.

We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our common stock will
develop following this offering. You may not be able to sell your shares
quickly or at the market price if trading in our stock is not active. The
initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations between us
and the representatives of the underwriters based upon a number of factors.
The initial public offering price may not be indicative of prices that will
prevail in the trading market. Please see "Underwriting" for more information
regarding our arrangement with the underwriters and the factors considered in
setting the initial public offering price.

OUR STOCK PRICE COULD BE VOLATILE AND YOUR INVESTMENT COULD SUFFER A DECLINE
IN VALUE, WHICH IN TURN COULD AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO RAISE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
TO FUND THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF OUR PRODUCTS.

The trading price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and
could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors,
many of which are beyond our control, including:

 . actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;

 . announcements of technological innovations by us or our competitors;

 . new products or services introduced or announced by us or our competitors;

 . changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 . conditions or trends in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and genomics
  industries;

 . changes in the market valuations of other similar companies;

 . announcements by us of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships,
  joint ventures or capital commitments;

 . additions or departures of key personnel; and

 . sales of our common stock.

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In addition, the stock market in general, and the Nasdaq National Market and
the market for technology companies in particular, has experienced extreme
price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or
disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Further,
there has been particular volatility in the market prices of securities of
biotechnology and life sciences companies. These broad market and industry
factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of
our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the
market price of a company's securities, securities class-action litigation has
often been instituted against that company. Such litigation, if instituted
against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's
attention and resources, which could seriously harm our business, financial
condition and results of operations.

WE MAY HAVE TO RETURN THE MONEY WE RECEIVE FROM THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS AFTER
THEY COMPLETE THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 65,000 SHARES BECAUSE OF A
POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

In March 1999, we entered into a consulting agreement with two German
consulting firms for services to be provided to us in connection with our
initial public offering. Under this agreement we offered and committed
ourselves to sell an equivalent of DEM3 million worth of shares, based on our
initial public offering price, to these consulting firms. This equates to
approximately 65,000 shares of our common stock, assuming an initial offering
price of $24.00 per share, or a total of approximately $1.6 million worth of
shares. At the time we offered and committed ourselves to issue these shares,
we did not deliver a preliminary prospectus to these consulting firms. We may
have a contingent liability arising out of a possible violation of Section 5
of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the offer and commitment to
sell these shares being made in March 1999. If we violated Section 5 of the
Securities Act of 1933, these consulting firms may have the right to have us
repurchase any shares sold to them.

THE LARGE NUMBER OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC SALE AFTER THIS OFFERING COULD
CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after
this offering could seriously harm prevailing market prices for our common
stock. These sales might make it difficult or impossible for us to sell
additional securities when we need to raise capital. The number of additional
shares available for sale in the public market will be affected by
restrictions imposed by:

 . the Securities Act and related rules, including the volume and other
  restrictions of Rule 144; and

 . lock-up agreements between us and selected stockholders or between
  stockholders and the underwriters.

Please see "Shares eligible for future sale" for a description of the number
of shares which may be sold by existing stockholders in the future.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND DELAWARE LAW COULD MAKE
A THIRD-PARTY ACQUISITION OF US DIFFICULT. THIS COULD LIMIT THE PRICE INVEST-
ORS MIGHT BE WILLING TO PAY IN THE FUTURE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK.

The anti-takeover provisions in our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws
and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us
without approval of our board of directors. As a result of these provisions,
we could delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt or third party acquisition
that our stockholders consider to be in their best interests, including a
takeover attempt that results in a premium over the market price for the
shares held by our stockholders. Please see "Description of securities" for
more information on these anti-takeover provisions.

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16
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Forward-looking information

This prospectus may contain forward-looking statements. When used in this
prospectus, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "will," "intend"
and "expect" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in
any such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance
that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results,
performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated,
expressed or implied, by any such forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth in this
prospectus, including under the heading "Risk factors." All forward-looking
statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly
qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth in this
prospectus. We are under no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. Neither
we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in this prospectus. We are offering
to sell and seeking offers to buy shares of Sequenom, Inc. common stock only
in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information
contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this
prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any
sale of Sequenom, Inc. common stock.

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Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the 5,000,000 shares of
common stock that we are selling in this offering will be approximately $110.3
million, or approximately $127.0 million if the underwriter's over-allotment
option is exercised in full, based on an assumed initial public offering price
of $24.00 per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We will not receive
any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

We anticipate using the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate
purposes, including hiring additional sales and customer support personnel,
expansion of our facilities, continued development and manufacturing of
existing products, research and development of additional products, expenses
for filing and pursuing patent applications, and working capital. We expect,
if the opportunity arises, to use an unspecified portion of the net proceeds
to acquire or invest in products, technologies or companies. While we
periodically engage in preliminary discussions with respect to acquisitions,
we are not currently a party to any agreements or commitments and have no
understandings with respect to any acquisitions.

We expect to use approximately $3.3 million of the proceeds of this offering
for the repayment of long-term debt and accrued interest owed to TBG. This
debt, which originated in 1995 and 1997, is denominated in German deutsche
marks, DEM, and totals DEM6 million or approximately $3.3 million as of
September 30, 1999. Interest is payable semi-annually on the loans. The 1995
loans began accruing nominal interest at a rate of 6% per year on March 31,
1997 and payments commenced in June 1997. The effective nominal interest rate
over the life of the 1995 loans is 4.8%. The 1997 loan bears interest at 7%
per year and payments commenced in 1998. We are also required to pay
additional interest equal to 9% of our German subsidiary's annual profits, to
the extent that such profits exceed DEM100,000 per year. The combined annual
interest rate, consisting of nominal interest and additional interest, may not
exceed 7% per year through December 31, 2000. Commencing January 1, 2001 and
January 1, 2003, any amounts still outstanding will accrue additional interest
at the rates of 6% and 7% per year for the 1995 loans and the 1997 loan,
respectively. In addition, at the end of the loan term, which is the earlier
of repayment or December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2007 for the 1995 loans and
the 1997 loan, respectively, our German subsidiary is obligated to pay
terminal interest equal to 25%, 30% and 35% of the amounts loaned under DEM1
million, DEM3 million and DEM2 million agreements, respectively, estimated to
be $1.2 million at the end of the loan term. We have accrued interest of
$930,625 relating to the terminal interest representing approximately 75% of
the terminal interest to be paid at the end of the loan term. TBG has elected
to accept 24,792 shares of our common stock upon the closing of this offering
in total satisfaction of the terminal interest. The number of shares are based
on an assumed initial public offering price of $24.00 per share, and will
increase or decrease based on the final price.

The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures depend on several factors,
including future sales growth, the progress of our product development efforts
and the amount of cash generated or used by our operations. Other than the
$3.3 million debt repayment, we have not determined the amount or timing of
the expenditures in the areas listed above. Pending utilization, we will
invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment grade, interest bearing
instruments.

Dividend policy

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We
currently intend to retain all available funds for use in our business, and do
not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future
determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of
our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including
future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and future
prospects and other factors the board of directors may deem relevant.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalization

The following table shows our capitalization as of September 30, 1999:

 . On an actual basis; and

 . On a pro forma basis to give effect to:

  . the automatic conversion of 14,842,757 shares of our preferred stock
    outstanding as of the date of this prospectus into 14,842,757 shares of
    our common stock on a one-for-one basis;

  . the sale of approximately $1,560,000 in shares of common stock to two
    German consulting firms in a private sale to be completed immediately
    prior to this offering, or 65,000 shares assuming an initial public
    offering price of $24.00 per share;

  . the conversion of debt owed to TBG in the amount of DEM4 million,
    approximately $2.1 million, into 272,108 shares of our common stock upon
    the closing of this offering assuming an initial public offering of
    $24.00 per share, including a charge to interest expense of $4.2 million
    for the beneficial conversion price of such debt and the recognition of
    $107,000 of foreign translation losses on such debt from October 1, 1999
    through December 27, 1999;

  . the issuance of 1,523,451 shares of common stock upon the exercise of
    stock options from October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999;

  . the increase in notes receivable for common stock of $1,545,185 from
    October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999 related to the exercise of
    stock options by our executives; and

  . the net increase in deferred compensation related to stock options of
    $1,451,440 resulting from $2,212,650 from deferred compensation recorded
    in connection with October 1999 grants less $761,210 in amortization from
    October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999.

 . On a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to:

  . the receipt of the estimated net proceeds from this sale of 5,000,000
    shares of stock offered by this prospectus at an assumed initial public
    offering price of $24.00 per share;

  . the repayment of debt owed to TBG in the amount of DEM6 million,
    approximately $3.3 million, upon the closing of this offering, and the
    recognition of $148,000 of foreign translation gains on such debt from
    October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999; and

  . the issuance of 24,792 shares of our common stock upon the closing of
    this offering in satisfaction of accrued interest of $930,625, including
    recognition of a $336,000 gain on the transaction.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                              ACTUAL      PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                           <C>    <C>            <C>
Current portion of capital lease
 obligations.................................   $441       $441         $441
                                              ======     ======       ======
Capital lease obligations, less current
 portion..................................... $1,313     $1,313       $1,313
Long-term debt commitments...................  5,446      3,268           --
Accrued long-term interest payable...........    931        931           --
                                              ------     ------       ------
  Total long-term obligations................  7,690      5,512        1,313
Convertible preferred stock, par value
 $0.001;
 Authorized shares--14,842,757 actual,
  5,000,000 pro forma and pro forma as
  adjusted
 Issued and outstanding shares--14,842,757
  actual, none pro forma and pro forma as
  adjusted...................................     15         --           --
Common stock, par value $0.001;
 Authorized shares--19,500,000 actual,
  75,000,000 pro forma and pro forma as
  adjusted
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             19
<PAGE>


CAPITALIZATION

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PRO FORMA
                                                   ACTUAL  PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>      <C>       <C>
 Issued and outstanding shares--873,369 actual,
  17,576,685 pro forma and 22,601,477 pro forma
  as adjusted...................................        1        18         23
Additional paid-in capital......................   62,533    70,069    180,964
Notes receivable for common stock...............     (511)   (2,056)    (2,056)
Deferred compensation related to stock options..   (2,167)   (4,380)    (4,380)
Accumulated other comprehensive income..........      216       108        257
Deficit accumulated during the development
 stage..........................................  (37,120)  (42,126)   (41,791)
                                                  -------   -------   --------
  Total stockholders' equity....................   22,967    21,633    133,017
                                                  -------   -------   --------
  Total capitalization..........................  $30,657   $27,145   $134,330
                                                  =======   =======   ========
</TABLE>

The table above excludes:

 . 1,287,049 shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of
  December 27, 1999 at a weighted average exercise price of $1.66 per share.
  This share amount consists of 2,475,250 shares issuable upon the exercise of
  options outstanding at September 30, 1999 and 335,250 shares issuable upon
  the exercise of options granted during October 1999, less 1,523,451 shares
  issued upon exercise of options during the period October 1, 1999 through
  December 27, 1999;

 . 176,503 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of
  December 27, 1999 at a weighted average exercise price of $2.10 per share;
  and

 . 248,750 additional shares available for future grant as of December 27, 1999
  under our 1998 stock plan, and an additional 850,000 shares made available
  for future grant under our stock plans to be adopted at the close of this
  offering. For a description of our stock option and stock purchase plans,
  please see "Management--Employee benefit plans."

To the extent that these options or warrants are exercised, there will be
further dilution to new investors. Please see "Management--Employee benefit
plans" for further information regarding our stock option plan and stock
purchase plan.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20
<PAGE>


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

Dilution

Our historical net tangible book value as of September 30, 1999 was
approximately $23.0 million, or $26.30 per share, based on the number of
common shares outstanding as of September 30, 1999. Historical net tangible
book value per share is equal to the amount of our total tangible assets less
total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding
as of September 30, 1999.

Our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 1999 was
approximately $21.6 million, or $1.23 per share, based on the pro forma number
of shares outstanding as of September 30, 1999 of 17,576,685, calculated after
giving effect to:

 . the automatic conversion of 14,842,757 shares of our preferred stock
  outstanding at September 30, 1999 into 14,842,757 shares of our common stock
  on a one-for-one basis;

 . the sale of approximately $1,560,000 in shares of common stock to two German
  consulting firms in a private sale to be completed immediately prior to this
  offering, or 65,000 shares assuming an initial public offering price of
  $24.00 per share;

 . the conversion of debt owed to TBG in the amount of DEM4 million,
  approximately $2.1 million, into 272,108 shares of our common stock upon the
  closing of this offering assuming an initial public offering price of $24.00
  per share; and

 . the issuance of 1,523,451 shares of common stock upon exercise of stock
  options from October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999.

Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the
difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of our
common stock in this offering, and the private sale and the net tangible book
value per share of our common stock immediately afterwards, after giving
effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares in this offering, the issuance of
24,792 shares of our common stock in satisfaction of accrued interest of
$930,625, and the repayment of $3.3 million of long-term debt from the net
proceeds. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book
value of $4.66 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in
pro forma net tangible book value of $18.11 per share to new investors. The
following table illustrates this per share dilution:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>     <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share.....................................         $24.00
                                                                                             ------
  Historical net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 1999............. $26.30
  Decrease attributable to conversion of preferred stock, debt and accrued interest,
   and exercise of stock options subsequent to September 30, 1999................... (25.07)
                                                                                     ------
  Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 1999..............   1.23
  Increase attributable to the offering and private sale............................   4.66
                                                                                     ------
Net tangible book value per share after the offering and private sale...............           5.89
                                                                                             ------
Dilution per share to new investors.................................................         $18.11
                                                                                             ======
</TABLE>

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of September 30, 1999,
after giving effect to this offering, the total number of shares of common
stock purchased from us and the total consideration and the average price per
share paid by existing stockholders and by new investors:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          SHARES PURCHASED   TOTAL CONSIDERATION   AVERAGE PRICE
                             NUMBER PERCENT        AMOUNT PERCENT      PER SHARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>        <C>      <C>          <C>      <C>
Existing stockholders... 17,601,477    77.9%  $62,776,356    34.3%         $3.57
New investors...........  5,000,000    22.1   120,000,000    65.7         $24.00
                         ----------  -----   ------------  -----
Total................... 22,601,477   100.0% $182,776,356   100.0%
                         ==========  =====   ============  =====
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             21
<PAGE>

DILUTION

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

The tables and calculations above assume no exercise of outstanding options or
warrants. At December 27, 1999, there were:

 . 1,287,049 shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of a
  weighted average exercise price of $1.66 per share. This share amount
  consist of 2,475,250 shares issuable upon the exercise of options
  outstanding at September 30, 1999 and 335,250 shares issuable upon the
  exercise of options granted during October 1999, less 1,523,451 shares
  issued upon exercise of options during the period October 1, 1999 through
  December 27, 1999;

 . 176,503 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of
  December 27, 1999 at a weighted average exercise price of $2.10 per share;
  and


 . 248,750 additional shares available for future grant as of December 27, 1999
  under our 1998 stock plan, and an additional 850,000 shares made available
  for future grant under our stock plans to be adopted at the close of this
  offering. For a description of our stock option and stock purchase plans,
  please see "Management--Employee benefit plans."

To the extent that these options or warrants are exercised, there will be
further dilution to new investors. Please see "Management--Employee benefit
plans" for further information regarding our stock option plan and stock
purchase plan.

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the
following will occur:

 . the number of shares of our common stock held by existing stockholders will
  decrease to approximately 75.4% of the total number of shares of our common
  stock outstanding after this offering;

 . the number of shares of our common stock held by new public investors will
  increase to 5,750,000, or approximately 24.6% of the total number of shares
  of our common stock outstanding after this offering; and

 . an increase in pro forma net tangible book value to $5.18 per share to
  existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible
  book value of $17.59 per share to new investors.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected consolidated financial data

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to such
statements and "Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus. The
consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, and
the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and
September 30, 1999, are derived from our consolidated financial statements
which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, and are
included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of
operations data for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and the
consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996 are
derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included in this
prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1998 is derived from our unaudited financial
statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. These unaudited financial
statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited financial
statements, and, in our opinion, include all material adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly this
unaudited financial information. Historical results are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected in the future.

The pro forma net loss per share is calculated as if our convertible preferred
stock and DEM4 million long-term debt owed to TBG as of September 30, 1999,
both convertible into common stock upon the closing of this offering, were
converted into shares of our common stock on the date of their issuance.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      1994         1995      1996       1997       1998       1998      1999
<S>                            <C>              <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF                          (In thousands, except per share data)
OPERATIONS DATA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and development
 grants.......................            $--       $--      $893       $527       $351       $126       $81
Costs and expenses:
  Research and development....            922     1,274     3,136      3,532      6,188      3,550     7,138
  General and administrative..            230       420     1,032      1,861      4,218      2,640     5,363
  Amortization of deferred
   compensation...............                       --        --         --         --         --     3,615
                                  -----------   -------  --------   --------   --------   --------  --------
Total costs and expenses......          1,152     1,694     4,168      5,393     10,406      6,190    16,116
                                  -----------   -------  --------   --------   --------   --------  --------
Loss from operations..........         (1,152)   (1,694)   (3,275)    (4,866)   (10,055)    (6,064)  (16,035)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.............              3         2        73         57        397        291     1,225
  Interest expense............             --       (28)     (275)      (308)      (613)      (230)     (576)
                                  -----------   -------  --------   --------   --------   --------  --------
Net loss......................        $(1,149)  $(1,720)  $(3,477)   $(5,117)  $(10,271)   $(6,003) $(15,386)
                               ===========      =======  ========   ========   ========   ========  ========
Net loss per share
 attributable to common
 stockholders, basic and
 diluted...................... $(1,149,498)     $(65.87)  $(23.45)   $(22.62)   $(33.33)   $(20.12)  $(39.41)
Shares used in computing net
 loss per share attributable
 to common stockholders, basic
 and diluted..................             --        26       148        226        308        298       390
Pro forma net loss per share,
 basic and diluted............                                                   $(1.02)              $(1.03)
Shares used in computing pro
 forma net loss per share
 basic and diluted............                                                    9,749               14,714
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             23
<PAGE>

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                            1994     1995    1996     1997      1998      1999
<S>                      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET DATA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, cash equivalents
 and short-term
 investments............    $168   $1,877  $1,326     $833   $28,497   $28,069
Working capital.........    (455)   1,379     820     (125)   26,014    24,771
Total assets............     230    2,911   2,714    2,273    32,777    34,632
Total long-term
 obligations............      --      891   2,872    3,772     7,408     7,690
Total stockholders'
 equity (deficit) ......    (397)   1,354  (1,206)  (2,747)   22,635    22,967
</TABLE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to
those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion may
contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a
result of many factors, such as those set forth under "Risk factors" and
elsewhere in this prospectus, our actual results may differ materially from
those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

We are a pioneer in the new field of industrial genomics. Since we began
operations in 1994, we have been primarily involved in the research and
development of high definition DNA analysis tools for industrial biomedical
and life science applications.

We are a development stage company. Since our inception, we have incurred
significant losses and, as of September 30, 1999, we had an accumulated
deficit of $37.1 million. To date, our revenues have been solely from research
grants. We began placing MassArray systems at beta sites and with pre-launch
users in July 1999. Information received from these sites is being used to
optimize our product offerings. We expect revenues generated from our
commercial launch to begin during the first quarter of 2000.

We expect to recognize revenues from the sale of both MassArray systems at the
time of placement and disposable products, including SpectroCHIPs. We expect
that each system placed in the field will generate a recurring revenue stream
from the sale of disposables. We also expect the volume of disposables
purchased from each site will increase over time as the customer becomes
familiar with the technology and incorporates MassArray into a broad range of
SNP analysis programs. In addition, we may generate revenue from the sale of
proprietary assays and software products and other services provided to the
customer. In some cases we may retain some rights to assays developed in
collaborations with third parties. This may allow us to offer an expanded line
of products to a broader market. Our sales will be initially driven by the
need for SNP validation and later could expand into the areas of genomic drug
development, diagnostics and agricultural genomics.

Our expenses have consisted primarily of costs incurred in research and
development, manufacturing scale-up, business development and from general and
administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect our research
and development expenses to increase in the future as we continue to improve
and develop products. Our selling expenses will increase as we commercialize
our products. Expansion of our facilities and the additional obligations of a
public reporting entity will also add to our expenses. As a result, we expect
to incur losses for the foreseeable future.

Our current products do not provide sufficient gross margin for us to become
profitable. To become profitable, we will need to develop and introduce new
higher margin products and generate significant sales of disposables.

We have a limited history of operations and we anticipate that our quarterly
results of operations will fluctuate for the foreseeable future due to several
factors, including market acceptance of current or new products, patent
conflicts, the introduction of new products by our competitors, the timing and
extent of our research and development efforts, and the timing of significant
orders. Our limited operating history makes accurate prediction of future
operations difficult or impossible.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             25
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OP-
ERATIONS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND 1998

REVENUE
Research and development grant revenue decreased to approximately $81,000 in
the first nine months of 1999 from approximately $126,000 in the first nine
months of 1998. As we have approached the commercial launch of our products,
we have not actively pursued grants, and accordingly, revenue from grants has
decreased.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

Research and development expenses increased to $7.1 million in the first nine
months of 1999 from $3.6 million in the first nine months of 1998. These
expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, materials
costs and costs related to completion of our product development. The increase
resulted from the expansion of our research and development efforts and was
comprised of a $1.6 million increase in salaries & related personnel costs,
additional material costs of $1.2 million and approximately $700,000 of
additional costs directly related to the scale-up of manufacturing for our
SpectoCHIPs.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses increased to $5.4 million in the first
nine months of 1999 from $2.6 million in the first nine months of 1998. These
expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for executive,
finance and other administrative personnel, general and patent related legal
expenses, and business development expenses. Expenses relating to filing and
pursuing patent applications represented the single largest increase at
approximately $800,000, while continued expansion of administrative resources
to support our growth accounted for the remainder.

AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED STOCK COMPENSATION

Deferred stock compensation represents the difference between the estimated
fair value of our common stock and the exercise price of options at the date
of grant. During the nine months ended September 30, 1999, we recorded
amortization of deferred stock compensation totaling $3.6 million, including
$1.6 million related to a remeasurement of options originally granted to an
officer in 1997. We anticipate that additional deferred compensation totaling
$3.8 million will be recorded for options granted in October 1999. These
amounts are being amortized over the vesting periods of the individual stock
options using the graded vesting method. We expect to record amortization for
deferred compensation approximately as follows: $761,000 during the quarter
ended December 31, 1999, $3.7 million during 2000, $924,000 during 2001,
$459,000 during 2002, and $214,000 during 2003.

INTEREST INCOME
Interest income increased to $1.2 million in the first nine months of 1999
from approximately $291,000 in the first nine months of 1998. This increase
resulted from higher average balances of cash and cash equivalents and short-
term investments in 1999 from investment of the proceeds from the sale of
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock in late 1998 and early 1999.

INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense increased to approximately $576,000 in the first nine months
of 1999 from approximately $230,000 in the first nine months of 1998. The
increase was due to higher average debt levels resulting from additional
indebtedness under our capital lease financing arrangement.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OP-
ERATIONS

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

INCOME TAXES
As of September 30, 1999, we had federal and state net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $24.8 million and $13.1 million. We also have
federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of
approximately $410,000 and $200,000 and German net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $7.2 million. The federal and state net
operating loss and credit carryforwards expire on various dates through 2018.
The German net operating losses may be carried forward indefinitely. Pursuant
to Internal Revenue Code Sections 382 and 388, our net operating loss and
credit carryforwards may be limited due to a cumulative change in ownership of
more than 50%, which occurred during 1998 and which is anticipated to occur
with the offering. However, we do not believe these limitations will
materially impact the use of the net operating loss and credit carryforwards.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

REVENUE

Research and development grant revenue decreased to $351,000 in 1998 from
approximately $527,000 in 1997 and from $893,000 in 1996. As we have
approached the commercial launch of our products, we have received funding
from private equity financings and have not pursued grant funding.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

Research and development expenses increased to $6.2 million in 1998 from $3.5
million in 1997 and $3.1 million in 1996. The $2.7 million increase from 1997
to 1998 resulted from an additional $1.3 million in personnel costs and
approximately $1.4 million in additional supplies related to the development
of our MassArray system. The increase from 1996 to 1997 resulted primarily
from an increase in the number of personnel and their related costs.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses increased to $4.2 million in 1998 from
$1.9 million in 1997 and $1.0 million in 1996. Expenses relating to filing and
pursuing patent applications represented the single largest increase in 1998
at approximately $800,000. These expenses increased because a higher number of
patents were filed worldwide. Expenses related to employing more personnel
represented the remainder of the increase. The increase from 1996 to 1997
resulted primarily from increases in the number of personnel and expansion of
facilities.

INTEREST INCOME

Interest income increased to approximately $397,000 in 1998 from approximately
$57,000 in 1997. The increase was due to higher average balances of cash and
cash equivalents and short-term investments in 1998, resulting from the
investment of the proceeds from the sale of Series C convertible preferred
stock in February 1998. Interest income decreased to $57,000 in 1997 from
$73,000 in 1996 due to slightly lower average cash and cash equivalents during
1997.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense increased to approximately $613,000 in 1998 from
approximately $308,000 in 1997 and $275,000 in 1996. Interest expense
increased in 1998 due to an increase in borrowings under a capital lease
agreement and from proceeds received from convertible debt funding. The 1997
increase in interest expense resulted from DEM2 million of additional debt
funding.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have funded our operations with $55.6 million of private equity financings,
$6.0 million in loans and convertible loans, and $2.2 million from equipment
financing arrangements. At September 30, 1999,

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             27
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OP-
ERATIONS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $28.0 million
compared to $28.5 million at December 31, 1998. Our cash reserves are held in
a variety of interest-bearing instruments including high-grade corporate
bonds, commercial paper and money market accounts.

Cash used in operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 was $9.4
million compared with $5.5 million for the same period in 1998. A net loss of
$15.4 million for the first nine months of 1999 was partially offset by non-
cash charges of $3.6 million for amortization of deferred compensation, $1.3
million for depreciation and amortization expense and an increase of $1.2
million in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Investing activities, other
than the changes in our short-term investments, consumed $3.3 million in cash
during the first nine months in 1999 due to leasehold improvements and
equipment expenditures.

Cash provided by financing activities was $12.5 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999 compared to $14.2 million for the same period in
1998. Financing activities included the receipt of net proceeds of $11.8
million from the sale of preferred stock to investors in the nine month period
ended September 30, 1999 and $11.0 million in the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998.

Working capital decreased to $24.8 million at September 30, 1999 from $26.0
million at December 31, 1998. The decrease in working capital was due to our
use of cash in operations, higher accounts payable and accrued liabilities as
a result of increased product and business development, expenses, and payment
of capital lease obligations, offset in part by higher inventory and prepaid
expenses.

As of September 30, 1999, we had an aggregate of $7.2 million in future
obligations of principal payments under capital leases and long-term debt, of
which $0.4 million is to be paid within the next year. We expect to use
approximately $4.2 million of the proceeds of this offering for the repayment
of long-term bank debt and accrued interest. This debt, which originated in
1995 and 1997, is denominated in German deutsche marks, DEM, and totals DEM6
million. For a more detailed description of this bank debt, please see "Use of
Proceeds."

We believe our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments,
together with the net proceeds of this offering will be sufficient to fund our
operating expenses, debt obligations and capital requirements through at least
the next 24 months. Our future capital uses and requirements depend on
numerous factors, including:

 . our success in selling our MassArray system and associated technologies;

 . our progress with research and development;

 . our ability to introduce and sell new products;

 . our sales and marketing expenses;

 . expenses associated with unforeseen litigation;

 . costs and timing of obtaining new patent rights; and

 . regulatory changes and competition and technological developments in the
  market.

Therefore, our capital requirements may increase in future periods. As a
result, we may require additional funds and may attempt to raise additional
funds through equity or debt financings, collaborative arrangements with
corporate partners or from other sources.

We have a $5.0 million bank line of credit, all of which is available for
borrowing. We have no commitments for any additional financings, and we cannot
assure you that additional funding will be available to finance our operations
when needed or, if available, that the terms for obtaining such funds will be
favorable or will not result in dilution to our stockholders.

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We could possibly be required to repurchase approximately 65,000 shares sold
to two German consulting firms in a private sale scheduled to close
immediately prior to this offering, and repay the purchase price of their
shares of approximately $1.6 million if we are deemed to have violated Section
5 of the Securities Act of 1933.

IMPACT OF THE YEAR 2000

The computer systems and software programs of many companies and governmental
agencies are currently coded to accept or recognize only two digit entries in
the date code field. These systems may recognize a date using "00" as the year
1900 rather than the year 2000. As a result, these computer systems and/or
software programs may need to be upgraded to comply with such year 2000
requirements or risk system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of
normal business activities.

STATE OF READINESS
We have made an assessment of the year 2000 readiness of our technology
systems, including our hardware and software in our products and our non-
information technology systems. We intend to revise our proprietary software
to improve our year 2000 compliance, if necessary. We have been informed by
our vendors who provide the hardware in our products that the hardware we use
is year 2000 compliant. We believe that substantially all of our applications,
databases and infrastructure are year 2000 compliant. We have been informed by
many of our vendors of material hardware and software components of our
information technology systems that substantially all of the products we use
are currently year 2000 compliant. We have requested vendors of the material
hardware and software components of our information technology systems to
provide assurances of their year 2000 compliance. We plan to complete this
process prior to the end of 1999. We are currently assessing our material non-
information technology systems and will seek assurances of year 2000
compliance from providers of these systems. Until such testing is complete and
these vendors and providers have replied to our requests, we will not be able
to completely evaluate whether our information technology systems or non-
information technology systems will need to be revised or replaced.

COSTS
We have not identified any internally used capital equipment or software or
any components of our products that will require an additional material
expenditure. As of September 30, 1999, we have expensed approximately $25,000
for assessing our state of readiness and making upgrades for year 2000
compliance.

RISKS
We are not currently aware of any year 2000 compliance problems relating to
our proprietary software and other products or our information technology or
non-information technology systems that would have a material adverse effect
on our business. We cannot assure you that we will not discover year 2000
compliance problems in our proprietary software and other products that will
require substantial revisions. In addition, we cannot assure you that third-
party software, hardware or services incorporated into our material
information technology and non-information technology systems will not need to
be revised or replaced, all of which could be time consuming and expensive.
Our failure to fix our proprietary software and other products or to fix or
replace third-party software, hardware or services on a timely basis could
result in lost revenues, increased operating costs, the loss of customers and
other business interruptions, any of which could have a material adverse
effect on our business. Moreover, the failure to adequately address year 2000
compliance issues in our proprietary software and other products and our
information technology and non-information technology systems could result in
claims of mismanagement, misrepresentation or breach of contract and related
litigation, which could be costly and time-consuming to defend. In addition,
we cannot assure you that governmental agencies, utility companies, third-
party service providers and others outside our control will be year 2000
compliant. The

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failure by these entities to be year 2000 compliant could result in a systemic
failure beyond our control, such as a prolonged telecommunications or
electrical failure, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business.

CONTINGENCY PLAN
In the event that year 2000-related problems materialize, we maintain
relationships with several suppliers of services and products to mitigate the
risks associated with using suppliers which are not year 2000 compliant.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal
while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments
without significantly increasing risk. Some of the securities that we invest
in may have market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates
may cause the fair value of the principal amount of the investment to
fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with a fixed
interest rate at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate
later rises, the fair value of the principal amount of our investment will
probably decline. To minimize this risk in the future, we intend to maintain
our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of
securities, including commercial paper, money market funds, government and
non-government debt securities. The average duration of all of our investments
has generally been less than one year. Due to the short term nature of these
investments, we believe we have no material exposure to interest rate risk
arising from our investments. Therefore, no quantitative tabular disclosure is
required.

LONG-TERM DEBT

Our long-term debt is denominated in German deutsche marks. We intend to
convert approximately half of this debt into common stock upon the closing of
this offering, and to repay the rest of this debt in cash from the proceeds of
the offering. If the German deutsche mark increases in value relative to the
US dollar before the conversion or repayment, we will have to issue more
shares or cash to retire the debt. A 1% increase in the value of German
deutsche marks relative to the US dollar would result in a $55,000 unrealized
foreign translation loss.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RATE FLUCTUATIONS

The functional currency for our German subsidiary is the deutsche mark. The
German subsidiary's accounts are translated from the German deutsche mark to
the US dollar using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet
date, for balance sheet accounts, and using the average exchange rate during
the period for revenues and expense accounts. The effects of translation are
recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Our German
subsidiary conducts its business with customers in local European currencies.
Exchange gains and losses arising from these transactions are recorded using
the actual exchange differences on the date of the transaction. We have not
taken any action to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency
exchange rates, such as options or futures contracts, with respect to
transactions with our German subsidiaries or transactions with our European
customers. The net tangible assets of our German subsidiary, without regard to
the long-term debt, were $4.6 million at September 30, 1999. A 1% decrease in
the value of German deutsche marks relative to the US dollar would result in a
$46,000 unrealized foreign translation loss.

INFLATION
We do not believe that inflation has had a material adverse impact on our
business or operating results during the periods presented.

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This statement
changes the previous accounting definition of derivative--which focused on
freestanding contracts such as options and forwards, including futures and
swaps--expanding it to include embedded derivatives and many commodity
contracts. Under the statement, every derivative is recorded in the balance
sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. The
statement requires that changes in the derivatives fair value be recognized
currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. SFAS
No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. We do not
anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will have a material impact on
our financial position or results of operations.

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Business

BACKGROUND

DNA, GENES AND THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is present in all living cells and is
responsible for determining the inherited characteristics of all living
organisms. Each DNA molecule contains two complementary strands comprised of
four different types of nucleotide bases, commonly known as G, C, A and T. The
order of these letters is called the DNA sequence. Each G on one strand pairs
with a C on the complementary strand, and similarly each A pairs with a T. The
entire DNA content of an organism is called its genome.

The human genome is organized into 46 chromosomes, or two sets of 23
chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent. Each chromosome is one
continuous double-stranded DNA molecule. The DNA contributed by one parent is
called the haploid genome. The DNA content of one haploid genome is
approximately 4 billion bases, which is organized into more than 100,000
distinct genes. Genes are segments of DNA located throughout the chromosomes.
Since parents are not identical, each individual has two similar but slightly
different copies of each chromosome and therefore two copies of each gene.
Genes comprise approximately 5% of the DNA in a human cell. Some additional
amount is used to regulate DNA function. More than 90% of the DNA has no known
function.

All cells contain a full copy of DNA, but each cell type expresses only those
genes necessary for its specific function. When a gene is expressed, a copy of
its DNA sequence, called messenger RNA, is used as a template to direct the
synthesis of a protein. Proteins are composed of 20 different constituents
called amino acids. Three adjacent letters of DNA, known as a codon, direct
the position and identity of one amino acid in a protein. Cells use proteins
to carry out their functions. For example, blood cells use the protein
hemoglobin to transport oxygen and muscle cells use the protein myoglobin to
store oxygen. Likewise, pancreatic islet cells secrete the protein insulin to
regulate blood sugar levels. DNA sequences referred to as regulatory elements
help to determine where a protein is made and in what quantities. For an
individual to be healthy, the correct proteins must be produced at the right
time in the appropriate amounts in the correct cells. DNA variations can
change the properties of a protein, or where, when or how much of a protein is
produced.

In order to develop new medical treatments and diagnostics based on genetic
information, efforts to sequence human DNA began in the mid-1980s when the
technology for sequencing became available. Efforts funded by governments and
foundations began in earnest by the end of the 1980s. These efforts came to be
known as the Human Genome Project. This project is expected to produce a rough
draft of the human DNA sequence by March 2000, with a complete draft expected
in several years. The overall public sector expenditure is expected to
approach $3 billion. In parallel with the public sector effort, a large
private sector effort emerged in the early 1990s. Unlike the public effort
that targets the entire genome, commercial efforts have focused on sequencing
the genes themselves. This private effort claims to have identified many human
genes some of which have been made available for a variety of biological and
biomedical studies.

GENETIC VARIABILITY AND SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS, OR SNPS
Each individual has two identical copies of many genes, but some genes
inherited from the mother will be different from their counterpart inherited
from the father. A difference in one or more letters of a DNA sequence,
referred to as a genetic variation, can modify the way a gene functions.
Genetic variations lead to a spectrum of observable differences, such as eye
and hair color. Genetic variations are

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also a major component of nearly all diseases, including cancer, diabetes and
cardiovascular disease. Many chronic diseases are affected by multiple genetic
variations.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, are the most common type of genetic
variation. SNPs are a change in a single letter of DNA text, such as replacing
a G with a T in one location and on the complementary DNA strand replacing a C
with an A. Another common variation is the insertion or deletion of one or
several letters. A third common variation is an increase or decrease in the
length of simple repeating DNA sequences. Nearly every person carries numerous
examples of each of these three kinds of variations, some of which can result
in disease.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OR GENOTYPING
The process of determining the SNPs present in an individual is called
genotyping. It is estimated that there are 3 million to 10 million SNPs
inherited from each parent. Some SNPs are a major cause of inherited diseases
and are responsible for most individual differences in drug responsiveness;
however, most SNPs are of no medical consequence. For example, if the third
letter of a codon varies, the result is usually to produce the same amino acid
or one with similar properties. However, to date, thousands of SNPs have been
identified as medically relevant. Many genes exist in highly redundant sets so
that even if one is totally removed, there are no functional consequences. We
believe that only one SNP in a thousand may be medically relevant to disease
susceptibility or responsiveness to disease therapy. To capture this
information, tens of thousands of SNPs will have to be measured in each
individual.

Existing DNA sequence databases with samples from multiple individuals contain
many clues about potential sites in the human genome where SNPs occur.
Sequence variation between these individuals may suggest the presence of a
SNP. Ongoing sequencing efforts promise to increase the amount of available
sequence data tremendously and should discover most human SNPs within the next
few years.

After a SNP is discovered, its potential relevance for human health must be
validated by determining how common the variation is in different segments of
the population. To identify the small subset of SNPs that occur with the
greatest frequency in human disease or are responsible for variations in drug
responsiveness, hundreds of millions of SNP measurements must be made and
correlated with health and other physical and mental features of interest.
SNPs with a validated medical relevance may be used for drug development and
human medical diagnostics. Identification of these SNPs will require a highly
accurate, high throughput DNA analysis technology at a competitive cost.

PERSONALIZED MEDICINE OR PHARMACOGENOMICS
It has long been known that people respond differently to the same drug. The
field of pharmacogenomics studies these variations in drug response based on
genetic differences. The emerging ability to correlate drug responses with
SNPs promises to enable doctors to prescribe appropriate drugs to patients
with the goal of maximizing drug response and minimizing side effects. For
example, a test that could distinguish poor responders from good responders to
drugs in which more than one therapeutic alternative exists could
significantly reduce health care costs. In addition, pharmacogenomics may
allow pharmaceutical companies to include a genetic component in the design of
clinical trials so that the candidate drug is targeted to individuals with a
specific genotype. Genetic variations shown to correlate with poor efficacy
could be used as a basis for excluding non-responders from clinical trials
thereby potentially improving results and reducing the costs of clinical
trials.

SNPS IN AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
As living organisms, plants and animals are composed of cells that contain
DNA. As with humans, genetic variations in plants and animals result in
differences in species characteristics. For example, plants

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may have SNPs responsible for differences in resistance to insects and
herbicides or agricultural yields. Likewise, animals may have SNPs responsible
for traits such as variations in milk production, fat content of meat or
fertility. Plant and animal SNPs can be exploited through selective breeding
to develop plants and animals with desired quality traits.

SNP MARKET
The SNP genotyping market represents a significant portion of both the biochip
market and the DNA sequencing market. The SNP genotyping market can be divided
into three segments:

 . confirmation of new sites of genetic variation in DNA, which typically
  requires the analysis of a SNP in up to a hundred people;

 . determination of the medical importance of SNPs, which typically requires
  the analysis of a SNP in a few thousand diseased and healthy people; and

 . utilization of SNPs in genomics-based drug development, disease
  predisposition determination and diagnostic test development, which may
  require the analysis of multiple SNPs in millions of people.

Several companies claim to have identified, in the aggregate, more than 50,000
SNPs, and The SNP Consortium, comprised of drug companies and public entities,
has announced a group effort to discover 300,000 more. If The SNP Consortium
successfully identifies 300,000 SNPs and seeks to discover the associated
disease genes, they would have to conduct a case study involving several
thousand people, which would require the analysis of hundreds of millions of
SNPs.

CURRENT GENOMICS ANALYSIS TOOLS AND LIMITATIONS

Current DNA analysis technologies have been developed primarily to conduct DNA
research including DNA sequencing and expression profiling. Presently, the two
leading methods are gel electrophoresis and hybridization.

Gel electrophoresis measures how far a DNA fragment migrates through the pores
of gels in response to an applied electrical field over a fixed time interval.
DNA can be sequenced by using enzymes to copy a DNA sequence. The enzymes
begin at a fixed point and then terminate at all positions where an A occurs.
Gel electrophoresis is then used to measure the lengths of the terminated
sequences and thereby the location of all As. When this process is repeated
three more times for C, T and G, the resulting information can be lined up to
generate a complete sequence. In order to make this method totally accurate,
the same experiment must be repeated multiple times. In a single run,
commercial DNA sequencers using this gel-based method can measure up to 600
bases with a statistically significant error-rate.

Hybridization arrays, or biochips, use single stranded DNA fragments
immobilized on a flat surface in known positions. These are powerful tools for
the analysis of gene expression, but can also be used for gene sequencing.
When used for gene sequencing, DNA fragments of varying lengths labeled with a
fluorescent tag are washed over the surface of the biochip. These DNA
fragments then specifically interact, or hybridize, with a complementary
sequence immobilized on the biochip and can be detected using a fluorescent
microscope. Because the position of the complementary sequence on the biochip
is known, the sequence of the target DNA fragment can be determined by reading
the biochip. However, because DNA fragments sometimes bind to strands that are
not fully complementary, hybridization arrays do not correctly detect all of
the sequence information in a target sample.

Gel electrophoresis and hybridization play an interim role in determining SNP
function and analysis as these methods are well accepted and established for
research applications. However, neither of these two

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methods is ideally suited to the analysis of sequence variations. In both
cases, the analytical process examines many nucleotides of a sequence even
though the target variation may occur at a single site. This increases the
cost, complexity and time involved in the analytical process. In order to be
able to measure thousands of SNPs in thousands of samples, one must focus on
the SNPs themselves with methods that are cost-effective, accurate and fully
automated.

At the site of any SNP, one must analyze simultaneously the variant inherited
from each parent. If each parent has a different SNP at the same position, the
difficulty of detecting those variations is magnified because only one-half of
the DNA from each parent is available to generate a signal. In addition, in
practice, one SNP variant may be present at a lower concentration than the
other and therefore may be undetectable or generate an ambiguous signal using
conventional methods. Using gel electrophoresis and hybridization, the
detection of these multiple SNP variants is therefore often unreliable.

To reduce costs, many users of SNP assays are trying to perform two or more
assays in a single tube and read the results simultaneously. This may involve
different SNPs in the same individual or the same SNP in different
individuals. Current gel technology limits this process to four available
dyes, and simultaneous assays involving multiple individuals are impossible on
biochips. However, biochips are theoretically capable of simultaneously
analyzing many SNPs for a single individual, but their utility is limited by
low accuracy. The large quantity of reagents and labor-intensive data
processing needed to achieve useable results are also cost limitations when
using current technologies for large-scale genotyping. Reagent costs represent
most of the sample preparation costs. Data analysis costs associated with
current gel or hybridization-based assays using fluorescent detection are
estimated to be most of the overall costs.

Errors in SNP analysis have serious consequences. In studies to correlate
identified SNPs with disease conditions, it has been estimated that to
compensate for a 1% error rate in individual measurements, the study
population would have to increase by a factor of three. This significantly
increases the cost of a SNP study. In addition, in order to accurately
identify a real SNP from a sequencing error when the sequencing error occurs
with a frequency of 1%, a suspected SNP has to be verified through repetitive
sequencing. When identifying 10,000 SNPs in an individual, 100 SNPs may be
incorrectly determined using gel electrophoresis, with no ability to determine
where the errors occurred. Therefore, the value of using gel electrophoresis
as a SNP analysis tool is dramatically reduced unless the test is repeated
several times. As a result, when genotyping SNPs on an industrial scale, a 1%
error rate becomes cost-prohibitive.

THE SEQUENOM SOLUTION--INDUSTRIAL GENOMICS

We are a pioneer in the new field of industrial genomics. To draw conclusions
from huge data sets associated with genotyping, we have developed a highly
accurate, high throughput and cost-effective technology that addresses the
demand for large-scale SNP analysis. Our MassArray system represents a novel
approach to genotyping by combining our proprietary enzymology and software
processing of biological data, or bioinformatics, in a miniaturized chip-based
format with the proven technology of mass spectrometry. The accuracy, high
throughput, miniaturization and automation to minimize labor represent major
cost savings potentials.

ACCURACY
The MassArray system analyzes molecules directly and accurately by determining
their molecular weight, an intrinsic property. Our technology eliminates the
use of labels, such as fluorescent labels, which is an indirect way of
analyzing molecules and is a common source of ambiguous results. Therefore,
because

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we capture direct information about molecules, we are able to obtain a high
level of accuracy and eliminate the need to do repetitive testing of each
sample.

THROUGHPUT
Our MassArray system can analyze a sample in three seconds, which is
significantly faster than currently available gel electrophoresis and
hybridization processes. These processes can require minutes to hours to
analyze a sample. In addition, our system eliminates the need for repetitive
testing of every sample, thereby increasing throughput, or the number of
different samples that can be analyzed in a given time period. Throughput
using the MassArray system can be further enhanced by full automation and also
by running more than one experiment simultaneously.

FLEXIBILITY
MassArray can be rapidly reconfigured for new analyses. A test to analyze a
newly discovered SNP can be designed in several days. In addition to SNPs,
simple sequence repeats, short DNA sequencing reads, and the analysis of
proteins and metabolites can all be carried out using the same MassArray
technology.

COST
Our MassArray system significantly reduces the costs associated with SNP
analysis by reducing reaction volume and reagent requirements, enhancing data
processing and eliminating repetitive testing of every sample to verify
results. Our proprietary SpectroCHIP is capable of working with nanoliters,
which is one thousandth of the sample volume generally used with other
technologies. This ability to miniaturize the sample volume significantly
reduces reagent costs. Our proprietary bioinformatics reduce expensive data
interpretation time and labor by rendering raw data points directly
interpretable without extensive data processing and allowing for significant
data compression.

SEQUENOM STRATEGY

Our goal is to become the leader in the emerging markets of industrial
genomics and diagnostics by making our MassArray system the market standard
for industrial scale SNP analysis. Our strategy is to capitalize on the
quickly emerging demand for genotyping in the areas of drug target discovery,
drug development, DNA diagnostics, patient stratification by genetic traits,
clinical trials, seed development and livestock breeding. Key elements of our
strategy consist of the following:

DEVELOP RECURRING REVENUE STREAM THROUGH DISPOSABLE PRODUCT SALES
We seek to establish an installed base of instruments that require the use of
various disposables, including our BiomassPROBE kits and single-use
SpectroCHIPs. As our installed base of MassArray systems grows, we expect the
majority of our ongoing revenue stream will consist of sales of these
disposables.

FOCUS ON KEY ACCOUNTS AND PRODUCT AREAS
We are seeking to penetrate the genotyping market by establishing commercial
relationships with opinion leaders and identifying areas of potential
widespread interest. We have initiated this effort by selecting highly visible
academic, government and commercial centers to validate our MassArray system
in beta site testing. In addition, we intend to develop proprietary disposable
assays and software products that are useful for popular areas of scientific
investigation--first as research tools to confirm the association of
particular SNPs with particular diseases and subsequently as diagnostic kits
that can be sold for basic SNP profiling.

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RETAIN COMMERCIAL RIGHTS
We will seek to retain commercial rights to tests that we develop on behalf of
or together with third parties in exchange for providing our assay development
capacity and expertise. By obtaining commercial rights to assays that we
initially develop for key accounts, we will seek to develop a broad product
offering that will appeal to a large group of potential customers. We intend
to identify in collaboration with these customers SNP sets for which genetic
function has been determined and validated to enable the multi-dimensional
understanding of the medical and environmental components of disease. Together
with our customers, we intend to develop knowledge-based genomic products that
combine pharmaceutical, medical and genetic information, such as validated SNP
sets for specific diseases.

ADDRESS MULTIPLE MARKET SEGMENTS
We are introducing our technology into existing markets that have an immediate
need for SNP validation and high throughput genotyping. We will seek to expand
our marketing efforts as additional SNP analysis becomes necessary for genomic
drug development, clinical DNA diagnostics, pharmacogenomics and agricultural
genomics.

EXPAND APPLICATIONS FOR MASSARRAY TECHNOLOGY
Because molecular weight is an intrinsic property of all molecules, our
MassArray technology can serve as a platform for the analysis of many
biomolecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates and metabolites. This leads to
the understanding of the multidimensional aspects of genetic diversity,
including how DNA, RNA, proteins and resulting metabolites contribute to
traits, such as drug response and disease susceptibility. We intend to use
this flexibility to develop new products for applications in areas other than
DNA and SNP analysis.

MASSARRAY TECHNOLOGY

The starting point for SNP analysis using the MassArray system is genomic DNA
that is easily accessed in a sample of biological material such as blood. A
small amount of blood provides sufficient material to allow tens of thousands
of SNPs to be analyzed in one individual. DNA is prepared by standard
procedures that break open the blood cells, release the DNA and discard other
material. Next, specific DNA regions, about 200 base pairs in length, are
amplified by enzymatic reactions into multiple copies to produce more
concentrated samples for easier analysis. The amplified fragments are then
attached by one strand to a solid surface and the non-immobilized strands are
removed by standard denaturation conditions. The immobilized single strand
then serves as a template for additional automated enzymatic reactions that
produce the analytical samples. The products of these reactions are removed
from the solid surface prior to mass spectrometry. All these steps are
performed in the same reaction tube lending the entire process to full
automation. Very small quantities of the products, typically five to ten
nanoliters, are transferred with the SpectroJET nanoliter dispensing system
onto the SpectroCHIP for subsequent automatic analysis with the SpectroSCAN
mass spectrometer. Because the four different text letters have different
weights, measuring the weights reveals the identity of the letters. The
Genolyzer software then calculates, records, compares and reports the
genotypes at the rate of three seconds per sample.

Our fundamental proprietary technology is based on the integration of four
components:

 . mass spectrometry;

 . chips as miniaturized launching pads;

 . MassArray applications and assays; and

 . bioinformatics.

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MASS SPECTROMETRY
Our MassArray system has enabled the use of mass spectrometry for high
throughput automated SNP analysis. Using mass spectrometry to measure
relatively small molecules is a proven technology because it directly and
accurately determines molecular weight. While mass spectrometry has existed in
many variations for several decades, it could not be used for larger
biomolecules because they were fragmented during the process and therefore
could not be measured as whole molecules.

Our MassArray system uses technology called MALDI-TOF, or Matrix-Assisted-
Laser-Desorption/ Ionization-Time-of-Flight, mass spectrometry. Through the
combination of MALDI-TOF and our proprietary SpectroCHIP and enzymology, we
are now capable of effectively analyzing biomolecules in an automated mode. In
the MALDI-TOF process, the target molecules are mixed with light-absorbing
molecules to form a crystalline matrix on the surface of our SpectroCHIP. In a
process known as desorption, this matrix is hit with a pulse of laser beam.
The laser energy vaporizes the matrix molecules that then carry the target
molecules aloft. During the process, some of the molecules acquire a charge,
or become ionized. Next an electrical field pulse launches the charged
molecules down a flight tube toward a detector. The time between the
electrical field pulse and collision with the detector is measured, and is
referred to as time-of-flight. Time-of-flight is directly correlated to
molecular weight because large molecules fly slower than small molecules. All
the steps in the MALDI-TOF process are accomplished in less than a thousandth
of a second.

CHIPS AS MINIATURIZED LAUNCHING PADS
SpectroCHIPs are flat silicon wafers with an array of 96 small, evenly spaced
water-attracting spots surrounded by water-repelling surface areas. Because
biomolecules are water soluble, they migrate to the water-attracting spots.
These spots are treated with the light-absorbing matrix that makes the mass
spectrometry of biomolecules possible. As such, our proprietary SpectroCHIPs
serve as a launching pad for vaporizing a variety of biomolecules
appropriately prepared for use with the MassArray system. In addition, the
SpectroCHIPs are essential for the miniaturization and automation of the
MALDI-TOF process. A SpectroCHIP's high precision surface structure allows
very small samples to be accurately positioned and distributed uniformly into
an array format which serves as an effective launching pad for the automated
MALDI-TOF process.

The DNA samples are transferred from a microtiter plate to the spots on the
chip using our SpectroJET nanoliter dispensing unit. Ten chips then can be
positioned on a cartridge and transferred to the SpectroSCAN array reading
mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer utilizes our proprietary Genolyzer
software and sequentially scans the positions on the array in a fully
automated mode, completing each scan within three seconds. This proprietary
technology to shrink the scale of samples from microliter to nanoliter volumes
is the key element for highly accurate and automatic data acquisition.

ASSAYS AND ENZYMATIC REACTIONS
A key element of the MassArray system is the BioMASS assay. An assay is a test
that provides analytical information about a reaction of interest, such as the
weight of a biomolecule. In order to use our MassArray system, the user must
prepare the sample using the BioMASS assay. The central components of any
BioMASS assay are ingredients such as beads for immobilization and buffer
solutions for conditioning the sample necessary for mass spectrometry
analysis. Every SNP analysis using our MassArray system requires the use of a
BioMASS assay. Prior to the BioMASS assay, DNA must be extracted from cells
and a specific segment must be amplified using commercially available kits.
The BioMASS assay includes all of the ingredients required to prepare a DNA
fragment for SNP analysis, except the enzymes and nucleotide building blocks
which are necessary for the primer extension reaction. The primer extension
reaction known as a BiomassPROBE assay is the step where a known sequence of

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DNA, known as a primer, binds to a specific region of DNA in which a SNP is
located. Users of the MassArray system can prepare their own primer extension
reaction, or we can collaborate with customers to develop a customized primer
extension reaction by way of assay design. When we develop primer extension
reactions for the analysis of specific SNPs, customers can purchase a specific
BiomassPROBE assay from us that contains the customized primer extension
reaction for the SNP of interest. We currently offer a generic BiomassPROBE
assay kit and are collaborating with our beta site and pre-launch users on a
variety of SNP-specific BiomassPROBE assays. In the future, we intend to
develop chips that allow the performance of BiomassPROBE reactions in a
miniaturized format on the surface of the chip.

BIOINFORMATICS
The Genolyzer software calculates, records, compares and reports the genotypes
at the rate of three seconds per sample. It includes advanced digital signal
processing, data compression and interpretation to achieve full automation of
the analysis and archiving of molecular weight signals as SNP genotypes. This
software distinguishes between signal and noise, identifies patterns that
correspond to assays and interprets the signals as SNP genotypes without
labor-intensive data processing.

PRODUCTS

We have developed a suite of products that we collectively call the MassArray
system. The MassArray system consists of the SpectroSCAN array-scanning mass
spectrometer, SpectroJET nanoliter-dispensing unit, a MassArray kit and the
Genolyzer MassArray workstation. The MassArray kit contains the BiomassPROBE
assay including the SpectroCHIP, buffer solutions and enzymes. The hardware
components, including the mass spectrometer and the dispensing unit, are off-
the-shelf instruments modified to run our MassArray technology.

We are currently in beta site testing of our system for high throughput,
highly accurate SNP analysis. We commenced a commercial launch during the
fourth quarter of 1999. To date, our MassArray system has been installed at
six sites, all of which are beta testing our product. Current sites include
Genzyme, USDA, National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute in
the United States and University of Munster and GLE Medicon in Germany.

MASSARRAY SYSTEM
Our MassArray system consists of hardware, software and disposable components:

HARDWARE COMPONENTS
The MassArray system is a series of integrated hardware components that
processes prepared DNA samples for SNP reading and analysis. The 96-well
microtiter plates contain prepared samples of extended DNA fragments. Samples
from each well are then transferred by the dispensing unit onto an array of
individual water-attracting spots that are located on the surface of the
SpectroCHIPs. The SpectroCHIPs are then run through the mass spectrometer for
SNP reading and analysis.

Sample preparation system and automation
The MassArray system has been designed to be either partially automated using
a customized 96-channel microliter dispenser or fully automated with the
addition of our automated process line for users with industrial-scale
throughput needs. Our process line links several liquid-handling modules using
a robot to fully automate the DNA sample preparation process including
amplification, enzymatic extension and conditioning for SNP analysis. The
process line has been designed for a capacity of up to 100-microtiter plates
per 24 hours.

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SpectroJET nanoliter-dispensing unit
The SpectroJET nanoliter-dispensing unit is a liquid-handling module that
transfers samples from microtiter plates to the SpectroCHIP. The SpectroJET
dispenses nanoliter volumes of DNA samples onto precise locations on the
SpectroCHIP's surface.

The reading system
The SpectroSCAN array mass spectrometer is the analytical component of the
MassArray system adapted specifically for the analysis of our SpectroCHIPs. We
have adapted the mass spectrometer to analyze interchangeable cartridges
holding 10 SpectroCHIPs in the SpectroSCAN. This dramatically improves the
automation and throughput of our MassArray system because all the positions on
the 10 chips can be analyzed in a single, automated, unattended run. The
SpectroSCAN separates, detects and characterizes the SNPs according to their
different molecular weights.

SOFTWARE COMPONENT

Interpretation software
Our suite of software products, called the MassArray Genolyzer, incorporates
proprietary modules for molecular weight recognition and data compression and
interpretation. The software correlates a reading from the SpectroSCAN with a
genotype in the SNP sample. The MassArray technology allows the Genolyzer
software to interpret raw data without extensive processing. This reduces the
amount of time and computer resources necessary and increases the reliability
for SNP analysis. The MassArray Genolyzer runs on Windows NT and uses an
Oracle database.

DISPOSABLE COMPONENTS

The SpectroCHIP
The key component of our MassArray system is our SpectroCHIP, a small,
approximately 2x3 cm, silicon chip. The SpectroCHIP allows for reliable and
automated scanning of samples of the array and substantially increases the
capacity of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Additional throughput can be obtained
by simultaneously preparing DNA fragments for multiple SNP analysis, a process
referred to as multiplexing. Samples are placed on the surface of the
SpectroCHIP using our SpectroJET nanoliter- dispenser. SpectroCHIPs are
designed for single-use only and we expect their consumption to generate a
recurring revenue stream.

MassArray kit
The MassArray kit consists of a BiomassPROBE assay including the SpectroCHIP,
buffer solutions and enzymes. Each kit can be used to read and analyze 10
SpectroCHIPs for a total of 960 reactions. We have in-house expertise to
design specific assays in collaboration with our customers that deliver highly
accurate results. In addition, our assays serve a wide range of applications
and can be designed for simultaneous analyses.

POPULATION-BASED DNA BANK
We have established a population-based DNA bank as a value-added universal
reference tool for demonstrating the medical importance of genetic variances
potentially involved in the development of diseases. We intend to sell access
or license subscriptions to this resource to pharmaceutical and genomics
companies to validate the existence of potential SNPs. Our bank complements
the patient-based DNA banks collected by these potential customers, which are
typically disease specific. We believe the data sets derived will represent
essential tools for decision making in genomic drug development and the
interpretation of diagnostic and genetic profiling results.

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Our DNA bank currently consists of approximately 7,000 individual samples
collected from the North American continent. These samples were collected
using stringent criteria and are sorted by age, sex and ethnicity. We have the
capacity to increase the size of our bank to include tens of thousands of
samples.

Future product development
Our product development efforts will seek to provide value-added applications
for a broader customer base and advanced MassArray systems that offer reduced
cost and higher throughput.

384 SpectroCHIP
We intend to introduce a SpectroCHIP with 384 sample spots on the chip
surface. The size of the silicon chip will remain the same. This chip may
significantly increase sample throughput and reduce reagent consumption per
sample.

Future-generation functionalized SpectroCHIP
We intend to further miniaturize by moving some of the DNA sample preparation
steps onto the chip surface. With the functionalized SpectroCHIP, the
enzymatic reactions will take place on the surface of the chip thereby
eliminating the need for the microtiter plate, providing a significant
reduction in reaction volumes.

The MassArray integrated system and bioinformatics
The implementation of the functionalized chip should allow us to integrate all
steps of the DNA analysis process, including sample preparation, into one
automated system. We intend for the MassArray integrated system and
bioinformatics to be compatible with all leading commercial and public domain
genetic database formats so customers will be able to integrate the MassArray
system seamlessly into whichever downstream analytical processes they prefer.

Future applications
Our MassArray system is not restricted to DNA analysis. It can analyze a broad
range of molecules of medical and biological importance, such as proteins,
carbohydrates and metabolites. We intend to make enhancements to our MassArray
system for the analysis of additional medically relevant biomolecules.

COMMERCIAL LAUNCH PLAN

We are a development stage company. To date, we have received no revenue from
our commercial operations.

Pre-launch and beta testing program

In July 1999 we started the implementation of our pre-launch and beta testing
program with the placement of six MassArray systems. All six of our pre-launch
sites are part of our beta testing program. Our beta test program agreements
generally include a time period of 6 to 18 months in which the users receive a
MassArray system, SpectroCHIPs and site support free of charge. In exchange
for their participation in the program, the user must provide us with
information regarding system performance and assay results. One of our beta
test site customers has agreed to purchase our MassArray system. In addition,
some of our agreements require the user to make one or more payments during
the beta test period. Amounts received under these arrangements are recorded
as customer advances and total $100,000 as of September 30, 1999. Costs
related to these arrangements totaled approximately $700,000 through December
31, 1999, and are not expected to exceed $3 million for the remaining term of
the arrangements. We believe these arrangements have the following value:

  . customer feedback has enabled us to enhance our products;

  . our association with these beta sites is expected to provide validation
    of our system since these collaborators are highly visible; and

  . we will eventually derive revenue if the customers accept our products.

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Product design, which includes feedback from our customers, has progressed to
a stage where we are able to commercially launch our product. The pre-launch
users were selected based on the following criteria:

 . those entities within the genomic community with high visibility, proven
  expertise and which generally adopt new technologies before others;

 . coverage of diverse programs in basic genomic research, agricultural
  genomics, human DNA diagnostics and genomic drug discovery and development;

 . substantial genotyping demands in terms of both sample volumes and
  number/complexity of assays to be designed;

 . willingness and ability to provide beta testing feedback; and

 . potential for conversion into a commercial customer.

We have placed MassArray systems with:

 . United States Department of Agriculture Meat Animal Research Center;

 . Genzyme Corporation;

 . National Cancer Institute;

 . National Institutes of Health--Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

 . University of Munster, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
  Medicine; and

 . GLE Medicon GmbH, Hamburg.

KEY ACCOUNT PRODUCT LAUNCH
We commercially launched the MassArray system through a key account strategy
during the fourth quarter of 1999. We have initiated this effort by selecting
highly visible academic, government and commercial centers to validate our
MassArray system in beta site testing. We intend to focus on these users in
order to establish our MassArray system as the method of choice in SNP
analysis.

SALES AND MARKETING
Our sales strategy is to initially place systems and then promote ongoing
disposables and assay sales and system upgrades. The initial placement is
executed by a business development team with expertise in the pharmaceutical
industry, drug development and contract marketing. Identification and active
development of lead customer contacts is based on a thorough knowledge of the
marketplace and supported by highly visible scientists employed by or
associated with us. The sales and marketing team, which has core competencies
in molecular biology, biochemistry, microfluidics and mass spectrometry,
focuses on ongoing disposables and new product sales. These teams collectively
consist of 12 people and are based out of our San Diego, Boston and Hamburg
offices. We expect to add additional business development and sales and
marketing team members to commercialize our MassArray system.

All our facilities have MassArray systems available for demonstration and
customer training purposes. Fully automated high throughput process lines have
been installed in San Diego and Hamburg for large-scale assay design projects
and high value marker function programs.


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OPERATIONS

We manufacture SpectroCHIPs, required reagents and Genolyzer software at our
San Diego facility. Total current capacity of this facility is estimated at
100,000 SpectroCHIPs a year with the ability to double our manufacturing
capacity at the existing facility.

The manufacturing area is designed to optimize material flow and personnel
movement with all the manufacturing and quality control operations located in
one area. Critical components are produced in an environmentally controlled
clean room and isolated from the rest of the facility in compliance with
quality system requirements, or QSRs, and ISO 9001 registration standards.
Access and safety features are designed to meet federal, state and local
health ordinances.

We have established some and intend to develop additional alternate/multiple
sources of system components other than those produced in-house. Current major
equipment suppliers are Bruker Datonik GmbH and PE Biosystems for mass
spectrometers, GeSIM GmbH for the nanoliter-dispensing unit, Beckman
Instruments, Inc. for the 96-channel dispenser, and Robocon Incorporated for
the robotic components of the automated process line.

We utilize a company-wide enterprise resource planning system to manage and
control our material and product inventories. This system encompasses product
costing, materials procurement, production planning and scheduling, inventory
tracking and control, product engineering and configuration control, with
links to document control for all manufacturing, quality control, quality
assurance and regulatory compliance procedures.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

To establish and protect our proprietary technologies and products, we rely on
a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well
as confidentiality provisions in our contracts.

We have implemented an aggressive patent strategy designed to provide us with
freedom to operate and facilitate commercialization of our current and future
products. Focusing on a global economy, our patent portfolio reflects our
transatlantic nature and includes 47 pending patent applications in the United
States and corresponding international and foreign filings in major industrial
nations. We currently own nine and license five issued patents in the United
States and have received notices of allowances for five additional patent
applications. We also own two foreign issued patents.

Our patent strategy uniquely positions us by providing patent protection for
systems and technology that allows the direct detection of biomolecules
without labels using mass spectrometry in a manner amenable to high throughput
genotyping.

The issued, allowed and pending patents distinguish us from competitors by
claiming proprietary methods for directly genotyping DNA and other
biomolecules by measuring the mass of the molecules without requiring labels
for detection. Claims to these novel methods include protection for carrying
out biopolymer purification and diagnostic methods in solution or directly by
immobilization on solid supports such as beads or chip surfaces. These methods
also allow multiplexing or analysis of more than one sample both in a single
reaction and as arrays of compounds allowing the system to be easily amenable
to high throughput genotyping. Industrial genomics is possible because mass
spectrometric analysis can be miniaturized and therefore automated. We have
extensive patent protection for novel nanoliter liquid dispensing systems and
pending claims to multifunctional solid surfaces containing nanoliter sized
elements including our SpectroCHIP. Generally, US patents have a term of 17
years from the date of issue for patents issued from applications filed with
the US Patent Office prior to June 8,

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1995, and 20 years from the application filing date or earlier claimed
priority date in the case of patents issued from applications filed on or
after June 8, 1995. Patents in most other countries have a term of 20 years
from the date of filing the patent application. Our issued United States
patents will expire between 2013 and 2017. Our success depends to a
significant degree upon our ability to develop proprietary products and
technologies. We intend to continue to file patent applications as we develop
new products and technologies.

Patents provide some degree of protection for our intellectual property.
However, the assertion of patent protection involves complex legal and factual
determinations and is therefore uncertain. In addition, the laws governing
patentability and the scope of patent coverage continue to evolve,
particularly in the areas of molecular biology of interest to us. As a result,
there can be no assurance that patents will issue from any of our patent
applications or from applications licensed to us. The scope of any of our
issued patents may not be sufficiently broad to offer meaningful protection.
In addition, our issued patents or patents licensed to us may be successfully
challenged, invalidated, circumvented or unenforceable so that our patent
rights would not create an effective competitive barrier. Moreover, the laws
of some foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights to the same
extent as do the laws of the United States and Canada. In view of these
factors, our intellectual property positions bear some degree of uncertainty.

We also rely in part on trade secret protection of our intellectual property.
We attempt to protect our trade secrets by entering into confidentiality
agreements with third parties, employees and consultants. Our employees and
consultants also sign agreements requiring that they assign to us their
interests in patents and copyrights arising from their work for us. All
employees sign an agreement not to compete unfairly with us during their
employment and upon termination of their employment, through the misuse of
confidential information, soliciting employees, soliciting customers, and the
like. However, it is possible that these agreements may be breached or
invalidated and if so, there may not be an adequate corrective remedy
available. Despite the measures we have taken to protect our intellectual
property, we cannot assure you that third parties will not breach the
confidentiality provisions in our contracts or infringe or misappropriate our
patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other proprietary rights.
In addition, we cannot assure you that third parties will not independently
discover or invent competing technologies or reverse engineer our trade
secrets, or other technology. Therefore, the measures we are taking to protect
our proprietary rights may not be adequate.

Although we are not a party to any material legal proceedings, in the future,
third parties may file claims asserting that our technologies or products
infringe on their intellectual property. We cannot predict whether third
parties will assert such claims against us or against the licensors of
technology licensed to us, or whether those claims will harm our business. If
we are forced to defend against such claims, whether they are with or without
any merit, whether they are resolved in favor of or against us or our
licensors, we may face costly litigation and diversion of management's
attention and resources. As a result of such disputes, we may have to develop
costly non-infringing technology, or enter into licensing agreements. These
agreements, if necessary, may be unavailable on terms acceptable to us, or at
all, which could seriously harm our business or financial condition.

COLLABORATION AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS

We have a collaboration agreement with Bruker-Franzen Analytik GmbH under
which we cooperate in the manufacture, marketing and customer service of a
product designed for the exclusive processing of our SpectroCHIPs under a
joint Bruker-Franzen-Sequenom label. Under the agreement, Bruker-Franzen
designs, manufactures and supplies the product to the market. We provide
nucleic acid analysis services to customers and to corporate partners using
our MassArray system and develop, manufacture and market SpectroCHIPs for
various applications. Either party may terminate this agreement upon 12
months' notice.

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We have entered into a patent and know-how license agreement with the Trustees
of Boston University under which Boston University granted to us a worldwide
license to some of its patents as well as technical assistance, and we agreed
to make royalty payments. Boston University may license the patents to others
under specified circumstances if we fail to put the technology to commercial
use or make it available to the public. We may terminate this agreement upon
written notice to the university. In any event, this agreement will expire
when the last licensed patent expires.

We have entered into a license agreement with The Johns Hopkins University
under which the university granted to us a worldwide license to some of its
patents related to mass spectrometer instruments. Johns Hopkins also agreed to
provide related technical assistance. We agreed to pay a processing fee,
maintenance fee and to make royalty payments. Johns Hopkins reserves specified
rights to the patents in the event that we fail to put the technology to
commercial use or make it available to the public. We may terminate this
agreement upon written notice to the university. In any event, this agreement
will expire when the last licensed patent expires.

We also entered into a license agreement with Prof. Dr. Franz Hillenkamp, a
member of our scientific advisory board, under which Dr. Hillenkamp granted us
licenses to specified present and future patents in exchange for royalty
payments. We agreed to refund all of Dr. Hillenkamp's expenses that he had
incurred or will incur in connection with applying for, maintaining and
defending the licensed patents. This agreement terminates at the end of the
tenth calendar year after the first calendar year for which licenses are paid.

As of December 31, 1999, we had incurred costs of approximately $1.5 million
in connection with these collaboration and license agreements. As of that
date, we had received no revenue from the agreements.

COMPETITION

The markets for our products are very competitive, and we expect the intensity
of competition to increase. Currently, we compete primarily with other
companies performing similar tasks using alternative technologies. Many of our
competitors have greater financial, operational, sales and marketing
resources, and more experience in research and development than we have. These
competitors and other companies may have developed or could in the future
develop new technologies that compete with our products or which could render
our products obsolete.

In the SNP genotyping marketplace, MassArray competes with alternative
technology concepts which differ in the areas of sample amplification,
analysis process, sample separation or SNP detection and are all based on
indirect detection of the molecule hybridization and/or labeling. Such
technologies include:

 . Gel-based fluorescent sequencing as offered by PE Corporation, Amersham
  Pharmacia Biotech, Visible Genetics, Inc. and others and primarily developed
  for DNA analysis, such as DNA sequencing;

 . Single base primer extensions and colormetric detection offered by the
  genetic bit analysis of Orchid Biocomputer Inc.;

 . Fluorescence resonance energy transfer, or FRET, offering real-time PCR-
  based fluorescent detection and incorporated in PE Corporation's TaqMan
  product line;

 . Invader and Invader Squared SNP detection, an alternative linear
  amplification technology including structure-based hybridization and enzyme
  cleavage developed by Third Wave Technologies, Inc.;

 . Hybridization methods, such as those used by Affymetrix, Inc., Hyseq, Inc.,
  Nanogen, Inc., Protogene Laboratories Inc. and others with miniaturized chip
  formats and those offered by Genometrix in microtiter plate arrays; and

 . Bead-based capture technologies involving hybridization and fluorescent
  detection as developed by Illumina, Inc., which uses fiber optics, or
  Luminex Corporation, which uses flow cytometry.

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The number of entities applying mass spectrometry in DNA analysis is
increasing continuously. PE Corporation and GeneTrace Systems Inc. have
implemented analysis concepts that involve direct analysis of enzymatically-
generated nucleic acid fragments by MALDI-TOF. Rapigene Inc. and Genetrace
Systems Inc. use a mass spectrometry approach that incorporates mass labels
and therefore is an indirect analysis of the molecule.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

We are not subject to direct governmental regulation other than the laws and
regulations generally applicable to businesses in the jurisdictions in which
we operate.

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

We have established a scientific advisory board made up of leading scholars in
the field of mass spectrometry, molecular medicine, proteonomics and molecular
microbiology. Members of our scientific advisory board consult with us on
matters relating to the development of our products described elsewhere in
this prospectus. Members of our Scientific Advisory Board are reimbursed for
the reasonable expenses of attending meetings of the scientific advisory
board. Some of the members may also receive options to purchase shares of our
common stock. The members of the scientific advisory board are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADVISOR                           INSTITUTION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>
Charles R. Cantor, PhD, Chairman  Sequenom, Inc.
Robert Cotter, PhD                Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Catherine Fenselau, PhD           University of Maryland
Ulf Goebel, PhD                   Charite University Clinic, Berlin, Germany
Franz Hillenkamp, PhD             University of Munster, Germany
Ulf Landegren, PhD                Uppsala University, Sweden
Peter Roepstorff, PhD             University of Odense, Denmark
</TABLE>

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 1999, we employed 103 persons, of whom 31 hold PhD or MD
degrees and 18 hold other advanced degrees. Approximately 55 employees are
engaged in research and development, 13 in business development, sales and
marketing, 10 in manufacturing and 25 in intellectual property, finance and
other administrative functions. Our success will depend in large part upon our
ability to attract and retain employees. We face competition in this regard
from other companies, research and academic institutions, government entities
and other organizations. We believe that we maintain good relations with our
employees.

FACILITIES

We currently lease an approximately 31,000 square foot facility in San Diego,
California for our headquarters and as the base for marketing and product
support operations, research and development and manufacturing activities.
Under this lease we will add approximately 14,000 square feet through fiscal
2001. We will need to make improvements to the additional space to make it
suitable for our needs. The lease expires in September 2004. We also lease an
approximately 3,000 square foot facility in Sudbury, Massachusetts for product
and customer support. In addition, we lease an approximately 15,000 square
foot facility in Hamburg, Germany to support sales and distribution in Europe.
Under the terms of these leases, we presently pay rent of approximately
$53,000 per month. We believe that our current facilities will be adequate to
meet our near-term space requirements. We also believe that suitable
additional space will be available to us, when needed, on commercially
reasonable terms.

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ORGANIZATION

We were incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1994.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.

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Management

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES

Set forth below is the name, age, position and a brief account of the business
experience of each of our executive officers, directors and key employees.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                               AGE POSITION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C> <C>
Executive Officers & Directors
Hubert Koster, PhD...............   59 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Charles R. Cantor, PhD...........   57 Chief Scientific Officer
Stephen L. Zaniboni..............   42 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Antonius Schuh, PhD..............   36 Executive Vice President, Business Development
                                       and Marketing
Delbert F. Foit, Jr. ............   53 Chief Operating Officer
Andreas Braun, PhD, MD...........   43 Chief Medical Officer
Karsten Schmidt, PhD.............   38 Managing Director, Sequenom GmbH
Helmut Schuhsler, PhD(1).........   40 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Ernst-Gunter Afting, PhD, MD(2)..   57 Director
John E. Lucas(1)(2)..............   68 Director
Peter Reinisch, PhD..............   59 Director
Key Employees
Charles P. Rodi, PhD.............   47 Vice President, Molecular Biology
Paul J. Heaney, PhD..............   40 Vice President, Advanced Systems
</TABLE>
- --------

(1) Member of the compensation committee.

(2) Member of the audit committee.

Hubert Koster, PhD Dr. Koster is our founder, President, Chief Executive
Officer and a member of our board of directors and our scientific advisory
board. In 1978, Dr. Koster was appointed tenured professor of organic
chemistry and biochemistry at Hamburg University. Dr. Koster founded
Biosyntech, GmbH, the first biotech company in Germany in 1981 and served on
its board of directors and scientific advisory board. In 1987, he co-founded
MilliGen/Biosearch, the biotech division of Millipore Corporation in Bedford,
MA, and served as Vice President of Science and Technology. Dr. Koster
currently holds more than 20 patents and authored more than 110 publications
prior to founding Sequenom in 1994. Dr. Koster studied chemistry at Hamburg
University, completed doctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for
Experimental Medicine in Gottingen, and completed post-doctoral research work
at the Max Planck Institute for Virus Research in Tubingen.

Charles R. Cantor, PhD Dr. Cantor joined us as our Chief Scientific Officer
and Chairman of our scientific advisory board in August 1998. From 1992 until
joining us, Dr. Cantor served as the chair of, and as a professor in the
department of biomedical engineering and biophysics, and Director of the
Center for Advanced Biotechnology at Boston University. Prior to that time,
Dr. Cantor held positions at Columbia University and the University of
California, Berkeley. He was also Director of the Human Genome Center of the
Department of Energy at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Dr. Cantor published the
first textbook on genomics: The Science and Technology of the Human Genome
Project and remains active in the Human Genome Project through his membership
in a number of the project's advisory committees and review boards. He is a
scientific advisor to 16 biotech and life science companies and

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two venture capital firms. He is also a member of the National Academy of
Sciences. Dr. Cantor earned his PhD from the University of California,
Berkeley.

Stephen L. Zaniboni  Mr. Zaniboni joined us as our Chief Financial Officer in
April 1997. From 1994 until joining us, Mr. Zaniboni served as Vice President,
Finance for Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. Prior to joining Aspect, Mr. Zaniboni
was Corporate Controller for Behring Diagnostics from 1988 to 1994 where he
implemented financial systems during a dramatic growth period. Before joining
Behring, he held various financial management positions at Boston Scientific
Corp. Mr. Zaniboni began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. He earned his
MBA from Boston College and he is a Certified Public Accountant.

Antonius Schuh, PhD Dr. Schuh joined our German subsidiary as Managing
Director in December 1996 and was promoted to Executive Vice President,
Business Development and Marketing, in 1998 when he moved to our headquarters
in San Diego, California. From 1993 until joining us, Dr. Schuh was with Helm
AG, an international pharma/chemical trading and distribution corporation.
While at Helm AG, he established and headed the Pharma Business Development
Group and the associated technical and regulatory affairs department. Prior to
that, from 1992 to 1993, he was with Fisons Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Schuh is a
co-founder of BIOND, Heidelberg, a board member of Austrian Orphan
Pharmaceuticals AG, Vienna, and an advisor to Juelich Enzyme Products,
Juelich, Federal Republic Germany. Dr. Schuh earned his PhD in pharmaceutical
chemistry from the University of Bonn, in Germany.

Delbert F. Foit, Jr. Mr. Foit joined us as our Chief Operating Officer in
March 1999. From 1996 until joining us, Mr. Foit served as Vice President of
North American Operations for the Laboratory Systems Division of Boehringer
Mannheim Inc. He also served in various other positions, beginning in 1992,
where he implemented a number of successful productivity initiatives first
with Microgenics then with Boehringer Mannheim's North American Laboratory
Systems. After the acquisition of Boehringer Mannheim by Hoffmann-La Roche,
Mr. Foit assumed overall responsibility for the combined Laboratory Systems
Operations of Roche and Boehringer in North America. Prior to his tenure with
Boehringer, Mr. Foit held positions as Director of Operations and Director of
Manufacturing for Ortho Diagnostics Systems, a Johnson and Johnson Company.
Mr. Foit earned his MBA from Rider University.

Andreas Braun, PhD, MD Dr. Braun joined us in 1995 and was promoted from Vice
President, Genomics to Chief Medical Officer in September 1999. From 1992
until joining us, Dr. Braun served as Deputy Head of the Clinical Laboratory
at the Childrens Hospital, University of Munich. Dr. Braun has published more
than 45 peer-reviewed scientific publications. His research work in functional
pharmacogenomics targeting the human bradykin receptor was recognized in 1996
with the Garbor Szasz Award which was granted by the German Society of
Clinical Chemistry. Dr. Braun earned doctorate degrees in biology and medical
science from the University of Munich.

Karsten Schmidt, PhD Dr. Schmidt joined our German subsidiary as Director,
Business Development in January 1999 and was appointed as Managing Director in
May of 1999. From 1996 until joining us, Dr. Schmidt served in a senior
management position at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Germany, where he was responsible
for all drug regulatory affairs for asthma and allergies. From 1994 to 1996,
Mr. Schmidt served as a manager in charge of regulatory affairs, for Fisons
Araneimittel, GmbH. As a member of the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol
Consortium, Dr. Schmidt was involved in the joint activities of five prominent
pharmaceutical companies in this field to develop inhaled asthma therapies
with ozone-friendly propellants. Dr. Schmidt is a trained pharmacist and has a
broad scientific background in biochemistry and molecular biology. Dr. Schmidt
earned his PhD in pharmaceutical biology from the University in Bonn.


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Helmut Schuhsler, PhD Dr. Schuhsler joined us as the Chairman of our Board of
Directors in 1996. Since 1998, Dr. Schuhsler has served as a managing partner
at TVM Techno Venture Management, a German and US venture capital firm. He has
been with TVM since 1990 and has been responsible for over 25 healthcare
investments of the firm. He is currently a Director of several biotechnology
and instrumentation companies. Dr. Schuhsler earned a PhD in the Social and
Economic Sciences from the University of Economics in Vienna.

Ernst-Gunter Afting, PhD, MD Dr. Afting joined us as a Director in 1996. Since
1995, Dr. Afting has served as the Managing Director of Gesellschaft fur
Strahlenforschung, one of the largest German research organizations. From 1993
to 1995, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Roussel UCLAF,
Paris. He also headed the pharmaceutical division of Hoechst Group and was
Chairman of the Divisional Pharma Board of Hoechst. Dr. Afting earned a PhD
and an MD in Chemistry from the University of Freiburg/Breisgau.

John E. Lucas Mr. Lucas joined us as a Director in 1998. Mr. Lucas currently
serves as a management consultant to six biomedical companies. From 1994 to
1996, he was Founder, President and CEO of American Scientific Resources,
Ltd., a manufacturer of blood testing materials. From 1991 to 1994, he held
the positions of President, CEO and Chairman at Oxigene, Inc. and held similar
positions from 1974 to 1991 at Luconex, Mast ImmunoSystems, Xoma, Millipore
Ventures, Chemetrics and Oxford Laboratories. Mr. Lucas serves as a Director
of InSite Vision Incorporated. Mr. Lucas earned an MBA from Harvard
University.

Peter Reinisch, PhD Dr. Reinisch joined us as a Director in 1998. Dr. Reinisch
has served as an advisor to the general partners of Global Life Sciences LP
located in Guernsey, Channel Islands, a position he has held since 1996. Dr.
Reinisch is on the board of directors or has board visitation rights for eight
companies. From 1994 to 1998, he advised companies in the Corange Group and
played a key role in the co-establishment of Global Life Sciences LP. Prior to
that time, Dr. Reinisch held various senior management positions with
Corange/Boehringer Mannheim primarily in the area of business development of
the Diagnostics division. Dr. Reinisch earned a PhD in Business Administration
from the Technical University of Vienna.

Charles P. Rodi, PhD Dr. Rodi joined us as our Vice President, Molecular
Biology in May 1999. From 1998 until joining us, Dr. Rodi was Director of the
Genome Sequencing Center at Monsanto Company. He began at Monsanto in 1984
where he was involved in exploiting and developing molecular biological
technologies such as plasmid and library construction, expression profiling
and SNP discovery. Dr. Rodi earned his PhD in Cellular and Developmental
Biology from the University of Minnesota and pursued postdoctoral research on
molecular virology at the National Institutes of Health.

