BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
8-K, 1997-12-19
LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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   <PAGE>

                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C. 20549

                                FORM 8-K

                             CURRENT REPORT

                PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


   Date of Report (Date of  earliest event reported) December 5, 1997


                     BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
   __________________________________________________________________
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


   A Delaware Corporation             1-7928              94-1381833
   __________________________________________________________________
   (State or Other Jurisdiction     (Commission        (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)              File  Number)    Identification No.)


   1000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, California               94547
   __________________________________________________________________
   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (Zip Code)

   Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (510)724-7000


                               No Change
   __________________________________________________________________
     (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)




   <PAGE>

   ITEM 2.   Acquisition of Assets

        (a)  On December 5, 1997, Chiron Diagnostics Corporation and
             Chiron Corporation (collectively "Chiron") and Bio-Rad
             Laboratories, Inc. ("Bio-Rad" or the "Company") entered
             into an Asset Purchase Agreement whereby Bio-Rad
             purchased the assets used by Chiron in the business of
             manufacturing, marketing and sale of diagnostics controls
             (exclusive of control product for use with blood gas or
             blood electrolyte diagnostics systems).  The cash
             purchase price was financed through the Company's
             existing principal revolving credit agreement.  The
             purchase price has been omitted and filed separately and
             in confidence with the Securities and Exchange
             Commission.

        (b)  The physical assets acquired by Bio-Rad, inventory and
             equipment, were employed by Chiron in the manufacture and
             distribution of diagnostic control products.  Bio-Rad
             plans to employ these assets in the same or similar
             business during its ownership.

   ITEM 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
             Exhibits

        (c)  The exhibit to this report is listed in the accompanying
             Index to Exhibits.










                                      1


   <PAGE>

                               SIGNATURES


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

                                 BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
                                       (Registrant)



   Date:  December 18, 1997      /s/ Sanford S. Wadler
                                 Sanford S. Wadler, Vice President,
                                 General Counsel and Secretary












                                      2



   <PAGE>


                       BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                               ITEM 7(c)


   The following documents are filed as part of this report:


   Exhibit No.

      2.1    Asset Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") dated December
             5, 1997 between Chiron Diagnostics Corporation, Chiron
             Corporation and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. excluding
             Exhibits and Schedules.  Pursuant to Regulation S-K
             Item 601(b)(2), the Exhibits and Schedules listed on
             pages iv and v of the Agreement have not been filed.
             The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy
             of any omitted schedule to the Commission upon request.
             The Registrant has requested confidential treatment of
             certain portions of this exhibit.










                                      3


   <PAGE>


                       ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                            by and between

                     Chiron Diagnostics Corporation

                            as "Seller,"

                         Chiron Corporation

                               and

                      Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

                           as "Buyer"


                    Dated:  December 5, 1997





   Legend:
   [ ** ] This material has been omitted pursuant to a request
          for confidential treatment.  The material has been filed
          separately with the Commission.


   <PAGE>
                     ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                        TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                      Page
   ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS                                                1
   1.1 Defined Terms                                                    1
   1.2 Other Defined Terms                                              9

   ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS                               9
   2.1 Transfer of Assets                                               9
   2.2 Assumption of Liabilities                                        9
   2.3 Excluded Liabilities                                            10
   2.4 Purchase Price                                                  11
   2.5 Post-Closing Adjustment                                         12
   2.6 Prorations                                                      13
   2.7 Closing Costs; Transfer Taxes and Fees                          13

   ARTICLE III CLOSING                                                 14
   3.1 Closing                                                         14
   3.2 Conveyances at Closing                                          14

   ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER                 15
   4.1 Organization of Seller                                          15
   4.2 Subsidiaries                                                    15
   4.3 Authorization                                                   15
   4.4 No Adverse Change                                               16
   4.5 Assets                                                          16
   4.6 Facilities                                                      16
   4.7 Contracts and Commitments                                       17
   4.8 Permits                                                         19
   4.9 No Conflict or Violation                                        19
   4.10 Financial Statements                                           19
   4.11 Books and Records.                                             20
   4.12 Litigation                                                     20
   4.13 Labor Matters                                                  20
   4.14 Liabilities                                                    20
   4.15 Compliance with Law                                            20
   4.16 No Brokers                                                     21
   4.17 No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets                         21
   4.18 Proprietary Rights                                             21
   4.19 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          22
   4.20 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          22
   4.21 Tax Matters                                                    22
   4.22 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          23
   4.23 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          23