Paul J. Heaney, PhD Dr. Heaney joined us as our Vice President, Advanced
Systems in May 1999. From 1997 until joining us, Dr. Heaney served as Senior
Director of New Technologies and Applications at Orchid Biocomputer. From 1995
to 1997, he was Head of Bioelectronics at the Sarnoff Corporation in
Princeton, New Jersey, where he developed microfabricated fluidic systems for
combinatorial chemistry and DNA diagnostics--a core technology that led to the
formation of Orchid. Dr. Heaney was Vice President of R&D in the early days of
Genometrix and also worked at Amersham International and Kodak Clinical
Diagnostics in the United Kingdom. Dr. Heaney earned his PhD in Bio-Organic
Chemistry from University of Glasgow and was a Research Fellow at the Imperial
Cancer Research Fund in London.


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CLASSES OF THE BOARD

Our board currently has five members. Under our bylaws to be adopted upon the
closing of this offering, beginning at our next annual meeting of
stockholders, our board will be divided into three classes of directors
serving staggered three-year overlapping terms, with one class of directors to
be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders.

BOARD COMMITTEES

The audit committee of the board of directors was established in November 1999
and reviews, acts on and reports to the board of directors with respect to
various auditing and accounting matters, including the recommendation of our
auditors, the scope of the annual audits, the fees to be paid to the auditors,
the performance of our independent auditors and our accounting practices. The
members of the audit committee are Messrs. Afting and Lucas.

The compensation committee of the board of directors was established in
November 1999 and recommends, reviews and oversees the salaries, benefits and
stock plans for our employees, consultants, directors and other individuals
compensated by us. The compensation committee also administers our
compensation plans. The members of the compensation committee are
Messrs. Lucas and Schuhsler.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Certain outside directors receive cash compensation. One outside director
receives $2,500 per quarter for his services as a director to the Company.
Another outside director currently receives $4,000 per month for advisory
services in connection with our initial public offering. All directors are
reimbursed for the reasonable expenses of attending the meetings of the board
of directors or committees. Under our 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, each
individual who first becomes a non-employee member of the board of directors
at any time after the completion of this offering will receive an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of our common stock on the date the individual joins
the board of directors, provided the individual has not previously been
employed by us or any parent or subsidiary corporation. In addition, on the
date of each annual stockholders meeting held after the effective date of this
offering beginning in 2000, each non-employee member of the board of directors
will automatically be granted an option to purchase 3,000 shares of common
stock, provided such individual has served as a non-employee member of the
board of directors for at least six months. For a further description of our
benefit plans, please see "Employee benefit plans."

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Our compensation committee currently consists of Messrs. Lucas and Schuhsler.
Neither member of the compensation committee has been an officer or employee
of ours at any time. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the
board of directors or compensation committee of any other company that has one
or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or
compensation committee. Prior to the formation of the compensation committee
in November 1999, the board of directors as a whole made decisions relating to
compensation of our executive officers.

EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS

All of our current employees have entered into agreements with us which
contain restrictions and covenants. These provisions include covenants
relating to the protection of our confidential information, the assignment of
inventions, and restrictions on competition and soliciting our clients,
employees, or independent contractors.

None of our employees is employed for a specified term, and each employee's
employment with us is subject to termination at any time by either party for
any reason, with or without cause.

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Dr. Koster's employment agreement provides for a salary of $240,000 per year,
subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its discretion. In
connection with his employment with us, Dr. Koster was granted an option to
purchase 300,000 shares of our common stock under our 1994 and 1998 stock
plans. Dr. Koster has exercised these options. We recorded deferred
compensation as a result of a remeasurement of these options originally
granted in 1997. Dr. Koster was also reimbursed for expenses he incurred in
relocating from Hamburg, Germany to our corporate offices in San Diego,
California, in connection with his employment agreement. If Dr. Koster's
employment is terminated involuntarily or without cause, Dr. Koster will be
entitled to receive his annual salary in periodic payments, until he secures
other full-time employment with another company or until one year has elapsed
after termination, whichever is earlier.

Mr. Zaniboni's employment agreement provides for a salary of $195,000 per
year, subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its
discretion. Mr. Zaniboni is also entitled to receive a bonus of $10,000 per
year. In connection with his employment with us, Mr. Zaniboni was granted
options to purchase 210,000 shares of our common stock under our 1994 and 1998
stock plans. Mr. Zaniboni has exercised these options. If Mr. Zaniboni's
employment is terminated involuntarily or without cause, Mr. Zaniboni will be
entitled to receive his annual salary in periodic payments, until he secures
other full-time employment with another company or until six months have
elapsed after termination, whichever is earlier.

Dr. Schuh's employment agreement provides for a salary of $195,000 per year,
subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its discretion. Dr.
Schuh is also entitled to receive a bonus of $10,000 per year. In connection
with his employment with us, Dr. Schuh was granted options to purchase 280,000
shares of our common stock under our 1994 and 1998 stock plans. Dr. Schuh has
exercised these options. If Dr. Schuh's employment is terminated involuntarily
or without cause, Dr. Schuh will be entitled to receive his annual salary in
periodic payments, until he secures other full-time employment with another
company or until six months have elapsed after termination, whichever is
earlier.

Dr. Cantor's employment agreement provides for a salary of $180,000 per year,
subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its discretion. Dr.
Cantor is also entitled to receive a bonus of $21,000 per year. In addition,
Dr. Cantor will be paid $30,000 in connection with his service as the Chairman
of our scientific advisory board. Moreover, we will pay for up to 12 visits
per year to Boston University that Dr. Cantor is required to make in
connection with his leave of absence from his positions at the university. In
connection with his employment with us, Dr. Cantor was granted options to
purchase 280,000 shares of our common stock under our 1994 and 1998 stock
plans. Dr. Cantor has exercised these options. If Dr. Cantor's employment is
terminated involuntarily or without cause, Dr. Cantor will be entitled to
receive his annual salary in periodic payments, until he secures other full-
time employment with another company or until six months have elapsed after
termination, whichever is earlier.

Mr. Foit's employment agreement provides for a salary of $180,000 per year,
subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its discretion. Mr.
Foit is also entitled to receive a bonus of $10,000 per year. We also agreed
to pay reasonable expenses, up to a maximum of $50,000, associated with
Mr. Foit's relocation to our corporate offices in San Diego, California. Mr.
Foit was also granted an additional $1,000 monthly housing allowance during
his first twelve months of service with us. In connection with his employment
with us, Mr. Foit was granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common
stock under our 1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan. Mr. Foit has exercised
a portion of these options. If Mr. Foit's employment is terminated
involuntarily or without cause, Mr. Foit will be entitled to receive his
annual salary in periodic payments, until he secures other full-time
employment with another company or until six months have elapsed after
termination, whichever is earlier.

The compensation committee, as plan administrator of our 1999 Stock Incentive
Plan, will have the authority to grant options and to structure repurchase
rights under that plan so that the shares subject

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to those options or repurchase rights will immediately vest in connection with
a change in control of us, whether by merger, asset sale, successful tender
offer for more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock or by a change in the
majority of the board by reason of one or more contested elections for board
membership. Vesting of these options will occur either at the time of the
change in control or upon the subsequent involuntary termination of the
individual's service within a designated period not to exceed 18 months
following the change in control.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SUMMARY OF CASH AND OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table shows all compensation received during the year ended
December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998 by our Chief Executive Officer and our
other five executive officers whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in 1999
for services rendered in all capacities to us during 1999.

Other annual compensation for Dr. Koster includes, for 1998, $94,266 paid in
connection with his relocation to our corporate headquarters in San Diego from
Hamburg, Germany, $3,900 for use of a company automobile and $1,000 paid in
connection with various tax services and, for 1999, $6,923 paid in connection
with his relocation, and $5,702 for use of a company automobile. Other annual
compensation for Mr. Zaniboni includes, for 1998, $12,098 paid in connection
with his relocation to San Diego, California and $1,275 paid for various tax
services and, for 1999, amounts paid for various tax services. Other annual
compensation for Dr. Shuh and Andreas Braun for both years reflects the amount
paid for various tax services. Other annual compensation for Dr. Cantor during
1999 represents payment for his services as chief of our scientific advisory
board. Other annual compensation for Mr. Foit represents the amount paid in
connection with his relocation to our corporate headquarters in San Diego.
Other annual compensation for all officers listed represents income from the
exercise of non-qualified stock options.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      LONG-TERM
                          ANNUAL COMPENSATION    COMPENSATION AWARDS
                                                            SECURITIES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING        OTHER
POSITION                 YEAR   SALARY   BONUS COMPENSATION    OPTIONS COMPENSATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>  <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>        <C>
Hubert Koster........... 1998 $252,000 $10,000      $99,166    255,000           --
 President and           1999 $279,334 $10,000      $12,625    155,000      450,688
 Chief Executive Officer

Stephen L. Zaniboni..... 1998  132,500  10,000       13,373    140,000           --
 Senior Vice President
  and                    1999  185,208  10,000        1,650     50,000       17,084
 Financial Officer

Antonius Schuh.......... 1998  150,426  10,000           --    130,000           --
 Executive Vice
  President,             1999  187,223  10,000          750     50,000       23,126
 Business Development
  and
 Marketing

Charles R. Cantor....... 1999  180,000  21,000       30,000    100,000      207,200
 Chief Scientific
  Officer

Andreas Braun........... 1998  136,000  10,000          350     50,000           --
 Chief Medical Officer   1999  145,917  10,000        1,150    130,000           --

Delbert F. Foit, Jr. ... 1999  126,000   7,432       10,460    100,000           --
 (from April 1, 1999)
 Chief Operating Officer
</TABLE>

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OPTIONS
The following table shows information regarding options granted to the
executive officers listed in the summary compensation table above during the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999. We have not granted any stock
appreciation rights.

Each option represents the right to purchase one share of our common stock.
The options generally become vested over four years. To the extent not already
vested, some of these options may also accelerate and become exercisable in
the event of a merger in which we are not the surviving corporation or upon
the sale of substantially all of our assets. Please see "Management--Employee
benefit plans" for more details regarding these options. In the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1999, we granted options to purchase an aggregate of 1.3
million and 1.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, to various
officers, employees, directors and consultants.

The potential realizable value at assumed annual rates of stock price
appreciation for the option term represents hypothetical gains that could be
achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option
term. The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of compounded stock price
appreciation are required by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and do not represent our estimate or projection of our future common stock
prices. These amounts represent assumed rates of appreciation in the value of
our common stock from the fair market value on the date of grant. Actual
gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future
performance of our common stock and overall stock market conditions. The
amounts reflected in the table may not necessarily be achieved.

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST TWO FISCAL YEARS
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                   INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                            % OF TOTAL
                                     NUMBER    OPTIONS                       VALUE AT ASSUMED
                              OF SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE               ANNUAL RATES OF
                                 UNDERLYING  EMPLOYEES    PRICE            APPRECIATION OF STOCK
                                    OPTIONS  IN 1998 &      PER EXPIRATION PRICE FOR OPTION TERM
NAME                     YEAR       GRANTED       1999    SHARE       DATE         5%        10%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>  <C>           <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
Hubert Koster........... 1998        75,000         6%    $0.55   09/18/08 $   25,942 $   65,742
                                     72,656         6      1.10   12/11/08     50,262    127,374
                                    107,344         9      1.00   12/11/08     67,508    171,079
                         1999         8,420         *      3.30   01/29/09     17,474     44,284
                                     36,580         3      3.00   01/29/09     69,015    174,897
                                     60,000         6      3.00   07/09/09    113,201    286,874
                                     50,000         5      3.00   10/21/09     94,334    239,062

Stephen L. Zaniboni..... 1998        20,000         2      0.50   04/02/08      6,289     15,937
                                     20,000         2      0.50   06/24/08      6,289     15,937
                                    100,000         8      1.00   12/11/08     62,889    159,374
                         1999        50,000         5      3.00   10/21/09     94,334    239,062

Antonius Schuh.......... 1998        30,000         2      0.50   09/18/08      9,433     23,906
                                    100,000         8      1.00   12/11/08     62,889    159,374
                         1999        50,000         5      3.00   10/21/09     94,334    239,062

Charles R. Cantor....... 1998         5,000         *      0.50   04/02/08      1,572      3,984
                                    180,000        15      0.50   06/24/08     56,601    143,433
                         1999       100,000         9      3.00   01/29/09    188,668    478,124

Andreas Braun........... 1998        50,000         4      1.00   12/11/08     31,444     79,687
                         1999        30,000         3      3.00   01/29/09     56,600    143,437
                                    100,000         9      3.00   10/21/09    188,668    478,124

Delbert F. Foit, Jr. ... 1999       100,000         9      3.00   04/09/09    188,668    478,124
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than 1%.


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The following table shows information at December 31, 1999 concerning the
number and value of unexercised options held by each of the executive officers
listed in the summary compensation table above. Options shown as exercisable
in the table below are immediately exercisable. However, we have rights to
repurchase shares of the common stock underlying some of these options upon
termination of the holder's employment with us. There was no public trading
market for the common stock as of December 31, 1999. Accordingly, the value of
unexercised in-the-money options listed below has been calculated on the basis
of the assumed initial public offering price of $24.00 per share, less the
applicable exercise price per share, multiplied by the number of shares
underlying such options.

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND YEAR-END
OPTION VALUES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                          SHARES             UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                         ACQUIRED                  OPTIONS AT           IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                           UPON     VALUE       DECEMBER 31, 1999       AT DECEMBER 31, 1999
NAME                     EXERCISE REALIZED  EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Hubert Koster........... 790,000  1,589,984        --         --              --        --
Stephen L. Zaniboni..... 260,000    492,500        --         --              --        --
Antonius Schuh.......... 330,000    687,500        --         --              --        --
Charles R. Cantor....... 351,000    657,200        --         --              --        --
Andreas Braun........... 120,000    317,500   130,000         --       2,730,000        --
Delbert F. Foit, Jr. ...  25,000         --    75,000         --       1,575,000        --
</TABLE>

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

INTRODUCTION
Our 1999 Stock Incentive Plan is intended to serve as the successor program to
our 1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan. The 1999 plan was adopted by our
board of directors on November 6, 1999 and approved by the stockholders in
November 1999. The 1999 plan will become effective at the close of this
offering. At that time, all outstanding options under our existing 1998 Stock
Option/Stock Issuance Plan will be transferred to the 1999 plan, and no
further option grants will be made under the 1998 plan. Prior to the 1998 plan
being adopted, we granted options under our 1994 Stock Plan. All options
granted under our 1994 Stock Plan were transferred to our 1998 Stock
Option/Stock Issuance Plan. The transferred options will continue to be
governed by their existing terms, unless our compensation committee decides to
extend one or more features of the 1999 plan to those options. Except as
otherwise described below, the transferred options have substantially the same
terms as will be in effect for grants made under the discretionary option
grant program of our 1999 plan.

SHARE RESERVE
We have reserved 4,750,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under our
1999 Stock Incentive Plan. This share reserve consists of the number of shares
we estimate will be carried over from our 1998 plan plus an additional 850,000
shares. The share reserve under our 1999 plan will automatically increase on
the first trading day in January each calendar year, beginning with calendar
year 2001, by an amount equal to 4% of the total number of shares of our
common stock outstanding on the last trading day of December in the prior
calendar year, but in no event will this annual increase exceed 2,000,000
shares. In addition, no participant in our 1999 plan may be granted stock
options or direct stock issuances for more than 1,000,000 shares of common
stock in total in any calendar year.


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PROGRAMS
Our 1999 plan has five separate programs:

 . the discretionary option grant program, under which eligible individuals may
  be granted options to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise
  price not less than the fair market value of those shares on the grant date;

 . the stock issuance program, under which eligible individuals may be issued
  shares of common stock directly, upon the attainment of performance
  milestones or the completion of a specified period of service or as a bonus
  for past services;

 . the salary investment option grant program, under which our executive
  officers and other highly compensated employees may be given the opportunity
  to apply a portion of their base salary each year to the acquisition of
  special below market stock option grants;

 . the automatic option grant program, under which option grants will
  automatically be made at periodic intervals to eligible non-employee board
  members to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the
  fair market value of those shares on the grant date; and

 . the director fee option grant program, under which our non-employee board
  members may be given the opportunity to apply a portion of any retainer fee
  otherwise payable to them in cash each year to the acquisition of special
  below market option grants.

ELIGIBILITY
The individuals eligible to participate in our 1999 plan include our officers
and other employees, our board members and any consultants we use.

ADMINISTRATION
The discretionary option grant and stock issuance programs will be
administered by our compensation committee. This committee will determine
which eligible individuals are to receive option grants or stock issuances
under those programs, the time or times when the grants or issuances are to be
made, the number of shares subject to each grant or issuance, the status of
any granted option as either an incentive stock option or a nonstatutory stock
option under the federal tax laws, the vesting schedule to be in effect for
the option grant or stock issuance and the maximum term for which any granted
option is to remain outstanding. The compensation committee will also have the
authority to select the executive officers and other highly compensated
employees who may participate in the salary investment option grant program if
the program is put into effect for one or more calendar years.

PLAN FEATURES
Our 1999 plan will include the following features:

 . the exercise price for any options granted under the plan may be paid in
  cash or in shares of our common stock valued at fair market value on the
  exercise date. The option may also be exercised through a same-day sale
  program without any cash outlay by the optionee;

 . our compensation committee will have the authority to cancel outstanding
  options under the discretionary option grant program, including any
  transferred options from our 1998 plan, in return for the grant of new
  options for the same or different number of option shares with an exercise
  price per share based upon the fair market value of our common stock on the
  new grant date; and

 . stock appreciation rights may be issued under the discretionary option grant
  program. These rights will provide the holders with the election to
  surrender their outstanding options for a payment from us equal to the fair
  market value of the shares subject to the surrendered options less the
  exercise price payable for those shares. We may make the payment in cash or
  in shares of our common stock. None of the options under our 1998 plan have
  any stock appreciation rights.

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CHANGE IN CONTROL
Our 1999 plan will include the following change in control provisions which
may result in the accelerated vesting of outstanding option grants and stock
issuances if:

 . we are acquired by merger or asset sale, each outstanding option under the
  discretionary option grant program which is not to be assumed by the
  successor corporation will immediately become exercisable for all the option
  shares, and all outstanding unvested shares will immediately vest, except to
  the extent our repurchase rights with respect to those shares are to be
  assigned to the successor corporation;

 . our compensation committee will have complete discretion to grant one or
  more options which will become exercisable for all the option shares in the
  event those options are assumed in the acquisition but the optionee's
  service with us or the acquiring entity is subsequently terminated. The
  vesting of any outstanding shares under our 1999 plan may be accelerated
  upon similar terms and conditions; and

 . our compensation committee may grant options and structure repurchase rights
  so that the shares subject to those options or repurchase rights will
  immediately vest in connection with a successful tender offer for more than
  50% of our outstanding voting stock or a change in the majority of our board
  through one or more contested elections. Such accelerated vesting may occur
  either at the time of such transaction or upon the subsequent termination of
  the individual's service.

SALARY INVESTMENT OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
If our compensation committee decides to put this program into effect for one
or more calendar years, each of our executive officers and other highly
compensated employees may elect to reduce his or her base salary for the
calendar year by an amount not less than $10,000 nor more than $50,000. Each
individual who makes such an election will automatically be granted, on the
first trading day in January of the calendar year for which his or her salary
reduction is to be in effect, an option to purchase that number of shares of
common stock determined by dividing the salary reduction amount by two-thirds
of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the grant date. The
option will have an exercise price per share equal to one-third of the fair
market value of the option shares on the grant date. As a result, the option
will be structured so that the fair market value of the option shares on the
grant date less the exercise price payable for those shares will be equal to
the amount of the salary reduction. The option will become exercisable in a
series of twelve equal monthly installments over the calendar year for which
the salary reduction is to be in effect.

AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
Each individual who first becomes a non-employee board member at any time
after the effective date of this offering will receive an option grant to
purchase 15,000 shares of our common stock on the date such individual joins
the board. In addition, on the date of each annual stockholders meeting held
after the effective date of this offering, each non-employee board member who
is to continue to serve as a non-employee board member, including each of our
current non-employee board members, will automatically be granted an option to
purchase 3,000 shares of our common stock, provided such individual has served
on the board for at least six months.

Each automatic grant will have an exercise price per share equal to the fair
market value per share of our common stock on the grant date and will have a
term of 10 years, subject to earlier termination following the optionee's
cessation of board service. The option will be immediately exercisable for all
of the option shares; however, we may repurchase, at the exercise price paid
per share, any shares purchased under the option which are not vested at the
time of the optionee's cessation of board service. The shares subject to each
initial 15,000 share automatic option grant will vest in a series of three
successive annual

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installments upon the optionee's completion of each year of board service over
the three year period measured from the grant date. The shares subject to each
3,000 share annual option grant will vest upon the optionee's completion of
one year of board service measured from the grant date. The shares subject to
each option will immediately vest in full upon various changes in control or
ownership or upon the optionee's death or disability while a board member.

DIRECTOR FEE OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
If this program is put into effect in the future, then each non-employee board
member may elect to apply all or a portion of any cash retainer fee for the
year to the acquisition of a below-market option grant. The option grant will
automatically be made on the first trading day in January in the year for
which the non-employee board member would otherwise be paid the cash retainer
fee in the absence of his or her election. The option will have an exercise
price per share equal to one-third of the fair market value of the option
shares on the grant date, and the number of shares subject to the option will
be determined by dividing the amount of the retainer fee applied to the
program by two-thirds of the fair market value per share of our common stock
on the grant date. As a result, the option will be structured so that the fair
market value of the option shares on the grant date less the exercise price
payable for those shares will be equal to the portion of the retainer fee
applied to that option. The option will become exercisable in a series of
twelve equal monthly installments over the calendar year for which the
election is in effect. However, the option will become immediately exercisable
for all the option shares upon the death or disability of the optionee while
serving as a board member. Currently our directors do not have any cash
retainer fee.

ADDITIONAL PLAN FEATURES
Our 1999 plan will also have the following features:

 . Outstanding options under the salary investment and director fee option
  grant programs will immediately vest if we are acquired by a merger or asset
  sale or if there is a successful tender offer for more than 50% of our
  outstanding voting stock or a change in the majority of our board through
  one or more contested elections.

 . Limited stock appreciation rights will automatically be included as part of
  each grant made under the salary investment option grant program and the
  automatic and director fee option grant programs, and these rights may also
  be granted to one or more officers as part of their option grants under the
  discretionary option grant program. Options with this feature may be
  surrendered to us upon the successful completion of a hostile tender offer
  for more than 50% of our outstanding voting stock. In return for the
  surrendered option, the optionee will be entitled to a cash distribution
  from us in an amount per surrendered option share based upon the highest
  price per share of our common stock paid in that tender offer.

 . Our board of directors may amend or modify our 1999 plan at any time,
  subject to any required stockholder approval. Our 1999 plan will terminate
  no later than November 6, 2009.

1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

INTRODUCTION
Our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by our board of directors on
November 6, 1999 and approved by our stockholders in November 1999. The plan
will become effective immediately upon the signing of the underwriting
agreement for this offering. The plan is designed to allow our eligible
employees and the eligible employees of our participating subsidiaries to
purchase shares of common stock, at semi-annual intervals, with their
accumulated payroll deductions.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE RESERVE
We have reserved 250,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under our
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The reserve will automatically increase on
the first trading day in January each calendar year, beginning in calendar
year 2001, by an amount equal to 1% of the total number of outstanding shares
of our common stock on the last trading day in December in the prior calendar
year. In no event will any such annual increase exceed 500,000 shares.

OFFERING PERIODS
Our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan will have a series of concurrent
offering periods, each with a maximum duration of 24 months. The initial
offering period will start on the date the underwriting agreement for the
offering covered is signed and will end on the last business day in January
2002. Additional offering periods of up to 24 months duration will begin on
the first day of February and August each year. However, no employee may
participate in more than one offering period at a time.

ELIGIBILITY
Individuals scheduled to work more than 20 hours per week for more than five
calendar months per year are eligible to participate in the plan and may join
the plan on the start date of any offering period.

PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
A participant may contribute up to 15% of his or her base salary through
payroll deductions, and the accumulated deductions will be applied to the
purchase of shares on each semi-annual purchase date. The purchase price per
share in effect for each participant will be equal to 85% of the fair market
value per share on the start date of the offering period in which he or she is
participating or, if lower, 85% of the fair market value per share on the
semi-annual purchase date. Semi-annual purchase dates will occur on the last
business day of January and July each year. However, a participant may not
purchase more than 1,000 shares on any purchase date, and not more than
62,500 shares may be purchased in total by all participants on any purchase
date. Our compensation committee will have the authority to change these
limitations for any subsequent offering period.

RESET FEATURE
If the fair market value per share of our common stock on any purchase date
within a particular offering period is less than the fair market value per
share on the start date of that offering period, then that offering period
will automatically terminate, and a new offering period of up to 24 months
duration will begin on the next business day. All eligible participants in the
terminated offering will be transferred to the new offering period.

CHANGE IN CONTROL
If we are acquired by merger or a sale of substantially all of our assets or
more than 50% of our voting securities, then all outstanding purchase rights
will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of the
acquisition. The purchase price in effect for each participant will be equal
to 85% of the market value per share on the start date of the particular
offering period in which he or she is participating at the time of the
acquisition or, if lower, 85% of the fair market value per share immediately
prior to the acquisition.

PLAN FEATURES
The following features will also be in effect under the plan:

 . our plan will terminate no later than the last business day of January 2010;
  and

 . our board may at any time amend, suspend or discontinue our plan; however,
  certain amendments may require stockholder approval.

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                                                                             59
<PAGE>


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Related party transactions

SALES OF SECURITIES

Since January 1996 through December 27, 1999, we have issued the following
securities in private placement transactions:

 . 643,330 shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock for an aggregate
  price of $964,995 in March 1996;

 . warrants to purchase 70,000 shares of our Series A convertible preferred
  stock in connection with the Comdisco lease arrangement;

 . 4,573,331 shares of our Series C convertible preferred stock for an
  aggregate price of $14,405,993 in May 1997 and January 1998;

 . warrants to purchase 106,503 shares of our Series C convertible preferred
  stock in connection with the sale of our Series C preferred stock;

 . 5,712,763 shares of our Series D convertible preferred stock for an
  aggregate price of $37,132,959 in December 1998 and March 1999;

 . 2,364,200 shares of our common stock issued upon the exercise of options to
  purchase such stock for an aggregate consideration of $2,511,218; and

 . 6,349 shares of our common stock issued to one of our executive officers for
  an aggregate consideration of $20,000.

All preferred stock was issued to various venture capital and other
institutional investors in reliance upon exemption from registration under
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. All shares issued upon exercise of options
were issued to employees and consultants in reliance upon exemption from
registration under Rule 701 of the Securities Act. All shares of common stock
issued to one of our executive officers was issued in reliance upon exemption
from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

The purchasers of more than $60,000 of these securities include, among others,
the following executive officers, directors and holders of more than 5% of our
outstanding stock and their affiliates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PREFERRED STOCK
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS                                                     TOTAL
AND 5% STOCKHOLDERS              COMMON STOCK  SERIES B SERIES C SERIES D CONSIDERATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
Hubert Koster..................       790,000   100,000       --       --     $ 782,542
Stephen L. Zaniboni............       260,000        --       --       --       287,500
Antonius Schuh.................       330,000        --       --       --       302,500
Charles R. Cantor..............       357,349        --       --       --       395,800
Ernst-Gunter Afting............            --    30,000       --   15,018       142,617
TVM Group......................            -- 1,094,666  388,571  726,768     7,589,990
Alpinvest International B.V. ..            --   666,667  317,460  461,538     4,999,997
Lombard Odier & Cie............            --        --  952,381       --     3,000,000
</TABLE>

For additional information regarding the ownership of securities by executive
officers, directors and stockholders who beneficially own 5% or more of our
outstanding common stock, please see "Principal stockholders."

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60
<PAGE>

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

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

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

We have entered into employment agreements with each of Dr. Koster, Mr.
Zaniboni, Dr. Schuh, Dr. Cantor and Mr. Foit. For information regarding these
agreements, please see "Management-- Employment and severance arrangements."
In addition to these agreements, we have also entered into employment
agreements with each of Dr. Karsten Schmidt, the Managing Director of our
subsidiary, Dr. Paul J. Heaney, our Vice President, Advanced Systems and Dr.
Charles R. Rodi, our Vice President, Molecular Biology.

Dr. Schmidt's employment agreement provides for a salary of DEM160,000 per
year, subject to periodic increases. We also paid, during the first six months
of 1999, housing expenses for Dr. Schmidt's use of an apartment in Hamburg. We
also paid, during that time period, reasonable travel expenses relating to Mr.
Schmidt's travel to his former place of residence on a weekly basis. In
connection with his employment with us, Dr. Schmidt was granted options to
purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock under our 1998 Stock Option/Stock
Issuance Plan. Dr. Schmidt has not exercised these options.

Dr. Rodi's employment agreement provides for a salary of $140,000 per year,
subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its discretion. Dr.
Rodi was also entitled to a bonus of $30,000 payable upon execution of his
employment agreement. In addition, Dr. Rodi is entitled to receive a bonus of
$10,000 per year. We also agreed to pay reasonable expenses, up to a maximum
of $50,000, associated with Dr. Rodi's relocation to our corporate offices in
San Diego, California. Dr. Rodi was also granted an additional $1,500 monthly
housing allowance during his first three months of service with us. In
connection with his employment with us, Dr. Rodi was granted options to
purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock under our 1998 Stock Option/Stock
Issuance Plan. Dr. Rodi has not exercised these options. If Dr. Rodi's
employment is terminated involuntarily or without cause, Dr. Rodi will be
entitled to receive his annual salary in periodic payments, until he secures
other full-time employment with another company or until six months have
elapsed after termination, whichever is earlier.

Dr. Heaney's employment agreement provides for a salary of $175,000 per year,
subject to periodic increases by our board of directors at its discretion. Dr.
Heaney was also entitled to a bonus of $15,000 payable upon execution of his
employment agreement. In addition, Dr. Heaney is also entitled to receive a
bonus of $10,000 per year. We also agreed to pay reasonable expenses, up to a
maximum of $50,000, associated with Dr. Heaney's relocation to our corporate
offices in San Diego, California. In connection with his employment with us,
Dr. Heaney was granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock
under our 1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan. Dr. Heaney has not exercised
these options. If Dr. Heaney's employment is terminated involuntarily or
without cause, Dr. Heaney will be entitled to receive his annual salary in
periodic payments, until he secures other full-time employment with another
company or until six months have elapsed after termination, whichever is
earlier.

INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT

We have loaned money to some of our executive officers under the terms of
promissory notes and stock pledge agreements, whereby the executive officers
pledge shares of our common stock issued upon the exercise of options to
purchase such common stock. These loans were used by the executive officers
upon the exercise of these options to acquire the underlying shares of common
stock. Each loan is required to be repaid on the earlier of two years after
its execution or the completion of a secondary public offering by us, in which
the officer making the note is allowed to sell his shares of our common stock.
The amount outstanding at December 31, 1999 on each loan shown below
represents the largest aggregate

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                                                                             61
<PAGE>

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
amount of indebtedness outstanding at any time during the term of each such
loan. The executive officers to whom we have made these loans and the
principal terms of the loans are shown in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    APPROXIMATE
                                                                               AMOUNT OUTSTANDING INTEREST RATE
 EXECUTIVE OFFICER          POSITION                                         AT DECEMBER 31, 1999     PER ANNUM
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                        <S>                                              <C>                  <C>
 Hubert Koster............. President and Chief Executive Officer                        $953,266        6%
 Charles R. Cantor......... Chief Scientific Officer                                      477,391        6
 Antonius Schuh............ Executive Vice President, Business Development                312,956        6
                            and Marketing
 Stephen L. Zaniboni....... Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer                295,743        6
</TABLE>

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and
officers containing provisions that may require us to indemnify them against
liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors
or officers and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any
proceeding against them. However, we will not indemnify directors or officers
with respect to liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable
nature. For more information concerning these agreements, see "Description of
securities--limitation of liabilities and indemnification matters."

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

During the period beginning when we were organized in 1994 until July 1997,
Dr. Hubert Koster worked for us as a consultant. We paid Dr. Koster $5,000 per
month until September 1996 at which time we increased his consulting
compensation to $12,500 per month, in consideration for his services to us.
Dr. Koster's consulting arrangement was terminated when he was appointed as
our President and Chief Executive Officer in 1997.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSIGNMENTS

Since our inception, Dr. Koster has assigned several personal patents and
other intellectual property rights to us that are key in the development of
our products and technology. As partial consideration for these assignments,
we reimbursed Dr. Koster for patent application costs and prior to 1996 we
issued shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock to Dr. Koster. We
have paid no additional consideration to Dr. Koster except for those amounts
paid in connection with his employment or consulting services to us since
January 1996.

Dr. Cantor is named as an inventor on a number of patents which we have
licensed from Boston University. If we are commercially successful and are
required to make royalty payments to Boston University under our license
arrangements, Dr. Cantor could receive additional compensation from Boston
University. In addition, we fund research at Boston University; however, Dr.
Cantor receives no direct compensation from Boston University as a result of
this funding.

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62
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal stockholders

The following table shows information known to us with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our common stock as of December 27, 1999, and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares of common stock offered under this
prospectus, by

 . each person (or group of affiliated persons) who owns beneficially 5% or
  more of our common stock;

 . each of our directors;

 . our executive officers listed in the "summary compensation" table above; and

 . all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community
property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock
shown as beneficially owned by them. Beneficial ownership and percentage
ownership are determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. The table
below includes the number of shares underlying options and warrants which are
exercisable within 60 days from the date of this offering. In addition, the
table below assumes the conversion of all shares of our preferred stock into
shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis prior to this offering, and
is therefore based on 17,601,477 shares of our common stock outstanding prior
to this offering and 22,601,477 shares outstanding immediately after this
offering. The address for those individuals for which an address is not
otherwise indicated is: 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California
92121.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         SHARES BENEFICIALLY            SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                     OWNED PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING    OWNED AFTER THIS OFFERING
                                                 NUMBER OF
                                                    SHARES                      NUMBER OF
                                      NUMBER OF UNDERLYING           NUMBER OF     SHARES
                                         SHARES OPTIONS OR              SHARES UNDERLYING
BENEFICIAL OWNER                    OUTSTANDING   WARRANTS PERCENT OUTSTANDING    OPTIONS PERCENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>        <C>     <C>         <C>        <C>
Five percent stockholders
Funds affiliated with TVM Techno
 Venture Management(1)............   2,536,405    38,854    14.7%   2,536,405    38,854    11.4%
 Maximilianstrasse 35
 Einang C
 80539 Munich
 Germany

Alpinvest International B.V.(2) ..   1,445,665    31,746     8.4    1,445,665    31,746     6.6
 De Gooise Poort
 Gooimeer 3 NL 1410 AB
 Nararden
 The Netherlands

Lombard Odier & Cie(3)............     952,381        --     5.5      952,381        --     4.2
 Todistrass 36
 8027 Zurich
 Switzerland
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             63
<PAGE>

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      SHARES BENEFICIALLY            SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                  OWNED PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING    OWNED AFTER THIS OFFERING
                                              NUMBER OF
                                                 SHARES                      NUMBER OF
                                   NUMBER OF UNDERLYING           NUMBER OF     SHARES
                                      SHARES OPTIONS OR              SHARES UNDERLYING
BENEFICIAL OWNER                 OUTSTANDING   WARRANTS PERCENT OUTSTANDING    OPTIONS PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>         <C>        <C>     <C>         <C>        <C>
Directors and named executive officers
Hubert Koster, PhD.............   2,010,001        --    11.4%   2,010,001        --     8.9%
Helmut Schuhsler, PhD..........   2,606,405    38,854    15.0    2,606,405    38,854    11.7
Ernst-Gunter Afting, PhD, MD ..      45,018    60,000     0.6       45,018    60,000     0.3
John E. Lucas..................      40,000        --     0.2       40,000        --     0.2
Peter Reinisch, PhD(4).........     832,111    10,000     4.8      832,111    10,000     3.7
Stephen L. Zaniboni............     260,000        --     1.5      260,000        --     1.2
Antonius Schuh, PhD............     330,000        --     1.9      330,000        --     1.5
Charles R. Cantor, PhD.........     357,349        --     2.0      357,349        --     1.6
Andreas Braun, PhD, MD.........     120,000   130,000     1.4      120,000   130,000     1.1
Delbert F. Foit, Jr. ..........      25,000    75,000     0.6       25,000    75,000     0.4
All directors and executive
 officers as a group
 (10 persons)..................   6,625,884   313,854    39.4%   6,625,884   313,854    30.6%
</TABLE>
- --------

(1) Includes 834,902 shares owned by TVM Zweite Beteiligung-US L.P; 538,461
    shares owned by TVM Medical Ventures; 474,957 shares owned by TVM Eurotech
    L.P.; 388,749 shares owned by TVM Techno Venture Enterprises No. II L.P.;
    259,168 shares owned by TVM Intertech L.P.; and 40,168 shares owned by TVM
    Techno Venture Investors No. 1 L.P. Dr. Schuhsler is a Managing Director
    of TVM Techno Venture Management and a member of the Board of Management
    of TVM Medical Ventures GmbH & Co. KG. Dr. Schuhsler disclaims beneficial
    ownership of all shares issued or issuable to the foregoing entities,
    except to the extent of his pecuniary interest, but exercises shared
    voting and investment power with respect to some of these shares.

(2) There is no single person at Alpinvest that exercises voting control over
    shares held by Alpinvest. Voting requires the signature of two of the
    authorized signatories. Mr. Stan Vermeulen and Mr. Jaap Vermeulen are two
    natural persons authorized to sign on behalf of Alpinvest.

(3) There is no single person at Lombard Odier that exercises voting control
    over shares held by Lombard Odier. Voting requires two or more of
    designated employees sign on behalf of Lombard Odier. In addition, any one
    of the eight managing partners could sign on behalf of Lombard Odier alone
    or in connection with the two designated employees.

(4) Represents shares owned by GLS LP Investments III Limited. Dr. Reinisch is
    affiliated with GLS LP Investments III Limited. Dr. Reinisch disclaims
    beneficial ownership of all shares issued or issuable to the foregoing
    entities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest, but exercises
    shared voting and investment power with respect to some of these shares.

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64
<PAGE>


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Description of securities

The following information describes our common stock and preferred stock, as
well as options and warrants to purchase our common stock, and provisions of
our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, all as will be in effect upon
the closing of this offering. This description is only a summary. You should
also refer to the certificate and bylaws which have been filed with the SEC as
exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The descriptions of the common stock and preferred stock, as well as options
and warrants to purchase our common stock, reflect changes to our capital
structure that will occur upon the closing of this offering in accordance with
the terms of the certificate.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 75,000,000 shares of common stock,
par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share.

COMMON STOCK

As of December 27, 1999, there were 2,396,800 shares of common stock
outstanding and held of record by 48 stockholders. There will be 22,601,477
shares of common stock outstanding upon the closing of this offering, which
gives effect to the issuance of 5,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us
under this prospectus, the issuance of up to 67,826 shares of common stock to
the selling stockholders immediately prior to this offering and the conversion
of preferred stock discussed below and also to the conversion of long-term
debt into 272,108 shares of common stock and the issuance of 24,792 shares of
common stock in satisfaction of accrued interest payable.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative
voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of common
stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the
directors standing for election, subject to the rights of any outstanding
preferred stock. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends on
a pro rata basis, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of
funds legally available therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights
of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no
preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The outstanding
shares of common stock are, and the shares offered by us in this offering will
be, when issued and paid for, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may
be materially adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of
any series of preferred stock which we may designate and issue in the future.
Upon the closing of this offering, there will be no shares of preferred stock
outstanding.

PREFERRED STOCK

As of December 27, 1999, there were 14,842,757 shares of convertible preferred
stock outstanding. All outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock will
be converted into 14,842,757 shares of our common stock upon the closing of
this offering and these shares of convertible preferred stock will no longer
be authorized, issued or outstanding.

Upon the closing of this offering, the board of directors will be authorized,
without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to an
aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our
board of directors may also designate the powers, preferences, rights and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of each such series
thereof, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights,
voting rights, terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions),
redemption price or prices and liquidation preferences, any or all of which
may be superior

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             65
<PAGE>

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
to the rights of our common stock, and the number of shares constituting any
series or designations of such series. We have no present plans to issue any
shares of preferred stock. Please see "Description of securities--Anti-
takeover effects of provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws."

OPTIONS

As of December 27, 1999, options to purchase a total of 1,287,049 shares of
common stock were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $1.66.
Options to purchase a total of 4,750,000 shares of common stock may be granted
under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan. Please see "Management--Employee benefit
plans" and "Shares eligible for future sale."

WARRANTS

We have outstanding warrants to purchase a total of 176,503 shares of our
capital stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $2.10 per share. The
warrants contain anti-dilution provisions providing for adjustments of the
exercise price and the number of shares underlying the warrants upon the
occurrence of certain events, including any recapitalization,
reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or similar
transaction. The warrants grant to the holders registration rights with
respect to the common stock issuable upon their exercise, which are described
below. All of these warrants will be exercisable immediately before this
offering.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Under the terms of an agreement with some of our stockholders, after the
closing of this offering the holders of 14,842,757 shares of common stock will
be entitled to demand the registration of their shares under the Securities
Act of 1933. The holders of 50% of such shares are entitled to demand that we
register their shares under the Securities Act of 1933 subject to limitations
described in the relevant agreement. We are not required to effect more than
two registrations for such holders pursuant to these demand registration
rights. These demand rights expire on December 21, 2001. In addition, after
the closing of this offering these holders will be entitled to piggyback
registration rights with respect to the registration of their shares of common
stock. If we propose to register any shares of common stock either for our
account or for the account of other security holders, the holders of shares
having piggyback rights are entitled to receive notice of the registration and
are entitled to include their shares in the registration, subject to some
limitations. Further, at any time after we become eligible to file a
registration statement on Form S-3, the holders of 25% of the shares held by
all holders of registration rights may require us to file registration
statements under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-3 with respect to their
shares of our common stock. These registration rights are subject to
conditions and limitations, among which is the right of the underwriters of an
offering to limit the number of shares of common stock held by security
holders with registration rights to be included in such registration. We are
generally required to bear all of the expenses of all these registrations,
including the reasonable fees of a single counsel acting on behalf of all
selling stockholders, except underwriting discounts and selling commissions.
Registration of any of the shares of our common stock held by security holders
with registration rights would result in such shares becoming freely tradable
without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933 immediately upon
effectiveness of such registration.

ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OUR CERTIFI-
CATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. Subject to exceptions, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held
Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an
"interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the

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66
<PAGE>

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the
interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of the board of
directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed
manner. A "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
Subject to exceptions, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or
more of the corporation's voting stock. This statute could prohibit or delay
the accomplishment of mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts
with respect to us and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.

In addition, provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which
will be in effect upon the closing of this offering and are summarized in the
following paragraphs, may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or
prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider
in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium
over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS VACANCIES

Our bylaws authorize the board of directors to fill vacant directorships or
increase the size of the board of directors. This may deter a stockholder from
removing incumbent directors and simultaneously gaining control of the board
of directors by filling the vacancies created by such removal with its own
nominees.

STAGGERED BOARD

Our bylaws provide that our board will be classified into three classes of
directors beginning at the next annual meeting of stockholders. Please see
"Management--Classes of the board" for more information regarding our
staggered board. This may inhibit a stockholder from nominating and electing
directors and gaining control of the board of directors.

STOCKHOLDER ACTION; SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our stockholders may not take
action by written consent, and may only act at a duly called annual or special
meetings of our stockholders. Our bylaws further provide that special meetings
of our stockholders may be called only by the President, Chief Executive
Officer or Chairman of the board of directors or a majority of the board of
directors.

ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our
annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as
directors at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of
their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be
delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices not
less than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date of our notice of
annual meeting provided with respect to the previous year's annual meeting of
stockholders; provided, that if no annual meeting of stockholders was held in
the previous year or the date of the annual meeting of stockholders has been
changed to be more than 30 calendar days earlier than such anniversary, notice
by the stockholder, to be timely, must be so received a reasonable time before
the solicitation is made. Our bylaws also contain specific requirements as to
the form and content of a stockholder's notice. These provisions may inhibit
our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of
stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of
stockholders.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             67
<PAGE>

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHORIZED BUT UNISSUED SHARES

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are
available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to
limitations imposed by the Nasdaq National Market. These additional shares may
be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public
offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee
benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common
stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt
to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or
otherwise.

Delaware law provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation's
certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation's certificate of
incorporation or bylaws requires a greater percentage.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, except to the extent
prohibited by Delaware law, our directors shall not be personally liable to us
or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as
our directors. Under Delaware law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to us
which is not eliminated by this provision of the certificate and, in
appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other
forms of nonmonetary relief will remain available. In addition, each of our
directors will continue to be subject to liability under Delaware law for
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us for acts or omissions which are
found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct, or knowing violations of law, for actions
leading to improper personal benefit to the director, and for payment of
dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are prohibited
by Delaware law. This provision also does not affect the directors'
responsibilities under any other laws, such as the Federal securities laws or
state or Federal environmental laws.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law empowers a corporation to
indemnify its directors and officers and to purchase insurance with respect to
liability arising out of their capacity or status as directors and officers,
provided that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a
director for the following:

 . any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 . acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
  or a knowing violation of law;

 . unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions;
  or

 . for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
  benefit.

Delaware law provides further that the indemnification permitted thereunder
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and
officers may be entitled under our bylaws, any agreement, a vote of
stockholders or otherwise. The certificate eliminates the personal liability
of directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, the
certificate provides that we may fully indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person is or was one of our
directors or officers or is or was serving at our request as a director or
officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney's
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68
<PAGE>

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

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

We have also entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive
officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws. We
believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and
retain qualified directors and executive officers. Our bylaws also permit us
to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other
agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of
whether Delaware law would permit indemnification. We have applied for
liability insurance for our officers and directors.

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any
director, officer, employee or agent as to which indemnification will be
required or permitted under our certificate of incorporation or otherwise. We
are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a
claim for such indemnification.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is American Stock
Transfer and Trust Company.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             69
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares eligible for future sale

Prior to this offering, there has been no public offering for our stock. The
market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large
number of shares of our common stock in the market after this offering, or the
perception that such sales could occur. Such sales also could make it more
difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price
that we deem appropriate. After this offering, we will have outstanding
22,601,477 shares of common stock. Of these shares, the 5,000,000 shares being
offered by us and the 67,826 shares being offered by the selling stockholders
in this offering are freely tradable. This leaves 17,536,477 shares eligible
for sale in the public market as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
 SHARES       DATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>          <S>
      49,583  After the date of this prospectus

     116,701  At various times after 90 days from the date of this prospectus
              under Rules 701 and 144

  17,370,193  At various times after 180 days from the date of this prospectus,
              subject, in some cases, to volume limitations under Rule 144
</TABLE>

Our directors and officers and some of our stockholders who hold 15,110,424
shares in the aggregate, together with the holders of options to purchase
272,108 shares of common stock and the holders of warrants to purchase 106,503
shares of common stock, have entered into lock-up agreements under which they
have agreed that they will not sell, directly or indirectly, any shares of
common stock without the prior written consent of Warburg Dillon Read LLC for
a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus.

In general, under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as currently in
effect, a person or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated,
including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned shares for at least one
year is entitled to sell, within any three-month period after the date of this
prospectus, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the
then outstanding shares of common stock--approximately 225,000 shares
immediately after this offering--or the average weekly trading volume in our
common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice
of such sale is filed, subject to certain restrictions. In addition, a person
who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the 90
days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be
sold for at least two years would be entitled to sell such shares under
Rule 144(k) without regard to the requirements described above. To the extent
that shares were acquired from one of our affiliates, such person's holding
period for the purpose of effecting a sale under Rule 144 commences on the
date of transfer from the affiliate.

Following 90 days after the date of this prospectus, shares issued upon
exercise of options that we granted prior to the date of this offering will
also be available for sale in the public market pursuant to Rule 701 under the
Securities Act of 1933. Rule 701 permits resales of such shares in reliance
upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 but without compliance with the
restrictions, including the holding-period requirement, imposed under Rule
144. As of December 27, 1999, options to purchase a total of 1,287,049 shares
of common stock were outstanding, all of which were currently exercisable, but
some of which are subject to repurchase by us. Of these 1,287,049 shares,
484,457 shares may be eligible for sale in the public market at various times
after 90 days from the date of this prospectus.

Upon the closing of this offering, we intend to file a registration statement
to register for resale the 2,385,819 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance under our stock option plans. We expect the

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70
<PAGE>

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
registration statement to become effective immediately upon filing. Shares
issued upon the exercise of stock options granted under our stock option plans
will be eligible for resale in the public market from time to time subject to
vesting and, in the case of certain options, the expiration of the lock-up
agreements referred to above.

Stockholders holding approximately 14,842,757 shares of common stock have the
right, subject to various conditions and limitations, to include their shares
in registration statements relating to our securities. By exercising their
registration rights and causing a large number of shares to be registered and
sold in the public market, these holders may cause the price of the common
stock to fall. In addition, any demand to include such shares in our
registration statements could have a material adverse effect on our ability to
raise needed capital. Please see "Management--Benefit plans," "Principal
stockholders," "Description of securities--Registration rights," "Shares
eligible for future sale" and "Underwriting."

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             71
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriting

Sequenom and the underwriters for the offering named below have entered into
an underwriting agreement concerning the shares being offered. Subject to
conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of
shares indicated in the following table. Warburg Dillon Read LLC, FleetBoston
Robertson Stephens Inc. and SG Cowen Securities Corporation are the
representatives of the underwriters.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITERS                                                    NUMBER OF SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Warburg Dillon Read LLC........................................
FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc.............................
SG Cowen Securities Corporation................................
                                                                      ----
  Total........................................................
                                                                      ====
</TABLE>

If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the
table above, the underwriters have a 30-day option to buy from us up to an
additional 750,000 shares at the initial public offering price less the
underwriting discounts and commissions to cover these sales. If any shares are
purchased under this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares
in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and
commissions we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming
both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase up
to an additional 750,000 shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NO EXERCISE FULL EXERCISE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>
Per share.............................................   $             $
  Total...............................................   $             $
</TABLE>

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding
underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $        .

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the
initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any
shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a
discount of up to $         per share from the initial public offering price.
Any of these securities dealers may resell any shares purchased from the
underwriters to other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $        per
share from the initial public offering price. If all the shares are not sold
at the initial public offering price, the representatives may change the
offering price and the other selling terms.

The underwriters have informed us that they do not expect discretionary sales
to exceed 5% of the shares of common stock to be offered.

Sequenom, its directors, officers and certain of its stockholders have agreed
with the underwriters not to offer, sell, contract to sell, hedge or otherwise
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration
statement under the Securities Act relating to, any of its common stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during
the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180
days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of
Warburg Dillon Read LLC. This agreement does not apply to any securities
issued under existing employee benefit plans.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72
<PAGE>

UNDERWRITING

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

The underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price,
up to        shares of our common stock being offered for sale to our
customers and business partners. At the discretion of our management, other
parties, including our employees, may participate in the reserved shares
program. The number of shares available for sale to the general public in the
offering will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase reserved shares.
Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to
the general public on the same terms as the other shares.

Pursuant to a settlement and release relating to a consulting agreement for
advisory services rendered in connection with this offering between ACXIT
Capital Management GmbH and Value Management & Research AG and Sequenom,
Sequenom will pay those entities an aggregate amount of approximately DEM
789,000 or approximately $410,000.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock.
The initial public offering price will be negotiated by us and the
representatives. The principal factors to be considered in determining the
initial public offering price include:

 . the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the
  representatives;

 . the history and the prospects for the industry in which we compete;

 . the ability of our management;

 . our prospects for future earnings, the present state of our development, and
  our current financial position;

 . the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this
  offering; and

 . the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded common
  stock of generally comparable companies.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares
of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short
sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by
short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater
number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.
Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of
preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock
while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular
underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount
received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or
for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering
transactions.

These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the
common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the
open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by
the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq
National Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against some liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 and to contribute to
payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             73
<PAGE>


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

Selling stockholders

The following table shows the number of shares owned by each of the selling
stockholders. This registration statement also shall cover any additional
shares of common stock which become issuable to the selling stockholders in
connection with the 67,826 shares registered for sale under this prospectus by
reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar
transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an
increase in the number of our outstanding shares of common stock.

Although neither of the selling stockholders has had a material relationship
with us within the past three years, ALPHA Beteiligungsverwaltungs GbR is
associated with AXCIT Capital Mgmt. GmbH and Halford Enterprises Limited is
associated with Value Management & Research AG. Beginning in March 1999, we
had a consulting agreement with ACXIT Capital Mgmt. GmbH and Value Management
& Research AG. This agreement provided that these two companies would provide
advice and services to us in connection with this offering. We are selling to
ALPHA Beteiligungsverwaltungs GbR and Halford Enterprises Limited up to 67,826
shares as part of a settlement and full payment of the fees payable under the
agreement with AXCIT Capital Mgmt. GmbH and Value Management & Research AG for
these services.


Any estimate that we give regarding the number of shares that will be held by
the selling stockholders after completion of this offering may prove to be
inaccurate because the selling stockholders may offer all or some of the
shares they hold and because there currently are no agreements, arrangements
or understandings with respect to the sale of any of the shares. The shares
offered by this prospectus may be offered from time to time by the selling
stockholders named below. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole
power to invest and vote the shares listed in the table, subject to community
property laws, where applicable. For purposes of this table, a person or group
of persons is deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of any shares which that
person has the right to acquire within 60 days. Percentage ownership is based
on 17,601,477 shares of our common stock outstanding on December 27, 1999. For
purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person
or group of persons named below, any security which such person or group of
persons has the right to acquire within 60 days is deemed to be outstanding
for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership for such person or
persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      SHARES                      SHARES
                                   BENEFICIALLY                BENEFICIALLY
                                  OWNED PRIOR TO              OWNED AFTER THE
                                   THE OFFERING                  OFFERING
                                 ----------------- SHARES TO -----------------
                                 NUMBER PERCENTAGE  BE SOLD  NUMBER PERCENTAGE
                                 ------ ---------- --------- ------ ----------
<S>                              <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>    <C>
ALPHA Beteiligungsverwaltungs
 GbR............................ 33,913      *      33,913      0        0%
Halford Enterprises Limited..... 33,913      *      33,913      0        0%
  TOTAL......................... 67,826      *      67,826
</TABLE>
- --------

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74
<PAGE>


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

Plan of distribution

The selling stockholders may sell the shares from time to time. The selling
stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions regarding the
timing, manner and size of each sale. The sales may be made on one or more
exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and at
terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price,
or in negotiated transactions. The selling stockholders may effect such
transactions by selling the shares to or through broker-dealers. The shares
may be sold by one or more of, or a combination of, the following:

  . a block trade in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares
    as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal
    to facilitate the transaction,

  . purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-
    dealer for its account under this prospectus,

  . an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such exchange,

  . ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
    solicits purchasers, and

  . in privately negotiated transactions.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. In effecting sales,
broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other
broker-dealers to participate in the resales.

The selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-
dealers in connection with distributions of the shares or otherwise. In these
transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the shares in the
course of hedging the positions they assume with selling stockholders. The
selling stockholders also may sell shares short and redeliver the shares to
close out such short positions. The selling stockholders may enter into option
or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to the
broker-dealer of the shares. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise
transfer such shares under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may
loan or pledge the shares to a broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may sell the
shares so loaned, or upon a default the broker-dealer may sell the pledged
shares under this prospectus.

Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions,
discounts or concessions from selling stockholders. Broker-dealers or agents
may also receive compensation from the purchasers of the shares for whom they
act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation as to
a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions and
will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with the sale. Broker-
dealers or agents and any other participating broker-dealers or the selling
stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Act, in connection
with sales of the shares. Accordingly, any such commission, discount or
concession received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares
purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions
under the Securities Act. Because selling stockholders may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, the
selling stockholders will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus
which qualify for sale to comply with Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus.
The selling stockholders have advised us that they have not entered into any
agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-
dealers regarding the sale of their securities. There is no underwriter or
coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of shares by
the selling stockholders.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             75
<PAGE>


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

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

The shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers
if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain
states the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or
qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the
registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the shares may not simultaneously engage in
market making activities with respect to our common stock for a period of two
business days prior to the commencement of such distribution. In addition,
each selling stockholder will be subject to applicable provisions of the
Exchange Act and the associated rules and regulations under the Exchange Act,
including Regulation M, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and
sales of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders. We will make
copies of this prospectus available to the selling stockholders and have
informed them of the need to deliver copies of this prospectus to purchasers
at or prior to the time of any sale of the shares.

We will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, to comply with Rule
424(b) under the Securities Act upon being notified by a selling stockholder
that any material arrangements have been entered into with a broker-dealer for
the sale of shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange
distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer,
such supplement will disclose:

 . the name of each such selling stockholder and of the participating broker-
  dealer(s),

 . the number of shares involved,

 . the price at which such shares were sold,

 . the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-
  dealer(s), where applicable,

 . that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the
  information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and

 . other facts material to the transaction.

In addition, upon being notified by a selling stockholder that a donee or
pledgee intends to sell more than 500 shares, we will file a supplement to
this prospectus.

We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration
of the shares. The selling stockholders will bear all commissions and
discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of the shares. The selling
stockholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent that
participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.


Legal matters

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon
for us by Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, San Diego, California and for the
underwriters by Shearman & Sterling, Menlo Park, California.

Experts

Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and September 30, 1999 and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 and the nine
months ended September 30, 1999, and the period from February 14, 1994
(inception) to September 30, 1999, as set forth in their report. We have
included our financial statements in this prospectus and elsewhere in the
registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76
<PAGE>



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where you can find more information

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, including the
exhibits, schedules and amendments to the registration statement, under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock to be sold
in this offering. This prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the registration statement. For further information with respect to
Sequenom and the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering, please
refer to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus
as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to
are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the
copy of such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference.

You may read and copy all or any portion of the registration statement or any
other information we file at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these
documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the
public reference room. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement,
are also available to you on the SEC's Web site (http://www.sec.gov).

As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the information and
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and, in
accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Upon approval of the common stock for quotation on
the Nasdaq National Market, such reports, proxy and information statements and
other information may also be inspected at the offices of Nasdaq Operations,
1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

We intend to furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited
financial statements.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             77
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors........................ F-2
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and Septem-
 ber 30, 1999............................................................ F-3
Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31,
 1996, 1997 and 1998, the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the nine
 months ended September 30, 1998 (unaudited) and the period February 14,
 1994 (inception) to September 30, 1999.................................. F-4
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity (deficit) for the period
 February 14, 1994 (inception) to September 30, 1999..................... F-5
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31,
 1996, 1997 and 1998, the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the nine
 months ended September 30, 1998 (unaudited) and the period February 14,
 1994 (inception) to September 30, 1999.................................. F-7
Notes to consolidated financial statements............................... F-8
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             F-1
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
Sequenom, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sequenom, Inc.
(a development stage company) as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and September
30, 1999 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998, the nine month period ended September 30, 1999 and
the period from February 14, 1994 (inception) to September 30, 1999. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
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 consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on
a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sequenom,
Inc. (a development stage company) at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and September
30, 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, the nine month period ended
September 30, 1999 and the period from February 14, 1994 (inception) to
September 30, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Diego, California

January 23, 2000

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-2
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  PRO FORMA
                                                                                               BALANCE SHEET
                                                                                              INFORMATION AT
                                                                DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                           1997          1998           1999            1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS                                                                                           (Unaudited)
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents.........................    $832,782    $8,559,612    $3,046,600
 Short-term investments, available-for-sale........          --    19,937,876    25,022,660
 Grant receivable..................................     181,350            --            --
 Inventories.......................................          --            --       242,829
 Other current assets and prepaid expenses.........     108,442       251,596       434,057
                                                    -----------  ------------  ------------
Total current assets...............................   1,122,574    28,749,084    28,746,146
 Equipment and leasehold improvements, net.........   1,002,197     3,941,888     5,810,844
 Other assets......................................     147,802        86,312        74,636
                                                    -----------  ------------  ------------
Total assets.......................................  $2,272,573   $32,777,284   $34,631,626
                                                    ===========  ============  ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses.............  $1,121,971    $2,385,254    $3,534,003
 Unearned revenue..................................     126,000            --            --
 Current portion of capital lease obligations......          --       349,489       441,446
                                                    -----------  ------------  ------------
Total current liabilities..........................   1,247,971     2,734,743     3,975,449
Capital lease obligations, less current portion....          --       730,064     1,312,713
Long-term debt.....................................   3,348,000     5,964,000     5,446,000     $3,267,600
Accrued long-term interest payable on long-term
 debt..............................................     424,000       713,500       930,625

Commitments

Stockholders' equity:
 Convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001;
  Authorized shares--14,842,757 at September 30,
   1999; 5,000,000 pro forma
  Issued and outstanding shares--5,621,742 and
   12,973,694 at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and
   14,842,757 at September 30, 1999; no shares
   pro forma
  Aggregate liquidation preference--$8,609,994 and
   $44,645,038 at December 31, 1997 and
   1998 and $56,793,947 at September 30, 1999......       5,622        12,974        14,843            $--
 Common stock, par value $0.001;
  Authorized shares--19,500,000 at September 30,
   1999; 75,000,000 pro forma
  Issued and outstanding shares--292,260 and
   331,010 at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and
   873,369 at September 30, 1999; 16,053,234 shares
   pro forma.......................................         292           331           873         16,053
 Additional paid-in capital........................   8,569,705    46,798,743    62,533,274     66,375,651
 Notes receivable for stock........................          --            --      (511,281)      (511,281)
 Deferred compensation related to stock options....          --    (2,420,150)   (2,167,162)    (2,167,162)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).....     140,683       (22,649)      216,602        256,888
 Deficit accumulated during the development stage.. (11,463,700)  (21,734,272)  (37,120,310)   (41,029,567)
                                                    -----------  ------------  ------------    -----------
Total stockholders' equity.........................  (2,747,398)   22,634,977    22,966,839    $38,977,763
                                                    -----------  ------------  ------------    -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.........  $2,272,573   $32,777,284   $34,631,626
                                                    ===========  ============  ============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             F-3
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                                FROM FEBRUARY
                                                                                                     14, 1994
                                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED   (INCEPTION) TO
                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,               SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   1996         1997          1998         1998          1999            1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    (Unaudited)
 <S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
 Research and development
  grants.................      $892,903     $526,573      $351,067     $126,000       $80,653     $1,851,196
 Costs and expenses:
 Research and
  development............     3,136,205    3,531,558     6,187,572    3,550,263     7,137,677     22,189,265
 General and
  administrative.........     1,032,005    1,860,629     4,218,453    2,639,877     5,363,295     13,124,367
 Amortization of deferred
  compensation
  ($3,047,127 and
  $568,023 related to
  general and
  administrative and
  research and
  development,
  respectively)..........            --           --            --           --     3,615,150      3,615,150
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
                              4,168,210    5,392,187    10,406,025    6,190,140    16,116,122     38,928,782
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Loss from operations....    (3,275,307)  (4,865,614)  (10,054,958)  (6,064,140)  (16,035,469)   (37,077,586)
 Interest income.........        72,918       56,986       397,361      290,929     1,225,696      1,758,021
 Interest expense........      (274,793)    (308,191)     (612,975)    (229,947)     (576,265)    (1,800,745)
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Net loss................   $(3,477,182) $(5,116,819) $(10,270,572) $(6,003,158) $(15,386,038)  $(37,120,310)
                            ===========  ===========  ============  ===========  ============   ============
 Historical net loss per
  share, basic and
  diluted................       $(23.45)     $(22.62)      $(33.33)     $(20.12)      $(39.41)
                            ===========  ===========  ============  ===========  ============
 Weighted average shares
  outstanding, basic and
  diluted................       148,251      226,251       308,121      298,375       390,486
 Pro forma net loss per
  share, basic and
  diluted................                                   $(1.02)                    $(1.03)
                                                      ============               ============
 Pro forma weighted
  average shares
  outstanding, basic and
  diluted................                                9,748,992                 14,714,027
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-4
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DEFERRED                     DEFICIT
                                                                       NOTES COMPENSATION    ACCUMULATED  ACCUMULATED
                         CONVERTIBLE                   ADDITIONAL RECEIVABLE   RELATED TO          OTHER   DURING THE
                       PREFERRED STOCK   COMMON STOCK     PAID-IN       FROM        STOCK  COMPREHENSIVE  DEVELOPMENT
                          SHARES AMOUNT  SHARES AMOUNT    CAPITAL   OFFICERS      OPTIONS   INCOME (LOSS)       STAGE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>       <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
 Net loss........             --    $--      --    $--        $--        $--          $--            $--  $(1,149,498)
 Translation
  adjustment.....             --     --      --     --         --         --           --         (1,703)          --
 Comprehensive
  loss...........             --     --      --     --         --         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  common stock...             --     --       1     --          1         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  Series A
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $35,484.....        442,000    442      --     --    185,074         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  Series A
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock for
  services.......         38,000     38      --     --     18,962         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  Series A
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock for
  assets.........      1,100,000  1,100      --     --    548,900         --           --             --           --
                       --------- ------ ------- ------ ----------        ---      -------       --------  -----------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1994............      1,580,000  1,580       1     --    752,937         --           --         (1,703)  (1,149,498)
 Net loss........             --     --      --     --         --         --           --             --   (1,720,201)
 Translation
  adjustment.....             --     --      --     --         --         --           --         (3,222)          --
 Comprehensive
  loss...........             --     --      --     --         --         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  Series B
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $32,940.....      2,333,333  2,333      --     --  3,464,727         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  common stock...             --     --  26,250     26      1,287         --           --             --           --
 Exercise of
  stock options..             --     -- 122,000    122      5,978         --           --             --           --
                       --------- ------ ------- ------ ----------        ---      -------       --------  -----------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1995............      3,913,333  3,913 148,251    148  4,224,929         --           --         (4,925)  (2,869,699)
 Net loss........             --     --      --     --         --         --           --             --   (3,477,182)
 Translation
  adjustment.....             --     --      --     --         --         --           --        (63,554)          --
 Comprehensive
  loss...........             --     --      --     --         --         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  Series B
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $10,592.....        643,330    644      --     --    953,647         --           --             --           --
 Issuance of
  warrants.......             --     --      --     --     18,000         --           --             --           --
 Deferred
  compensation...             --     --      --     --     33,000         --      (25,000)            --           --
                       --------- ------ ------- ------ ----------        ---      -------       --------  -----------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1996............      4,556,663  4,557 148,251    148  5,229,576         --      (25,000)       (68,479)  (6,346,881)
 Net loss........             --    $--      --    $--        $--    $--              $--            $--  $(5,116,819)
 Translation ad-
  justment.......             --     --      --     --         --     --               --        209,162           --
 Comprehensive
  loss...........             --     --      --     --         --     --               --             --           --
 Exercise of
  stock options..             --     -- 144,009    144     35,856     --               --             --           --
<CAPTION>
                               TOTAL
                       STOCKHOLDERS'
                               EQUITY
                            (DEFICIT)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>
 Net loss........       $(1,149,498)
 Translation
  adjustment.....            (1,703)
                       -------------
 Comprehensive
  loss...........        (1,151,201)
 Issuance of
  common stock...                 1
 Issuance of
  Series A
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $35,484.....           185,516
 Issuance of
  Series A
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock for
  services.......            19,000
 Issuance of
  Series A
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock for
  assets.........           550,000
                       -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1994............          (396,684)
 Net loss........        (1,720,201)
 Translation
  adjustment.....            (3,222)
                       -------------
 Comprehensive
  loss...........        (1,723,423)
 Issuance of
  Series B
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $32,940.....         3,467,060
 Issuance of
  common stock...             1,313
 Exercise of
  stock options..             6,100
                       -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1995............         1,354,366
 Net loss........        (3,477,182)
 Translation
  adjustment.....           (63,554)
                       -------------
 Comprehensive
  loss...........        (3,540,736)
 Issuance of
  Series B
  Convertible Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $10,592.....           954,291
 Issuance of
  warrants.......            18,000
 Deferred
  compensation...             8,000
                       -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1996............        (1,206,079)
 Net loss........       $(5,116,819)
 Translation ad-
  justment.......           209,162
                       -------------
 Comprehensive
  loss...........        (4,907,657)
 Exercise of
  stock options..            36,000
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             F-5
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                DEFERRED                      DEFICIT
                                                                     NOTES  COMPENSATION    ACCUMULATED   ACCUMULATED
                     CONVERTIBLE                     ADDITIONAL RECEIVABLE    RELATED TO          OTHER    DURING THE
                   PREFERRED STOCK    COMMON STOCK      PAID-IN       FROM         STOCK  COMPREHENSIVE   DEVELOPMENT
                     SHARES   AMOUNT  SHARES AMOUNT     CAPITAL   OFFICERS       OPTIONS  INCOME (LOSS)         STAGE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
 Issuance of
  Series C
  Convertible
  Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $49,661.....  1,065,079   1,065      --     --   3,304,273        --             --             --            --
 Amortization of
  deferred
  compensation...         --      --      --     --          --        --         25,000             --            --
                  ---------- ------- -------   ---- ----------- ---------    -----------       --------  ------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1997............  5,621,742   5,622 292,260    292   8,569,705        --             --        140,683   (11,463,700)
 Net loss........         --      --      --     --          --        --             --             --   (10,270,572)
 Unrealized gain
  on available-
  for-sale
  securities.....         --      --      --     --          --        --             --         23,326            --
 Translation
  adjustment.....         --      --      --     --          --        --             --       (186,658)           --
 Comprehensive
  loss...........         --      --      --     --          --        --             --             --            --
 Exercise of
  stock options..         --      --  38,750     39       7,086        --             --             --            --
 Issuance of
  Series C
  Convertible
  Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $47,370.....  3,508,252   3,508      --     --  11,000,115        --             --             --            --
 Issuance of
  Series D
  Convertible
  Preferred
  Stock, net of
  Issuance costs
  of $188,519....  3,843,700   3,844      --     --  24,791,687        --             --             --            --
 Deferred
  compensation...         --      --      --     --   2,420,150        --     (2,420,150)            --            --
                  ---------- ------- -------   ---- ----------- ---------    -----------       --------  ------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1998............ 12,973,694  12,974 331,010    331  46,798,743               (2,420,150)       (22,649)  (21,734,272)
 Net loss........         --      --      --     --          --        --             --             --   (15,386,038)
 Unrealized loss
  available-for-
  sale
  securities.....         --      --      --     --          --        --             --        (48,083)           --
 Translation
  adjustment.....         --      --      --     --          --        --             --        287,334            --
 Comprehensive
  loss...........         --      --      --     --          --        --             --             --            --
 Exercise of
  stock options..         --      -- 542,359    542     495,008  (511,281)            --             --            --
 Issuance of
  stock options
  to
  consultants....         --      --      --     --     102,527        --             --             --            --
 Issuance of
  Series D
  Convertible
  Preferred
  stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $372,206....  1,869,063   1,869      --     --  11,774,834        --             --             --            --
 Deferred
  compensation...         --      --      --     --   3,362,162        --     (3,362,162)            --            --
 Amortization of
  deferred
  compensation...         --      --      --     --          --        --      3,615,150             --            --
                  ---------- ------- -------   ---- ----------- ---------    -----------       --------  ------------
Balance at
 September 30,
 1999............ 14,842,757 $14,843 873,369   $873 $62,533,274 $(511,281)   $(2,167,162)      $216,602  $(37,120,310)
                  ========== ======= =======   ==== =========== =========    ===========       ========  ============
<CAPTION>
                          TOTAL
                  STOCKHOLDERS'
                         EQUITY
                      (DEFICIT)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>
 Issuance of
  Series C
  Convertible
  Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $49,661.....    3,305,338
 Amortization of
  deferred
  compensation...       25,000
                  -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1997............   (2,747,398)
 Net loss........  (10,270,572)
 Unrealized gain
  on available-
  for-sale
  securities.....       23,326
 Translation
  adjustment.....     (186,658)
                  -------------
 Comprehensive
  loss...........  (10,433,904)
 Exercise of
  stock options..        7,125
 Issuance of
  Series C
  Convertible
  Preferred
  Stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $47,370.....   11,003,623
 Issuance of
  Series D
  Convertible
  Preferred
  Stock, net of
  Issuance costs
  of $188,519....   24,795,531
 Deferred
  compensation...           --
                  -------------
Balance at
 December 31,
 1998............   22,634,977
 Net loss........  (15,386,038)
 Unrealized loss
  available-for-
  sale
  securities.....      (48,083)
 Translation
  adjustment.....      287,334
                  -------------
 Comprehensive
  loss...........  (15,146,787)
 Exercise of
  stock options..      (15,731)
 Issuance of
  stock options
  to
  consultants....      102,527
 Issuance of
  Series D
  Convertible
  Preferred
  stock, net of
  issuance costs
  of $372,206....   11,776,703
 Deferred
  compensation...           --
 Amortization of
  deferred
  compensation...    3,615,150
                  -------------
Balance at
 September 30,
 1999............  $22,966,839
                  =============
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-6
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      FOR THE
                                                                                                  PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                 FEBRUARY 14,
                                                                                                         1994
                                                     YEARS ENDED           NINE MONTHS ENDED   (INCEPTION) TO
                                                    DECEMBER 31,               SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   1996         1997          1998         1998          1999            1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     (Unaudited)
 <S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net loss................   $(3,477,182) $(5,116,819) $(10,270,572) $(6,003,158) $(15,386,038)  $(37,120,310)
 Adjustments to reconcile
  net loss to net cash
  used in operating
  activities:
 Amortization of deferred
  compensation...........            --           --            --           --     3,615,149      3,615,149
 Warrants issued in
  conjunction with lease
  financing..............        18,000           --            --           --            --         18,000
 Options issued to
  consultants............         8,000       25,000        10,000           --       102,527        145,527
 Stock issued for
  technology and
  services...............            --           --            --           --            --        569,000
 Depreciation and
  amortization...........       314,195      351,173       961,051      797,599     1,285,789      3,060,173
 Changes in operating
  assets and liabilities:
 Inventories.............            --           --            --           --      (243,036)      (243,036)
 Other current assets....      (247,711)      75,364        47,305     (238,993)     (263,499)      (556,508)
 Other assets............        10,213     (107,427)       56,085       59,405         4,829        (16,160)
 Accounts payable and
  accrued expenses.......       256,235      356,155     1,237,892      (29,252)    1,217,450      3,733,659
 Unearned revenue........       251,000     (125,000)     (126,000)    (126,000)           --             --
 Other liabilities.......       149,000      149,500       289,500       74,750       217,125        805,125
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Net cash used in
  operating activities...    (2,718,250)  (4,392,054)   (7,794,739)  (5,465,649)   (9,449,704)   (25,989,381)
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Purchase of equipment
  and leasehold
  improvements...........      (429,896)    (490,891)   (3,830,666)  (2,613,514)   (3,275,247)    (8,997,999)
 Purchases of marketable
  securities.............            --           --   (19,914,550)          --   (22,655,545)   (42,570,095)
 Maturities of marketable
  securities.............            --           --            --           --    17,476,703     17,476,703
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Net cash used in
  investing activities...      (429,896)    (490,891)  (23,745,216)  (2,613,514)   (8,454,089)   (34,091,391)
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Proceeds from issuance
  of Convertible
  Preferred Stock........       954,291    3,305,338    35,799,154   11,009,967    11,776,703     53,908,061
 Proceeds from long-term
  debt...................     1,706,592    1,165,000     2,276,560    2,233,200            --      6,039,160
 Borrowings under capital
  lease obligations......            --           --     1,306,312    1,074,549       912,149      2,218,461
 Payments on capital
  lease obligations......            --           --      (226,758)    (132,286)     (237,542)      (464,300)
 Proceeds from issuance
  of convertible term
  notes to stockholders..            --           --            --           --            --      1,580,000
 Proceeds from issuance
  of Common Stock........            --       36,000         7,125           36        37,721         88,260
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Net cash provided by
  financing activities...     2,660,883    4,506,338    39,162,393   14,185,466    12,489,031     63,369,642
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Net increase (decrease)
  in cash and cash
  equivalents............      (424,078)    (376,607)    7,622,438    6,106,303    (5,414,762)     3,288,870
 Effect of exchange rate
  change on cash and cash
  equivalents............      (126,739)    (116,748)      104,392      120,775       (98,250)      (242,270)
 Cash and cash
  equivalents at
  beginning of period....     1,876,954    1,326,137       832,782      832,782     8,559,612             --
                            -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------   ------------
 Cash and cash
  equivalents at end of
  period.................    $1,326,137     $832,782    $8,559,612   $7,059,860    $3,046,600     $3,046,600
                            ===========  ===========  ============  ===========  ============   ============
 SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF
  NONCASH INVESTING AND
  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Conversion of
  convertible term notes
  to Series B Convertible
  Preferred Stock........           $--          $--           $--          $--           $--     $1,580,000
 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
  OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION:
 Interest paid...........           $--     $158,691      $323,475     $155,197      $359,140       $841,306
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             F-7
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF THE BUSINESS
Sequenom, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated on February 14, 1994 in the
State of Delaware. Since inception, the Company has been primarily involved in
the research and development of high definition DNA analysis tools for
industrial biomedical and life science applications, and has not yet generated
revenues from its planned commercial operations. Accordingly, through the date
of these financial statements, the Company is considered to be a development
stage company.

Since inception, the Company has incurred significant losses and, as of
September 30, 1999, has an accumulated deficit of $37.1 million. Revenues to
date have been solely from research grants. The Company began placing
MassArray systems at beta sites and pre-launch partners in July 1999.
Information received from these sites is being used to optimize product
offerings. The Company expects to generate revenue from the commercial launch
of its MassArray system in the first quarter of 2000.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sequenom GmbH. All significant
intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities
when purchased of less than three months.

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, the
Company's investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and
unrealized holding gains or losses are included in comprehensive income
(loss.) Realized gains or losses, calculated based on the specific
identification method, were not material for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998, or the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999.

At December 31, 1998, short-term investments consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               AMORTIZED      MARKET UNREALIZED
                                                    COST       VALUE       GAIN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Obligations of U.S. government agencies..... $ 6,829,729 $ 6,830,085    $   356
Corporate debt securities...................  13,084,821  13,107,791     22,970
                                             ----------- -----------    -------
Total short-term investments................ $19,914,550 $19,937,876    $23,326
                                             =========== ===========    =======
</TABLE>

Approximately 75% and 25% of these securities mature within one and two years
of December 31, 1998, respectively.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-8
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

At September 30, 1999, short-term investments consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               AMORTIZED      MARKET UNREALIZED
                                                    COST       VALUE       GAIN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Obligations of U.S. government agencies..... $ 8,484,336 $ 8,459,315    $25,021
Corporate debt securities...................  16,609,057  16,563,345     45,712
                                             ----------- -----------    -------
Total short-term investments................ $25,093,393 $25,022,660    $70,733
                                             =========== ===========    =======
</TABLE>

Approximately 76% and 24% of these securities mature within one and two years
of September 30, 1999, respectively.

INVENTORIES
Inventories consist principally of raw materials and are stated at the lower
of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO)
method.

EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
Equipment is stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 3 to 5 years, or the
lease term, whichever is shorter. Leasehold improvements are amortized using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the improvement or
the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter.

SOFTWARE COSTS

Purchased software is capitalized at cost and amortized over the estimated
useful life, generally three years. Software developed for use in the
Company's products is expensed as incurred until both (i) technological
feasibility for the software has been established, and (ii) all research and
development activities for the other components of the system have been
completed. The Company believes this will occur after the Company has received
evaluations from the beta sites and has concluded any resulting modifications
to the products. Expenditures to date have been classified as research and
development expense.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

In accordance with SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of, if indicators of
impairment exist, the Company assesses the recoverability of the affected
long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can
be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If impairment
is indicated, the Company measures the amount of such impairment by comparing
the carrying value of the asset to the present value of the expected future
cash flows associated with the use of the asset. While the Company's current
and historical operating and cash flow losses are indicators of impairment,
the Company believes the future cash flows to be received from the long-lived
assets will exceed the assets' carrying value, and accordingly the Company has
not recognized any impairment losses through September 30, 1999.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities are carried at cost,
which management believes approximates fair value because of the short-term
maturity of these instruments.

The long-term debt and related accrued interest is not scheduled to be repaid
until 2005 and 2007. However, in connection with this offering, the Company
intends to extinguish the aggregate of $5,446,000 in long-term debt and
$930,625 in accrued interest through the issuance of 296,900 shares of common
stock (with a fair value of $7,125,600 at an assumed initial public offering
price of $24.00 per share) and cash of approximately $3,267,000.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            F-9
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


REVENUE RECOGNITION

Grant revenue is recorded as the research expenses relating to the grants are
incurred, provided that the amounts received are not refundable if the
research is not successful. Amounts received that are refundable if the
research is not successful would be recorded as deferred revenue and
recognized as revenue upon the grantor's acceptance of the success of the
research results.

The Company's product shipments through September 30, 1999 have been under
arrangements whereby the customer is performing beta testing on the MassArray
product and may elect to purchase the product following the completion of an
evaluation period. Revenue under these arrangements will be recognized upon
the completion of the evaluation period and upon the customer's definitive
acceptance of the product. Certain of these arrangements require the customer
to make one or more payments during the testing and evaluation period. Amounts
received under these arrangements ($100,000 at September 30, 1999) are
recorded as customer advances, which are included in accounts payable and
accrued expenses in the accompanying balance sheet.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Research and development costs are expensed in the period incurred.

INCOME TAXES
In accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, a deferred tax
asset or liability is determined based on the difference between the financial
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted
tax rates which will be in effect when these differences reverse. The Company
provides a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets unless, based
upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax
assets will be realized.

PATENT COSTS

Costs related to filing and pursuing patent applications are expensed as
incurred as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS
The financial statements of the Company's German subsidiary are measured using
the German Deutsche Mark (DEM) as the functional currency. Assets and
liabilities of this subsidiary are translated at the rates of exchange at the
balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average
daily rate of exchange during the reporting period. The resulting translation
adjustments are included as a separate component of other comprehensive income
(loss). Transactions denominated in currencies other than the local currency
are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise.
Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses
which are reflected in income as unrealized (based on period-end translations)
or realized upon settlement of the transactions.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
As permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the
Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, ("APB 25") and related
Interpretations in accounting for stock-based employee compensation. Under APB
25, if the exercise price of the Company's employee and director stock options
equals or exceeds the estimated fair value of the underlying stock on the date
of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-10
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

When the exercise price of the employee or director stock options is less than
the fair value of the underlying stock on the grant date, the Company records
deferred compensation for the difference and amortizes this amount to expense
in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 28, or FIN 28, over the vesting
period of the options. Options or stock awards issued to non-employees are
recorded at their fair value as determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and
recognized over the related service period.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, Reporting
Comprehensive Income. SFAS No. 130 requires unrealized gains or losses on the
Company's available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation
adjustments, which prior to adoption were reported separately in stockholders'
equity, to be included in other comprehensive income (loss).

SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company adopted SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information, during 1998. SFAS No. 131 requires the use of a
management approach in identifying segments of an enterprise. Management has
determined that the Company operates in one business segment.

INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA
The consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 are unaudited. The unaudited consolidated financial
statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated
financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all
adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to
state fairly therein, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

NET LOSS PER SHARE
In accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share, and SEC Staff Accounting
Bulletin (or SAB) No. 98, basic net income (loss) per share is computed by
dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per
share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the
weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
during the period. Potentially dilutive securities composed of incremental
common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, and
common shares issuable on conversion of preferred stock, were excluded from
historical diluted loss per share because of their anti-dilutive effect.

Under the provisions of SAB No. 98, common shares issued for nominal
consideration, if any, would be included in the per share calculations as if
they were outstanding for all periods presented. No common shares have been
issued for nominal consideration.

Pro forma net loss per share has been computed as described above and also
gives effect to common equivalent shares arising from preferred stock and
long-term debt that will automatically convert upon the closing of the initial
public offering contemplated by this prospectus (using the as-if converted
method from the original date of issuance) and reflects the elimination of
interest expense on the debt to be converted.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma balance sheet information at September 30, 1999
reflects the conversion of the convertible preferred stock and convertible
long-term debt into 14,842,757 and 272,108 shares of

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           F-11
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

common stock, respectively, including the related recognition of
(i) $4,244,884 of interest expense for the beneficial conversion of the debt,
and (ii) the recognition of $147,600 of related foreign translation gains on
such debt from October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999. The pro forma
balance sheet information does not reflect (i) the issuance of 1,523,451
shares of common stock from October 1, 1999 through December 27, 1999 pursuant
to the exercise of stock options, and the related issuance of loans to certain
executives of $1,545,185, resulting in a net decrease in cash of $66,993, or
(ii) $2,212,650 of additional deferred compensation recorded from October 1,
1999 through December 27, 1999.

USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified
to conform to current year presentation.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, effective January 1, 2001. SFAS No. 133
will require the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at
fair value. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the SFAS
No. 133 will have a significant effect on its results of operations or
financial position.

3. EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Equipment and leasehold improvements and related accumulated depreciation and
amortization are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               1997         1998          1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
Laboratory equipment..................  $1,248,735   $3,982,149   $4,906,210
Leasehold improvements................     119,061    1,044,891    1,392,927
Office furniture and equipment........     238,418      417,990    1,875,083
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------
                                         1,606,214    5,445,030    8,174,220
Less accumulated depreciation and
 amortization.........................     604,017    1,503,142    2,363,376
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------
                                        $1,002,197   $3,941,888   $5,810,844
                                        ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

Total depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $314,195, $351,173 and
$961,051 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively,
and $1,285,789 for the nine month period ended September 30, 1999.
Depreciation expense for the period from inception (February 14, 1994) through
September 30, 1999 was $3,060,173.

4. LONG-TERM DEBT
In 1995, the Company entered into agreements with Technologie Beteiligungs
Gesellschaft ("TBG") for two unsecured loans, one for DEM1 million
(approximately $700,000) and the other for DEM3 million

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-12
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(approximately $2.0 million). In 1997, the Company's subsidiary entered into
another agreement with the same German bank for an additional unsecured loan
of DEM2 million (approximately $1.2 million).

Interest is payable semi-annually on the loans. The 1995 loans began accruing
interest at 6% per annum commencing March 31, 1997 and payments commenced in
June 1997. The effective nominal interest rate over the life of the 1995 loans
is 4.8%. The 1997 loan bears interest at 7% and payments commenced in 1998.
The subsidiary is also required to pay additional interest equal to 9% of the
subsidiary's annual profits, to the extent that such profits exceed DEM100,000
per year (the subsidiary has not earned any such profits through September 30,
1999). The combined annual interest rate (nominal interest and additional
interest) may not exceed 7% per year through December 31, 2000. Commencing
January 1, 2001 and January 1, 2003, any amounts still outstanding will accrue
additional interest at 6% and 7% per annum for the 1995 loans and 1997 loan,
respectively.

In addition, at the end of the loan term (earlier of repayment or December 31,
2005 and December 31, 2007 for the 1995 loans and 1997 loan, respectively),
the subsidiary is obligated to pay terminal interest equal to 25%, 30% and 35%
of the amounts loaned under the DEM1 million, DEM3 million and DEM2 million
agreements, respectively, estimated to be approximately $1.2 million at the
end of the loan term. The Company has accrued interest in the amount of
$930,625 relating to the terminal interest representing approximately 75% of
the terminal interest to be paid at the end of the loan term. The Company's
accrual has been recorded on a straight-line basis, based upon the assumption
that the entire success fee would be paid in 2000, when the Company has been
expecting it would be able to repay the debt. The bank may elect to forego
collection of such amounts in certain situations. In December 1999, TBG agreed
to accept shares of the Company's common stock with an aggregate value of
$595,000, contingent upon completion of this offering, in full satisfaction of
the Company's obligation for interest payable to TBG. Assuming completion of
the initial public offering, the Company's ultimate interest cost will be
$595,000. The difference between the ultimate interest cost and accrued
interest liability will be recorded as a reduction of, interest expense upon
completion of the offering.

Under certain conditions, the Company may exercise a put option to sell its
shares of capital stock in the subsidiary to TBG for an amount equal to 50% of
the Company's equity contribution to the subsidiary pursuant to the DEM3
million loan. Through December 31, 1998, the Company had made capital
contributions to the subsidiary under the DEM3 million loan agreement of DEM3
million; therefore, the potential amount recoverable under this put option was
approximately DEM1.5 million at December 31, 1998. If the Company exercises
such put option, then the Series B Preferred Stockholders have a right to
demand redemption of their Series B Preferred Stock in the amount of $1.50 per
share. At the present time, the Company has no intention of exercising the put
option.

In January 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with TBG for debt of
DEM4 million (approximately $2.3 million) which is convertible into Common
Stock. Interest is payable at 6% of the subsidiary's annual profits. However,
the combined annual interest rate on all loans granted by TBG may not exceed
9% of the subsidiary's annual profits or 7% of the principal outstanding. The
Company may call for conversion in the event of a triggering event, as defined
in the agreement (generally a change in control or an initial public
offering). TBG may call for conversion at any time. The conversion ratio is
calculated as the arithmetic mean between $3.15 per share and a current
valuation of the Common Stock at the time of conversion, not to exceed $8.40
per share. The loan must be repaid by December 31, 2007, if not previously
converted. The Company intends to call for conversion of the loan upon
completion of this offering, and the conversion ratio is likely to be $8.40
per share, resulting in the issuance of approximately 272,108 shares of Common
Stock. Upon conversion, the Company will record additional

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           F-13
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

interest expense equal to the difference between the offering price and $8.40
per share. Assuming an initial public offering price of $24.00 per share, the
amount of such charge would be approximately $4,244,884.

In 1999, the Company established a $5 million revolving line of credit with a
bank. The Company may borrow under this agreement through June 2000. Payments
of principal and interest would be made over a 48 month period, commencing
October 31, 2001. Payments prior to that date would consist of interest only.
Borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%. Any amounts borrowed will be
secured by short-term investments maintained at the bank. No borrowings had
been made under this agreement as of September 30, 1999.

5. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
At September 30, 1999, convertible Preferred Stock outstanding is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                PRICE PER  NUMBER OF LIQUIDATION
DATE ISSUED                              SERIES     SHARE     SHARES       VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>       <C>        <C>
March-August 1995.......................    A     $0.50    1,580,000    $790,000
December 1995...........................    B     $1.50    2,333,333   3,500,000
February-March 1996.....................    B     $1.50      643,330     964,995
May 1997................................    C     $3.15    1,065,079   3,354,999
January 1998............................    C     $3.15    3,508,252  11,050,994
December 1998...........................    D     $6.50    3,843,700  24,984,050
February-March 1999.....................    D     $6.50    1,869,063  12,148,909
                                                          ---------- -----------
                                                          14,842,757 $56,793,947
                                                          ========== ===========
</TABLE>

Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of Common Stock at
the option of the holder. In addition, each share of Preferred Stock will
automatically convert to Common Stock upon the closing of the initial public
offering contemplated by this prospectus. A particular series of Preferred
Stock may be converted upon at least a two-thirds vote of the related holders
of such series of Preferred Stock.

No dividends shall be declared or paid to the holders of Series A Preferred
Stock or Common Stock unless the holders of Series B, Series C and Series D
Preferred Stock have been paid in full for all of the dividends to which they
are entitled. No dividends can be declared or paid to the holders of Series A
Preferred Stock or Common Stock at a rate greater than the rate paid to the
holders of Series B and Series C Preferred Stock.

The Series D Preferred Stock has preference as to the assets of the Company
upon liquidation over all other classes of capital stock. In liquidation, the
holders of Series A, Series B, Series C, and Series D Preferred Stock are
entitled to the greater of (i) $0.50, $1.50, $3.15 or $6.50 per share of
Series A, Series B, Series C, or Series D Preferred Stock, respectively
(subject to certain adjustments), plus declared but unpaid dividends, or (ii)
the amount per share of the Series D Preferred Stock as would have been
payable had all shares been converted to Common Stock immediately prior to a
liquidation event, plus declared but unpaid dividends. If the assets of the
Company are insufficient to permit payment in full, the entire assets of the
Company available for distribution will be distributed ratably first among the
holders of the Series D Preferred Stock and then the Series C, Series B,
Series A and Common Stock, respectively.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-14
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


The holders of Series B Preferred Stock have redemption rights under certain
limited conditions as discussed in Note 4.

In February 1998, a German bank purchased 2,700 shares or approximately 5% of
Sequenom GmbH common stock for DM3 million (approximately $1.7 million). The
German bank's ownership interest in the subsidiary was convertible, at the
option of the Company, into Series C Preferred Stock. Later in 1998, the
Company effected the conversion of the minority interest into 540,000 shares
of Series C Preferred Stock at $3.15 per share. Due to the Company's ability
and intention to convert the minority interest, which existed from the date of
the original transaction, the Company accounted for the transaction as a sale
of Series C Preferred Stock and has not reflected any minority interest in its
losses during the time the German bank held the 5% minority interest.

WARRANTS
In 1994, the Company entered into a $1 million equipment lease. Under the
terms of this agreement, the Company issued warrants to purchase 70,000 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share. In
connection with those warrants, the Company recorded $18,000 of additional
interest expense.

In connection with the Series C Preferred Stock issued in May 1997, the
Company issued warrants to purchase 106,503 shares of Series C Preferred Stock
at an exercise price of $3.15 per share.

NOTES RECEIVABLE

In 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of approximately $3.0
million in loans to executive officers, related to the exercise of their stock
options. The notes are full recourse and are also secured by the underlying
stock. The notes bear interest at the applicable federal rate in existence
when the notes were made (approximately 6%). The principal amount of the notes
and the related interest are required to be repaid on the earlier of two years
from the origination date of the loans or in the event of a secondary public
offering, if the executive officers making the note are allowed to sell their
stock. An aggregate of $511,281 of such loans were issued as of September 30,
1999. An additional $1,545,185 of such loans were issued from October 1, 1999
through December 27, 1999 in connection with the exercise of options to
purchase 1,523,451 shares of common stock, which options had been outstanding
as of September 30, 1999. The remainder of the loans are expected to be issued
through early 2000.

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

In December 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance
Plan ("1998 Plan"). The Plan provides for the grant to directors, employees
and consultants of options to purchase Common Stock. The Plan also provides
for the issuance of shares of Common Stock, subject to the Company's right to
repurchase the shares at the original purchase price in the event the employee
terminates prior to vesting. Prior to the 1998 Plan, the Company granted
options under the 1994 Stock Plan ("1994 Plan"). All options previously
granted under the 1994 Plan were transferred to the 1998 Plan in 1999. The
number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the plans was 1,700,000 and
2,700,000 in 1997 and 1998, respectively. At September 30, 1999 the number of
shares issuable under the 1998 Plan was 3,400,000. In October 1999 the number
of shares issuable under the 1998 plan was increased to 3,900,000. Options
granted under the 1998 Plan generally vest over a four-year period.

In November 1999, the Company adopted the Stock Incentive Plan ("the 1999
Plan"). The 1999 Plan provides for the grant of 4,750,000 shares of common
stock, which consists of the number of shares

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           F-15
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

estimated to carryover from the 1998 Plan, plus an increase of approximately
850,000 shares. Beginning in 2001, the amount of authorized shares available
under the 1999 Plan will automatically increase each January 1st by an amount
equal to 4% of the outstanding common stock on the prior December 31st,
subject to an annual increase limitation of 2,000,000 shares. Officers,
employees, board members and consultants are eligible to participate in the
1999 Plan. To date, no options have been granted under the 1999 Plan.

In November 1999, the Company adopted the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
("1999 ESPP"). The Company has reserved 250,000 shares of common stock for
issuance under the 1999 ESPP. Beginning in 2001, the amount of authorized
shares available under the 1999 ESPP will automatically increase each January
1st by an amount equal to 1% of the outstanding common stock on the prior
December 31st, subject to an annual increase limitation of 500,000. The 1999
ESPP will have a series of concurrent offering periods, each with a maximum
duration of 24 months, however, no employee may participate in more than one
offering period at a time.

The stock option activity is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        WEIGHTED
                                                                         AVERAGE
                                                             NUMBER OF  EXERCISE
                                                                SHARES     PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>
Balance at December 31, 1996................................   683,000   $0.18
 Granted....................................................   731,000   $0.25
 Cancelled..................................................   (50,000)  $0.25
 Exercised..................................................  (144,000)  $0.25
                                                             ---------
Balance at December 31, 1997................................ 1,220,000   $0.21
 Granted.................................................... 1,268,500   $0.71
 Cancelled..................................................   (71,250)  $0.28
 Exercised..................................................   (38,750)  $0.18
                                                             ---------   -----
Balance at December 31, 1998................................ 2,378,500   $0.47
 Granted....................................................   685,250   $3.00
 Cancelled..................................................   (52,500)  $0.60
 Exercised..................................................  (536,000)  $0.89
                                                             ---------
Balance at September 30, 1999............................... 2,475,250   $1.09
                                                             =========
</TABLE>

At September 30, 1999, 84,000 shares were available for future option grants
and 2,559,250 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance of all
options. The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted in
1996, 1997 and 1998 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1999 was
$0.06, $0.07, $0.17 and $2.86, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at
September 30, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                 WEIGHTED
    RANGE OF                      AVERAGE       WEIGHTED      NUMBER       WEIGHTED
    EXERCISE      NUMBER        REMAINING        AVERAGE EXERCISABLE        AVERAGE
       PRICE OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE  AND VESTED EXERCISE PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>         <C>              <C>            <C>         <C>
 $0.05-$0.25     977,000              7.4          $0.22     951,451          $0.18
 $0.50-$1.10     913,000              9.0          $0.79     371,884          $0.67
 $3.00-$3.30     585,250              8.9          $3.00      49,625          $3.00
               ---------                                  ---------
 $0.05-$3.30   2,475,250              8.3          $1.09   1,372,960          $0.42
               =========                                  =========
</TABLE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-16
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Had compensation cost for these option grants been determined consistent with
the fair value method prescribed in SFAS No. 123, the Company's net loss would
have been changed to the following pro forma amounts:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NINE MONTHS
                                                                        ENDED
                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER
                                1996         1997          1998      30, 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Pro forma net loss...... $(3,479,642) $(5,122,653) $(10,325,893) $(15,812,155)
Net loss as reported.... $(3,477,182) $(5,116,819) $(10,270,572) $(15,386,038)
Pro forma net loss per
 share, basic and
 diluted................ $    (23.51) $    (22.64) $     (33.51) $     (40.50)
Net loss per share,
 basic and diluted, as
 reported............... $    (23.45) $    (22.62) $     (33.33) $     (39.41)
</TABLE>

The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using the
minimum value pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions
for 1996, 1997 and 1998 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1999:
risk-free interest rate of 5%, 6%, 6%, 6%; dividend yield of 0%; and a
weighted-average life of the options of four years.

The minimum value pricing model is similar to the Black-Scholes option
valuation model which was developed for use in estimating the fair value of
traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable,
except that it excludes the factor for volatility. In addition, option
valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions. Because
the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in
management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a
reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The Company has recorded deferred compensation totalling $2,420,150 in
December 1998 and $1,689,662 in the nine months ended September 30, 1999 in
connection with the grants of stock options to employees. In addition, the
Company recorded deferred compensation of $1,672,500 in July 1999 related to a
remeasurement of certain options originally granted to an officer in 1997.
Amortization of deferred compensation totalled $3,615,150 during the nine
months ended September 30, 1999.

In October 1999, the Company granted options to purchase 335,250 shares of
stock at $3.00 per share and recorded additional deferred compensation of
$2,212,650. In January 2000, the Company granted options to purchase 76,000
shares of stock at $3.00 per share and expects to record additional deferred
compensation of approximately $1.6 million.

CONSULTING ARRANGEMENT RELATED TO INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

In March 1999, the Company engaged two German consulting firms to assist the
Company in completing an initial public offering (IPO) of its common stock.
The Company agreed to pay the consulting firms an aggregate amount of
DEM150,000, or approximately $78,000, plus a percentage of the amount of
capital raised attributable to their efforts. The Company also offered and
committed to sell the firms an aggregate of DEM3 million, or approximately
$1,560,000, of freely tradeable common shares at the IPO price in conjunction
with the completion of an IPO.

In January 2000, the Company was advised that its March 1999 offer and
commitment to sell the shares may have been in violation of Section 5 of the
Securities Act of 1933. Such a violation would provide the consulting firms
with a "put right" pursuant to which they could demand that the Company

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           F-17
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

repurchase their shares at the original purchase price. In January 2000, the
consulting firms signed an agreement waiving any "put right" to which they
otherwise would have been entitled and assigning their stock purchase rights
to third parties. The Company agreed to register such shares with the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The consulting
firms also agreed that the total advisory fee due to them under the original
agreement would be DEM789,000, or approximately $410,000.

The Company intends to net the $410,000 advisory fee against the proceeds of
the offering, as the Company considers the fee to be a specific incremental
cost directly attributable to the offering. The Company expects the third
party assignees designated by the consulting firms will purchase an aggregate
of approximately 65,000 shares, assuming an initial public offering price of
$24.00 per share, immediately prior to the completion of this offering.
Despite the signing of the waiver, the consulting firms may still attempt to
exercise the "put right." In this event, if the Company is compelled to
repurchase their shares, the Company will record the excess of the repurchase
price over the then-current fair market value of the stock as a general and
administrative expense.

6. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the net 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 shown below. A valuation allowance of
$15,091,000 has been recorded as realization of such assets is uncertain.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                1997         1998           1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>
Deferred tax assets:
 Net operating loss carryforwards......  $3,383,000   $7,495,000    $13,178,000
 Research and development credits......     193,000      521,000        541,000
 Capitalized research expenses.........     981,000    1,028,000      1,222,000
 Other, net............................      64,000      150,000        150,000
                                         ----------  -----------   ------------
Total deferred tax assets..............   4,621,000    9,194,000     15,091,000
Valuation allowance....................  (4,621,000)  (9,194,000)   (15,091,000)
                                         ----------  -----------   ------------
Net deferred tax assets................         $--          $--            $--
                                         ==========  ===========   ============
</TABLE>

At September 30, 1999, the Company has federal and state tax net operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $24,800,000 and $13,100,000, respectively.
The difference between the federal and state tax loss carryforwards is
attributable to the capitalization of research and development expenses for
state tax purposes. The federal tax loss carryforwards will begin to expire in
2008, unless previously utilized.

Approximately $278,000 of the state tax loss carryforwards expired in 1998,
and the state tax loss carryforwards will continue to expire in 1999 unless
previously utilized. The Company also has German net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $7,200,000, which may be carried forward
indefinitely. The Company also has federal and state research and development
tax credit carryforwards of approximately $410,000 and $200,000, respectively,
which will begin to expire in 2011 unless previously utilized.

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Sections 382 and 383, use of the Company's
net operating loss and credit carryforwards may be limited due to a cumulative
change in ownership of more than 50% which occurred in January 1998, as a
result of the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock, and which is anticipated
to occur with the offering. However, the Company does not believe these
limitations will materially impact the use of the net operating loss and
credit carryforwards.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-18
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

7. COMMITMENTS

LEASES

The Company leases facilities in both the United States and Germany. In
September 1999, the Company amended its lease of office and research
development space to extend through September 2004. Prior to that date, the
Company had been subject to a short-term lease agreement that commenced in
October 1996. The Company's subsidiary entered into a lease of office and
research and development space in 1995 that extends through June 2001. Total
rent expense under these leases was approximately $102,000 in 1996, $250,000
in 1997, $446,000 in 1998, and $411,000 for the nine month period ended
September 30, 1999. Total rent expense under these leases was approximately
$1,154,000 for the period from February 14, 1994 (inception) to September 30,
1999.

During 1998, the Company entered into a master equipment lease agreement
providing for borrowings up to $2,100,000. Under the agreement, the lessor
will purchase equipment that the Company will lease for a 42-month period. At
September 30, 1999, the Company had borrowed the full amount available under
the agreement.

Property under capital leases is included in equipment and leasehold
improvements, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               1997         1998          1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
Laboratory equipment..................          $--     $957,323    $1,571,537
Leasehold improvements................           --       33,211        34,357
Office furniture and equipment........           --      115,701       354,223
                                         ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                 --    1,106,235     1,960,117
Less accumulated amortization.........           --      174,270       658,174
                                         ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                $--     $931,965    $1,301,943
                                         ==========   ==========    ==========

The following is a schedule by year of future minimum lease payments at
September 30, 1999:

<CAPTION>
                                            CAPITAL    OPERATING
YEAR                                         LEASES       LEASES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
1999 (three months)...................     $181,026     $176,392
2000..................................      724,102      858,570
2001..................................      870,743      917,422
2002..................................      508,276      712,974
2003..................................       18,055      684,420
2004..................................           --      533,109
                                         ----------   ----------
                                          2,302,202   $3,882,887
                                                      ==========
Less amount representing interest.....      548,043
                                         ----------
Present value of minimum lease
 payments.............................    1,754,159
Less current portion..................      441,446
                                         ----------
Long-term capital lease obligations...   $1,312,713
                                         ==========
</TABLE>

CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into consulting agreements with a number of
individuals for scientific advisory services. Each individual receives a
certain number of nonqualified stock options. In certain cases, the options
vest upon the later of the achievement of milestones or ten years. In other
cases, the options vest

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           F-19
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

ratably over a specified period, generally two years. Compensation expense is
measured either upon the achievement of the milestones or ratably over the
service period, in accordance with EITF 96-18, and aggregated $24,000, $10,000
and $102,527 in the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1999, respectively.

DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
In August 1994, the Company entered into a development agreement with a
university for the design and construction of a prototype DNA sequencing mass
spectrometer. In September 1997, the Company extended the agreement through
September 30, 1999. Through September 30, 1999, the Company has paid
approximately $592,000 under this agreement and is committed to pay
approximately $21,000 in the remainder of 1999.

In September 1994, the Company entered into a development agreement with
another university for the design of a system for preparation of DNA samples.
In September 1998, the agreement was extended to September 30, 1999. Through
September 30, 1999, the Company has paid approximately $677,000 under this
agreement and is committed to pay approximately $55,000 in the remainder of
1999.

LICENSE AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into license agreements allowing the Company to
utilize certain patents. If these patents are used in connection with a
commercial product sale, the Company will pay royalties ranging from 1%-5% on
the related product revenues. As of September 30, 1999, the Company has not
made any commercial sales related to these agreements.

8. SAVINGS PLAN
In 1998, the Company initiated a 401(k) savings plan covering most United
States employees. Individual employees may make contributions to the plan,
which can be matched by the Company in an amount determined by the Board of
Directors. The Company may also make profit sharing contributions as
determined by the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 1999, the Company
has not made any contributions to the plan.

9. GERMAN GOVERNMENT GRANTS

The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Sequenom GmbH, has been the recipient
of three grants from German government authorities. The first grant, received
in 1996 from the City/State of Hamburg, is for DEM 800,000 (approximately
$475,000). This grant reimburses the subsidiary for the cost of certain
equipment to be used in a three-year research project. If the equipment is not
used for the grant's express purpose the equipment must be relinquished to the
City/State of Hamburg. Through December 31, 1998, approximately DEM 704,000
(approximately $420,000) of such equipment had been purchased under the grant
program and was being used for the grant's express purpose. The Company has
collected such amount from the grantor agency and no additional amounts are
expected to be expended or received related to this grant.

The second grant, also received in 1996, is from the German Federal Ministry
of Research and Development and amounts to DEM 2.2 million (approximately $1.3
million). This grant reimburses the Company for certain materials, personnel,
travel and development costs. Through December 31, 1998, approximately DEM 2.1
million (approximately $1.2 million) had been expended and recovered under
this grant program. The Company has collected such amount from the grantor
agency and no additional amounts are expected to be expended or received
related to this grant.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-20
<PAGE>

SEQUENOM, INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

A third grant, received in 1998, is also from the German Federal Ministry of
Research and Development and amounts to DEM 1.4 million (approximately
$860,000). This grant reimburses the Company for certain materials, personnel,
travel and development costs. Through September 30, 1999, approximately DEM
296,000 (approximately $160,000) had been expended and recognized under this
grant program.

10. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company has a wholly-owned subsidiary located in Germany. The following
table presents information about the Company by geographic area. There were no
material amounts of transfers between geographic areas. Included in the
consolidated balance sheets are the following domestic and foreign components
at December 31, 1997, 1998 and for the years then ended and at September 30,
1999 and for the nine months then ended:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             1997          1998           1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>           <C>
Current assets:
 Domestic...........................    $319,295    $26,828,538   $28,478,929
 Foreign............................     803,279      1,920,546       267,217
                                     -----------   ------------  ------------
                                      $1,122,574    $28,749,084   $28,746,146
                                     ===========   ============  ============
Equipment and leasehold
 improvements, net:
 Domestic...........................    $594,979     $2,805,418    $4,221,833
 Foreign............................     407,218      1,136,470     1,589,011
                                     -----------   ------------  ------------
                                      $1,002,197     $3,941,888    $5,810,844
                                     ===========   ============  ============
Other assets:
 Domestic...........................     $91,881        $12,550       $28,331
 Foreign............................      55,921         73,762        46,305
                                     -----------   ------------  ------------
                                        $147,802        $86,312       $74,636
                                     ===========   ============  ============
Total assets:
 Domestic...........................  $1,006,155    $29,646,506   $32,729,093
 Foreign............................   1,266,418      3,130,778     1,902,533
                                     -----------   ------------  ------------
                                      $2,272,573    $32,777,284   $34,631,626
                                     ===========   ============  ============
Net loss:
 Domestic........................... $(2,870,823)   $(7,929,395) $(13,274,509)
 Foreign............................  (2,245,996)    (2,341,177)   (2,111,529)
                                     -----------   ------------  ------------
                                     $(5,116,819)  $(10,270,572) $(15,386,038)
                                     ===========   ============  ============
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           F-21
<PAGE>

                              INSIDE BACK PANEL:

                 [PICTURES OF COMPONENTS OF MASSARRAY SYSTEM]

DNA SAMPLE PREPARATION

SPECTROCHIP(TM)

SPECTROJET(TM)

GENOLYZER(TM) SOFTWARE

SPECTROSCAN(TM)

MASSARRAY(TM) PRINCIPLE

SEQUENOM has developed powerful investigative tools that industrialize the
process of analyzing genetic diversity, thus ushering in a new level of
genetic analysis--INDUSTRIAL GENOMICS.

SEQUENOM's MassArray system represents a novel approach to genetic analysis by
combining its proprietary enzymatic chemistry, software and miniaturized
silicon chip with the proven technology of mass spectrometry, which measures
molecular weight using a laser.


                                      IBC
<PAGE>

                     [LOGO OF SEQUENOM INDUSTRIAL GENOMICS]
<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II

Information not required in prospectus

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The expenses to be paid by the Registrant are as follows. All amounts other
than the SEC registration fee, the NASD filing fees and the Nasdaq National
Market listing fee are estimates.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AMOUNT TO
                                                                        BE PAID
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>
SEC registration fee................................................ $   39,378
NASD filing fee.....................................................      7,500
Nasdaq National Market listing fee..................................     94,000
Legal fees and expenses.............................................    280,000
Accounting fees and expenses........................................    200,000
Printing and engraving..............................................    220,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal fees)...................     10,000
Transfer agent fees.................................................     10,000
Miscellaneous.......................................................    439,122
                                                                     ----------
  Total............................................................. $1,300,000
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>

ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors
and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under
certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses
incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933.

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the registrant's Second
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that
eliminates the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the registrant or its
stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under section 174 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (regarding unlawful dividends and stock
purchases) or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the bylaws of the
registrant provide that (1) the registrant is required to indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, subject to certain very limited exceptions, (2) the
registrant may indemnify its other employees and agents as set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, (3) the registrant is required to advance
expenses, as incurred, to its directors and executive officers in connection
with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, subject to certain very limited exceptions and (4)
the rights conferred in the bylaws are not exclusive.

The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its
directors and executive officers to give such directors and officers
additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           II-1
<PAGE>

PART II

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
indemnification set forth in the registrant's Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and to provide additional procedural protections.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director,
officer or employee of the registrant regarding which indemnification is
sought, nor is the registrant aware of any threatened litigation that may
result in claims for indemnification.

Reference is also made to Section 9 of the Underwriting Agreement, which
provides for the indemnification of officers, directors and controlling
persons of the registrant against certain liabilities. The indemnification
provision in the registrant's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, bylaws and the indemnification agreements entered into between
the registrant and each of its directors and executive officers may be
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the registrant's directors and
executive officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.

The registrant has applied for liability insurance for its officers and
directors.

Reference is made to the following documents filed as exhibits to this
Registration Statement regarding relevant indemnification provisions described
above and elsewhere in this prospectus:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       EXHIBIT
DOCUMENT                                                                NUMBER
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Underwriting Agreement (draft dated January 20, 2000).................    1.1
Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
 Registrant...........................................................    3.2
Form of Restated Bylaws of Registrant.................................    3.4
Form of Indemnification Agreement.....................................  10.48
Form of Indemnification Agreement.....................................  10.49
</TABLE>

ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

The Registrant has sold and issued the following securities since January
1996:

A. The Registrant from time to time has granted stock options to employees and
consultants in reliance upon exemption from registration pursuant to either
(1) Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 or (2) Rule 701 promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933. The following table sets forth certain
information regarding such grants:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NUMBER OF    EXERCISE
                                                              SHARES      PRICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>       <C>
January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996......................   435,000       $0.25
January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997......................   731,000       $0.25
January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998...................... 1,268,500 $0.50-$1.10
January 1, 1999 to December 27, 1999...................... 1,020,500 $3.00-$3.30
</TABLE>

For additional information concerning these transactions, please see
"Management--Employee benefit plans" in the prospectus included in this
registration statement.

B. On December 23, 1996, we issued a warrant to purchase 70,000 shares of
Series A preferred stock to Comdisco, Inc. in consideration of entering into a
certain rental agreement.

C. On May 8, 1997, we issued 1,065,079 shares of Series C preferred stock and
warrants to purchase 106,503 shares of Series C preferred stock to various
venture capitalists and individuals for an aggregate consideration of
$3,354,999.

D. On January 12, 1998, we issued 3,508,252 shares of Series C preferred stock
to various venture capitalists for an aggregate consideration of $11,050,994.

E. On December 21, 1998, we issued 3,843,700 shares of Series D preferred
stock to various venture capitalists and individuals for an aggregate
consideration of $24,984,050.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           II-2
<PAGE>

PART II

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

F. On February 28, 1999, we issued 900,303 shares of Series D preferred stock
to various venture capitalists and individuals for an aggregate consideration
of $5,851,970.

G. On March 30, 1999, we issued 968,760 shares of Series D preferred stock to
various venture capitalists, insiders, and individuals for an aggregate
consideration of $6,296,939.

H. From January 1, 1996 through December 27, 1999, we issued 2,386,538 shares
of common stock upon exercise of options for an aggregate consideration of
$2,488,973.

I. On March 23, 1999, we issued 6,349 shares of common stock to a consultant
for consideration of $20,000.

J. On March 31, 1999, we offered and committed ourselves to sell approximately
65,000 shares of common stock to two German consulting firms for an aggregate
consideration of approximately $1,600,000.

K. The above securities were offered and sold by the Registrant in reliance
upon exemptions from registration pursuant to either (1) Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933 as transactions not involving any public offering, or
(2) Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. No underwriters
were involved in connection with the sales of securities referred to in this
Item 15.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

<TABLE>
 <C>     <S>
 1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 3.1++   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended.

 3.2++   Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
         the Registrant to become effective immediately prior to the Offering.

 3.3++   Bylaws of Registrant, as amended.

 3.4++   Form of Restated Bylaws to be in effect upon the completion of the
         Offering.

 4.1     Specimen common stock certificate.

 5.1++   Opinion of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.

 10.1+++ Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
         December 22, 1995.

 10.2+++ Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated May 8,
         1997.
 10.3++  Form of Warrant Agreement between the Registrant and holders of the
         Series C Preferred Stock warrants.

 10.4+++ Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
         December 21, 1998.

 10.5++  Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 21,
         1998.

 10.6++  Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated December 21, 1998.

 10.7++  Amended and Restated Stock Restriction Agreement, dated December 21,
         1998.

 10.8++  Amended and Restated Amendment Agreement to the Series D Convertible
         Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 1, 1999.

 10.9++  Warrant Agreement, dated December 23, 1996, between the Registrant and
         Comdisco, Inc.

 10.10++ Form of Note Secured by Stock Pledge Agreement between the Registrant
         and the individuals listed on Schedule A thereto.

 10.11++ Form of Stock Pledge Agreement between the Registrant and the
         individuals listed on Schedule A thereto.

 10.12** Investment Contract, dated May 18, 1995, between the Registrant's
         subsidiary and TBG.

 10.13** Cooperation Agreement, dated May 1995, between the Registrant and TBG.

 10.14** Investment Contract, dated December 14, 1995, between the Registrant's
         subsidiary and TBG.

</TABLE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           II-3
<PAGE>

PART II

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

<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>
 10.15**    Cooperation Agreement, dated December 14, 1995, between the
            Registrant and TBG.

 10.16**    Investment Contract, dated September 22, 1997, between the
            Registrant's subsidiary and TBG.

 10.17      Cooperation Agreement, dated October 7, 1997, between the
            Registrant and TBG.

 10.18++    Security Agreement, dated April 29, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Union Bank of California.

 10.19++    Promissory Note, dated April 29, 1999, between the Registrant and
            Union Bank of California.

 10.20++    Business Loan Agreement, dated May 25, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Union Bank of California.

 10.21+++   Beta Test Agreement, dated March 1, 1999, between the Registrant
            and GLE Medicon, GmbH.

 10.22+++   Beta Test Agreement, dated April 21, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Universitat Munster.

 10.23+++   Beta Test Agreement, dated July 15, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Genzyme Corporation.

 10.24+++   Sponsored Research Agreement, dated September 15, 1994, between the
            Registrant and the Trustees of Boston University extended by Letter
            Agreements dated February 5, 1997 and September 6, 1998.

 10.25+++   Patent and Know-How License Agreement, dated June 1, 1996, between
            the Registrant and the Trustees of Boston University.

 10.26+++   License Agreement, dated July 3, 1997 between the Registrant and
            Johns Hopkins University.

 10.27+++   Agreement, dated July 8, 1997, between the Registrant's subsidiary
            and Dr. Bertram Muller-Myhsok.

 10.28+++   Letter Agreement, dated October 8, 1997, between the Registrant and
            Community Technology Fund, Office of Technology Transfer of
            Community Technology Fund and Center for Advanced Biotechnology
            (BU).

 10.29+++   Collaboration Agreement, dated November 24, 1997, between the
            Registrant and Bruker-Franzen Analytik, GmbH.

 10.30+++   Contractual Agreement, dated October 1, 1998, between the
            Registrant and GeSIM.

 10.31+++   License Agreement, dated January 14, 1999, and Addendum to License
            Agreement and Patent Assignment, dated September 29, 1999, between
            the Registrant and Franz Hillenkamp.

 10.32+++   Supply Agreement, dated April 1, 1999, between the Registrant and
            Tactical Fabs, Inc.

 10.33+++   OEM Supply and License Agreement, dated June 15, 1999, between the
            Registrant and PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc.

 10.34+++   Specific Cooperative Research Agreement No. 58-5438-9-120, dated
            June 15, 1999, between the Registrant and US Department of
            Agriculture (US Meat Animal Research Center).

 10.35+++   OEM Supply Agreement, dated June 24, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Beckman Coulter.

 10.36+++   Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, dated September 17,
            1999, between the Registrant and Public Health Service.

 10.37++*** Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1997, between the Registrant
            and Hubert Koster.
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            II-4
<PAGE>

PART II

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


<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>
 10.38++*** Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and the
            employees listed on Schedule A thereto.

 10.39+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated October 4, 1996, between the
            Registrant and Franz Hillenkamp.

 10.40+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated January 30, 1997, between the
            Registrant and Peter Roepstorff.

 10.41+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated February 17, 1997, between the
            Registrant and Ulf B. Gobel.

 10.42+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated March 1, 1999, between the
            Registrant and John Cashman.

 10.43+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated March 1, 1999, between the
            Registrant and Lindsay Farrer.

 10.44++    Standard Industrial Gross Lease, dated December 12, 1996, between
            Registrant and Sorrento Business Complex, L.P., as amended.

 10.45++    Master Equipment Lease Agreement No. 0135 and Letter extending the
            equipment lease, dated October 22, 1998, between Registrant and
            Phoenix Leasing Incorporated, as amended.

 10.46++    Standard Form Commercial Lease, dated June 24, 1999, between
            Registrant and Cummings Properties, LLC, as amended.

 10.47      Agreement for office space in Hamburg, dated May 1996, between the
            Registrant and Fiszman-Steinriede, GbR, as amended.

 10.48++    Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each
            of its directors.

 10.49++    Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each
            of its officers.

 10.50++    1994 Stock Plan.

 10.51      1994 Stock Plan Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant.

 10.52      1994 Stock Plan Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant.

 10.53      1994 Stock Plan Form of Stock Restriction Agreement.

 10.54++    1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan.

 10.55++    1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Notice of Grant of
            Stock Option.

 10.56++    1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Option
            Agreement.

 10.57++    1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Purchase
            Agreement.

 10.58++    1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Issuance
            Agreement.

 10.59      1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

 10.60      1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 10.61      1999 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option

 10.62      1999 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement

 10.63  *   Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Dr. Andreas Braun
      ***

 23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

 23.2++     Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP (included in Exhibit
            5.1).
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            II-5
<PAGE>

PART II

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


<TABLE>
 <C>    <S>
 24.1++ Powers of Attorney (See Signature Page on Page II-6).

 27.1++ Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- --------

**German language version filed herewith. English language translation
   previously filed.

***Management contract or compensatory plan.
+   Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of
    redacting a portion of the text (the "Mark"). This Exhibit has been filed
    separately with the Secretary of the Commission without the Mark pursuant
    to the Company's Application Requesting Confidential Treatment under Rule
    406 under the Securities Act.
++  Previously filed.

  (b) Financial Statement Schedules.

All financial statement 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
or are inapplicable as the information has been provided in the consolidated
financial statements or related notes thereto.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at
the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the 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 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.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933
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 of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933 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 securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           II-6
<PAGE>


PART II

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II

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

The Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           II-7
<PAGE>

PART II

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 the Registrant has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in San Diego, California, on this 24th
day of January, 2000.

                                          SEQUENOM, INC.

                                                  /s/ Stephen Zaniboni
                                          By: _________________________________
                                             Name: Stephen Zaniboni
                                             Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on January 24, 2000:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                         TITLE(S)                        DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
       */s/ Hubert Koster            President and Chief           January 24, 2000
____________________________________  Executive Officer
           HUBERT KOSTER              (principal executive
                                      officer) and Director

      /s/ Stephen Zaniboni           Senior Vice President and     January 24, 2000
____________________________________  Chief Financial Officer
          STEPHEN ZANIBONI            (principal financial and
                                      accounting officer)
     */s/ Helmut Schuhsler           Director                      January 24, 2000
____________________________________
          HELMUT SCHUHSLER
    */s/ Ernst-Gunter Afting         Director                      January 24, 2000
____________________________________
        ERNST-GUNTER AFTING
        */s/ John Lucas              Director                      January 24, 2000
____________________________________
             JOHN LUCAS
      */s/ Peter Reinisch            Director                      January 24, 2000
____________________________________
           PETER REINISCH
  *By: /s/ Stephen Zaniboni
____________________________________
          STEPHEN ZANIBONI
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II-8
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index to exhibits


<TABLE>
 <C>      <S>
 1.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 3.1++    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended.

 3.2++    Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
          the Registrant to become effective immediately prior to the Offering.

 3.3++    Bylaws of Registrant, as amended.

 3.4++    Form of Restated Bylaws to be in effect upon the completion of the
          Offering.

 4.1      Specimen common stock certificate.

 5.1++    Opinion of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.

 10.1+++  Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
          December 22, 1995.

 10.2+++  Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated May 8,
          1997.
 10.3++   Form of Warrant Agreement between the Registrant and holders of the
          Series C Preferred Stock warrants.

 10.4+++  Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
          December 21, 1998.

 10.5++   Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December
          21, 1998.

 10.6++   Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated December 21, 1998.

 10.7++   Amended and Restated Stock Restriction Agreement, dated December 21,
          1998.

 10.8++   Amended and Restated Amendment Agreement to the Series D Convertible
          Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 1, 1999.

 10.9++   Warrant Agreement, dated December 23, 1996, between the Registrant
          and Comdisco, Inc.

 10.10++  Form of Note Secured by Stock Pledge Agreement between the Registrant
          and the individuals listed on Schedule A thereto.

 10.11++  Form of Stock Pledge Agreement between the Registrant and the
          individuals listed on Schedule A thereto.

 10.12**  Investment Contract, dated May 18, 1995, between the Registrant's
          subsidiary and TBG.

 10.13**  Cooperation Agreement, dated May 1995, between the Registrant and
          TBG.

 10.14**  Investment Contract, dated December 14, 1995, between the
          Registrant's subsidiary and TBG.

 10.15**  Cooperation Agreement, dated December 14, 1995, between the
          Registrant and TBG.

 10.16**  Investment Contract, dated September 22, 1997, between the
          Registrant's subsidiary and TBG.

 10.17    Cooperation Agreement, dated October 7, 1997, between the Registrant
          and TBG.

 10.18++  Security Agreement, dated April 29, 1999, between the Registrant and
          Union Bank of California.

 10.19++  Promissory Note, dated April 29, 1999, between the Registrant and
          Union Bank of California.

 10.20++  Business Loan Agreement, dated May 25, 1999, between the Registrant
          and Union Bank of California.

 10.21+++ Beta Test Agreement, dated March 1, 1999, between the Registrant and
          GLE Medicon, GmbH.
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

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


<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>
 10.22+++   Beta Test Agreement, dated April 21, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Universitat Munster.

 10.23+++   Beta Test Agreement, dated July 15, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Genzyme Corporation.

 10.24+++   Sponsored Research Agreement, dated September 15, 1994, between the
            Registrant and the Trustees of Boston University extended by Letter
            Agreements dated February 5, 1997 and September 6, 1998.

 10.25+++   Patent and Know-How License Agreement, dated June 1, 1996, between
            the Registrant and the Trustees of Boston University.

 10.26+++   License Agreement, dated July 3, 1997 between the Registrant and
            Johns Hopkins University.

 10.27+++   Agreement, dated July 8, 1997, between the Registrant's subsidiary
            and Dr. Bertram Muller-Myhsok.

 10.28+++   Letter Agreement, dated October 8, 1997, between the Registrant and
            Community Technology Fund, Office of Technology Transfer of
            Community Technology Fund and Center for Advanced Biotechnology
            (BU).

 10.29+++   Collaboration Agreement, dated November 24, 1997, between the
            Registrant and Bruker-Franzen Analytik, GmbH.

 10.30+++   Contractual Agreement, dated October 1, 1998, between the
            Registrant and GeSIM.

 10.31+++   License Agreement, dated January 14, 1999, and Addendum to License
            Agreement and Patent Assignment, dated September 29, 1999, between
            the Registrant and Franz Hillenkamp.

 10.32+++   Supply Agreement, dated April 1, 1999, between the Registrant and
            Tactical Fabs, Inc.

 10.33+++   OEM Supply and License Agreement, dated June 15, 1999, between the
            Registrant and PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc.

 10.34+++   Specific Cooperative Research Agreement No. 58-5438-9-120, dated
            June 15, 1999, between the Registrant and US Department of
            Agriculture (US Meat Animal Research Center).

 10.35+++   OEM Supply Agreement, dated June 24, 1999, between the Registrant
            and Beckman Coulter.

 10.36+++   Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, dated September 17,
            1999, between the Registrant and Public Health Service.

 10.37++*** Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1997, between the Registrant
            and Hubert Koster.

 10.38++*** Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and the
            employees listed on Schedule A thereto.

 10.39+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated October 4, 1996, between the
            Registrant and Franz Hillenkamp.

 10.40+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated January 30, 1997, between the
            Registrant and Peter Roepstorff.

 10.41+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated February 17, 1997, between the
            Registrant and Ulf B. Gobel.

 10.42+++   Consulting Services Agreement, dated March 1, 1999, between the
            Registrant and John Cashman.
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

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


<TABLE>
 <C>      <S>
 10.43+++ Consulting Services Agreement, dated March 1, 1999, between the
          Registrant and Lindsay Farrer.

 10.44++  Standard Industrial Gross Lease, dated December 12, 1996, between
          Registrant and Sorrento Business Complex, L.P., as amended.

 10.45++  Master Equipment Lease Agreement No. 0135 and Letter extending the
          equipment lease, dated October 22, 1998, between Registrant and
          Phoenix Leasing Incorporated, as amended.

 10.46++  Standard Form Commercial Lease, dated June 24, 1999, between
          Registrant and Cummings Properties, LLC, as amended.

 10.47    Agreement for office space in Hamburg, dated May 1996, between the
          Registrant and Fiszman-Steinriede, GbR, as amended.

 10.48++  Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each of
          its directors.

 10.49++  Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each of
          its officers.

 10.50++  1994 Stock Plan.

 10.51    1994 Stock Plan Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant.

 10.52    1994 Stock Plan Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant.

 10.53    1994 Stock Plan Form of Stock Restriction Agreement.

 10.54++  1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan.

 10.55++  1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Notice of Grant of
          Stock Option.

 10.56++  1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement.

 10.57++  1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Purchase
          Agreement.

 10.58++  1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Issuance
          Agreement.

 10.59    1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

 10.60    1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 10.61    1999 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option

 10.62    1999 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement

 23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

 23.2++   Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 24.1++   Powers of Attorney (See Signature Page on Page II-6).

 27.1++   Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- --------

**German language version filed herewith. English language translation
   previously filed.

***Management contract or compensatory plan.
+   Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of
    redacting a portion of the text (the "Mark"). This Exhibit has been filed
    separately with the Secretary of the Commission without the Mark pursuant
    to the Company's Application Requesting Confidential Treatment under Rule
    406 under the Securities Act.
++  Previously filed.

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

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1



                            [              ] Shares

                                 Common Stock
                               ($.001 Par Value)


                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT














January __, 2000
<PAGE>

                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                               January ___, 2000

Warburg Dillon Read LLC
FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc.
SG Cowen Securities Corporation
as Managing Underwriters
c/o Warburg Dillon Read LLC
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10171-0026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Sequenom, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule A annexed hereto (the
"Underwriters") an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares (the "Firm Shares") of Common
Stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company. In addition, solely
for the purpose of covering over-allotments, the Company proposes to grant to
the Underwriters the option to purchase from the Company up to an additional
750,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Additional Shares"). The Firm Shares and
the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively sometimes referred to as the
Shares. The Shares are described in the Prospectus which is referred to below.

          The Company has filed, in accordance with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder
(collectively called the "Act"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91665)
including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. The Company has furnished to
you, for use by the Underwriters and by dealers, copies of one or more
preliminary prospectuses (each thereof being herein called a "Preliminary
Prospectus") relating to the Shares. Except where the context otherwise
requires, the registration statement, as amended when it becomes effective,
including all documents filed as a part thereof, and including any information
contained in a prospectus subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Act and deemed to be part of the registration statement at
the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430(A) under the Act and also
including any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Act, is herein called the Registration Statement, and the prospectus, in the
form filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier
time as may be required under the Act) or, if no such filing is required, the
form of final prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it
became effective, is herein called the Prospectus.

          Warburg Dillon Read LLC ("WDR") has agreed to reserve an aggregate of
[ ] of the Firm Shares to be purchased by it under this Agreement for sale to
the Company's directors, officers, employees and business partners, and other
parties related to the Company (collectively, "Participants"), as set forth in
the Prospectus under the heading "Underwriting" (such program being the
"Directed Share Program"). The Shares to be sold by WDR and its affiliates
pursuant to the Directed Share Program are referred to hereinafter as the
"Directed Shares". Any Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any
Participant by the end of the business day on which this Agreement is executed
will be offered to the public by the Underwriters as set forth in the
Prospectus.
<PAGE>

          The Company and the Underwriters agree as follows:

          1.  Sale and Purchase.  Upon the basis of the warranties and
              -----------------
representations and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Company agrees to sell to the respective Underwriters and each of the
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company the
aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter
in Schedule A attached hereto in each case at a purchase price of $[ ] per
Share. The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters intend (i) to make a
public offering of their respective portions of the Firm Shares as soon after
the effective date of the Registration Statement as in your judgment is
advisable and (ii) initially to offer the Firm Shares upon the terms set forth
in the Prospectus. You may from time to time increase or decrease the public
offering price after the initial public offering to such extent as you may
determine.

          In addition, the Company hereby grants to the several Underwriters the
option to purchase, and upon the basis of the warranties and representations and
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters shall
have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company, ratably
in accordance with the number of Firm Shares to be purchased by each of them,
all or a portion of the Additional Shares as may be necessary to cover over-
allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares, at the same
purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Company for the
Firm Shares. This option may be exercised by you on behalf of the several
Underwriters at any time (but not more than once) on or before the thirtieth day
following the date hereof, by written notice to the Company. Such notice shall
set forth the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the option is
being exercised, and the date and time when the Additional Shares are to be
delivered (such date and time being herein referred to as the additional time of
purchase); provided, however, that the additional time of purchase shall not be
earlier than the time of purchase (as defined below) nor earlier than the second
business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor
later than the tenth business day after the date on which the option shall have
been exercised. The number of Additional Shares to be sold to each Underwriter
shall be the number which bears the same proportion to the aggregate number of
Additional Shares being purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A hereto bears to the total
number of Firm Shares (subject, in each case, to such adjustment as you may
determine to eliminate fractional shares).

          2.  Payment and Delivery.  Payment of the purchase price for the Firm
              --------------------
Shares shall be made to the Company by Federal Funds wire transfer, against
delivery of the certificates for the Firm Shares to you through the facilities
of the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for the respective accounts of the
Underwriters. Such payment and delivery shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York
City time, on February [ ], 2000 (unless another time shall be agreed to by you
and the Company or unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section
8 hereof). The time at which such payment and delivery are actually made is
hereinafter sometimes called the time of purchase. Certificates for the Firm
Shares shall be delivered to you in definitive form in such names and in such
denominations as you shall specify on the second business day preceding the time
of purchase. For the purpose of expediting the checking of the certificates for
the Firm Shares by you, the Company agrees to make such certificates available
to you for such purpose at least one full business day preceding the time of
purchase.

          Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Shares shall be made
at the additional time of purchase in the same manner and at the same office as
the payment for the

                                       2
<PAGE>

Firm Shares. Certificates for the Additional Shares shall be delivered to you in
definitive form in such names and in such denominations as you shall specify no
later than the second business day preceding the additional time of purchase.
For the purpose of expediting the checking of the certificates for the
Additional Shares by you, the Company agrees to make such certificates available
to you for such purpose at least one full business day preceding the additional
time of purchase.

          3.  Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
              ---------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters that:

         (a)  the Company has not received, and has no notice of, any order of
     the Commission preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
     Prospectus, or instituting proceedings for that purpose, and each
     Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all
     material respects to the requirements of the Act; and when the Registration
     Statement became effective, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
               ------
     fully complied in all material respects with the provisions of the Act, and
     the Registration Statement did 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, and the
     Prospectus did 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading; any statutes, regulations, contracts or other
     documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement
     or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
     have been so described or filed; provided, however, that the Company makes
                                      --------  -------
     no warranty or representation with respect to any statement contained in
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in
     conformity with information concerning the Underwriters and furnished in
     writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter through you to the Company
     expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; and the
     Company has not distributed any offering material in connection with the
     offering or sale of the Shares other than the Registration Statement, the
     Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other materials, if any,
     permitted by the Act;

          (b)  as of the date of this Agreement, the Company has an authorized
     capitalization as set forth under the heading entitled "Actual" in the
     section of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus entitled
     "Capitalization" and, as of the time of purchase and the additional time of
     purchase, as the case may be, the Company shall have an authorized
     capitalization as set forth under the heading entitled "Pro Forma As
     Adjusted" in the section of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
     entitled "Capitalization"; all of the issued and outstanding shares of
     capital stock including Common Stock of the Company have been duly and
     validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, have
     been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws and
     were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right
     of first refusal or similar right;

          (c)  the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
     a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
     with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
     properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration
     Statement;

          (d)  the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
     corporation in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or
     leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such
     qualification, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
     material adverse effect on the business, properties, condition or

                                       3
<PAGE>

     results of operation of the Company and the Subsidiary (as hereinafter
     defined) taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect"). The Company has no
     Subsidiary (as defined in the Rules and Regulations) other than Sequenom
     GmbH (the "Subsidiary"); the Company owns [_____] shares (100%) of the
     outstanding common stock of Sequenom GmbH; other than the Subsidiary, the
     Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares of stock or any
     other equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation or have any
     equity interest in any firm, partnership, joint venture, association or
     other entity; complete and correct copies of the certificates of
     incorporation and of the bylaws of the Company and similar constituent
     documents of the Subsidiary and all amendments thereto have been delivered
     to you, and except as set forth in the exhibits to the Registration
     Statement no changes therein will be made subsequent to the date hereof and
     prior to the Closing Date or, if later, the Option Closing Date; the
     Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
     corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
     incorporation, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and
     operate its properties and to conduct its business as currently conducted;
     the Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in
     good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of the
     properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification,
     except where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse
     Effect; all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiary
     have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-
     assessable and (except as otherwise described in this Section 3(d) or in
     the Registration Statement) are owned by the Company subject to no security
     interest, other encumbrance or adverse claims; no options, warrants or
     other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other
     rights to convert any obligation into shares of capital stock or ownership
     interests in the Subsidiary are outstanding.

          (e)  the Company and the Subsidiary are in compliance in all material
     respects with the laws, orders, rules, regulations and directives issued or
     administered by any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or
     foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary or over the
     property of the Company or the Subsidiary;

          (f)  neither the Company nor the Subsidiary is in breach of, or in
     default under (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time,
     or both would result in any breach of, or constitute a default under), its
     respective charter or by-laws or similar constituent documents or in the
     performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or
     condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or
     credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any lease, contract
     or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or the Subsidiary is
     a party or by which either of them or any of their properties is bound, and
     the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the issuance and
     sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     hereby will not conflict with, or result in any breach of or constitute a
     default under (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time,
     or both would result in any breach of, or constitute a default under), any
     provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar constituent documents, of
     the Company or the Subsidiary or, except where such breach, default or
     failure of performance or observance would not have a Material Adverse
     Effect, under any provision of any license, indenture, mortgage, deed of
     trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or
     any lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company
     or the Subsidiary is a party or by which either of them or their respective
     properties may be bound or affected, or under any federal, state, local or
     foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable
     to the Company or the Subsidiary;

                                       4
<PAGE>

          (g)  this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Company and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company
     enforceable in accordance with its terms;

          (h)  the capital stock of the Company, including the Shares, conforms
     in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the
     Registration Statement and Prospectus and the certificates for the Shares
     are in due and proper form and the holders of the Shares will not be
     subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders;

          (i)  the Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued
     and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and
     validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable;

          (j)  no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with
     any national, state or local governmental or regulatory commission, board,
     body, authority or agency is required in connection with the issuance and
     sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
     as contemplated hereby other than registration of the Shares under the Act
     and any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of
     the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being offered by the
     Underwriters or under the rules and regulations of the National Association
     of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");

          (k)  no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the
     Company to issue to it, or register pursuant to the Act, any shares of
     capital stock of the Company upon the issue and sale of the Shares to the
     Underwriters hereunder, nor does any person have preemptive rights, co-sale
     rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase any of the
     Shares other than those that have been expressly waived prior to the date
     hereof;

          (l)  Ernst & Young LLP, whose report on the consolidated financial
     statements of the Company and the Subsidiary is filed with the Commission
     as part of the Registration Statement and Prospectus, are independent
     public accountants as required by the Act;

          (m)  each of the Company and the Subsidiary has all necessary
     licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals and has made all necessary
     filings required under any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation
     or rule, and has obtained all necessary authorizations, consents and
     approvals from other persons, in order to conduct its respective business
     except for such licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals or filings of
     which the failure to obtain or make, either singly or in the aggregate,
     would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; neither the Company nor the
     Subsidiary is in violation of, or in default under, any such license,
     authorization, consent or approval or any federal, state, local or foreign
     law, regulation or rule or any decree, order or judgment applicable to the
     Company or the Subsidiary the effect of which would have a Material Adverse
     Effect;

          (n)  all legal or governmental proceedings, contracts, leases or
     documents of a character required to be described in the Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the
     Registration Statement have been so described or filed as required;

          (o)  there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or
     proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to
     which the Company or the

                                       5
<PAGE>

     Subsidiary or any of their respective officers is a party or of which any
     of their respective properties is subject at law or in equity, or before or
     by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory
     commission, board, body, authority or agency which could result in a
     judgment, decree or order having a Material Adverse Effect or prevent
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (p)  the audited financial statements included in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the consolidated financial
     position of the Company and the Subsidiary as of the dates indicated and
     the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Company and
     the Subsidiary for the periods specified; such financial statements have
     been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
     applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved;

          (q)  subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
     given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and except as may be
     otherwise stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, there has not
     been (i) any material adverse change, or any development which, in the
     Company's reasonable judgment, is likely to cause a material adverse
     change, in the business, properties or assets described or referred to in
     the Registration Statement, or the results of operations, condition
     (financial or otherwise), business or operations of the Company and the
     Subsidiary taken as a whole, (ii) any transaction which is material to the
     Company or the Subsidiary, except transactions in the ordinary course of
     business, (iii) any obligation, direct or contingent, which is material to
     the Company and the Subsidiary taken as a whole, incurred by the Company or
     the Subsidiary, except obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
     business, (iv) any change in the capital stock or outstanding indebtedness
     of the Company or the Subsidiary or (v) any dividend or distribution of any
     kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company; neither
     the Company nor the Subsidiary has any material contingent obligation which
     is not disclosed in the Registration Statement;

          (r)  the Company has obtained the agreement of (i) each of its
     directors and officers, (ii) the holders of at least 98.0% of the
     outstanding Common Stock and preferred stock, and (iii) the holders of
     other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common
     Stock or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock (such that the
     aggregate of such securities which are not subject to such agreement does
     not represent more than 1.8% of the outstanding Common Stock), not to sell,
     offer to sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, grant any option to sell or
     otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
     securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
     or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock for a period of 180
     days after the date of the Prospectus;

          (s)  the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
     sale of the Shares, 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 (the "Investment Company Act");

          (t)  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 generally accepted
     accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (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 the

                                       6
<PAGE>

     existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken
     with respect to any differences;

          (u)  except as described in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, the Company and the Subsidiary own or possess, or can acquire
     on reasonable terms, all licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how
     (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable
     proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures),
     trademarks, service marks and trade names, patents and patent rights
     necessary for the conduct of its business as described in the Prospectus,
     and, except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
     the Company has no reason to believe that the conduct of its business will
     conflict with, and has not received any notice of any claim of conflict
     with, any such rights of others, except as would not have a Material
     Adverse Effect; and, to the Company's knowledge, neither the Company nor
     the Subsidiary has infringed or is infringing any trademarks, service
     marks, trade mark registrations, service mark registrations, domain names
     or copyrights, which infringement could reasonably be expected to result in
     a material adverse change in or affecting the general affairs, financial
     position, stockholder's equity or results of operations of the Company and
     the Subsidiary;

          (v)  the Company and the Subsidiary have good and marketable title in
     fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all
     personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens,
     encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or
     such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not
     interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the
     Company and the Subsidiary; and any real property and buildings held under
     lease by the Company and the Subsidiary are held by them under valid,
     subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material
     and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
     property and buildings by the Company and the Subsidiary;

          (w)  no material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or
     any of the Subsidiary exists, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is
     imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or
     imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal
     suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that could reasonably be expected
     to result in any Material Adverse Effect;

          (x)  the Company and the Subsidiary are insured by insurers of
     recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in
     such amounts as are prudent and customary in the business in which they are
     engaged; neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has been refused any
     insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company and the
     Subsidiary have no reason to believe that they will not be able to renew
     their existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to
     obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to
     continue their business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse
     Effect;

          (y)  all United States federal income tax returns of the Company and
     the Subsidiary required by law to be filed have been filed and all taxes
     shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable,
     have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will
     be promptly taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided; the
     Company and the Subsidiary have filed all other tax returns that are
     required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state,
     local or other law and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or
     pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and the Subsidiary,
     except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as
     to which

                                       7
<PAGE>

     adequate reserves have been provided; the charges, accruals and reserves on
     the books of the Company and the Subsidiary in respect of any income and
     corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate
     to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any
     years not finally determined; and

          (z)  each of the Company and the Subsidiary (i) is in compliance with
     any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and
     regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
     environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
     contaminants, including those pertaining to the acquisition, use, storage,
     transportation or disposal of biological materials, ("Environmental Laws"),
     (ii) has received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them
     under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses
     and (iii) is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such
     permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with
     Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other
     approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such
     permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have
     a Material Adverse Effect.

          (aa) The Company represents and warrants to WDR and its affiliates
     that (i) the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any preliminary
     prospectus comply in all material respects, and any further amendments or
     supplements thereto will comply in all material respects, with any
     applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the
     Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if
     applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program,
     and that (ii) no authorization, approval, consent, license, order,
     registration or qualification of or with any government, governmental
     instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is
     necessary under the securities laws and regulations of foreign
     jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the United
     States.

          (bb) The Company has not offered, or caused WDR and its affiliates to
     offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the
     specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the
     Company to alter the customer's or supplier's level or type of business
     with the Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or
     publish favorable information about the Company or its products.

          4.  Certain Covenants of the Company.  The Company hereby agrees:
              --------------------------------

          (a)  to furnish such information as may be required and otherwise to
     cooperate in qualifying the Shares for offering and sale under the
     securities or blue sky laws of such states as you may designate and to
     maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the
     distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required
                                 --------
     to qualify as a foreign corporation or to consent to the service of process
     under the laws of any such state (except service of process with respect to
     the offering and sale of the Shares); and to promptly advise you of the
     receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension
     of the qualification of the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the
     initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;

          (b)  to make available to the Underwriters in New York City, as soon
     as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective, and
     thereafter from time to time to furnish to the Underwriters, as many copies
     of the Prospectus (or of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented if the
     Company shall have made any amendments or supplements thereto after the
     effective date of the Registration Statement) as the Underwriters may
     request for the purposes contemplated by the Act; in case any Underwriter
     is required to deliver a prospectus within the nine-month period

                                       8
<PAGE>

     referred to in Section 10(a)(3) of the Act in connection with the sale of
     the Shares, the Company will prepare promptly upon request, but at the
     expense of such Underwriter, such amendment or amendments to the
     Registration Statement and such prospectuses as may be necessary to permit
     compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

          (c)  to advise you promptly and (if requested by you) to confirm such
     advice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective
     and when any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective and (ii) if
     Rule 430A under the Act is used, when the Prospectus is filed with the
     Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (which the Company agrees
     to file in a timely manner under such Rules);

          (d)  to advise you promptly, confirming such advice in writing, of any
     request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration
     Statement or Prospectus or for additional information with respect thereto,
     or of notice of institution of proceedings for, or the entry of a stop
     order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if
     the Commission should enter a stop order suspending the effectiveness of
     the Registration Statement, to make every reasonable effort to obtain the
     lifting or removal of such order as soon as possible; to advise you
     promptly of any proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement
     or Prospectus and to file no such amendment or supplement to which you
     shall object in writing;

          (e)  to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or
     information statement required to be filed by the Company with the
     Commission in order to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended, (the "Exchange Act") subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and
     for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with
     the offering or sale of the Shares, and to promptly notify you of such
     filing;

          (f)  if necessary or appropriate, to file a registration statement
     pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act;

          (g)  to furnish to you and, upon request, to each of the other
     Underwriters for a period of five years from the date of this Agreement (i)
     copies of any reports or other communications which the Company shall send
     to its stockholders or shall from time to time publish or publicly
     disseminate, (ii) copies of all annual, quarterly and current reports filed
     with the Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, or such other similar form
     as may be designated by the Commission, (iii) copies of documents or
     reports filed with any national securities exchange on which any class of
     securities of the Company is listed, and (iv) such other information as you
     may reasonably request regarding the Company or the Subsidiary, in each
     case as soon as the communication, document or information becomes
     available;

          (h)  to advise the Underwriters promptly of the happening of any event
     known to the Company within the time during which a Prospectus relating to
     the Shares is required to be delivered under the Act which, in the judgment
     of the Company, would require the making of any change in the Prospectus
     then being used so that the Prospectus would not include an untrue
     statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
     make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
     they are made, not misleading, and, during such time, to prepare and
     furnish, at the Company's expense, to the Underwriters promptly such
     amendments or supplements to such Prospectus as may be necessary to reflect
     any such change and to furnish you a copy of such proposed amendment or
     supplement before filing any such amendment or supplement with the
     Commission;

                                       9
<PAGE>

          (i)  to make generally available to its security holders, and to
     deliver to you, an earnings statement of the Company (which will satisfy
     the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of twelve
     months beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as
     defined in Rule 158(c) of the Act) as soon as is reasonably practicable
     after the termination of such twelve-month period;

          (j)  to furnish to its shareholders as soon as practicable after the
     end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and
     statements of income, shareholders' equity and of cash flow of the Company
     for such fiscal year), accompanied by a copy of the certificate or report
     thereon of nationally recognized independent certified public accountants;

          (k)  to furnish to you five (5) signed copies of the Registration
     Statement, as initially filed with the Commission, and of all amendments
     thereto (including all exhibits thereto) and sufficient conformed copies of
     the foregoing (other than exhibits) for distribution of a copy to each of
     the other Underwriters;

          (l)  to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares in the
     manner set forth under the caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus;

          (m)  to pay all costs, expenses, fees and taxes (other than any
     transfer taxes and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters
     except as set forth under Section 5 hereof and (iii), (iv) and (vi) below)
     in connection with (i) the preparation and filing of the Registration
     Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, and any amendments
     or supplements thereto, and the printing and furnishing of copies of each
     thereof to the Underwriters and to dealers (including costs of mailing and
     shipment), (ii) the registration, issue, sale and delivery of the Shares,
     (iii) the printing of this Agreement, any Agreement Among Underwriters, any
     dealer agreements, any Powers of Attorney and any closing documents
     (including compilations thereof) and the reproduction and/or printing and
     furnishing of copies of each thereof to the Underwriters and (except
     closing documents) to dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment),
     (iv) the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state laws
     and the determination of their eligibility for investment under state law
     as aforesaid (including the legal fees and filing fees and other
     disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters) and the printing and
     furnishing of copies of any blue sky surveys or legal investment surveys to
     the Underwriters and to dealers, (v) any listing of the Shares on any
     securities exchange or qualification of the Shares for quotation on the
     Nasdaq National Market and any registration thereof under the Exchange Act,
     (vi) any filing for review of the public offering of the Shares by the
     NASD, (vii) all fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the
     Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and stamp
     duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the
     Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and (viii) the
     performance of the Company's other obligations hereunder;

          (n)  to furnish to you, before filing with the Commission subsequent
     to the effective date of the Registration Statement and during the period
     referred to in paragraph (f) above, a copy of any document proposed to be
     filed pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

          (o)  not to sell, offer or agree to sell, contract to sell, grant any
     option to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares
     of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or
     exercisable for Common Stock or warrants or other rights to purchase Common
     Stock or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar
     to Common Stock or permit the registration under the Act of any

                                       10
<PAGE>

     shares of Common Stock, except for (i) the registration of the Shares and
     the sales to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) issuances of
     Common Stock upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, rights and
     debentures, and (iii) the granting of options to acquire up to 2,385,819
     shares of Common Stock under the Company's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, for a
     period of 180 days after the date hereof, without the prior written consent
     of WDR;

          (p)  to use its best efforts to cause the Common Stock to be listed
     for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market;

          (q)  That in connection with the Directed Share Program, the Company
     will ensure that the Directed Shares will be restricted to the extent
     required by the NASD or the NASD rules from sale, transfer, assignment,
     pledge or hypothecation for a period of three months following the date of
     the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company will direct
     the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon such securities
     for such period of time; and

          (r)  That the Company will comply with all applicable securities and
     other applicable laws, rules and regulations in each foreign jurisdiction
     in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed
     Share Program.

          5.  Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses. If the Shares are not
              ---------------------------------------
delivered for any reason other than the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to the first two paragraphs of Section 8 hereof or the default by one or more of
the Underwriters in its or their respective obligations hereunder, the Company
shall, in addition to paying the amounts described in Section 4(n) hereof,
reimburse the Underwriters for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their counsel.

          6.  Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The several obligations
              ---------------------------------------
of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations
and warranties on the part of the Company on the date hereof and at the time of
purchase (and the several obligations of the Underwriters at the additional time
of purchase are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on
the part of the Company on the date hereof and at the time of purchase (unless
previously waived)) and at the additional time of purchase, the performance by
the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to the following additional
conditions precedent:

          (a)  The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and at
     the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, an opinion of Brobeck,
     Phleger & Harrison LLP, counsel for the Company, addressed to the
     Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of
     purchase, as the case may be, with reproduced copies for each of the other
     Underwriters and in form reasonably satisfactory to Shearman & Sterling,
     counsel for the Underwriters, stating that:

               (i)    the Company is duly incorporated and is validly existing
          and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; 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 the Prospectus (and any amendment or
          supplement thereto); the Company is duly qualified or licensed to do
          business as a foreign corporation in good standing in each
          jurisdiction where it conducts its business or owns or leases
          property, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
          Material Adverse Effect,

                                       11
<PAGE>

          and has the status set forth opposite the jurisdictions listed on a
          schedule to such opinion;

               (ii)   the authorized capital stock of the Company as of
          September 30, 1999 is as set forth under the heading "Actual" under
          the caption "Capitalization" in the Prospectus;

               (iii)  all shares of capital stock of the Company outstanding
           prior to the issuance of the Shares have been duly authorized and
           validly issued, are, to our knowledge, fully paid and nonassessable,
           and are free of any preemptive rights arising under the Company's
           certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated, or the
           Delaware General Corporation Law and, to such counsel's knowledge,
           are free of any contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights
           of first refusal and similar rights;

               (iv)   the Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly
           authorized and, when issued and delivered to the Underwriters against
           payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting
           Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
           free of (A) any preemptive rights arising under the Company's
           certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated, or the
           Delaware General Corporation Law or (B) to our knowledge, similar
           rights that entitle or will entitle any person to acquire any shares
           of capital stock of the Company upon the issuance and sale of the
           Shares by the Company;

               (v)    the form of certificate for the Shares conforms in all
           material respects to the requirements of the Delaware General
           Corporation Law, and, to the extent permitted by the Delaware General
           Corporation Law, the holders of the Shares will not be subject to
           personal liability by reason of being such holders;

               (vi)   the Registration Statement and all post-effective
           amendments, if any, have become effective under the Securities Act
           and, to our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
           the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for
           that purpose are pending before or contemplated by the Commission;
           and any required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424 has
           been made in accordance with Rule 424;

               (vii)  other than the Subsidiary, the Company does not own or
           control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or
           other entity; and to the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than
           as set forth in the Registration Statement, no options, warrants or
           other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or
           other rights to convert any obligation into shares of capital stock
           or ownership interests in the Subsidiary are outstanding;

               (viii) the Company has the corporate power and authority to enter
           into this Agreement and to issue, sell and deliver the Shares to the
           Underwriters as provided in this Agreement; this Agreement has been
           duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

                                       12
<PAGE>

               (ix)   neither the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares, the
           execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement,
           compliance by the Company with the provisions of this Agreement nor
           consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
           Agreement (A) violates the Company's certificate of incorporation, as
           amended and restated, or its Bylaws, or (B) constitutes a breach of,
           or a default under, any agreement, indenture, lease or other
           instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or
           any of its U.S. properties is bound that is an exhibit to the
           Registration Statement (other than German language exhibits as to
           which such counsel need not express an opinion), which breach or
           default would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
           Effect or (C) will result in any violation of any existing law or
           regulation (other than applicable state securities and Blue Sky laws,
           as to which such counsel need not express an opinion), or any ruling,
           judgment, injunction, order or decree known to us and applicable to
           the Company or any of its U.S. properties;

               (x)    no consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or
           registration or filing with, any U.S. or California, Delaware
           corporate or New York court, regulatory body, administrative agency
           or other U.S. or California, Delaware corporate or New York
           governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the
           Company (except (A) as have been obtained under the Act and the
           Exchange Act or (B) such as may be required under state securities of
           Blue Sky laws governing the purchase and distribution of the Shares
           and as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) for the
           valid issuance and sale of the Shares to the Underwriters as
           contemplated by this Agreement;

               (xi)   to our knowledge, (A) there are no legal or governmental
           proceedings pending or threatened against the Company, or to which
           the Company or any of its U.S. properties is subject, which are
           required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus
           (or any amendment or supplement thereto) that are not so described
           and (B) there are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases or
           other instruments that are required to be described in the
           Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or
           supplement thereto) or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
           Statement that are not so described or filed, as the case may be;

               (xii)  the statements set forth under the caption "Description of
           Capital Stock" in the Prospectus, insofar as such statements purport
           to summarize certain provisions of the capital stock of the Company,
           provide a fair summary of such provisions in all material respects;

               (xiii) based upon a certificate provided by appropriate officers
           of the Company to such counsel, the Company is not in violation of
           its certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated, or its by-
           laws or is in breach of, or in default under (nor has any event
           occurred which with notice, lapse of time, or both would result in
           any breach of, or constitute a default under), any license,
           indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or
           other evidence of indebtedness, or any lease, contract or other
           agreement or

                                       13
<PAGE>

           instrument to which the Company is a party or by it or its U.S.
           properties may be bound or affected or under any federal, state or
           local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order
           applicable to the Company;

               (xiv)  the Company is not and will not be, upon consummation of
           the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the application
           of the proceeds from the offering of the Shares as set forth in the
           caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Registration Statement and
           Prospectus, an "investment company," or a "promoter" or "principal
           underwriter" for, a "registered investment company," as such terms
           are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

               (xv)   the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except as
           to the financial statements and schedules and other financial and
           statistical data contained therein, as to which such counsel need not
           express an opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with
           the requirements of the Act; and

               (xvi)  such counsel have participated in conferences with
           officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of
           the independent public accountants of the Company and representatives
           of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration
           Statement and Prospectus were discussed and, although such counsel is
           not passing upon and does not assume responsibility for the accuracy,
           completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
           Registration Statement or Prospectus (except as and to the extent
           stated in subparagraphs (ii) and (xii) above), on the basis of the
           foregoing nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that
           causes them to believe that the Registration Statement or any
           amendment thereto at the time such Registration Statement or
           amendment 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 supplement thereto at the
           date of such Prospectus or such supplement, and at the time of
           purchase or additional time of purchase, as the case may be,
           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, in light of the circumstances under which
           they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel
           need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and
           schedules and other financial and statistical data included in the
           Registration Statement or Prospectus).

           (b)  The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and at
     the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, an opinion of _______,
     German counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the
     time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be,
     with reproduced copies for each of the other Underwriters and in form
     satisfactory to Shearman & Sterling, counsel for the Underwriters, stating
     that:

               (i)    the Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is validly
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
          jurisdiction of incorporation with full corporate power and authority
          to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business
          as currently conducted;

                                       14
<PAGE>

               (ii)   the Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do
          business as a foreign corporation in good standing in each
          jurisdiction where it conducts its business or owns or leases
          property, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
          Material Adverse Effect;

               (iii)  all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
          Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully
          paid and non-assessable and, except as otherwise stated in the
          Registration Statement, are owned by the Company, and are not subject
          to any security interest, other encumbrance or adverse claim; to the
          best of such counsel's knowledge, no options, warrants or other rights
          to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other rights
          to convert any obligation into shares of capital stock or ownership
          interests in the Subsidiary are outstanding;

               (iv) the Subsidiary does not have any subsidiaries;

               (v)    no approval authorization, consent or order of or filing
          with any governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority
          or agency of the Federal Republic of Germany or any political
          subdivision thereof is required in connection with the issuance and
          sale of the Shares and the consummation by the Company of the
          transactions as contemplated in this Agreement;

               (vi)   to the best of such counsel's knowledge, the Subsidiary is
          not in violation of its charter or bylaws (or similar constituent
          documents) or is in breach of, or in default under (nor has any event
          occurred which with notice, lapse of time, or both would result in any
          breach of, or constitute a default under), any license, indenture,
          mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other
          evidence of indebtedness, or any lease, contract or other agreement or
          instrument to which the Subsidiary is a party or by which its
          properties may be bound or affected or under any law, regulation or
          rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Subsidiary;
          and

               (vii)  to the best of such counsel's knowledge, there are no
          actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending,
          threatened or contemplated to which the Subsidiary is subject or of
          which any of its properties is subject at law or in equity or before
          any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory
          commission, board, body, authority or agency that could, either singly
          or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          (c)  The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and at
     the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, an opinion of Heller,
     Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, patent counsel for the Company, addressed to the
     Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of
     purchase, the case may be, with reproduced copies for each of the other
     Underwriters and in form satisfactory to Shearman & Sterling, counsel for
     its Underwriters, stating that:

               (i)    to the best of such counsel's knowledge and belief, the
          statements in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the
          captions "Risk Factors - we may be involved in lawsuits to protect or
          enforce our patents, which would be expensive and, if we lose, may
          cause us to lose some of our intellectual property rights, which would
          reduce our ability to compete in the market", " - The rights we rely
          upon to protect our intellectual property underlying our products may
          not be adequate, which could enable third parties to use our
          technology and would reduce our ability to compete in the market",
          " - Our

                                       15
<PAGE>

          success will depend partly on our ability to operate without
          infringing on or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others"
          and "Business -Intellectual Property" are accurate and complete
          statements or summaries of the matters therein set forth. Nothing has
          come to such counsel's attention that causes them to believe that the
          above-described portions of the Registration Statement at the time
          such Registration Statement 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 supplement
          thereto, at the date of such Prospectus or such supplement, contained
          an untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state a material
          fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
          therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
          misleading;

               (ii)   to the best of such counsel's knowledge and belief, (a)
          there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending relating to
          patent rights, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks or other
          proprietary information or materials of the Company, and (b) no such
          proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities
          or others;

               (iii)  such counsel does not know of any contracts or other
          documents, relating to the Company's patents, trade secrets,
          trademarks, service marks or other proprietary information or
          materials, of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the
          Registration Statement or required to be described in the Registration
          Statement or the Prospectus, that are not filed or described as
          required;

               (iv)   to the best of such counsel's knowledge and belief, (a)
          the Company is not infringing or otherwise violating any patents,
          trade secrets, trademarks, service marks or other proprietary
          information or materials of others, and (b) there are no infringements
          by others of any of the Company's patents, trade secrets, trademarks,
          service marks or other proprietary information or materials which in
          such counsel's judgment could affect materially the use thereof by the
          Company;

               (v)    such counsel has no knowledge of any facts which would
          preclude the Company from having valid license rights or clear title
          to the patents referenced in the Prospectus; such counsel has no
          knowledge that the Company lacks or will be unable to obtain any
          rights or licenses to use all patents and other material intangible
          property and assets necessary to conduct the business now conducted or
          proposed to be conducted by the Company as described in the
          Prospectus, except as described in the Prospectus; such counsel is
          unaware of any facts which form a basis for a finding of
          unenforceability or invalidity of any of the Company's patents and
          other material property and assets;

               (vi)   such counsel is not aware of any material fact with
          respect to the patent applications of the Company presently on file
          that (a) would preclude the issuance of patents with respect to such
          applications, or (b) would lead such counsel to conclude that such
          patents, when issued, would not be valid and enforceable in accordance
          with applicable regulations; and

               (vii)  (a) though such counsel has not verified the accuracy or
          completeness of the statements contained in the Prospectus, nothing
          has come to the attention of such counsel that causes them to believe
          that, such

                                       16
<PAGE>

          Registration Statement, at the time the Registration Statement 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 at the time of
          purchase, or additional time of purchase, as the case may be, the
          Prospectus under the captions "Risk Factors - we may be involved in
          lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents, which would be expensive
          and, if we lose, may cause us to lose some of our intellectual
          property rights, which would reduce our ability to compete in the
          market", " - The rights we rely upon to protect our intellectual
          property underlying our products may not be adequate, which could
          enable third parties to use our technology and would reduce our
          ability to compete in the market", " - Our success will depend partly
          on our ability to operate without infringing on or misappropriating
          the proprietary rights of others" and "Business -Intellectual
          Property", contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
          to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
          light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

               Such counsel may state that, in rendering their opinion, they
          have relied on certain factual representations of the Company and that
          they have not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of
          such representations.

          (d)  You shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP, letters dated,
     respectively, the date of this Agreement and the time of purchase and
     additional time of purchase, as the case may be, and addressed to the
     Underwriters (with reproduced copies for each of the Underwriters) in the
     forms heretofore approved by WDR.

          (e)  You shall have received at the time of purchase and at the
     additional time of purchase, as the case may be, from Shearman & Sterling,
     counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions with respect to the
     incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Shares delivered at the
     time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be,
     the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as you
     may require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such
     documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to
     pass upon such matters;

          (f)  No amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or
     Prospectus shall be filed prior to the time the Registration Statement
     becomes effective to which you object in writing.

          (g)  The Registration Statement shall become effective, or if Rule
     430A under the Act is used, the Prospectus shall have been filed with the
     Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, at or before 5:00 P.M.,
     New York City time, on the date of this Agreement, unless a later time (but
     not later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the second full business
     day after the date of this Agreement) shall be agreed to by the Company and
     you in writing or by telephone, confirmed in writing; provided, however,
                                                           --------  -------
     that the Company and you and any group of Underwriters, including you, who
     have agreed hereunder to purchase in the aggregate at least 50% of the Firm
     Shares may from time to time agree on a later date.

          (h)  Prior to the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase,
     as the case may be, (i) no stop order with respect to the effectiveness of
     the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Act or
     proceedings initiated under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Act; (ii) the
     Registration Statement and all amendments thereto, or modifications
     thereof, if any, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
     or

                                       17
<PAGE>

     omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
     to make the statements therein not misleading; and (iii) the Prospectus and
     all amendments or supplements thereto, or modifications thereof, if any,
     shall 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they are
     made, not misleading.

          (i)  Between the time of execution of this Agreement and the time of
     purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, (i) no
     material and unfavorable change, financial or otherwise (other than as
     referred to in the Registration Statement and Prospectus), in the business
     or condition of the Company and the Subsidiary taken as a whole shall occur
     or become known and (ii) no transaction which is material and unfavorable
     to the Company shall have been entered into by the Company or the
     Subsidiary.

          (j)  The Company will, at the time of purchase or additional time of
     purchase, as the case may be, deliver to you a certificate of two of its
     executive officers to the effect that the representations and warranties of
     the Company as set forth in this Agreement are true and correct as of each
     such date, that the Company shall have performed such of its obligations
     under this Agreement as are to be performed at or before the time of
     purchase and at or before the additional time of purchase, as the case may
     be, and the conditions set forth in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this Section
     6 have been met.

          (k)  Each of (i) the directors and officers of the Company, (ii) the
     holders of at least 98.0% of the outstanding Common Stock and preferred
     stock, and (iii) the holders of other securities convertible into or
     exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or warrants or other rights to
     purchase Common Stock (such that the aggregate of such securities which are
     not subject to such agreement does not represent more than 1.8% of the
     outstanding Common Stock), shall have agreed in writing not to sell, offer
     to sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, grant any option to sell or
     otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
     securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
     or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock for a period of 180
     days after the date of the Prospectus.

          (l)  The Company shall have furnished to you such other documents and
     certificates as to the accuracy and completeness of any statement in the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus as of the time of purchase and
     the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, as you may reasonably
     request.

          (m)  The Shares shall have been approved for listing for quotation on
     the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to notice of issuance at or prior
     to the time of purchase.

          7.  Effective Date of Agreement; Termination. This Agreement shall
              ----------------------------------------
become effective (i) if Rule 430A under the Act is not used, when you shall have
received notification of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or
(ii) if Rule 430A under the Act is used, when the parties hereto have executed
and delivered this Agreement.

          The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder shall be subject
to termination in the absolute discretion of you or any group of Underwriters
(which may include you) which has agreed to purchase in the aggregate at least
50% of the Firm Shares, if, since the time of execution of this Agreement or the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement
and Prospectus, (x) there has been any material adverse and

                                       18
<PAGE>

unfavorable change, financial or otherwise (other than as referred to in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus), in the operations, business, or
condition of the Company and the Subsidiary taken as a whole, which would, in
your judgment or in the judgment of such group of Underwriters, make it
impracticable to market the Shares, or (y) there shall have occurred any
downgrading, or any notice shall have been given of (i) any intended or
potential downgrading or (ii) any review or possible change that does not
indicate an improvement, in the rating accorded any securities of or guaranteed
by the Company or the Subsidiary by any "nationally recognized statistical
rating organization", as that term is defined in Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act,
or (z) if, at any time prior to the time of purchase or, with respect to the
purchase of any Additional Shares, the additional time of purchase, as the case
may be, trading in securities on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market shall have been suspended or limitations
or minimum prices shall have been established on the New York Stock Exchange,
the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, or if a banking
moratorium shall have been declared either by the United States or New York
State authorities, or if the United States shall have declared war in accordance
with its constitutional processes or there shall have occurred any material
outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international
calamity or crisis of such magnitude in its effect on the financial markets of
the United States as, in your judgment or in the judgment of such group of
Underwriters, to make it impracticable to market the Shares.

          If you or any group of Underwriters elects to terminate this Agreement
as provided in this Section 7, the Company and each other Underwriter shall be
notified promptly by letter or telegram.

          If the sale to the Underwriters of the Shares, as contemplated by this
Agreement, is not carried out by the Underwriters for any reason permitted under
this Agreement or if such sale is not carried out because the Company shall be
unable to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall not
be under any obligation or liability under this Agreement (except to the extent
provided in Sections 4(n), 5, 9 and 10 hereof), and the Underwriters shall be
under no obligation or liability to the Company under this Agreement (except to
the extent provided in Section 9 hereof) or to one another hereunder.