                                       i

   <PAGE>
   4.24 Inventory                                                      23
   4.25 Purchase Commitments                                           23
   4.26 Payments                                                       23
   4.27 Customers, Distributors and Suppliers                          24
   4.28 Compliance With Environmental Laws                             24
   4.29 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.                                         26
   4.30 Projections                                                    26

   ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER                   26
   5.1 Organization of Buyer                                           26
   5.2 Authorization                                                   26
   5.3 No Conflict or Violation                                        27
   5.4 Consents and Approvals                                          27
   5.5 No Brokers                                                      27
   5.6 Lawsuits, Claims                                                27
   5.7 Financial Capability                                            27
   5.8 Intentionally Omitted                                           27
   5.9 Projections                                                     28

   ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF SELLER AND BUYER                            28
   6.1 Further Assurances                                              28
   6.2 No Solicitation                                                 29
   6.3 Notification of Certain Matters                                 29
   6.4 Investigation by Buyer                                          30
   6.5 Conduct of Business                                             31
   6.6 Employee Matters                                                32
   6.7 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                           33
   6.8 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                           34

   ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS                      34
   7.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants                       34
   7.2 Consents; Regulatory Compliance and Approval                    34
   7.3 No Actions or Court Orders                                      34
   7.4 Opinion of Counsel                                              34
   7.5 Certificates                                                    35
   7.6 Corporate Documents                                             35
   7.7 Assumption Document                                             35
   7.8 Ancillary Agreements                                            35

   ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS                      35
   8.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants                       36
   8.2 Consents; Regulatory Compliance and  Approval                   36
   8.3 No Actions or Court Orders.                                     36
   8.4 Opinion of Counsel                                              36
   8.5 Certificates.                                                   38

                                       ii

   <PAGE>
   8.6 Material Changes                                                38
   8.7 Corporate Documents                                             38
   8.8 Due Diligence Review                                            38
   8.9 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                           38
   8.10 Conveyancing Documents; Release of Encumbrances                38
   8.11 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          38
   8.12 Permits                                                        38
   8.13 Other Agreements                                               38
   8.14 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          38
   8.15 Tax Clearance Certificate                                      39

   ARTICLE IX RISK OF LOSS; CONSENTS TO ASSIGNMENT                     39
   9.1 Risk of Loss                                                    39
   9.2 Consents to Assignment                                          39

   ARTICLE X ACTIONS BY SELLER AND BUYER AFTER THE CLOSING             40
   10.1 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          40
   10.2 Books and Records; Tax Matters                                 40
   10.3 Survival of Representations, Etc                               40
   10.4 Indemnifications                                               41
   10.5 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          43
   10.6 Holdback Amount                                                43
   10.7 Bulk Sales                                                     43
   10.8 Taxes.                                                         44
   10.9 Insurance.                                                     44
   10.10 Name.                                                         44
   10.11 Collection of Receivables.                                    44
   10.12 Supply of Products.                                           44

   ARTICLE XI - MISCELLANEOUS                                          44
   11.1 Termination                                                    44
   11.2 Assignment                                                     46
   11.3 Notices; Transfer of Funds                                     46
   11.4 Choice of Law                                                  47
   11.5 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers                       47
   11.6 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                          47
   11.7 Multiple Counterparts                                          47
   11.8 Expenses                                                       47
   11.9 Invalidity                                                     47
   11.10 Titles; Gender                                                47
   11.11 Publicity                                                     48
   11.12 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED                                         48
   11.13 Cumulative Remedies                                           48
   11.14 Service of Process, Consent to Jurisdiction                   48
   11.15 Specific Performance.                                         48