          8.  Increase in Underwriters' Commitments. Subject to Sections 6 and
              -------------------------------------
7, if any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to take up and pay for the
Firm Shares to be purchased by it hereunder (otherwise than for a reason
sufficient to justify the termination of this Agreement under the provisions of
Section 7 hereof) and if the number of Firm Shares which all Underwriters so
defaulting shall have agreed but failed to take up and pay for does not exceed
10% of the total number of Firm Shares, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall
take up and pay for (in addition to the aggregate number of Firm Shares they are
obligated to purchase pursuant to Section 1 hereof) the number of Firm Shares
agreed to be purchased by all such defaulting Underwriters, as hereinafter
provided. Such Shares shall be taken up and paid for by such non-defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters in such amount or amounts as you may designate with
the consent of each Underwriter so designated or, in the event no such
designation is made, such Shares shall be taken up and paid for by all non-
defaulting Underwriters pro rata in proportion to the aggregate number of Firm
Shares set opposite the names of such non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule A.

          Without relieving any defaulting Underwriter from its obligations
hereunder, the Company agrees with the non-defaulting Underwriters that it will
not sell any Firm Shares hereunder unless all of the Firm Shares are purchased
by the Underwriters (or by substituted Underwriters selected by you with the
approval of the Company or selected by the Company with your approval).

                                       19
<PAGE>

          If a new Underwriter or Underwriters are substituted by the
Underwriters or by the Company for a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters in
accordance with the foregoing provision, the Company or you shall have the right
to postpone the time of purchase for a period not exceeding five business days
in order that any necessary changes in the Registration Statement and Prospectus
and other documents may be effected.

          The term Underwriter as used in this Agreement shall refer to and
include any Underwriter substituted under this Section 8 with like effect as if
such substituted Underwriter had originally been named in Schedule A.

          If the aggregate number of Shares which the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total number of Shares which
all Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, and if neither the non-defaulting
Underwriters nor the Company shall make arrangements within the five business
day period stated above for the purchase of all the Shares which the defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, this Agreement shall
be terminated without further act or deed and without any liability on the part
of the Company to any non-defaulting Underwriter and without any liability on
the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter to the Company.  Nothing in this
paragraph, and no action taken hereunder, shall relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.

          9.  Indemnity and Contribution.
              --------------------------

          (a)  The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each
     Underwriter, its partners, directors and officers, and any person who
     controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
     Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of
     the foregoing persons from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability
     or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or
     severally, any such Underwriter or any such person may incur under the Act,
     the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss,
     damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any
     untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
     in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended
     by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Company) or in a Prospectus
     (the term Prospectus for the purpose of this Section 9 being deemed to
     include any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented by the Company), or arises out of or is based upon
     any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be
     stated in either such Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to
     make the statements made therein not misleading, except insofar as any such
     loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon
     any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
     contained in and in conformity with information furnished in writing by or
     on behalf of any Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use
     with reference to such Underwriter in such Registration Statement or such
     Prospectus or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged
     omission to state a material fact in connection with such information
     required to be stated in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or
     necessary to make such information not misleading.

          If any action, suit or proceeding (together, a "Proceeding") is
     brought against an Underwriter or any such person in respect of which
     indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to the foregoing
     paragraph, such Underwriter or such person shall promptly notify the
     Company in writing of the institution of such Proceeding and the Company
     shall assume the defense of such Proceeding, including the employment of
     counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and payment of
     all reasonable

                                       20
<PAGE>

     fees and expenses; provided, however, that the omission to so notify the
                        --------  -------
     Company shall not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company
     may have to any Underwriter or any such person or otherwise, except where
     such omission materially affects the Company's ability to defend such
     Proceeding. Such Underwriter or such person shall have the right to employ
     its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of
     such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or of such person
     unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing
     by the Company in connection with the defense of such Proceeding or the
     Company shall not have, within a reasonable period of time in light of the
     circumstances, employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such
     Proceeding or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably
     concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are
     different from, additional to or in conflict with those available to the
     Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the
     defense of such Proceeding on behalf of the indemnified party or parties),
     in any of which events such reasonable fees and expenses shall be borne by
     the Company and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the
     Company shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate
     counsel (in addition to any local counsel) in any one Proceeding or series
     of related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction representing the
     indemnified parties who are parties to such Proceeding). The Company shall
     not be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its
     written consent but if settled with the written consent of the Company, the
     Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Underwriter and any such
     person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party
     shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified
     party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second
     sentence of this paragraph, then the indemnifying party agrees that it
     shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its
     written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60
     business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid
     request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
     indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
     settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the
     indemnifying party at least 30 days' prior written notice of its intention
     to settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
     of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
     threatened Proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
     have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
     indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
     of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
     matter of such Proceeding and does not include an admission of fault,
     culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of such indemnified party.

          (b)  Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold
     harmless the Company, its directors and officers, and any person who
     controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
     20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the
     foregoing persons from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or
     claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or
     severally, the Company or any such person may incur under the Act, the
     Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage,
     expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in and
     in conformity with information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such
     Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use with reference to
     such Underwriter in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration
     Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the
     Company) or in a Prospectus, or arises out of or is based upon any omission
     or alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such

                                       21
<PAGE>

     information required to be stated in such Registration Statement or such
     Prospectus or necessary to make such information not misleading.

          If any Proceeding is brought against the Company or any such person in
     respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant
     to the foregoing paragraph, the Company or such person shall promptly
     notify such Underwriter in writing of the institution of such Proceeding
     and such Underwriter shall assume the defense of such Proceeding, including
     the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party
     and payment of all reasonable fees and expenses; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------
     the omission to so notify such Underwriter shall not relieve such
     Underwriter from any liability which such Underwriter may have to the
     Company or any such person or otherwise, except where such omission
     materially affects such Underwriter's ability to defend such Proceeding.
     The Company or such person shall have the right to employ its own counsel
     in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
     expense of the Company or such person unless the employment of such counsel
     shall have been authorized in writing by such Underwriter in connection
     with the defense of such Proceeding or such Underwriter shall not have,
     within a reasonable period of time in light of the circumstances, employed
     counsel to have charge of the defense of such Proceeding or such
     indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may
     be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional
     to or in conflict with those available to such Underwriter (in which case
     such Underwriter shall not have the right to direct the defense of such
     Proceeding on behalf of the indemnified party or parties, but such
     Underwriter may employ counsel and participate in the defense thereof but
     the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such
     Underwriter), in any of which events such reasonable fees and expenses
     shall be borne by such Underwriter and paid as incurred (it being
     understood, however, that such Underwriter shall not be liable for the
     expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local
     counsel) in any one Proceeding or series of related Proceedings in the same
     jurisdiction representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such
     Proceeding).  No Underwriter shall be liable for any settlement of any such
     Proceeding effected without the written consent of such Underwriter but if
     settled with the written consent of such Underwriter, such Underwriter
     agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and any such person from
     and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party
     shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified
     party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second
     sentence of this paragraph, then the indemnifying party agrees that it
     shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its
     written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60
     business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid
     request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
     indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
     settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the
     indemnifying party at least 30 days' prior written notice of its intention
     to settle.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
     of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
     threatened Proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
     have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
     indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
     of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
     matter of such Proceeding.

          (c)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is
     unavailable to an indemnified party under subsections (a) and (b) of this
     Section 9 in respect of any losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or
     claims referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in
     lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the

                                       22
<PAGE>

     amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such
     losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims (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 Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above 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 of the
     Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions
     which resulted in such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims, 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
     shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total
     proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions
     but before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total
     underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, bear
     to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of
     the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be
     determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or
     alleged omission 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 amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses,
     damages, expenses, liabilities and claims referred to in this subsection
     shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably
     incurred by such party in connection with investigating, preparing to
     defend or defending any Proceeding.

          (d)  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just
     and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 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 that does not take
     account of the equitable considerations referred to in subsection (c)
     above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter
     shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which
     the total price at which the Shares underwritten by such Underwriter and
     distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of
     any damage which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by
     reason of such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
     alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
     the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution
     from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
     The Underwriters' obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are
     several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not
     joint.

          (e)  The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
     Section 9 and the covenants, warranties and representations of the Company
     contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
     regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter,
     its partners, directors or officers or any person (including each partner,
     officer or director of such person) who controls any Underwriter within the
     meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, or by
     or on behalf of the Company, its directors or officers or any person who
     controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
     20 of the Exchange Act, and shall survive any termination of this Agreement
     or the issuance and delivery of the Shares. The Company and each
     Underwriter agree promptly to notify each other of the commencement of any
     Proceeding against it and, in the case of the Company, against any of the
     Company's officers or directors in connection with the issuance and sale of
     the Shares, or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

                                       23
<PAGE>

          10.  Directed Share Program Indemnification.  (a) The Company agrees
               --------------------------------------
to indemnify and hold harmless WDR and its affiliates and each person, if any,
who controls WDR or its affiliates within the meaning of either Section 15 of
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act ("WDR Entities"), from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without
limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
defending or investigating any such action or claim) (i) caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to
Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or caused by any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any
such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based
upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing
by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein; provided, however,
that the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary
prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the
person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased
Shares, or any person controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the Prospectus
(as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such
Underwriter to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and
if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect
giving rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, unless such failure
is the result of noncompliance by the Company with Section 4(b) hereof; (ii)
caused by the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of
Directed Shares that the Participant agreed to purchase; or (iii) related to,
arising out of, or in connection with the Directed Share Program, other than
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that are
determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of WDR
Entities.

          (b)  In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation)
     shall be instituted involving any WDR Entity in respect of which indemnity
     may be sought pursuant to Section 10(a), the WDR Entity seeking indemnity,
     shall promptly notify the Company in writing and the Company, upon request
     of the WDR Entity, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the WDR
     Entity to represent the WDR Entity and any others the Company may designate
     in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel
     related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any WDR Entity shall
     have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such
     counsel shall be at the expense of such WDR Entity unless (i) the Company
     shall have agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named
     parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
     both the Company and the WDR Entity and representation of both parties by
     the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
     differing interests between them. The Company shall not, in respect of the
     legal expenses of the WDR Entities in connection with any proceeding or
     related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and
     expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel)
     for all WDR Entities. Any such separate firm for the WDR Entities shall be
     designated in writing by WDR. The Company shall not be liable for any
     settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if
     settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the
     plaintiff, the Company agrees to indemnify the WDR Entities from and
     against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time a WDR Entity shall
     have requested the Company to reimburse it for fees and expenses of counsel
     as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the
     Company agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
     effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into
     more
                                       24
<PAGE>

     than 30 days after receipt by the Company of the aforesaid request and (ii)
     the Company shall not have reimbursed the WDR Entity in accordance with
     such request prior to the date of such settlement. The Company shall not,
     without the prior written consent of WDR, effect any settlement of any
     pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any WDR Entity is or
     could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by
     such WDR Entity, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
     of the WDR Entities from all liability on claims that are the subject
     matter of such proceeding.

          (c)  To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 10(a)
     is unavailable to a WDR Entity or insufficient in respect of any losses,
     claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then the Company in
     lieu of indemnifying the WDR Entity thereunder, shall contribute to the
     amount paid or payable by the WDR Entity as a result of such losses,
     claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to
     reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and
     the WDR Entities on the other hand from the offering of the Directed Shares
     or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 10(c)(i) above is not
     permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to
     reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 10(c)(i) above
     but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the WDR
     Entities on the other hand in connection with any statements or omissions
     that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as
     any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received
     by the Company on the one hand and the WDR Entities on the other hand in
     connection with the offering of the Directed Shares shall be deemed to be
     in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of
     the Directed Shares (before deducting expenses) and the total underwriting
     discounts and commissions received by the WDR Entities for the Directed
     Shares, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Directed Shares.
     If the loss, claim, damage or liability is caused by an untrue or alleged
     untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to
     state a material fact, the relative fault of the Company on the one hand
     and the WDR Entities on the other hand shall be determined by reference to,
     among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement or the
     omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Company
     or by the WDR Entities and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access
     to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
     omission.

          (d)  The Company and the WDR Entities agree that it would not be just
     or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10 were determined by
     pro rata allocation (even if the WDR Entities were treated as one entity
     for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take
     account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 10(c). The
     amount paid or payable by the WDR Entities as a result of the losses,
     claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding
     paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
     above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the WDR Entities
     in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
     Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, no WDR Entity shall be
     required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
     total price at which the Directed Shares distributed to the public were
     offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such WDR
     Entity has otherwise been required to pay. The remedies provided for in
     this Section 10 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or
     remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law
     or in equity.

          (e)  The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this
     Section 10 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless
     of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or
     on behalf of any WDR Entity or the

                                       25
<PAGE>

     Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company
     and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Directed Shares.

          11.  Notices.  Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements,
               -------
requests, notices and agreements shall be in writing or by telegram and, if to
the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to
Warburg Dillon Read LLC, 299 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10171-0026, Attention:
Syndicate Department and, if to the Company, shall be sufficient in all respects
if delivered or sent to the Company at the offices of the Company at Sequenom,
Inc., 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92121, Attention: Steve
Zaniboni.

          12.  Governing Law; Construction.  This Agreement and any claim,
               ---------------------------
counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in
any way relating to this Agreement ("Claim"), directly or indirectly, shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York. The Section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of
convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement.

          13.  Parties at Interest.  The Agreement herein set forth has been and
               -------------------
is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and to the
extent provided in Section 9 hereof the controlling persons, directors and
officers referred to in such section, and their respective successors, assigns,
heirs, personal representatives and executors and administrators. No other
person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser, as such
purchaser, from any of the Underwriters) shall acquire or have any right under
or by virtue of this Agreement.

          14.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed by the parties in one
               ------------
or more counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same agreement
among the parties.

          15.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the
               ----------------------
Underwriters and the Company and their successors and assigns and any successor
or assign of any substantial portion of the Company's and any of the
Underwriters' respective businesses and/or assets.

          16.  Miscellaneous.  Warburg Dillon Read LLC is not a bank and is
               -------------
separate from any affiliated bank, including any U.S. branch or agency of UBS
AG. Because Warburg Dillon Read LLC is a separately incorporated entity, it is
solely responsible for its own contractual obligations and commitments,
including obligations with respect to sales and purchases of securities.
Securities sold, offered or recommended by Warburg Dillon Read LLC are not
deposits, are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, are not
guaranteed by a branch or agency, and are not otherwise an obligation or
responsibility of a branch or agency.

                                       26
<PAGE>

          If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the
Company and the Underwriters, please so indicate in the space provided below for
the purpose, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a
binding agreement among the Company and the Underwriters, severally.

                              Very truly yours,

                              SEQUENOM, INC.

                              By:
                                 ----------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:


Accepted and agreed to as of the
 date first above written, on
 behalf of themselves
 and the other several Underwriters
 named in Schedule A


WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
FLEETBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.
SG COWEN SECURITIES CORPORATION

By:  WARBURG DILLON READ LLC


By:
   -------------------------
Name:
Title:

                                      27
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE A

                                                                   Number of
Underwriter                                                       Firm Shares
- -----------                                                       -----------

WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
FLEETBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.
SG COWEN SECURITIES CORPORATION










                                                                  -----------

                         Total............................        ===========

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     -------------------                                                   -------------------
            NUMBER                                                                SHARES

       SQ
     -------------------                                                   -------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>
         COMMON STOCK                                                         COMMON STOCK

                               [LOGO OF SEQUENOM INDUSTRIAL GENOMICS]

 INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS                                                 SEE REVERSE FOR
  OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE                                                 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                                                                            CUSIP 817337 10 8

This Certifies that








is the record holder of


         FULLY PAID AND NONASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF

      ___________________________________                       ___________________________________
      ___________________________________     SEQUENOM, INC     ___________________________________
      ___________________________________                       ___________________________________

      transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney on
      surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate shall not be valid until
      countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
        WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the signatures of its duly authorized
        officers.

        Dated:

                                                   [SEAL]

                    /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]                                      /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                        SECRETARY                                              PRESIDENT

        COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
            AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER A TRUST COMPANY
                 TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

        BY

                             AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

     The Corporation shall furnish without charge to each stockholder who so
requests 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. Such requests shall be made to the Corporation's Secretary at the
principal office of the Corporation.

     KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED
THE CORPORATION WILL REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE
OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.

     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                              ---------------          -------------------
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of                                 (Cust)                  (Minor)
          survivorship and not as tenants                           under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          in common                                                 Act
                                                                        -------------------------------
                                                                                    (State)

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

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (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.

Dated
     ---------------------------------



                                       X
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                       X
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                  NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT
                                          MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE 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) MUST 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.




<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -1-


Version 03.97

                              BETEILIGUNGSVERTRAG

        Vertrag uber die Errichrung einer stillen Gesellschaft zwischen

         Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Mendelsohnstr. 15D, 22761 Hamburg

                - im folgenden:  Technologieunternehmen (TU) -

                                    und der

                   Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH
        der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank, Ludwig-Erhard-Platz 1-3, 531 Bonn
                - stiller Gesellschafter, im folgenden:  tbg -


                                  in Hohe von

                                DM 2.000.000, -

        zur Finanzierung, des in (S)1 Absatz 2 beschriebenen Vorhabens.

                                   Praambel

Im Rahmen des Dta - Technologieprogramms ubernimmt die tbg Beteiligungen zur
Finanzierung von Vorhaben in der Fruhphase, von Innovationsvorhaben und von
Vorhaben der Exit-Finanzierung im Sinne der Beteiligungs- grundsateze dieses
Programms, die Bestandteil dieses Vertrages sind.

                                     (S) 1

                              Gesellschaftszweck

1.)  Das im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Hamburg unter der Nr. B 57315
     eingetragene TU betreibt gemaB Gesellschaftsvertrag in der Fassung vom
     10.11.1994 ein Handelsgewerbe mit dem Zweck:

     Entwicklung, Herstellung und Vermarktung von Geraten zur Sequenzierung von
     DNA, Verkauf von Sequenzinformation und Entwicklung von medizinischen
     Diagnostika und Therapeutika

2.)  Das TU befatB sich im Rahmen dieses Gesellschaftszwecks mit

     Automatisierung des neuentwickelten Technologieverfahrens und die zugehorge
     Chipentwicklung.

                                     (S) 2

                                    Einlage

1. AusschlielBich zur Finanzierung des in (S) 1 Abs. 2 beschriebenen
   Innovationsvorhabens und auf der Grundlage der Angaben des TU im
   Beteiligungsantrag vom 16./17./06.1997 ubernimmt die tbg eine Einlage in Hohe
   von DM 2.000.000,-, wenn das TU die folgenden Beteiligungsvereinbarungen
   nachweist:
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -2-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    . Beteiligung in Hohe von DM 2.000.000,- mit der Sequenom Inc., 11555
      Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92121, USA (im folgenden, auch bei
      mehreren Beteiligungsgebern:  der BG) und der BG mit der tbg eine
      Kooperationsvereinbarung abgeschlossen hat.

      Der BG wird sich bei der Betreuung des TU von der TVM Techno Venture
      Management, Denninger Str. 15, 81679 Munchen, -im folgenden:  TVM- als
      Betreuungsgesellschaft beraten lassen.

    . Einzugsermachtigung zum Einzug der falligen Festvergutungen durch die tbg.

2.  Die Einlage der tbg ist zur Mitfinanzierung der in Anlage I aufgefuhrten
    vorhabensbezogenen Planung, welche Bestandteil dieses Beteiligungsvertrages
    ist, zu verwenden.

3.  Das TU kann die Einlage nach Beginn der Gesellschaft (vgl. (S) 3 Abs. I)
    abrufen, soweit ihre unverzugliche bestimmungsgemabe Verwendung, ein
    anteiliger Mitteleinsatz mit den anderen in der Anlage I aufgefuhrten
    Finanzierungsmitteln und die Gesamtfinanzierung des Innovationsvorhabens
    gewahrleistet sind.

    Dem Abruf ist eine Bestatigung der Abrufvoraussetzungen durch den BG und
    die TVM beizufugen.

4.  Dieser Vertrag ist beendet, wenn die Einlage nicht zumindest teilweise bis
    spatestens zum 31.03.1998 abgerufen wird.

5.  Beim ersten Teilabruf behalt die tbg eine Bearbeitungsgebuhr i.H.v. 1% der
    gesamten in diesem Vertrag verein-barten Einlage ein.

6.  Die Einlage der tbg ist vom TU auf einem gesonderten Einlagenkonto zu furen.
    Entnahmen der tbg von diesem Konto sind ausgeschlossen.

                                     (S) 3

                       Beginn und Dauer der Gesellschaft

1.  Die stille Gesellschaft beginnt, sobald dieser Vertrag durch beide Parteien
    unterzeichnet ist.

2.  Die stille Gesellschaft ist bis zum 31.12.2007 befristet.

3.  Mit Beendigung des Gesellschaftsverhaltnisses sind die Einlage der tbg und
    nicht ausgezahlte Gewinnanteile zur Zahlung an die tbg fallig.

4. Soweit die vom BG gewahrten Mittel vor dem zuruckgezahlt werden, ist die
   Einlage der tbg zum gleichen Zeit-punkt und im gleichen Umfang zur
   Ruckzahlung fallig.  Die tbg ist berechtigt, auf den zur vorzeitigen
   Ruckzahlung falligen Teil ihrer Einlage eine Endvergutung gemab
   entsprechender Anwendung von (S) 8 Abs. 4 zu verlangen.

                                     (S) 4

                                Geschaftsfuhrung

1.  Die tbg ist an der Geschaftsfuhrung des TU nicht beteiligt, soweit
    nachstehend nichts anderes bestimmt ist.

2.  Das TU bedarf der Zustimmung der tbg bei
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -3-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  a)  jeder Anderung des Gesellschaftsvertrages, insbesondere einer Anderung des
      Gegenstandes des Unterneh- mens, der Aufnahme neuer Gesellschafter oder
      der Vereinbarung neuer Beteiligungen;

  b)  der Bestellung und Abberufung von Geschftsfuhrern des TU oder Anderungen
      im Geschafts- fuhrervertrag;

  c)  AbschluB, Anderung und Beendigung von Vertragen uber die Vergabe oder den
      Erwerb von Lizenzen, Warenzeichen oder Know How (ausgenommen im taglichen
      Softwaregeschaft), Patenten, Gebrauchs- oder Geschmacksmustern, soweit sie
      das mit der Beteiligung der tbg geforderte Innovationsvorhaben betreffen;
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -4-

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

   d)  AbschluB, Anderung und Beendigung wesentlicher Vertriebsvertrage;

   e)  telweiser oder ganzer Betriebsverlegung, -verpachtung, -verauBerung
       oder - stillegung:

   f)  AbschluB und Beendigung von Beherrschungs- und
       Ergebnisabfuhrungsvertragen;

   g)  Aufgabe oder wesentliche Anderung des in (S) 1 Abs. 2 beschriebenen
       Innovationsvorhabens;

   h)  Ubernahme von Verpflichtungen, soweit diese nicht in der
       Projektfinanzierung durch die tbg enthalten sind, fur Investitionen, die
       den Betrag von DM 100.000 ubersteigen oder bei Leasing-, Miet- oder
       Pachtvertragen, die den Betrag von DM 10.000 monatlich ubersteigen.

3. Zustimmungen nach (S) 4 Abs. 2 sind unmittelbar bei der tbg einzuholen.

   Sofern die tbg nicht innerhalb eines Zeitraums vom 14 Tagen nach Erhalt der
   Mitteilung uber die zustimmungsbedurftigen MaBnahmen nach (S) 4 Abs. 2 die
   Verweigerung der Zustimmung schriftlich erklart, gilt die Zustimmung als
   erteilt.

                                     (S) 5

                        Informations- und Kontrollrechte

1. Das TU hat der tbg halbjahrlich, jeweils bis zum 31.03. und 30.09. eines
   Jahres uber die wirtschaftliche Lage des TU und uber den Stand des in (S) 1
   Abs.- 2 beschriebenen Innovationsvorhabens zu berichten, solange die tbg auf
   diese Berichte nicht verzichtet, weil der BG die Kontrolle des TU zugleich
   fur die tbg wahrnimmt.  Zusatzlich erhalt die tbg von dem TU monatlich einen
   Kurzstatus gemaB beigefugter Anlage II und am Ende des Geschaftsjahres einen
   entsprechend aktualisierten Geschaftplan fur das Folgejahr.

2. Unabhangig davon, ob der BG die Kontrolle des TU zugleich fur die tbg ausubt,
   hat das TU die tbg uber alle MaBnahmen, die uber Rahmen des ublichen
   Geschaftsbetriebes hinausgehen, rechtzeitig unmittelbar zu informieren.

3. Daruber hinaus stehen der tbg die Kontrollrechte gemaB (S) 716 BGB zu. Dies
   gilt auch nach der Beendigung der Gesellschaft in dem zu Uberprufung des
   Auseinandersetzungsguthabens erforderlichen Umfang.

   Die tgb ist ferner berechtigt, jederzeit alle auf das in (S) 1 Abs. 2
   beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben bezogenen Unterlagen des TU einzusehen.  Die
   tbg kann sich bei der Wahrnehmung ihrer Kontrollrechte Dritter bedienen.

5. Dem Bundesrechnungshof steht gegenuber dem TU ein Prufungsrecht nach (S) 91
   BHO zu. Das TU wird dem Bundesrechnungshof und der tbg zu Prufzwecken alle
   Unterlagen zur Verfugung stellen, die der Bundesrechnungshof fur erforderlich
   halt und entsprechende Auskunfte erteilen.

                                     (S) 6

                                    Beirat

Die tbg jederzeit die Bildung eines Beirates verlangen.  An diesem Beirat ist
die tbg angemessener Berucksichtigung der Hohe ihrer Einlage zu beteiligen.  Der
Beirat berat das TU in wirtschaftlicher und technischer Hinsicht, insbesondere
hinsichtlich des in (S) 1 Abs. 2 beschriebenen Vorhabens. Er hat die gleichen
Informations- und Kontrollrechte, wie sie der tbg nach diesem Vertrag zustehen.
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -5-

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

                                     (S) 7

                         Geschaftsjahr, Jahresabschluss

1. Das Geschaftsjahr der stillen Gesellschaft entspricht dem des TU
   ("Beteiligungsjahr"). Das Geschaftsjahr des TU endet jeweils am 31.12.

2. Das TU hat seinen JahresabschluB (Bilanz, Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung,
   Anhang) unter Beachtung der (S)(S)238-289 HGB innerhalb von sechs Monaten
   nach Ablauf des Geschaftsjahres zu erstellen und der tbg in original
   unterschriebener Ausfertigung und mit dem Testat eines Wirtschaftsprufers
   oder vereidigten Buchprufers zu ubermitteln.

                                     (S) 8

                        Gewinn- und Verlustbeteiligung

1. Die tbg erhalt auf ihre geleistete Einlage eine vom Jahresergebnis des TU
   unabhangige Mindestvergutung in ohe von 7% p.a. Diese ist halbjahrlich im
   nachhinein zum 31.5. und 30.11. eines jeden Jahres fallig.

2. Von den ab Abruf der Einlage an erwirtschafteten Jahresuberschussen erhalt
   die tbg im ubrigen 9%.

   Fur einen Zeitraum, in dem die tbg mehr als eine Beteiligung an dem
   TU halt, erhalt sie jedoch neben den jeweiligen Mindestvergutungen von den
   erwirtschafteten Jahresuberschussen nur insgesamt 9% fur alle Beteiligungen.,
   hochstens aber 7% p.a. der Summe der tatsachlich erbrachten Einlagen.

   Sollte dem TU im Rahmen weiterer Finanzierungsrunden zusatzliches
   Kapital zugefuhrt werden, so wird die tbg ihre Gewinnbeteillgung den dann
   geltenden Kapitalverhaltnissen anpassen.

   Diese Gewinnbeteiligung ist zahlbar innerhalb von 2 Wochen nach
   Feststellung des Jahresabschlusses ((S) 8 Abs. 2).

3. Fur die Berechnung nach Abs. 2 maBgeblich ist der JahresuberschuB vor
   Berucksichtigung der Gewinnbeteiligung der tbg.

   a) Dem JahresuberschuB sind hinzuzusetzen

      -  Steuern vom einkommen und Ertrag, sowie erwaige Tantiemen der
         Geschaftsfuhrer, soweit sie den ausgewiesenen JahresuberschuB gemindert
         haben;

      -  auBerordentliche Aufwendungen, soweit sie aus Geschaftsvorfallen
         herruhren, die vor Beginn der stillen Gesellschaft erfolgt sind;

      -  Verluste aus VerauBerung oder Zerstorung von Wirtschaftsgutern des
         Anlagevermogens, soweit letztere im Zeitpunkt des Beginns der
         Gesellschaft bereits vorhanden waren.

   b) Vom JahresuberschuB sind abzusetzen

      -  Betrage aus der Auflosung steuerfreier Rucklagen, die vor Beginn der
         stillen Beteiligung gebildet wurden;

     -   auBerordentliche ErtrAge, soweit sie auf Geschaftsvorfallen beruhen,
         die vor Beginn der stillen Gesellschaft erfolgt sind;
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -6-

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

       -   Zuschusse, Zulagen und Zuwendungen der offentlichen Hand, soweit
           diese ertragswirksam waren;

       -   Ertrage aus der VerauBerung von Wirtschaftsgutern des
           Anlagevermogens, soweit letztere im Zeitpunkt des Beginns der
           Gesellschaft bereits vorhanden waren.

   c)  Im Jahr des Abrufs der Beteiligung gilt der JahresuberschuB fur die
       Berechnung der Gewinnbeteiligung nach Abs. 2 als gleichmaBig auf das Jahr
       verteilt angefallen.

4. Die tbg ist berechtigt, zum Ende der Beteiligungszeit eine einmalige
   Vergutung von 35% des Beteiligungsbetrages zuzuglich 7% des
   Beteiligungsbetrages fur jedes Jahr nach Ablauf des funften vollen
   Beteiligngsjahres zu verlangen (Endvergutung).  Bei der zu zahlenden
   Endvergutung werden die gemaB (S) 8 Abs. 2 jahrlich entrichteten
   Gewinnbeteiligungen angerechnet.  Sollte die Summe der Gewinnbeteiligungen
   die Endvergutung ubersteigen, erfolgt keine Erstattung.

   Die tbg wird von diesem Recht nur Gebrauch machen, wenn dies nach ihrer
   Ansicht aufgrund der gesamten wirtschaftlichen Verhaltnisse des TU,
   insbesondere aufgrund seiner in den letzten drei Jahren vor Beendigung der
   Beteiligung erzielten Gewinne oder der wahrend der Beteiligungszeit
   gebildeten stillen Reserven, gerechtfertigt erscheint.

5. An Verlusten des TU nimmt die tbg nicht teil.

                                     (S) 9

                                    Steuern

     Das TU wird fur die Abfuhrung der gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen
Kapitalertragsteuer zuzuglich Solidaritatszuschlag hinsichtlich der Vergutung
fur die stille Einlage sorgen und von den jeweiligen Zahlungen an die tbg die
Kapitalertragsteuer und den Solidaritatszuschlag einbehalten und unmittelbar
nach Falligkeit direkt an das zustandige Finanzamt abfuhren.  Nach Abfuhrung
wird das TU der tbg jeweils innerhalb von 2 Monaten nach Falligkeit der
Leistungen Bescheinigungen im Sinne von (S) 45a Abs. 2 EstG auf den von der tgb
zur Verfugung gestellten Vordrucken erteilen.

                                    (S) 10

                      Auflosung der stillen Gesellschaft

1. Im Falle der Auflosung des TU wird die stille Gesellschaft aufgelost.  Die
   stille Beteiligung ist in diesem Fall zuruckzuzahlen.

2. (S) 8 Abs. 4 findet auch in diesem Fall Anwendung.

                                    (S) 11

                                   Kundigung

1. Das TU ist berechtigt, die Beteiligung der tbg unter Einhalten einer
   Kundigungsfrist von 3 Monaten zum 30.6. oder 31.12. eines jeden Jahres ganz
   oder teilweise abzulosen.  Erfolgt diese Ablosung bis zum Ende des funften
   vollen Beteiligungsjahres, so ist die Einlage der tbg mit einem Aufgeld in
   Hohe von 35% zuruckzuzahlen.  Ab Beginn des sechsten Beteiligungsjahres gilt
   die Regelung in (S) 8 Abs. 4.  Die tbg kann auf die Zahlung des Aufgeldes
   verzichten, wenn die Kundigung wegen der Aufgabe des nach (S)1 Abs. 2
   geforderten Innovationsvorhabens erfolgte.
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -7-

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

2. Die stille Gesellschaft kann daruber hinaus von jedem ihrer Gesellschafter
   bei Vorliegen eines wichtigen Grundes durch schriftliche Erklarung fristlos
   gekundigt werden.  Soweit die Einlage noch nicht oder nicht voll geleistet
   ist, wird die tgb mit der Kundigungserklarung von ihrer Einlageverpflichtung
   frei.

   Die tbg ist zur Kundigung aus wichtigem Grund inssbesondere berechtigt, wenn

   a)  das TU im Beteiligungsantrag falsche Angaben gemacht hat;

   b)  sich herausstellt, daB die Voraussetzungen fur die Gewahrung oder
       Belassung der Beteiligung nicht vorlagen oder die Voraussetzungen fur die
       Belassung der Beteiligung entfallen sind, insbesondere das in (S) 1 Abs.
       2b beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben sich als nicht durchsetzungsfahig
       erweist oder vom TU aufgegeben oder wesentlich abgeandert wird. Sofern
       sich das in (S) 1 Abs. 2 beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben als technisch
       nicht machbar oder wirschaftlich nicht durchsetzbar erweist, kann die tbg
       ganz oder teilweise auf die Ruchzahlung der Beteiligung verzichten, wenn
       dem TU dadurch das weitere Bestehen ermoglicht wird;

   c)  vom TU angenommene Wechsel zu Protest gehen, das TU seine Zahlungen
       einstellt, Konkursantrag gestellt oder Eroffnung des gerichtlichen
       Vergleichsverfahrens beantragt wird oder in sonstiger Weise
       Zahlungsunfahighkeit festgestellt wird;

   d)  der oder die bei AbschluB des Vertrages uber die stille Gesellschaft beim
       TU leitend tatigen Know-How-Trager nicht mehr hauptberuflich in der
       Unternehmensleitung des TU tatig ist oder sind;

   e)  eine der in Abs. (S) 4 Abs. 2 aufgezahlten Mabnahmen ohne vorherige
       Zusstimmung der tbg durchgefuhrt wurde.
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -8-

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

                                    (S) 10

                      VerauBerung und Erwerb von Anteilen

1. Die tbg ist berechtigt, ihre Beteiligung jederzeit ganz oder teilweise an den
   BG oder einen ihm nachfolgenden Kooperationspartner zu verauBern.

   Der Kooperationspartner ist berechtigt, zum Ende eines jeden Geschaftsjahres
   die Umwandlung der stillen Beteiligung, die er von der tbg ubernommen hat, in
   einen haftenden Gesellschaftsanteil zu verlangen.  Die Bedingungen der
   Umwandlung sind zwischen JTU und BG zu vereinbaren.

2. Die tbg ist auch berechtigt, die Beteiligung eines anderen am JTU beteiligten
   Unternehmens mit dem die tbg eine Kooperationsvereinbarung getroffen hat,
   selbst zu ubernehmen oder die Ubertragung auf einen von der tbg zu
   benennenden Dritten zu verlangen.

                                     (S) 11

                       Auflosung der stillen Gesellschaft

1. Im Falle der Auflosung des JTU wird die stille Gesellschaft aufgelost.

2. (S) 3 Abs. 3 und (S) 8 Abs. 4 finden auch in diesem Fall Anwendung.

                                    (S) 12

                                   Kundigung

1. Das JTU ist berechtigt, die Beteiligung der tbg unter Einhalten einer
   Kundigungsfrist von 3 Monaten zum 30.6 oder 31.12. eines jeden Jahres ganz
   oder teilweise abzulosen.  Erfolgt diese Ablosung bis zum Ende des funften
   vollen Beteiligungsjahres, so ist die Einlage der tbg mit einem Aufgeld in
   Hohe von 25% zuruckzuzahlen.  Ab Beginn des sechsten Beteiligungsjahres gilt
   die Regelung in (S) 8 Abs. 4.  Die tbg kann auf die Zahlung des Aufgeldes
   verzichten, wenn die Kundigung wegen der Aufgabe des geforderten
   Innovationsvorhabens erfolgte.

2. Die stille Gesellschaft kann daruber hinaus von jedem ihrer Gesellschafter
   bei Vorliegen eines wichtigen Grundes durch schriftliche Erklarung fristlos
   gekundigt werden.  Soweit die Einlage noch nicht oder nicht voll geleistet
   ist, wird die tbg mit der Kundigungserklarung von ihrer Einlageverpflichtung
   frei.

   Die tbg ist zur Kundigung aus wichtigem Grund insbesondere berechtigt, wenn

   a)  das JTU im Beteiligungsantrag falsche Angaben gemacht hat;

   b)  sich herausstellt, daB die Voraussetzungen fur die Gewahrung der
       Beteiligung bereits ursprunglich nicht vorlagen oder nachtraglich
       entfallen sind, insbesondere das in (S) 1 Abs. 2b beschriebene
       Innovations-vorhaben sich als nicht durchsetzungsfahig erweist oder vom
       JTU aufgegeben oder wesentlich abgeandert wird. Sofern sich das in (S) 1
       Abs. 2 beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben als technisch nicht machbar oder
       wirschaftlich nicht durchsetzbar erweist, kann die tbg ganz oder
       teilweise auf die Ruchzahlung der Beteiligung verzichten, wenn dem JTU
       dadurch das weitere Bestehen ermoglicht wird;

   c)  vom JTU angenommene Wechsel zu Protest gehen, das JTU seine Zahlungen
       einstellt, Konkursantrag gestellt oder Eroffnung des gerichtlichen
       Vergleichsverfahrens beantragt wird oder in sonstiger Weise
       Zahlungsunfahighkeit festgestellt wird;
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                           -9-

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

  d)  der oder die bei AbschluB des Vertrages uber die stille Gesellschaft beim
      JTU leitend tatigen Know-How-Trager nicht mehr hauptberuflich in der
      Unternehmensleitung des JTU tatig ist oder sind;

  e)  eine der in Abs. (S) 4 Abs. 2 aufgezahlten Mabnahmen ohne vorherige
      Zusstimmung der tbg durchgefuhrt worden ist und diese Mabnahmen den
      Bestand des Unternehmens oder die Durchfuhrung des geforderten
      Innovationsvorhabens gefahrden.

                                    (S) 13

                              Fallige Leistungen

Fallige Leistungen sind nach Eintritt der Falligkeit bis zum Eingang bei der tbg
mit 3% uber dem Diskontsatz der Deutschen Bundesbank zu verzinsen.

                                    (S) 14

                            Allgemeine Bestimmungen

1.  Anderungen und Erganzungen dieses Vertrages bedurfen der Schriftform.
    Mudiche nebenabreden zu diesem Vertrag bestehen nicht.

2.  Sollte eine Bestimmung dieses Verrages rechtsunwirksam sein, so bleiben die
    ubrigen Bestimmungen davon unberuhrt. Das JTU und die tbg sind verpflichtet,
    unwirksame Vertragsbestimmungen durch Regelungen zu ersetzen, die
    rechtswirksam sind und dem Sinn und Zweck der rechtsunwirksamen Bestimmungen
    moglichst weitgehend entsprechen.

3.  Fur alle Rechtstreitgkeiten, die sich aus diesem Vertrag oder seiner
    Durchfuhrung ergeben, ist Bonn als Gerichtsstand vereinbart.


Bonn, den 23.6.95                                 Hamburg, den 18.5.1995

Technologie-Beteiligungs-                         SEQUENOM Instruments GmbH
Gesellschaft m.b.H. der
Deutschen Ausgleichsbank

/s/ illegible                                     /s/ illegible
<PAGE>

        Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH der
        Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                                          -10-

                              Beteiligungsvertrag
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Ausgaben- und Finanzierungsplan

                          fur den Zeitraum 1995-1996


                                 Ausgabenplan

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investitionen                              Betriebsmittel
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Einrichtungen               200 TDM        Lohne/Gehalter            1.500 TDM
Maschinen                 1.200 TDM        Material                    200 TDM
                                           Sonstiges                   100 TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summe                     1.400 TDM        Summe                     1.800 TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Summe Ausgaben  3.200 TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                               Finanzierungsplan

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investitionen                              Betriebsmittel
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eignemittel                   0 TDM        Eigenmittel                  50 TDM
tbg                         500 TDM        tbg                         500 TDM
Leadinvestor                500 TDM        Leadinvestor                500 TDM
Zuschusse                   400 TDM        Zuschusse                   750 TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summe                     1.400 TDM        Summe                     1.800 TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Summe Finanzierung  3.200 TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.13


                                     Z.d.A

                              KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG

                   Vertrag uber eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen

SEQUENOM Inc., Boston, c/o TVM Techno Venture Management L.P., 101 Arch Street,
                             Boston, MA 02110, USA

                - im folgenden:  Beteiligungegesellschaft (BG) -

       und der Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H. der Deutschen
                              Ausgleichsbank, Wie-
                             landstr. 4, 53170 Bonn

                             - im folgenden:  tbg -

       bei der Betreuung der in diesem Vertrag genannten Beteiligungen an

           SEQUENOM Instruments GmbH, StapelstraBe 5B, 22529 Hamburg

             - im folgenden:  Junges Technologie-Unternehmen (JTU)


                                     (S) 1

                                VERTRAGSPARTNER

1)  Die tbg unterstutzt im Rahmen des mit dem Bundesminister fur Bildung,
    Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie (BMBF) und der Deutschen
    Ausgleichsbank durchgefuhrten Modellversuchs "Beteiligungskapital fur junge
    Technologie-Unternehmen" junge Technologie-Unternehmen durch die Ubernahme
    von Beteiligungen zur Finanzierung von Investitionen und Betriebsmitteln

    -  fur Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeiten bis zur Herstellung und
       Erprobung von Prototypen (Keimphase) und

    -  fur Anpassungsentwicklungen und die Vorbereitung der Produktion
       einschlieBlich der Markteinfuhrung technisch neuer Produkte, Verfahren
       oder technischer Dienstleistungen (Aufbaupohse)

    Die tbg beabsichtigt, an dem JTU eine stille Beteiligung in Hohe von DM
    1.000.000, - unter der Voraussetzung zu ubernehmen, daB die zu Abs. 2
    genannte Beteiligung zwischem der BG und dem JTU vereinbart wird. Eine Kopie
    des zwischen der tbg und dem JTU vorgesehenen Beteiligungsvertrages liegt
    diesem Vertrag bei.

2)  Die BG beabsichtigt, an dem JTU eine Beteiligung als nicht ruckzahlbarer
    GesellschafterzuschuB in Hohe von DM 950.000, -- und eine Stammeinlage in
    Hohe von DM 50.000, - zu ubernehmen.

    Die BG wird bei der Verwaltung ihrer Beteiligung von der TVM Techno Venture
    Management Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, LeopoldstraB 28 A, 80802 Munchen (im
    folgenden: TVM), beraten.

    Die BG bestatigt, daB sie weder bei der KfW die Refinanzierung einer
    Beteiligung an dem JTU im Rahmen des Modellversuchs "Beteiligungskapital fur
    junge Technologie-Unternehmen" beantragt hat, noch im ubrigen die Forderung
    (Refinanzierung oder Absicherung) dieser Beteiligung an dem JTU aus dem ERP-
    Sondervermogen in Anspruchnimmt.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
m.b.H der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank      Kooperationsvertrag                    2
________________________________________________________________________________
3)  Die Parteien werden einander unverzuglich schriftlich unterrichten, wenn die
    genannten Beteiligungsvereinbarungen mit dem JTU abgeschlossen sind. Sofern
    die endgultigen Beteiligungsvertrage von den bekanntgegebenen Entwurfen
    abweichen, sind die Vertrage in der maBgeblichen Fassung zu ubersenden und
    Abweichungen auf Verlangen zu erlautern.

4)  Eventuelle spatere Anderungen der Beteiligungsvertrage, eine
    VerauBerung/Verpfandung der Beteiligungen oder weitere Beteiligungs- oder
    Darlehensvertrage werden die Parteien nur mit Zustimmung ihres
    Vertragspartners aus diesem Vertrag vereinbaren. Soweit eine ordentliche
    Kundigung des Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen BG und JTU durch die BG
    zulassig ist, bedarf auch sie der Zustimmung durch die tbg. Uber eine
    Kundigung aus wichtigem Grund haben sich die Partner dieses Vertrages
    unverzuglich, nach Moglichkeit vor Ausspruch der Kundigung, zu unterrichten.

                                     (S) 2

                               BETREUUNG DES JTU

Die BG wird in Zusammenarbeit mit der TVM die Geschaftsfuhrung des JTU und die
Entwicklung des durch die tbg geforderten Innovationsvorhabens mit der
erforderlichen Sorgfalt uberwachen und dem JTU bei Bedarf mit einer
Managementunterstutzung zur Seite stehen.  Die BG ist grundsatzlich auch bereit
und in der Lage, aber nicht verpflichtet, dem JTU im Bedarfsfall zusatzliche
Finanzierungsmittel zur Verfugung zu stellen.

                                     (S) 3

                                 MITTELEINSATZ

Vor Abruf der Beteiligungsmittel der tbg wird die BG die zwischen tbg und JTU
vereinbarten Abrufvoraussetzungen prufen und, soweit sie vorliegen, bestatigen.
die BG wird den Abruf befurworten, wenn im Zeitpunkt des Abrufs nach Ihrem
Kenntnisstand weder wirtschaftliche noch technische Bedenken an der
Durchfuhrbarkeit des von der tbg geforderten Innovations-vorhabens bestehen.

                                     (S) 4

                        INFORMATIONS- UND KONTROLLRECHTE

1)  Die BG verpflichtet sich gegenuber der tbg zur Berichterstattung uber die
    wirtschaftliche Lage des JTU und uber den Stand des von der tbg geforderten
    Innovationsvorhabens. Die BG wird hierbei die Beratungsleistungen der TVM in
    Anspruch nehmen.

2)  Berichte sind regelmaBig halbjahrlich zum 31.03. und zum 30.09. zu
    erstatten.

3)  Eine unverzugliche und nach Moglichkeit vorherige Unterrichtung der tbg hat
    bei allen der BG bekannten MaBnahmen zu erfolgen, die uber den Rahmen des
    ublichen Geschaftsbetriebes des JTU hinausgehen. Dies sind insbesondere die
    gemaB (S) 4 des Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen der tbg und dem JTU
    zustimmungsbedurftigen MaBnahmen und die in (S) 12 dieses
    Beteiligungsvertrages genannten Grunde fur eine Kundigung aus wichtigem
    Grund.

4)  Die Berichterstattung hat, soweit die tbg hierauf nicht ausdrucklich
    schriftlich verzichtet, schriftlich und in dringenden Fallen vorab mundlich
    zu erfolgen.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
m.b.H der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank      Kooperationsvertrag                    3
________________________________________________________________________________
5)  Die tbg ist berechtigt, selbst oder durch beauftragte Dritte eine umfassende
    Unterrichtung uber alle Rechtsbeziehungen der BG zum JTU zu verlangen und
    bei der BG alle Unterlagen einzusehen, die das JTU betreffen.

6)  Die BG erklart sich damit einverstanden, daB die tbg die uber die
    Beteiligung der BG an dem JTU erlangten Daten zur wissenschaftlichen
    Auswertung des (S) 1 Abs. 1 dieses Vertrages genannten Modellversuchs an den
    BMBF oder ein von ihm beauftragtes Institut weiterleitet. Die BG erklart
    sich daruber hinaus bereit, dem BMBF und einem von ihm beauftragten Institut
    auch unmittelbar die zur wissenschaftlichen Auswertung des Modellversuchs
    erforderlichen Auskunfte zu erteilen. Bei der Ausarbeitung und
    gegebenenfalls bei der Veroffentlichung von Daten uber den Modellversuch
    wird sichergestellt, daB der BG kein Schaden entsteht.

                                     (S) 5

                                   KAUFOPTION

1)  Die BG ist berechtigt, die Beteiligung der tbg an dem JTU zum 30.6. oder
    31.12. eines jeden Jahres, spatestens aber zu dem Stichtag zu ubernehmen,
    der auf den Ablauf von 3 Jahren ab Beginn der Beteiligung der tbg an dem JTU
    folgt. Das Ubernahmeverlangen der BG ist einen Kalendermonat vor dem durch
    sie bestimmten Ubernahmetermin gegenuber der tbg schriftlich zu erklaren.

2)  Die BG ubernimmt die Beteiligung der tbg im AuBenverhaltnis mit allen
    Rechten und Pflichten. Im Innenverhaltnis ist die tbg an den Ertragen aus
    dem bei der Ubernahme laufenden Geschaftsjahr mit 1/12 fur jeden
    angefangenen Monat ihrer Beteiligung zu beteiligen. Fur die Abrechnung
    zwischen tbg und BG gelten die Ertrage aus dem betroffenen Geschaftsjahr als
    gleichmaBig auf alle Monate verteilt angefallen. Zahlungen des JTU, die noch
    an die tbg erfolgten, sind zu berucksichtigen.

3)  Die Ubernahme der Beteiligung der tbg erfolgt zum Nominalbetrag der
    Beteiligung der tbg im Zeitpunkt der Ubernahme zuzuglich eines Aufgeldes in
    Hohe von 25 %. Der Ubernahmepreis ist 2 Wochen nach Ubernahme zur Zahlung an
    die tbg fallig.

4)  In dem Beteiligungsvertrag zwischen tbg und JTU ist der BG fur den Fall der
    Ausubung dieser Option in der mit der BG abgesprochenen Form das Recht
    vorbehalten worden, die Umwandlung der ubernommenen stillen Beteiligung in
    einen Gesellschaftsanteil zu verlangen.

                                     (S) 6

                        BEGINN UND DAUER DER KOOPERATION

1)  Die BG ist der tbg gegenuber zur Betreuung des JTU nach (S) 2 und zur
    Unterrichtung nach (S) 4 dieses Vertrages ab dem Zeitpunkt verpflichtet, in
    dem dieser Vertrag und die Beteiligungsvertrage zwischen tbg und JTU sowie
    BG und JTU durch die jeweiligen Beteiligten unterzeichnet sind.

2)  Die Kooperation endet mit dem Ende der Beteiligung der tbg oder der BG.

3)  Die ordentliche Kundigung dieses Kooperationsvertrages ist ausgeschlossen.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
m.b.H der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank      Kooperationsvertrag                    4
________________________________________________________________________________
                                     (S) 7

                            ALLGEMEINE BESTIMMUNGEN

1)  Anderungen and Erganzungen dieses Vertrages bedurfen der Schriftform.
    Mundliche Nebenabreden zu diesem Vertrag bestehen nicht.

2)  Sollte eine Bestimmung dieses Vertrages rechtsunwirksam sein, so bleiben die
    ubrigen Bestimmungen davon unberuhrt. Die BG und die tbg sind verpflichtet,
    unwirksame Vertragsbestimmungen durch Regelungen zu ersetzen, die
    rechtswirksam sind und dem Sinn und Zweck der rechtsunwirksamen Bestimmungen
    moglichst weitgehend entsprechen.

3)  Fur alle Rechtsstreitigkeiten, die sich aus diesem Vertrag und seiner
    Durchfuhrung ergeben, ist Bonn als Gerichtsstand vereinbart.

Bonn, den 23.6.95                       Boston, den 19.5. 1995

Technologie-Beteiligungs-               SEQUENOM Inc., Boston
Gesellschaft m.b.H. der                 c/o TVM Techno Venture Management L.P.
Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                101 Arch Street
                                        Boston, MA 02110
                                        USA


/s/ illegible                           by:  /s/ Joe J. DeBello
- ----------------------------               -------------------------------
                                           Treasurer



                                             /s/ illegible
                                        ----------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.14
tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank


Version 09.95

                              BETEILIGUNGSVERTRAG

      Vertrag uber die Errichtung einer stillen Gesellschaft zwischen der

         SEQUENOM Instruments GmbH, Mendelsohnstr. 15d, 22761 Hamburg

                - im folgenden:  Technologieunternehmen (TU) -

                                    und der

                   Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH

            der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank, Wielandstr. 4,53170 Bonn

                - stiller Gesellschafter, im folgenden:  tbg -



                                     (S) 1

                      Gesellschaftszweck, Gesellschafter

1.   Im Rahmen des mit dem Bundesministerium fur Bildung, Wissenschaft,
     Forschung und Technologie (BMBF) und der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
     durchgefuhrten Programms "Beteiligungskapital fur kleine
     Technologieunternehmen" unterstutzt die tbg Technologieunternehmen der
     gewerblichen Wirtschaft, sofern sie nicht alter als 10 Jahre sind und die
     EU-Definition von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) in den neuen
     BundeslBndern und Berlin (Ost) bzw. kleinen Unternehmen im ubrigen
     Bundesgebiet erfullen, d.h.:

- -    nicht mehr als 250 (50) ArbeitskrBfte beschBftigen und

- -    entweder

     -    einen Jahresumsatz von nicht mehr als 40 Mio. DM (10 Mio. DM) erzielen
          oder

     -    eine Bilanzsumme von nicht mehr als 20 Mio. DM (4 Mio. DM) erreichen,
          und

- -    sich zu hochstens 25% im Besitz eines oder mehrerer diese Definition nicht
     erfullenden Unternehmen befinden (Ausnahme: offentliche
     Beteiligungsgesellschaften, Risikokapitalgesellschaften und - soweit keine
     Kontrolle ausgeubt wird - institutionelle Anleger).

     Alle drei Voraussetzungen mussen gleichzeitig erfullt sein, d.h. ein
     Unternehmen wird nur als KMU betrachtet, wenn es die verlangte
     Eigenstandigkeit aufweist, den Vorgaben fur die BeschBftigungszahl
     entspricht und mindestens einen der Grenzwerte fur Jahresumsatz bzw.
     Bilanzsumme nicht uberschreitet.

     Die tbg ubernimmt Beteiligungen zur Finanzierung von Innovationsvorhaben im
     Sinne der BeteiligungsgrundsBtze der tbg, die Bestandteil dieses Vertrages
     sind und die das TU anerkennt und zwar:

     -    fur angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung bis zu einer logischen
          Sekunde vor Aufnahme der kommerziellen Produktion gemaB der EU-
          Definition mit folgenden Abgrenzungen:

          Angewandte Forschung umfaBt Forschungs- oder Experimentarbeiten mit
          dem Zweck, neue Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen, um die Erreichung
          spezifischer, praktischer Ziele wie Kreation neuer Produkte,
          Produktionsverfahren oder Dienstleistungen zu erleichtern.
          Normalerweise laBt sich sagen, daB sie mit der Kreation eines ersten
          Prototyps endet. Entwicklung umfaBt Arbeiten auf der Grundlage der
          angewandten Forschung mit dem Ziel der Einfuhrung neuer oder
          wesentlich verbesserter Produkte, Produktionsverfahren oder
          Dienstleistungen bis hin zu - aber nicht einschlieBlich - der
          industriellen Anwendung und kommerziellen Nutzung. Zu dieser Stufe
          gehoren normalerweise Pilot- und Demonstrationsvorhaben
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank           Beteiligungsvertrag               2

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

          sowie die weiter erforderliche Entwicklungsarbeit, die schlieBlich in
          einem Bundel von Informationen mundet, die die Aufnahme der Produktion
          gestatten.

     -    fur Investitionen zur Markteinfuhrung

2.   a)   Das im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Hamburg unter der Nr. B 57315
          eingetragene TU betreibt gemaB Gesellschaftsvertrag in der gultigen
          Fassung vom 10.11.1994 ein Handelsgewerbe mit dem Zweck:

          Entwicklung, Herstellung und Vermarktung von GerBten zur Sequenzierung
          von DNA, Verkauf von Sequenzinformation und Entwicklung von
          medizinischen Diagnostika und Therapeutika

     b)   Das TU befaBt sich im Rahmen dieses Gesellschaftszwecks mit der
          Entwicklung einer Technologie zur Diagnose von genetischen Defekten.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------

3.   Die tbg ubernimmt an dem TU eine Beteiligung in der Rechtsform der
     stillen Gesellschaft, um das in Abs. 2b beschriebene Vorhaben zu
     fordern.


                                     (S) 2

                                    Einlage

1.   AusschlieBlich zur Forderung des in (S) 1 Abs. 2b beschriebenen
     Innovationsvorhabens und auf der Grundlage der Angaben des TU im
     Beteiligungsantrag vom 30.06.1995 ubernimmt die tbg eine Einlage in Hohe
     von DM 3.000.000,-- wenn das TU die folgenden Beteiligungsvereinbarungen
     nachweist:

     Beteiligung in Hohe von DM 3.000.000,- mit der SEQUENOM Inc., Boston, c/o
                             ------------
     TVM Techno Venture Management L.P., 101 Arch Street, Boston MA 02110, USA
     (im folgenden, den: BG) und der BG mit der tbg eine
     Kooperationsvereinbarung abgeschlossen hat.

     Der BG wird sich bei der Betreuung des Engagements beim JTU von der TVM
     Techno Venture Management, Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, LeopoldstraBe 28 A,
     80802 Munchen als Betreuungsgesellschaft beraten lassen.

2.   Die Einlage der tbg ist zur Mitfinanzierung der germaB aufgefuhrten
     vorhabensbezogenen Planung zu verwenden. Die Anlage gilt als Bestandteil
     dieses Beteiligungsvertrages.

     Sofern sich die Kosten des Vorhabens gegenuber den vorstehenden Angaben
     ermaBigen oder nachtrBglich weitere offentliche Mittel eingeworben werden,
     ist die tbg zur entsprechenden Kurzung ihrer Einlage in einem der
     Reduzierung des Investitionsvolumens entsprechenden VerhBltnis berechtigt.
     Der Kurzungsbetrag ist umgehend an die tbg zuruckzuuberweisen.

3.   Das TU kann die Einlage nach Beginn der Gesellschaft (vgl. (S) 4 Abs. 1)
     abrufen, soweit ihre unverzugliche bestimmungsgemaBe Verwendung, ein
     anteiliger Mitteleinsatz mit den anderen in Abs. 2 der vorgesehenen
     Finanzierungsmitteln und die Gesamtfinanzierung des Innovationsvorhabens
     gewBhrleistet sind. Dem Abruf ist eine BestBtigung der Abrufvoraussetzungen
     durch den BG beizufugen.

4.   Wenn die Einlage nicht zumindest teilweise bis spBtestens zum 30.06.1996
                                                                   ----------
     abgerufen wird, ist dieser Vertrag beendet.

5.   Beim ersten Teilabruf ist die tbg berechtigt, eine Bearbeitungsgebuhr
     i.H.v. 1% der gesamten in diesem Vertrag vereinbarten Einlage
     einzubehalten.

6.   Die Einlage der tbg ist vom TU auf einem gesonderten Einlagenkonto zu
     fuhren. Entnahmen der tbg von diesem Konto sind ausgeschlossen.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank           Beteiligungsvertrag               3

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

                                     (S) 3

                              Verwendungsnachweis

Das TU hat die bestimmungsgemaBe Verwendung der Einlagemittel innerhalb von 3
Monaten nach Ablauf des in der Anlage zu diesem Vertrag angegebenen
Vorhabenszeitraums, vorbehaltlich einer VerlBngerung dieser Frist durch die tgb,
auf dem diesem Vertrag ebenfalls als Anlage beigefugten Vordruck zu bestBtigen.
Der Verwendungsnachweis ist der tgb uber den BG vorzulegen.  Die
bestimmungsgemaBe Verwendung ist dem BG  und der tbg auf Anforderung zu belegen.


                                     (S) 4

                       Beginn und Dauer der Gesellschaft

1.   Die stille Gesellschaft beginnt, sobald dieser Vertrag durch beide Parteien
     unterzeichnet ist.

2.   Die stille Gesellschaft ist bis zum 31.12.2005 befristet.

3.   Mit Beendigung des GesellschaftsverhBltnisses sind die Einlage der tbg und
     nicht ausgezahlte Gewinnanteile zur Zahlung an die tbg fBllig.

4.   Soweit die vom BG gewBhrten Mittel vor dem 31.12.2005 zuruckgezahlt werden,
     so ist die Einlage der tbg zum gleichen Zeitpunkt und im gleichen Umfang
     zur Ruckzahlung fBllig.

                                     (S) 5

                               GeschBftsfuhrung

1.   Die tbg ist an der GeschBftsfuhrung des TU nicht beteiligt, soweit
     nachstehend nichts anderes bestimmt ist.

2.   Das TU bedarf der Zustimmung der tbg bei

     a)   jeder Anderung des Gesellschaftsvertrages, insbesondere einer Anderung
          des Gegenstandes des Unternehmens, der Aufnahme neuer Gesellschafter
          oder der Vereinbarung neuer Beteiligungen;

     b)   der Bestellung und Abberufung von GeschBftsfuhrern des TU;

     c)   AbschluB, Anderung und Beendigung von VertrBgen uber die Vergabe oder
          den Erwerb von Lizenzen, Patenten, Gebrauchsmustern,
          Geschmacksmustern, Warenzeichen oder Know How, soweit sie das mit der
          Beteiligung der tbg geforderte Innovationsvorhaben betreffen;

     d)   AbschluB, Anderung und Beendigung wesentlicher VertriebsvertrBge;

     e)   teilweiser oder ganzer Betriebsverlegung, -verpachtung oder -
          verBuBerung:

     f)   AbschluB und Beendigung von Beherrschungs- und
          ErgebnisabfuhrungsvertrBgen;

3.   Zustimmungen nach (S) 5 Abs. 2b sind unmittelbar bei der tbg einzuholen.

     Sofern die tbg nicht innerhalb eines Zeitraums vom 14 Tagen nach Erhalt der
     Mitteilung uber die zustimmungsbedurftigen MaBnahmen die Verweigerung der
     Zustimmung schriftlich erklBrt, gilt die Zustimmung als erteilt.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank           Beteiligungsvertrag               4

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

                                     (S) 6

                       Informations- und Kontrollrechte

1.   Das TU hat der tbg halbjBhrlich, jeweils bis zum 31.3. und 30.09. eines
     Jahres uber die wirtschaftliche Lage des TU und uber den Stand des in (S) 1
     Abs. 2b beschriebenen Innovationsvorhabens zu berichten, solange die tbg
     auf diese Berichte nicht verzichtet, weil der BG die Kontrolle des TU
     zugleich fur die tbg wahrnimmt. ZusBtzlich erhBlt die tbg von dem TU
     monatlich einen Kurzstatus gemaB beigefugter Anlage.

2.   UnabhBngig davon, ob der BG die Kontrolle des TU zugleich fur die tbg
     ausubt, hat das TU die tbg uber alle MaBnahmen, die uber den Rahmen des
     ublichen GeschBftsbetriebes hinausgehen, rechtzeitig unmittelbar zu
     informieren. Uber den Rahmen des ublichen GeschBftsbetriebes gehen neben
     den zu (S) 5 Abs. 2 genannten MaBnahmen insbesondere hinaus:

     a)   Teilweise oder ganze Betriebsstillegung;

     b)   Aufgabe oder wesentliche Anderung des in (S) 1 Abs. 2 b beschriebenen
          Innovationsvorhabens;

     c)   Jede Ubernahme von Verpflichtungen, auch fur Investitionen, die den
          Betrag von DM 150.000,-- oder, sofern sie sich aus Leasing-, Miet-
          oder PachtvertrBgen ergeben, den Betrag von DM 50.000,-- monatlich
          ubersteigen und nicht im vorliegenden GeschBftsplan enthalten sind.

3.   Daruber hinaus stehen der tbg die Kontrollrechte gemaB (S) 716 BGB zu. Dies
     gilt auch nach der Beendigung der Gesellschaft in dem zu Uberprufung des
     Auseinandersetzungsguthabens erforderlichen Umfang.

     Die tbg ist ferner berechtigt, jederzeit alle auf das in (S) 1 Abs. 2b
     beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben bezogenen Unterlagen des TU einzusehen.
     Die tbg kann sich bei der Wahrnehmung ihrer Kontrollrechte Dritter
     bedienen.

4.   Das TU rBumt dem BMBF und einen von ihm Beauftragten Vorlage-, Auskunfts-
     und Prufungsrechte im gleichen Umfang wie der tbg ein. Das TU erklBrt sich
     damit einverstanden, daB die tbg die uber sein Unternehmen und das
     geforderte Innovationsvorhaben erlangten Daten zur wissenschaftlichen
     Auswertung des in (S) 1 Abs. 1 dieses Vertrages genannten Programms an das
     BMBF oder ein von ihm beauftragtes Institut weiterleitet. Es erklBrt sich
     daruber hinaus bereit, auch dem BMBF und einem von ihm beauftragten
     Institut unmittelbar die zur wissenschaftlichen Auswertung des Programms
     erforderlichen Auskunfte, gegebenenfalls auch nach Beendigung der stillen
     Gesellschaft, zu erteilen. Das BMBF ist berechtigt, die ihm
     bekanntegegebenen Daten an die EU-Kommission zur Wahrnehmung von Aufsichts-
     und Kontrollbefugnissen weiterzugeben. Bei der Ausarbeitung und ggf. bei
     der Veroffentlichung von Daten uber das Programm wird sichergestellt, daB
     dem TU kein Schaden entsteht.

5.   Dem Bundesrechnungshof steht gegenuber dem TU ein Prufungsrecht nach (S) 91
     BHO zu. Das TU wird dem Bundesrechnungshof und der tbg zu Prufzwecken alle
     Unterlagen zur Verfugung stellen, die der Bundesrechnungshof fur
     erforderlich hBlt und entsprechende Auskunfte erteilen.

                                     (S) 7

                                    Beirat

Die tbg kann jederzeit die Bildung eines Beirates verlangen.
An diesem Beirat ist die tbg unter angemessener Berucksichtigung der Hohe ihrer
Einlage zu beteiligen.
Der Beirat berBt das TU in wirtschaftlicher und technischer Hinsicht,
insbesondere hinsichtlich des in (S) 1 Abs. 2b
beschriebenen Vorhabens. Er hat die gleichen Informations- und Kontrollrechte,
wie sie der tbg nach diesem Vertrag zustehen.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank           Beteiligungsvertrag               5

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


                                     (S) 8

                         GeschBftsjahr, JahresabschluB

1.   Das GeschBftsjahr der stillen Gesellschaft entspricht dem des TU.  Das
     GeschBftsjahr des TU endet jeweils am 31.Dezember.

2.   Das TU hat seinen JahresabschluB (Bilanz, Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung,
     Anhang) unter Beachtung der (S)(S)238 - 289 HGB innerhalb von sechs Monaten
     nach Ablauf des GeschBftsjahres zu erstellen und der tbg in original
     unterschriebener Ausfertigung und mit dem Testat eines Wirtschaftsprufers
     oder vereidigten Buchprufers zu ubermitteln.

3.   Der JahresabschluB hat, soweit handelsrechtlich zulBssig, den
     einkommensteuerrechtlichen Gewinnermittlungsvorschriften zu entsprechen.

                                     (S) 9

                        Gewinn- und Verlustbeteiligung

1.   Die tbg erhBlt auf ihre geleistete Einlage eine vom Jahresergebnis des TU
     unabhBngige Mindestvergutung in Hohe von 6% p.a. Diese ist halbjBhrlich im
     nachhinein zum 31.3. und 30.09. eines jeden Jahres erstmals jedoch am
     30.06.1997, fBllig.

2.   Von den ab Abruf der Einlage an erwirtschafteten Jahresuberschussen,
     erstmals fur das GeschBftsjahr 1997, erhBlt die tbg - sofern sie DM
     100.000,--ubersteigen - im ubrigen 9% p.a., hochstens aber 6% p.a. der
     tatsBchlich erbrachten Einlage.

     Fur einen Zeitraum, in dem die tbg mehr als eine Beteiligung an dem TU
     hBlt, erhBlt sie jedoch neben den jeweiligen Mindestvergutungen von den
     erwirtschafteten Jahresuberschussen nur insgesamt 9% p.a. fur alle
     Beteiligungen., hochstens aber 7% p.a. der Summe der tatsBchlich erbrachten
     Einlagen.

     Diese Gewinnbeteiligung ist zahlbar innerhalb 2 Wochen nach Feststellung
     des Jahresabschlusses ((S) 8 Abs. 2).

3.   Fur die Berechnung nach Abs. 2 maBgeblich ist der JahresuberschuB, der in
     dem nach (S) 8 Abs. 3 aufgestellten JahresabschluB vor Berucksichtigung der
     Gewinnbeteiligung der tbg gemaB vorstehender Ziffer 2 ausgewiesen wird.

     a)   Dem JahresuberschuB sind hinzuzusetzen

          -    gezahlte Ertragsteuern, soweit sie den ausgewiesenen
               JahresuberschuB gemindert haben;

          -    Zinsen, die den Gesellschaftern des TU, sofern diese
               Personengesellschaft ist, belastet worden sind, ohne in den
               JahresuberschuB der Mitunternehmerschaft eingeflossen zu sein;

          -    auBerordentliche Aufwendungen, soweit sie aus GeschBftsvorfBllen
               herruhren, die vor Beginn der stillen Gesellschaft erfolgt sind;

          -    Verluste aus VerBuBerung oder Zerstorung von Wirtschaftsgutern
               des Anlagevermogens, soweit letztere im Zeitpunkt des Beginns der
               Gesellschaft bereits vorhanden waren.

     b)   Vom JahresuberschuB sind abzusetzen

          -    BetrBge aus der Auflosung steuerfreier Rucklagen, die vor Beginn
               der stillen Beteiligung gebildet wurden;
<PAGE>

                                                                               6


tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft     Beteiligungsvertrag
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          -    Tatigkeitsvergutungen oder Zinsen, die den Gesellschaftern des
               TU, sofern dieses Personengesellschaft ist, gutgeschrieben worden
               sind, ohne den ausgewiesenen JahresuberschuB der
               Mitunternehmerschaft gemindert zu haben;

          -    auBerordentliche Ertrage, soweit sie auf Geschaftsvorfallen
               beruhen, die vor Beginn der stillen Gesellschaft erfolgt sind;

          -    Ertrage aus der VerauBerung von Wirtschaftsgutern des
               Anlagevermogens, soweit letztere im Zeitpunkt des Beginns der
               Gesellschaft bereits vorhanden waren.

     c)   Im Jahr des Abrufs der Beteiligung gilt der JahresuberschuB fur die
          Berechnung der Gewinnbeteiligung nach Abs. 2 als gleichmaBig auf das
          Jahr verteilt angefallen.

4.   Die tbg ist berechtigt, zum Ende der Beteiligungszeit eine einmalige
     Vergutung von 30% des Beteiligungsbetrages zuzuglich 6% des
     Beteiligungsbetrages fur jedes Jahr nach Ablauf des funften vollen
     Beteiligungsjahres zu verlangen. Von der zu zahlenden Endvergutung werden
     die gemaB (S) 9 Abs. 2 jahrlich entrichteten Gewinnbeteiligungen in Abzug
     gebracht.

     Die tbg wird von diesem Recht nur Gebrauch machen, wenn dies nach ihrer
     Ansicht aufgrund der gesamten wirtschaftlichen Verhaltnisse des TU,
     insbesondere aufgrund seiner in den letzten drei Jahren vor Beendigung der
     Beteiligung erzielten Gewinne oder der wahrend der Beteiligungszeit
     gebildeten stillen Reserven gerechtfertigt erscheint.

5.   An Verlusten des TU nimmt die tbg nicht teil.

                                     (S) 10

                                    Steuern

Das TU wird fur die Abfuhrung der gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen
Kapitalertragssteuer zuzuglich Solidaritatszuschlag hinsichtlich der Vergutung
fur die stille Einlage sorgen und von den jeweiligen Zahlungen an die tbg die
Kapitalertragssteuer und den Solidaritatszuschlag einbehalten und direkt an das
zustandige Finanzamt abfuhren. Nach Abfuhrung wird das TU der tbg jeweils
Bescheinigungen im Sinne von (S) 45a Abs. 2 EStG auf den von der tbg zur
Verfugung gestellten Vordrucken erteilen.

                                     (S) 11

                       Auflosung der stillen Gesellschaft

1.   Im Falle der Auflosung des TU wird die stille Gesellschaft aufgelost. Die
     stille Beteiligung ist in diesem Fall zuruckzuzahlen.

2.   (S) 9 Abs. 4 findet auch in diesem Fall Anwendung.
<PAGE>

                                                                               7

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft     Beteiligungsvertrag
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     (S) 12

                                   Kundigung

1.   Das TU ist berechtigt, die Beteiligung der tbg unter Einhalten einer
     Kundigungsfrist von 3 Monaten um 30.6 oder 31.12, eines jeden Jahres ganz
     oder teilweise abzulosen. Erfolgt diese Ablosung bis zum Ende des funften
     vollen Beteiligungsjahres, so ist die Einlage der tbg mit einem Aufgeld in
     Hohe von 30% zuruckzuzahlen. Ab Beginn des sechsten Beteiligungsjahres gilt
     die Regelung in (S) 9 Abs. 4. Die tbg kann auf die Zahlung des Aufgeldes
     verzichten, wenn die Kundigung wegen der Aufgabe des geforderten
     Innovationsvorhabens erfolgte.

2.   Die stille Gesellschaft kann daruber hinaus von jedem ihrer Gesellschafter
     bei Vorliegen eines wichtigen Grundes durch schriftliche Erklarung fristlos
     gekundigt werden. Soweit die Einlage noch nicht oder nicht voll geleistet
     ist, wird die tbg mit der Kundigungserklarung von ihrer
     Einlageverpflichtung frei.

     Die tbg ist zur Kundigung aus wichtigem Grund insbesondere berechtigt, wenn

     a)   das TU im Beteiligungsantrag falsche Angaben gemacht hat;

     b)   sich herausstellt, daB die Voraussetzungen fur die Gewahrung der
          Beteiligung nicht vorlagen oder die Voraussetzungen fur die Belassung
          der Beteiligung entfallen sind, insbesondere das in (S) 1 Abs. 2b
          beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben sich als nicht durchsetzungsfahig
          erweist oder vom TU aufgegeben oder wesentlich abgeandert wird. Sofern
          sich das in (S) 1 Abs. 2 beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben als
          technisch nicht machbar oder wirschaftlich nicht durchsetzbar erweist,
          kann die tbg ganz oder teilweise auf die Ruchzahlung der Beteiligung
          verzichten, wenn dem TU dadurch das weitere Bestehen ermoglicht wird;

     c)   das TU den Verwendungsnachweis gemaB (S) 3 trotz Mahnung nicht
          spatestens drei Monate nach Falligkeit vorlegt;

     d)   vom TU angenommene Wechsel zu Protest gehen, das TU seine Zahlungen
          einstellt, Konkursantrag gestellt oder Eroffnung des gerichtlichen
          Vergleichsverfahrens beantragt wird oder in sonstiger Weise
          Zahlungsunfahighkeit festgestellt wird;

     e)   der oder die bei AbschluB des Vertrages uber die stille Gesellschaft
          beim TU leitend tatigen Know-How-Trager nicht mehr hauptberuflich in
          der Unternehmensleitung des TU tatig ist oder sind;

     f)   eine der in Abs. (S) 5 Abs. 2 aufgezahlten MaBnahmen ohne vorherige
          Zusstimmung der tbg durchgefuhrt worden ist und diese MaBnahmen den
          Bestand des Unternehmens oder die Durchfuhrung des geforderten
          Innovationsvorhabens gefahrden.

                                     (S) 13

                               Fallige Leistungen

Fallige Leistungen sind nach Eintritt des Verzuges bis zum Eingang bei der tbg
mit 4% p.a. zu verzinsen.

                                     (S) 14

                            Allgemeine Bestimmungen

1.   Anderungen und Erganzungen dieses Vertrages bedurfen der Schriftform.
     Mundiche Nebenabreden zu diesem Vertrag bestehen nicht.

2.   Sollte eine Bestimmung dieses Vertrages rechtsunwirksam sein, so bleiben
     die ubrigen Bestimmungen davon unberuhrt. Das TU und die tbg sind
     verpflichtet, unwirksame Vertragsbestimmungen durch Regelungen zu
<PAGE>

                                                                               8

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft     Beteiligungsvertrag
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     ersetzen, die rechtswirksam sind und dem Sinn und Zweck der
     rechtsunwirksamen Bestimmungen moglichst weitgehend entsprechen.

3.   Fur alle Rechtstreitgkeiten, die sich aus diesem Vertrag oder seiner
     Durchfuhrung ergeben, ist Bonn als Gerichtsstand vereinbart.

Bonn, den 14.12.1995               Hamburg, den

Technologie-Beteiligungs-          SEQUENOM


Gesellschaft mbH der               Instruments GmbH
Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
                                   /s/ Helmut Schuhsler

/s/ illegible
<PAGE>

                                                                               9

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft     Beteiligungsvertrag
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anlage I


                           Vorhabensbezogene Planung

Planzeitraum:  November 1995 bis November 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vorhabensspezifische Aufwendungen
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Betrag in DM (ohne MwSt.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
I.   Fur angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Im Sachanlagevermogen bilanzierte Investitionen
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1  Laborgerate und -anlagen                                                        2.650.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2  Maschinen und Anlagen zur Prototypenherstellung                                 2.550.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.3  Sonstiges
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   Nicht-investive FuE-Aufwendungen
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1  Personal
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2  Material
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3  Fremdleistungen (Auftragsvergabe/Beratung)                                      1.100.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.4  Patente und Zulassungen                                                           350.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5  Reisekosten
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.6  Sonstiges
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II.  Fur Investitionen zur Markteinfuhrung
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summe                                                                                6.650.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vorhabensspezifische Finanzierung
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Betrag in DM (ohne MwSt.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Eigenmittel
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
1.1  ...
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2  ...
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   Beteiligungskapital
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1  der tbg                                                                         3.000.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2  des Leadinvestors                                                               3.000.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3  sonstiger Beteiligter
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   Offentliche Mittel
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1  Zuschusse, Zuwendungen, Zulagen (Stadt Hamburg)                                   650.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2  Sonstige
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   Fremdmittel
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1  der Bank
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2  Sonstige
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summe                                                                                6.650.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
MbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank



Version 81.93                                                     Exhibit 10.15

                              KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG


                 Vertrag uber eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen der

   SEQUENOM, INC., c/o TVM Techno Venture Management L.P., 101 Arch Street,
                             Boston MA 02110, USA

                   - im folgenden:  Beteiligungsgeber (BG)-
und der Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank,
                           Wielandstr. 4, 53170 Bonn

                              -im folgenden: tbg-

      bei der Betreuung der in diesem Vertrag gennanten Beteiligungen an

        SEQUENOM Instruments GmbH, MendelssohnstraBe 15d, 22761 Hamburg

                  -im folgenden:  Technologieunternehmen (TU)


                                     (S) 1

                                VERTRAGSPARTNER

1)  Die tbg unterstutzt im Rahmen des mit dem Bundesministerium fur Bildung,
    Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie (BMBF) und der Deutschen
    Ausgleichsbank durchgefuhrten Programms "Beteiligungskapital fur kleine
    Technologieunternehmen" Technologieunternehmen der gewerblichen Wirtschaft,
    sofern sie nicht alter als 10 Jahre sind und die EU-Definition von kleinen
    und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) in den neuen Bundeslandern und Berlin (Ost)
    bzw. kleinen Unternehmen im ubrigen Bundesgebiet erfullen, d.h:

    -  nicht mehr als 250 (50) Arbeitskrafte beschaftigen und

    -  entweder

       -  einen Jahresumsatz von nicht mehr als 40 Mio. DM (10 Mio. DM) erzielen
          oder

       -  einen Bilanzsumme von nicht mehr als 20 Mio. DM (4 Mio. DM) erreichen,
          und

    -  sich zu hochstens 25% im Besitz eines oder mehrerer diese Definition
       nicht erfullenden Unternehmen befinden (Ausnahme: offentliche
       Beteiligungsgesellschaften, Risikokapitalgesellschaften und - soweit
       keine Kontrolle ausgeubt wird - institutionelle Anleger).

Alle drei Voraussetzungen mussen gleichzeitig erfullt sein, d.h. ein Unternehmen
wird nur als KMU betrachtet, wenn es die verlangte Eigenstandigkeit aufweist,
den Vorgaben fur die Beschaftigungszahl entspricht und mindestens einen der
Genzwerte fur Jahresumsatz bzw. Bilanzsumme nicht uberschreitet.

Die tbg ubernimmt Beteiligungen zur Finanzierung von Innovationsvorhaben im
Sinne der als Anlage beigefugten Beteiligunsgrundsatze der tbg, die Bestandteil
dieses Vertrages sind und die der BG anerkennt und zwar:

- -  fur angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung bis zu einer logischen Sekunde vor
   Aufnahme der kommerziellen Produktion gemaB der EU-Definition mit folgenden
   Abgrenzungen:
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
MbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank    KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG                       2

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Angewandte Forschung umfaBt Forschungs- oder Experimentarbeiten mit dem
       Zweck, neue Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen, um die Erreichung spezifischer,
       praktischer Ziele wie Kreation neuer Produkte, Produktionsverfahren oder
       Dienstleistungen zu erleichtern. Normalerweise laBt sich sagen, daB sie
       mit der Kreation eines ersten Prototyps endet. Entwicklung unfaBt
       Arbeiten auf der Grundlage der angewandten Forschung mit dern Ziel der
       Einfuhrung neuer oder wesentlich verbesserter Produkte,
       Produktionsverfahren oder Dienstleistungen bis hin zu - aber nicht
       einschlieBlich- der industriellen Anwendung und kommerziellen Nutzung. Zu
       dieser Stufe gehoren normalweise Pilot- und Demonstrationsvorhaben sowie
       die weiter erforderliche Entwicklungsarbeit, die schlieBlich in einem
       Bundel von Informationen mundet, die die Aufnahme der Produktion
       gestatten.

   -   fur Investitionen zur Markteinfuhrung

   Die tbg beabsichtigt, an dem TU eine stille Beteiligung in Hohe von DM
   3.000.000, -unter der Voraussetzung zu ubernehmen, daB die zu Abs. 2 gennante
   Beteiligung zwischen dem BG und dem TU vereinbart wird. Eine Kopie des
   zwischen der tbg und dem TU vorgesehenen Beteiligungsvertrages liegt diesem
   Vertrag bei.

2) Der BG beabsichtigt, am dem TU eine Beteiligung in Form eines nicht
   ruckzahlbaren GesellschafterzuschuB (Agio) in Hohe von DM 3.000.000 - zu
   ubernehmen. Dieses Agio steht in Verbindung mit einem bereits bestehenden
   Stammkapitalanteil des BG an dem TU in Hohe von DM 37.500,-.

   Der BG bestatigt, daB er die Refinanzierung einer Beteiligung an dem TU im
   Rahmen des Programms "Beteiligungskapital fur kleine Technologieunternehmen"
   und die Forderung (Refinanzierung oder Absicherung) dieser Beteiligung an dem
   TU aus dem ERP-Sondervermogen nicht in Anspruch nimmt.

3) Die Parteien werden einander unverzuglich schriftlich unterrichten, wenn die
   gennanten Beteiligungsvereinbarungen mit dem TU abgeschlossen sind. Sofern
   die endgultigen Beteiligungsvertrage von den bekanntgegebenen Entwurfen
   abweichen, sind die Vertrage in der maBgeblichen Fassung zu ubersenden und
   Abweichungen auf Verlangen zu erlautern.

4) Eventuelle spatere Anderungen der Beteiligungsvertrage, eine
   VerauBerung/Verpfandung der Beteiligungen und der Anspruche gegen die tbg aus
   diesem Kooperationsvertrag oder weitere Beteiligungs- oder Darlehensvertrage
   werden die Parteien nur mit Zustimmung ihres Vertragspartners aus diesem
   Vertrag vereinbaren. Soweit eine ordentliche Kundigung des
   Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen BG und TU durch den BG zulassig ist, bedarf
   auch sie der Zustimmung durch die tbg. Uber eine Kundigung aus wichtigem
   Grund haben sich die Partner dieses Vertrages unverzuglich, nach Moglichkeit
   vor Ausspruch der Kundigung, zu unterrichten.


                                     (S) 2

                               BETREUUNG DES TU

Der BG wird die Geschaftsfuhrung des TU und die Entwicklung des durch die tbg
geforderten Innovations vorhabens mit der erforderlichen Sorgfalt uberwachen und
dem TU bei Bedarf mit einer Managementunterstutzung zur Seite stehen.

Der BG ist grundsatzlich auch bereit und in der Lage, aber nicht verpflichtet,
dem TU im Bedarfsfall zusatzliche Finanzierungsmittel zur Verfugung zu stellen.


                                     (S) 3

                                 MITTELEINSATZ
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
MbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank    KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG                       3

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Vor Abruf der Beteiligungsmittel der tbg wird der BG die zwischen tbg und TU
   vereinbarten Abrufvorussetzungen prufen und, soweit sie vorliegen,
   bestatigen. Der BG wird den Abruf befurworten, wenn im Zeitpunkt des Abrufs
   nach seinem Kenntnisstand weder wirtschaftliche noch technische Bedenken an
   der Durchfuhbarkeit des von der tbg geforderten Innovationsvorhabens
   bestehen.

2) DER BG wird den vom TU gemaB (S) 3 des Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen tbg und
   TU beizubringenden Verwendungsnachweis prufen und bestatigen.



                                     (S) 4

                       INFORMATIONS- UND KONTROLLRECHTE

1) Der BG verpflichtet sich gegenuber der tbg zur Berichterstattung uber die
   wirtschaftliche Lage des TU und uber den Stand des von der tbg geforderten
   Innovationsvorhabens.

2) Berichte sind regelmaBig halbjahrlich zum 31.03 und zum 30.09. zu erstatten.

3) Eine unverzugliche und nach Moglichkeit vorherige Unterrichtung der tbg hat
   bei allen dem BG bekannten MaBnahmen zu erfolgen, die uber den Rahmen des
   ublichen Geschaftsbetriebes des TU hinausgehen. Dies sind insbesondere die
   gemaB (S) 5 des Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen der tbg und dem TU
   zustimmungsbedurftigen MaBnahmen die in (S) 12 dieses Beteiligungsvertrages
   gennanten Grunde fur eine Kundigung aus wichtigem Grund.

4) Die Berichterstattung hat, soweit die tbg hierauf nicht ausdrucklich
   schriftlich verzichtet, schriftlicht und in dringenden Fallen vorab mundlich
   zu erfolgen.

5) Die tbg ist berechtigt, selbst oder durch beauftragte Dritte eine umfassende
   Unterrichtung uber alle Rechtsbeziehungen des BG zum TU zu verlangen und bei
   dem BG alle Unterlagen einzusehen, die das TU betreffen.

6) Der BG erklart sich damit einverstanden, daB die tbg die uber seine
   Beteiligung an dem TU vorligenden Daten zur Wahrnehmung von Aufsichts-und
   Kontrollbefugnissen auf Anforderung an das BMBF oder die EU-Kommission
   ubermittelt.

7) Der BG erklart sich weiterhin damit einverstanden, daB die tbg uber die
   Beteiligung des BG an dem TU erlangten Daten zur wissenschaftlichen
   Auswertung des in (S) 1 Abs. 1 dieses Vertrages gennanten Programms an das
   BMBF oder ein von ihm beaufragtes Institut weiterleitet. Daruber hinaus
   erklart der BG seine Bereitschaft, dem BMBF und einem von ihm beaufragten
   Institut auch unmittelbar die zur wissenschaftlichen Auswertung des Programms
   erforderlichen Auskunfte zu erteilen. Bei der Ausarbeitung und gegebenenfalls
   bei der Veroffentlichung von Daten uber das Programm wird sichergestellt, daB
   dem BG kein Schaden entsteht.


                                     (S) 5

                               RISIKOBETEILIGUNG

Der BG ist berechtigt, die tbg innerhalb von 5 Jahren ab Beginn der Beteiligung
der tbg an dem TU auf teilweise Erstattung eines Ausfalles an seiner gemaB (S) 1
Abs. 2 an dem TU eingegangenen Beteiligung (Stammkapitalanteil zzgl. Agio) in
Anspruch zu nehmen.

1)  Ein zur Inanspruchnahme der tbg berechtigender Ausfall gilt als
    festgestellt, wenn uber das Vermogen des TU das Konkursverfahren oder die
    Gesamtvollstreckung eroffnet oder die Verfahrenseroffnung mangels Masse
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                    KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG        4

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     abgelehnt worden ist, wenn fur das TU eine eidesstattliche Versicherung
     abgegeben oder die andauernde Zahlungsunfahigkeit des TU auf andere Weise
     nachgewiesen ist.

     Die tbg wird dem BG innerhalb von 30 Kalendertagen nach dem Tag ihrer
     Inanspruchnahme einen Betrag in Hohe von 50% seiner ursprunglich gemaB (S)
     1 Abs. 2 aufgebrachten Beteiligungsmittel, hochsten aber 50% der von ihr
     selbst an das TU gezahlten Beteiligungsmittel erstatten. Bei der Berechnung
     der Hochtsgrenze ist eine nach dem Beteiligungsvertrag zwischen tbg und TU
     zulassig erfolgte Kurzung der Beteiligung der tbg zu berucksichtigen.

2)   Sind infolge eines gerichtlichen Vergleichs die Forderungen des BG aus
     seinem in (S) 1 Abs. 2 beschriebenen Beteiligungsverhaltnis teilweise
     untergegangen oder hat der BG im Rahmen von SanierungsmaBnahmen, an denen
     sich alle Kredit- und Beteiligungsgeber des TU- letztere quotal gleich -
     beteiligt haben, einen Teilverzicht auf die in (S) 1 Abs. 2 erwahnten
     Beteiligungsmittel geleistet, so kann der BG die tbg auf Erstattung seines
     teilweisen Ausfalls in Anspruch nehmen. Die tbg ist jedoch nur zur Zahlung
     eines Betrages verpflichtet, der zu dem Hochstbetrag der Risikobeteiligung
     (s. Abs. 1) im gleichen Verhaltnis steht, wie der Teilausfall des BG zur
     Gesamtheit seiner in (S) 1 Abs. 2 genannten Beteiligungsmittel. Die
     Teilinanspruchname reduziert etwaige weitere Verpflichtungen der tbg aus
     der Risikobeteiligung.

3)   Bis zum Ablauf des 6. auf ihre Inanspruchnahme folgenden Kalendermonats
     kann die tbg von dem BG die ganze oder teilweise Ubertragung der in (S) 1
     Abs. 2 genannten Beteiligung auf sich oder einen von ihr benannten Dritten
     verlangen. Eventuelle Einlage-, NachschuB- und
     Schadensersatzverpflichtungen des BG werden nicht auf die tbg ubertragen.
     Eventuelle Ubertragungskosten tragt der BG.Bei teilweiser Inanspruchnahme
     der tbg gemaB 2) reduziert sich die Ubertragungsverpflichtung des BG im
     gleichen Verhaltnis wie die Zahlungsverpflichtung der tbg.

     Die Ubertragbarkeit ist von dem BG zu sichern und ist Voraussetung fur die
     Inanspruchnahme der Risikobeteiligung.

                                     (S) 6

                       BEGINN UND DAUER DER KOOPERATION

1)   Der BG ist der tbg gegenuber zur Betreuung des TU nach (S) 2 und zur
     Unterrichtung nach (S) 4 dieses Vertrages ab dem Zeitpunkt verpflichtet, in
     dem dieser Vertrag, und die Beteiligungsvertrage zwischen tbg und TU sowie
     BG und TU durch die jeweiligen Beteiligten unterzeichnet sind.

2)   Die Kooperation endet mit dem Ende der Beteiligung der tbg oder des BG.

3)   Die ordentliche Kundigung dieses Kooperationsvertrages ist ausgeschlossen.

                                     (S) 7

                            ALLGEMEINE BESTIMMUNGEN

1)   Anderungen und Erganzungen dieses Vertrages bedurfen der Schriftform.
     Mundliche Nebenabreden zu diesem Vertrag bestehen nicht.

2)   Sollte eine Bestimmung dieses Vertrages rechtsunwirksam sein, so bleiben
     die ubrigen Bestimmungen davon unberuht. Der BG und die tbg sind
     verpflichtet, unwirksame Vertragsbestimmungen durch Regelungen zu ersetzen,
     die rechtswirskam sind und dem Sinn und Zweck der rechtsunwirksamen
     Bestimmungen moglichst weitgehend entsprechen.

3)   Fur alle Rechtsteitigkeiten, die sich aus diesem Vertrag und seiner
     Durchfuhrung ergeben, ist Bonn als Gerichtsstand vereinbart.
<PAGE>

tbg
Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                    KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG        5

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonn, den 14. 12. 1995                    Boston, den
Technologie-Beteiligungs                  SEQUENOM Inc., Boston
Gesellschaft mbH der                      c/o TVM Techno Venture Management L.P.
Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                  101 Arch Street
                                          Boston, MA 02110
                                          USA
                  /s/ illegible                       /s/ illegible, Treasurer
<PAGE>

Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
mbH der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank

<TABLE>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Beteiligungsgrundsatze der                      tbg     Technologie-Beteiligungs-
  Technologie-Beteiligungs - Gesellschaft                       Gesellschaft mbH der
    m.b.H. der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank                         Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
1.    Die tbg als Beteiligungsgeber                     -  entweder ein Jahresumsatz von max. 40 Mio. DM oder
                                                           eine Bilanzsumme von max. 20 Mio. DM.
      Die Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft
      m.b.H. (tbg) ist eine Tochtergesellschaft
      der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank.Im Rahmen des        Wirtschaftliche Unabhangigkeit
      mit dem Bundesministerium fur Bildung,
      Wissenschaft.  Forschung und Technologie          Max. 25% des Gesellschaftskapitals durfen sich im Besitz
      aufgelegten Programms Beteiligungskapital         von Unternehman befinden, die die Kriterien fur kleine
      fur kleine Technologie-Unternehmen**) geht        und mittlere Unternehmen nicht erfullen.
      sie zur Finanzierung von
      innovationsvorhaben stille Beteiligungen an       (Ausnahme: offentliche Beteiligungsgesellschaften,
      Technologieunternehmen (TU) ein, ohne sich                   Risikokapital gesellschaften und - soweit keine Kontrolle
      im Regelfall an der Geschaftsfuhrung des TU                  ausgeubt wird - institutionelle Anleger.)
      zu beteiligen.
                                                        Alter

      Wesentlche Beteiligungsvoraussetzung ist,         Hochstens 10 Jahre
      daB ein weiterer Beteiligungsgeber
      (Lead-Investor) sich in mindestens gleicher       Technisches und kaufmannisches Fachwissen
      Hohe wie die tbg an dem TU beteiligt und
      auf der Grundlage eines                           Das TU muB uber das zur Durchfuhrung der
      Kooperationsvetrages die Beteiligung der          Entwicklungsarbeiten und zur Produktion notwendige
      tbg mitbetreut.                                   technische Fachwissen verfugen sowie die erforderlichen
                                                        kaufmannischen Kenntnisse nachweisen Konnen.
2.    Beteiligungszweck
                                                        Kaufmannisches Know-how kann auch durch die Einschaltung
      Die Beteiligungen dienen der Finanzierung         von Externen - z.B. des Lead-investors - eingebracht
      von Innovationsvorhaben (vgl. Ziffer 3.1)         werden, sofern das TU bis zur Antragstellung noch keine
      und zwar                                          nennenswerte Umsatze erziehlt hat.

      - for angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung        3.3  Kooperierender Beteiligungsgeber (Lead-investor)
        bis zu einer logischen Sekunde vor Aufnahme
        der kommerziellen Produktion                         Mit der tbg kooperierende Lead-investoren konnen
                                                             Beteiligungsgesellschaften sowie naturliche und
      - fur investitionen zur Markteinfuhrung.               juristische Personen sein, die Unternehmen
                                                             Beteiligungskapital zur Verfugung stellen.
3.    Beteiligungsvoraussetzungen
                                                             Der Lead-Investor muB sich in mindestens der gleichen
3.1   Innovationsvorhaben                                    Hohe wie die tbg beteiligen.  Er soll das
                                                             Technologieunternehmen in allen wirtschaftlichen und
      - Durch das Innovationvorhaben sollen neue,            finanziellen Belangen beraten und unterstutzen und
        im Unternehmen bis dahin noch nicht                  gegebenenfalls auch Management- und
        angewendete Techniken eingesetzt werden.             Marketingunterstutzung anbieten konnen.  Grundsatzlich
                                                             soll er bereit und in der Lage sein  zusatzliche
      - Die Entwicklungsanteile, die den                     Finanzierungsmitttel zur Verfugung zu stellen.
        innovativen Kern betreffen, werden im
        Unternehmen selbst erbracht, Wenn fur                Vor Ubernahme einer Beteiligung hat der Lead-Investor die
        Entwichlungsschritte Dienstleistungen in             Beteiligungsvoraussetzungen zugleich fur die tbg zu
        Anspruch genommen werden mussen die                  prufen und nachvollziehbar zu dokumentieren.  Wahrend der
        Spezifikationen im Unternehmen selbst                Beteiligungsdauer hat er die Geschaftsfuhrung des TU and
        erarbeitet werden.                                   die Entwicklung des Innovationsvorhabens zu uberwachen
                                                             und die tbg uber die wirtschaftliche Lage des TU und uber
      - Das neue Produkt                                     das innovationsvorhaben zu unterrichten.  Weiterhin wirkt
        (Verfahren/Dienstleistung) unterscheiden             er an der Erstellung des
        sich in seinen wesentlichen Funktionen von
        den bisherigen Produkten
        (Verfahren/Dienstleistung) des Unternehmens.

      - Mit dem neuen Produkt (Verfahren/
        Dienstleistung) sind Wettbewerbsvorteile,
        Funktionen, Qualitat, Preis und
        Marktchancen auf dem fur das Unternehmen
        einschlagigen
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>
     Markt (regional, national,                                Verwendungsnachweises mit (vgl.
     europaisch, Welt) verbunden.                              Ziffer 3.4).  Einzelheiten regelt ein Kooperations
                                                               zwischen dem Lead-investor und der tbg.
3.2  Beteiligungsnehmer
                                                         3.4   Gesamtfinanzierung
     Beteiligungen der tbg konnen Unternehmen der
     gewerblichen Wirtschaft erhalten, sofern                  Die Gesamtfinanzierung des Innovationsvorhabens
     sie die folgenden Merkmale erfullen:                      muB geigesichert sein. Die Beteingungsmittel durfen nur
                                                               zur Finanzierung des oder der Innovations-
     Kleine Unternehmen.                                       vorhaben(s) eingesetzt werden fur die Beteiligung
                                                               zugesagt wurden ist. Der Lead- investor ist
     -  Betriebssitz im Bundesgebiet und                       unverzuglich zu unterrichten, wenn sich das
                                                               Innovationsvorhaben oder dessen Finanzierung
     -  nicht mehr als 50 Beschaftigte und                     andert.

     -  entweder ein Jahresumsatz von max. 10 Mio.             ErmaBigen sich nachtraglich die Kosten des
     DM oder eine Bilanzsumme von mat. 4 Mio. DM.              Innovationsvorhabens oder werden nachtraglich zur
                                                               Finanzierung dieses Innovationsvorhabens weitere
     Mittlere Unternehmen                                      offentliche Mittel eingeworben, so daB eine Finanzierung
                                                               uber 100% entsteht, konnen die Beteiligungsmittel
     -  Betriebssitz in den neuen Bundeslandern                zuruckgefordert werden.  Der Beteiligungsnehmer
     und Berlin (Ost) und                                      verpflichtet sich, unmittelbar nach Ab-

     -  nicht mehr ais 250 Beschaftigte und

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhbit 10.16


                              BETEILIGUNGSVERTRAG

        Vertrag uber die Errichtung einer stillen Gesellschaft zwischen
           SEQUENOM Instruments GmbH, StapelstraBe 5B, 22529 Hamburg
            - im folgenden:  Junges Technologie-Unternehmen (JTU) -
                                    und der
                  Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
            der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank, Wielandstr. 4, 53170 Bonn
                - stiller Gesellschafter, im folgenden:   tbg -

                                     (S) 1

                       Gesellschaftszweck, Gesellschafter

1.      Im Rahmen des mit dem Bundesminister fur Bildung, Wissenschaft,
        Forschung und Tech-nologie (BMBF) und der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
        durchgefuhrten Modellversuchs "Beteiligungskapital fur junge
        Technologie-Unternehmen" unterstutzt die tbg junge Technologie-
        Unternehmen durch die Ubernahme von Beteiligungen zur Finanzierung von
        Investitionen und Betriebsmitteln

        -    fur Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeiten bis zur Herstellung und
             Erprobung von  Prototypen (Keimphase) und

        -    fur Anpassungsentwicklungen und die Vorbereitung der Produktion
             einschlieBlich der Markteinfuhrung technisch neuer Produkte,
             Verfahren oder technischer Dienstleistungen (Aufbauphase).

2. a)   Das im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Hamburg unter der Nr. B 57315
        eingetragene JTU betreibt gemaB Gesellschaftsvertrag in der gultigen
        Fassung vom 10.11.1994 ein Handelsgewerbe mit dem Zweck der Entwicklung,
        Herstellung und Vermarktung von Geraten zur Sequenzierung von DNA, dem
        Verkauf der Sequenzinformationen und der Entwicklung von medizinischen
        Diagnostika und Therapeutika.

   b)   Das JTU befaBt sich im Rahmen dieses Gesellschaftszwecks mit der
        Neuentwicklung und Integration von DNA-chemischen, molekularbiologischen
        und physikalischen Ver-fahren zur Herstellung eines Funktionsmodells
        eines patentierten DNA-Sequenzierautomaten, insbesondere zur
        Sequenzierung des humanen Genoms.

3.      Die tbg ubernimmt an dem JTU eine Beteiligung in der Rechtsform der
        stillen Gesellschaft, um das in Abs. 2b beschriebene Vorhaben zu
        fordern.

                                     (S) 2

                                    Einlage

1.      AusschlieBlich zur Forderung des in (S) 1 Abs. 2b beschriebenen
        Innovationsvorhabens und auf der Grundlage der Angaben des JTU im
        Beteiligungsantrag vom 28.11.1994 ubernimmt die tbg eine Einlage in Hohe
        von DM 1.000.000,--, unter der Voraussetzung, daB das JTU mit der
        SEQUENOM Inc., Boston, c/o TVM Techno Venture Management L.P., 101 Arch
        Street, Boston MA 02110, USA, (im folgenden: BG) eine Beteiligung in
        Hohe von
<PAGE>

        DM 1.000.000,-- nachweist und der BG mit der tbg eine
        Kooperationsvereinbarung abge-schlossen hat.

        Der BG wird sich bei der Betreuung des Engagements beim JTU von der TVM
        Techno Venture Management Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, LeopoldstraBe 28 A,
        80802 Munchen als Betreuungsgesellschaft beraten lassen.

2.      Die Einlage der tbg ist zur Mitfinanzierung des gem. Anhang aufgefuhrten
        Investitions-und Finanzierungsplans zu verwenden. Die Anlage gilt als
        Bestandteil dieses Beteiligungsvertrages.

        Sofern sich die Kosten des Vorhabens gegenuber den vorstehenden Angaben
        ermaBigen oder nachtraglich weitere offentliche Mittel eingeworben
        werden, ist die tbg zur entspre-chenden Kurzung ihrer Einlage in einem
        der Reduzierung des Investitionsvolumens entsprechenden Verhaltnis
        berechtigt. Der Kurzungsbetrag ist umgehend an die tbg
        zuruckzuuberweisen.

3.      Das JTU kann die Einlage nach Beginn der Gesellschaft (vgl. (S) 3 Abs.
        1) abrufen, soweit ihre unverzugliche bestimmungsgemaBe Verwendung und
        ein anteiliger Mitteleinsatz mit den anderen in Abs. 2 vorgesehenen
        Finanzierungsmitteln gewahrleistet sind. Dem Abruf ist eine Bestatigung
        der Abrufvoraussetzungen durch den BG beizufugen.

4.      Wenn die Einlage nicht zumindest teilweise bis spatestens zum 31.09.1995
        abgerufen wird, ist dieser Vertrag beendet.

5.      Beim ersten Teilabruf ist die tbg berechtigt, eine Bearbeitungsgebuhr
        i.H.v. 1,00% der gesamten in diesem Vertrag vereinbarten Einlage
        einzubehalten.

6.      Die Einlage der tbg ist vom JTU auf einem gesonderten Einlagenkonto zu
        fuhren. Entnah-men der tbg von diesem Konto sind ausgeschlossen.

                                     (S) 3

                       Beginn und Dauer der Gesellschaft

1.      Die stille Gesellschaft beginnt, sobald dieser Vertrag durch beide
        Parteien unterzeichnet ist.

2.      Die stille Gesellschaft ist bis zum 31.12.2005 befristet.

3.      Mit Beendigung des Gesellschaftsverhaltnisses sind die Einlage der tbg
        und nicht ausge-zahlte Gewinnanteile zur Zahlung an die tbg fallig.

4.      Soweit die von der BG gewahrten Mittel vor dem 31.12.2005 zuruckgezahlt
        werden, so ist die Einlage der tbg zum gleichen Zeitpunkt und im
        gleichen Umfang zur Ruckzahlung fallig.

                                     (S) 4

                                Geschaftsfuhrung

1.      Die tbg ist an der Geshaftsfuhrung des JTU nicht beteiligt, soweit
        nachstehend nichts an-deres bestimmt ist.

2.      Das JTU bedarf der Zustimmung der tbg bei

        a)  jeder Anderung des Gesellschaftsvertrages, insbesondere einer
            Anderung des Gegen-standes des Unternehmens, der Aufnahme neuer
            Gesellschafter oder der Vereinbarung neuer Beteiligungen;

                                       2
<PAGE>

        b)  der Bestellung und Abberufung von Geschaftsfuhrern des JTU;

        c)  AbschluB, Anderung und Beendigung von Vertragen uber die Vergabe
            oder den Er-werb von Lizenzen, Patenten, Gebrauchsmustern,
            Geschmacksmustern, Warenzeichen oder Know How, soweit sie das mit
            der Beteiligung der tbg geforderte Innovations-vorhaben betreffen;

        d)  AbschluB, Anderung  und Beendigung wesentlicher Vertriebsvertrage;

        e)  teilweiser oder ganzer Betriebsverlegung, -verpachtung oder -
            verauBerung;

        f)  AbschluB und Beendigung von Beherrschungs- und
            Ergebnisabfuhrungsvertragen.

3.      Zustimmungen nach (S) 4 Abs. 2 sind unmittelbar bei der tbg einzuholen.

        Sofern die tbg nicht innerhalb eines Zeitraums von 14 Tagen nach
        Mitteilung der zustim-mungsbedurftigen MaBnahme die Verweigerung der
        Zustimmung schriftlich erklart, gilt die Zustimmung als erteilt.

                                     (S) 5

                        Informations- und Kontrollrechte

1.      Das JTU hat der tbg halbjahrlich, jeweils bis zum 31.03. und 30.09.
        eines Jahres uber die wirtschaftliche Lage des JTU und uber den Stand
        des in (S) 1 Abs. 2b beschriebenen Inno-vationsvorhabens zu berichten,
        solange die tbg auf diese Berichte nicht verzichtet, weil der BG die
        Kontrolle des JTU zugleich fur die tbg wahrnimmt. Zusatzlich erhalt die
        tbg von dem JTU monatlich einen Kurzstatus gemaB beigefugter Anlage.

2.      Unabhangig davon, ob der BG die Kontrolle des JTU zugleich fur die tbg
        ausubt, hat das JTU die tbg uber alle MaBnahmen, die uber den Rahmen des
        ublichen Geschaftsbetriebes hinausgehen, rechtzeitig unmittelbar zu
        informieren. Uber den Rahmen des ublichen Ge-schaftsbetriebes gehen
        neben den zu (S) 4 Abs. 2 genannten MaBnahmen insbesondere hin-aus:

        a)  Teilweise oder ganze Betriebsstillegung;

        b)  Aufgabe oder wesentliche Anderung des in (S) 1 Abs. 2 b
            beschriebenen Innovations-vorhabens;

        c)  Jede Ubernahme von Verpflichtungen, auch fur Investitionen, die den
            Betrag von DM 150.000, -- oder, sofern sie sich aus Leasing-, Miet-
            oder Pachtvertragen ergeben, den Betrag von DM 50.000, -- monatlich
            ubersteigen und nicht im vorliegenden Ge-schaftsplan enthalten sind.

3.      Daruber hinaus stehen der tbg die Kontrollrechte gem. (S) 716 BGB zu.
        Dies gilt auch nach der Beendigung der Gesellschaft in dem zur
        Uberprufung des Auseinandersetzungsgutha-bens erforderlichen Umfang.

        Die tbg ist ferner berechtigt, jederzeit alle auf das in (S) 1 Abs. 2b
        beschriebene Innovationsvorhaben bezogenen Unterlagen des JTU
        einzusehen. Die tbg kann sich bei der Wahrnehmung ihrer Kontrollrechte
        Dritter bedienen.

4.      Das JTU raumt dem BMBF und einem von ihm Beauftragten Vorlage-,
        Auskunfts-und Prufungsrechte im gleichen Umfang wie der tbg ein. Es
        erklart sich damit einverstanden, daB die tbg die uber sein Unternehmen
        und das geforderte Innovationsvorhaben erlangten Daten zur
        wissenschaftlichen Auswertung des in (S) 1 Abs. 1 dieses Vertrages
        genannten Modellversuchs an den BMBF oder ein von ihm beauftragtes
        Institut weiterleitet. Das JTU erklart sich daruber hinaus bereit, auch
        dem BMBF und einem von ihm beauftragten Insti-

                                       3
<PAGE>

        tut unmittelbar die zur wissenschaftlichen Auswertung des Modellversuchs
        erforderlichen Auskunfte zu erteilen. Bei der Ausarbeitung und ggf. bei
        der Veroffentlichung von Daten uber den Modellversuch wird
        sichergestellt, daB dem JTU kein Schaden entsteht.

5.      Das JTU stellt der tbg auf Verlangen alle Unterlagen zu Prufzwecken zur
        Verfugung, die der Bundesrechnungshof fur erforderlich halt.

                                     (S) 6

                                     Beirat

Die tbg kann jederzeit die Bildung eines Beirates verlangen.
An diesem Beirat ist die tbg unter angemessener Berucksichtigung der Hohe ihrer
Einlage zu beteiligen.
Der Beirat berat das JTU in wirtschaftlicher und technischer Hinsicht,
insbesondere hinsichtlich des in (S) 1 Abs. 2b beschriebenen Vorhabens. Er hat
die gleichen Informations-und Kontroll-rechte, wie sie der tbg nach diesem
Vertrag zustehen.

                                     (S) 7

                         Geschaftsjahr, Jahresabschluss

1.      Das Geschaftsjahr der stillen Gesellschaft entspricht dem des JTU. Das
        Geschaftsjahr des JTU endet jeweils am 31. Dezember.

2.      Das JTU hat seinen JahresabschluB (Bilanz, Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung,
        Anhang) unter Beachtung der (S)(S) 238-285 HGB innerhalb von sechs
        Monaten nach Ablauf des Geschafts-jahres zu erstellen und der tbg in
        original unterschriebener Ausfertigung und mit dem Te-stat eines
        Wirtschaftsprufers oder vereidigten Buchprufers zu ubermitteln.

3.      Der JahresabschluB hat, soweit handelsrechtlich zulassig, den
        einkommensteuerrechtlichen Gewinnermittlungsvorschriften zu entsprechen.
        Werden im Rahmen der steuerlichen Ge-winnfestellung oder aufgrund einer
        AuBenprufung andere Ansatze verbindlich als die im ursprunglichen
        JahresabschluB enthaltenen, so sind diese auch im Verhaltnis des JTU zur
        tbg maBgeblich.

                                     (S) 8

                         Gewinn- und Verlustbeteiligung

1.      Die tbg erhalt auf ihre geleistete Einlage eine vom Jahresergebnis des
        JTU unabhangige Mindestvergutung in Hohe von 6% p.a. Diese ist
        halbjahrlich im nachhinein zum 30.6. und 31.12. eines jeden Jahres,
        erstmals jedoch am 30.06.1997, fallig.

2.      Von den erwirtschafteten Jahresuberschussen, erstmals fur das
        Geschaftsjahr 1997, erhalt die tbg im ubrigen, sofern sie DM 100.000,--
        ubersteigen, 9% hochstens aber 6% p.a. der tatsachlich erbrachten
        Einlage.

        Diese Gewinnbeteiligung ist zahlbar innerhalb 2 Wochen nach Festellung
        des Jahresab-schlusses ((S) 7 Abs. 2).

3.      Fur die Berechnung nach Abs. 2 maBgeblich ist der JahresuberschuB, der
        in dem nach (S) 7 Abs. 3 aufgestellten JahresabschluB vor
        Berucksichtigung der Gewinnbeteiligung der tbg gemaB vorstehender Ziffer
        2 ausgewiesen wird.

        a)  Dem JahresuberschuB sind hinzuzusetzen


                                       4
<PAGE>

            -  gezahlte Ertragsteuern, soweit sie den ausgewiesenen
               JahresuberschuB gemindert haben;

            -  Zinsen, die den Gesellschaftern des JTU, sofern diese
               Personengesellschaft ist, bela-stet worden sind, ohne in den
               JahreuberschuB der Mitunternehmerschaft eingeflos-sen su zein;

            -  auBerordentliche Aufwendungen, soweit sie aus Geschaftsvorfallen
               herruhren, die vor Beginn der stillen Gesellschaft erfolgt sind;

            -  Verluste aus VerauBerung oder Zerstorung von Wirtschaftsgutern
               des Anlagever-mogens, soweit letztere im Zeitpunkt des Beginns
               der Gesellschaft bereits vorhanden waren.

        b)  Vom JahresuberschuB sind abzusetzen

            -  Betrage aus der Auflosung steuerfreier Rucklagen, die vor Beginn
               der stillen Beteili-gung gebildet wurden;

            -  Tatigkeitsvergutungen oder Zinsen, die den Gesellschaftern des
               JTU, sofern dieses Personengesellschaft ist, gutgeschrieben
               worden sind, ohne den ausegewiesenen Jah-resuberschuB der
               Mitunternehmerschaft gemindert zu haben;

            -  auBerordentliche Ertrage, soweit sie auf Geschaftsvorfalle
               beruhen, die vor Beginn der stillen Gesellschaft erfolgt sind;

            -  Ertrage aus der VerauBerung von Wirtschaftsgutern des
               Anlagevermogens, soweit letztere im Zeitpunkt des Beginns der
               Gesellschaft bereits vorhanden waren.

        c)  Im Jahr des Abrufs der Beteiligung gilt der JahresuberschuB fur die
            Berechnung der Gewinnbeteiligung nach Abs. 2 als gleichmaBig auf das
            Jahr verteilt angefallen.

4.      Die tbg ist berechtigt, zum Ende der Beteiligungszeit eine einmalige
        Vergutung von 25% des Beteiligungsbetrages zuzuglich fur jedes Jahr nach
        Ablauf des funften vollen Beteili-gungsjahres, in dem die tbg keine
        Gewinnbeteiligung gemaB (S) 8 Abs. 2 zugestanden ist, weitere 6% des
        Beteiligungsbetrages zu verlangen.

        Die tbg wird von diesem Recht nur Gebrauch machen, wenn dies nach ihrer
        Ansicht auf-grund der gesamten wirtschaftlichen Verhaltnisse des JTU,
        insbesondere aufgrund seiner in den letzten drei Jahren vor Beendigung
        der Beteiligung erzielten Gewinne und der wahrend der Beteiligungszeit
        gebildeten stillen Reserven gerechtfertigt erscheint.

5.      An Verlusten des TU nimmt die tbg nicht teil.

                                     (S) 9

                                    Steuern

Das JTU wird fur die Abfuhrung der gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen
Kapitalertragsteuer (soweit vorgeschrieben zuzuglich Solidaritatszuschlag)
hinsichtlich der Vergutung fur die stille Einlage sorgen und von den jeweiligen
Zahlungen an die tbg die Kapitalertragsteuer (und den Solidari-tatszuschlag)
einbehalten und direkt an das zustandige Finanzamt abfuhren. Nach Abfuhrung wird
das JTU der tbg jeweils Bescheinigungen im Sinne von (S) 45a Abs. 2 EStG auf den
von der tbg zur Verfugung gestellten Vordrucken erteilen.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                     (S) 12

                               Fallige Leistungen

Fallige Leistungen sind nach Eintritt des Verzuges bis zum Eingang bei der tbg
mit 4% p.a. zu verzinsen.

                                     (S) 13

                            Allgemeine Bestimmungen

1.   Anderungen und Erganzungen dieses Vertrages bedurfen der Schriftform.
     Mundliche Nebenabreden zu diesem Vertrag bestehen nicht.

2.   Sollte eine Bestimmung dieses Vertrages rechtsunwirksam sein, so bleiben
     die ubrigen Bestimmungen davon unberuhrt. Das TU und die tbg sind
     verpflichtet, unwirksame Vertragsbestimmungen durch Regelungen zu ersetzen,
     die rechtswirksam sind und dem Sinn und Zweck der rechtsunwirksamen
     Bestimmungen moglichst weitgehend entsprechen.

3.   Fur alle Rechtsstreitigkeiten, die sich aus diesem Vertrag oder seiner
     Durchfuhrung ergeben, ist Bonn als Gerichtsstand vereinbart.


Bonn, den 07.10.97                 Hamburg, den 22.09.1997

Technologie-Beteiligungs-          Sequenom Instruments GmbH
Gesellschaft mbH der
Deutschen Ausgleichsbank

/s/ illegible                      /s/ Antonius Schuh


                                   Vorhabensbezogene Planung (Anlage I)
                                   Kurzstatus (Anlage II)
                                   Beteiligungsgrundsatze der tbg

                                       6
<PAGE>

Anlage I

                           Vorhabensbezogene Planung

Planzeitraum:  01.09.1997 bis 31.12.1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VORHABENSSPEZIFISCHE AUFWENDUNGEN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Betrag in DM (ohne MwSt.)
<S>                                                                         <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.      Fur angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.      Im Sachanlagevermogen bilanzierte Investitionen
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1     Laborgerate und -anlagen                                                    1.087.000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2     Maschinen und Anlagen zur Prototypenherstellung
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.3     Sonstiges
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.      Nicht-investive FuE - Aufwendunge
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1     Personal                                                                    1.352.000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2     Material
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3     Fremdleistungen (Auftragsvergabe/Beratung)                                    456.000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.4     Patente und Zulassungen                                                     1.160.000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5     Reisekosten
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.6     Sonstiges
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II.     Fur Investitionen zur Markteinfuhrung
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summe                                                                               4.055.000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VORHABENSSPEZIFISCHE FINANZIERUNG
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Betrag in DM (ohne MwSt.)
<S>                                                                         <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.      Eigenmittel
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1     ...
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2     ...
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.      Beteiligungskapital
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1    der tbg                                                                      2.000.000,-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2     des Leadinvestors                                                           2.055.000,-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3     sonstiger Beteiligter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.      Offentliche Mittel
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1     Zuschusse, Zuwendungen, Zulagen
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2     Sonstige
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.      Fremdmittel
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1    der Bank
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2     Sonstige
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summe                                                                               4.055.000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>

Anlage II

TU:       Sequenom Instruments GmbH
          Mendelsohnstr. 15D
          22761 Hamburg

                    Kurzstatus fur den Monat* __________ 199___



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                IST in TDM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umsatzerlose
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Materialaufwand
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personalaufwand
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vorlaufiges Ergebnis
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auftragsbestand
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KK-Rahmen
davon in Anspruch genommen
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Besonderheiten des vergangenen Monats:





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

Erwartung der Geschaftsfuhrung bezuglich der zukunftigen Entwicklung:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [_] Viel besser  [_] besser  [_] gleich  [_] schlechter  [_] viel schlechter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hamburg, den


                            ___________________________________________________
                           (Unterschrift der Geschaftsfuhrung und Firmenstempel)


- --------------------
     * Abgabe immer bis spatestens zum Ende des Folgemonats.

                                       8
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   tbg         Technologie-Beteiligungs-
        Beteiligungsgrundsatze fur das                                         Gesellschaft mbH der
    DtA-Technologie-Beteiligungsprogramm                                       Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
- -------------------------------------------------------      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
Die tbg als Beteiligungsgeber                                3.1   Beteillgungsnehmer

Die Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH (tbg)                Beteiligungen der tbg konnen Unternehmen der ge-werblichen
ist eine Tochtergesellschaft der Deustchen Ausgleichs-             Wirtschaft erhalten, sofern ihr Jahresumsatz 250 Mio. DM nicht
bank (DtA). Mit dem DtA-Technologie-Beteiligungspro-               ubersteigt.
gramm erganzt die DtA die Risikokapitalforderung durch
das Bundesministerium fur Bildung, Wissenschaft, For-        3.2   Kooperierender Beteiligungsgeber (Leadinvestor)
schung und Technologie (BMBF).
                                                                   Wesentliche Voraussetzung bei Beteiligungen zur Fi-nanzierung
Beteiligungszweck                                                  von Innovationsvorhaben gemaB Ziffer 2.2 ist, daB ein weiterer
                                                                   Beteiligungsgeber (Leadinvestor) sich in mindestens gleicher
Finanzierung der Fruhphase                                         Hohe wie die tbg an dem TU beteiligt und auf der Grundlage eines
                                                                   Kooperationsver-trages die Beteiligung der tbg mitbetreut.
In der Fruhphase geht die tbg Beteiligungen an Tech-
nologieunternehmen (TU) ein, um das TU fur die Auf-          3.3   Gesamtfinanzierung
nahme von institutionellem Beteiligungskapital vorzube-
reiten. Finanziert werden die Kosten fur                           Die Gesamtfinanzierung des Vorhabens muB gesichert sein. Die
                                                                   Beteiligungsmittel durfen nur zur Finanzierung des oder der
- -    den Aufbau geeigneter Organisationsstrukturen,                Vorhaben(s) eingesetzt werden, fur die die Beteiligung zugesagt
                                                                   worden ist.
- -    die Erstellung eines pruffahigen Geschaftsplans so-
     wie                                                           ErmaBigen sich nachtraglich die Kosten des Vorhabens oder werden
                                                                   nachtraglich zur Finanzierung dieses Vor-habens weitere Mittel
- -    die Produkt- und Verfahrensentwicklung.                       eingeworben, so daB eine Finan-zierung uber 100% entsteht, konnen
                                                                   die Beteiligungs-mitel zuruckgefordert werden.
Das antragestellende TU sollte moglichst von dem Bera-
tungsangebot eines Technologiezentrums oder derglei-chen     4.    Beteiligungskonditionen
(z. B. Betreuungsinvestor) Gebrauch machen.
                                                             4.1   Beteiligungsform
Finanzierung von Innovationsvorhaben
                                                                   Die tbg geht bei innovationsvorhaben gemaB Ziffer 2.2
Durch das Innovationsvorhaben sollen neue, im Unter-               ausschlieBlich stille Beteiligungen ein. Bei Vorhaben gemaB
nehmen bis dahin noch nichy angewandte Techniken ein-              Ziffer 2.1 und 2.3 kann die Beteiligung in stiller und/oder
gesetzt werden. Die Entwicklungsanteile, die den inno-             offener Form erfolgen. Sicherheiten sind nicht zu stellen.
vativen Kern betreffen, mussen im Unternehmen selbst
erbracht werden. Mit dem neuen Produkt (Verfahren/           4.2   Hochstbetrag
Dienstleistung) mussen fur das Technologieunterneh-
men Wettbewerbsvorteile und Marktchancen auf den                   -   in der Fruhphase bis zu 250.000 DM
Zielmarkten verbunden sein.
                                                                   -   bei Innovationsvorhaben konnen Beteiligungen pa-rallel zum
Soweit die Fordermoglichkeiten aus dem Programm BTU                    Leadinvestor bis auf 5 Mio. DM aufgestockt werden, sofern die
ausgeschopft sind, konnen fur                                          Fordermoglichkeiten aus dem BTU-Programm ausgeschopft sind

- -    Vorhaben der angewandten Forschung und Ent-wicklung,          -   im Rahmen der Exit-Finanzierung bis zu 10 Mio. DM

- -    die Aufnahme der Serienproduktion sowie                 4.3   Auszahlung

- -    die Markteinfuhrung                                           Die Beteiligung wird grundsatzlich entsprechend dem Fortschritt
                                                                   des Vorhabens bereitgestellt.
Beteiligungen mit Mitteln aus dem DtA-Technologie-
Beteiligungsprogramm auf maximal 5. Mio. DM aufge-stockt     4.4   Laufzeit (stille Beteiligung)
werden.
                                                                   Die Dauer der Beteiligung der tbg betragt bis zu 10 volle
Voraussetzung fur die Beteiligung ist, daB sich ein wei-           Kalenderjahre.
terer Beteiligungsgeber (Leadinvestor) mindestens in
gleicher Hohe wie die tbg an dem TU beteiligt.               4.5   Kundigung (stille Beteiligung)

Exit-Finanzierung                                                  Die tbg kann Beteiligungen aus wichtigem Grund kundi-gen.

Die tbg kann ferner Beteiligungen zur Finanzierung der             Dem TU kann das Recht eingeraumt werden, seine Be-teiligung
Kosten fur die Vorbereitung des Verkaufs der Beteiligung           vorzeitig unter Einhaltung einer Kundigungsfrist von 3 Monaten
(z.B. uber die Borse) eingehen.                                    zum 30.06 und 31.12. eines jeden Jah-res zu kundigen.

Beteiligungsvoraussetzungen

Fur Beteiligungen zur Finanzierung von Vorhaben gemaB Ziffer
2.2 und 2.3 ist das Bestehen einer Beteili-gung aus dem BTU-
Programm bzw. des Modellversuchs BJTU erforderlich.

</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6   Beteiligungsentgelt

      stille Beteiligung:

      Die tbg erhebt vom Beteiligungsnehmer eine einmalige
      Bearbeitungsgebuhr in Hohe von z.Zt.1% des Betrages
      ihrer Beteiligung. Sie beansprucht auf ihre Einlage eine
      vom Jahresergebnis des Beteiligungsnehmers unab-hangige
      Vergutung in Hohe von z.Zt. 7% p.a. sowie ein an den
      Verhaltnissen des TU auszurichtendes gewinn-abhangiges
      Beteiligungsentgelt. Zum Ende der Beteili-gungszeit kann
      die tbg eine einmalige Vergutung zur Abgeltung wahrend
      der Beteiligungszeit gebildeter Reserven des TU verlangen.
      Einzelheiten regelt der Vertrag zwischen tbg und TU.

      offene Beteiligung:

      Die Konditionen werden im Einzelfall vertraglich verein-
      bart.

5.    Antragsverfahren

      Antrage von TU auf Beteiligungen sind auf Vordrucken der
      tbg und falls erforderlich zusammen mit einer Er-klarung
      des kooperierenden Leadinvestors zur Uber-nahme einer
      eigenen Beteiligung an die

          Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mBH

          der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank

          Ludwig-Erhard-Platz 1-3, Bonn-Bad Godesberg

          Postantschrifft:  53179 Bonn

      zu richten.

      Die Prufung der Antragsoraussetzungen erfolgt nur bei Vorhaben
      gemaB Ziffer 2.2 zunachst durch den leadin-vestor (ggf. unter
      Elinschaltung externer Gutachter, z.B. Technologieberafungsstellen).
      Die tbg behalt sich vor, weitere Unterlagen, ggf. auch Gutachten
      anzufordern. Vor AbschluB eines Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen
      Leadinvestor und TU ist ein Beteiligungsantrag bei der tbg
      einzureichten. Ein Rechtsanspruch auf Ubernahme einer Beteiligung
      durch die tbg besteht nicht.

      Hat der Leadinvestor mit der tbg bisher noch in keinem anderen
      Falle kooperiert, so sind alle fur eine Prufung seiner Bonitat
      notwendigen Unterlagen miteinzureichen.

      Weitergehende Auskunfte sind bei der tbg unter der Te-
      lefonnummer (02 28) 831-2290 erhaltlich.







      Bonn, den 01. August 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

        Technologie
        Beteiligungs
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH of
        Deutsche Ausgleichsbank                                              -1-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Version [illegible date]

                             COOPERATION AGREEMENT

                         Cooperation agreement between

    Sequenom Inc., 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 9212 [sic], USA

       - hereinafter, also among other shareholders: the Investor (INV) -

                                      and

Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH [Technology Joint Venture Corporation]
 of Deutsche Ausgleichsbank [German Adjustment Bank], Ludwig-Erhard-Platz 1-3,
                                   53179 Bonn

                              - hereinafter: TBG -

           for the trust of the shares named in this contract held in

        Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Mendelsohnstrasse 15D, 22761 Hamburg

                     - hereinafter: Technology Company (TC)

                                    Preamble

Within the context of the DtA technology program, TBG is assuming shares to
finance early-stage projects, innovation-related projects, and projects for exit
financing as understood under the shareholding principles of this program, which
are constituent parts of this agreement.

                                     (S) 1
                                  Cooperation

1)  TBG intends to assume shares in the amount of DM 2,000,000.00 as a silent
    partner, with the prerequisite that the joint venture between the INV and
    TC is agreed to as stated in paragraph 2. A copy of the joint venture
    agreement planned between TBG and the TC is attached to this agreement.

2)  The INV intends to assume shares in the amount of DM 2,000,000.00. These
    shares are composed of open shares tied to a premium.

                                                                     ___________
                                                                     tbg
<PAGE>

        Technologie
        Beteiligungs
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH of
        Deutsche Ausgleichsbank                                              -2-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     In administering its shares, the INV will be advised by TVM Techno Venture
     Management GmbH & Co KG, Deminger Str. 15, 81679 Munich, hereinafter: TVM.

3)  The parties agree to inform each other immediately in writing when the
    stated joint venture agreements are concluded with the TC. Insofar as the
    final joint venture agreements may deviate from the submitted drafts, the
    contracts in their definitive forms must be submitted upon request and any
    deviations from the drafts explained.

4)  Any potential subsequent alterations to the joint venture contracts, any
    sale/pledge of shares and claims against TBG from this cooperation agreement
    or other share-related or loan-related contracts may be agreed to by the
    parties only with the approval of their respective partners under this
    contract. Insofar as the INV permits an official announcement of the joint
    venture agreement between the INV and the TC, TBG's approval will also be
    required. With regard to terminating this agreement for cause, the parties
    to this agreement must notify each other immediately, and if possible before
    announcing the termination.

                                     (S) 2
                             Administering the TC

    The INV in cooperation with TVM will supervise the business management of
    the TC and the development of the innovation-related projects supported by
    TBG with the required care and stand by the TC as needed for its management
    support.

    The INV is, in principle, both ready and in the position, but not obligated,
    to make available to the TC additional funds if needed.

                                     (S) 3
                          Implementation of Resources

    Before calling for TBG's share-related resources, the INV and TVM will
    verify the recall prerequisites agreed to by TBG and the TC insofar as these
    may exist. The INV will advocate the call if, when the call is made, the INV
    is sufficiently informed and there are no business-related or technical
    reservations about the ability to execute the innovation-related project as
    supported by TBG.

                                     (S) 4
                         Information and Control Rights

1)  The INV is obligated to provide TBG with reports on the business status of
    the TC and on the status of the innovation-related projects supported by
    TBG. The INV will herewith take TVM's consulting services of into
    consideration.
<PAGE>

        Technologie
        Beteiligungs
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH of
        Deutsche Ausgleichsbank                                              -3-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


2)  Reports must be submitted semiannually on March 31 and September 30.

3)  All steps that the BG knows about must be announced in advance, if possible,
    and immediately, which steps stem from the usual business operation of the
    TC. Specifically, these are steps that require TBG's and the TC's approval
    in accordance with (S) 5 paragraph 2 of the joint venture agreement, as well
    as the justifications for terminating the agreement for cause as stated in
    (S) 12 in this joint venture contract.

4)  Unless TBG expressly waives this requirement in writing, reports must be
    submitted in writing, and in emergencies there may also be oral advance
    notice.

5)  TBG may itself request, or have a third party request, a comprehensive
    report regarding all legal relationships of the INV to the TC, and it may
    view all documents with the INV that affect the TC.

                                     (S) 5
                       Start and Duration of Cooperation

1)  The INV is obligated toward TBG to administer the TC according to (S) 2 and
    to submit reports required under (S) 4 of this contract starting at that
    point in time where this agreement and the joint venture agreements between
    TBG and the TC as well as between the INV and the TC are signed by the
    respective parties involved.

2)  The cooperation agreement will expire with the termination of TBG's or the
    INV's share-related participation.

3)  The official termination of this cooperation agreement is disallowed.

                                     (S) 6
                               General Provisions

1)  Alterations and additions to this contract must be performed in writing.
    Oral side agreements to this contract shall not exist.

2)  If a provision of this agreement should prove to be legally unenforceable,
    then the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected by this. The INV and
    TBG are obligated to replace any unenforceable contract provisions with
    provisions that are legally valid and fulfill, by and large, the meaning and
    intent of the unenforceable provisions as closely as possible.

                                                                      __________
                                                                       tbg
<PAGE>

        Technologie
        Beteiligungs
tbg     Gesellschaft mbH of
        Deutsche Ausgleichsbank                                              -4-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3)  For all legal disputes that arise from this contract and its execution, the
    parties agree to Bonn as the court of jurisdiction.

Bonn, the [handwritten] 7th of October 1997    San Diego, the 30th of March 1997

Technologie-Beteiligungs-                      Sequenom Inc.
Gesellschaft mbH of
Deutsche Ausgleichsbank

[signature]                                    [signature]

                                               Dr. Hubert Koester
                                               President / CEO
<PAGE>

- ---------------------------------------
       Joint Venture Principles          tbg         Technologie-Beteiligungs-
 for the Program "Venture Capital for                   Gesellschaft mbH of
      Small Technology Companies"                     Deutsche Ausgleichbank
- ---------------------------------------

TBG as Investor

Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH (TBG) is a subsidiary of Deutsche
Ausgleichsbank. As a part of the "Joint Venture Capital for Small Technology
Companies" program set up by the Federal Ministry for Education, Science,
Research, and Technology *), TBG is involved as a silent partner in joint
venture investments by financing innovation-related projects in technology
companies (TC) without participating in the business management, as a rule.

A substantial prerequisite to the joint venture is that another investment
partner (lead investor) be invested at least by the same amount as TBG in the TC
and that it co-administer TBG's investment on the basis of a cooperation
agreement.

Goal of Joint Venture

The investment serves only to finance innovation-related projects (see item
3.1), specifically:

- - applied research and development up to a logical moment prior to the start of
commercial production

- - investments for introducing products to the market.

Joint Venture Prerequisites

Innovation-Related projects

- - Through innovation-related projects, new technologies not yet applied in the
company should be implemented.

The portions of development that affect the innovative core cannot be provided
within the company itself. If services are claimed for developmental steps, the
specifications must be worked out within the company itself.

- - The new product (process/service) distinguishes itself in its substantial
functions from previous products (process/service) of the company.

- - With the new product (process/service), competitive advantages (functions,
quality, price) and market chances are tied to the market most decisive for the
company (regional, national, European, worldwide).

Investees

TBG investment shares can be obtained by companies in business insofar as they
meet the following criteria:
<PAGE>

- ---------------------------------------
       Joint Venture Principles          tbg         Technologie-Beteiligungs-
 for the Program "Venture Capital for                   Gesellschaft mbH of
      Small Technology Companies"                     Deutsche Ausgleichbank
- ---------------------------------------

Small Companies

- - headquarters in the area of the Federal Republic, and

- - no more than 50 employees, and

- - either annual sales of DM 10 million maximum or a balance sheet total of DM 4
million maximum.

Mid-Sized Companies

- - headquarters in the new federal states [of the former East Germany] and Berlin
(East) and not more than 250 employees, and

- - either annual sales of DM 40 million maximum or a balance sheet total of DM 20
million maximum.

Business Independence

A maximum of 25% of the share capital may be in the possession of companies that
do not fulfill the criteria for small and mid-sized companies.

(Exception: public joint venture companies, risk capital companies and--insofar
as no control is exercised--institutional investors.)

Age

At most, 10 years.

Technical and Specialized Expertise

The TC must have access to the technical expertise necessary to perform the
development work and for production as well as be able to verify the required
specialized expertise.

Specialized know-how can also be brought in by contracting outside experts --
e.g. the lead investor -- insofar as the TC has not striven for any specific
sales up to the point that the application is submitted.

3.3 Cooperating Investor (Lead Investor)

Lead investors cooperating with TBG may be joint venture companies as well as
natural and legal persons that provide joint venture capital.

The lead investor must invest at least the same amount as TBG. He or she should
advise the technology company in all business and financial affairs and support
it, and if necessary also be
<PAGE>

- ---------------------------------------
       Joint Venture Principles          tbg         Technologie-Beteiligungs-
 for the Program "Venture Capital for                   Gesellschaft mbH of
      Small Technology Companies"                     Deutsche Ausgleichbank
- ---------------------------------------

able to offer management and marketing support. In principle, he or she should
be prepared and in the position to provide additional financial resources.

Prior to investing, the lead investor must simultaneously verify the joint
venture prerequisites for TBG and document them comprehensibly. For the duration
of the joint venture, he or she must supervise the business management of the TC
and the development of the innovation-related project and report to TBG about
the innovation-related project. Furthermore, he or she must help writing up
instructions for use (see item 3.4). Details are handled by a cooperation
agreement between the lead investor and TBG.

3.4 Total Financing

The total financing of the innovation-related project must be insured. The
investment resources may be used only to finance the innovation-related
project(s) for which the investment has been approved. The lead investor must be
informed immediately if the innovation-related project or its financing changes.

If the costs of the innovation-related project should be further reduced, or if
additional public resources are acquired for financing this innovation-related
project such that, if financing of over 100% exists, the investment resources
may be withdrawn. The investee is obligated to demonstrate the official use of
the resource immediately after finishing the innovation-related project. The
demonstration of use is provided for by the lead investor and with his or her
approval and must to be submitted to TBG.

3.5 Ban on Accumulation

The simultaneous investment with an investment project in the context of this
program by TBG and KfW is disallowed.

Insofar as publicly promoted financial resources are implemented to the benefit
of the investment of the lead investor, the European Community's rules of
support must be conformed to.

4. Joint Venture Conditions

4.1 Form of Joint Venture

TBG is investing as a silent partner in the TC. Securities do not have to be
provided.

4.2 Maximum Limit

The investment of TBG serves the subsidiary financing of innovation-related
projects. It is limited to DM 3,000,000.00 for one TC. In the context of this
maximum limit, several innovation-related projects can be supported at once.
<PAGE>

- ---------------------------------------
       Joint Venture Principles          tbg         Technologie-Beteiligungs-
 for the Program "Venture Capital for                   Gesellschaft mbH of
      Small Technology Companies"                     Deutsche Ausgleichbank
- ---------------------------------------

4.3 Payment
The investment will be provided in conformity with the specification of the
innovation-related project.

4.4 Duration
The duration of TBG's joint venture is up to 10 full calendar years and is
oriented in principle toward the duration of lead investor's investment share.

4.5 Termination
TBG may terminate the joint venture for cause.

The TC can be granted the right to terminate its investment share early by
giving 3 month's prior notice of termination of on June 30 and December 31 of a
particular year. In the case of termination at the expiration of the fifth year
of the joint venture, TBG's investment share must be paid back including a
current surcharge of 30% insofar as the termination did not take place as a
result of the supported innovation-related project.

4.6 Processing Fee

TBG will charge a one-time processing fee in the current amount of
[illegible].1% of the amount of its investment upon payment of its investment
share by the investee.

4.7 Investment Return

As a rule, TBG assesses a current return of 6% on its investment per annum,
independent from the investee's annual profit, as well as an investment share
that is dependent on earnings and to be achieved from the relationships with the
TC. At the end of the joint venture period, TBG can require a one-time charge
during the joint venture period to the TC's reserves. Details are handled in a
contract between TBG and the TC.

4.8 Assuming Risk

In the cooperation agreement, the right can be granted to the cooperating lead
investor in order to make use of TBG up to the expiration of 5 years from the
start of TBG's investment to the TC to partial reimbursement of a shortfall from
its investment in the TC.

For this case, TBG will reimburse the lead investor in an amount up to a maximum
of 50%, in the new federal states [of the. former East Germany] and Berlin
(East) up to a maximum of 70%, of the investments that it itself has provided.
TBG can then require the whole or partial transfer of the lead investor's
investment share to itself or to a third party. Prerequisite for the utilization
of the risk assumption is that

- - regarding the TC's capital, the bankruptcy proceeding or the total execution
has been denied due to lack of assets,
<PAGE>

- ---------------------------------------
       Joint Venture Principles          tbg         Technologie-Beteiligungs-
 for the Program "Venture Capital for                   Gesellschaft mbH of
      Small Technology Companies"                     Deutsche Ausgleichbank
- ---------------------------------------

- - uniform insurance for the TC has been given, or

- - the TC's ongoing inability to pay is demonstrated in another way,

- - the requirements of the lead investor have declined from his or her investment
in the TC as a result of a legally binding settlement or a waiver.

The remaining risk of loss must be borne by the lead investor alone.

5. Application
Applications by the TC for joint venture investments must be submitted to the

     Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH
     of Deutsche Ausgleichsbank
     Ludwig-Erhard-Platz 1-3, Bonn-Bad Godesberg
     Postal Address: 53179 Bonn

on TBG's forms together with a declaration of the cooperating lead investor to
take on an individual share.

Next, the lead investor then tests the application prerequisites (if necessary,
contracting an outside consultant, e.g. technology consulting firms). TBG
retains the right to request other documents, as well as also expert
certifications, if necessary. Prior to concluding a joint venture contract
between the lead investor and the TC, a joint venture application must be
submitted to TBG. A legal claim to investment by TBG does not exist.

If the lead investor has not previously cooperated with TBG in another case,
then all documents necessary for a verification of his creditworthiness must be
submitted as well.

Further information is available from TBG by calling (02 28) 8 31 - 22 90.



Bonn, June 15, 1996
<PAGE>

      Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg   Gesellschaft mbH der                                       Exhibit 10.17
      Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
                                                                             -1-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              KOOPERATIONSVERTRAG


                   Vertrag uber cine Zusammenarbeit zwischen

      Sequenom Inc., 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92121, USA

- - im folgenden,auch bei mehreren Beteiligungsgebern:der Beteiligungsgeber (BG)-

                                    und der

                   Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH

       der Deutschen Ausgleichsbank, Ludwig-Erhard-Platz 1-3, 53179 Bonn

                             - im folgenden: tbg -

       bei der Betreuung der in diesem Vertrag genannten Beteiligungen an

          Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Mendelsohnstr. 15D, 22761 Hamburg

                  - im folgenden: Technologieunternehmen (TU)

                                   Praambel

Im Rahmen des DtA-Technologieprogramms ubernimmt die tbg Beteiligungen zur
Finanzierung von Vorhaben in der Fruhphase, von Innovationsvorhaben und von
Vorhaben der Exit-Finanzierung im Sinne der Beteiligungsgrundsatze dieses
Programms, die Bestandteil dieses Vertrages sind.

                                     (S) 1

                                Zusammenarbeit

1)   Die tbg beabsichtigt, an dem TU eine stille Beteiligung in Hohe von DM
     2,000,000, - unter der Voraussetzung zu ubernehmen, daB die in Absatz 2
     genannte Beteiligung zwischen dem BG und dem TU vereinbart wird. Eine Kopie
     des zwischen der tbg und dem TU vorgesehenen Beteiligungsvertrages liegt
     diesem Vertrag bei.

2)   Der BG beabsichtigt an dem TU eine Beteiligung in Hohe von DM 2,000,000, -
     zu ubernehmen. Diese Beteiligung setzt sich zusammen aus einer offenen
     Beteiligung verbunden mit einem Aufgeld.

     Der BG wird bei der Verwaltung seiner Beteiligung von der TVM Techno
     Venture Management GmbH & CoKG, Denninger Str. 15, 81679 Munchen, - im
     folgenden: TVM-beraten.

3)   Die Parteien werden einander unverzuglich schriftlich unterrichten, wenn
     die genannten Beteiligungsvereinbarungen mit dem TU abgeschlossen sind.
     Sofern die endgultigen Beteiligungsvertrage von den bekanntgegebenen
     Entwurfen abweichen, sind die Vertrage in der maBgeblichen Fassung zu
     ubersenden und Abweichungen auf Verlangen zu erlautern.

4)  Eventuelle spatere Anderungen der Beteiligungsvertrage, eine
     VerauBerung/Verpfandung der Beteiligungen und der Anspruche gegen die tbg
     aus diesem Kooperationsvertrag oder weitere Beteiligungs- oder
     Darlehensvertrage werden die Parteien nur mit Zustimmung ihres
     Vertragspartners aus diesem Vertrag vereinbaren. Soweit eine ordentliche
     Kundigung des Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen dem BG und dem TU durch den BG
     zulassig ist, bedarf auch sie der Zustimmung durch die tbg. Uber eine
     Kundigung aus wichtigem Grund haben sich die Partner dieses Vertrages
     unverzuglich, nach Moglichkeit vor Ausspruch der Kundigung, zu
     unterrichten.
<PAGE>

      Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg   Gesellschaft mbH der
      Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
                                                                             -2-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     (S) 2

                               Betreuung des TU

Der BG wird in Zusammenarbeit mit TVM die Geschaftsfuhrung des TU und die
Entwicklung des durch die tbg geforderten Innovationsvorhabens mit der
erforderlichen Sorgfalt uberwachen und dem TU bei Bedarf mit einer
Managementunterstutzung zur Seite stehen.

Der BG ist grundsatzlich auch bereit und in der Lage, aber nicht verpflichtet,
dem TU im Bedarfsfall zusatzliche Finanzierungsmittel zur Verfugung zu stellen.

                                     (S) 3

                                 Mitteleinsatz

Vor Abruf der Beteiligungsmittel der tbg werden der BG und die TVM die zwischen
tbg und TU vereinbarten Abrufvoraussetzungen prufen und, soweit sie vorliegen,
bestatigen. Der BG wird den Abruf befurworten, wenn im Zeitpunkt des Abrufs nach
seinem Kenntnisstand weder wirtschaftliche noch technische Bedenken an der
Durchfuhrbarkeit des von der tbg geforderten Innovationsvorhabens bestehen

                                     (S) 4

                       Informations- und Kontrollrechte

1)   Der BG verpflichtet sich gegenuber der tbg zur Berichterstattung uber die
     wirtschaftliche Lage des TU und uber den Stand des von der tbg geforderten
     Innovationsvorhabens. Der BG wird hierbei die Beratungsleistungen der TVM
     in Anspruch nehmen.

2)   Berichte sind regelmaBig halbjahrlich zum 31.03. und zum 30.09. zu
     erstatten.

3)   Eine unverzugliche und nach Moglichkeit vorherige Unterrichtung der tbg hat
     bei allen dem BG bekannten MaBnahmen zu erfolgen, die uber den Rahmen des
     ublichen Geschaftsbetriebes des TU hinausgehen. Dies sind insbesondere die
     gemaB (S) 5 Absatz 2 des Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen der tbg und dem TU
     zustimmungsbedurftigen MaBnahmen und die in (S) 12 dieses
     Beteiligungsvertrages genannten Grunde fur eine Kundigung aus wichtigem
     Grund.

4)   Die Berichterstattung hat, soweit die tbg hierauf nicht ausdrucklich
     schriftlich verzichtet, schriftlich und in dringenden Fallen vorab mundlich
     zu erfolgen.

5)   Die tbg ist berechtigt, selbst oder durch beauftragte Dritte eine
     umfassende Unterrichtung uber alle Rechtsbeziehungen des BG zum TU zu
     verlangen und bei dem BG alle Unterlagen einzusehen, die das TU betreffen.

                                     (S) 5

                       Beginn und Dauer der Kooperation

1)   Der BG ist der tbg gegenuber zur Betreuung des TU nach (S) 2 und zur
     Unterrichtung nach (S) 4 dieses Vertrages ab dem Zeitpunkt verpflichtet, in
     dem dieser Vertrag und die Beteiligungsvertrage zwischen tbg und TU sowie
     BG und TU durch die jeweiligen Beteiligten unterzeichnet sind.

2)   Die Kooperation endet mit dem Ende der Beteiligung der tbg oder des BG.
<PAGE>

      Technologie-Beteiligungs-
tbg   Gesellschaft mbH der
      Deutschen Ausgleichsbank
                                                                             -3-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


3)   Die ordentliche Kundigung dieses Kooperationsvertrages ist ausgeschlossen.

                                     (S) 6

                            Allgemeine Bestimmungen

1)   Anderungen und Erganzungen dieses Vertrages bedurfen der Schriftform.
     Mundliche Nebenabreden zu diesem Vertrag bestehen nicht.

2)   Sollte eine Bestimmung dieses Vertrages rechtsunwirksam sein, so bleiben
     die ubrigen Bestimmungen davon unberuhrt. Der BG und die tbg sind
     verpflichtet, unwirksame Vertragsbestimmungen durch Regelungen zu ersetzen,
     die rechtswirksam sind und dem Sinn und Zweck der rechtsunwirksamen
     Bestimmungen moglichst weitgehend entsprechen.

3)   Fur alle Rechtsstreitigkeiten, die sich aus diesem Vertrag und seiner
     Durchfuhrung ergeben, ist Bonn als Gerichtsstand vereinbart.


Bonn, den 07.10.97                                    San Diego, den 30.03.1997

Technologie-Beteiligungs-                             Sequenom Inc.
Gesellschaft mbH der Deutschen
Ausgleichsbank
                                                      /s/ Dr. Hubert Koster
/s/ illegible
                                                               Dr. Hubert Koster
                                                               President/CEO
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------
   Beteiligungsgrundsatze fur das Programm                        tbg                  Technologie-Beteiligungs
      ,,Beteiligungskapital fur kleine                                                    Gesellschaft mbH der
          Technologieunternehmen"                                                      Deutschen  Ausgleichsbank
- ---------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Dle tbg als Beteiligungsgeber                               Wirschaftliche Unabhangigkeit
 Die Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH (tbg)         Max. 25% des Gesellschaftskapitals durfen sich im Besitz
 ist eine Tochtergesellschaft der Deutschen                  von Unternehmen befinden, die die Kriterien fur kleine und
 Augleichsbank.  Im Rahmen des mit dem                       mittlere Unternehmen nicht erfullen.
 Bundesministerium fur Bildung, Wissenschaft,                (Ausnahme:  offentliche Beteiligungsgesellschaften
 Forschung und Technologie aufgelegten Programms                         Risikokapitalgesellschaften und - soweit keine Kontrolle
 ,,Beteiligungskapital fur kleine Technologie                            ausgeubt wird--institutionelle Anleger.)
 Unternehmen") geht sie zur Finanzierung von                 Alter
 Innovationsvorhaben stille Beteiligungen an                 Hochstens 10 Jahre.
 Technologieunternehmen (TU) cin, ohne sich im               Technisches und kaufmannisches Fachwissen
 Regelfall an der GeschaftstFuhrung des TU zu                Das TU muB uber das zur Durchfuhrung der
 beteiligen.                                                 Entwicklungsarbeiten und zur Produktion notwendige
 Wesentliche Beteiligunsvoraussetzung ist, daB ein           technische Fachwissen verfugen sowie die erforderlichen
 weiterer Beteiligungsgeber (Leadinvestor) sich in           kaufmannischen Kenntnisse nachweisen konnen.
 mindestens gleicher Hohe wie die tbg an dem TU
 beteiligt und auf der Grundlage eines                       Kaufmannisches Know-how kann auch durch die Einschaltung
 Kooperationsvertrages die Beteiligung der tbg               von Externen - z.B. des Leadinvestors eingebracht werden,
 mitbetreut.                                                 sofern das TU bis zur Antragstellung noch keine
 Beteiligungszweck                                           nennenswerten Umsatze erzielt hat.
 Die Beteiligungen dienen der Finanzierung von               3.3  Kooperierender Beteiligungsgeber (Leadinvestor)
 Innovationsvorhaben (vgt. Ziffer 3.1), und zwar             Mit der tbg kooperierende Leadinvestor konnen
 -  fur angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung bis zu          Beteiligungsgesellschaften sowie naturliche und
    einer logischen Sekunde vor Aufnahme der                 juristische Personen sein, die Unternehmen
    kommerziellen Produktion                                 Beteiligungskapital zur Verfugung stellen.
 -  fur Investitionen zur Markteinfuhrung.                   Der Leadinvestor muB sich in mindestens der gleichen Hohe
 Beteiligungsvoraussetzungen                                 wie die tbg beteiligen.  Er soll das
 Innovationsvorhaben                                         Technologieun-ternehmen in allen wirtschaftlichen und
 -  Durch das Innovationsvorhaben sollen neue, im            finanziellen Belangen beraten und untersutzen und
    Unternehmen bis dahin noch nicht angewandte              gegebenenfalls auch Management -und Marketingunterstutzung
    Techniken eingesetzt werden.                             anbieten konnen.  Grundsatzlich soll er bereit und in der
 -  Die Entwicklungsanteile, die don innovativen Kern        Lage sein, Zusatzliche Finanzierungsmittel zur Verfugung
 betreffen, werden im Unternehmen selbst erbracht.           zu stellen.
 Wenn fur Entwicklungsschritte Dienstleistungen in
 Anspruch gonommen werden, mussen die Spezifikationen        Vor Ubernahme einer Beteiligung hat der Leadinvestor die
 im Unternehmen selbst erarbeitet werden.                    Beteiligungsvoraussetzungen Zugleich fur die tbg zu prufen
 -  Das neue Produkt (Verfahren/Dienstleistung)              und nachvollziehbar zu dokumentieren.  Wahrend der
    unterscheidet sich in seinen wesentlichen Funktionen     Beteiligungsdauer hat er die Geschaftsfuhrung des TU und
    von den bisherigen Produkten                             die Entwicklung des Innovationsvorhabens zu uberwachen und
    (Verfahren/Dienstleistung) des Unternehmens.             die tbg uber die wirtschaftliche Lage des TU und uber das
 -  Mit dem neuen Produkt (Verfahren/Dienstleistung)         Innovationsvorhaben zu unterrichten.  Weiterhin wirkt er
    sind Wettbewerbsvorteile (Funktionen, Qualitat,          an der Erstellung des Verwendungsnachweises mit (vgl.
    Preis) und Marktchancen auf dem fur das Unternehmen      Ziffer 3.4). Einzelheiten regelt ein Kooperationsvertrag
    einschlagigen Markt (regional, national, europaisch,     zwischen dem Leadinvestor und der tbg.
    Welt) verbunden.                                         3.4  Gesamtfinanzierung
 Beteiligunsnehmer                                           Die Gesamtfinanzierung des Innovationsvorhabens muB
 Beteiligungen der tbg  konnen Unternehmen der               gesichert sein.  Die Beteiligungsmittel durfen nur zur
 gewerblichen Wirtschaft erhalten, soforn sie die            Finanzierung des oder der Innovationsvorhaben(s)
 folgenden Merkmale erfullen:                                eingesetzt werden, fur die die Beteiligung zugesagt worden
 Kleine Unternehmen                                          ist.  Der Leadinvestor ist unverzuglich zu unterrichten,
 -  Betriebssitz Im Bundesgebiet und                         wenn sich das Innovationsvorhaben oder dessen Finanzierung
 -  nicht mehr als 50 Beschaftigte und                       andert.
 -  entweder ein Jahresumsatz von max. 10 Mio. DM oder       ErmaBigen sich nachtraglich die Kosten des
    eine Bilanzsumme von max. 4 Mio. DM.                     Innovationsvorhabens oder werden nachtraglich zur
 Mittlere Unternehmen                                        Finanzierung dieses Innovationsvorhabens weitere
 -  Betriebssitz in den neuen Bundeslandern und Berlin       offentliche Mittel eingeworben, so daB eine Finanzierung
    (Ost) und                                                uber 100% ensteht, konnen die Beteiligungssmittel
 -  nicht mehr als 250 Beschaftigte und                      zuruckgefordert werden.  Der Beteiligungsnehmer
 -  entweder ein Jahresumsatz von max. 40 Mio. DM oder       verpflichtet sich, unmittelbar
    eine Bilanzsumme von max. 20 Mio. DM.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     nach AbschluB des Innovationsvorhabens die              4.8  Risikoubernahme
     ordnungsgemaBe Verwendung der Mittel nachzuweisen.           Dem kooperierenden Leadinvestor kann im
     Der Verwendungsnachweis ist uber den Leadinvestor            Kooperationsvertrag das Recht eingeraumt werden, die tbg
     und mit dessen Bestatigungsvermerk versehen, der             bis zum Ablauf von 5 Jahren ab Beginn der Beteiligung der
     tbg einzureichen.                                            tbg an dem TU auf teilweise Erstattung eines Ausfalls aus
3.5  Kumulationsverbot                                            seiner an dem TU eingegangenen Beteiligung in Anspruch zu
     Das gleichzeitige Investment bei einem                       nehmen.
     Innovationsvorhaben im Rahmen dieses Programms
     durch die tbg und die KIW ist ausgeschlossen.                Fur diesen Fall wird die tbg dem Leadinvestor einen Betrag
     Soweit fur die Beteiligung des Leadinvestors                 von maximal 50%, in den neuen Bundeslandem und Berlin
     offentlich geforderte Finanzierungsmittel                    (Ost) bis max. 70%, dern von ihr selbst geleisteten
     eingesetzt werden, sind die Beihilferegeln der               Einlage erstatten. Die tbg kann dann die ganze oder
     Europaischen Gemeinschaften einzuhalten.                     teilweise Ubertragung der Beteiligung des Leadinvestors
4.   Beteiligungskonditionen                                      auf sich oder einen Dritten verlangen. Voraussetzung fur
4.1  Beteiligungsform                                             die Inanspruchnahme der Risikobeteiligung ist, daB
     Die tbg ubernimmt Beteiligungen als stiller                  -  uber das Vormogen des TU das Konkursverfahren oder die
     Gesellschafter an TU. Sicherheiten sind nicht zu                Gesamtvollstreckung eroffnet oder die  mangels Masse
     stellen.                                                        abgelehnt worden ist,
4.2  Hochstbetrag                                                 -  fur das TU eine eidesstattliche Vesicherung   abgegeben
     Die Beteiligung der tbg dient der subsidiaren                   oder
     Finanzierung von Innovationsvorhaben.  Sie ist auf           -  die andauernde Zahlungsunfahigkeit des TU auf andere
     3.000.000 DM fur ein TU begrenzt. Im Rahmen dieses              Weise nachgewiesen ist,
     Hochstbetrages konnen mehrere Innovationsvorhaben            -  die Forderungen des Leadinvestors aus seiner
     gefordert werden.                                               Beteiligung an dem TU intofge eines gerichlichtlichen
4.3  Auszahlung                                                      Vergleichs oder eines Verzichts teilweise untergegangen
     Die Beteiligung wird grundsatzlich entsprechend dem             sind.
     Fortschritt des Innovationsvorhabens                         Das verbleibende Ausfallrisiko des Leadinvestors ist von
     bereitgestellt.                                              diesem selbst zu tragen.
4.4  Laufzeit                                                5.   Antrasgverfahren
     Die Dauer der Beteiligung der tbg betragt bis zu 10          Antrage von TU auf Beteiligungen sind auf Vordruken der
     volle Kalenderjahre und richet sich grundsatzlich            tbg Zusammen mit einer Erklarung dos kooperierenden
     nach der Laufzeit der Beteiligung des                        Leadinvestors zur Ubernahme einer cigenen Beteiligung an
     Leadinvestors.                                               die
4.5  Kundigung                                                        Technologie - Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH der Deutschen
     Die tbg kann Beteiligungen aus wichtigem Grund                   Ausgleichsbank
     kundigen.                                                        Ludwig-Erhard-Plaz 1-3, Bonn-Bad Godesberg
     Dem TU kann das Recht eingeraumt werden, seine                   Postanschrift:  53179 Bonn
     Beteiligung verzeitig unter Einhaltung einer                 zu richten.
     Kundigungsfrist von 3 Monaten zum 30. 06 und 31.             Die Prufung der Antragsveraussetzungen erfolgt dabei
     12 eines jeden Jahres zu kundigen.  Bei einer                zunachst durch den Leadinvestor (ggf. unter Einschaltung
     Kundigung bis zum Ablauf des funften                         externer Gutachter, z.B. Technologieberatungstellen).  Die
     Beteiligungssjahres ist die Einlage der tbg mit              tbg behalt sich vor, weitere Unterlagen, ggf. auch
     einem Aufgeld von z.Zt 30% zuruckzuzahlen, sofern            Gutachten anzufordern.  Vor AbschluB cines
     die Kundigung nicht wegen der Aufgabe des                    Beteiligungsvertrages zwischen Leadinvestor und TU ist ein
     geforderten innovationsvorhabens erfolgte                    Beteiligungsantrag bei der tbg einzureichen.  Ein
4.6  Bearbeitungsgebuhr.                                          Rechtsanspruch auf Ubernahme einer Beteiligung durch die
     Die tbg erhalt bei Auszahlung ihrer Beteiligung vom          tbg besteht nicht.
     Beteiligungsnehmer eine einmalige                            Hat der Leadinvestor mit der tbg bisher noch in keinem
     Bearbeitungsgebuhr in Hohe von a z.Zt 1% des                 anderen Falle kooperiert, so sind alle fur eine Prufung
     Betrages ihrer Beteiligung.                                  seiner Bonitat notwendigen Unterlagen miteinzureichen.
4.7  Beteiligungsentgelt                                          Weitergehende Auskunfte sind bei der tbg unter der
     Die tbg beansprucht auf ihre Einlage im Regelfall            Telefonnummer (02 28) 8 31-22 90 erhallich.
     eine vom Jahresergebnis des Beteiligungsnehmers
     unabhangige Vergutung in Hohe von z. Zt. 6%, p.a.
     sowie ein an den Verhaltnissen des TU
     auszurichtendes gewinnabhangiges
     Beteilig-ungsentgelt.  Zum Ende der                     Bonn, den 15 Juni 1996
     Beteiligungszeiti kann die tbg eine einmalige
     Vergutung zur Abgeltung wahrend der
     Beteiligungszeiti gebildeter Reserven des TU
     verlangen. Einzelheiten der Vertrag zwischen tbg
     und TU.
                                                          5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.47
Addendum To The Lease Contract Dated 5/19 - 5/24/95


between      Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50
             60489 Frankfurt am Main

and          Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Mendelssohnstrasse 15 d,
             22781 Hamburg


(S) 1

In addition to the space in building D, 5/th/ floor, right, which is leased
under the above-captioned lease contract, 300 m/2/ shall be leased in the same
building, on the 5/th/ floor, left.

The monthly rent for said space shall be DM 5,850.00, plus value-added tax. The
monthly operating cost prepayment shall be DM 1,200.00, plus value-added tax.

The monthly rent and monthly operating cost prepayment shall be payable starting
on 8/1/96.

(S) 2

The term of the addendum contract shall correspond to the above-captioned
contract. Rent adjustments for this addendum shall be made on the dates agreed
upon in the above-captioned lease contract--for the first time on February 1,
1998.

(S) 3

The Lessee shall submit the binding space planning and the technical details
required for the expansion to the Lessor by 6/15/96. With the binding space
planning, a binding time sequence shall be defined for the occupation of the
lease space.

(S) 4

All other terms and conditions of the above-captioned contract shall also apply
to this addendum. Additionally needed parking spaces shall be leased by means of
a separate addendum.


Hamburg, May 24, 1996                      Frankfurt,

Sequenom Instruments GmbH                  FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Mendelssohnstr. 15 D,                      Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
22761 Hamburg                              60489 Frankfurt am Main
Telephone: 040 / [illegible]
Fax: 040 / [illegible]

Lessee  [signature]                        Lessor  [signature]     [signature]
<PAGE>

                                Addendum no. 2
                  to the lease contract dated 5/19 - 5/24/95

between        Sequenom Instruments GmbH
               Mendelssohnstrasse 15 d,
               22761 Hamburg                                - Lessee -

and            Fiszman-Steinriede GbR
               Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50
               60489 Frankfurt am Main                      - Lessor -


Preamble

A lease contract dated 5/19 - 5/24/95 and an addendum dated 5/24/96 exist
between the parties.

The content of the lease contract and addendum no. 1 concerning the
Mendelssohnstrasse 15, building D, 5/th/ floor, 22761 Hamburg, is known to the
parties. Attachment thereof at this point is foregone.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

1.   The lease area in building D, 4/th/ floor, left, at Mendelssohnstrasse 15,
     22761 Hamburg-Bahrenfeld, shall be leased effective January 1, 1999.
     This shall involve the lease space totaling approx. 447 m2 which is labeled
     in red according to the attached floor plan.

2.   The transfer of possession of the additional lease area shall be carried
     out in the current condition, as inspected. The lease area expansion with
     regard to the aforementioned lease space shall be carried out by the
     Lessee.

     During the period of time of the Lessee's expansion of the aforementioned
     additional lease space, the Lessor shall grant a rent-free period of two
     months; i.e., for the period from 1/1/99 through 2/28/99, the Lessee shall
     only be required to pay the operating cost prepayments, plus value-added
     tax.

     Effective 3/1/99, the lease payment shall be made in accordance with
     section 3, below.

3.   Effective 3/1/99, the monthly rent which is payable shall be increased as
     follows:


     Office, 5/th/  floor, approx. 591 m/2/ @ DM 21.45      DM  12,676.95

     New effective 3/1/99:
     Office, 4/th/ floor, left, approx. 447 m/2/ @DM 16.00  DM   7,152.00
                                                            --  ---------

     Total space approx. 1,038 m/2/                         DM  19,828.95
     plus 6 parking spots @ DM 66.00                        DM     396.00
                                                            --  ---------
     Monthly rent payment/net                               DM  20,224.95

     plus operating cost prepayment
     approx. 1,038 m/2/ @ DM 5.00                           DM   5,190.00
                                                            --  ---------
     Monthly rent payment/net, incl. operating costs        DM  25,414.95

     plus statutorily valid VAT (currently 16%)             DM   4,066.39
                                                            --  ---------

     Monthly rent payment/gross                             DM  29,481.34
                                                            ==  =========
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                               [illegible] rooms
                               and real property

<S>      <C>
between  Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50
         60489 Frankfurt am Main,  Lessor

                                            (agent)

and      Sequenom Instruments GmbH
         Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6         (company and profession, first and last name)
         20146 Hamburg,  Lessee
                                            (address)

                              (S) 1 Lease property

1. The following shall be leased on the real property at: Mendelssohn        Strasse no. 15
                              Hamburg-Bahrenfeld,
   for the operation of a:  laboratory for medical diagnostics.

   Space:  5th floor, right, building D (GO)
           with 291.00 m2
   and appurtenant residential space:  none.

2. Garage:  -    Parking lot:  6 vehicle parking spots according to separate
   contract

3. The following keys shall be given to the Lessee for the lease term:
                    3 keys for the courtyard door and door to building D
   The Lessee shall bring in its own lock equipment in its lease space.

4. The following defects were detected at the time of transfer of possession
   (if a separate transfer record has been prepared, it shall apply):
                         according to transfer record
</TABLE>

                         (S) 2 Lease term, termination

1.  The lease relationship shall begin on August 1, 1995.

     a)   The lease relationship shall run [blank] months

     or
     b)

     or
     c)   The lease contract is concluded for a term of 60 months and shall run
          through July 31, 2000. It shall be extended by consecutive 12-month
          terms if it is not terminated 12 months prior to the expiration of the
          lease period, at the latest.      Provision with regard to option, see
          Appendix 1.

2.   Termination must be received in writing by the third business day of the
     first month of the termination notice period.
3.   In the event that the rooms are not available or ready for occupation in a
     timely manner, compensatory damage claims against the Lessor shall be
     barred, unless the Lessor has acted in an intentioned or grossly negligent
     manner.
4.   No tacit extension of the lease relationship pursuant to (S) 568 BGB
     [German Civil Code] shall occur.

Published by Haus & Grund Hessen - Landesverband der Hessischen Haus- und
Wohnung- u. Grundeigentumer e.V. [State Association of Hessian Building
Apartment and Real Property Owners ], Niedenau 61-63, 60325 Frankfurt am Main,
telephone: 069/7294 58 and 7294 59 - reproduction prohibited.
<PAGE>

                                   (S) 3 Rent

The rent shall be DM [blank] (in words: DM see Appendix 1) per month.

The following operating costs (explained by the respective version of Appendix 3
concerning (S) 27 II, BVO) are not included in the foregoing rent and shall
therefore be paid separately:      Allocation key
                            For example, according to number of
                            persons, m/2/ of lease space, portions or
                            measurement devices.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
1.  Water
2.  Sewer (waste water)
3.  Lighting, electricity (to the extent not included with heating)
4.  Garbage removal
5.  Real property tax
6.  Street cleaning
7.  Chimney cleaning (to the extent not included with heating)
8.  Property and liability insurance                                  DM 4.00/m/2/ per month, plus statutory
9.  Custodian                                                         VAT, currently 15%, prepayment,
10. Garden maintenance                                                settlement annually on 6/30
11. Snow removal and spreading of sand in the event of ice
12. Passenger and freight elevator
13. Common antenna and broadband connection
14. Building cleaning
15. Cleaning and maintenance of heating and devices
16. Hot water
17. Heating
18. Maintenance costs for fire extinguishers, tank and leak security equipment
19. Sidewalk cleaning
20. Building administration
</TABLE>

The Lessor shall be entitled to allocate administrative costs to the Lessee on a
pro rata basis.

During the lease period, the Lessor may recreate the allocation key in its
reasonable discretion effective at the beginning of a new calculation period.
The allocation or re-determination of an allocation key must stay within the
framework of the statutory provisions, particularly the heating costs
regulations.