                                       iii

   <PAGE>
                                   EXHIBITS

   Exhibit

     A       Facilities                                               A-1

     B       Allocation of Purchase Price                             B-1

     C       Deed                                                     C-1

     D       Bill of Sale                                             D-1

     E       Assignment of Leases                                     E-1

     F       Assignment of Contract Rights                            F-1

     G       Patent and Trademark Assignment Agreement                G-1

     H       Assumption of Certain Liabilities                        H-1

     I       Required Consents or Approvals of Buyer                  I-1

     J       Agreement Regarding Employee Benefit Plans               J-1

     K       Indemnification Escrow Agreement                         K-1

     L       Agreement Not to Compete                                 L-1

     M       Promissory Note                                          M-1

     N       Administrative Services Agreement                        N-1

     O       License Agreement                                        O-1

     P       Master Supply Agreement                                  P-1


                                       iv

   <PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULES

   Schedule 1.1A     Immunoassay Controls Sale or Distribution Contracts

   Schedule 1.1B     Contracts Requiring Best Efforts

   Schedule 1.1C     Contracts Requiring Commercially Reasonable Efforts

   Schedule 1.1D     Excluded Assets

   Schedule 1.1E     Permitted Encumbrances

   Schedule 2.4(d)   Inventory Located in Foreign Jurisdictions

   Schedule 4.2      Assets Owned By Subsidiaries

   Schedule 4.5      Tangible Assets (Value Exceeding $1,000)

   Schedule 4.7      Contracts

   Schedule 4.7(c)   Product Warranty

   Schedule 4.8      Permits

   Schedule 4.9      Conflicts and Defaults

   Schedule 4.12     Litigation

   Schedule 4.13     Labor Matters

   Schedule 4.18     Proprietary Rights

   Schedule 4.27     Customers, Distributors and Suppliers

   Schedule 4.28     Environmental Matters

   Schedule 5.6      Lawsuits, Claims

   Schedule 6.6      Rehired Employees

                                       v

   <PAGE>
                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 5, 1997, is by
   and among Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Buyer"),
   Chiron Diagnostics Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Seller"),
   and Chiron Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Parent").

                                  RECITALS

         A. Seller owns certain assets which it uses in the
   conduct of the Business (as defined below).  Seller is a wholly owned
   subsidiary of Parent.

         B. Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and
   Seller desires to sell to Buyer, such assets upon the terms and subject
   to the conditions of this Agreement.

                                  AGREEMENT

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective
   covenants and promises contained herein and for other good and valuable
   consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
   acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                ARTICLE I

                               DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Defined Terms.  As used herein, the terms below shall
   have the following meanings.  Any of such terms, unless the context
   otherwise requires, may be used in the singular or plural, depending
   upon the reference.

         "Action" shall mean any action, inquiry, claim, suit,
   litigation, proceeding, labor dispute, arbitral action, governmental
   audit, criminal prosecution or unfair labor practice charge or
   complaint.

         "affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in the
   Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
   regulations thereunder.

         "Ancillary Agreements"  shall mean the Agreement Not
   to Compete, Administrative Services Agreement and Master Supply
   Agreement substantially in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits L, N
   and P, respectively.

         "Assets" shall mean all of the right, title and
   interest in and to the business, properties, assets and rights of any
   kind, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal and reflected in
   the Financial Statements or used in the operation of the Business owned
   by Seller, including without limitation all of Seller's right, title and
   interest in the following:


   <PAGE>
         (a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (b) all Contract Rights;

         (c) all Leases;

         (d) all Leasehold Estates;

         (e) all Leasehold Improvements;

         (f) all Fixtures and Equipment;

         (g) all Inventory;

         (h) all Books and Records;

         (i) all Proprietary Rights;

         (j) to the extent transferable, all Permits;

         (k) all computers and, to the extent transferable,
         software;

         (l) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (m) available supplies, sales literature, promotional
         literature, customer, supplier and distributor lists, art
         work, display units, telephone and fax numbers and purchasing
         records related to the Business;

         (n) all rights under or pursuant to all warranties, representations
         and guarantees made by suppliers in connection with the Assets
         or services furnished to Seller pertaining to the Business or
         affecting the Assets, to the extent such warranties, representations
         and guarantees are assignable;

         (o) all deposits and prepaid expenses of Seller;

   but excluding therefrom the Excluded Assets.