If an increased burden [...] on the part of the Lessor arises as a result of an
increase or the new introduction of operating costs, the Lessee shall be
obligated to pay the relevant additional sum from the time of its inception.

In the event of the value-added tax option, the Lessor shall be entitled to
assess value-added tax at the respective statutory rate on the rent operating
costs and administrative costs.


                              (S) 4 Change of rent
<PAGE>

The rent shall be payable to the Lessor (or the person authorized by the Lessor
to receive rent) no later than the third business day of each month free of
costs and in advance  Dresdner Bank AG, Frankfurt a.M., bank routing no. 500 800
00, acct. No. 908 848 00. Unless otherwise agreed, the ancillary costs shall be
remitted simultaneously with the rent. The timeliness of payment shall be
determined not by the date of dispatch, but rather by the date of arrival of the
money.

The increase or reduction of operating costs shall entitle the Lessor to adjust
the prepayments appropriately.
The prepayment per month currently totals the following:
a)   heating costs                           see (S) 3 1.b)      DM
b)   miscellaneous operating costs                               DM

If the Lessee defaults on the on the payment of rent, payments shall first be
applied against claims on which expiration of the statute of limitation is
threatening, then against costs, interest and other debts, unless the Lessee
makes another designation.


                            (S) 6 Offset, retention

1.   Offset and retention by the Lessee against rent claims and ancillary cost
     claims shall only be permissible with claims which are undisputed or
     established by final judgment.

2.   Retention and offset with respect to claims arising from a different legal
     relationship shall be barred, unless claims are involved which are
     undisputed or established by final judgment. Reimbursement claims pursuant
     to (S) 538 BGB shall be barred, unless the Lessor has acted in an
     intentional or grossly negligent manner.


                             (S) 7 Central heating

The leased rooms shall be reasonably heated during business hours on business
days during the heating period (October 1 through April 30), unless different
business-based heating periods are necessary. Outside of the heating period,
heating may only be demanded if the outside temperature falls below 12 degrees
Celsius at 9:00 p.m. on three consecutive days.
Heating or substitute heating may not be demanded in the event of malfunctions,
Acts of God, official directives or other impossibility of performance (such as
fuel shortage), unless the impossibility is based upon the intentional or
grossly negligent conduct of the Lessor. The rights of the Lessee arising from
(S) 537 BGB shall remain unaffected. The Lessee shall not be entitled to
compensatory damage claims, unless the Lessor has acted in an intentional or
grossly negligent manner. The Lessor shall exercise care to eliminate any
malfunctions immediately.

The costs of the operation of the central heating equipment shall include the
costs of consumed fuels and the delivery thereof, the costs of the operating
electricity, the costs of operation, supervision and maintenance of the
equipment, the regular checking of their operational readiness and operational
safety, including adjustment by an expert, cleaning of the equipment, including
oil tank cleaning and the operating room, including cleaning of the building
following delivery of fuels, the costs of measurements in accordance with the
Federal Emission Protection Act, as well as the chimney cleaning fees, to the
extent that they are not allocated elsewhere, the costs of the rental or other
manner of use of equipment to record consumption, and the costs of the use of
equipment for consumption recording, including the costs of calculation and
allocation.

The costs of delivery of long-distance heat shall include the costs of heat
delivery (base price, labor price and costing price) and the costs of the
operation of the appurtenant building equipment set forth above.
<PAGE>

If a party to the lease does not make use of the heating equipment, this shall
not exempt it from the obligation to share in the heating costs.

The costs of any interim reading which becomes necessary shall be borne by the
lessee which it affects.

If the Lessee's rooms have their own heating equipment, the Lessee shall be
obligated to operate said equipment, maintain it regularly and clean it at least
once per year at its own expense. The Lessee shall also satisfy the other
obligations set for in (S) 7 number 2.

The costs of the operation of the central hot water supply equipment shall
include the costs of water supply, [ ... ] specially billed, and the costs of
water heating according to (S) 7 number 2. The costs of water supply shall
include the costs of water consumption, the basic fees and counter rental, the
costs of the use of intermediate counters, the costs of the operation of the
building's internal water supply equipment and a water treatment facility,
including the treatment materials.

The costs of the supply of long-distance hot water shall include the cost of the
supply of hot water (base cost, labor price and costing price) and the costs of
the operation of the appurtenant building equipment set forth in (S) 7 number 2.


                               (S) 9 Elevator use

Elevator use may not be demanded in the event of a shutdown of the elevator in
the event of power loss, necessary repairs or official directives, unless the
Lessor has acted in an intentional or grossly negligent manner.


               (S) 10 Use of the lease property, transfer of use

The Lessee may only use the lease property for purposes and business sectors
other than those designated in (S) 1 with the consent of the Lessor; it shall
not be permitted to discontinue business operation in whole or in part. Consent
should be given in writing.

The keeping of animals shall require the consent of the Lessor. Consent should
be given in writing.

Without the consent of the Lessor, the Lessee shall not be entitled to sublease
or otherwise transfer use to third parties. Consent should be given in writing.
Consent shall only apply to the individual case; it may be revoked for good
cause. [typewritten insertion] Upon the occurrence of the foregoing facts, a
written agreement shall be concluded between the Lessee and Lessor which serves
the interests of both parties.

As collateral in the event of a transfer of use, the Lessee hereby assigns the
claims which it holds against the sub-lessee or [...], in addition to a lien in
the amount of the Lessor's rent claim, to the Lessor at this time.

The Lessee shall be prohibited from selling and offering goods which another
lessee already permissibly [...] in the building.
The Lessor shall not be obligated to make the building's technical common
equipment available or keep it in operation outside of normal operating and
business hours.

The following defects were detected at the time of the transfer of possession
(if a separate transfer record was prepared, it shall apply):
                    according to transfer record.


                      (S) 11 Signs, advertising equipment

The Lessee shall have a right to attach a company sign. The Lessor shall
indicate a place and determine the manner and design.
<PAGE>

[...] and use of the external walls, including the design of the windows, shall
require a separate agreement.

At the end of the lease relationship, the Lessee shall remove signs and
advertising equipment and remedy the damages which arise as a result of
attachment, operation and removal. However, the Lessee may leave or attach a
small sign referring to its new rooms for    3    months, at least 3 months long
                                             -
at a location to be [illegible] by the Lessor.


(S) 12 Official permits, operating danger of devices and equipment operated by
the Lessee

The Lessor assumes no liability that permits for the intended operation and the
equipment therefor will be granted or that permits which have been granted will
continue to exist. This shall apply, in particular, to concessions. The Lessee
shall satisfy and maintain all requirements for the operation of its business at
its own expense. This shall apply to [illegible] advertising equipment, etc. The
Lessee shall [illegible] directives of the business supervisory or other
agencies at its own expense.

This shall not apply if the condition and location of the lease property is not
[illegible] for the agreed upon contractual purpose.

[illegible] setup of machines, heavy objects, other equipment and devices in the
lease rooms, [illegible] the Lessee shall inquire with the Lessor concerning the
permissible load limit of the ceilings of the story and obtain consent. Consent
should be given in writing. [illegible] for damage which [illegible] as a result
of non-compliance with this provision [illegible].

The Lessee shall be responsible for all equipment and devices which it brings in
or operates. If unreasonable detriment or inconvenience arises as a result of
the setup or operation of equipment and devices of the Lessee, the Lessee shall
be obligated to remove them or discontinue operation if it is unable to remedy
the situation.

The Lessee shall be responsible for the duty to ensure the safety of traffic in
the leased rooms and the access ways on the real property and the public street
in front of the real property.

              (S) 13 Maintenance and repair of the lease property

The Lessee shall ensure adequate cleaning, ventilation and heating within the
lease property and shall treat the rooms, as well as the equipment and devices
located therein, with care and keep them free from vermin.

The Lessee shall be obligated to pay compensatory damages for damage to the
leased property or the building, as well as the equipment belonging to the lease
rooms or the building, to the extent that such damage is caused by the Lessee or
persons belonging to its operation, as well as sub-lessees. This shall also
apply to damages which are caused by visitors, suppliers and artisans, to the
extent that they are agents of the Lessee. The Lessee shall be responsible for
proving that no fault was present.

The Lessee shall be specifically obligated to perform the cosmetic repairs
(wallpapering, painting or whitewashing the walls and ceilings, painting the
floors and heating elements, including heating pipes, internal doors and windows
and the interior side of external doors) in the lease rooms at its own expense
at reasonable time intervals. The Lessee shall also be required to maintain and
repair the following objects, to the extent that they are subject to its
immediate control, particularly windows handles and doorknobs, as well as
closure devices of window shutters, blinds, lighting and doorbell equipment,
heat thermometers, locks, water faucets, bathroom sinks and wash basins,
including the incoming and outgoing lines, ovens, stoves, gas and electrical
devices and similar equipment and hot water preparation equipment, including the
incoming and outgoing lines, and replace damaged window panes and display window
panes, unless the Lessee proves that no fault on its part existed.

Naturalized woodwork may not be treated with paint.

The Lessee shall be obligated to perform professional maintenance, cleaning and
checking of heating, ventilation and similar equipment, flow heaters, hot water
treatment equipment, ovens and stoves at least once per year.
<PAGE>

At the end of the lease relationship, the Lessee shall be obligated to remove
dowel inserts and fill in holes in a proper and undetectable manner. Changes of
this type to which the Lessor has not expressly consented or would not have been
required to consent in the protection of its legitimate interests shall obligate
the Lessee to pay compensatory damages.

The Lessee shall also perform the following work:
                          according to transfer record

If, in spite of a request, along with the imposition of a remedial deadline and
threat of rejection, the Lessee fails to comply with its obligations, the Lessor
may have the necessary work performed at the Lessee's expense.

If the lease relationship has ended, the Lessor shall be entitled to the
performance and payment claims arising from no. [illegible], even if the
successor lessee has performed the work or performs the work in the future.

The Lessee shall promptly notify the Lessor of any damage to and in the lease
property. The Lessee shall be obligated to make compensation for any additional
damages caused by lack of timely notice, to the extent that it intentionally
concealed the defects or was grossly negligent in failing to recognize them.

The Lessor shall not be liable for damages which are suffered by the Lessee with
regard to the goods and equipment objects belonging to the Lessee, regardless of
the type, origin, duration and scope of the influences, unless the Lessor has
caused the damages in an intentional or grossly negligent manner. Otherwise, the
Lessor's liability shall be limited, in principle, to the amount and scope of
the liability insurance.

           (S) 14 Changes to and in the lease property by the Lessee

Changes on and in the lease property, particularly including renovations and
installations and the like, may only be undertaken with the consent of the
Lessor. Consent should be given in writing. At the request of the Lessor, the
Lessee shall be obligated to remove the renovations or installations in whole or
in part in the event of its departure and restore the prior condition without
the requirement of a reservation by the Lessor when it gives its consent.

If, at the end of the lease relationship, the Lessee wishes to remove equipment
which it added to the lease property, it shall first offer it to the Lessor for
purchase. In this regard, the Lessee shall communicate its price proposal and
document the manufacturing costs and date of manufacture. If the Lessee wishes
to purchase the equipment, it shall pay reasonable compensation to the Lessee.

Gas and electrical equipment may only be connected to the existing line network
to the extent that the load intended for the lease property is not exceeded.
Additional devices may only be connected with the consent of the Lessor. Consent
should be given in writing. Consent may be denied if the existing line network
will not withstand an additional load and the Lessee refuses to bear the costs
of an appropriate modification of the network.

The Lessor may undertake improvements and structural modifications which are
necessary in order to maintain or improve the economic exploitation of the
property, expand the building or lease property, avert impending dangers or
eliminate damage without the consent of the Lessee. This shall also apply to
work and structural measures which are not necessary, but are expedient,
particularly those which serve to modernize the building. The Lessee shall keep
the rooms in question accessible and may not impair or delay the performance of
the work; otherwise, it shall make compensation for the damages arising as a
result thereof. Consideration shall be given to the operational interests of the
Lessee.

Following completion, [illegible] new rent shall be due at the beginning of the
month which follows the request by the Lessor.

                      (S) 16 Entry of the lease property
<PAGE>

During normal business hours, the Lessee shall guarantee that the Lessor,
agents, experts and [illegible] are able, following advance notice, to inspect
the lease property for the purpose of ascertaining the structural condition or
for the purpose of a new lease, sale [illegible]. In the event of danger, entry
shall be [illegible] at any time of day or night.


                     (S) 17 End of the lease relationship

Separate and apart from the duty to perform cosmetic repairs, the Lessee shall
return the lease property in clean condition. If the Lessee fails to comply with
this obligation or fails to do so in a timely manner, the Lessor may have the
lease property cleaned at the Lessee's expense.

The Lessee's duty to vacate shall extend to all objects in the lease area, to
the extent that they are not [illegible] to the Lessor. If the Lessee fails to
comply with this duty, the Lessor shall be entitled to remove such objects at
the Lessee's expense. No duty to retain shall exist on the part of the Lessor.

If the lease relationship [ends] as a result of termination without notice by
the Lessor, the Lessee shall be responsible for lost rent which accrues through
the expiration of the agreed upon lease term as a result of the fact that the
lease property is vacant or as a result of the fact that it is not possible to
achieve the existing rent in the event of a new lease.

If it is agreed between the parties that the Lessee pay operating cost advances
which are settled once per year, this provision shall remain in effect. With
regard to all operating costs whose amounts are only determined once per year,
these charges shall be [illegible] between the departing party and the successor
Lessee and/or Lessor in such a manner that the amount of the share is based on
the duration of the lease term, unless a special payment is agreed upon.

The Lessee shall deliver all keys, including those which it caused to be made,
to the Lessor at the end of the Lease term.

                            (S) 18 Multiple persons

The lease parties shall be understood to be the Lessee and Lessor even if they
consist of multiple persons. Multiple persons as Lessee shall be liable for all
obligations arising from the lease contract as joint and severally liable
debtors.

All persons acting as Lessees hereby authorize one another to submit and accept
declarations which shall be effective for and against each person; this shall
not apply to terminations and rent increases.


                      (S) 19 Modification of the contract

[illegible], modifications, addenda and cancellation of the contract should be
agreed upon in writing. The same shall apply to [illegible], consents, waivers
and settlements of all types.

The place of performance for all obligations arising from this contract shall be
Hamburg.


                                (S) 21 Security

1.   In order to secure compliance with its obligations arising from this
     contract, the Lessee shall give the Lessor a non-interest bearing security
     deposit in cash in the amount of DM [blank] (in words: three gross months
     rent).

2.   The security deposit payment shall be due at the time of the signing of the
     contract.
<PAGE>

3.   In the event of the sale of the real property/condominium apartment/leased
     partial ownership, the Lessee hereby consents to the transfer of the
     security deposit it has made to the purchaser.

The Lessor hereby assures the Lessee that, in the event of a sale, it shall
obligate the purchaser to return the security deposit, provided that there is no
offset against it.


                 (S) 22 Validity of the contractual provisions

The invalidity of one or more provisions of this contract shall not affect the
validity of the remaining provisions. By means of this lease contract, all
earlier agreements are canceled.


                        (S) 23 Miscellaneous agreements

                                See Appendix I
<PAGE>

[illegible], corridors and stairways shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once
per week and treated with an appropriate maintenance agent. Balconies shall be
cleared of snow and ice. If difficulties arise in cleaning the building and
removing snow and ice, the Lessor shall be entitled to hire a third party. The
costs shall be allocated according to a suitable standard within reasonable
discretion.

The cleaning of objects, machines, equipment, and installations may only take
place within the lease property.

The Lessee shall clean the bathroom basins and washbasin drainage channels,
etc., which it exclusively uses and have obstructions of such drainage channels
removed immediately at its own expense. It shall be liable for its employees and
customers.

[illegible] dirt caused on the real property, the Lessee shall remedy this
immediately.

The placement and laying of objects (boxes, goods and the like) outside of the
lease property shall not be permitted. Motorcycles, mopeds and similar vehicles
may only be housed with the consent of the Lessor in the appropriate rooms
provided for them, if any, in accordance with the police regulations. The
placement and parking of vehicles in the courtyard shall only be permissible
with the consent of the Lessor. Consent should be given in writing.

The windows must be kept closed during storms, rain or snow. Any damage to the
roof which is noticed and any penetration of the rain shall be immediately
reported to the Lessor.

The building's garbage shall be broken down and emptied into the barrels which
are set up. Care shall be taken to ensure that nothing is spilled on the
stairways, the building entrance or the locations at which the barrels are set
up; if necessary, the Lessee shall promptly provide the necessary cleaning.
Ashes may only be emptied into the containers designated therefor after they
have cooled.

[illegible] packaging material or similar waste which arises from commercial
activity may not be emptied into general building garbage containers.

Entrances which have doors (basement, floor, shop, storage room, etc.) shall be
kept closed at all times. If closure times are defined for the building door,
they shall be observed.

The Lessor may make appropriate directives if maintenance of peace and order in
the building requires modifications of and addenda to these building
regulations.



[blank],                 May 24, 1995

Lessor                   Lessee

[signature]                             [signature]
FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt
<PAGE>

Appendix 1
to the lease contract dated May 24, 1995
between
Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50
6000 Frankfurt 90
- - Lessor -
and
Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6,
20146 Hamburg
- - Lessee -


(S) 23  Miscellaneous provisions

1.
The rent for the leased space on the 5/th/ floor, right, shall be: DM
19.50/m/2/, plus statutory VAT, currently 15%.

The rent for the vehicle parking spots shall be DM 60.00 per spot per month,
plus statutory VAT, currently 15%, according to a separate parking spot
contract.

The rent for both of the items stated above shall be fixed for a period of two
years.

After 2 1/2 years, i.e., on February 1, 1998, the rent shall increase by 10%
and shall continue to increase by an additional 10% every 2 1/2 years. The same
shall apply to the option period.

The operating cost advance payments shall be made in addition to the respective
applicable rent.

2.
The Lessor hereby grants the Lessee a lease extension option for an additional
five years. The option must be exercised by the Lessee in writing by registered
letter to the Lessor no later than 12 months prior to the expiration of the
agreed upon fixed five-year lease term.

If the Lessee does not make use of its option right, the lease relationship
shall be extended by consecutive twelve-month terms, unless if it is terminated
twelve months before the expiration of the lease term.

3.
The floor plan drawing and measurement sheet shall constitute components of the
contract and the basis of calculation of the rent.

4.
The following outfitting services shall be rendered by the Lessor in the lease
space at the beginning of the contract:

- -    corridor partition walls in accordance with official requirements,
     partially in F 90 design, partially in F 30 design;
- -    corridor closure doors in accordance with official requirements, partially
     in F 30 design, partially in T 0 design, closed door leaves;
<PAGE>

- -    room partition walls F 0,
- -    all partition walls shall be gypsum plaster board-covered metal stand walls
     covered with rough fiber and painted white, doors with synthetic coated
     surface, punching for profile cylinders;
- -    exterior walls and pillars covered with rough fiber;
- -    hung mineral fiber ceiling with sound-absorbing layer and visible aluminum
     construction with a grid of 62.5 x 125 cm;
- -    integrated two-channel curtain track in the window area;
- -    windowsill channels for electrical supply and five power outlets per 30 m2
     of lease space;
- -    cable for the lighting elements to be brought in by the Lessee, serial
     switches;
- -    carpet (velours) and/or PVC, paint according to the Lessee's selection;
- -    two men's and women's toilets, floors tiled, walls tiled to door height,
     objects according to the floor plan drawing, porcelain white.

If the Lessee wishes for outfitting beyond the Lessor standard, it shall be
charged to the Lessee.

No reimbursement or offset shall be made by the Lessor if the Lessee does not
use portions of the standard outfitting.

For the purpose of planning the room division, the Lessor shall provide an
architect at no charge, who shall also ascertain the operationally-based
official requirements which will have to be satisfied by the Lessee. The plan
which is to be signed by the Lessee shall be signed by the Lessee in a legally
binding manner in duplicate and submitted to the Lessor by no later than May 22,
1995, in order not to endanger timely completion. In the event of later
submission, the Lessee shall be personally liable for all detriment which
results therefrom.

The electrical planning shall be up to the Lessee. It shall be submitted to the
Lessor in duplicate by no later than May 30, 1995, if it deviates from the
standard outfitting (5 power outlets per 30 m2 of lease space). In such a case,
the Lessee shall give the Lessor the name of the electrical firm which it is
going to hire, in order that the firm can be given the necessary information.

5.
It shall be up to the Lessee to lay telephone lines, fax lines and other lines
which are necessary for the Lessee's business operation, as well as the
installations and equipment. The same shall apply to three-phase current
connections.

The electrical connection value shall be 60 W/m2; the ceiling load limit shall
be 500 kg/m2.
<PAGE>

6.
The Lessor shall permit the Lessee to attach an external aggregate on the roof.
Said external aggregate is needed for the air conditioning room. The Lessee
shall assume the costs in connection therewith, particularly the costs of the
roofer, and shall guarantee that the roof will be sealed following the
installation of the device in this area. At the end of the lease relationship,
the Lessee shall remove said device at the Lessor's request and restore the
original condition.

7.
At the time of departure, the lease space shall be professionally renovated in
the same manner and using the same materials which were used by the Lessor in
producing it. If the damage to the floors exceeds normal wear and tear, as a
result of burn marks or other circumstances, for example, they shall be re-laid.
The same shall apply to damaged tile.

The scope of the renovation work after the end of the lease relationship shall
be determined by an expert or architect if no agreement can be reached between
the Lessee and Lessor. The Lessee shall be responsible for the performance of
the renovation, which must be performed by the end of the contract. It may be
delegated to the Lessor by mutual agreement.

During the lease period, the Lessee shall bear the expense of small repairs up
to DM 500.00 per individual instance.

8.
The lease space shall be inspected and accepted by the Lessor and Lessor (or its
agent) following completion. A record shall be created in this regard.

9.
The Lessee has been informed by the Lessor that the expansion work in building D
(GQ) and on the grounds will not yet be completed at the time of the Lessee's
occupation. The Lessee shall permit any disruptions which result therefrom.

10.
If official requirements arise as a result of the Lessee's business operation,
such as requirements by the sewer office or property insurers, the Lessee shall
ensure satisfaction of such requirement at its own expense.

11.
This contract was concluded through the intermediary of the firm of Grossmann &
Berger GmbH, Gerhofstr. 18, 20354 Hamburg.

The commission shall be paid directly to the broker.

Frankfurt am Main, May 24, 1995      Hamburg


[signature]                          [signature]
FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt  [signature]
<PAGE>

Appendix 2 to the lease contract between
Fiszman-Steinriede GbR,                      - Lessor -
and
Sequenom Instruments GmbH                    - Lessee -


Explanations concerning the calculation of operating costs in accordance with
(S) 3 of the lease contract:

1.   Water                             according to consumption according
                                       to water meters
2.   Sewer                             according to use cbm water

3.   Lighting, electricity for         according to m/2/ of lease space
     staircase, elevator, heating,     according to the general electricity
     parking lot , etc.                meter for  bldg. D

4.   Garbage removal                   according to consumption (barrel size)

5.   Real property tax                 according to m/2/ of lease space

6.   Street cleaning                   according to m/2/ of lease space

7.   Chimney cleaning (to the extent
     not with heating)                 according to m/2/ of lease space

8.   Property and liability insurance  according to m/2/ of lease space

9.   Custodian                         according to m/2/ of lease space

10.  Garden maintenance                according to m/2/ of lease space

11.  Snow removal and spreading
     sand in the event of ice.         according to m/2/ of lease space

12.  Maintenance of rolling gate       according to invoice

13.  Common antennae and
     broadband connection              according to m/2 of lease space
                                       (if available)

14.  Building cleaning                 according to m/2/ of lease space

15.  Cleaning and maintenance
     of heating and devices            according to m/2/ of lease space

16.  Hot water                         Consumption is recorded with item 1
                                       (water), heating by means of electrical
                                       boiler and the Lessee's electricity
                                       meter, to the extent that there is no
                                       central hot water supply

17.  Heating                           according to consumption according to
                                       measurement devices

18.  Maintenance costs for fire
     extinguishers, tank and
     leak security equipment           according to m/2/ of lease space

19.  Sidewalk cleaning                 according to m/2/ of lease space

20.  Building administration           4% of net rent

Frankfurt, May 24, 1995         Hamburg

[signature]                     [signature]
Lessor                          Lessee
FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt
<PAGE>

                         Eschborner Landstr. 42-50, 60489 Frankfurt

CALCULATION OF USEFUL SPACE - BLOCK D (GQ) OFFICE PART 5/TH/ FL. Re.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------


Bases:              Measurement - structure ready for plastering, DIN 283 p. 2
                    story division - area: extension joint/composition floor
                    to the right d = 25 cm fire wall. Office space from fire
                    wall, see measurement plan entry.

Measurement and
calculation:        Kurt Nelleweg, construction engineer, Beerentaltrift 82,
                    21077 Hamburg

Appendices:         1  Measurement plan
                    2  Pages calculation of useful space

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
USEFUL SPACE:
- ------------
<S>   <C>                            <C>                          <C>                    <C>

1.    Office space                                                (p. 1) =               255.11 m/2/
2.    Bathroom space                                              (p. 1) =                 8.60 m/2/
3.    Roof terrace                   estimate 25%                 (p. 1) =                23.17 m/2/
4.    Elevator space                 5/th/ floor - share 50%      (p. 2) =                 4.12 m/2/
5.    Stairway corridor landing      5/th/ floor - share 50%      (p. 2) =                 5.55 m/2/
6.    Entrance/elevator anteroom           share 10%              (p. 2) =                 1.82 m/2/
                                                                                 USEFUL SPACE 302.70
                                                                                          291.0 m/2/
</TABLE>

Hamburg, 2/23/95
<PAGE>

No.                                   m       m       m/2/       m       m/3/
              Amount carried forward

                                    BLOCK D
                                    -------


    USEFUL SPACE CALCULATION 5/TH/ FL. Re.

1x  OFFICE SPACE (16.21 + 16.18:2)     18.25  16.20   =295.65

    DEDUCTIONS
    ----------

1x  BATHROOM EQUIPMENT                 2.01  x5.59               =11.24
1x  STAIRCASE                          5.35  x5.23               =27.43

1x  COLUMNS              AXIS G        0.44  x0.45               = 0.20
1x  -           AXIS G                 0.44  x0.44               = 0.19
2x  -           AXIS I                 0.44  x0.45               = 0.40
1x  COLUMN STRIP               AXIS G  0.17  x0.57               = 0.10
1x       -      AXIS I                 0.22  x0.72               = 0.16

1x  EQUIPMENT            AXIS G        0.22  x1.18               = 0.27
                                                                 ------
                                                    /40.54        40.54
                                                    ------
                                     OFFICE SPACE 255.11m/2/
                                     -----------------------

    BATHROOM EQUIPMENT
    ------------------

1   1x                                1.16  x1.87  =2.17
2   1x                                0.88  x1.27  =1.12
3   1x                                0.87  x1.27  =1.10
4   1x                                0.87  x1.26  =1.10
5   1x                                0.87  x1.26  =1.10
6   1x                                1.17  x1.87  =2.19
        DEDUCTION                                   8.78
                                                   -----
    1x  INSTALL. SHAFT        AXIS F  0.22  x0.83  =0.18
                                                    8.60 m/2/ BATHROOM EQUIPMENT



        ROOF TERRACE
        ------------

1   1x                               15.93  x5.82  =92.71  m/2/

USEFUL SPACE ESTIMATE 25%       OF 92.71 m/2/  =92.71m/2/

VERSION DATE 2/23/95       Amount carried forward
<PAGE>

No.                                    m      m      m/2/      m      m/3/

            Amount carried forward

                                    BLOCK D
                                    -------

     USEFUL SPACE CALCULATION 5/TH/ FL. Re.

     ELEVATOR FOYER
     --------------

1x                                         5.00   x3.38   =16.90   m/2/

          ROOF TERRACE
          ------------

1    1x                                    15.93  x5.82   =92.71  m/2/

USEFUL SPACE ESTIMATE 25 OF         16.90 m/2/=8.45 m/2/ ELEVATOR FOYER

          STAIRCASE CORRIDOR LANDING
          --------------------------

     1x                                    5.09   x2.14   =10.89
     1x                                    2.96   x0.07   = 0.21
                                                           11.10  m/2/

USEFUL SPACE ESTIMATE 50% OF 11.10 m2  =  [illegible] STAIRCASE CORRIDOR LANDING


ENTRANCE/ELEVATOR FOYER/GROUND FLOOR
- ------------------------------------

1x                                         2.26   x3.33   =7.53
1x                                         2.95   x3.67   =10.36
                                                           18.36 m/2/

DEDUCTION
- ---------

1x        COLUMN STRIP AXIS G              0.41   x0.47   =0.19 m/2/
                                                           18.17 m/2/


USEFUL SPACE ESTIMATE 10% OF 18.17 m2                     = 1.82 m/2/ GROUND
                                                          FLOOR ELEVATOR FOYER




VERSION DATE: 2/23/95          Amount carried forward
<PAGE>

                                  [illegible]
                     for garages and vehicle parking spots

The following contract is hereby concluded
between          Fiszman-Steinriede GbR,
at               Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50, 60489 Frankfurt - as the Lessor -
and              Sequenom Instruments GmbH,
at               Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg - as the Lessee -:

                                     (S) 1

The following shall be leased on the real property at Hamburg-Bahrenfeld,
Mendelssohn-Strasse no. 15, garage no.    -    6 vehicle parking spot no.______.
                                      ---------
The following shall be handed out to the Lessee for the lease term:
       -        garage keys      -     gate keys                 keys.
- ----------------           ------------         -----------------


                                     (S) 2

The lease relationship shall begin on August 1, 1995, and shall run through July
31, 2000.

[deleted text]
[typewritten insertion] All other conditions according to the lease contract for
lease space building D 5/th/ fl., right.

                                     (S) 3

The rent shall be DM 360 (in words: three hundred sixty German marks) per month.
                     ---            -------------------

In addition, operating costs shall be paid within the meaning of Appendix 3
concerning (S) 27 of the Second Calculation Regulations:

              statutory VAT, currently 15%             DM   54.00
- ------------------------------------------------------    ---------
                                                       DM
- ------------------------------------------------------    ---------
Rent shall be paid free of costs in advance to account
no.           908 848 00              bank routing no.  500 800 00
   -----------------------------------                 ------------
at   Dresdner Bank AG, Frankfurt A.M.
   ------------------------------------------------------------------
by no later than the third business day.
The timeliness of payment shall be determined not by the date of dispatch, but
rather by the date of arrival of the money.

                                     (S) 4

Subleasing shall not be permitted. The Lessee shall only be entitled to park its
own automobile or that of its customers and employees on the leased parking
spot. The placement and parking of vehicles elsewhere on the real property shall
not be permissible.

Use as a storage area, workshop or the like shall not be permitted. Contrary use
shall entitle the Lessor to terminate without notice.
<PAGE>

                                     (S) 5

The Lessee shall assume the lease property as inspected and hereby acknowledges
that its condition is in conformity with the contract. The Lessee shall be
obligated to maintain the lease property at its own expense and repair all
equipment and facilities of the lease property which are used exclusively for
the benefit or use of the Lessee, unless the Lessee proves that no fault on its
part was present.
Structural modifications and renovations of the lease property shall not be
permissible. At the end of the lease relationship, the lease property shall be
returned in clean condition.

                                     (S) 6

This contract shall be legally and economically independent and shall be
independent of any other simultaneously concluded contracts concerning other
lease properties. In particular, termination shall be possible independent of
the continued existence of a lease contract concerning residential space.

                                     (S) 7

The Lessor shall not be liable for damages to housed vehicle and property,
unless it is guilty of gross negligence or intentional conduct. The same shall
apply to theft and burglary.
The Lessee shall promptly remedy damage to walls, doors, etc., as well as
damages which arise as a result of spilled fuel, oil or acids, at its own
expense without proof of fault. If the floor of the leased property is damaged,
replacement shall be made.
The Lessee is aware that snow and ice will not be removed and sand will not be
spread. The Lessor does not assume liability for personal injury or property
damage.

                                     (S) 8

Ancillary agreements and modification and addenda to this contract shall only be
valid if they are agreed upon in writing.

                                     (S) 9

Miscellaneous agreements:
                             according to Appendix 1

                                    (S) 10
                             (Garage regulations)
1.   The Lessee shall comply with the police provisions concerning the use of
     garages and vehicle parking areas. In particular, smoking and the use of
     fire in the parking area and all ancillary buildings is prohibited. In
     addition, fuel and empty fuel containers may not be stored.

2.   The honking of horns, loud running of motors and loud banging of vehicle
     doors, hoods and trunks are prohibited. The same shall apply to the washing
     of vehicles and the drawing off of water on the real property. Repair work
     may not be performed on the real property.

3.   On all parts of the real property, vehicles may only be driven at walking
     speed. Motor vehicles may not be parked on the real property outside of the
     garage and parking area.

                                       Frankfurt, May 24, 1995
(Place)                                (Date)
FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt
[signature]                [signature]
Lessor                     Lessee
<PAGE>

4.   The Lessee shall assume responsibility for the complete interior expansion
     of the lease area; the Lessee shall assume the costs incurred in connection
     therewith.
     The Lessor hereby points out that the expansion work which is to be
     undertaken shall be performed by professional firms and that it shall be
     necessary to satisfy official requirements. The Lessee must guarantee
     professional performance of the expansion work.

5.   At the end of the lease relationship, the space leased under this addendum
     shall be returned to the Lessor unrenovated and swept. In this regard, the
     provision set forth in (S) 17 sec. 1 of the lease contracted dated 5/19 -
     5/24/95 shall not be applicable to this lease space (bldg. D, 4th fl.).

6.   The lease term according to (S) 2 sec. 1c of the lease contract dated 5/19
     - 5/24/95 shall be uniformly set through 12/31/01 for both lease spaces
     (building D, 5th fl., right, and 4th fl., left).

     The Lessor shall grant the Lessee an extension option for an additional
     five years. The option must be exercised in writing by the Lessee by
     registered letter to the Lessor no later than six months prior to the
     expiration of the agreed upon fixed lease term (i.e., by 6/30/01).

     If the Lessee does not make use of its option right, the lease relationship
     shall be extended automatically by consecutive twelve-month terms, unless
     it is terminated no later than 12 months prior to the expiration of the
     lease term. Termination must be received by the Lessor in writing by
     registered mail by the 3rd business day of the first month of the
     termination period.

7.   By way of modification of the lease contract dated 5/19 - 5/24/95, Appendix
     1, (S) 23 sec. 1 par. 4, the following agreement shall apply to the change
     of rent:

     Effective January 1, 1999, the monthly rent shall increase by 2% per year;
     this shall take place for the first time on January 1, 2000.

8.   Effective 1/1/99, the security deposit which is to be provided by the
     Lessee in accordance with (S) 21 sec. 1 of the lease contract dated 5/19 -
     5/24/95 shall be increased to a total of DM 88,444.02. This sum shall bear
     interest at the usual interest rate for savings deposits with statutory
     termination period.

9.   Otherwise, the provisions of the lease contract dated 5/19 - 5/24/95 and
     addendum no. 1 dated 5/24/96 shall apply.

10.  This addendum shall become a component of the lease contract concluded by
     and between the parties on 5/19 - 5/24/95 and shall be attached thereto.


Frankfurt, [illegible date]          Hamburg, [illegible date]


FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR               SEQUENOM GmbH
Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50         Mendelssohnstrasse 15 D,
60489 Frankfurt am Main              22761 Hamburg
                                     Telephone: 040 / 89 96 76-0
                                     Fax: 040 / 89 96 76-10

Lessee  [signature]    [signature]   Lessor  [signature]
<PAGE>

Appendix 1          to the lease contract for vehicle parking spots
between             Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner Landstrasse
                    42-50 60489 Frankfurt/Main                        - Lessor -
and                 Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6,
                    20146 Hamburg                                     - Lessee -



(S) 9  Miscellaneous agreements

If structural measures or other measures require the assignment of different
parking spots during the term of the lease contract or the reduction of the
number of leased parking spots, the Lessor shall have the right to assign
different spots or make a reduced number of parking spots available.

The Lessee shall be obligated to ensure that its employees and visitors use only
the leased spots.

In the event of illegal use of other parking spots, the Lessee shall ensure the
removal of the parked vehicles and assume the costs which are incurred,
including the assumption of costs incurred by third parties.

The Lessor shall not be liable if the parking places leased under this contract
are illegally used by unauthorized parties.

The adjustment of rent for the parking spots shall be made on a percentage basis
in the amount agreed upon for the primary lease space in the lease contract.



Frankfurt, May 24, 1995        Hamburg, 5/19/95

[signatures]                   [signature]
Lessor                         Lessee

FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstrasse 42-50
60489 Frankfurt am Main
<PAGE>

                                   Agreement

                                    between

                              Ms. Traute Limberg
                       Barkholt 26, 22927 Grosshansdorf
                                - the Lessor -

                                      and

                                 Sequenom GmbH
                    Mendelssohnstrasse 15 d, 22761 Hamburg
                                - the Lessee -



Effective 1/1/99, the firm of Sequenom GmbH shall succeed to the lease contract
dated 11/18 - 12/4/93 concluded between Ms. Traute Limberg, Lessor, and Dr. Toni
Schuh, Lessee, concerning the apartment at Neumunstersche Strasse 22, 20251
Hamburg, 2nd floor, left, with all of the rights and duties listed therein. The
remaining provisions of the lease contract concluded with Dr. Schuh shall remain
unchanged.

Grosshansdorf, 12/15/98                 Hamburg,


[signature]                             [signature]
Traute Limberg                          Sequenom GmbH
- - Lessor -                              - Lessee -

                                        SEQUENOM GmbH
                                        Mendelssohnstrasse 15 D
                                        22761 Hamburg
                                        Telephone: 040 / 89 96 76-0
                                        Fax: 040 / 89 96 76-10
<PAGE>

Lease no. 4.00031


                 Hamburg Lease Contract for Residential Space


                         Traute Limberg   , Lessor,
- ------------------------------------------
represented by:          Rainer Limberg - administrator
               ------------------------------------------
residing at:             Barkholt 26, 22927 Grosshansdorf
            ---------------------------------------------
and                      Dr. Toni Schuh           5/22/63             Pharmacist
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First and last name      Date of birth       Profession
and ____
First and last name      Date of birth       Profession
residing at:             Probsteier Str. 19, 22049 Hamburg, Lessee,
                         ---------------------------------
hereby conclude the following lease contract
which is brokered by     H.J. Herring Immobilien, Hamburger Str. 30
                         ------------------------------------------
                         22926 Ahrensburg, Tel. 04102/50600:


(Our Lessee and Lessor shall be understood below to be the parties to the lease,
even if they consist of multiple persons. All named persons must sign the lease
contract; if it is intended that all or parts of the individual provisions below
not apply, they must be deleted by mutual agreement of the contracting parties.
If necessary, other or supplemental agreements must be entered.)


                              (S) 1 Leased rooms

1.   The following space

in the building              Neumunstersche Str. 22, 20251 Hamburg      ,
               ---------------------------------------------------------
                       (Street, building number, district)
shall be leased for use as a residence:    2nd floor, left    ,
                                       -----------------------
                                       (Floor middle/right/left)
consisting of    3     rooms, kitchen, hallway, bath, toilet,         basement,
             ----------                                      --------
   1    floor,   -    garden.
- --------      --------
Garage/parking spot is not included in the lease under this contract.

The residential space total approx. 77       m/2/.
                            -----------------

2.   The Lessee shall be entitled to use the washroom and drying room, if any,
as well as the following equipment (washing machine, for example)      There is
                                                                 --------------
a washing machine provided by the Lessor in the kitchen installation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
in accordance with the building regulations or special use regulations.

3.   The following keys shall be handed out to the Lessee:     according to
                                                          -----------------
delivery record.
- ---------------

4.   The Lessor shall be obligated to cooperate in the procurement of keys which
can be shown to be necessary. The Lessee shall bear the expense of the keys.

5.   The Lessee shall take over the apartment in its current condition.

6.   The Lessee may not use the lease rooms for any purpose other than that
designated in section 1 without the permission of the Lessor.
<PAGE>

                               (S) 2 Lease term

1.   The lease relationship shall begin on   1/1/94    provided that the Lessor
                                          -------------------------------------
[illegible]  .
- -------------

2.   The lease relationship shall end

either

at the end of the month for which the Lessee or Lessor announced termination in
compliance with the following termination notice periods:

Termination must be effected in writing by the 3/rd/ business day of the
termination notice period. The timeliness of termination shall be determined by
receipt of the termination letter.

Termination shall be possible effective   December 31, 1994,   at the earliest.
                                       ------------------------

or

                   (S) 3 Extraordinary right of termination

The statutory provisions shall be applicable with regard to the extraordinary
right of termination of the Lessor and Lessee.
<PAGE>

                             (S) 4 Rent/cost rent


The Lessee shall pay the Lessor the following monthly:
as net rent excluding heating costs                                 DM  1,350.00
as reasonable prepayment for:

operating costs according to Appendix 3 concerning (S) 27 II. BV    DM    165.00

heating costs according to Appendix 3 concerning (S) 27 II. BV      DM    100.00

                                                       Total rent   DM  1,615.00

The operating costs according to Appendix 3 concerning (S) 27 II. BV are
reproduced following (S) 26 of this lease contract.
<PAGE>

                             (S) 5 Graduated rent
                    (Only for price-free residential space)
The net rent, excluding heat, which is agreed upon in (S) 4 shall be increased
no earlier than after the end of one year, divided over a maximum of ten years,

starting from 11/1/95  to DM  1,400.00    starting from 11/1/00  to DM  1,660.00
             ----------      ---------                 ----------      ---------
starting from 11/1/96  to DM  1,450.00    starting from 11/1/01  to DM  1,720.00
             ----------      ---------                 ----------      ---------
starting from 11/1/97  to DM  1,500.00    starting from 11/1/02  to DM  1,780.00
             ----------      ---------                 ----------      ---------
starting from 11/1/98  to DM  1,550.00    starting from 11/1/03  to DM  1,840.00
             ----------      ---------                 ----------      ---------
starting from 11/1/99  to DM  1,600.00
             ----------      ---------

While the graduated rent is applicable, no rent increases shall be permissible,
with the exception of increases of the operating costs.

              (S) 6 Change of rent, heating costs and other costs
     (par. 1, 2, 4 do not apply to publicly subsidized residential space)

1.   Rent increases pursuant to (S) 2 MHG [Act Concerning the Regulation of Rent
Levels]--or the regulations which take the place of this Act--shall not be
precluded even in the case of lease contracts for a specific term. The Lessor
may make use of the right to increase rent if the rent has been unchanged for a
year.

2.   If the Lessor has performed structural measures pursuant to (S) 3 MHG which
permanently increase the utility value of the lease property, improve the
general living conditions on a long-term basis or result in long-term savings of
heating energy (modernization), and the conditions set forth in (S) 16 section 2
sentence 1 of the lease contract are satisfied, or if it has performed other
structural modifications as a result of circumstances for which it is not
responsible, it may demand an increase of the annual rent by 11% of the costs
which are incurred for the apartment. In the case of measures which were
performed for multiple apartments, the calculation of the rent increase shall be
carried out in accordance with section 5.

3.   The Lessor shall settle operating costs within the meaning of (S) 27 II. BV
(plus allocation loss risk in the case of publicly subsidized residential space)
each year in a manner which takes into account the prepayments which have been
made. The Lessor shall not be obligated to prepare an interim statement in the
event of change of Lessee. If operating costs increase or newly arise in
connection with proper management, the Lessor shall be entitled to increase the
prepayments.

In-kind services and labor on the part of the Lessor which save operating costs
may be assessed at the amount which could be assessed for an equivalent service
by a third-party, particularly a contractor. Value-added tax may not be assessed
on the Lessor's services.

4.   Increases of capital costs occurring after the conclusion of the contract
which arise from a secured loan may be allocated to the Lessee on a pro rata
basis by the Lessor in accordance with (S) 5 par. 1 MHG. In the event of a
decrease of the interest rate for the scheduled repayment of the loan, the
Lessor shall be obligated to reduce the rent accordingly.

5.   The Lessee shall be obligated to bear a share of the operating and/or
capital costs in the amount of [blank] % or--to the extent that the share is not
defined--a share according to the relationship which the residential space of
the Lessee's apartment bears to the total of the residential and useful space of
all residential and commercial rooms of the economic unit. Accessory rooms, such
as basements, storage rooms outside of the apartment, attics and drying rooms,
shall not be considered in this regard. If the allocation standard leads to
unreasonable results, the Lessor shall be obligated to reasonably allocate the
operating costs in a different manner.

In the case of leased condominiums apartments, the Lessee shall bear the
operating cost share which the manager statement prescribes.

The allocation of heating and hot water costs shall be carried out
a)   according to the ratio of residential/useful space,
<PAGE>

b)   in the case of the use of technical measurement equipment to record
consumption, according to the settlement standard determined by the Lessor in
accordance with (SS) 7 through 10 HeizkostenV [Heating Cost Regulations];

If an interim reading is taken in the case of a change of Lessee, the costs
shall be divided accordingly. The vacating Lessee shall bear the costs of the
interim reading. If no interim reading takes place, the total costs shall be
divided on a pro rata temporis basis. The heat consumption costs may also be
divided according to the seasonally adjusted table.

The division of cable use fees shall be carried out according to residential
units.
<PAGE>

6.   The Lessor shall be entitled to switch the settlement period for individual
operating costs and change the distribution standard in compliance with the
principle of equal treatment of all Lessees; with regard to heating costs, it
shall only be entitled to do so in accordance with the provisions of the Heating
Cost Regulations. The Lessor shall also be entitled to install water meters for
the apartment. In that case, the cost of water consumption and use of the sewer
line shall be divided according to measured water consumption. At the request of
the Lessor, the Lessee shall personally enter into a supply contract with the
water supplier.


                (S) 7 Change of cost, rent and operating costs
               (for publicly subsidized residential space only)

1.   The statutory provisions shall apply to the rent amount and the operating
costs which are to be assessed in addition to the individual rent. The Lessor
shall have an immediate direct payment claim for statutory and individually
approved rent increases, operating cost increases and surcharges.

2.   Otherwise, (S) 6 section 3 and 5 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

3.   If the obligation to the cost rent ends, (S) 8 shall apply.


                             (S) 8 Payment of rent

1.   Rent shall be due monthly in advance not later than the 3rd business day of
each month. However, additional payments arising from operating cost and heating
costs settlement statements shall not be due until 14 days after submission of
the settlement statement.

2.   The Lessee shall authorize the Lessor to collect rent, as well as
additional payments arising from operating cost and heating cost settlement
statements, by means of debits from the account which is to be indicated by the
Lessee. This authorization may be revoked by the Lessee for good cause.

3.   If the Lessor informs the Lessee that, in spite of the debit authorization,
it is not collecting the rent and/or additional payments arising from operating
costs and heating costs settlement statements, the Lessee shall pay them to the
account indicated by the Lessor in a timely manner such that they are credited
to the account by the due date.

4.   In the event of payment default, the Lessor shall be entitled to assess
statutory default interest and a fee of DM 3.00 for each written warning.

5.   If the Lessee is in default with regard to the payment of rent, payments
shall first be applied to any costs, then to interest, then to the rent security
deposit and finally to the primary debt; in that regard, payments shall first be
applied to the older debt.

8.   Lessor's account:

Account designation:______________________     Acct.:___________________________

Bank/savings bank:________________________     Bank routing no.:________________

Lessee's account:_________________________

Account designation:______________________     Acct.:___________________________

Bank/savings bank:________________________     Bank routing no.:________________
<PAGE>

                          (S) 9 Rent security deposit

1.   At the time of the conclusion of the lease contract, the Lessee shall pay a
rent security deposit in the amount of DM [blank], but not greater than three
months' rent. Ancillary costs, which shall be settled separately, shall not be
considered. The Lessee shall be entitled to instead pay the rent security
deposit in 3 equal partial monthly payments; the first shall be due at the
beginning of the lease relationship.

2.   The Lessor shall invest the rent security deposit separately from its own
assets at a public savings bank or a bank at the customary interest rate for
savings deposits with statutory termination period. The Lessee shall be entitled
to the interest. The interest shall increase the security.

After the end of the lease relationship, the Lessor shall return the security
deposit, along with interest, to the Lessee following the vacation and return of
the apartment, unless claims exist or are expected against the Lessee arising
from the lease relationship.
<PAGE>

       (S) 10 Path cleaning and duty to spread sand, staircase cleaning

1.   The Lessee shall assume the cleaning of public paths and the access paths
to the building, unless the Lessor expressly assumes the duty to clean. The duty
to clean shall extend to the elimination of leaves, garbage and other debris.
Sweepings shall be removed. During the winter months, snow and ice shall be
removed during normal business hours. Thawing salt may not be used. Ice
formations which cannot be adequately counteracted through the spreading of sand
shall be removed. No later than the occurrence of the thaw, gutters shall be
kept free from snow and ice in order that the runoff water is able to flow. The
Lessee shall obtain the spreading material at its own expense.

2.   If the Lessee is obligated to perform cleaning, then the path cleaning,
snow and ice removal and spreading of sand shall be performed according to a
plan established by the Lessor.

3.   In the event of temporary inability (for example, illness, absence), the
Lessee shall obtain representation at its own expense.

4.   The Lessee shall assume staircase cleaning and the cleaning of the rooms
designated for common use in accordance with the building regulations, unless
the Lessee expressly assumes the cleaning. The Lessee shall obtain the necessary
cleaning material at its own expense.

5.   If necessary for proper management, the Lessee shall be entitled, upon
prior notice, to assume all or individual cleaning duties or delegate them to a
third party and assess the costs incurred as operating costs. Subject to the
same requirements, it shall be entitled to delegate the cleaning duties back to
the Lessee.


                         (S) 11 Liability restriction

If a defect of the lease property results in property damage or personal injury,
the Lessor shall only be liable to the Lessee and the persons named in (S) 13
sec. 2 with regard to such damage--even damages arising from tortious conduct--
in the case of intentional or grossly negligent conduct.

The liability on the part of the Lessor for the fault of its agents shall
likewise be limited to their intentional or grossly negligent conduct.

The liability restriction shall also apply if the defect of the lease property
which causes the damage or the original thereof already existed at the time of
the conclusion of the lease contract.


                            (S) 12 Central heating

The Lessor shall be obligated to supply centrally heated apartments with heat in
such a manner that the rooms which are equipped with heating elements are heated
to 20 degrees C (measured in the middle of the room one meter above the floor)
during the time from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. when the windows and doors are
closed.


                         (S) 13 Use of the lease rooms

1.   The Lessee shall treat the leased rooms, as well as the rooms, equipment
and facilities intended for common use, in a careful manner and clean them
properly. It shall ensure adequate ventilation and heating of all of the rooms
transferred to it. The lease rooms shall be kept free from vermin.

If there is an elevator, the Lessee shall be obligated to comply with the use
and operation provisions.

2.   The Lessee shall be liable for all culpable damage of the lease property
and building, as well as all equipment and installations belonging to the
building or the rooms, which are caused by the Lessee, the persons
<PAGE>

belonging to his household, its sub-lessees or the persons which come into
contact with the lease property at the Lessee's instigation.

3.   The Lessee shall be entitled to set up household machines (washing machines
and dishwashers, clothes dryers, for example) in the lease rooms if, and to the
extent that, the capacity of the existing installations is sufficient, and no
nuisance to the building occupants or impairment of the lease property is to be
expected. The Lessee shall be obligated to carefully operate and supervise
household devices in operation.
<PAGE>

                     (S) 14 Maintenance of the lease rooms

1.   The Lessor shall be obligated to perform proper maintenance and repair of
the lease rooms, to the extent that no deviating agreements are made below.

2.   The Lessee shall be obligated to perform the necessary cosmetic repairs
within the apartment during the lease period. Cosmetic repairs shall include:
wallpapering and painting the walls and ceilings, maintaining and cleaning the
floors, painting the interior doors, windows and exterior doors from the inside,
as well as painting the heating elements and supply lines within the apartment.
The work shall be performed in a professionally proper manner.

Usually, cosmetic repairs become necessary in the lease rooms at the following
time intervals:
in kitchens, baths and showers        every three years
in living rooms and bedrooms, corridors, floorboards and toilets   every 5 years
in other ancillary rooms        every seven years.

Accordingly, the lease rooms shall be returned at the end of the lease
relationship in the condition which would exist if the Lessee had performed the
cosmetic repairs required according to section 2. Lacquered wood parts,
excluding natural wood, shall be returned in the color tone which existed at the
beginning of the contract; wood parts painted in color may be returned painted
in white or bright color tones.

3.   If, in spite of warning and the imposition of a deadline, the Lessee fails
to comply with the obligations assumed above, the Lessor may, without the
requirement of a rejection threat, have the necessary work performed at the
Lessee's expense or demand compensatory damages in cash; in the case of cosmetic
repairs, the Lessor shall not have this right until the end of the lease
relationship. The Lessee shall also make compensation for any loss of rent which
can be shown to have occurred and the costs of an expert opinion which is
necessary to ascertain the damage. No warning or imposition of a deadline shall
be required if time is of the essence or the whereabouts of the Lessee cannot be
ascertained.

4.   The Lessee shall bear the costs of repairs of the installation objects for
electricity, water and gas, the heating and cooking equipment, as well as the
window and door locks, to the extent that the costs of the individual repair do
not exceed DM 150.00, and the expense incurred by the Lessee as a result during
the last 12 months does not exceed DM 300.00; however, the foregoing may not
exceed the maximum of 8% of the respective annual net rent.


                           (S) 15 Garden maintenance

If the Lessee is allowed to use a garden, the Lessee shall be obligated to
maintain it on a consistent basis. A decorative garden shall be maintained as
such. Garden maintenance shall usually include mowing the lawn twice per month
during the period of April through October, hedging and pruning fruit trees and
ornamental shrubs once per year and keeping flower beds and paths free of weeds.
If, in spite of a written warning, the imposition of a deadline and rejection
threat, the Lessee fails to comply with this obligation, the Lessor may have the
necessary work performed at the Lessee's expense or demand compensatory damages
in cash at the end of the lease relationship. The Lessee shall obtain the
necessary devices and materials at its own expense.


                 (S) 16 Maintenance and modernization measures

1.   The Lessee shall permit interference in the lease rooms which is necessary
in order to maintain the lease rooms or the building.

2.   The Lessee shall permit measures to improve the leased rooms or other parts
of the building or save heating energy, unless the measures would constitute a
hardship for the Lessee or his family, particularly in consideration of the work
to be performed, the structural consequences, prior expenditures by the Lessee
or the expected increase of the rent, which could not be justified even in light
of the legitimate interests of the Lessor and other lessees in the
<PAGE>

building; the expected increase of the rent shall not be taken into account if
the leased rooms or other portions of the building will solely be placed in a
condition which is generally customary.

Two months prior to the beginning of the measure, the Lessor shall notify the
Lessee in writing concerning the type, scope, beginning and anticipated
duration, as well as the expected increase of the rent.
<PAGE>

3.   If the Lessee must permit measures in accordance with sections 1 and 2, he
must cooperate to the extent necessary in the performance of such measures, for
example, by means of removing and covering furniture, removing his
installations, etc. If the Lessee violates these duties, he shall be liable to
the Lessor for any additional costs which are incurred. The Lessor shall be
obligated to have the work performed quickly.


        (S) 17 Structural modifications and installations by the Lessee

1.   Permanent modifications to and in the lease rooms, particularly renovations
and installations and the like, may only be undertaken with the consent of the
Lessor. Consent may be conditioned upon the Lessee's promise to restore the
prior condition in whole or in part in the event of his departure.

2.   If, at the end of the lease relationship, the Lessee wishes to take
installations with which he equipped the lease rooms, he must first offer them
to the Lessor for purchase. If the Lessor wishes to purchase the installation,
it shall, at its election, reimburse the Lessee for the manufacturing costs,
minus a reasonable amount for wear and tear, or otherwise make reasonable
compensation.

3.   If the Lessor does not make use of its right of purchase and the Lessee
takes the installation away, the Lessee shall restore the rooms to their
original condition in a professional manner at its own expense. This shall also
include the remediation of any decorative damages.


                                (S) 18 Antennas

1.   The attachment of individual antennas by the Lessee shall only be permitted
with the consent of the Lessor. The Lessor may determine the place and manner of
attachment. The official regulations concerning the setup of antennas shall be
observed; in the event of violation, the Lessee shall be obligated to remove the
antenna.

2.   If the Lessor decides to set up a common antenna for the building or
connect the lease rooms to the cable television, the Lessee shall be obligated
to remove the individual antenna which he has attached.


                               (S) 19 Subleasing

1.   Without the consent of the Lessor, the Lessee shall not be entitled to
sublease the entirety of the lease rooms or otherwise permanently transfer use
to third parties.

2.   If, after the conclusion of the lease contract, a legitimate interest
arises for the Lessee of residential space in transferring use of a portion of
the residential space to a third party, he may demand permission from the
Lessor; this shall not apply if the identity of the third party constitutes good
cause for denial, the residential space would be excessively occupied or it
would otherwise be unreasonable to expect the Lessor to permit the transfer of
use. If it is only reasonable to expect the Lessor to permit the transfer of use
if it is accompanied by a reasonable increase of the rent, the Lessor may
condition permission upon the Lessee's declaration that it is in agreement with
such an increase.


(S) 20 Entry of the lease rooms by the Lessor--inspection for potential lessees
                                 and purchasers

1.   The Lessor and/or its agent may enter the apartment to check its condition
at a reasonable time of day and may enter the apartment twice per week on
business days between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., in order to show it to potential
lessees following a termination or potential purchasers in the event of an
intended sale. The Lessor shall communicate the times to the Lessee a reasonable
period of time in advance. In cases of danger, entry of the rooms shall be
permitted at any time of the day or night.
<PAGE>

2.   If the rooms remain unsupervised in the case of extended absence on the
part of the Lessee, the Lessee shall make the keys to the rooms available to the
Lessor or its agent; otherwise, the Lessor shall be entitled to have the rooms
opened at the Lessee's expense in urgent cases.
<PAGE>

                   (S) 21 Prohibition against keeping animals

Animals may not be kept, with the exception of small animals, such as toy fish,
budgerigars or hamsters. This shall also apply to the temporary custody of
animals. If the parties want something else, a separate agreement shall be
required.

The Lessee shall be obligated to refrain from feeding sea gulls, doves, etc.
from the real property due to the soiling of the building and nuisance to the
fellow occupants.


                 (S) 22 Attachment of signs, promotional space

1.   The attachment of signs, labels and other devices outside of the lease
space shall require the permission of the Lessor. Permission may be revoked if
detriments arise for the building, the fellow occupants or the adjoining owners.

2.   The Lessee shall obtain any necessary official permits; it shall bear all
of the costs, fees and taxes which are associated with the attachment or setup.

3.   At the end of the lease relationship or in the event of revocation of
permission, the Lessee shall restore the prior condition at its own expense at
the Lessor's request.


                      (S) 23 End of the lease relationship

1.   The Lessee shall return the lease rooms in accordance with (S) 14 section 2
in clean condition at the end of the lease relationship, but no later than the
time of departure.

2.   Outfitting removed by the Lessee shall be restored by the Lessee in usable
condition.

3.   The Lessee shall give all keys, including keys which the Lessee personally
obtained, to the Lessor.

4.   The return of the rooms shall take place by 12:00 p.m. on the business day
which follows the expiration of the lease contract.


                          (S) 24 Building regulations

The Lessee shall be bound by amendments and addenda to the building regulations
if the Lessor communicates them to the Lessee and they are reasonable in light
of the proper administration and management of the building.

The Lessee shall be responsible for compliance with the building regulations by
the persons belonging to his household, his sublessees and the persons who come
into contact with the lease property at his instigation.


                            (S) 25 Multiple persons

1.   Multiple persons acting as Lessor/Lessee--such as spouses--shall be liable
for all obligations arising from the lease contract at joint and severally
liable debtors.

2.   In principle, declarations may only be submitted by or two one
Lessor/Lessee if they relate to the lease relationship, but not if they are
intended to result in the dissolution of the lease relationship.
<PAGE>

                        (S) 26 Miscellaneous agreements

1.   If the lease relationship ends before the occurrence of the obligation to
     perform cosmetic repairs, the Lessee shall be obligated to pay the pro rata
     costs of the cosmetic repairs to the Lessor based on a cost estimate by a
     professional painting company, which is to be selected by the Lessor,
     according to the following measure: If the most recent cosmetic repairs for
     the wet rooms during the lease period are more than 1 year old, the Lessee
     shall pay 33%; if they are older than 2 years old, it shall pay 66%. If the
     most recent cosmetic repairs for the other rooms during the lease period
     are more than one year old, the Lessee shall pay 20% of the costs to the
     Lessor based on said cost estimate; if they are more than two years old, it
     shall pay 40%; if they are older than three years, it shall pay 60%; if
     they are older then four years old, it shall pay 80%.

2.   The Lessee shall receive an instruction for correct ventilation and
     heating.

3.   (S) 14 par. 4 shall be supplemented to the effect that the maximum sum of
     DM 300.00 shall be understood to be the maximum limit per lease year. The
     amount shall change in succeeding years on a percentage basis according to
     the rent.

4.   A non-interest-bearing lessee loan in the amount of DM 4,500.00 shall be
     paid at the time of the conclusion of the lease contract. The lessee loan
     shall be applied to the operating costs at DM 150.00 per year. The lessee
     loan shall be repaid following vacation, provided that the Lessor has no
     claims arising from rent, ancillary costs or cosmetic repairs or the like.
     A reasonable sum may be retained until the settlement of ancillary costs. A
     reasonable sum may also be retained in the case of return of the apartment
     in a manner which is not in accordance with the contract.

5.   The Lessor reserves the right to obtain name signs at the Lessee's expense
     for mailboxes, doorbells and the residential entrance door.

6.   In the event of non-contractually-compliant dissolution of the lease
     contract at the Lessee's request, a lump-sum DM 200.00 processing fee shall
     be assessed.

7.   The apartment shall be leased partially furnished. Following the
     acquisition of the furnishing, a corresponding list shall become an
     appendix to the lease contract.

8.   If, for any reason, individual provisions of this lease contract are or
     should become invalid, they shall be replaced with provisions which come as
     close as possible to the provision which was agreed upon. The remaining
     components of the contract shall remain unchanged.

9.   The contract shall go into effect upon the signing and return of both of
     the original copies, as well as receipt of the lessee loan and the first
     month's rent.

10.  The Lessor hereby points out that the leased apartment is a condominium
     apartment.

11.  The apartment is in unobjectionable condition. The bathroom and kitchen
     shall be newly installed.
<PAGE>

List of operating costs pursuant to Appendix 3 concerning (S) 27 II BV:

Operating costs are the following costs which are incurred on an ongoing basis
by the owner (leaseholder) as a result of ownership of (holding of lease on) the
real property or the intended use of the building or economic unit of the
ancillary building, facilities, equipment and the real property, unless such
costs are usually borne by the Lessee outside of rent:

1.   The regularly occurring public charges on the real property
     This specifically includes the real property tax, but not the mortgage
     profit tax.

2.   The costs of water supply
     This includes the costs of water consumption, basic fees and meter rent,
     the costs of the use of intermediate meters, the costs of the operation of
     internal water supply equipment and water treatment equipment, including
     the treatment materials.

3.   The costs of waste water disposal
     This includes the fees for building and real property waste water disposal,
     the costs of the operation of an appropriate non-public system and the
     costs of the operation of the waste water disposal pump.

4.   The costs of
     a) of the operation of the central heating equipment, including the exhaust
     gas equipment;
     this includes the costs of the consumed fuels and the delivery thereof, the
     costs of the operating electricity, the costs of the operation, supervision
     and maintenance of the equipment, the regular checking of its operational
     readiness and operational safety, including adjustment by an expert, the
     cleaning of the equipment and the operating room, the costs of measurements
     in accordance with the Federal Emissions Act, the costs of the rental or
     other use of a device for the recording of consumption and the costs of the
     use of the use of a device for the recording of consumption, including the
     costs of calculation and allocation;
     or
     b) the operation of the central fuel supply equipment;
     this includes the costs of the consumed fuels and the delivery thereof, the
     costs of the operating electricity and the costs of monitoring, as well as
     the costs of the cleaning of the equipment and the operating room;
     or
     c) the independent commercial delivery of heat, including the delivery of
     heat from systems within the meaning of letter a; this includes payment for
     the delivery of heat and the costs of the operation of the appurtenant
     building equipment within the meaning of letter a;
     or
     d) the cleaning and maintenance of the individual story heating;
     this includes the costs of the elimination of water deposits and combustion
     residues in the equipment, the costs of the regular checking of operational
     readiness and operational safety and the adjustment by an expert in
     connection therewith, as well as the costs of measurements in accordance
     with the Federal Emissions Act.

5.   The costs
     a) of the operation of the central hot water supply equipment;
     this includes the costs of water supply in accordance with sec. 2, to the
     extent that they are not already reflected therein, and the costs of water
     heating in accordance with section 4 letter a;
     or
     b) of the independent commercial delivery of hot water, including the
     delivery of hot water from equipment within the meaning of section 4 letter
     a;
     or
     c) of the cleaning and maintenance of the hot water equipment;
     this includes the costs of the elimination of water deposits and combustion
     residues in the interior of the devices and the costs of the regular
     checking of operational readiness and operational safety and the adjustment
     by an expert in connection therewith.
<PAGE>

6.   The costs of associated heating and hot water supply equipment
     a) in the case of central heating equipment in accordance with section 4
     letter a and in accordance with number 2, to the extent that they are not
     already reflected therein;
     or
     b) in the case of the independent commercial delivery of heat in accordance
     with section 4 letter c and in accordance with section 2, to the extent
     that they are not already reflected therein;
     or
     c) in the case of associated story heating and hot water supply equipment
     in accordance with section 4 letter d and in accordance with section 2, to
     the extent that they are not already reflected therein.

7.   The costs of the operation of the mechanical passenger and freight elevator
     This includes the costs of the operating electricity, the costs of
     supervision, operation, monitoring and maintenance of the equipment, the
     regular checking of operational readiness and operational safety, including
     the adjustment by an expert and the costs of the cleaning of the equipment.

8.   The costs of street cleaning and garbage removal
     This includes the fees which are payable for public street cleaning and
     garbage removal or the costs of relevant non-public measures.

9.   The costs of building cleaning and vermin control
     The costs of building cleaning include the costs of the cleaning of the
     parts of the building commonly used by the residents, such as entrances,
     corridors, stairways, basements, attics, kitchens and the elevator
     compartment.

10.  The costs of garden maintenance
     This includes the costs of the maintenance of space which is set up as
     garden space, including the replacement of plants and trees, the
     maintenance of play areas, including the replacement of sand and the
     maintenance of plazas, entrances and driveways which are not used for
     public traffic.

11.  The costs of lighting
     This includes the costs of electricity for external lighting and the
     lighting of the parts of the building commonly used by the residents, such
     as entrances, corridors, stairways, basement, attics and washrooms.

12.  The costs of chimney cleaning
     This includes the sweeping fees in accordance with the governing fee
     regulations, to the extent that they are not already reflected in section 4
     letter a.

13.  The costs of property damage and personal injury
     This specifically includes the costs of the insurance on the building
     against fire, storm and water damage, glass insurance, liability insurance
     for the building, the oil tank and the elevator.

14.  The costs of the custodian
     This includes the remuneration, social security contributions and cash-
     equivalent payments which the owner (leaseholder) grants to the custodian
     for his work, to the extent that his work does not relate to maintenance,
     repair, replacement, cosmetic repairs or building administration.

     If work is performed by the custodian, the costs of the performance of work
     may not be assessed pursuant to numbers 2 through 10.

15.  The costs of
     a) the operation of the common antenna equipment;
     this includes the costs of the operating electricity and the costs of the
     regular checking of the equipment's operational readiness, including
     adjustment by an expert or the use payment for antenna equipment which does
     not belong to the economic unit;
     or
     b) the operation of the private distribution equipment connected to the
     broad-band cable network;
<PAGE>

     this includes the costs set forth in letter a, as well as the regular basic
     monthly fees for broad-band connections.

16.  The costs of the operation of the mechanical washing equipment
     This includes the costs of the operating electricity, the costs of the
     supervision, maintenance and cleaning of the mechanical washing equipment,
     the regular checking of its operational readiness and operational safety,
     as the as the costs of water supply in accordance with section 2, to the
     extent that they are not already reflected therein.

17.  Miscellaneous operating costs
     These are the operating costs which are not named in sections 1 through 16,
     namely, the operating costs for ancillary buildings, equipment and
     facilities.
<PAGE>

                              Building regulations

Living together in a building community requires mutual consideration by all
building occupants. For this reason, it is necessary for all building occupants
to comply with the building regulations, which shall constitute a component of
this lease contract.

I.   Protection against noise and general nuisance

1.   In the interests of all of the lessees, absolute silence shall be observed
     from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. (and
     until 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and holidays). In particular, the playing of
     music is prohibited during these times. Television, radio and recording
     devices, as well as record players, must always be limited to room volume.
     In particular, proper consideration must be given if the windows are open.
     The use of such devices outdoors (balcony, loggias, garden, etc.) may not
     be allowed to disturb the building occupants or neighbors.

2.   The nighttime peace of the other building occupants during the period from
     10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. shall not be disturbed by bathing and showering.

3.   If bothersome noises are unavoidable in the case of work or the use of
     household devices, such as washing machines or dryers, etc., these
     activities are to be limited to business days between the hours of 7:00
     a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

4.   Children are to be told to refrain from playing and making noise in the
     staircase.

5.   In the interests of the fellow occupants, grilling is not permitted on the
     balconies, loggias or the areas immediately adjacent to the building.

6.   Flower boxes must be attached in a proper and safe manner. When watering
     flowers on balconies, it is necessary to ensure that water does not run
     down on the building wall and run onto the windows and balconies of other
     building occupants.

II.  Safety

1.   The building door must be kept closed between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Each
     occupant and his/her visitors who enter or leave the building between 8:00
     p.m. and 6:00 a.m. are responsible for this.

2.   The building and courtyard entrances, staircases and corridors must be kept
     from of bicycles, children's toy cars and other objects of any kind, in
     order that they satisfy their purpose as emergency exits.

3.   Small motorcycles, mopeds, motor rollers and similar vehicles may only be
     housed in the lease rooms--even temporarily--with the consent of the
     Lessor.

4.   In order to avoid the danger of fire, easily flammable objects and liquids
     may not be stored in the basement or attics. Larger objects, such as
     furniture items and suitcases, must be placed in such a manner that the
     rooms remain clearly arranged and accessible.

5.   It is not permissible for the Lessee or his agent to enter the roof.
     Professional attachment of external antennas shall require the prior
     consent of the Lessor.

III. Cleaning

1.   The building and property are to be kept clean. Dirt and debris must be
     promptly removed by the building occupant who is responsible.

2.   If the cleaning of the staircase is not taken on by the Lessor, the
     occupants of the ground floor must clean the ground floor corridor,
     building door, building stairs and entrance to the building; the occupants
     of the
<PAGE>

     other stories must ensure the cleaning of the space in front of their
     apartments and the staircase leading to the next story below. The occupants
     of the higher story are also obligated to ensure that the attic staircase
     and the area at the front of the attic. Multiple parties living on the same
     story must perform the cleaning on an alternating basis. Cleaning shall
     also include the cleaning of the grounds and the washing of the windows and
     doors.

3.   Garbage and waste may only be placed into the garbage containers intended
     therefor. Bulky garbage must be broken down. Hot ashes may not be emptied
     into the garbage containers. It is necessary to ensure that no garbage or
     debris is dropped in the building, on the access paths or in the sand area
     of the garbage containers.

4.   The washroom and drying room shall be available for use according to the
     scheduling by the Lessor. The washroom and all equipment shall be
     thoroughly cleaned after the completion of washing.

     Laundry may only been dried in places which are not visible from the
     street. The drying of laundry in the apartment must be avoided to the
     greatest extent possible.

5.   Building and kitchen waste, paper rolls, cat litter, etc. may not be thrown
     into the toilets and/or drains.

6.   The apartment must also be adequately ventilated even during the cold
     season. In this regard, cooling is to be avoided. The apartment may not be
     ventilated toward the staircase.

7.   Balconies, loggias, roof gardens and covered free seats must be kept free
     of snow and ice.

[illegible], 12/4/93                    Hamburg, 11/18/93

[signature]                             [signature]
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.47

zwischen  Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner LandstraBe 42 - 50
          60489 Frankfurt am Main

und       Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Mendelssohnstra8e 15 d,
          22781 Hamburg
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(S) 1

Zusatzlich zu der mit o.g. Mietvertrag angemieteten F1ache im 4. ObergeschoB
rechts des Gebaudes D wird im gleichen Gebaude das 4. ObergeschoB links mit 300
m/2/ angemietet.

Der monatliche Mietzins fur diese F1ache betragt DM 5.850,00 zuzuglich
Mehrwertsteuer.  Die monatliche Betriebskostenvorauszahlung betragt DM 1.200,--
zuzuglich Mehrwertsteuer.

Der monatliche Mietzins und die monatliche Betriebskostenvorauszahlung sind ab
1.8.1996 zu zahlen.

(S) 2

Die Laufzeit dieses Nachtragsvertrages entspricht dem o.g. Mietvertrag.
Mietzinsanpassungen erfolgen fur diesen Nachtrag zu den im o.g. Mietvertrag
vereinbarten Terminen, erstmals zum 1. Februar 1998.

(S) 3

Die verbindliche Raumplanung und die zum Ausbau benotigten technischen Details
sind dem Vermieter vom Mieter bis zum 15.6.1996 einzureichen.  Mit der
verbindlichen Raumplanung wird ein Zeitablauf fur den Bezug der Mietflache
festgelegt.

(S) 4

Samtliche anderen Konditionen und Bedingungen des o.g. Mietvertrages gelten auch
fur diesen Nachtrag. Zusazlich benotigte Parkplatze werden mit einem gesonderten
Nachtrag angemietet.

Hamburg, den                 Frankfurt, den
Sequenom Instruments GmbH    FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Mendelssohnstr. 15 D         Eschborner Landstr. 42 - 50
22761 Hamburg                60489 Frankfurt
Tel. 040 / 89 96 76-0
Fax. 040 / 89 96 76-10
Mieter                       Vermieter
     /s/ illegible                 /s/ illegible
<PAGE>

                                Nachtrag Nr. 2
                     zum Mietvertrag vom 19.05./24.05.1995


zwischen    Sequenom Instruments GmbH
            Mendelssohnstrae 15d
            22761 Hamburg                          - Mieter -

und         Fiszman - Steinriede GbR
            Eschborner Landstrae 42 - 50
            60489 Frankfurt am Main                - Vermieter -


Praambel

zwischen den Parteien besteht ein Mietvertrag vom 19.05./24.05.1995 sowie der
Nachtrag Nr. 1 vom 24.05.1996.

Der lnhalt des Mietvertrages und des Nachtrages Nr. 1 uber das Objekt
Mendelssohnstrae 15, Gebaude D, 4. Obergescho, in 22761 Hamburg, ist den
Parteien bekannt.  Auf die Beifugung wird an dieser Stelle verzichtet.


Die Parteien vereinbaren folgendes:

1.   Mit Wirkung zum 01. Januar 1999 wird der Mietbereich im Gebaude D, 3.
     Obergeschor links in der Mendelssohnstrae 15 in 22761 Hamburg - Bahrenfeld
     angemietet. Es handelt sich dabei um die gema8 beigefugtem Grundriplan rot
     gekennzeichnete Mietflache mit einer Gesamtflache von ca. 447m2.

2.   Die Ubergabe des zusatzlichen Mietbereiches erfolgt im derzeitigen, wie
     besichtigten, Zustand. Der Mietbereichsausbau fur die o.g. Mietflache
     erfolgt durch den Mieter. Wahrend des Zeitraumes des mietereigenen Ausbaus
     der o.g. zusatzlichen Mietflache gewahrt der Vermieter eine mietfreie Zeit
     von zwei Monaten; d.h. fur den Zeitraum ab 01.01.1999 bis zum 28.02.1999
     sind vom Mieter lediglich die Betriebskostenvorauszahlungen zuzuglich
     Mehrwertsteuer zu zahlen.
     Mit Wirkung zum 01.03.1999 erfolgt die Mietzahlung gema8 nachfolgender
     Ziffer 3.

3.   Mit Wirkung zum 01.03.1999 erhoht sich der monatlich zu zahlende Mietzins
     wie folgt:

     Buro 4.OG ca. 591m/2/ (less than) DM 21,45     DM  12.676,95

     neu ab 01.03.1999:
     Buro 3.OG links ca. 447m/2/ a DM 16,00         DM   7.152,00
                                                    -------------

     Gesamtflache ca. 1.038m/2/                     DM  19.828,95

                                       2
<PAGE>

     zzgl. 6 Pkw-Stellplatze (less than) DM 66,00   DM     396,00
                                                    -------------

     monatliche Mietzahlung / netto                 DM  20.224,95

     zzgl. Betriebskostenvorauszahlung
     ca. 1.038m/2/ (less than) DM 5,00              DM   5.190,00
                                                    -------------

     monatliche Mietzahlung / netto inkl. BK        DM  25.414,95

     zzgl. gesetzlich gultiger MwSt. (z.Zt. 16%)    DM   4.066,39
                                                    -------------

     monatliche Mietzahlung / brutto                DM  29.481,34
                                                    =============
                                       3

<PAGE>

                                und Grundstucke

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>                                                  <C>
zwischen           Fiszman-Steinriede GbR
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Eschborner Landstra8e 42 - 50
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
in                 60489 Frankfurt am Main                               Vermieter
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     (Bevollmachtigter)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
und                Sequenom Instruments GmbH
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          (Firma oder Beruf. Vor- und Zuname)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   20146 Hamburg                                         Mieter
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (Anschrift)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         (S) 1 Mietsache
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.  Vermietet werden auf dem Grundstuck        Mendelssohn-              -Strae Nr. 15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Hamburg-Bahrenfeld
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zum Betrieb /eines Labors fur medizinische Diagnostik
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
folgende  xxxxx Flache:       4.      Obergescho rechts, Haus D (GQ)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  mit 291.00 qm
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sowie dazugehorende Wohnaume          keine
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.  Garage:  Einstellplatz:  6 Pkw-Abstellplatze gem.separatem Vertrag
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.  Dem Mieter werden vom Vermieter fur die Mietzeit folgende Schlussel ausgehandigt:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            3 Schlussel fur Hoftor und Haustur Geb.D
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Der Mieter bringt in seiner Mietflache eine eigene Schlieanlage ein.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.  Folgende Mangel wurden bei der Ubergabe festgestellt (soweit ein besonderes
    Ubergabeprotokoll angefertigt wurde. gilt dieses):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      gema8 Ubergabe-Protokoll
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                           (S) 2 Mietzeit, Kundigung

1. Das Mietverhaltnis beginnt am 1. August        1995
   a)  Das Mietverhaltnis lauft auf unbestimmte Monaten zum.
  oder
   b)  Das Mietverhaltnis lauft am 19 ab.
  oder

                                       4

<PAGE>

   c)  Der Mietvertrag wird auf die Dauer von 60 Monaten geschlossen und lauft
       bis zum 31.Juli 2000. Er verlangert sich jeweils um 12 Monate falls er
       nicht spatestens 12 Monate vor Ablauf der Mietzeit gekundigt wird.
       Regelung bezuglich Option siehe Anlage 1
2. Die Kundigung mu schriftlich bis zum dritten Werktage des ersten Monats der
   Kundigungsfrist zugegangen sein.
3. Bei nicht rechtzeitigem Freiwerden oder nicht rechtzeitiger Bezugsfertigkeit
   der Raume sind Schadensersatzanspruche gegen den Vermieter ausgeschlossen, es
   sei denn, der Vermieter hat vorsatzlich oder grob fahrlassig gehandelt.
4. Eine stillschweigende Verlangerung des Mietverhaltnisses gema8 (S) 568 BGB
   tritt nicht ein.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                (S) 3 Mietzins

Der Mietzins betragt monatlich __________ DM (in Worten  siehe Anlage 1 DM)

Folgende Betriebskosten (erlautert durch Anlage 3 zu (S) 27 II.  BVO in der
jeweiligen Fassung) sind in dem obigen
Mietzins nicht enthalten und deshalb gesondert zu zahlen:  Verteilungsschlussel
    z  B {nach Personenzahl, qm vermieteter Flache, Bruchteilen oder MeBgeraten

<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
1.  Wasser
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.  Kanal (Entwasserung)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.  Beleuchtung, Strom (soweit nicht bei Heizung)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.  Mullabfuhr
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.  Grundsteuer
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.  Stra8enreinigung
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.  Schornsteinfeger (soweit nicht bei Heizung)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.  Sach- und Haftpflichtversicherungen                  DM 4,--/qm und Monat zuzuglich gesetzl.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.  Hauswart                                             MWSt, derzeit 15 % Vorauszahlung,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.  Gartenpflege                                        Abrechnung jahrlich per 30.6.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Schneebeseitigung und Streuen bei Glatteis
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   Personen- und Lastenaufzug
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   Gemeinschaftsantenne bzw. Breitbandanschlu8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   Hausreinigung
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.   Reinigung und Wartung von Heizung und Geraten
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   Warmwasser
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.   Heizung
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.   Wartungskosten fur Feuerloscher, Tank- und
     Lecksicherungsanlagen
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.   Burgersteigreinigung
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.  Hausverwaltung
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


Der Vermieter ist berechtigt, Verwaltungskosten anteilig auf den Mieter
umzulegen.

Der Vermieter kann wahrend der Mietzeit zu Anfang eines neuen
Berechnungszeitraumes den Verteilungsschlussel nach billigem Ermessen neu
bilden.  Die Verteilung bzw.  Neubestimmung eines Verteilungsschlussels mu sich
im Rahmen der gesetzlichen Bestimmungen, insbesondere der Heizkostenverordnung,
halten.

                                       6
<PAGE>

___t durch Erhohung oder Neueinfuhrung von Betriebskosten eine Mehrbelastung des
Vermieters ein, ist der Mieterverpflichtet, den entsprechenden Mehrbetrag vom
Zeitpunkt der Entstehung an zu zahlen.

___Falle der Umsatzsteueroption ist der Vermieter berechtigt, auf Mietzins,
Betriebskosten und Verwaltungskosten-satzsteuer in jeweiliger gesetzlicher Hohe
zu erheben.

                         (S) 4 Anderung des Mietzinses

                                       7
<PAGE>

Der Mietzins ist spatestens am dritten Werktage eines jeden Monats an den
Vermieter oder an die von ihm zur Entgegennahme jeweils ermachtigte Person oder
Stelle Dresdner Bank AG, Frankfurt a.M., BLZ 500 800 00, Konto Nr. 908 848 00
kostenfrei im voraus zu zahlen.  Die Nebenkosten sind, soweit nichts anderes
vereinbart ist, zugleich mit dem Mietzins zu entrichten.  Fur die
Rechtzeitigkeit der Zahlung kommt es nicht auf die Absendung, sondern auf die
Ankunft des Geldes an.

Die Erhohung oder Senkung von Betriebskosten berechtigt den Vermieter, die
Vorauszahlungen entsprechend anzupassen.

Die Vorauszahlung betragt monatlich z. Zt. fur

a)  Heizungskosten  siehe (S) 3 1 . b)             DM
b)  sonstige Betriebskosten                        DM

2. Befindet sich der Mieter mit der Zahlung des Mietzinses im Ruckstand, so sind
   Zahlungen zunacht auf Anspruche deren Verjahrung droht, dann auf Kosten,
   Zinsen und ubrige Schulden anzurechnen, es sei denn, der Mieter trifft eine
   andere Bestimmung


                      (S) 6 Aufrechnung, Zuruckbehaltung

Eine Aufrechnung und Zuruckbehaltung des Mieters gegenuber Forderungen auf
Mietzins und Nebenkosten ist nur mit unbestrittenen oder rechtskraftig
festgestellten Forderungen zulassig.

Zuruckbehaltung und Aufrechnung wegen Anspruchen aus einem anderen
Schuldverhaltnis sind ausgeschlossen, es sei denn, es handele sich um
unbestrittene oder rechtskraftig festgestellte Forderungen.  Ersatzanspruche
nach (S) 538 BGB sind ausgeschlossen, es sei denn, der Vermieter hat vorsatzlich
oder grob fahrlassig gehandelt.


                              (S) 7 Sammelheizung

Die vermieteten Raume sind an Werktagen wahrend der Heizperiode (1. Oktober bis
30. April) in der Betriebszeit angemessen zu beheizen, soweit nicht
betriebsbedingte andere Heizzeiten notwendig sind.
AuBerhalb der Heizperiode kann Beheizung nur verlangt werden, wenn die
AuBentemperatur an drei aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen um 21.00 Uhr unter 12 Grad
Celsius sinkt.
Beheizung bzw.  Ersatzbeheizung kann nicht verlangt werden bei Storungen,
hoherer Gewalt, behordlichen Anordnungen oder bei sonstiger Unmoglichkeit der
Leistung (z.B. Brennstoffknappheit), es sei denn, die Unmoglichkeit beruht auf
Vorsatz oder grober Fahrlassigkeit des Vermieters.  Die Rechte des Mieters aus
(S) 537 BGB bleiben unberuhrt.  Dem Mieter stehen Schadensersatzanspruche nicht
zu, es sei denn, der Vermieter hat vorsatzlich oder grob fahrlassig gehandelt.
Der Vermieter hat fur alsbaldige Beseitigung etwaiger Storungen Sorge zu tragen

Zu den Kosten des Betriebs der zentralen Heizungsanlage gehoren die Kosten der
verbrauchten Brennstoffe und ihrer Lieferung, die Kosten des Betriebsstromes,
die Kosten der Bedienung,

                                       8
<PAGE>

Uberwachung und Pflege der Anlage, der regelmaBigen
Prufung ihrer Betriebsbereitschaft und Betriebssicherheit einschlieBlich der
Einstellung durch einen Fachmann, der Reinigung der Anlage einschlieBlich der
Oltankreinigung und des Betriebsraumes einschlieBlich der Reinigung des Hauses
nach Anlieferung von Brennstoffen, die Kosten der Messungen nach dem
Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz sowie die Schornsteinfegergebuhren, soweit diese
nicht anderweitig umgelegt werden, und die Kosten der Anmietung oder anderer
Arten der Gebrauchsuberlassung einer Ausstattung zur Verbrauchserfassung sowie
die Kosten der Verwendung einer Ausstattung zur Verbrauchserfassung
einschlieBlich der Kosten der Berechnung und Aufteilung.

Zu den Kosten der Lieferung von Fernwarme gehoren die Kosten der Warmelieferung
(Grund-, Arbeits- und Verrechnungspreis) und die Kosten des Betriebs der
zugehorigen Hausanlagen wie oben.

Macht eine Mietpartei von der Heizungsanlage keinen Gebrauch, so befreit dies
nicht von der Verpflichtung zur Beteiligung an den Heizungskosten.

Die Kosten einer notwendig werdenden Zwischenablesung tragt der Mieter, den sie
betrifft.

Besteht fur die Raume des Mieters eine eigene Heizungsanlage, so ist er
verpflichtet, dieses auf seine Koston zu betreiben, laufend zu warten und
mindestens einmal jahrlich zu reinigen.  Er hat auch die sonstigen in (S) 7
Ziffer 2 angefuhrten Verpflichtungen zu erfullen.

Kosten des Betriebs der zentralen Warmwasserversorgungsanlage gehoren die kosten
der Wasserversorgung so- besonders abgerechnet werden, und die Kosten der
Wassererwarmung entsprechend (S) 7 Ziffer 2. Zu den Kosten Wasserversorgung
gehoren die Kosten des Wasserverbrauchs, die Grundgebuhren und die Zahlermieten,
die Kosten der Verwendung von Zwischenzahlern, die Kosten des Betriebs einer
hauseigenen Wasserversorgungsanlage und einer Wasseraufbereitungsanlage
einschlieBlich der Aufbereitungsstoffe.

Kosten der Lieferung von Fernwarmwasser gehoren die Kosten fur Lieferung des
Warmwassers (Grund-, Arbeits- Verrechnungspreis) und die Kosten des Betriebs der
zugehorigen Hausanlage entsprechend (S) 7 Ziffer 2.


                           (S) 9 Fahrstuhlbenutzung

Fahrstuhlbenutzung kann nicht verlangt werden bei Stillegung des Aufzuges bei
Stromausfall, notwendigen Reparaturen, behordlichen Anordnungen, es sei denn,
der Vermieter hat vorsatzlich oder grob fahrlassig gehandelt.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                                          *dienende.schriftliche
                                                                   Vereinbarung.

             (S) 10 Benutzung der Mietsache, Gebrauchsuberlassung

Der Mieter darf die Mietsache zu anderen als den in (S) 1 bestimmten Zwecken und
Geschaftszweigen nur mit Einwilligung des Vermieters benutzen; er darf den
Geschaftsbetrieb nicht ganz oder teilweise einstellen.  Die Einwilligung soll
schriftlicherfolgen.

Das halten von Tieren bedarf der Einwilligung des Vermieters.  Die Einwilligung
soll schriftlich erfolgen.

Der Mieter ist ohne Einwilligung des Vermieters weder zu einer Untervermietung
noch zu einer sonstigen Gebrauchsgung an Dritte berechtigt.  Die Einwilligung
soll schriftlich erfolgen. Die Einwilligung gilt nur fur den Einzelfall, sie
kann aus wichtigem-Grund widerrufen werden.  Beim Eintritt vorstehender
Tatbestande, erfolgt zwischen Mieter und Vermieter eine den beiderseitigen
Interessen*

Der Mieter tritt dem Vermieter schon jetzt fur den Fall der Gebrauchsuberlassung
die ihm gegen den Untermieter oder zustehenden Forderungen nebst Pfandrecht in
Hohe der Mietforderung des Vermieters zur Sicherheit ab.

Dem Mieter ist das Verkaufen und Anbieten von Erzeugnissen, die ein anderer
Mieter zulassigerweise bereits im Hause ___ntersagt.

____ der ublichen Betriebs- und Geschaftszeiten ist der Vermieter nicht
verpflichtet, die haustechnischen Gemeinschaftseinrichtungen zur Verfugung zu
stellen bzw. in Betrieb zu halten.

de Mangel wurden bei der Ubergabe festgestellt (soweit ein besonderes
Ubergabeprotokoll angefertigt wurde, gilt

                            gemaB Ubergabeprotokoll


                        (S) 11 Schilder, Reklameanlagen

eter hat Anspruch auf Anbringung eines Firmenschildes.  Der Vermieter weist
einen Platz an und bestimmt die Art der ausfuhrung.

nietung und Benutzung der AuBenwande einschl. der Gestaltung der Fenster bedarf
einer gesonderten Vereinbarung

endigung des Mietverhaltnisses hat der Mieter Schilder und Reklameanlagen zu
entfernen und die durch die gung-den Betrieb und die Entfernung entstehenden
Schaden zu beseitigen.  Jedoch kann der Mieter ein kleines schied mit dem
Hinweis auf seine neuen Raume fur 3 Monate, mindestens 3 Monate lang, an einer
vom Vermieter zu menden Stelle belassen bzw. anbringen.

                                      10
<PAGE>

2    Behordliche Genehmigungen, Betriebsgefahr vom Mieter betriebener Anlagen
     und Einrichtungen

- - mieter ubernimmt keine Haftung dafur, daB Genehmigungen fur den vorgesehenen
Betrieb und seine Anlagen werden bzw. erteilte Genehmigungen fortbestehen.  Das
gilt insbesondere fur Konzessionen.  Der Mieter hat auf Kosten sAmtliche
Voraussetzungen fur den Betrieb seines Gewerbes zu schaffen und
aufrechtzuerhalten.  Dies gilt fur Reklameanlagen usw. Auflagen der
Gewerbeaufsicht oder anderer Stellen hat der Mieter auf eigene Kosten zu-

- - 1 gilt jedoch nicht, wenn die Beschaffenheit und Lage der Mietsache zum
vereinbarten Vertragszweck nicht ist-

Das Aufstellen von Maschinen, schweren GegenstAnden, anderen Anlagen und
Einrichtungen in den MietrAumen.  Der Mieter- uber die zulassige
Belastungsgrenze der Stockwerksdecken beim Vermieter zu erkundigen und des-sen
Zustimmung einzuholen.  Die Einwilligung soll schriftlich erfolgen.  Fur
Schaden, die durch Nichtbeachtun diser Be--

- - fur das Gebaude, Erschutterungen, Risse usw., sokann der Vermieter die
erteilte Erlaubrus Wiederrufen.  Fur alle vom Mieter eingebrachten oder
betriebenen Anlagen und Einrichtungen haftet der Mieter.  Sollten sich durch die
Aufstellung oder den Betrieb von Anlagen und Einrichtungen des Mieters
unzumutbare Nachteile oder Unzutraglichkeiten ergeben, so ist der Mieter
verpflichtet, soweit er nicht Abhilfe schaffen kann, diese zu entfernen bzw.
ihren Betrieb einzustellen.

Dem Mieter obliegt die Verkehrssicherungspflicht in den ermieteten Raumen und
den Zugangen auf dem Grundstuck und der offentlichen StraBe vor dem Grundstuck.

            (S) 13 lnstandhaltung und lnstandsetzung der Mietsache

Der Mieter hat in der Mietsache fur ausreichende Reinigung, Luftung und Heizung
zu sorgen und die Raume sowie die darin befindlichen Anlagen und Einrichtungen
pfleglich zu behandeln und von Ungeziefer freizuhalten.

Fur die Beschadigung der Mietsache und des Gebaudes, sowie der zu den Mietraumen
oder zu dem Gebaude gehorigen Anlagen ist der Mieter ersatzpflichtig, soweit sie
von ihm oder den zu seinem Betrieb gehorenden Personen sowie Untermietern
verursacht worden sind.  Dies gilt auch fur Schaden, die von Besuchern,
Lieferanten und Handwerkern verursacht worden sind, soweit sie
Erfullungsgehilfen des Mieters sind.  Dem Mieter obliegt der Beweis, daB ein
Verschulden nicht vorgelegen hat.

Der Mieter ist insbesondere verpflichtet, auf seine Kosten die
Schonheitsreparaturen (das Tapezieren, Anstrechen oder Kalken der Wande und
Decken, das Streichen der FuBboden und Heizkorper einschl.  Heizrohre, der
Innenturen sowie der Fenster und AuBenturen von innen) in

                                       11
<PAGE>

den Mietraumen in angemessenen Zeitraumen auszufuhren. Der Mieter hat
weiterhin die nachstehenden Gegenstande, soweit sie seiner unmittelbaren
Einwirkung unterliegen, insbesondere Fenster-und Turverschlusse sowie
VerschluBvorrichtungen von Fensterladen, Rolladen, Licht- und Klingelanlagen,
Warmemesser, Schlosser, Wasserhahne, Klosettspuler, Wasch- und AbfluBbecken
einschl. der Zu- und Ableitungen, Ofen, Herde, Gas-und Elektrogerate und
ahnliche Einrichtungen und Warmwasserbereitungsanlagen einschl. der Zu- und
Ableitungen zu diesen instandzuhalten und instandzusetzen sowie beschadigte
Glasscheiben, auch Schaufensterscheiben, zu ersetzen, es sei denn, er beweist,
daB ein Verschulden des Mieters nicht vorgelegen hat.

Naturlasiertes Holzwerk darf nicht mit Farbe behandelt werden.

Der Mieter ist verpflichtet, die fachgemaBe Wartung, Reinigung und Uberprufung
von Heizungs-, Luftungs- und ahnlichen Anlagen, Durchlauferhitzern,
Warmwasserbereitungsanlagen, Ofen und Herden mindestens jahrlich durchzufuhren.
Bei Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses ist der Mieter verpflichtet, Dubeleinsatze
zu entfernen, Locher ordnungsgemaB und unkenntlich zu verschlieBen.
Veranderungen dieser Art, denen der Vermieter nicht ausdrucklich zugestimmt hat
oder bei Wahrung seiner berechtigten Interessen nicht hatte zustimmen mussen,
verpflichten den Mieter zum Schadensersatz.

Er hat weiterhin folgende Arbeiten auszufuhren.

                            gemaB Ubergabeprotokoll

Kommt der Mieter seinen Verpflichtungen trotz Aufforderrung mit Fristsetzung und
Ablehungsandrohung nicht nach, so kann der Vermieter erforderliche Arbeiten auf
Kosten des Mieters vornehmen lassen.

Ist das Mietverhaltnis beendet, so stehen dem Vermieter die Erfullungs- und
Ersatzanspruche aus den Ziff. 1-4 auch dann, zu, wenn ein Nachmieter die
Arbeiten durchgefuhrt hat oder durchfuhren wird.

Jeden in und an der Mietsache entstehenden Schaden hat der Mieter unverzuglich
dem Vermieter anzuzeigen.  Fur einen durch nicht rechtzeitige Anzeige
verursachten weiteren Schaden ist der Mieter ersatzpflichtig, soweit er den
Mangel vorsatzlich verschwiegen oder grob fahrlassig nicht erkannt hat.

Der Vermieter haftet nicht fur Schaden, die dem Mieter an den ihm gehorenden
Waren und Einrichtungsgenstanden entstehen, gleichgultig welcher Art, Herkunft,
Dauer und welchen Umfanges die Einwirkungen sind, es sei denn, daB der Vermieter
den Schaden vorsatzlich oder grob fahrlassig herbeigefuhrt hat.  Im ubrigen ist
die Haftung des Vermieters grundsatzlich auf die Hohe und den Umfang der
Haftpflichtversicherung begrenzt.

                                       12
<PAGE>

         (S) 14 Veranderungen an und in der Mietsache durch den Mieter

Veranderungen an und in der Mietsache, insbesodere Um- und Einbauten,
Installation und dergl., durfen nur mit Einwilligung des Vermieters vorgenommen
werden.  Die Einwilligung soll schriftlich erfolgen.  Auf Verlangen des
Vermieters ist der Mieter verpflichtet, die Um- oder Einbauten ganz oder
teilweise im Falle seines Auszuges zu entfernen und den fruheren Zustand wieder
herzustellen, ohne daB es eines Vorbehalts des Vermieters bei der Einwilligung
bedarf.

Will der Mieter Einrichtungen, mit denen er die Mietsache versehen hat, bei
Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses wegenenmen, hat er sie zunachst dem Vermieter
zu Ubernahme anzubieten.  Dabei hat der Mieter seine Preisvorstellung
mitzuteilen sowie die Herstellungskosten und den Herstellungszeitpunkt
nachzuweisen.  Wenn der Vermieter die Enrichtungen ubernehmen will, hat er dem
Mieter einen angemessenen Ausgleich zu leisten.

Gas- und Elektrogerate durfen nur in dem Umfang an das vorhandene Leitungsnetz
angeschlossen werden, als die fur die Mietsache vorgesehene Belastung nicht
uberschritten wird.  Weitere Gerate durfen nur mit Einwilligung des Vermieters
angeschlossen werden.  Die Einwilligung soll schriftlich erfolgen.  Die
Einwilligung kann versagt werden, wenn das vorhandene Leitungsnetz eine
zusatzliche Belastung nicht aushalt und der Mieter es ablehnt, die Kosten fur
eine entsprechende Anderung des Netzes zu tragen.

Der Mieter darf Ausbesserungen und bauliche Veranderungen, die zur Erhaltung
oder zur besseren wirtschaftlichen _______ des Anwesens oder zum Ausbau des
Gebaudes oder der Mietsache oder zur Abwendung drohender Gefah-ren oder zur
Beseitigung von Schaden notwendig werden, auch ohne Zustimmung des Mieters
vornehmen.  Das gilt auch fur Arbeiten und bauliche MaBnahmen, die zwar nicht
notwendig, aber zweckmaBig sind, insbesondere der Moderniesie-des Gebaudes
dienen.  Der Mieter hat die in Betracht kommenden Raume zuganglich zu halten und
darf die Ausfuhrung Arbeiten nicht hindern oder verzogern; andernfalls hat er
die dadurch entstehenden Schaden zu ersetzen Auf die betrieblichen Belange des
Mieters ist Rucksicht zu nehmen.

Die neue Miete wird nach Fertigsstellung mit Beginn des auf die Aufforderung des
Vermieters folgenden Monats fallig.

                         (S) 16 Betreten der Mietsache

Der Mieter hat wahrend der ublichen Geschaftszeit zu gewahrleisten, daB
Vermieter, Baufftragte, Sachverstandige und ___ die Mietsache zum Zwecke der
Feststellung des baulichen Zustandes,

                                       13
<PAGE>

der Neuvermietung, des Verkaufs, nach Voranmeldung - besichtigen konnen. In
Fallen von Gefahr ist das Betreten zu jeder Tages- und Nachtzeit zu vermeiden.

                   (S) 17  Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses

___ hat die Mietsache unabhangig von der Pflicht zur Durchfuhrung der
Schonheitsreparaturen in sauberem zustand und zuruckzugeben.  Kommt der Mieter
dieser Verpflichtung nicht oder nicht rechtzeitig nach, so kann der Vermieter
die Mietsache auf dessen Kosten reinigen lassen.

Die Raumungspflicht des Mieters erstreckt sich auf alle Gegenstande im
Mietbereich, soweit sie nicht dem Vermieter ____.  Kommt der Mieter dieser
Pflicht nicht nach, so ist der Vermieter berechtigt, diese Gegenstande auf
Kosten des Mieters entfernen zu lassen.  Eine Aufbewahrungspflicht fur den
Vermieter besteht nicht.

Ended das Mietverhaltnis durch fristlose Kundigung des Vermieters, so haftet der
Mieter bis zum Ablauf der vereinbarten zeit fur den Mietausfall, der durch das
Leerstehen der Mietsache oder dadurch entsteht, daB im Fall der Neuvermietung-
nicht der bisherige Mietzins erzielt werden kann.

Zurschen den Parteien vereinbart, daB die Mieter Betriebskostenvorschusse
bezahlen, die einmal im Jahr abgerechnet werden, so verbleibt es bei dieser
Regelung.  Dabei gilt bezuglich aller Betriebskosten, deren Hohe nur einmal im
Jahr festgestellt wird, daB diese Abgaben dergestalt zwischen dem Ausziehenden
und dem Nachfolgemieter bzw. Vermieter werden, daB die Hohe des Anteiles sich
nach der Dauer der Mietzeit richtet, soweit nicht eine Sonderablosung
vereinbartist.

Der Mieter hat samtliche Schlussel, auch die, die er sich hat anfertigen lassen,
nach Beendigung der Mietzeit an den Vermieter abzuliefern.

                           (S) 18  Personenmehrheit

Mieter und Vermieter werden die Mietparteien auch dann verstanden, wenn sie aus
mehreren Personen bestehen, und diese Personen als Mieter haften fur alle
Verpflichtungen aus dem Mietvertrag als Gesamtschuldner.

___ Personen als Mieter bevollmachtigen sich hiermit gegenseitig zur Abgabe und
Annahme von Erklarungen mit __ fur und gegen jede Person; dies gilt nicht fur
Kundigungen und Mieterhohungen.

                         (S) 19 Anderung des Vertrages

___ Anderungen, Erganzungen und Aufhebung des Vertrages sollen schriftlich
vereinbart werden.  Das gleiche ____ Zustimmungen, Verzichte und Vergleiche
aller Art.

                                       14
<PAGE>

Erfullungsort fur alle sich aus diesem Vertrag ergebenden Verpflichtungen ist
Hamburg.

                          (S) 21  Sicherheitsleistung

1. Der Mieter gibt dem Vermieter fur die Einhaltung der ihm aus diesem Vertrag
   obliegenden Verbindlichkeiten eine zinslose Sicherheit in Geld in Hohe von
   _____________ DM (in Worten:  drei Brutto-Monatsmieten DM).
                                 ------------------------

2. Die Sicherheitsleistung ist fallig bei Vertragsunterzeichnung.

3. Fur den Fall der VerauBerung des Grundestucks/der Eigentumswohnung/des
   vermieteten Teileigentums willigt der Mieter darin ein, daB die von ihm
   erbrachte Sicherheitsleistung auf den Erwerber ubertragen wird.

1. Der Vermieter sichert dem Mieter zu, im VerauBerungsfalle den Erwerber zur
   Ruchkgewahr der Sicherheit zu verpflichten, soweit gegen diese nicht
   aufgerechnet ist.



                 (S) 22  Wirksamkeit der Vertragsbestimmungen

Durch Ungultigkeit einer oder mehrerer Bestimmungen dieses Vertrages wird die
Gultigkeit der ubrigen nicht beruhrt.

Durch diesen Mietvertrag werden fruhere Vereinbarungen aufgehoben.

                        (S) 23  Sonstige Vereinbarungen

                                 siehe Anlage 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                       15
<PAGE>

Garagenplatze, Gange und Treppen sind mindestens einmal wochentlich grundlich zu
reinigen und mit einem entsprechenden Pflegemittel zu behandeln. Balkone sind
von Schnee und Eis zu befreien. Trehten bei der Hausreinigung bzw. bei der
Schnee- und Eisbeseitigung Schwierigkeiten auf, so ist der Vermieter berechtigt,
einen Dritten zu beauftragen. Die Kosten werden nach einem geeigneten MaBstab
umgelegt, der billigem Ermessen entspricht.

Das Reinigen von GegenstBnden, Maschinen, Anlagen und Einrichtungen darf nur
innerhalb der Mietsache geschehen.

Der Mieter hat die von ihm ausschlieBlich benutzten Klosett-,
Waschbeckenabflusse usw. auf seine Kosten zu reinigen und Verstopfungen solcher
Abflusse sofort beseitigen zu lassen.  Er haftet fur seine Angestellten und
Kunden.

Wird auf dem Grundstuck Schmutz verursacht, so hat der Mieter diesen sofort zu
beseitigen.

Das Abstellen und Lagern von Gegenstanden (Kisten, Waren und dergl.) auBerhalb
der Mietsache ist nicht gestattet.  Kraftrader, Mopeds und anhliche Fahrzeuge
durfen nur mit Einverstandnis des Vermieters in den von diesem bestimmten __d
den polizeilichen Vorschriften entsprechenden Raumen, soweit vorhanden,
untergebracht werden.  Das Aufstellen __ Parken von Fahrzeugen im Hof ist nur
mit Einwilligung des Vermieters gestattet.  Die Einwilligung soll schriftlich
erfolgen.

Die Fenster mussen bei Sturm, Regen oder Schnee geschlossen gehalten werden.
Jeder bemerkte Schaden am Dache oder etwaiges Eindringen des Regens ist dem
Vermieter sofort anzuzeigen.

Der Hausmull ist zerkleinert in die aufgestellten Tonnen zu leeren.  Es ist
dafur Sorge zu tragen, daB nichts auf den Treppen, dem Hauseingang und an dem
Platz, an welchem die Tonnen aufgestellt sind, verschuttet wird; gegebenenfalls
hat der Mieter unverzuglich fur die erforderliche Reinigung zu sorgen.  Asche
darf nur abgekuhlt in die dazu bestimmten Behalter geschuttet werden.

Aus gewerblicher Tatigkeit anfallendes Verpackungsmaterial oder ahnliche Abfalle
darf nicht in die allgemeinen HausmullgefaBe geleert werden.

Die mit Turen versehenen Zugange (Keller, Boden, Laden, Lager usw.) sind
jederzeit geschlossen zu halten. Sind SchlieBungszeiten fur die Haustur
festgelegt, so sind diese einzuhalten.

Sollte die Aufrechterhaltung der Ruhe und Ordnung im Hause Abanderungen und
Erganzungen dieser Hausordnung erforderlich machen, darf der Vermieter die
entsprechenden Anordnungen treffen.

                                       16
<PAGE>

____________________, den 24.Mai 1995


Vermieter:                               Mieter:



FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstr. 42 -5-0
60489 Frankfurt

         /s/ illegible                         /s/ illegible
- ------------------------------        ----------------------------
(Bevollmachtigter)

                                       17
<PAGE>

Anlage 1
__ Mietvertrag vom       24 Mai 1996
                  -------------------------------
Zwischen
Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner LandstraBe 42-50,
600 Frankfurt 90                                     -Vermieter-
und
Sequenom Instruments GmbH, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6,
20146 Hamburg                                        -Mieter-

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

(S) 23 Sonstig Vereinbarungen

1.
Der Mietzins fur die angemietete Flache im 4.ObergeschoB rechts betragt DM
19,50/qm zzgl. gesetzl.  MWSt, derzeit 15%.

Der Mietzins fur die Pkw-Abstellplatze betragt DM 60,-- pro Platz und Monat
zzgl. gesetzl.  MWSt, derzeit 15 %, lt. separatem Parkplatz-Mietvertrag.

Der Mietzins fur die beiden vorstehend genannten Positionen wird fur die Dauer
von zwei Jahren festgeschrieben.

Nach 2 1/2 Jahren, d.h. am 1. Februar 1998 erhoht sich der Mietzins um 10% und
so fort alle 2 1/2 Jahre um weitere 10%.  Das Gleiche gilt fur den
Optionszeitraum.

Zuzuglich zu dem jeweils gultigen Mietzins ist die Betriebskostenvorauszahlung
zu leisten.

2 .
Der Vermieter raumt dem Mieter eine Mietverlangerungsoption fur weitere funf
Jahre ein.  Die Option ist vom Mieter schriftlich per Einschreiben spatestens 12
Monate vor Ablauf der fest vereinbarten funfjahrigen Mietlaufzeit gegenuber dem
Vermieter auszuuben.

Macht der Mieter von seinem Optionsrecht keinen Gebrauch, verlangert sich das
Mietverhaltnis jeweils um zwolf Monate, falls es nicht zwolf Monate vor Ablauf
der Mietzeit gekundigt wird.

3.
GrundriBzeichnung und AufmaBblatt der Mietflache werden Vertragsbestandteil und
Grundlage der Mietzinsberechnung.

4.
Vermieterseits werden in der Mietflache bei Vertragsbeginn folgende
Ausstattungsleistungen erbracht:

                                       18
<PAGE>

- -  Flurtrennwande gemaB behordlicher Auflagen, teilweise in F 90, teilweise in F
   30-Ausfuhrung,
- -  FlurabschluBturen gemaB behordlicher Auflagen, teilweise in T 30, teilweise
   in T 0-Ausfuhrung, geschlossene Turblatter,
- -  Raumtrennwande F 0,
   samtliche Trennwande sind gipskartonbeplankte Metallstanderwande mit
   Rauhfaser tapeziert und weiB gestrichen, Turen mit kunststoffbeschichteter
   Oberflache, Lochung fur Profilzylinder,
- -  AuBenwande und Pfeiler mit Rauhfaser tapeziert,
- -  Abgehangte Mineralfaserdecke mit Schallschluckauflage und sichtbarer
   Alukonstruktion im Raster 62, 5 x 125 cm,
- -  Integrierte zweilaufige Gardinenschiene im Fensterbereich,
- -  Fensterbankkanale fur Elektroversorgung und funf Steckdosen pro 30 qm
   Mietflache,
- -  Kabel fur die vom Mieter einzubringenden Beleuchtungskorper, Serienschalter,
- -  Teppichboden (Velours) und/oder PVC, Farbe nach Wahl des Mieters
- -  Je zwei getrennte Damen- und Herrentoiletten, FuBboden gefliest, Wande
   turhoch gefliest, Objekte gemaB GrundriBzeichnung, Porzellan weiB.

Wunscht der Mieter Ausstattungen uber den Vermieterstandard hinaus, geht dies zu
seinen Lasten.
Nimmt der Mieter Teile der Standardausstattung nicht in Anspruch, erfolgt keine
Vergutung oder Verrechnung seitens des Vermieters.

Fur die Planung der Raumaufteilung stellt der Vermieter kostenfrei einen
Architekten zur Verfugung, der auch die betriebsbedingten vom Mieter zu
erfullenden behordlichen Auflagen feststellt.  Der vom Mieter zu unterzeichnende
Plan ist dem Vermieter bis spatestens 22. Mai 1995 vom Mieter rechtsverbindlich
unterschrieben zweifach einzureichen, um die fristgerechte Fertigstellung nicht
zu gefahrden.  Bei spaterer Einreichung haftet der Mieter selbst fur alle daraus
resultierenden Nachteile.
Die Elektroplanung ist Sache des Mieters.  Sie ist dem Vermieter bis spatestens
30. Mai 1995 zweifach nachzureichen, sofern sie von der Standard-Ausstattung
abweicht (5 Steckdosen pro 30 qm Mietflache).  Der Mieter benennt dem Vermieter
fur diesen Fall die von ihm zu beauftragende Elektrofirma, damit diesem die
notwendigen Informationen gegeben werden konnen.

5.
Die Verlegung von Telefon, Telefax und anderen fur den Betrieb des Mieters
erforderlichen Datenleitungen sowie Einrichtungen und Anlagen ist Sache des
Mieters, ebenso erforderliche Drehstromanschlusse.
Der StromanschluBwert betragt 60 W/qm, die Deckenbelastbarkeit betragt 500
kg/qm,

6.
Der Vermieter gestattet dem Mieter die Anbringung eines AuBenaggregates auf dem
Dach.  Dieses AuBenaggregat wird benotigt fur die Klimatisierung eines Raumes.
Der Mieter ubernimmt die damit in Zusammenhang stehenden Kosten, insbesondere
auch die Kosten des Dachdeckers und gewahrleistet die Dichtigkeit des Daches
auch nach Einbau des Gerates in

                                       19
<PAGE>

diesem Bereich. Bei Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses entfernt der Mieter dieses
Gerat auf Verlangen des Vermieters und stellt den ursprunglichen Zustand wieder
her.

7.
Die Mietflache ist bei Auszug fachgerecht in der Art und Weise und mit den
Materialien zu renovieren, wie sie vom Vermieter bei Herstellung verwandt worden
sind.  Sollten FuBboden uber eine normale Abnutzung hinaus beschadigt werden,
z.B. durch Brandflecken oder andere Umstande, sind diese neu zu verlegen.  Das
Gleiche gilt fur beschadigte Fliesen.

Der Umfang der Renovierungsarbeiten nach Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses wird
durch einen Sachverstandigen oder Architekten festgestellt, falls zwischen
Mieter und Vermieter keine Einigung erzielt werden kann.  Die Ausfuhrung der
Renovierung obliegt dem Mieter und hat bis Vertragsende zu erfolgen.  Sie kann
im wechselseitigen Einvernehmen auf den Vermieter ubertragen erden.

Wahrend der Mietdauer tragt der Mieter Kleinreparaturen bis zu DM 500,-- im
Einzelfall.

8.
Die Mietflache wird nach Fertigstellung vom Mieter und Vermieter oder deren
Beauftragten begangen und abgenommen.  Hieruber wird ein Protokoll erstellt.

9.
Der Mieter ist vom Vermieter daruber informiert, daB die Ausbauarbeiten im
Gebaude D (GQ) und im Gelande zum Zeitpunkt seines Einzuges noch nicht
abgeschlossen sind.  Er duldet die sich evtl. daraus ergebenden Storungen.

10.
Sollten sich durch den Betrieb des Mieters behordliche oder sonstige Auflagen,
z.B. vom Sielamt oder von Sachversicherern, ergeben, veranlaBt der Mieter auf
seine Kosten die Erfullung dieser Auflagen.

11.
Dieser Vertrag wurde geschlossen durch die Vermittlung der Firma Grossmann &
Berger GmbH, Gerhofstr.18, 20354 Hamburg. Die Courtage ist vom Mieter direkt an
den Vermittler zu zahlen.


Frankfurt a.M.,   24 Mai 1995      Hamburg, den
                  -----------                  ---------------------------

FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborne Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt

    /s/ illegible                            /s/ illegible

                                       20
<PAGE>

Anlage 2 zum Mietvertrag zwischen
Fiszman-Steinriede GbR                 -Vermieter-
und
Sequenom Instruments GmbH              -Mieter

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erlauterung zur Berechnung der Betriebskosten gem. (S) 3 des Mietvertrages:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
1.   Wasser                                                 nach Verbrauch lt.  Wasserzahlern
2    Kanal                                                  nach Verbrauch cbm- Wasser
3.   Beleuchtung, Strom fur Treppenhaus,                    nach qm Mietflachje gem. Allgemein-
     Anfzug, Hzg., Parkplatz etc.                           Stromzahler Geb. D
4.   Mullabfuhr                                             nach Verbrauch (TonnengroBe)
5.   Grundsteuer                                            nach qm Mietflache
6.   StraBenreinigung                                       nach qm Mietflache
7.   Schornsteinfeger                                       nach qm Mietflache
8.   Sach- und Haftpflicht- versicherungen                  nach qm Mietflache
9.   Hauswart                                               nach qm Mietflache
10.  Gartenpflege                                           nach qm Mietflache
11.  Schneebeseitigung und Streuen bei                      nach qm Mietflache
     Glatteis
12.  Wartung Rolltor                                        nach Rechnungstellung
13.  Gemeinschaftsantenne bzw.                              nach qm Mietflache
     BreitbandanschluB                                      (sofern vorhanden)
14.  Hausreinigung                                          nach qm Mietflache
15.  Reinigung und Wartung von Heizung und                  nach qm Mietflache
     Geraten
16.  Warmwasser                                             Verbrauch wird mit Pos. 1 (Wasser) erfaB,
                                                            Erwarmung uber Elektroboiler und den Stromzahler
                                                            des Mieters sofern keine zentrale Ww-Versorg.
17.  Heizung                                                nach Verbrauch gem.  MeBgeraten
18.  Wartungskosten fur Feurerloscher,
     Tank-u. Lecksicherungsanlagen                          nach qm Mietflache
19.  Burgersteigreinigung                                   nach qm Mietflache
20.  Hausverwaltung                                         4% der Netto-Miete
</TABLE>


Frankfurt, den     24 Mai 1995           Hamburg, den
              ---------------------      -----------------------------

         /s/ illegible                            /s/ illegible
- -----------------------------------      -----------------------------
Vermieter                                Mieter

FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt

                                       21
<PAGE>

NUTZFLACHENERECHNUNG - Block D  (GQ)   BUROTEIL   4.  OG.  Re.
===============================================================


Grundlagen  :  Aufmass - Bauwerk putzfertig , DIN 283 Bl. 2
               Geschossteilung - Bereich: Dehnfuge/Estrich
               nach rechts d= 25 cm Brandwand.Buroflache ab
               Brandwand,s.Aufmassplaneintragung.

Aufmass u.
Berechnung  :  Kurt Nalleweg Bau.Ing. Beerentaltrift 82,21077 Hamburg

Anlagen     :  1 Aufmassplan
               2 Seiten Nutzflachenberechnungen

NUTZFLACHEN:
===========

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>                        <C>
 1.  Buroflachen                                                 (B1. 1)  =      255,11 m/2/
 2.  WC - Flachen                                                ("   1)  =        8,60 "
 .   Dachterrasse                              Ansatz 25%        ("   1)  =       23,17 "
 4.  Fahrstuhlvorraum                 4. OG. - Anteil 50%        ("   2)  =        4.12 "
 5.  Treppenflurpodest                4. OG. -  "     50%        ("   2)  =             "
 6.  EG. Eingang/Fahrstuhlvorraum               "     10%        ("   2)  =             "
                                                                                ----------
                                                                  NUTZFLACHEN     291,0
</TABLE>




Hamburg, den 23.02.1995

                                       22
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nr.         zahl                          Ubertrag                m         m         m/2/     m        m/3/                    m
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>     <C>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>           <C>     <C>
                   BLOCK D
                   -------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   NUTZFLACHENBERECHNUNG                                  4.OG.      Re
                   ---------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x     BUROFLACHE (16.21 + 16.18:2)                 18.25    16.20       =295,65
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   ABZUGE
                   ------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x     WC-ANLAGE                                     2.01  x  5.59                                  =        11.24
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x     TREPPENHAUS                                   5.35  x  5.23                                  =        27.48
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x     PFEILER            ACHSE G                    0.44  x  0.45                                  =         0.20
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x      - " -                 " G                    0.44  x  0.44                                  =         0.19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            2x      - " -                 " I                    0.44  x  0.45                                  =         0.40
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x      PFEILERVORLAGE        " G                    0.17  x  0.57                                  =         0.10
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x      - " -                 " I                    0.22  x  0.72                                             = 0.16
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x      EINKLEIDUNG           " G                    0.22  x  1.18                                   =        0.27
                                                                                                                          ----
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    %  40,54                              40.54
                                                                                    --------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 BUROFLACHE           255,11m/2/
                                                                 ----------           ----------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    WC-ANLAGEN
                    ----------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1           1x                                                   1.16  x  1.87        = 2.17
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2           1x                                                   0.88  x  1.27        = 1.12
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3           1x                                                   0.87  x  1.27        = 1.10
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4           1x                                                   0.87  x  1.26        = 1.10
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5           1x                                                   0.87  x  1.26        = 2.19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6           1x                                                   1.17  x  1.87        = 8.78
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ABZUG:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x      INSTAL.-SCHACHT ACHSE F                      0.22  x  0.83        = 0.18
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        8.60      m/2/         WC-ANLAGEN
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    DACHTERRASSE
                    ------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1x                                                  15.93  x  5.82=        92.71      m/2/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         NUTZFLACHENSATZ 25%                   VON 92. 71m/2/ = 23.17 m/2/
                         -------------------                   ---------------------------
- -------------------                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Ubertrag
- -------------------                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Stand:  23.02.1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Ubertrag
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Block D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NUTZFLACHENBERECHNUNG                          4.OG.         Re
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  FAHRSTUHLVORRAUM
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1x                                           5.00   x 3.38 I          = 16.90          m/2/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NUTZFLACHENANSATZ 50% von          16.90     m/2/            = 8.45 m/2/     FAHZSTUHLVORRAUM
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  TREPPENFLURPODEST
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1x                                           5.09   x 2.14            = 10.89
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1x                                           2.96   x 0.07            =  0.21
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               11.10 m/2/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NUTZFLACHENANSATZ 50% von          11.10 m/2/                = 5.55 m/2/     TREPPENFLURPODEST
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  EINGANG-FAHRSTUHLVORRAUM             /EG.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1x                                           2.26   x 3.33            = 7.53
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1x                                           2.95   x 3.67             10.36
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                18.36          m/2/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  ABZUG
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1x       PFEILERVORLAGE ACHSE G              0.41   x 0.47              0.19          "
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                18.17          m/2/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NUTZFLACHENANSATZ 10% von          18.17     m/2/            = 1.82 m/2/     EG-FAHZSTUHLVORRAUM
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Ubertrag
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Stand:  23.02.1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>

                      fur Garagen und KFZ - Abstellplatze

Zwischen  Fiszman-Steinriede GbR
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

In        Eschborner LandstraBe 42-50, 60489 Frankfurt             als Vermieter
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------

und       Sequenom Instruments GmbH
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In        Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg StraBe Nr      als Mieter
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------

wird folgender Vertrag geschlossen:

                                     (S) 1

Vermietet werden auf dem Grundstuck
in      Hamburg-Bahrenfeld, Medelssohn-         StraBe Nr.    15
  ----------------------------------------------          -----------
Garagen-Nr.    ---     6   PKW-Abstellplatz-Nr.       ----
           --------------                      ----------------------
Dem Mieter werden fur die Mietzeit ausgehandigt:
  --        Gargenschlussel,  ---    Torschlussel,         -Schlussel.
- ------------                ---------             ---------

                                     (S) 2

Das Mietverhaltnis beginnt mit dem     1. August 1995     und lauft bis
                                   -----------------------
zum   31. Juli 2000
    -------------------

Alle ubrigen Konditionen gem. Mietvertrag fur Mietflache Gebaude D 4.OG rechts.

                                     (S) 3

Der Mietzins betragt monatlich 360, --  DM (i.W.dreihundertsechszig---
                               ---------        ----------------------
Deutsche Mark).

AuBerdem sind monatlich zu zahlen fur Betriebskosten im Sinne der Anlage 3 zu
(S) 27 der Zweiten Berechnungsverordnung:

    gesetzl. MWst, derzeit 15 %      DM       54, --
    ---------------------------        ---------------------------
                                     DM
    ---------------------------        ---------------------------

Der Mietzins ist im voraus bis spatestens zum dritten Werktag auf das Konto

Nr.     908 848 00     BLZ     500 800 00
   -------------------     ---------------------------------------
bei der Dresdner Bank AG, Frankfurt a.M.
        ----------------------------------------------------------
kostenfrei zu zahlen.
Fur die Rechtzeitigkeit der Zahlung kommt es nicht auf die Absendung, sondern
auf die Ankunft des Geldes an.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                                     (S) 4

Eine Untervermietung ist nicht gestattet.  Der Mieter ist nur berechtigt, sein
eigenes KFZ oder Kunden und Mitarbeiter auf dem vermieteten Einstellplatz
abzustelien.  Das Parken oder Abstellen des Fahrzeuges auf dem ubrigen
Grundstuck ist nicht gestattet.
Eine Nutzung als Lager, Werkstaft oder dergleichen ist nicht gestattet.  Eine in
diesem Sinne zweckfremde Nutzung berechtigt den Vermieter zur fristlosen
Kundigung.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herausgegeben vom Landesverband der Hessischen Haus-, Wohnungs- und
Grundeigentumer e.V., Niedenau 61-63, 6000 Frankfurt/M. 1, Tel: 069/729458

                            - Nachdruck verboten -

                                       26
<PAGE>

Der Mieter ubernimmt die Mietsache wie besichtigt und erkennt deren Zustand als
vertragsgemaB an. Der Mieter ist verpflichtet, auf seine Kosten die Mietsache
instandzuhalten und alle Anlagen und Einrichtungen der Mietsache, die
ausschlieBlich der Versorgung des Mieters und der Nutzung durch ihn dienen,
instandzusetzen, es sei denn, er beweist, daB ein Verschulden des Mieters nicht
vorgelegen hat.
Bauliche Anderungen und Umgestaltungen des Mietgegenstandes sind nicht zulassig.
Bei Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses ist der Mietgegenstand im gereinigten
Zustand zuruckzugeben.

                                     (S) 6

Dieser Vertrag ist rechtlich und wirtschaftlich selbstandig und unabhangig von
etwa gleichzeitig abgeschlossenen weiteren Vertragen uber andere Mietsachen,
insbesondere ist eine Kundigung unabhangig von dem Weiterbestehen eines
Mietvertrages uber Wohnraum moglich.

                                     (S) 7

Der Vermieter haftet nicht fur Schaden an untergestellten Fahrzeugen und
eingebrachten Sachen, es sei denn, ihm fallt grobe Fahrlassigkeit oder Vorsatz
zur Last.  Das gleiche gilt fur Diebstahl und Einbruchsdiebstahl.
Der Mieter hat Beschadigungen an Wanden, Turen usw. sowie Schaden, die durch
ausgelaufenen Kraftstoff, Ol oder Saure entstanden sind, ohne
Verschuldensnachweis auf eigene Kosten unverzuglich zu beseitigen.  Soweit der
Boden der Mietsache beschadigt ist, hat eine Erneuerung zu erfolgen.
Dem Mieter ist bekannt, daB bei Schnee und Glatteis nicht geraumt bzw. gestreut
wird.  Eine Haftung fur Personen oder Sachschaden wird vom Vermieter nicht
Obernommen.

                                     (S) 8

Nebenabreden, Anderungen und Erganzungen des Vertrages sind nur dann wirksam,
wenn sie schriftlich vereinbart werden.

                                     (S) 9
Sonstige Vereinbarungen:

                               gemaB Anlage 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    (S) 10
                               (Garagenordnung)

1. Der Mieter hat die polizeilichen Bestimmungen fur die Benutzung von Garagen
   und KFZ-Abstellplatzen zu beachten.  Insbesondere ist das Rauchen sowie die
   Benutzung von Feuer

                                       27
<PAGE>

   im Einstellraum und in allen Nebengebauden verboten, ebenso durfen weder
   Treibstoffe noch leere Treibstoffbechalter gelagert werden.
2. Das Hupen, gerauschvolle Laufenlassen der Motoren und laute Schlagen von
   Fahrzeugturen, Motorhauben und Kofferraumdeckeln ist verboten.  Gleiches gilt
   fur das Wagenwaschen und die Wasserentnahme auf dem Grundstuck.
   Reparaturarbeiten durfen auf dem Grundstuck nicht vorgenommen werden.
3. Auf samtlichen Teilen des Grundstucks durfen Fahrzeuge nur im Schrittempo
   fahren.  Die Kraftfahrzeuge durfen auf dem Gelande nicht auBerhalb der Garage
   bzw. des Abstellplatzes abgestellt werden.


                                             den   24.Mai 1995
- -----------------------------------,             -----------------------------
(Ort)                                              (Datum)

FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR
Eschborne Landstr. 42-50
60489 Frankfurt

         /s/ illegible                                 /s/ illegible
- -----------------------------------              -----------------------------
(Vermieter)                                      (Mieter)

4. Der Mieter ubernimmt den kompletten lnnenausbau des Mietbereiches
   eigenverantwortlich; die Kosten hierfur werden vom Mieter getragen.
   Der Vermieter weist daruf hin, daB die vorzunehmenden Ausbauarbeiten von
   Fachfirmen auszufuhren sind und die behordichen Auflagen erfullt werden
   mussen.  Der Mieter hat eine sach- und fachgerechte Ausfuhrung der
   Ausbauarbeiten zu gewahrleisten.

5. Bei Beendigung des Mietverhaltnisses ist die mit diesem Nachtrag angemietete
   Flache unrenoviert und besenrein an den Vermieter zuruckzugeben. Insoweit ist
   fur diese Mietflache (Geb. D, 3.OG) die Regelung gemaB (S)17, Ziff. 1 des
   Mietvertrages vom 19.05./24.05.1995 nicht gultig.

6. Die Mietvertragslaufzeit gemaB Mietvertrag vom 19.05./24.05.1995 (S)2, Ziff.
   1c wird fur beide Mietflachen (Haus D, 4.OG rechts und 3.OG links)
   einheitlich bis zum 31.12.2001 festgelegt.

   Der Vermieter raumt dem Mieter eine Verlangerungsoption fur weitere funf
   Jahre ein. Die Option ist vom Mieter schriftlich per Einschreiben und
   spatestens 6 Monate vor Ablauf der fest vereinbarten Mietlaufzeit (d.h. bis
   zum 30.06.2001) gegenuber dem Vermieter auszuuben.

   Macht der Mieter von seinem Optionsrecht keinen Gebrauch, verlangert sich das
   Mietverhaltnis automatisch jeweils um 12 Monate, falls es nicht spatestens 12
   Monate vor Ablauf der Mietzeit gekundigt wird.  Die Kundigung muB schriftlich
   per Einschreiben bis zum 3. Werktag des ersten Monats der Kundigungsfrist dem
   Vermieter zugegangen sein.

                                       28
<PAGE>

7.  In Abanderung zum Mietvertrag vom 19.05./24.05.1995, Anlage 1, (S)23, Ziff.
    1, Abs. 4 gilt fur die Anderung des Mietzinses folgende Vereinbarung:

    Ab 01. Januar 1999 erhoht sich der monatliche Mietzins jahrlich um 2%;
    erstmals zum 01. Januar 2000.

8.  Mit Wirkung zum 01.01.1999 erhoht sich die gemaB (S)21, Ziff. 1 des
    Mietvertrages vom 19.05./24.05.1995 mieterseits zu stellende
    Sicherheitsleistung auf insgesamt DM 88.444,02. Dieser Betrag wird zu dem
    fur Spareinlagen mit gesetzlicher Kundigungsfrist ublichen Zinssatz
    verzinst.

9.  Im ubrigen gelten die Bestimmungen des Mietvertrages vom 19.05./24.05.1995
    sowie des Nachtrages Nr. 1 vom 24.05.1996.

10. Dieser Nachtrag wird Bestandteil des zwischen den Parteien am 19.05./24.05.
    1995 geschlossenen Mietvertrages und ist diesem beizufugen.

Frankfurt am Main, den  illegible date       Hamburg, den    illegible date
                      ------------------                 ----------------------

FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR           SEQUENOM GmbH,
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50        MendelssohnstraB 15 D
60489 Frankfurt                  Tel: 040/89 96 76-0
                                 Fax: 040/89 96 76 10
         /s/ illegible                                /s/ illegible
- -----------------------------               -----------------------------------
- -Vermieter-                                 -Mieter-

                                       29
<PAGE>

Anlage 1   zum Mietvertrag fur Kfz-Abstellplatze
zwischen   Fiszman-Steinriede GbR, Eschborner Landstr. 42-50
           60489 Frankfurt/Main                             -Vermieter-
und        Sequenom Instruments GmbH,  Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6,
           20146 Hamburg                                    -Mieter-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(S) 9 Sonstige Vereinbarungen

Sollten bauliche oder andere MaBnahmen die Zuweisung anderer Parkplatz wahrend
der Laufzeit des Mietvertrages oder die Verminderung der gemieteten
Parkplatzanzahl erfordern, hat der Vermieter das Recht, andere Platze zuzuweisen
bzw.  eine geringere Parkplatzanzahl zur Verfugung zu stellen.

Der Mieter verpflichtet sich dafur zu sorgen, daB seine Mitarbeiter und Besucher
ausschliealich die angemieteten Platze benutzen.

Bei widerrechtlicher Benutzung anderer Parkplatze sorgt der Mieter fur die
Entfernung der geparkten Fahrzeuge und ubernimmt die entstehenden Kosten auch
gegenuber Dritten.

Der Vermieter haftet nicht dafur, falls die mit diesem Vertrag angemieteten
Parkplatze widerrechtlich von Nichtberechtigten benutzt werden.

Die Anpassung des Mietzinses fur die Parkplatze erfolgt prozentual in der Hohe,
wie im Mietvertrag fur die Hauptmietflache vereinbart.

Frankfurt, den    24 Mai 1995        Hamberg, den     19.5.95
              -------------------                --------------------------

         /s/ illegible                             /s/ illegible
- ---------------------------------     -------------------------------------
(Vermieter)                           (Mieter)

FISZMAN-STEINRIEDE GbR                SEQUENOM GmbH,
Eschborner Landstr. 42-50             MendelssohnstraB 15 D
60489 Frankfurt                       Tel: 040/89 96 76-0
                                      Fax: 040/89 96 76 10

                                       30

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.51



                                         Date: ________________



                      Non-Qualified Stock Option Granted


                                      by


                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                      (hereinafter called the "Company")


                                      to

                             _____________________

                       (hereinafter called the "Holder")



                                   under the



                                1994 STOCK PLAN



                                  WITNESSETH:



     For valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
the Company hereby grants to the Holder the following option:

     FIRST:  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the
     -----
Holder is hereby given the right and option to purchase from the Company at the
option price of _____ per share an aggregate of ___________ shares of Common
Stock of the Company, par value $.001 per share, at the time and in the manner
hereinafter stated.
<PAGE>

     Such right and option to purchase shares shall expire on ________________.

     This option is and shall be subject in every respect to the provisions of
the Sequenom, Inc. 1994 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), as amended from time to time,
which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.  In the event
of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms hereof and those of the Plan,
the latter shall prevail.  References herein to the Compensation Committee shall
mean the Compensation Committee as defined in the Plan.

     This option shall be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the
Company (the "Notice") setting forth the number of shares with respect to which
the option is to be exercised and the address to which the certificates for such
shares are to be mailed, together with (i) cash or check payable to the order of
the Company for an amount equal to the option price for such shares, or (ii)
with the consent of the Committee, shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(a) either have been owned by the Holder for more than six (6) months on the
date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
Company, and (b) have a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to the
option price for the shares as to which such option is being exercised, (iii)
with the consent of the Compensation Committee, delivery of such documentation
as the Compensation Committee and the broker, if applicable, shall require to
effect an exercise of the option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan
proceeds required to pay the option price for the shares as to which the option
is being exercised, (iv) with the consent of the Compensation Committee, such
other consideration which is acceptable to the Compensation Committee and which
has a fair market value equal to the option price for the shares as to which the
option is being exercised, or (v) with the consent of the Compensation
Committee, a combination of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v).  For the purpose
of the preceding sentence, the fair market value per share of the Common Stock
so delivered to the Company shall be the closing price per share on the date of
delivery as reported by a nationally recognized stock exchange, or, if the
Common Stock is not listed on such an exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market, or, if the Common Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq National
Market, the mean of the bid and asked prices per share on the date of delivery
or, if the Common Stock is not traded over the counter, the fair market value
per share as determined by the Committee.

     SECOND:  As a condition precedent to any exercise of this option, the
     ------
Holder (or if any other individual or individuals are exercising this option,
such individual or individuals) shall deliver to the Company (a) a Stock
Restriction Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto, and (b) an
                                                   ---------
investment letter in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and its
counsel which shall contain, among other matters, a statement in writing that
the option is then being exercised only with a view to investment in, and not
with a view to the distribution of, the shares with respect to which the option
is then being exercised; that the Holder and/or the Holder's attorneys,
accountants, and/or analysts (or the individual or individuals exercising this
option and/or his or their attorneys, accountants and/or analysts) have fully
investigated the Company and the business and financial conditions concerning it
and have knowledge of the Company's then current corporate activities and
financial condition; and that the Holder believes that the nature and amount of
the shares being purchased by him/her are consistent with his/her investment
objectives, abilities and resources.  The restrictions imposed by clause (b) of
the preceding sentence and any investment representation made pursuant to such
clause shall be

                                       2
<PAGE>

inoperative upon the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of
the stock subject to this option or acquired through the exercise of this option
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended. The Company shall not be obligated to register the shares
covered by this option.

     THIRD:  As promptly as practicable after receipt of the written notice and
     -----
payment described in paragraph FIRST and, if required as a condition to
exercise, the Stock Restriction Agreement and investment letter described in
paragraph SECOND, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Holder (or if any other individual or individuals are exercising this option, to
such individual or individuals) at the address specified pursuant to paragraph
FIRST hereof a certificate or certificates for the number of shares with respect
to which the option is then being exercised, registered in the name or names of
the individual or individuals exercising the option, either alone or jointly
with another person or persons with rights of survivorship, as the individual or
individuals exercising the option shall prescribe in writing to the Company at
or prior to such purchase; provided, however, that such delivery shall be deemed
effected for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent shall have
deposited such certificate or certificates in the United States mail, addressed
to the Holder (or such individual or individuals) at the address so specified;
and provided further that if any law or regulation or order of the Securities
and Exchange Commission or other body having jurisdiction in the premises shall
require the Company or the Holder (or the individual or individuals exercising
this option) to take any action in connection with the shares then being
Purchased, the date for the delivery of the certificates for such shares shall
be extended until such action shall be taken and completed, it being understood
that the Company shall have no obligation to take and complete any such action.

     FOURTH:  The existence of this option shall not affect in any way the right
     ------
or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all
adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the
Company's capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of
the Company, or any issue of Common Stock, or any issue of bonds, debentures,
preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock or
the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any
sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other
corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

     If the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of shares or
other capital readjustment, the payment of a stock dividend, or other increase
or reduction of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding, without
receiving compensation therefor in money, services or property, then the number,
class, and per share price of shares of stock subject to this option shall be
appropriately adjusted in such a manner as to entitle the Holder to receive upon
exercise of this option, for the same aggregate consideration, the same total
number and class of shares as the Holder would have received as a result of the
event requiring the adjustment had the Holder exercised this option in full
immediately prior to such event.

     In the event of a consolidation or merger of the Company with another
corporation, or the sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company, or a reorganization or liquidation of the Company, the Holder
shall be entitled to receive upon exercise and payment in

                                       3
<PAGE>

accordance with the terms of this option the same shares, securities or property
as he would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such event if
he had been, immediately prior to such event, the holder of the number of shares
of stock purchasable under this option; provided, however, that in lieu of the
foregoing the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") may upon written
notice to the Holder provide that this option shall terminate on a date not less
than 20 days after the date of such notice unless theretofore exercised. In
connection with such notice, the Board may in its discretion accelerate or waive
any deferred exercise period.

     Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, the issue by the Company of
shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of
any class, for cash or property or for labor or services, either upon direct
sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon
conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares
or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock then
subject to this option.

     FIFTH:  No person shall, by virtue of the granting of this option to the
     -----
Holder, be deemed to be a holder of any shares purchasable under this option or
to be entitled to the rights or privileges of a holder of such shares unless and
until this option has been exercised with respect to such shares and they have
been issued pursuant to that exercise of this option.

     The Company shall, at all times while any portion of this option is
outstanding, reserve and keep available, out of shares of its authorized and
unissued stock or reacquired shares, a sufficient number of shares of its Common
Stock to satisfy the requirements of this option; shall comply with the terms of
this option promptly upon exercise of the option rights; and shall pay all fees
or expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance
and delivery of shares pursuant to the exercise of this option.

     SIXTH:  This option is not transferable by the Holder otherwise than by
     -----
will or under the laws of descent and distribution.  The granting of this option
shall not impose upon the Company or its stockholders any obligation to continue
the Holder as a director of the Company, and the right of the Company and its
stockholders to terminate the status of the Holder as a director of the Company
shall not be diminished or affected by reason of the fact that this option has
been granted to the Holder.

     This option is exercisable during the Holder's lifetime only by the Holder
and after the Holder's death only by the Holder's executors, administrators or
any person or persons to whom the Holder's option may be transferred by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution.

     SEVENTH:  Any notice to be given to the Company hereunder shall be deemed
     -------
sufficient if addressed to the Company and delivered by hand or by mail to the
Treasurer of the Company, c/o TVM Techno Venture Management, 101 Arch Street,
Suite 1950, Boston, MA 02110, or such other addresses the Company may hereafter
designate.

     Any notice to be given to the Holder hereunder shall be deemed sufficient
if addressed to and delivered in person to the Holder or when deposited in the
mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Holder at the Holder's address furnished
to the Company.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     EIGHTH:  This option is subject to all laws, regulations and orders of any
     ------
governmental authority which may be applicable thereto and, notwithstanding any
of the provisions hereof, the Holder agrees that the Holder will not exercise
the option granted hereby nor will the Company be obligated to issue or sell any
shares of stock hereunder if the exercise thereof or the issuance or sale of
such shares, as the case may be, would constitute a violation by the Holder or
the Company of any such law, regulation or order or any provision thereof.  The
Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause
the exercise of this option or the issuance of shares pursuant hereto to comply
with any such law, regulation, order or provision.

     NINTH:  This option shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
     -----
accordance with, the substantive laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed
in its name and on its behalf as of the date first above written.


[Seal]


ATTEST:                                 SEQUENOM, INC.




                                        By:
__________________________                 ______________________________
     Secretary                             Its

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 1
                                   ---------

                          STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------


  [THE STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT IS BEING FILED SEPARATELY AS EXHIBIT 10.53]


                                       6

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.52



                                              Date: ____________



                        Incentive Stock Option Granted



                                      by



                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                      (hereinafter called the "Company")


                                      to

                             _____________________

                       (hereinafter called the "Holder")


                                   under the


                                1994 STOCK PLAN



                                  WITNESSETH:


     For valuable consideration, the receipt of  which is hereby acknowledged,
the Company hereby grants to the Holder the following option:

     FIRST:  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the
     -----
Holder is hereby given the right and option to purchase from the Company at the
option price of ______ per share
<PAGE>

an aggregate of ________ shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $.001
per share, at the time and in the manner hereinafter stated.

     The Holder shall have the right and option to purchase hereunder any or all
of such shares as follows:

     (a) ___% of the shares subject to this option on ________________; and

     (b) an additional ___% of the shares subject to this option on ____________
of each successive year thereafter until the Holder shall have the right to
purchase ____% of the shares subject to this option.

     Such right and option to purchase shares shall terminate on ______________.
The right to purchase shares hereunder shall be cumulative.

     This option is and shall be subject in every respect to the provisions of
the Sequenom, Inc. 1994 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), as amended from time to time,
which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.  In the event
of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms hereof and those of the Plan,
the latter shall prevail.  References herein to the Compensation Committee shall
mean the Compensation Committee as defined in the Plan.

     This option shall be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the
Company (the "Notice") setting forth the number of shares with respect to which
the option is to be exercised and the address to which the certificates for such
shares are to be mailed, together with (i) cash or check payable to the order of
the Company for an amount equal to the option price for such shares, or (ii)
with the consent of the Committee, shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(a) either have been owned by the Holder for more than six (6) months on the
date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
Company, and (b) have a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to the
option price for the shares as to which such option is being exercised, (iii)
with the consent of the Compensation Committee, delivery of such documentation
as the Compensation Committee and the broker, if applicable, shall require to
effect an exercise of the option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan
proceeds required to pay the option price for the shares as to which the option
is being exercised, (iv) with the consent of the Compensation Committee, such
other consideration which is acceptable to the Compensation Committee and which
has a fair market value equal to the option price for the shares as to which the
option is being exercised, or (v) with the consent of the Compensation
Committee, a combination of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v).  For the purpose
of the preceding sentence, the fair market value per share of the Common Stock
so delivered to the Company shall be the closing price per share on the date of
delivery as reported by a nationally recognized stock exchange, or, if the
Common Stock is not listed on such an exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market, or, if the Common Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq National
Market, the mean of the bid and asked prices per share on the date of delivery
or, if Common Stock is not traded over the counter, the fair market value per
share as determined by the Committee.

     SECOND.  As a condition precedent to any exercise of this option, the
     ------
Holder (or if any other individual or individuals are exercising this option,
such individual or individuals) shall

                                       2
<PAGE>

deliver to the Company (a) a Stock Restriction Agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit 1 hereto, and (b) an investment letter in form and substance
        ---------
satisfactory to the Company and its counsel which shall contain, among other
matters, a statement in writing that the option is then being exercised only
with a view to investment in, and not with a view to the distribution of, the
shares with respect to which the option is then being exercised; that the Holder
and/or the Holder's attorneys, accountants, and/or analysts (or the individual
or individuals exercising this option and/or his or their attorneys, accountants
and/or analysts) have fully investigated the Company and the business and
financial conditions concerning it and have knowledge of the Company's then
current corporate activities and financial condition; and that the Holder
believes that the nature and amount of the shares being purchased by him/her are
consistent with his/her investment objectives, abilities and resources. The
restrictions imposed by clause (b) of the preceding sentence and any investment
representation made pursuant to such clause shall be inoperative upon the
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the stock subject to
this option or acquired through the exercise of this option pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Company shall not be obligated to register the shares covered by this
option.

     THIRD:  As promptly as practicable after receipt of the written notice and
     -----
payment described in paragraph FIRST and, if required as a condition to
exercise, the Stock Restriction Agreement and investment letter described in
paragraph SECOND, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Holder (or if any other individual or individuals are exercising this option, to
such individual or individuals) at the address specified pursuant to paragraph
FIRST hereof a certificate or certificates for the number of shares with respect
to which the option is then being exercised, registered in the name or names of
the individual or individuals exercising the option, either alone or jointly
with another person or persons with rights of survivorship, as the individual or
individuals exercising the option shall prescribe in writing to the Company at
or prior to such purchase; provided, however, that such delivery shall be deemed
effected for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent shall have
deposited such certificate or certificates in the United States mail, addressed
to the Holder (or such individual or individuals) at the address so specified;
and provided further that if any law or regulation or order of the Securities
and Exchange Commission or other body having jurisdiction in the premises shall
require the Company or the Holder (or the individual or individuals exercising
this option) to take any action in connection with the shares then being
purchased, the date for the delivery of the certificates for such shares shall
be extended until such action shall be taken and completed, it being understood
that the Company shall have no obligation to take and complete any such action.

     FOURTH:  The existence of this option shall not affect in any way the right
     ------
or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all
adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the
Company's capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of
the Company, or any issue of Common Stock, or any issue of bonds, debentures,
preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock or
the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any
sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other
corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     If the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of shares or
other capital readjustment, the payment of a stock dividend, or other increase
or reduction of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding, without
receiving compensation therefor in money, services or property, then the number,
class, and per share price of shares of stock subject to this option shall be
appropriately adjusted in such a manner as to entitle the Holder to receive upon
exercise of this option, for the same aggregate consideration, the same total
number and class of shares as the Holder would have received as a result of the
event requiring the adjustment had the Holder exercised this option in full
immediately prior to such event.

     In the event of a consolidation or merger of the Company with another
corporation, or the sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company, or a reorganization or liquidation of the Company, the Holder
shall be entitled to receive upon exercise and payment in accordance with the
terms of this option the same shares, securities or property as he would have
been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such event if he had been,
immediately prior to such event, the holder of the number of shares of stock
purchasable under this option; provided, however, that in lieu of the foregoing
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") may upon written notice to
the Holder provide that this option shall terminate on a date not less than 20
days after the date of such notice unless theretofore exercised.  In connection
with such notice, the Board may in its discretion accelerate or waive any
deferred exercise period.

     Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, the issue by the Company of
shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of
any class, for cash or property or for labor or services, either upon direct
sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon
conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares
or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock then
subject to this option.

     FIFTH:  No person shall, by virtue of the granting of this option to the
     -----
Holder, be deemed to be a holder of any shares purchasable under this option or
to be entitled to the rights or privileges of a holder of such shares unless and
until this option has been exercised with respect to such shares and they have
been issued pursuant to that exercise of this option.

     The Company shall, at all times while any portion of this option is
outstanding, reserve and keep available, out of shares of its authorized and
unissued stock or reacquired shares, a sufficient number of shares of its Common
Stock to satisfy the requirements of this option; shall comply with the terms of
this option promptly upon exercise of the option rights; and shall pay all fees
or expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance
and delivery of shares pursuant to the exercise of this option.

     SIXTH:  This option is not transferable by the Holder otherwise than by
     -----
will or under the laws of descent and distribution; the granting of this option
shall not impose upon the Company any obligation to employ or to continue to
employ the Holder; and the right of the Company to terminate the employment of
the Holder shall not be diminished or affected by reason of the fact that this
option has been granted to such Holder.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     This option is exercisable, during the Holder's lifetime only by the
Holder, and by the Holder only while the Holder is an employee of the Company,
except that in the event the employment of the Holder terminates for any reason,
other than for cause as determined by the Company and other than in the event of
death or retirement in good standing from the employ of the Company for reasons
of age or disability under the then established rules of the Company, the Holder
shall have the right to exercise this option within thirty (30) days after the
date the Holder ceases to be an employee of the Company (but not later than the
expiration date of this option) with respect to the shares which were
purchasable by the Holder by exercise of this option at the time of such
cessation of employment.  As used in this paragraph, "cause" shall mean (a) any
material breach by the Holder of any agreement to which the Holder and the
Company are both parties, (b) any act (other than retirement) or omission to act
by the Holder which may have a material and adverse effect on the Company's
business or on the Holder's ability to perform services for the Company,
including, without limitation, the commission of any crime (other than ordinary
traffic violations), or (c) any material misconduct or neglect of duties by the
Holder in connection with the business or affairs of the Company or any
affiliate of the Company.

     In the event of the retirement of the Holder in good standing from the
employ of the Company for reasons of age or disability under the then
established rules of the Company, this option shall terminate on the earlier of
its expiration date and a date ninety (90) days after the Holder's retirement.
After such retirement the Holder shall have the right, at any time prior to such
termination, to exercise this option to the extent the Holder was entitled to
exercise such option immediately prior to such retirement.

     In the event of the death of the Holder while the Holder is in the employ
of the Company and before the expiration date of this option, this option shall
terminate on the earlier of its expiration date and a date one (1) year after
his death.  After the death of the Holder, the Holder's executors,
administrators or any person or persons to whom the Holder's option may be
transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution shall have the
right, at any time prior to such termination, to exercise such option to the
extent the Holder was entitled to exercise such option immediately prior to the
Holder's death.

     An employment relationship between the Company and the Holder shall be
deemed to exist during any period in which the Holder is employed by the Company
or by any subsidiary corporation of the Company.

     SEVENTH:  Any notice to be given to the Company hereunder shall be deemed
     -------
sufficient if addressed to the Company and delivered by hand or by mail to the
Treasurer of the Company, c/o TVM Techno Venture Management, 101 Arch Street,
Suite 1950, Boston, MA 02110, or such other address as the Company may hereafter
designate.

     Any notice to be given to the Holder hereunder shall be deemed sufficient
if addressed to and delivered in person to the Holder or when deposited in the
mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Holder at the Holder's address furnished
to the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     EIGHTH:  This option is subject to all laws, regulations and orders of any
     ------
governmental authority which may be applicable thereto and, notwithstanding any
of the provisions hereof, the Holder agrees that the Holder will not exercise
the option granted hereby nor will the Company be obligated to issue or sell any
shares of stock hereunder if the exercise thereof or the issuance or sale of
such shares, as the case may be, would constitute a violation by the Holder or
the Company of any such law, regulation or order or any provision thereof.  The
Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause
the exercise of this option or the issuance of shares pursuant hereto to comply
with any such law, regulation, order or provision.

     NINTH:  This option shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
     -----
accordance with, the substantive laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the company has caused this instrument to be executed
in its name and on its behalf as of the date first above written.


(Seal)



ATTEST:                         SEQUENOM, INC.




- --------------------------      -----------------------------
     Secretary                       Its

                                       6
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 1
                                   ---------

                          STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

 [THE STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT IS BEING FILED SEPARATELY AS EXHIBIT 10.53]

                                       7

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.53

                                 SEQUENOM, INC.

                          STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT

     This Agreement made as of this _____ day of ___________, _____ by and among
Sequenom, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a Delaware corporation, and the undersigned
stockholder ("Stockholder").

                         W I T N E S S E T H   T H A T

     WHEREAS, the Stockholder wishes to purchase from the Corporation ____
shares (the "Shares") of the Corporation's Common stock, $.001 par value per
share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to the exercise of options previously
granted to the Stockholder by the Corporation; and

     WHEREAS, the Corporation has required as a condition to such purchase that
the Stockholder agree, and in order to induce the Corporation to sell the Shares
the Stockholder has agreed, to certain restrictions on the rights of ownership
incidental to the shares of Common Stock purchased by the Stockholder from the
Corporation; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained and for other valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the Stockholder and the Corporation agree as follows:

     1.  Restrictions on Transfer of Shares.
         ----------------------------------

         (a)  Corporation's Right of First Refusal. Prior to closing of a firm
              ------------------------------------
commitment underwriting of the Corporation's Common Stock pursuant to a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with gross proceeds to
the Corporation of at least $10,000,000.00, the Stockholder shall not sell,
assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (collectively
"transfer") any shares of Common Stock acquired by him, including, without
limitation, the Shares, or any interest therein, whether such shares are now
held or hereafter acquired, without first giving written notice thereof to the
Corporation identifying the proposed transferee, the transfer price, and the
terms of the proposed transaction (which must be bona fide), and offering such
shares to the Corporation for purchase by it at the same price and on the same
terms. Such offer shall be in writing and mailed, postage prepaid, or delivered
to the Corporation at its principal office. The Corporation shall have 20 days
after actual receipt of such offer to notify the Stockholder in writing of its
intention to purchase all or any part of such shares. If the Corporation elects
to repurchase all or any part of such shares, the Stockholder shall sell to the
Corporation the shares to be repurchased, free of all encumbrances, and shall
deliver the certificates representing such shares, duly endorsed in blank by the
Stockholder or with duly executed stock powers attached thereto, all in form
suitable for the transfer of such shares to the Corporation, within 20 days of
the date of acceptance of the offer to sell, against
<PAGE>

payment therefor at the same price and according to the same terms as were
offered by the proposed transferee. If an offer has not been accepted by the
Corporation as to any or all offered shares within the time specified in this
subparagraph, then the Stockholder shall have 20 days within which he may
transfer the shares as to which the offer shall not have been accepted, free of
the restrictions imposed by this subparagraph, to the proposed transferee at the
same price and according to the same terms as the Stockholder previously
notified the Corporation, and thereafter such restrictions shall not apply to
any shares so transferred. At the end of such 20-day period, the restrictions
imposed by this subparagraph shall resume and be in full force and effect as to
all shares not so transferred within the period.

     Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary herein contained, the
Stockholder may during his lifetime, and the legal representatives of the
Stockholder may after his death, transfer any shares of Common Stock held by him
absolutely to, or in trust solely for the benefit of, any member of his
immediate family (which shall for the purposes hereof, mean his spouse and any
lineal descendant of his), without being required to offer such shares to the
Corporation as provided herein, provided, however, that such shares as are so
transferred shall remain subject to any and all restrictions and obligations
hereunder as if such shares continued to be held by the original transferor
thereof.

         (b)  Applicability to Certain Transferees. Anything to the contrary in
              ------------------------------------
subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 1 notwithstanding, shares transferred to any
executor, administrator, legatee or heir of the Stockholder's estate or any
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver or other officer or legal representative
appointed by any court to whom title to any of such restricted shares shall have
been transferred, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or to any other
person or entity by operation of law, shall be subject after such transfer to
the restrictions of said subparagraph (a).

         (c)  Lock-up. The Stockholder agrees that for a period of up to one
              -------
hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of any registration of
securities of the Corporation (upon request of the Corporation or the
underwriters managing any underwritten offering of the Corporation's
securities), he will not sell, make any short sale or loan of, grant any option
for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock held by
him without the prior written consent of the Corporation or such underwriters,
as the case may be.

     2.  Transfer in Violation of this Agreement. If any transfer of shares
         ---------------------------------------
subject to this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Shares) is made or
attempted in violation of any provision of this Agreement, or if any such shares
are not offered to the Corporation as required hereby, the Corporation shall
have the right to purchase such shares from the owner thereof or his transferee
at any time before or after the transfer, as herein provided. In addition to any
other legal or equitable remedies which it may have, the Corporation may enforce
its rights by actions for specific performance (to the extent permitted by law).
The Corporation shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any shares
which shall have been sold or transferred in violation of any provision of this
Agreement or (ii) to treat as the owner of such shares, or to pay dividends to,
any transferee to whom any such shares shall have been so sold or transferred.

     3.  Restrictive Legend. All certificates representing shares of Common
         ------------------
Stock held by the Stockholder which are subject to this Agreement shall have
affixed thereto a legend in

                                       2
<PAGE>

substantially the following form, in addition to any other legends that may be
required by the Corporation in connection with compliance with federal or state
securities laws or otherwise:

          "The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to
          restrictions on transfer and/or an option to purchase set forth in a
          Stock Restriction Agreement between the Corporation and the registered
          owner of the shares represented by this certificate (or his
          predecessor in interest).  The Corporation will furnish a copy of such
          agreement to the holder of this certificate upon written request
          without charge."

The Stockholder shall cause such legend to be affixed to any such certificates
not so legended.

     4.  Disposition of Stock. Any shares (including the Shares) that the
         --------------------
Corporation elects to purchase hereunder may be disposed of by it in such manner
as it deems appropriate with or without restrictions on the transfer thereof,
and the Corporation may require their transfer to a nominee or designee as part
of this purchase of the shares from the Stockholder.

     5.  Parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and
         -------
their heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns (including, without
limitation, transferees described in Paragraph 1 hereof), and the rights and
obligations of the Stockholder hereunder may not be assigned or delegated
without the written consent of the Corporation.

     6.  Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
         -------
delivered in hand or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, to the Corporation at its principal place of business
and to the Stockholder at his last known address or at the address, if any,
appearing on the books of the Corporation.

     7.  Other Agreements. The rights and obligations of the Stockholder
         ----------------
pursuant to this Agreement are in addition to and to be construed consistently
with the Stockholder's rights and obligations (including restrictions on the
Stockholder's right to dispose of shares of the Corporation's stock) contained
in any other agreement relating to the Corporation's right of first refusal that
the Stockholder executes before, on, or after the date hereof.

     8.  Waiver, Modification and Termination. The Corporation, by vote of its
         ------------------------------------
directors, may waive any of its rights hereunder either generally or with
respect to any or more specific transfers which have been proposed, attempted or
made. This Agreement may be modified or terminated by vote of the directors of
the Corporation and the written consent of the Stockholder.

     9.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
         ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute a single instrument.

     10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
         -------------
enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without regard
to its principles of conflicts of laws.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Stockholder have executed this
Agreement as a contract under seal as of the day and year first above written.

                              SEQUENOM, INC.


                              By:
                                 -------------------------------------

                              STOCKHOLDER:


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

                                       4

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.59

                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                           1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                           -------------------------

                                  ARTICLE ONE


                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
                              ------------------

     I.   PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

          This 1999 Stock Incentive Plan is intended to promote the interests of
Sequenom, Inc., a Delaware corporation, by providing eligible persons in the
Corporation's service with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest, or
otherwise increase their proprietary interest, in the Corporation as an
incentive for them to remain in such service.

          Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the attached Appendix.

     II.  STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN

          A.   The Plan shall be divided into five separate equity incentive
programs:

               -    the Discretionary Option Grant Program under which eligible
persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be granted options to
purchase shares of Common Stock,

               -    the Salary Investment Option Grant Program under which
eligible employees may elect to have a portion of their base salary invested
each year in special option grants,

               -    the Stock Issuance Program under which eligible persons may,
at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be issued shares of Common Stock
directly, either through the immediate purchase of such shares or as a bonus for
services rendered the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary),

               -    the Automatic Option Grant Program under which eligible non-
employee Board members shall automatically receive option grants at designated
intervals over their period of continued Board service, and

               -    the Director Fee Option Grant Program under which non-
employee Board members may elect to have all or any portion of their annual
retainer fee otherwise payable in cash applied to a special stock option grant.
<PAGE>

          B.   The provisions of Articles One and Seven shall apply to all
equity programs under the Plan and shall govern the interests of all persons
under the Plan.

     III. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

          A.   The Primary Committee shall have sole and exclusive authority to
administer the Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with
respect to Section 16 Insiders. Administration of the Discretionary Option Grant
and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to all other persons eligible to
participate in those programs may, at the Board's discretion, be vested in the
Primary Committee or a Secondary Committee, or the Board may retain the power to
administer those programs with respect to all such persons.  However, any
discretionary option grants or stock issuances for members of the Primary
Committee must be authorized by a disinterested majority of the Board.

          B.   Members of the Primary Committee or any Secondary Committee shall
serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and may be removed by
the Board at any time.  The Board may also at any time terminate the functions
of any Secondary Committee and reassume all powers and authority previously
delegated to such committee.

          C.   Each Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
administrative functions under the Plan, have full power and authority (subject
to the provisions of the Plan) to establish such rules and regulations as it may
deem appropriate for proper administration of the Discretionary Option Grant and
Stock Issuance Programs and to make such determinations under, and issue such
interpretations of, the provisions of those programs and any outstanding options
or stock issuances thereunder as it may deem necessary or advisable.  Decisions
of the Plan Administrator within the scope of its administrative functions under
the Plan shall be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in the
Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs under its jurisdiction or
any stock option or stock issuance thereunder.

          D.   The Primary Committee shall have the sole and exclusive authority
to determine which Section 16 Insiders and other highly compensated Employees
shall be eligible for participation in the Salary Investment Option Grant
Program for one or more calendar years.  However, all option grants under the
Salary Investment Option Grant Program shall be made in accordance with the
express terms of that program, and the Primary Committee shall not exercise any
discretionary functions with respect to the option grants made under that
program.

          E.   Service on the Primary Committee or the Secondary Committee shall
constitute service as a Board member, and members of each such committee shall
accordingly be entitled to full indemnification and reimbursement as Board
members for their service on such committee.  No member of the Primary Committee
or the Secondary Committee shall be liable for any act or omission made in good
faith with respect to the Plan or any option grants or stock issuances under the
Plan.

                                       2
<PAGE>

          F.   Administration of the Automatic Option Grant and Director Fee
Option Grant Programs shall be self-executing in accordance with the terms of
those programs, and no Plan Administrator shall exercise any discretionary
functions with respect to any option grants or stock issuances made under those
programs.

     IV.  ELIGIBILITY

          A.   The persons eligible to participate in the Discretionary Option
Grant and Stock Issuance Programs are as follows:

                    (i)   Employees,

                    (ii)  non-employee members of the Board or the board of
     directors of any Parent or Subsidiary, and

                    (iii) consultants and other independent advisors who provide
     services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

          B.   Only Employees who are Section 16 Insiders or other highly
compensated individuals shall be eligible to participate in the Salary
Investment Option Grant Program.

          C.   Each Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
administrative jurisdiction under the Plan, have full authority to determine,
(i) with respect to the option grants under the Discretionary Option Grant
Program, which eligible persons are to receive such grants, the time or times
when those grants are to be made, the number of shares to be covered by each
such grant, the status of the granted option as either an Incentive Option or a
Non-Statutory Option, the time or times when each option is to become
exercisable, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the option shares and
the maximum term for which the option is to remain outstanding and (ii) with
respect to stock issuances under the Stock Issuance Program, which eligible
persons are to receive such issuances, the time or times when the issuances are
to be made, the number of shares to be issued to each Participant, the vesting
schedule (if any) applicable to the issued shares and the consideration for such
shares.

          D.   The Plan Administrator shall have the absolute discretion either
to grant options in accordance with the Discretionary Option Grant Program or to
effect stock issuances in accordance with the Stock Issuance Program.

          E.   The individuals who shall be eligible to participate in the
Automatic Option Grant Program shall be limited to (i) those individuals who
first become non-employee Board members on or after the Underwriting Date,
whether through appointment by the Board or election by the Corporation's
stockholders, and (ii) those individuals who continue to serve as non-employee
Board members at one or more Annual Stockholders Meetings held after the
Underwriting Date.  A non-employee Board member who has previously been in the
employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) shall not be eligible to
receive an option grant

                                       3
<PAGE>

under the Automatic Option Grant Program at the time he or she first becomes a
non-employee Board member, but shall be eligible to receive periodic option
grants under the Automatic Option Grant Program while he or she continues to
serve as a non-employee Board member.

          F.   All non-employee Board members shall be eligible to participate
in the Director Fee Option Grant Program.

     V.   STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

          A.   The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized
but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the
Corporation on the open market.  The number of shares of Common Stock initially
reserved for issuance over the term of the Plan shall not exceed 4,750,000
shares.  Such reserve shall consist of (i) the number of shares estimated to
remain available for issuance, as of the Plan Effective Date, under the
Predecessor Plan as last approved by the Corporation's stockholders, including
the shares subject to outstanding options under the Predecessor Plan, (ii) plus
an additional increase of approximately 850,000 shares to be approved by the
Corporation's stockholders prior to the Underwriting Date.

          B.   The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under
the Plan shall automatically increase on the first trading day of January each
calendar year during the term of the Plan, beginning with calendar year 2001, by
an amount equal to four percent (4%) of the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on the last trading day in December of the immediately
preceding calendar year, but in no event shall any such annual increase exceed
2,000,000 shares.

          C.   No one person participating in the Plan may receive stock
options, separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock
issuances for more than 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate per
calendar year.

          D.   Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options (including
options incorporated into this Plan from the Predecessor Plan) shall be
available for subsequent issuance under the Plan to the extent (i) those options
expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise in full or (ii) the options
are cancelled in accordance with the cancellation-regrant provisions of Article
Two.  Unvested shares issued under the Plan and subsequently cancelled or
repurchased by the Corporation at the original issue price paid per share,
pursuant to the Corporation's repurchase rights under the Plan shall be added
back to the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
Plan and shall accordingly be available for reissuance through one or more
subsequent option grants or direct stock issuances under the Plan.  However,
should the exercise price of an option under the Plan be paid with shares of
Common Stock or should shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan
be withheld by the Corporation in satisfaction of the withholding taxes incurred
in connection with the exercise of an option or the vesting of a stock issuance
under the Plan, then the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance
under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the
option is exercised or which vest under the stock issuance, and

                                       4
<PAGE>

not by the net number of shares of Common Stock issued to the holder of such
option or stock issuance. Shares of Common Stock underlying one or more stock
appreciation rights exercised under Section IV of Article Two, Section III of
Article Three, Section II of Article Five or Section III of Article Six of the
Plan shall not be available for subsequent issuance under the Plan.

          E.   If any change is made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of
shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without
the Corporation's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be
made by the Plan Administrator to (i) the maximum number and/or class of
securities issuable under the Plan, (ii) the maximum number and/or class of
securities for which any one person may be granted stock options, separately
exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances under the Plan
per calendar year, (iii) the number and/or class of securities for which grants
are subsequently to be made under the Automatic Option Grant Program to new and
continuing non-employee Board members, (iv) the number and/or class of
securities and the exercise price per share in effect under each outstanding
option under the Plan, (v) the number and/or class of securities and exercise
price per share in effect under each outstanding option incorporated into this
Plan from the Predecessor Plan and (vi) the maximum number and/or class of
securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each calendar
year pursuant to the provisions of Section V.B of this Article One.  Such
adjustments to the outstanding options are to be effected in a manner which
shall preclude the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under such
options. The adjustments determined by the Plan Administrator shall be final,
binding and conclusive.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                      DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
                      ----------------------------------

     I.   OPTION TERMS

          Each option shall be evidenced by one or more documents in the form
approved by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that each such document
                                    --------
shall comply with the terms specified below.  Each document evidencing an
Incentive Option shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the Plan
applicable to such options.

          A.   Exercise Price.
               --------------

               1.   The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option grant date.

               2.   The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
exercise of the option and shall, subject to the provisions of Section I of
Article Seven and the documents evidencing the option, be payable in one or more
of the forms specified below:

                    (i)   cash or check made payable to the Corporation,

                    (ii)  shares of Common Stock held for the requisite period
     necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for financial
     reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, or

                    (iii) to the extent the option is exercised for vested
     shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which
     the Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions to (a) a
     Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the
     purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds
     available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate
     exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable
     Federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be
     withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) the
     Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly
     to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.

          Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.

          B.   Exercise and Term of Options.  Each option shall be exercisable
               ----------------------------
at such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall
be determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents
evidencing the option.  However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten
(10) years measured from the option grant date.

                                       6
<PAGE>

          C.   Effect of Termination of Service.
               --------------------------------

               1.   The following provisions shall govern the exercise of any
options held by the Optionee at the time of cessation of Service or death:

                    (i)   Any option outstanding at the time of the Optionee's
     cessation of Service for any reason shall remain exercisable for such
     period of time thereafter as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
     and set forth in the documents evidencing the option, but no such option
     shall be exercisable after the expiration of the option term.