         "Balance Sheet" shall mean the balance sheet of the
   Business at the date indicated thereon, together with the notes thereon.

         "Benefit Arrangements" shall mean each employment or
   severance contract or arrangement providing for insurance coverage,
   severance, termination, vacation pay or similar coverage, Employee
   investment or retirement plans, and all written compensation policies

                                       2

   <PAGE>
   and practices maintained by the Seller covering any Employee or former
   Employee of the Business.

         "Books and Records" shall mean (a) all records and
   lists of Seller pertaining to the Assets, (b) all records and lists
   pertaining to customers, suppliers or personnel of the Business, (c) all
   product, business and marketing plans of Seller related exclusively or
   primarily to the Business and (d) all books, ledgers, files, reports,
   plans, drawings and operating records of every kind related exclusively
   or primarily to the Business maintained by Seller, but excluding the
   originals of Seller's minute books, stock books and tax returns, any
   financial or tax information prepared or used in connection with the
   preparation of financial statements or tax returns of Seller or any
   Subsidiary, records relating to intercompany agreements or exclusively
   to Excluded Assets, and any other records Seller is required by law to
   retain in its possession.

         "Business" shall mean the Seller's business of
   manufacturing diagnostic controls, as presently conducted by Seller, and
   the marketing and sale of such diagnostic control products by Seller and
   its Subsidiaries.  "Business" shall not include the manufacture or sale
   of diagnostic control products for use with blood gas or blood
   electrolyte diagnostic systems.

         "Closing Date" shall mean December 5, 1997, or such
   other date as Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree upon.

         "Closing Inventory Report" shall mean a report
   prepared by Seller setting forth the value of the worldwide Inventory at
   standard cost as of the Closing Date determined in accordance with
   Seller's written standard accounting practices as consistently applied on
   an historical basis including reserves determined in accordance with
   generally accepted accounting principles.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
   as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

         "Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean that certain Confidentiality
   Agreement dated September 5, 1997, by and among Seller and Buyer.

         "Contract" shall mean any agreement, contract, note,
   loan, evidence of indebtedness, purchase, order, letter of credit,
   indenture, security or pledge agreement, franchise agreement,
   undertaking, practice, covenant not to compete, employment agreement,
   license, instrument, obligation or commitment to which Seller is a party
   or is bound and which relates to the Business or the Assets, whether
   oral or written, but excluding (i) all Leases and (ii) all contracts,
   agreements and commitments which will expire or be terminated in the
   ordinary course of business prior to the Closing.

         "Contract Rights" shall mean all of Seller's rights
   and obligations under the Contracts, excluding any such rights and
   obligations as to any Contract that is not listed on Schedule 4.7 and
   contains terms and conditions other than standard business terms and
   conditions or as to which the failure to make such listing is a breach

                                       3

   <PAGE>
   of a representation by Seller hereunder, unless Buyer elects to assume
   such Contract within 30 days of receipt following the Closing Date.

         "Copyrights" shall mean registered copyrights,
   copyright applications and unregistered copyrights.

         "Court Order" shall mean any judgment, decision,
   consent decree, injunction, ruling or order of any federal, state or
   local court or governmental agency, department or authority that is
   binding on any person or its property under applicable law.

         "Default" shall mean (a) a breach of or default under
   any Contract or Lease, (b) the occurrence of an event that with the
   passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a
   breach of or default under any Contract or Lease, or (c) the occurrence
   of an event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of
   notice or both would give rise to a right of termination, renegotiation
   or acceleration under any Contract or Lease.