                    (ii)  Any option held by the Optionee at the time of death
     and exercisable in whole or in part at that time may be subsequently
     exercised by the personal representative of the Optionee's estate or by the
     person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to the
     Optionee's will or the laws of inheritance or by the Optionee's designated
     beneficiary or beneficiaries of that option.

                    (iii) Should the Optionee's Service be terminated for
     Misconduct or should the Optionee otherwise engage in Misconduct while
     holding one or more outstanding options under this Article Two, then all
     those options shall terminate immediately and cease to be outstanding.

                    (iv)  During the applicable post-Service exercise period,
     the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number
     of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of the
     Optionee's cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the applicable
     exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, the
     option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested shares
     for which the option has not been exercised. However, the option shall,
     immediately upon the Optionee's cessation of Service, terminate and cease
     to be outstanding to the extent the option is not otherwise at that time
     exercisable for vested shares.

               2.   The Plan Administrator shall have complete discretion,
exercisable either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the
option remains outstanding, to:

                    (i)   extend the period of time for which the option is to
     remain exercisable following the Optionee's cessation of Service from the
     limited exercise period otherwise in effect for that option to such greater
     period of time as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate, but in no
     event beyond the expiration of the option term, and/or

                                       7
<PAGE>

                    (ii)  permit the option to be exercised, during the
     applicable post-Service exercise period, not only with respect to the
     number of vested shares of Common Stock for which such option is
     exercisable at the time of the Optionee's cessation of Service but also
     with respect to one or more additional installments in which the Optionee
     would have vested had the Optionee continued in Service.

          D.   Stockholder Rights.  The holder of an option shall have no
               ------------------
stockholder rights with respect to the shares subject to the option until such
person shall have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and become a
holder of record of the purchased shares.

          E.   Repurchase Rights.  The Plan Administrator shall have the
               -----------------
discretion to grant options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common
Stock.  Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested shares,
the Corporation shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid
per share, any or all of those unvested shares.  The terms upon which such
repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for
exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be
established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the document evidencing
such repurchase right.

          F.   Limited Transferability of Options.  During the lifetime of the
               ----------------------------------
Optionee, Incentive Options shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall
not be assignable or transferable other than by will or the laws of inheritance
following the Optionee's death.  Non-Statutory Options shall be subject to the
same restriction, except that a Non-Statutory Option may be assigned in whole or
in part during the Optionee's lifetime to one or more members of the Optionee's
family or to a trust established exclusively for one or more such family members
or to Optionee's former spouse, to the extent such assignment is in connection
with the Optionee's estate plan or pursuant to a domestic relations order.  The
assigned portion may only be exercised by the person or persons who acquire a
proprietary interest in the option pursuant to the assignment. The terms
applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for the
option immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set forth in such
documents issued to the assignee as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee may also designate one or more
persons as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of his or her outstanding options
under this Article Two, and  those options shall, in accordance with such
designation, automatically be transferred to such beneficiary or beneficiaries
upon the Optionee's death while holding those options.  Such beneficiary or
beneficiaries shall take the transferred options subject to all the terms and
conditions of the applicable agreement evidencing each such transferred option,
including (without limitation) the limited time period during which the option
may be exercised following the Optionee's death.

     II.  INCENTIVE OPTIONS

          The terms specified below shall be applicable to all Incentive
Options.  Except as modified by the provisions of this Section II, all the
provisions of Articles One, Two and Seven shall be applicable to Incentive
Options.  Options which are specifically designated as Non-Statutory Options
when issued under the Plan shall not be subject to the terms of this Section II.
                                 ---

                                       8
<PAGE>

          A.   Eligibility.  Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees.
               -----------

          B.   Dollar Limitation.  The aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares
               -----------------
of Common Stock (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) for
which one or more options granted to any Employee under the Plan (or any other
option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) may for the first
time become exercisable as Incentive Options during any one calendar year shall
not exceed the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).  To the extent
the Employee holds two (2) or more such options which become exercisable for the
first time in the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the
exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the
basis of the order in which such options are granted.

          C.   10% Stockholder.  If any Employee to whom an Incentive Option is
               ---------------
granted is a 10% Stockholder, then the exercise price per share shall not be
less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share of
Common Stock on the option grant date, and the option term shall not exceed five
(5) years measured from the option grant date.

     III. CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL

          A.   In the event of any Corporate Transaction, each outstanding
option shall automatically accelerate so that each such option shall,
immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, become
exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such
option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested
shares of Common Stock.  However, an outstanding option shall not become
exercisable on such an accelerated basis if and to the extent:  (i) such option
is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction, to be assumed by the successor
corporation (or parent thereof) or (ii) such option is to be replaced with a
cash incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread
existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction on any shares for which the
option is not otherwise at that time exercisable and provides for subsequent
payout in accordance with the same exercise/vesting schedule applicable to those
option shares or (iii) the acceleration of such option is subject to other
limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time of the option grant.

          B.   All outstanding repurchase rights shall automatically terminate,
and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall
immediately vest in full, in the event of any Corporate Transaction, except to
the extent: (i) those repurchase rights are to be assigned to the successor
corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with such Corporate Transaction or
(ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the
Plan Administrator at the time the repurchase right is issued.

          C.   Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate
Transaction, all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or
parent thereof).

                                       9
<PAGE>

          D.   Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had
the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments to reflect such Corporate Transaction shall also be made
to (i) the exercise price payable per share under each outstanding option,
provided the aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain
- --------
the same, (ii) the maximum number and/or class of securities available for
issuance over the remaining term of the Plan and (iii) the maximum number and/or
class of securities for which any one person may be granted stock options,
separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances
under the Plan per calendar year and (iv) the maximum number and/or class of
securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each calendar
year. To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common
Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the
Corporate Transaction, the successor corporation may, in connection with the
assumption of the outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant
Program, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair
market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock
in such Corporate Transaction.

          E.   The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to
structure one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant
Program so that those  options shall, immediately prior to the effective date of
such Corporate Transaction, become exercisable for all the shares of Common
Stock at the time subject to those options and may be exercised for any or all
of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock, whether or not those
options are to be assumed in the Corporate Transaction.  In addition, the Plan
Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of
the Corporation's repurchase rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program
so that those rights shall not be assignable in connection with such Corporate
Transaction and shall accordingly terminate upon the consummation of such
Corporate Transaction, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall
thereupon vest in full.

          F.   The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to
structure one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant
Program so that those  options shall become exercisable for all the shares of
Common Stock at the time subject to those options in the event the Optionee's
Service is subsequently terminated by reason of an Involuntary Termination
within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the
effective date of any Corporate Transaction in which those options are assumed
and do not otherwise accelerate.  In addition, the Plan Administrator may
structure one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights so that those
rights shall immediately terminate with respect to any shares held by the
Optionee at the time of his or her Involuntary Termination, and the shares
subject to those terminated repurchase rights shall accordingly vest in full at
that time.

                                       10
<PAGE>

          G.   The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to
structure one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant
Program so that those options shall, immediately prior to the effective date of
a Change in Control, become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at
the time subject to those options and may be exercised for any or all of those
shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan
Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of
the Corporation's repurchase rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program
so that those rights shall terminate automatically upon the consummation of such
Change in Control, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall
thereupon vest in full. Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may condition the
automatic acceleration of one or more outstanding options under the
Discretionary Option Grant Program and the termination of one or more of the
Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights under such program upon the
subsequent termination of the Optionee's Service by reason of an Involuntary
Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months)
following the effective date of such Change in Control.

          H.   The portion of any Incentive Option accelerated in connection
with a Corporate Transaction or Change in Control shall remain exercisable as an
Incentive Option only to the extent the applicable One Hundred Thousand Dollar
($100,000) limitation is not exceeded.  To the extent such dollar limitation is
exceeded, the accelerated portion of such option shall be exercisable as a
Nonstatutory Option under the Federal tax laws.

          I.   The outstanding options shall in no way affect the right of the
Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

     IV.  CANCELLATION AND REGRANT OF OPTIONS

          The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to effect, at any time
and from time to time, with the consent of the affected option holders, the
cancellation of any or all outstanding options under the Discretionary Option
Grant Program (including outstanding options incorporated from the Predecessor
Plan) and to grant in substitution new options covering the same or a different
number of shares of Common Stock but with an exercise price per share based on
the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the new grant date.

     V.   STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

          A.   The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to
grant to selected Optionees tandem stock appreciation rights and/or limited
stock appreciation rights.

          B.   The following terms shall govern the grant and exercise of tandem
stock appreciation rights:

                                       11
<PAGE>

                    (i)   One or more Optionees may be granted the right,
     exercisable upon such terms as the Plan Administrator may establish, to
     elect between the exercise of the underlying option for shares of Common
     Stock and the surrender of that option in exchange for a distribution from
     the Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (a) the Fair Market
     Value (on the option surrender date) of the number of shares in which the
     Optionee is at the time vested under the surrendered option (or surrendered
     portion thereof) over (b) the aggregate exercise price payable for such
     shares.

                    (ii)  No such option surrender shall be effective unless it
     is approved by the Plan Administrator, either at the time of the actual
     option surrender or at any earlier time. If the surrender is so approved,
     then the distribution to which the Optionee shall be entitled may be made
     in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value on the option
     surrender date, in cash, or partly in shares and partly in cash, as the
     Plan Administrator shall in its sole discretion deem appropriate.

                    (iii) If the surrender of an option is not approved by the
     Plan Administrator, then the Optionee shall retain whatever rights the
     Optionee had under the surrendered option (or surrendered portion thereof)
     on the option surrender date and may exercise such rights at any time prior
     to the later of (a) five (5) business days after the receipt of the
            -----
     rejection notice or (b) the last day on which the option is otherwise
     exercisable in accordance with the terms of the documents evidencing such
     option, but in no event may such rights be exercised more than ten (10)
     years after the option grant date.

          C.   The following terms shall govern the grant and exercise of
limited stock appreciation rights:

                    (i)   One or more Section 16 Insiders may be granted limited
     stock appreciation rights with respect to their outstanding options.

                    (ii)  Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, each
     individual holding one or more options with such a limited stock
     appreciation right shall have the unconditional right (exercisable for a
     thirty (30)-day period following such Hostile Take-Over) to surrender each
     such option to the Corporation. In return for the surrendered option, the
     Optionee shall receive a cash distribution from the Corporation in an
     amount equal to the excess of (A) the Take-Over Price of the shares of
     Common Stock at the time subject to such option (whether or not the option
     is otherwise at that time exercisable for those shares) over (B) the
     aggregate exercise price payable for those shares. Such cash distribution
     shall be paid within five (5) days following the option surrender date.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                    (iii) At the time such limited stock appreciation right is
     granted, the Plan Administrator shall pre-approve any subsequent exercise
     of that right in accordance with the terms of this Paragraph C.
     Accordingly, no further approval of the Plan Administrator or the Board
     shall be required at the time of the actual option surrender and cash
     distribution.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                    SALARY INVESTMENT OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
                    --------------------------------------

     I.   OPTION GRANTS

          The Primary Committee shall have the sole and exclusive authority to
determine the calendar year or years (if any) for which the Salary Investment
Option Grant Program is to be in effect and to select the Section 16 Insiders
and other highly compensated Employees eligible to participate in the Salary
Investment Option Grant Program for such calendar year or years.  Each selected
individual who elects to participate in the Salary Investment Option Grant
Program must, prior to the start of each calendar year of participation, file
with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) an irrevocable authorization
directing the Corporation to reduce his or her base salary for that calendar
year by an amount not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) nor more than
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).   Each individual who files such a timely
authorization shall automatically be granted an option under the Salary
Investment Grant Program on the first trading day in January of the calendar
year for which the salary reduction is to be in effect.

     II.  OPTION TERMS

          Each option shall be a Non-Statutory Option evidenced by one or more
documents in the form approved by the Plan Administrator; provided, however,
                                                          --------
that each such document shall comply with the terms specified below.

          A.   Exercise Price.
               --------------

               1.   The exercise price per share shall be thirty-three and one-
third percent (33-1/3%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
the option grant date.

               2.   The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
exercise of the option and shall be payable in one or more of the alternative
forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.  Except to the
extent the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.

          B.   Number of Option Shares.  The number of shares of Common Stock
               -----------------------
subject to the option shall be determined pursuant to the following formula
(rounded down to the nearest whole number):

               X = A / (B x 66-2/3%), where

               X is the number of option shares,

                                       14
<PAGE>

               A is the dollar amount of the reduction in the Optionee's base
          salary for the calendar year to be in effect pursuant to this program,
          and

               B is the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
          option grant date.

          C.   Exercise and Term of Options.  The option shall become
               ----------------------------
exercisable in a series of twelve (12) successive equal monthly installments
upon the Optionee's completion of each calendar month of Service in the calendar
year for which the salary reduction is in effect.  Each option shall have a
maximum term of ten (10) years measured from the option grant date.

          D.   Effect of Termination of Service.  Should the Optionee cease
               --------------------------------
Service for any reason while holding one or more options under this Article
Three, then each such option shall remain exercisable, for any or all of the
shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of such cessation of
Service, until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year option
                   -------
term or (ii) the expiration of the three (3)-year period measured from the date
of such cessation of Service.  Should the Optionee die while holding one or more
options under this Article Three, then each such option may be exercised, for
any or all of the shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of the
Optionee's cessation of Service (less any shares subsequently purchased by
Optionee prior to death), by the personal representative of the Optionee's
estate or by the person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to
the Optionee's will or the laws of inheritance or by the designated beneficiary
or beneficiaries of the option.  Such right of exercise shall lapse, and the
option shall terminate, upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-
                                 -------
year option term or (ii) the three (3)-year period measured from the date of the
Optionee's cessation of Service.  However, the option shall, immediately upon
the Optionee's cessation of Service for any reason, terminate and cease to
remain outstanding with respect to any and all shares of Common Stock for which
the option is not otherwise at that time exercisable.

     III. CORPORATE TRANSACTION/ CHANGE IN CONTROL/ HOSTILE TAKE-OVER

          A.   In the event of any Corporate Transaction while the Optionee
remains in Service, each outstanding option held by such Optionee under this
Salary Investment Option Grant Program shall automatically accelerate so that
each such option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate
Transaction, become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time
subject to such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as
fully vested shares of Common Stock.  Each such outstanding option shall
terminate immediately following the Corporate Transaction, except to the extent
assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) in such Corporate
Transaction.  Any option so assumed and shall remain exercisable for the fully
vested shares until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year
                        -------
option term or (ii) the expiration of the three (3)-year period measured from
the date of the Optionee's cessation of Service.

                                       15
<PAGE>

          B.   In the event of a Change in Control while the Optionee remains in
Service, each outstanding option held by such Optionee under this Salary
Investment Option Grant Program shall automatically accelerate so that each such
option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control,
become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested
shares of Common Stock. The option shall remain so exercisable until the
earliest to occur of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year option term, (ii)
- --------
the expiration of the three (3)-year period measured from the date of the
Optionee's cessation of Service, (iii) the termination of the option in
connection with a Corporate Transaction  or (iv) the surrender of the option in
connection with a Hostile Take-Over.

          C.   Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall
have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each
outstanding option granted him or her under the Salary Investment Option Grant
Program.  The Optionee shall in return be entitled to a cash distribution from
the Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Take-Over Price of
the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to the surrendered option
(whether or not the option is otherwise at the time exercisable for those
shares) over (ii) the aggregate exercise price payable for such shares.  Such
cash distribution shall be paid within five (5) days following the surrender of
the option to the Corporation.  The Primary Committee shall, at the time the
option with such limited stock appreciation right is granted under the Salary
Investment Option Grant Program, pre-approve any subsequent exercise of that
right in accordance with the terms of this Paragraph C.  Accordingly, no further
approval of the Primary Committee or the Board shall be required at the time of
the actual option surrender and cash distribution.

          D.   Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had
the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise price payable per
share under each outstanding option, provided the aggregate exercise price
                                     --------
payable for such securities shall remain the same.  To the extent the actual
holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration
for their Common Stock in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, the
successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding
options under the Salary Investment Option Grant Program, substitute one or more
shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash
consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Corporate Transaction.

          E.   The grant of options under the Salary Investment Option Grant
Program shall in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust,
reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part
of its business or assets.

                                       16
<PAGE>

     IV.  REMAINING TERMS

          The remaining terms of each option granted under the Salary Investment
Option Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for option grants
made under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE FOUR

                            STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM
                            ----------------------

     I.   STOCK ISSUANCE TERMS

          Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program
through direct and immediate issuances without any intervening option grants.
Each such stock issuance shall be evidenced by a Stock Issuance Agreement which
complies with the terms specified below.  Shares of Common Stock may also be
issued under the Stock Issuance Program pursuant to share right awards which
entitle the recipients to receive those shares upon the attainment of designated
performance goals.

          A.   Purchase Price.
               --------------

               1.   The purchase price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value per share of Common Stock on the issuance date.

               2.   Subject to the provisions of Section I of Article Seven,
shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program for any of
the following items of consideration which the Plan Administrator may deem
appropriate in each individual instance:

                    (i)   cash or check made payable to the Corporation, or

                    (ii)  past services rendered to the Corporation (or any
     Parent or Subsidiary).

          B.   Vesting Provisions.
               ------------------

               1.   Shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance
Program may, in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be fully and
immediately vested upon issuance or may vest in one or more installments over
the Participant's period of Service or upon attainment of specified performance
objectives.  The elements of the vesting schedule applicable to any unvested
shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance Program shall be
determined by the Plan Administrator and incorporated into the Stock Issuance
Agreement.   Shares of Common Stock may also be issued under the Stock Issuance
Program pursuant to share right awards which entitle the recipients to receive
those shares upon the attainment of designated performance goals.

               2.   Any new, substituted or additional securities or other
property (including money paid other than as a regular cash dividend) which the
Participant may have the right to receive with respect to the Participant's
unvested shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or

                                       18
<PAGE>

other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the
Corporation's receipt of consideration shall be issued subject to (i) the same
vesting requirements applicable to the Participant's unvested shares of Common
Stock and (ii) such escrow arrangements as the Plan Administrator shall deem
appropriate.

               3.   The Participant shall have full stockholder rights with
respect to any shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant under the Stock
Issuance Program, whether or not the Participant's interest in those shares is
vested.  Accordingly, the Participant shall have the right to vote such shares
and to receive any regular cash dividends paid on such shares.

               4.   Should the Participant cease to remain in Service while
holding one or more unvested shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock
Issuance Program or should the performance objectives not be attained with
respect to one or more such unvested shares of Common Stock, then those shares
shall be immediately surrendered to the Corporation for cancellation, and the
Participant shall have no further stockholder rights with respect to those
shares.  To the extent the surrendered shares were previously issued to the
Participant for consideration paid in cash or cash equivalent (including the
Participant's purchase-money indebtedness), the Corporation shall repay to the
Participant the cash consideration paid for the surrendered shares and shall
cancel the unpaid principal balance of any outstanding purchase-money note of
the Participant attributable to the surrendered shares.

               5.   The Plan Administrator may in its discretion waive the
surrender and cancellation of one or more unvested shares of Common Stock which
would otherwise occur upon the cessation of the Participant's Service or the
non-attainment of the performance objectives applicable to those shares.  Such
waiver shall result in the immediate vesting of the Participant's interest in
the shares of Common Stock as to which the waiver applies.  Such waiver may be
effected at any time, whether before or after the Participant's cessation of
Service or the attainment or non-attainment of the applicable performance
objectives.

               6.   Outstanding share right awards under the Stock Issuance
Program shall automatically terminate, and no shares of Common Stock shall
actually be issued in satisfaction of those awards, if the performance goals
established for such awards are not attained.  The Plan Administrator, however,
shall have the discretionary authority to issue shares of Common Stock under one
or more outstanding share right awards as to which the designated performance
goals have not been attained.

     II.  CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL

          A.   All of the Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights under the
Stock Issuance Program shall terminate automatically, and all the shares of
Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full,
in the event of any Corporate Transaction, except to the extent (i) those
repurchase rights are to be assigned to the successor corporation (or parent
thereof) in connection with such Corporate Transaction or (ii) such accelerated
vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed in the Stock Issuance
Agreement.

                                       19
<PAGE>

          B.   The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to
structure one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights under the Stock
Issuance Program so that those rights shall automatically terminate in whole or
in part, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall
immediately vest, in the event the Participant's Service should subsequently
terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period
(not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of any
Corporate Transaction in which those repurchase rights are assigned to the
successor corporation (or parent thereof).

          C.   The Plan Administrator shall also have the discretionary
authority to structure one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights under
the Stock Issuance Program so that those rights shall automatically terminate in
whole or in part, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated
rights shall immediately vest, in the event the Participant's Service should
subsequently terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a
designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective
date of any Change in Control.

     III. SHARE ESCROW/LEGENDS

     Unvested shares may, in the Plan Administrator's discretion, be held in
escrow by the Corporation until the Participant's interest in such shares vests
or may be issued directly to the Participant with restrictive legends on the
certificates evidencing those unvested shares.

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE FIVE

                        AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
                        ------------------------------

     I.   OPTION TERMS

          A.   Grant Dates.  Option grants shall be made on the dates specified
               -----------
below:

               1.   Each individual who is first elected or appointed as a non-
employee Board member at any time on or after the Underwriting Date shall
automatically be granted, on the date of such initial election or appointment, a
Non-Statutory Option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock, provided that
individual has not previously been in the employ of the Corporation or any
Parent or Subsidiary.

               2.   On the date of each Annual Stockholders Meeting held after
the Underwriting Date, each individual who is to continue to serve as a non-
employee Board member, whether or not that individual is standing for re-
election to the Board at that particular Annual Meeting, shall automatically be
granted a Non-Statutory Option to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock,
provided such individual has served as a non-employee Board member for at least
six (6) months.  There shall be no limit on the number of such 3,000-share
option grants any one non-employee Board member may receive over his or her
period of Board service, and non-employee Board members who have previously been
in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) or who have
otherwise received one or more stock option grants from the Corporation prior to
the Underwriting Date shall be eligible to receive one or more such annual
option grants over their period of continued Board service.

          B.   Exercise Price.
               --------------

               1.   The exercise price per share shall be equal to one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option
grant date.

               2.   The exercise price shall be payable in one or more of the
alternative forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is
utilized, payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on
the Exercise Date.

          C.   Option Term.  Each option shall have a term of ten (10) years
               -----------
measured from the option grant date.

          D.   Exercise and Vesting of Options.  Each option shall be
               -------------------------------
immediately exercisable for any or all of the option shares.  However, any
unvested shares purchased under the option shall be subject to repurchase by the
Corporation, at the exercise price paid per share, upon the Optionee's cessation
of Board service prior to vesting in those shares.  The shares subject to each
initial 15,000-share grant shall vest, and the Corporation's repurchase right
shall lapse, in a series of three (3) successive equal annual installments upon
the Optionee's

                                       21
<PAGE>

completion of each year of service as a Board member over the three (3)-year
period measured from the option grant date. The shares subject to each annual
3,000-share option grant shall vest in one installment upon the Optionee's
completion of the one (1)-year period of service measured from the grant date.

          E.   Limited Transferability of Options.  Each option under this
               ----------------------------------
Article Five may be assigned in whole or in part during the Optionee's lifetime
to one or more members of the Optionee's family or to a trust established
exclusively for one or more such family members or to Optionee's former spouse,
to the extent such assignment is in connection with the Optionee's estate plan
or pursuant to domestic relations order.  The assigned portion may only be
exercised by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the
option pursuant to the assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion
shall be the same as those in effect for the option immediately prior to such
assignment and shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as
the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.  The Optionee may also designate
one or more persons as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of his or her
outstanding options under this Article Five, and  those options shall, in
accordance with such designation, automatically be transferred to such
beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the Optionee's death while holding those
options.  Such beneficiary or beneficiaries shall take the transferred options
subject to all the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement evidencing
each such transferred option, including (without limitation) the limited time
period during which the option may be exercised following the Optionee's death.

          F.   Termination of Board Service.  The following provisions shall
               ----------------------------
govern the exercise of any options held by the Optionee at the time the Optionee
ceases to serve as a Board member:

                    (i)   The Optionee (or, in the event of Optionee's death,
     the personal representative of the Optionee's estate or the person or
     persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee's will
     or the laws of inheritance or the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries
     of such option) shall have a twelve (12)-month period following the date of
     such cessation of Board service in which to exercise each such option.

                    (ii)  During the twelve (12)-month exercise period, the
     option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of
     vested shares of Common Stock for which the option is exercisable at the
     time of the Optionee's cessation of Board service.

                    (iii) Should the Optionee cease to serve as a Board member
     by reason of death or Permanent Disability, then all shares at the time
     subject to the option shall immediately vest so that such option may,
     during the twelve (12)-month exercise period following such cessation of
     Board service, be exercised for all or any portion of those shares as fully
     vested shares of Common Stock.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                    (iv)  In no event shall the option remain exercisable after
     the expiration of the option term. Upon the expiration of the twelve (12)-
     month exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option
     term, the option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested
     shares for which the option has not been exercised. However, the option
     shall, immediately upon the Optionee's cessation of Board service for any
     reason other than death or Permanent Disability, terminate and cease to be
     outstanding to the extent the option is not otherwise at that time
     exercisable for vested shares.

     II.  CORPORATE TRANSACTION/ CHANGE IN CONTROL/ HOSTILE TAKE-OVER

          A.   In the event of any Corporate Transaction while the Optionee
remains a Board member, the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to each
outstanding option but not otherwise vested shall automatically vest in full so
that each such option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the
Corporate Transaction, become exercisable for all the option shares as fully
vested shares of Common Stock and may be exercised for any or all of those
vested shares.  Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate
Transaction, each automatic option grant shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or
parent thereof).

          B.   In connection with any Change in Control while the Optionee
remains a Board member, the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to each
outstanding option but not otherwise vested shall automatically vest in full so
that each such option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the
Change in Control, become exercisable for all the option shares as fully vested
shares of Common Stock and may be exercised for any or all of those vested
shares. Each such option shall remain exercisable for such fully vested option
shares until the expiration or sooner termination of the option term or the
surrender of the option in connection with a Hostile Take-Over.

          C.   All outstanding repurchase rights under this Article Five shall
automatically terminate, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those
terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in the event of any Corporate
Transaction or Change in Control.

          D.   Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall
have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each of
his or her outstanding automatic option grants.  The Optionee shall in return be
entitled to a cash distribution from the Corporation in an amount equal to the
excess of (i) the Take-Over Price of the shares of Common Stock at the time
subject to each surrendered option (whether or not the Optionee is otherwise at
the time vested in those shares) over (ii) the aggregate exercise price payable
for such shares.  Such cash distribution shall be paid within five (5) days
following the surrender of the option to the Corporation.  No approval or
consent of the Board or any Plan Administrator shall be required at the time of
the actual option surrender and cash distribution.

                                       23
<PAGE>

          E.   Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had
the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise price payable per
share under each outstanding option, provided the aggregate exercise price
                                     --------
payable for such securities shall remain the same. To the extent the actual
holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration
for their Common Stock in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, the
successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding
options under the Automatic Option Grant Program, substitute one or more shares
of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash
consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Corporate Transaction.

          F.   The grant of options under the Automatic Option Grant Program
shall in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify,
reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its
business or assets.

     III. REMAINING TERMS

          The remaining terms of each option granted under the Automatic Option
Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for option grants made
under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE SIX



                       DIRECTOR FEE OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
                       ---------------------------------

     I.   OPTION GRANTS

          The Primary Committee shall have the sole and exclusive authority to
determine the calendar year or years for which the Director Fee Option Grant
Program is to be in effect.  For each such calendar year the program is in
effect, each non-employee Board member may irrevocably elect to apply all or any
portion of the annual retainer fee otherwise payable in cash for his or her
service on the Board for that year to the acquisition of a special option grant
under this Director Fee Option Grant Program.  Such election must be filed with
the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer prior to the first day of the calendar
year for which the annual retainer fee which is the subject of that election is
otherwise payable.  Each non-employee Board member who files such a timely
election shall automatically be granted an option under this Director Fee Option
Grant Program on the first trading day in January in the calendar year for which
the annual retainer fee which is the subject of that election would otherwise be
payable in cash.

     II.  OPTION TERMS

          Each option shall be a Non-Statutory Option governed by the terms and
conditions specified below.

          A.   Exercise Price.
               --------------

          1.   The exercise price per share shall be thirty-three and one-
third percent (33-1/3%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
the option grant date.

          2.   The exercise price shall become immediately due upon exercise of
the option and shall be payable in one or more of the alternative forms
authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program. Except to the extent
the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is utilized, payment of
the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the Exercise Date.

          B.   Number of Option Shares.  The number of shares of Common Stock
               -----------------------
subject to the option shall be determined pursuant to the following formula
(rounded down to the nearest whole number):

               X = A / (B x 66-2/3%), where

               X is the number of option shares,

               A is the portion of the annual retainer fee subject to the non-
          employee Board member's election, and

                                       25
<PAGE>

               B is the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
          option grant date.

               C.   Exercise and Term of Options.  The option shall become
                    ----------------------------
exercisable in a series of twelve (12) equal monthly installments upon the
Optionee's completion of each calendar month of Board service during the
calendar year for which the retainer fee election is in effect.  Each option
shall have a maximum term of ten (10) years measured from the option grant date.

               D.   Limited Transferability of Options.  Each option under this
                    ----------------------------------
Article Six may be assigned in whole or in part during the Optionee's lifetime
to one or more members of the Optionee's family or to a trust established
exclusively for one or more such family members or to Optionee's former spouse,
to the extent such assignment is in connection with Optionee's estate plan or
pursuant to a domestic relations order.  The assigned portion may only be
exercised by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the
option pursuant to the assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion
shall be the same as those in effect for the option immediately prior to such
assignment and shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as
the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.  The Optionee may also designate
one or more persons as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of his or her
outstanding options under this Article Six, and  those options shall, in
accordance with such designation, automatically be transferred to such
beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the Optionee's death while holding those
options.  Such beneficiary or beneficiaries shall take the transferred options
subject to all the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement evidencing
each such transferred option, including (without limitation) the limited time
period during which the option may be exercised following the Optionee's death.

               E.   Termination of Board Service.  Should the Optionee cease
                    ----------------------------
Board service for any reason (other than death or Permanent Disability) while
holding one or more options under this Director Fee Option Grant Program, then
each such option shall remain exercisable, for any or all of the shares for
which the option is exercisable at the time of such cessation of Board service,
until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year option term or
          -------
(ii) the expiration of the three (3)-year period measured from the date of such
cessation of Board service. However, each option held by the Optionee under this
Director Fee Option Grant Program at the time of his or her cessation of Board
service shall immediately terminate and cease to remain outstanding with respect
to any and all shares of Common Stock for which the option is not otherwise at
that time exercisable.

               F.   Death or Permanent Disability.  Should the Optionee's
                    -----------------------------
service as a Board member cease by reason of death or Permanent Disability, then
each option held by such Optionee under this Director Fee Option Grant Program
shall immediately become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the
time subject to that option, and the option may be exercised for any or all of
those shares as fully vested shares until the earlier of (i) the expiration of
                                              -------
the ten (10)-year option term or (ii) the expiration of the three (3)-year
period measured from

                                       26
<PAGE>

the date of such cessation of Board service.  In the event of the Optionee's
death while holding such option, the option may be exercised by the personal
representative of the Optionee's estate or by the person or persons to whom the
option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee's will or the laws of inheritance
or by the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries of such option.

                    Should the Optionee die after cessation of Board service but
while holding one or more options under this Director Fee Option Grant Program,
then each such option may be exercised, for any or all of the shares for which
the option is exercisable at the time of the Optionee's cessation of Board
service (less any shares subsequently purchased by Optionee prior to death), by
the personal representative of the Optionee's estate or by the person or persons
to whom the option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee's will or the laws of
inheritance or by the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries of such option.
Such right of exercise shall lapse, and the option shall terminate, upon the
earlier of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year option term or (ii) the
- -------
three (3)-year period measured from the date of the Optionee's cessation of
Board service.

     III. CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER

          A.   In the event of any Corporate Transaction while the Optionee
remains a Board member, each outstanding option held by such Optionee under this
Director Fee Option Grant Program shall automatically accelerate so that each
such option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate
Transaction, become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time
subject to such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as
fully vested shares of Common Stock.  Each such outstanding option shall
terminate immediately following the Corporate Transaction, except to the extent
assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) in such Corporate
Transaction.  Any option so assumed and shall remain exercisable for the fully
vested shares until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year
                        -------
option term or (ii) the expiration of the three (3)-year period measured from
the date of the Optionee's cessation of Board service.

          B.   In the event of a Change in Control while the Optionee remains in
Service, each outstanding option held by such Optionee under this Director Fee
Option Grant Program shall automatically accelerate so that each such option
shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control, become
exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such
option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested
shares of Common Stock.  The option shall remain so exercisable until the
earliest to occur of (i) the expiration of the ten (10)-year option term, (ii)
- --------
the expiration of the three (3)-year period measured from the date of the
Optionee's cessation of Board service, (iii) the termination of the option in
connection with a Corporate Transaction or (iv) the surrender of the option in
connection with a Hostile Take-Over.

          C.   Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall
have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each
outstanding option granted him or her under the Director Fee Option Grant
Program.  The Optionee shall in return be

                                       27
<PAGE>

entitled to a cash distribution from the Corporation in an amount equal to the
excess of (i) the Take-Over Price of the shares of Common Stock at the time
subject to each surrendered option (whether or not the option is otherwise at
the time exercisable for those shares) over (ii) the aggregate exercise price
payable for such shares. Such cash distribution shall be paid within five (5)
days following the surrender of the option to the Corporation. No approval or
consent of the Board or any Plan Administrator shall be required at the time of
the actual option surrender and cash distribution.

          D.   Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had
the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise price payable per
share under each outstanding option, provided the aggregate exercise price
                                     --------
payable for such securities shall remain the same.  To the extent the actual
holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration
for their Common Stock in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, the
successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding
options under the Director Fee Option Grant Program, substitute one or more
shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash
consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Corporate Transaction.

          E.   The grant of options under the Director Fee Option Grant Program
shall in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify,
reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its
business or assets.

     IV.  REMAINING TERMS

          The remaining terms of each option granted under this Director Fee
Option Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for option grants
made under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.

                                       28
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN


                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     I.   FINANCING

          The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee or Participant to pay
the option exercise price under the Discretionary Option Grant Program or the
purchase price of shares issued under the Stock Issuance Program by delivering a
full-recourse, interest-bearing promissory note payable in one or more
installments.  The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest
rate and the terms of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator
in its sole discretion.  In no event may the maximum credit available to the
Optionee or Participant exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise
price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares (less the par value of
such shares) plus (ii) any Federal, state and local income and employment tax
liability incurred by the Optionee or the Participant in connection with the
option exercise or share purchase.

     II.  TAX WITHHOLDING

          A.   The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock
upon the exercise of options or the issuance or vesting of such shares under the
Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of all applicable Federal, state and
local income and employment tax withholding requirements.

          B.   The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide any or all
holders of Non-Statutory Options or unvested shares of Common Stock under the
Plan (other than the options granted or the shares issued under the Automatic
Option Grant or Director Fee Option Grant Program) with the right to use shares
of Common Stock in satisfaction of all or part of the Withholding Taxes to which
such holders may become subject in connection with the exercise of their options
or the vesting of their shares.  Such right may be provided to any such holder
in either or both of the following formats:

               Stock Withholding:  The election to have the Corporation
               -----------------
withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise
of such Non-Statutory Option or the vesting of such shares, a portion of those
shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the
Withholding Taxes (not to exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the
holder.

               Stock Delivery:  The election to deliver to the Corporation, at
               --------------
the time the Non-Statutory Option is exercised or the shares vest, one or more
shares of Common Stock previously acquired by such holder (other than in
connection with the option exercise or share vesting triggering the Withholding
Taxes) with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the
Withholding Taxes (not to exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the
holder.

                                       29
<PAGE>

     III. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

          A.   The Plan shall become effective immediately on the Plan Effective
Date.  However, the Salary Investment Option Grant Program and the Director Fee
Option Grant Program shall not be implemented until such time as the Primary
Committee may deem appropriate.  Options may be granted under the Discretionary
Option Grant at any time on or after the Plan Effective Date, and the initial
option grants under the Automatic Option Grant Program shall also be made on the
Plan Effective Date to any non-employee Board members eligible for such grants
at that time.  However, no options granted under the Plan may be exercised, and
no shares shall be issued under the Plan, until the Plan is approved by the
Corporation's stockholders.  If such stockholder approval is not obtained within
twelve (12) months after the Plan Effective Date, then all options previously
granted under this Plan shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, and no
further options shall be granted and no shares shall be issued under the Plan.

          B.   The Plan shall serve as the successor to the Predecessor Plan,
and no further option grants or direct stock issuances shall be made under the
Predecessor Plan after the Plan Effective Date.  All options outstanding under
the Predecessor Plan on the Plan Effective Date shall be incorporated into the
Plan at that time and shall be treated as outstanding options under the Plan.
However, each outstanding option so incorporated shall continue to be governed
solely by the terms of the documents evidencing such option, and no provision of
the Plan shall be deemed to affect or otherwise modify the rights or obligations
of the holders of such incorporated options with respect to their acquisition of
shares of Common Stock.

          C.   One or more provisions of the Plan, including (without
limitation) the option/vesting acceleration provisions of Article Two relating
to Corporate Transactions and Changes in Control, may, in the Plan
Administrator's discretion, be extended to one or more options incorporated from
the Predecessor Plan which do not otherwise contain such provisions.

          D.   The Plan shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i)
                                                 --------
November 6, 2009, (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under
the Plan shall have been issued as fully vested shares or (iii) the termination
of all outstanding options in connection with a Corporate Transaction.  Should
the Plan terminate on November 6, 2009, then all option grants and unvested
stock issuances outstanding at that time shall continue to have force and effect
in accordance with the provisions of the documents evidencing such grants or
issuances.

     IV.  AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

          A.   The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and authority
to amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects.  However, no such amendment
or modification shall adversely affect the rights and obligations with respect
to stock options or unvested stock issuances at the time outstanding under the
Plan unless the Optionee or the Participant consents to such amendment or
modification.  In addition, certain amendments may require stockholder approval
pursuant to applicable laws or regulations.

                                       30
<PAGE>

          B.   Options to purchase shares of Common Stock may be granted under
the Discretionary Option Grant and Salary Investment Option Grant Programs and
shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program that are
in each instance in excess of the number of shares then available for issuance
under the Plan, provided any excess shares actually issued under those programs
shall be held in escrow until there is obtained stockholder approval of an
amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock available
for issuance under the Plan.  If such stockholder approval is not obtained
within twelve (12) months after the date the first such excess issuances are
made, then (i) any unexercised options granted on the basis of such excess
shares shall terminate and cease to be outstanding and (ii) the Corporation
shall promptly refund to the Optionees and the Participants the exercise or
purchase price paid for any excess shares issued under the Plan and held in
escrow, together with interest (at the applicable Short Term Federal Rate) for
the period the shares were held in escrow, and such shares shall thereupon be
automatically cancelled and cease to be outstanding.

     V.   USE OF PROCEEDS

          Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares
of Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.

     VI.  REGULATORY APPROVALS

          A.   The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any stock option
under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock (i) upon the
exercise of any granted option or (ii) under the Stock Issuance Program shall be
subject to the Corporation's procurement of all approvals and permits required
by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the stock options
granted under it and the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to it.

          B.   No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be issued or
delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with
all applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws, including the
filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements
of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which
Common Stock is then listed for trading.

     VII. NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS

          Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee or the Participant
any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or
interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the
Optionee or the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each,
to terminate such person's Service at any time for any reason, with or without
cause.

                                       31
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX


          The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:

          A.   Automatic Option Grant Program shall mean the automatic option
               ------------------------------
grant program in effect under Article Five of the Plan.

          B.   Board shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
               -----

          C.   Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership or control of
               -----------------
the Corporation effected through either of the following transactions:

                    (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly by any
     person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or
     a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by,
     or is under common control with, the Corporation), of beneficial
     ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of
     securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
     combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities
     pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the
     Corporation's stockholders, or

                    (ii) a change in the composition of the Board over
     a period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such that
     a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more
     contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of
     individuals who either (A) have been Board members continuously
     since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected or
     nominated for election as Board members during such period by at
     least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who
     were still in office at the time the Board approved such election
     or nomination.

          D.   Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
               ----

          E.   Common Stock shall mean the Corporation's common stock.
               ------------

          F.   Corporate Transaction shall mean either of the following
               ---------------------
stockholder-approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:

                    (i) a merger or consolidation in which securities
     possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined
     voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities are
     transferred to a person or persons different from the persons
     holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction,
     or

                    (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of
     all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets in complete
     liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.

                                       A-1.
<PAGE>

          G.   Corporation shall mean Sequenom, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
               -----------
and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting
stock of Sequenom, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.

          H.   Director Fee Option Grant Program shall mean the special stock
               ---------------------------------
option grant in effect for non-employee Board members under Article Six of the
Plan.

          I.   Discretionary Option Grant Program shall mean the discretionary
               ----------------------------------
option grant program in effect under Article Two of the Plan.

          J.   Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
               --------
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.

          K.   Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall
               -------------
have received written notice of the option exercise.

          L.   Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date
               -----------------
shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

                    (i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on
     the Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be
     the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date
     in question, as such price is reported by the National
     Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National Market
     and reported in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing
                     -----------------------
     selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then
     the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the
     last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

                    (ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on
     any Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the
     closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in
     question on the Stock Exchange determined by the Plan
     Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as
     such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of
     transactions on such exchange and reported in The Wall Street
                                                   ---------------
     Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common
     -------
     Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall
     be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which
     such quotation exists.

                    (iii) For purposes of any option grants made on
     the Underwriting Date, the Fair Market Value shall be deemed to
     be equal to the price per share at which the Common Stock is to
     be sold in the initial public offering pursuant to the
     Underwriting Agreement.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

          M.   Hostile Take-Over shall mean the acquisition, directly or
               -----------------
indirectly, by any person or related group of persons (other than the
Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with, the Corporation) of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation's
outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to
the Corporation's stockholders which the Board does not recommend such
stockholders to accept.

          N.   Incentive Option shall mean an option which satisfies the
               ----------------
requirements of Code Section 422.

          O.   Involuntary Termination shall mean the termination of the Service
               -----------------------
of any individual which occurs by reason of:

                    (i) such individual's involuntary dismissal or
     discharge by the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct,
     or

                    (ii) such individual's voluntary resignation
     following (A) a change in his or her position with the
     Corporation which materially reduces his or her duties and
     responsibilities or the level of management to which he or she
     reports, (B) a reduction in his or her level of compensation
     (including base salary, fringe benefits and target bonus under
     any corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by
     more than fifteen percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of such
     individual's place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles,
     provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is
     effected by the Corporation without the individual's consent.

          P.   Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud,
               ----------
embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use
or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct
by such person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner.  The foregoing definition
shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the
dismissal or discharge of any Optionee, Participant or other person in the
Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

          Q.   1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
               --------
amended.

          R.   Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy
               --------------------
the requirements of Code Section 422.

          S.   Optionee shall mean any person to whom an option is granted under
               --------
the Discretionary Option Grant, Salary Investment Option Grant, Automatic Option
Grant or Director Fee Option Grant Program.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

          T.   Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
               ------
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.

          U.   Participant shall mean any person who is issued shares of Common
               -----------
Stock under the Stock Issuance Program.

          V.   Permanent Disability or Permanently Disabled shall mean the
               --------------------------------------------
inability of the Optionee or the Participant to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve
(12) months or more.  However, solely for purposes of the Automatic Option Grant
and Director Fee Option Grant Programs, Permanent Disability or Permanently
Disabled shall mean the inability of the non-employee Board member to perform
his or her usual duties as a Board member by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to be
of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.

          W.   Plan shall mean the Corporation's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as
               ----
set forth in this document.

          X.   Plan Administrator shall mean the particular entity, whether the
               ------------------
Primary Committee, the Board or the Secondary Committee, which is authorized to
administer the Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with
respect to one or more classes of eligible persons, to the extent such entity is
carrying out its administrative functions under those programs with respect to
the persons under its jurisdiction.

          Y.   Plan Effective Date shall mean the date the Plan shall become
               -------------------
effective and shall be coincident with the Underwriting Date.

          Z.   Predecessor Plan shall mean the Corporation's 1998 Stock
               ----------------
Option/Stock Issuance Plan in effect immediately prior to the Plan Effective
Date hereunder.

          AA.  Primary Committee shall mean the committee of two (2) or more
               -----------------
non-employee Board members appointed by the Board to administer the
Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to Section
16 Insiders and to administer the Salary Investment Option Grant Program solely
with respect to the selection of the eligible individuals who may participate in
such program.

          BB.  Salary Investment Option Grant Program shall mean the salary
               --------------------------------------
investment option grant program in effect under Article Three of the Plan.

          CC.  Secondary Committee shall mean a committee of one or more Board
               -------------------
members appointed by the Board to administer the Discretionary Option Grant and
Stock Issuance Programs with respect to eligible persons other than Section 16
Insiders.

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

          DD.  Section 16 Insider shall mean an officer or director of the
               ------------------
Corporation subject to the short-swing profit liabilities of Section 16 of the
1934 Act.

          EE.  Service shall mean the performance of services for the
               -------
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an
Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or
independent advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the
documents evidencing the option grant or stock issuance.

          FF.  Stock Exchange shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or
               --------------
the New York Stock Exchange.

          GG.  Stock Issuance Agreement shall mean the agreement entered into by
               ------------------------
the Corporation and the Participant at the time of issuance of shares of Common
Stock under the Stock Issuance Program.

          HH.  Stock Issuance Program shall mean the stock issuance program in
               ----------------------
effect under Article Four of the Plan.

          II.  Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the
               ----------
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the
unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
in one of the other corporations in such chain.

          JJ.  Take-Over Price shall mean the greater of (i) the Fair Market
               ---------------                -------
Value per share of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered to the
Corporation in connection with a Hostile Take-Over or (ii) the highest reported
price per share of Common Stock paid by the tender offeror in effecting such
Hostile Take-Over.  However, if the surrendered option is an Incentive Option,
the Take-Over Price shall not exceed the clause (i) price per share.

          KK.  10% Stockholder shall mean the owner of stock (as determined
               ---------------
under Code Section 424(d)) possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary).

          LL.  Underwriting Agreement shall mean the agreement between the
               ----------------------
Corporation and the underwriter or underwriters managing the initial public
offering of the Common Stock.

          MM.  Underwriting Date shall mean the date on which the Underwriting
               -----------------
Agreement is executed and priced in connection with an initial public offering
of the Common Stock.

          NN.  Withholding Taxes shall mean the Federal, state and local income
               -----------------
and employment withholding taxes to which the holder of Non-Statutory Options or
unvested shares of Common Stock may become subject in connection with the
exercise of those options or the vesting of those shares.

                                       36

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.60

                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                       1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                       ---------------------------------


     I.   PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

          This Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to promote the interests
of Sequenom, Inc., a Delaware corporation, by providing eligible employees with
the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Corporation through
participation in a payroll deduction-based employee stock purchase plan designed
to qualify under Section 423 of the Code.

          Capitalized terms herein shall have the meanings assigned to such
terms in the attached Appendix.

     II.  ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

          The Plan Administrator shall have full authority to interpret and
construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt such rules and regulations for
administering the Plan as it may deem necessary in order to comply with the
requirements of Code Section 423. Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be
final and binding on all parties having an interest in the Plan.

     III. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

          A.   The stock purchasable under the Plan shall be shares of
authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares of Common
Stock purchased on the open market. The number of shares of Common Stock
initially reserved for issuance over the term of the Plan shall be limited to
250,000 shares.

          B.   The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under
the Plan shall automatically increase on the first trading day of January each
calendar year during the term of the Plan, beginning with calendar year 2001, by
an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on the last trading day in December of the immediately
preceding calendar year, but in no event shall any such annual increase exceed
500,000 shares.

          C.   Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange
of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class
without the Corporation's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments
shall be made to (i) the maximum number and class of securities issuable under
the Plan, (ii) the maximum number and class of securities purchasable per
Participant on any one Purchase Date, (iii) the maximum number and class of
securities purchasable in total by all Participants on any one Purchase Date,
(iv) the maximum number
<PAGE>

and/or class of securities by which the share reserve is to increase
automatically each calendar year pursuant to the provisions of Section III.B of
this Article One and (v) the number and class of securities and the price per
share in effect under each outstanding purchase right in order to prevent the
dilution or enlargement of benefits thereunder.

     IV.  OFFERING PERIODS

          A.   Shares of Common Stock shall be offered for purchase under the
Plan through a series of overlapping offering periods until such time as (i) the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan
shall have been purchased or (ii) the Plan shall have been sooner terminated.

          B.   Each offering period shall be of such duration (not to exceed
twenty-four (24) months) as determined by the Plan Administrator prior to the
start date of such offering period. Offering periods shall commence at
semi-annual intervals on the first business day of February and August each year
over the term of the Plan. Accordingly, two (2) separate offering periods shall
commence in each calendar year the Plan remains in existence. However, the
initial offering period shall commence at the Effective Time and terminate on
the last business day in January 2002.

          C.   Each offering period shall consist of a series of one or more
successive Purchase Intervals. Purchase Intervals shall run from the first
business day in February to the last business day in July each year and from the
first business day in August each year to the last business day in January in
the following year. However, the first Purchase Interval in effect under the
initial offering period shall commence at the Effective Time and terminate on
the last business day in July 2000.

          D.   Should the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any
Purchase Date within a particular offering period be less than the Fair Market
Value per share of Common Stock on the start date of that offering period, then
that offering period shall automatically terminate immediately after the
purchase of shares of Common Stock on such Purchase Date, and a new offering
period shall commence on the next business day following such Purchase Date. The
new offering period shall have a duration of twenty (24) months, unless a
shorter duration is established by the Plan Administrator within five (5)
business days following the start date of that offering period. All individuals
participating in the terminated offering period shall automatically be
transferred to the new offering period.

     V.   ELIGIBILITY

          A.   Each individual who is an Eligible Employee on the start date of
any offering period under the Plan may enter that offering period on such start
date. However, an Eligible Employees may participate in only one offering period
at a time.

                                       2.
<PAGE>

          B.   Except as provided in Section IV.D. above, an Eligible Employee
must, in order to participate in a particular offering period, complete the
enrollment forms prescribed by the Plan Administrator (including a stock
purchase agreement and a payroll deduction authorization) and file such forms
with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) on or before the start date of
that offering period.

     VI.  PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS

          A.   The payroll deduction authorized by the Participant for purposes
of acquiring shares of Common Stock during an offering period may be any
multiple of one percent (1%) of the Base Salary paid to the Participant during
each Purchase Interval within that offering period, up to a maximum of fifteen
percent (15%). The deduction rate so authorized shall continue in effect
throughout the offering period, except to the extent such rate is changed in
accordance with the following guidelines:

               (i)  The Participant may, at any time during the offering period,
     reduce his or her rate of payroll deduction to become effective as soon as
     possible after filing the appropriate form with the Plan Administrator. The
     Participant may not, however, effect more than one (1) such reduction per
     Purchase Interval.

               (ii) The Participant may, prior to the commencement of any new
     Purchase Interval within the offering period, increase the rate of his or
     her payroll deduction by filing the appropriate form with the Plan
     Administrator. The new rate (which may not exceed the fifteen percent (15%)
     maximum) shall become effective on the start date of the first Purchase
     Interval following the filing of such form.

          B.   Payroll deductions shall begin on the first pay day
administratively feasible following the Participant's Entry Date into the
offering period and shall (unless sooner terminated by the Participant) continue
through the pay day ending with or immediately prior to the last day of that
offering period. The amounts so collected shall be credited to the Participant's
book account under the Plan, but no interest shall be paid on the balance from
time to time outstanding in such account. The amounts collected from the
Participant shall not be required to be held in any segregated account or trust
fund and may be commingled with the general assets of the Corporation and used
for general corporate purposes.

          C.   Payroll deductions shall automatically cease upon the termination
of the Participant's purchase right in accordance with the provisions of the
Plan.

          D.   The Participant's acquisition of Common Stock under the Plan on
any Purchase Date shall neither limit nor require the Participant's acquisition
of Common Stock on any subsequent Purchase Date, whether within the same or a
different offering period.

                                       3.
<PAGE>

     VII.  PURCHASE RIGHTS

           A.  Grant of Purchase Rights.  A Participant shall be granted a
               ------------------------
separate purchase right for each offering period in which he or she
participates. The purchase right shall be granted on the start date of the
offering period and shall provide the Participant with the right to purchase
shares of Common Stock, in a series of successive installments during that
offering period, upon the terms set forth below. The Participant shall execute a
stock purchase agreement embodying such terms and such other provisions (not
inconsistent with the Plan) as the Plan Administrator may deem advisable.

           Under no circumstances shall purchase rights be granted under the
Plan to any Eligible Employee if such individual would, immediately after the
grant, own (within the meaning of Code Section 424(d)) or hold outstanding
options or other rights to purchase, stock possessing five percent (5%) or more
of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Corporation or any Corporate Affiliate.

           B.  Exercise of the Purchase Right. Each purchase right shall be
               ------------------------------
automatically exercised in installments on each successive Purchase Date within
the offering period, and shares of Common Stock shall accordingly be purchased
on behalf of each Participant on each such Purchase Date. The purchase shall be
effected by applying the Participant's payroll deductions for the Purchase
Interval ending on such Purchase Date to the purchase of whole shares of Common
Stock at the purchase price in effect for the Participant for that Purchase
Date.

           C.  Purchase Price.  The purchase price per share at which Common
               --------------
Stock will be purchased on the Participant's behalf on each Purchase Date within
the particular offering period in which he or she is participating shall be
equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value per
share of Common Stock on the start date of that offering period or (ii) the Fair
Market Value per share of Common Stock on that Purchase Date.

           D.  Number of Purchasable Shares.  The number of shares of Common
               ----------------------------
Stock purchasable by a Participant on each Purchase Date during the particular
offering period in which he or she is participating shall be the number of whole
shares obtained by dividing the amount collected from the Participant through
payroll deductions during the Purchase Interval ending with that Purchase Date
by the purchase price in effect for the Participant for that Purchase Date.
However, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock purchasable per
Participant on any one Purchase Date shall not exceed 1,000 shares, subject to
periodic adjustments in the event of certain changes in the Corporation's
capitalization. In addition, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable in total by all Participants on any one Purchase Date shall not
exceed 62,500 shares, subject to periodic adjustments in the event of certain
changes in the Corporation's capitalization. However, the Plan Administrator
shall have the discretionary authority, exercisable prior to the start of any
offering period under the Plan, to increase or decrease the limitations to be in
effect for the number of shares purchasable per Participant and in total by all
Participants on each Purchase Date during that offering period.

                                       4.
<PAGE>

          E.   Excess Payroll Deductions.  Any payroll deductions not applied to
               -------------------------
the purchase of shares of Common Stock on any Purchase Date because they are not
sufficient to purchase a whole share of Common Stock shall be held for the
purchase of Common Stock on the next Purchase Date. However, any payroll
deductions not applied to the purchase of Common Stock by reason of the
limitation on the maximum number of shares purchasable per Participant or in
total by all Participants on the Purchase Date shall be promptly refunded.

          F.   Termination of Purchase Right.  The following provisions shall
               -----------------------------
govern the termination of outstanding purchase rights:

               (i)   A Participant may, at any time prior to the next scheduled
     Purchase Date in the offering period in which he or she is participating,
     terminate his or her outstanding purchase right by filing the appropriate
     form with the Plan Administrator (or its designate), and no further payroll
     deductions shall be collected from the Participant with respect to the
     terminated purchase right. Any payroll deductions collected during the
     Purchase Interval in which such termination occurs shall, at the
     Participant's election, be immediately refunded or held for the purchase of
     shares on the next Purchase Date. If no such election is made at the time
     such purchase right is terminated, then the payroll deductions collected
     with respect to the terminated right shall be refunded as soon as possible.

               (ii)  The termination of such purchase right shall be
     irrevocable, and the Participant may not subsequently rejoin the offering
     period for which the terminated purchase right was granted. In order to
     resume participation in any subsequent offering period, such individual
     must re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely filing of the prescribed
     enrollment forms) on or before the start date of that offering period.

               (iii) Should the Participant cease to remain an Eligible Employee
     for any reason (including death, disability or change in status) while his
     or her purchase right remains outstanding, then that purchase right shall
     immediately terminate, and all of the Participant's payroll deductions for
     the Purchase Interval in which the purchase right so terminates shall be
     immediately refunded. However, should the Participant cease to remain in
     active service by reason of an approved unpaid leave of absence, then the
     Participant shall have the right, exercisable up until the last business
     day of the Purchase Interval in which such leave commences, to (a) withdraw
     all the payroll deductions collected to date on his or her behalf for that
     Purchase Interval or (b) have such funds held for the purchase of shares on
     his or her behalf on the next scheduled Purchase Date. In no event,
     however, shall any further payroll deductions be collected on the
     Participant's behalf during such leave. Upon the Participant's return to
     active service (x) within ninety (90) days following the commencement of
     such leave or (y) prior to the expiration of any longer period for which
     such Participant's right

                                       5.
<PAGE>

     to reemployment with the Corporation is guaranteed by statute or contract,
     his or her payroll deductions under the Plan shall automatically resume at
     the rate in effect at the time the leave began, unless the Participant
     withdraws from the Plan prior to his or her return. An individual who
     returns to active employment following a leave of absence that exceeds in
     duration the applicable (x) or (y) time period will be treated as a new
     Employee for purposes of subsequent participation in the Plan and must
     accordingly re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely filing of the
     prescribed enrollment forms) on or before the start date of any subsequent
     offering period in which he or she wishes to participate.

          G.   Change in Control.  Each outstanding purchase right shall
               -----------------
automatically be exercised, immediately prior to the effective date of any
Change in Control, by applying the payroll deductions of each Participant for
the Purchase Interval in which such Change in Control occurs to the purchase of
whole shares of Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to eighty-five
percent (85%) of the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value per share of Common
Stock on the start date of the offering period in which such individual is
participating at the time of such Change in Control or (ii) the Fair Market
Value per share of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control. However, the applicable limitation on the number of shares of
Common Stock purchasable per Participant shall continue to apply to any such
purchase, but not the limitation applicable to the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock purchasable in total by all Participants on any one Purchase Date.

          The Corporation shall use its best efforts to provide at least ten
(10) days' prior written notice of the occurrence of any Change in Control, and
Participants shall, following the receipt of such notice, have the right to
terminate their outstanding purchase rights prior to the effective date of the
Change in Control.

          H.   Proration of Purchase Rights.  Should the total number of shares
               ----------------------------
of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any
particular date exceed the number of shares then available for issuance under
the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall make a pro-rata allocation of the
available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, and the payroll
deductions of each Participant, to the extent in excess of the aggregate
purchase price payable for the Common Stock pro-rated to such individual, shall
be refunded.

          I.   Assignability.  The purchase right shall be exercisable only by
               -------------
the Participant and shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant.

          J.   Stockholder Rights.  A Participant shall have no stockholder
               ------------------
rights with respect to the shares subject to his or her outstanding purchase
right until the shares are purchased on the Participant's behalf in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan and the Participant has become a holder of
record of the purchased shares.

                                       6.
<PAGE>

     VIII. ACCRUAL LIMITATIONS

           A.   No Participant shall be entitled to accrue rights to acquire
Common Stock pursuant to any purchase right outstanding under this Plan if and
to the extent such accrual, when aggregated with (i) rights to purchase Common
Stock accrued under any other purchase right granted under this Plan and (ii)
similar rights accrued under other employee stock purchase plans (within the
meaning of Code Section 423)) of the Corporation or any Corporate Affiliate,
would otherwise permit such Participant to purchase more than Twenty-Five
Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) worth of stock of the Corporation or any Corporate
Affiliate (determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value per share on the
date or dates such rights are granted) for each calendar year such rights are at
any time outstanding.

           B.   For purposes of applying such accrual limitations to the
purchase rights granted under the Plan, the following provisions shall be in
effect:

                (i)  The right to acquire Common Stock under each outstanding
     purchase right shall accrue in a series of installments on each successive
     Purchase Date during the offering period on which such right remains
     outstanding.

                (ii) No right to acquire Common Stock under any outstanding
     purchase right shall accrue to the extent the Participant has already
     accrued in the same calendar year the right to acquire Common Stock under
     one or more other purchase rights at a rate equal to Twenty-Five Thousand
     Dollars ($25,000.00) worth of Common Stock (determined on the basis of the
     Fair Market Value per share on the date or dates of grant) for each
     calendar year such rights were at any time outstanding.

          C.    If by reason of such accrual limitations, any purchase right of
a Participant does not accrue for a particular Purchase Interval, then the
payroll deductions that the Participant made during that Purchase Interval with
respect to such purchase right shall be promptly refunded.

           D.   In the event there is any conflict between the provisions of
this Article and one or more provisions of the Plan or any instrument issued
thereunder, the provisions of this Article shall be controlling.

     IX.   EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

           A.   The Plan was adopted by the Board on ___________, 1999, and
shall become effective at the Effective Time, provided no purchase rights
granted under the Plan shall be exercised, and no shares of Common Stock shall
be issued hereunder, until (i) the Plan shall have been approved by the
stockholders of the Corporation and (ii) the Corporation shall have complied
with all applicable requirements of the 1933 Act (including the registration of
the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan on a Form S-8 registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), all applicable
listing requirements of any stock

                                       7.
<PAGE>

exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which the Common
Stock is listed for trading and all other applicable requirements established by
law or regulation. In the event such stockholder approval is not obtained, or
such compliance is not effected, within twelve (12) months after the date on
which the Plan is adopted by the Board, the Plan shall terminate and have no
further force or effect, and all sums collected from Participants during the
initial offering period hereunder shall be refunded.

          B.   Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate
upon the earliest of (i) the last business day in January 2010, (ii) the date on
which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been sold
pursuant to purchase rights exercised under the Plan or (iii) the date on which
all purchase rights are exercised in connection with a Change in Control. No
further purchase rights shall be granted or exercised, and no further payroll
deductions shall be collected, under the Plan following such termination.

     X.   AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

          A.   The Board may alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any
time to become effective immediately following the close of any Purchase
Interval. However, the Plan may be amended or terminated immediately upon Board
action, if and to the extent necessary to assure that the Corporation will not
recognize, for financial reporting purposes, any compensation expense in
connection with the shares of Common Stock offered for purchase under the Plan,
should the financial accounting rules applicable to the Plan at the Effective
Time be subsequently revised so as to require the Corporation to recognize
compensation expense in the absence of such amendment or termination.

          B.   In no event may the Board effect any of the following amendments
or revisions to the Plan without the approval of the Corporation's stockholders:
(i) increase the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan,
except for permissible adjustments in the event of certain changes in the
Corporation's capitalization, (ii) alter the purchase price formula so as to
reduce the purchase price payable for the shares of Common Stock purchasable
under the Plan or (iii) modify the eligibility requirements for participation in
the Plan.

     XI.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

          A.   All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan
shall be paid by the Corporation; however, each Plan Participant shall bear all
costs and expenses incurred by such individual in the sale or other disposition
of any shares purchased under the Plan.

          B.   Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right
to continue in the employ of the Corporation or any Corporate Affiliate for any
period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way
the rights of the Corporation (or any Corporate Affiliate employing such person)
or of the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to
terminate such person's employment at any time for any reason, with or without
cause.

                                       8.
<PAGE>

          C.   The provisions of the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California without resort to that State's conflict-of-laws rules.

                                       9.
<PAGE>

                                  Schedule A


                         Corporations Participating in
                         Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                           As of the Effective Time
                           ------------------------

                                Sequenom, Inc.
<PAGE>

                                    APPENDIX
                                    --------
          The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:

          A.   Base Salary shall mean the regular base salary paid to a
               -----------
Participant by one or more Participating Companies during such individual's
period of participation in one or more offering periods under the Plan and shall
be calculated before deduction of (A) any income or employment tax withholdings
or (B) any contributions made by the Participant to any Code Section 401(k)
salary deferral plan or any Code Section 125 cafeteria benefit program now or
hereafter established by the Corporation or any Corporate Affiliate. Base Salary
shall not include (i) any overtime payments, bonuses, commissions, profit-
sharing distributions or other incentive-type payments or (ii) any contributions
made by the Corporation or any Corporate Affiliate on the Participant's behalf
to any employee benefit or welfare plan now or hereafter established (other than
Code Section 401(k) or Code Section 125 contributions deducted from such Base
Salary).

          B.   Board shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
               -----

          C.   Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership of the
               -----------------
Corporation pursuant to any of the following transactions:

               (i)    a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing
     more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
     Corporation's outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons
     different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to
     such transaction, or

               (ii)   the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
     substantially all of the assets of the Corporation in complete liquidation
     or dissolution of the Corporation, or

               (iii)  the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by a person or
     related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that
     directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common
     control with the Corporation) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
     of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty
     percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation's
     outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly
     to the Corporation's stockholders.

          D.   Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
               ----

          E.   Common Stock shall mean the Corporation's common stock.
               ------------

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

          F.   Corporate Affiliate shall mean any parent or subsidiary
               -------------------
corporation of the Corporation (as determined in accordance with Code
Section 424), whether now existing or subsequently established.

          G.   Corporation shall mean Sequenom, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
               -----------
and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting
stock of Sequenom, Inc. that shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.

          H.   Effective Time shall mean the time at which the Underwriting
               --------------
Agreement is executed and the Common Stock priced for the initial public
offering of such Common Stock. Any Corporate Affiliate that becomes a
Participating Corporation after such Effective Time shall designate a subsequent
Effective Time with respect to its employee-Participants.

          I.   Eligible Employee shall mean any person who is employed by a
               -----------------
Participating Corporation on a basis under which he or she is regularly expected
to render more than twenty (20) hours of service per week for more than five (5)
months per calendar year for earnings considered wages under Code
Section 3401 (a).

          J.   Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date
               -----------------
shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

               (i)   If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq
     National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
     price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is
     reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq
     National Market. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock
     on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing
     selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

               (ii)  If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock
     Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per
     share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange
     determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the
     Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of
     transactions on such exchange. If there is no closing selling price for the
     Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be
     the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such
     quotation exists.

               (iii)  For purposes of the initial offering period that begins at
     the Effective Time, the Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to
     the price per share at which the Common Stock is sold in the initial public
     offering pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

          K.   1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
               --------

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

          L.   Participant shall mean any Eligible Employee of a Participating
               -----------
Corporation who is actively participating in the Plan.

          M.   Participating Corporation shall mean the Corporation and such
               -------------------------
Corporate Affiliate or Affiliates as may be authorized from time to time by the
Board to extend the benefits of the Plan to their Eligible Employees.  The
Participating Corporations in the Plan are listed in attached Schedule A.

          N.   Plan shall mean the Corporation's 1999 Employee Stock Purchase
               ----
Plan, as set forth in this document.

          O.   Plan Administrator shall mean the committee of two (2) or more
               ------------------
Board members appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

          P.   Purchase Date shall mean the last business day of each Purchase
               -------------
Interval.  The initial Purchase Date shall be July 31, 2000.

          Q.   Purchase Interval shall mean each successive six (6)-month period
               -----------------
within a particular offering period at the end of which there shall be purchased
shares of Common Stock on behalf of each Participant.

          R.   Stock Exchange shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or
               --------------
the New York Stock Exchange.

          S.   Underwriting Agreement shall mean the agreement between the
               ----------------------
Corporation and the underwriter or underwriters managing the initial public
offering of the Common Stock.

                                      A-3

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.61

                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                        NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION
                        -------------------------------


          Notice is hereby given of the following option grant (the "Option") to
purchase shares of the Common Stock of Sequenom, Inc. (the "Corporation"):

          Optionee: __________________________________________________________
          --------

          Grant Date: ________________________________________________________
          ----------

          Vesting Commencement Date: _________________________________________
          -------------------------

          Exercise Price: $ _________________________________________ per share
          --------------

          Number of Option Shares: _____________________________________ shares
          -----------------------

          Expiration Date: ____________________________________________________
          ---------------

          Type of Option: _______ Incentive Stock Option
          --------------
                          _______ Non-Statutory Stock Option

          Exercise Schedule:  The Option shall become exercisable for twenty-
          -----------------
          five percent (25%) of the Option Shares upon Optionee's completion of
          one (1) year of Service measured from the Vesting Commencement Date
          and shall become exercisable for the balance of the Option Shares in a
          series of thirty-six (36) successive equal monthly installments upon
          Optionee's completion of each additional month of Service over the
          thirty-six (36) month period measured from the first anniversary of
          the Vesting Commencement Date.  In no event shall the Option become
          exercisable for any additional Option Shares after Optionee's
          cessation of Service.

          Optionee understands and agrees that the Option is granted subject to
and in accordance with the terms of the Sequenom, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Plan").  Optionee further agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and
the terms of the Option as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement attached
hereto as Exhibit A.  Optionee hereby acknowledges the receipt of a copy of the
          ---------
official prospectus for the Plan in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. A
                                                                ---------
copy of the Plan is available upon request made to the Corporate Secretary at
the Corporation's principal offices.
<PAGE>

          Employment at Will.  Nothing in this Notice or in the attached Stock
          ------------------
Option Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue
in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise
restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary
employing or retaining Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby
expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee's Service at any time for any
reason, with or without cause.

          Definitions.  All capitalized terms in this Notice shall have the
          -----------
meaning assigned to them in this Notice or in the attached Stock Option
Agreement.

DATED:_________________________

                                       SEQUENOM, INC.

                                       By: _____________________________

                                       Title: __________________________



                                       _________________________________
                                                     OPTIONEE

                                       Address: ________________________

                                       _________________________________


ATTACHMENTS
- -----------
Exhibit A - Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit B - Plan Summary and Prospectus

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B
                                   ---------

                          PLAN SUMMARY AND PROSPECTUS

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.62

                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                            STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                            ----------------------

RECITALS
- --------

     A.   The Board has adopted the Plan for the purpose of retaining the
services of selected Employees, non-employee members of the Board (or the board
of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary) and consultants and other independent
advisors who provide services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

     B.   Optionee is to render valuable services to the Corporation (or a
Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is executed pursuant to, and is
intended to carry out the purposes of, the Plan in connection with the
Corporation's grant of an option to Optionee.

     C.   All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning
assigned to them in the attached Appendix.

          NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

          1.  Grant of Option.  The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as of
              ---------------
the Grant Date, an option to purchase up to the number of Option Shares
specified in the Grant Notice.  The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time
to time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the Exercise Price.

          2.  Option Term.  This option shall have a maximum term of ten (10)
              -----------
years measured from the Grant Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of
business on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with
Paragraph 5 or 6.

          3.  Limited Transferability.
              -----------------------

              (a)  This option shall be neither transferable nor assignable by
Optionee other than by will or the laws of inheritance following Optionee's
death and may be exercised, during Optionee's lifetime, only by Optionee.
However, Optionee may designate one or more persons as the beneficiary or
beneficiaries of this option, and this option shall, in accordance with such
designation, automatically be transferred to such beneficiary or beneficiaries
upon the Optionee's death while holding this option. Such beneficiary or
beneficiaries shall take the transferred option subject to all the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, including (without limitation) the limited time
period during which this option may, pursuant to Paragraph 5, be exercised
following Optionee's death.
<PAGE>

               (b)  If this option is designated a Non-Statutory Option in the
Grant Notice, then this option may be assigned in whole or in part during
Optionee's lifetime to one or more members of Optionee's family or to a trust
established for the exclusive benefit of one or more such family members or to
Optionee's former spouse, to the extent such assignment is in connection with
the Optionee's estate plan or pursuant to a domestic relations order. The
assigned portion shall be exercisable only by the person or persons who acquire
a proprietary interest in the option pursuant to such assignment. The terms
applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for this
option immediately prior to such assignment.

          4.   Dates of Exercise.  This option shall become exercisable for the
               -----------------
Option Shares in one or more installments as specified in the Grant Notice.  As
the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those installments shall
accumulate, and the option shall remain exercisable for the accumulated
installments until the Expiration Date or sooner termination of the option term
under Paragraph 5 or 6.

          5.   Cessation of Service.  The option term specified in Paragraph 2
               --------------------
shall terminate (and this option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the
Expiration Date should any of the following provisions become applicable:

               (a)  Should Optionee cease to remain in Service for any reason
(other than death, Permanent Disability or Misconduct) while holding this
option, then Optionee shall have a period of three (3) months (commencing with
the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this option, but
in no event shall this option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration
Date.

               (b)  Should Optionee die while holding this option, then the
personal representative of Optionee's estate or the person or persons to whom
the option is transferred pursuant to Optionee's will or the laws of inheritance
shall have the right to exercise this option. However, if Optionee has
designated one or more beneficiaries of this option, then those persons shall
have the exclusive right to exercise this option following Optionee's death. Any
such right to exercise this option shall lapse, and this option shall cease to
be outstanding, upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the twelve (12)-month
                         -------
period measured from the date of Optionee's death or (ii) the Expiration Date.

               (c)  Should Optionee cease Service by reason of Permanent
Disability while holding this option, then Optionee shall have a period of
twelve (12) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Service)
during which to exercise this option. In no event shall this option be
exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.

               (d)  During the limited period of post-Service exercisability,
this option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of
Option Shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of Optionee's
cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of such limited exercise period or (if
earlier) upon the Expiration Date, this option shall terminate and

                                       2
<PAGE>

cease to be outstanding for any exercisable Option Shares for which the option
has not been exercised.  However, this option shall, immediately upon Optionee's
cessation of Service for any reason, terminate and cease to be outstanding with
respect to any Option Shares for which this option is not otherwise at that time
exercisable.

               (e)  Should Optionee's Service be terminated for Misconduct or
should Optionee otherwise engage in any Misconduct while this option is
outstanding, then this option shall terminate immediately and cease to remain
outstanding.

          6.   Special Acceleration of Option.
               ------------------------------

               (a)  This option, to the extent outstanding at the time of a
Corporate Transaction but not otherwise fully exercisable, shall automatically
accelerate so that this option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of
such Corporate Transaction, become exercisable for all of the Option Shares at
the time subject to this option and may be exercised for any or all of those
Option Shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. However, this option shall
not become exercisable on such an accelerated basis, if and to the extent: (i)
this option is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction, to be assumed by
the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or (ii) this option is to be
replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which
preserves the spread existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction on any
Option Shares for which this option is not otherwise at that time exercisable
(the excess of the Fair Market Value of those Option Shares over the aggregate
Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for subsequent payout in
accordance with the same option exercise/vesting schedule for those Option
Shares set forth in the Grant Notice.

               (b)  Immediately following the Corporate Transaction, this option
shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with the Corporate
Transaction.

               (c)  If this option is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after
such Corporate Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which
would have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Corporate
Transaction had the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate
Transaction, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise
Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same.  To the
       --------
extent the actual holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive
cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Corporate
Transaction, the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of
this option, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair
market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock
in such Corporate Transaction.

               (d)  This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the
Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

                                       3
<PAGE>

          7.   Adjustment in Option Shares.  Should any change be made to the
               ---------------------------
Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the
outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation's receipt of
consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to (i) the total number
and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price in
order to reflect such change and thereby preclude a dilution or enlargement of
benefits hereunder.

          8.   Stockholder Rights.  The holder of this option shall not have any
               ------------------
stockholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall
have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record
of the purchased shares.

          9.   Manner of Exercising Option.
               ---------------------------

               (a)  In order to exercise this option with respect to all or any
part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable,
Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the
following actions:

                    (i)   Execute and deliver to the Corporation a
     Notice of Exercise for the Option Shares for which the option is
     exercised.

                    (ii)  Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the
     purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:

                          (A) cash or check made payable to the
          Corporation;

                          (B) a promissory note payable to the
          Corporation, but only to the extent authorized by the Plan
          Administrator in accordance with Paragraph 13;

                          (C) shares of Common Stock held by Optionee
          (or any other person or persons exercising the option) for
          the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the
          Corporation's earnings for financial reporting purposes and
          valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date; or

                          (D) through a special sale and remittance
          procedure pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or
          persons exercising the option) shall concurrently provide
          irrevocable instructions (i) to a Corporation-designated
          brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased
          shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale
          proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds
          to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the
          purchased shares plus all

                                       4
<PAGE>

          applicable Federal, state and local income and employment
          taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason
          of such exercise and (ii) to the Corporation to deliver the
          certificates for the purchased shares directly to such
          brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.

               Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure
          is utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment
          of the Exercise Price must accompany the Notice of Exercise
          delivered to the Corporation in connection with the option
          exercise.

                    (iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate
     documentation that the person or persons exercising the option
     (if other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this option.

                    (iv)  Make appropriate arrangements with the
     Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining
     Optionee) for the satisfaction of all Federal, state and local
     income and employment tax withholding requirements applicable to
     the option exercise.

               (b)  As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the
Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or
persons exercising this option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares,
with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.

               (c)  In no event may this option be exercised for any fractional
shares.

          10.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations.
               ------------------------------------

               (a)  The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option
Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and
Optionee with all applicable requirements of law relating thereto and with all
applicable regulations of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if
applicable) on which the Common Stock may be listed for trading at the time of
such exercise and issuance.

               (b)  The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any
regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to
the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option shall
relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or
sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained.
The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such
approvals.

          11.  Successors and Assigns.  Except to the extent otherwise provided
               ----------------------
in Paragraphs 3 and 6, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns
and Optionee, Optionee's assigns, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees
of Optionee's estate and any beneficiaries of this option designated by
Optionee.

                                       5
<PAGE>

          12.  Notices.  Any notice required to be given or delivered to the
               -------
Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed
to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices.  Any notice required to
be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee
at the address indicated below Optionee's signature line on the Grant Notice.
All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in
the U.S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be
notified.

          13.  Financing.  The Plan Administrator may, in its absolute
               ---------
discretion and without any obligation to do so, permit Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price for the purchased Option Shares by delivering a full-recourse
promissory note payable to the Corporation.  The terms of any such promissory
note (including the interest rate, the requirements for collateral and the terms
of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator in its sole
discretion.

          14.  Construction.  This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are
               ------------
made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and
subject to the terms of the Plan.  All decisions of the Plan Administrator with
respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall
be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.

          15.  Governing Law.  The interpretation, performance and enforcement
               -------------
of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California
without resort to that State's conflict-of-laws rules.

          16.  Excess Shares.  If the Option Shares covered by this Agreement
               -------------
exceed, as of the Grant Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may
without stockholder approval be issued under the Plan, then this option shall be
void with respect to those excess shares, unless stockholder approval of an
amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
under the Plan is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

          17.  Additional Terms Applicable to an Incentive Option.  In the event
               --------------------------------------------------
this option is designated an Incentive Option in the Grant Notice, the following
terms and conditions shall also apply to the grant:

               (a)  This option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax
treatment as an Incentive Option if (and to the extent) this option is exercised
for one or more Option Shares: (A) more than three (3) months after the date
Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Permanent
Disability or (B) more than twelve (12) months after the date Optionee ceases to
be an Employee by reason of Permanent Disability.

               (b)  No installment under this option shall qualify for favorable
tax treatment as an Incentive Option if (and to the extent) the aggregate Fair
Market Value (determined at the Grant Date) of the Common Stock for which such
installment first becomes exercisable hereunder would, when added to the
aggregate value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of the
Common Stock or other securities for which this option or any other Incentive
Options granted to Optionee prior to the Grant Date (whether under the Plan or
any

                                       6
<PAGE>

other option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) first become
exercisable during the same calendar year, exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000) in the aggregate. Should such One Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000)
limitation be exceeded in any calendar year, this option shall nevertheless
become exercisable for the excess shares in such calendar year as a Non-
Statutory Option.

               (c)  Should the exercisability of this option be accelerated upon
a Corporate Transaction, then this option shall qualify for favorable tax
treatment as an Incentive Option only to the extent the aggregate Fair Market
Value (determined at the Grant Date) of the Common Stock for which this option
first becomes exercisable in the calendar year in which the Corporate
Transaction occurs does not, when added to the aggregate value (determined as of
the respective date or dates of grant) of the Common Stock or other securities
for which this option or one or more other Incentive Options granted to Optionee
prior to the Grant Date (whether under the Plan or any other option plan of the
Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) first become exercisable during the
same calendar year, exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the
aggregate. Should the applicable One Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000)
limitation be exceeded in the calendar year of such Corporate Transaction, the
option may nevertheless be exercised for the excess shares in such calendar year
as a Non-Statutory Option.

               (d)  Should Optionee hold, in addition to this option, one or
more other options to purchase Common Stock which become exercisable for the
first time in the same calendar year as this option, then the foregoing
limitations on the exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be
applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT I
                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE

          I hereby notify Sequenom, Inc. (the "Corporation") that I elect to
purchase ______________ shares of the Corporation's Common Stock (the "Purchased
Shares") at the option exercise price of $ ______________ per share (the
"Exercise Price") pursuant to that certain option (the "Option") granted to me
under the Corporation's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan on ____________________,
_______.

          Concurrently with the delivery of this Exercise Notice to the
Corporation, I shall hereby pay to the Corporation the Exercise Price for the
Purchased Shares in accordance with the provisions of my agreement with the
Corporation (or other documents) evidencing the Option and shall deliver
whatever additional documents may be required by such agreement as a condition
for exercise.  Alternatively, I may utilize the special broker-dealer sale and
remittance procedure specified in my agreement to effect payment of the Exercise
Price.

____________________, _______
Date


                                             ________________________________
                                             Optionee

                                             Address: _______________________

                                             ________________________________


Print name in exact manner it is to
appear on the stock certificate:             ________________________________

Address to which certificate is to
be sent, if different from address
above:                                       ________________________________

                                             ________________________________

Social Security Number:                      ________________________________
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX
                                   --------

          The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:

     A.   Agreement shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.
          ---------

     B.   Board shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
          -----

     C.   Common Stock shall mean shares of the Corporation's common stock.
          ------------

     D.   Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
          ----

     E.   Corporate Transaction shall mean either of the following stockholder-
          ---------------------
approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:

               (i)   a merger or consolidation in which securities
     possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined
     voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities are
     transferred to a person or persons different from the persons
     holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction,
     or

               (ii)  the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
     substantially all of the Corporation's assets in complete
     liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.

     F.   Corporation shall mean Sequenom, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any
          -----------
successor corporation to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock
of Sequenom, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.

     G.   Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
          --------
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.

     H.   Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the option shall have been
          -------------
exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.

     I.   Exercise Price shall mean the exercise price per Option Share as
          --------------
specified in the Grant Notice.

     J.   Expiration Date shall mean the date on which the option expires as
          ---------------
specified in the Grant Notice.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

     K.   Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall
          -----------------
be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

               (i)   If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the
     Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be
     deemed equal to the closing selling price per share of Common
     Stock on the date in question, as the price is reported by the
     National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National
     Market and published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no
                             -----------------------
     closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in
     question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
     price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists,
     or

               (ii)  If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any
     Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be deemed equal
     to the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the
     date in question on the Stock Exchange determined by the Plan
     Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as
     such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of
     transactions on such exchange and published in The Wall Street
                                                    ---------------
     Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common
     -------
     Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall
     be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which
     such quotation exists.

     L.   Grant Date shall mean the date of grant of the option as specified in
          ----------
the Grant Notice.

     M.   Grant Notice shall mean the Notice of Grant of Stock Option
          ------------
accompanying the Agreement, pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the
basic terms of the option evidenced hereby.

     N.   Incentive Option shall mean an option which satisfies the requirements
          ----------------
of Code Section 422.

     O.   Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement
          ----------
or dishonesty by Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure by Optionee of
confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by Optionee adversely affecting
the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a
material manner.  The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive
of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary)
may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge of Optionee or any other
individual in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

     P.   Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the
          --------------------
requirements of Code Section 422.

     Q.   Notice of Exercise shall mean the notice of exercise in the form
          ------------------
attached hereto as Exhibit I.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

     R.   Option Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject
          -------------
to the option as specified in the Grant Notice.

     S.   Optionee shall mean the person to whom the option is granted as
          --------
specified in the Grant Notice.

     T.   Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an
          ------
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.

     U.   Permanent Disability shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in
          --------------------
any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which is expected to result in death or has lasted
or can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12) months or
more.

     V.   Plan shall mean the Corporation's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.
          ----

     W.   Plan Administrator shall mean either the Board or a committee of the
          ------------------
Board acting in its capacity as administrator of the Plan.

     X.   Service shall mean the Optionee's performance of services for the
          -------
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee, a non-
employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent
advisor.

     Y.   Stock Exchange shall mean the American Stock Exchange or the New York
          --------------
Stock Exchange.

     Z.   Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
          ----------
an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each
corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the
time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.

                                      A-3

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Selected
consolidated financial data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
January 23, 2000 in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1
No. 333-91665) and related Prospectus of Sequenom, Inc.

                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Diego, California

January 23, 2000


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