         "Disclosure Schedule" shall mean a schedule executed
   and delivered by Seller to Buyer as of the date hereof which sets forth
   the exceptions to the representations and warranties contained in
   Article IV hereof and certain other information called for by this
   Agreement.  Unless otherwise specified, each reference in this Agreement
   to any numbered schedule is a reference to that numbered schedule which
   is included in the Disclosure Schedule.

         "Employees" shall mean the employees listed on Schedule 4.13 hereto.

         "Encumbrance" shall mean any claim, lien, pledge,
   option, charge, easement, security interest, deed of trust, mortgage,
   right-of-way, encroachment, building or use restriction, conditional
   sales agreement, encumbrance or other right of third parties, whether
   voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of law, and includes,
   without limitation, any agreement to give any of the foregoing in the
   future, and any contingent sale or other title retention agreement or
   lease in the nature thereof.

         "Excluded Assets," notwithstanding any other provision
   of this Agreement, shall mean the following assets of Seller which are
   not to be acquired by Buyer hereunder:

         (a) all Assets of Seller or any Subsidiary used in
   the marketing and sale of products of the Business or in connection with
   the provision of legal, human resource or financial services in
   connection with the Business, except for Assets located at the
   Facilities, Inventory, Contracts and assets described in clause (m) of
   the definition of "Assets" in this Section 1.1.;

         (b) all of Seller's Inventory of finished
   Immunoassay Controls, anemia controls and anti-depressant controls and
   of products held by Seller for internal use at locations other than the
   Facilities;

                                       4

   <PAGE>
         (c) all Contracts for the sale or distribution of
   Immunoassay Controls as described on Schedule 1.1A;

         (d) items reflected in the Financial Statements
   which have been or will be disposed of or consumed in the ordinary
   course of business by Seller between the date of the Interim Financial
   Statements and the Closing;

         (e) claims of Seller or any Subsidiary for U.S.
   federal, state or foreign tax refunds, tax loss carry forward benefits
   or other benefits claims and rights relating to Taxes for any period or
   partial period prior to the Closing;

         (f) contracts between Seller and any of Seller's Subsidiaries;

         (g) any Patent, Trademark or Copyright (or
   application for any of the foregoing) which is either not utilized in
   the Business or indicated on Schedule 4.18 as not being transferred to
   Buyer or any Permit which is either not utilized in the Business or
   listed on Schedule 4.8;

         (h) software and programs that (i) are not
   assignable by Seller to Buyer or (ii) interface between the Facilities
   and other Seller facilities and are used primarily for internal use and
   management;

         (i) contracts not required for the operation of the
   Business as conducted by Seller;

         (j) the distribution and sales Contracts listed on
   Schedules 1.1B and Schedule 1.1C and for which the consent of the other
   party for assignment to Buyer has not been obtained by the Closing Date;

         (k) books and records not included in the definition
   of Books and Records;

         (l) insurance policies;

         (m) all cash and cash equivalents held by Seller;

         (n) all Permits and software, to the extent not transferable;

         (o) all claims, causes of action, chooses in action,
   rights of recovery and rights of set-off of any kind against any person
   or entity arising out of or relating to the Assets to the extent related
   to the Excluded Liabilities;

         (p) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (q) all accounts receivable;

                                       5

   <PAGE>
         (r) the Contract, dated as of March 19, 1996,
   between Seller and Hematronix, Inc.;

         (s) the Contract, dated October 20, 1997, between
   Seller and ISLA Lab Products Corporation;

         (t) the telecommunications and data operations
   equipment listed on Schedule 1.1D; and

         (u) the Contract with the United States Department
   of Veterans Affairs No. V797P-511N, dated January 1, 1992 as amended
   through May 15, 1997.

         "Facilities" shall mean all real property and related
   facilities which are identified or listed on Exhibit "A" attached
   hereto.

         "Facility Leases" shall mean all of the leases of
   Facilities listed on Schedule 4.7.

         "Financial Statements" shall mean the Year-End
   Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements.

         "Fixtures and Equipment" shall mean all of the
   furniture, fixtures, furnishings, machinery, automobiles, trucks, spare
   parts, supplies, equipment, tooling, molds, freeze dryers, patterns,
   dies and other tangible personal property owned by Seller and used in
   connection with the Business, wherever located and including any such
   Fixtures and Equipment in the possession of any of Seller's suppliers,
   including all warranty rights with respect thereto.

         "Former Facility" shall mean each plant, office,
   manufacturing facility, store, warehouse, improvement, administrative
   building and all real property and related facilities which was owned,
   leased or operated by Seller at any time prior to the date hereof, but
   excluding any Facilities.

         "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
   Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations
   thereunder.

         "Immunoassay Controls" shall mean the immunoassay
   control products to be supplied to Seller by Buyer pursuant to the
   Master Supply Agreement.

         "Interim Balance Sheet" shall mean the unaudited
   Balance Sheet dated the Interim Balance Sheet Date.

         "Interim Balance Sheet Date"  shall mean July 14, 1997.

                                       6

   <PAGE>
         "Interim Financial Statements" shall mean the Interim
   Balance Sheet and the unaudited statement of operations for the period
   ended on the Interim Balance Sheet Date.

         "Inventory" shall mean all of Seller's worldwide
   inventory at standard cost held for resale and all of Seller's raw
   materials, work in process, finished products, wrapping, supply and
   packaging items and similar items with respect to the Business, in each
   case wherever the same may be located.

         "Knowledge" or "knowledge" when used in this
   Agreement with respect to the knowledge of Seller, shall mean the actual
   personal knowledge of a management employee of Seller having
   responsibility for the area of operation of the Business or the financial
   or legal matters to which the issue of knowledge relates under the terms
   of this Agreement after diligent inquiry including consultation with
   appropriate experts and the failure of any such management employee of
   Seller to undertake such diligent inquiry in connection with any
   representation or warranty qualified by the knowledge of Seller shall be
   a breach of such representation or warranty.

         "Leased Real Property" shall mean all leased property
   described in the Facility Leases.

         "Leasehold Estates" shall mean all of Seller's rights
   and obligations as lessee under the Leases.

         "Leasehold Improvements" shall mean all leasehold
   improvements situated in or on the Leased Real Property and owned by
   Seller.

         "Leases" shall mean all of the existing leases with respect to
   the personal or real property of Seller listed on Schedule 4.7.

         "Liabilities" shall mean any direct or indirect
   liability, indebtedness, obligation, commitment, expense, claim,
   deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any person of any type,
   whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured, unmatured or other.

         "material adverse effect" or "material adverse change"
   shall mean with respect to the Business or the Assets any significant
   and substantial adverse effect or change in the condition (financial or
   other), business, results of operations, assets, Liabilities or
   operations of the Business and/or the Assets or on the ability of Seller
   to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, or any event or
   condition which would, with the passage of time, constitute a "material
   adverse effect" or "material adverse change."

         "ordinary course of business" or "ordinary course" or
   any similar phrase shall mean the ordinary course of the Business and
   consistent with Seller's past practice.

         "Optional Consents" shall mean the consents of other
   parties to the assignment to Buyer of any Contract listed on Schedule
   1.1B and Schedule 1.1C.

                                       7

   <PAGE>
         "Patents" shall mean all patents and patent
   applications and registered design and registered design applications.

         "Permits" shall mean all licenses, permits,
   franchises, approvals, authorizations, consents or orders of, or filings
   with, any governmental authority, whether foreign, federal, state or
   local, or any other person, necessary or desirable for the past, present
   or anticipated conduct of, or relating to the operation of the Business.

         "Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean  (a) the
   Encumbrances set forth on Schedule 1.1E; (b) liens for Taxes and
   assessments not yet due and payable; and (c) Encumbrances which do not
   materially interfere with the use or transfer or detract from the value
   of the Assets subject thereto or result in the imposition upon Buyer of a
   liability not assumed hereunder.

         "Proprietary Rights" shall mean all of Seller's
   Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, technology rights and licenses,
   computer software (including without limitation any source or object
   codes therefor or documentation relating thereto), trade secrets,
   franchises, know-how, inventions, designs, specifications, marketing and
   product plans, drawings and intellectual property rights used in or
   necessary for the Business, except as otherwise set forth on Schedule
   4.18 and except for the name "Chiron".

         "Regulations" shall mean any existing laws, statutes,
   ordinances, regulations, rules, notice requirements, court decisions,
   agency guidelines, principles of law and orders of any foreign, federal,
   state or local government and any other governmental department or
   agency, including without limitation FDA Laws, Environmental Laws,
   energy, motor vehicle safety, public utility, zoning, building and
   health codes, occupational safety and health and laws respecting
   employment practices, employee documentation, terms and conditions of
   employment and wages and hours.

         "Representative" shall mean any officer, director,
   principal, attorney, agent, employee or other representative.

         "Subsidiary" shall mean (a) any corporation in an
   unbroken chain of corporations beginning with Seller if each of the
   corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then
   owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of
   all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain,
   (b) any partnership in which Seller is a general partner, or (c) any
   partnership in which Seller possesses a greater than or greater interest
   in the total capital or total income of such partnership.

         "Tax" shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign or
   other tax, levy, impost, fee, assessment or other government charge,
   including without limitation income, estimated income, business,
   occupation, franchise, property, payroll, personal property, sales,
   transfer, use, employment, commercial rent, occupancy, franchise or
   withholding taxes, and any premium, including without limitation
   interest, penalties and additions in connection therewith.

                                       8

   <PAGE>
         "Trademarks" shall mean registered trademarks,
   registered service marks, trademark and service mark applications and
   unregistered trademarks and service marks.

         "Year-End Financial Statements" shall mean the Balance
   Sheets for the Business dated December 31, 1996 and October 31, 1997,
   and the related statements of operations for the fiscal year ended
   December 31, 1996 and the nine months ended October 31, 1997.

         1.2 Other Defined Terms.  The following terms shall have
   the meanings defined for such terms in the Sections set forth below:

         Term

         Adjustment Amount                         2.5(b)
         Assumed Liabilities                       2.2
         Assumption Documents                      3.2(b)
         Bulk Sales Act                            10.7
         Claim                                     10.4(d)
         Claim Notice                              10.4(d)
         Closing                                   3.1
         Damages                                   10.4
         Environmental Laws                        4.28(a)
         Excluded Liabilities                      2.3
         Hazardous Substance                       4.28(a)
         Holdback Amount                           2.4(a)
         Holdback Note                             2.4(a)
         Proposed Acquisition Transaction          6.2(a)
         Purchase Price                            2.4
         Release                                   4.28(a)
         Rehired Employee                          6.6


                                   ARTICLE II

                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

         2.1 Transfer of Assets.  Upon the terms and subject to the
   conditions contained herein, at the Closing, Seller will sell, convey,
   transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer will acquire from
   Seller, the Assets, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than
   Permitted Encumbrances.

         2.2 Assumption of Liabilities.  Upon the terms and subject to
   the conditions contained herein, at the Closing, Buyer shall assume the
   following, and only the following, Liabilities of Seller (the "Assumed
   Liabilities"):

                                       9

   <PAGE>
         (a) All Liabilities accruing, arising out of, or relating
   to events or occurrences happening after the Closing Date under the
   Contracts included in the Assets and Leases (excluding any such
   Liabilities as to any Contract that is not listed on Schedule 4.7 and
   that contains terms and conditions other than standard business terms
   and conditions or as to which the failure to make such listing is a
   breach of a representation by Seller hereunder, unless Buyer elects to
   assume such Contract) including any Contract assigned to Buyer after the
   Closing Date in accordance with Section 6.1, but not including any
   Liability for any Default under any such Contract occurring on or prior
   to the Closing Date or the assignment date if after the Closing Date.

         2.3 Excluded Liabilities.  Notwithstanding any other provision
   of this Agreement, except for the Assumed Liabilities expressly
   specified in Section 2.2, Buyer shall not assume, or otherwise be
   responsible for, any Liabilities, including but not limited to any
   accounts payable of Seller, whether liquidated or unliquidated, or known
   or unknown, whether arising out of occurrences prior to, at or after the
   date hereof ("Excluded Liabilities"), which Excluded Liabilities
   include, without limitation:

         (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2 or 6.6,
   any Liability to or in respect of any employees or former employees of
   Seller including without limitation (i) any employment agreement,
   whether or not written, between Seller and any person, (ii) any
   Liability under any Benefit Arrangements at any time maintained,
   contributed to or required to be contributed to by or with respect to
   Seller or Parent or under which Seller or Parent may incur Liability, or
   any contributions, benefits or Liabilities therefor, or any Liability
   with respect to Seller's withdrawal or partial withdrawal from or
   termination of any Employee Plan and (iii) any claim of an unfair labor
   practice, or any claim under any state unemployment compensation or
   worker's compensation law or regulation or under any federal or state
   employment discrimination law or regulation, which shall have been
   asserted on or prior to the Closing Date or is based on acts or
   omissions which occurred on or prior to the Closing Date;

         (b) Any Liability of Parent or Seller in respect of any Tax;

         (c) Any Liability arising from any injury to or death of
   any person or damage to or destruction of any property, whether based on
   negligence, breach of warranty, strict liability, enterprise liability
   or any other legal or equitable theory arising from defects in products
   manufactured or from services performed by or on behalf of Seller or any
   other person or entity on or prior to the Closing Date;

         (d) Any Liability of Seller arising out of or related to
   any Action against Seller or any Action which adversely affects the
   Assets and which shall have been asserted on or prior to the Closing
   Date or to the extent the basis of which shall have arisen on or prior
   to the Closing Date;

         (e) Any Liability of Parent or Seller resulting from
   entering into, performing its obligations pursuant to or consummating
   the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement (including without
   limitation any Liability of Parent or Seller pursuant to Article X
   hereof);

                                      10

   <PAGE>
         (f) Any Liability related to any Former Facility.

         2.4 Purchase Price.

         (a) Purchase Price.  At the Closing, upon the terms and
   subject to the conditions set forth herein, Buyer shall pay to
   Seller for the sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance and delivery of
   the Assets, the aggregate amount of         [ ** ]
                                      (the "Purchase Price"), subject,
   however, to the adjustment as set forth in Section 2.5 by (i) wire
   transfer of immediately available funds in the amount of [ ** ]     to
   an account designated by Seller and (ii) delivery to Seller of a
   promissory note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M (the "Holdback
   Note") in the principal amount of $1,000,000 (the "Holdback Amount") and
   Buyer shall assume the Assumed Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement.
   The Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Purchased Assets in the
   manner required by Section 1060 of the Code and regulations thereunder.
   Within fifteen (15) days of the date of the Closing Inventory Report,
   Seller shall deliver to Buyer a statement (the "Allocation Statement")
   setting forth the amount of the Purchase Price allocable to the various
   Purchased Assets.  Buyer and Seller agree to each prepare and file on a
   timely basis with the Internal Revenue Service substantially identical
   initial and supplemental Internal Revenue Service Forms 8594 "Asset
   Acquisition Statements Under Section 1060" consistent with the
   Allocation Statement and which gives effect to any Adjustment Amount
   determined in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof.

         (b) Agreement Not to Compete.  At the Closing, Buyer shall
   pay Parent and Seller pursuant to the Agreement Not to Compete attached
   hereto as Exhibit L, an aggregate of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)
   which is included in the Purchase Price.

         (c) Right of Set-Off Against Holdback Note.  In accordance
   with the terms of the Holdback Note, Buyer shall have a right of set-off
   against amounts due and payable under the Holdback Note to satisfy
   Seller's indemnification obligations, if any, pursuant to Section 10.4
   hereof.

         (d) Purchase of Foreign Inventory.  Promptly following the
   Closing and in no event later than two weeks following the Closing,
   Seller shall cause its subsidiaries to sell, and Buyer shall cause its
   subsidiaries to purchase, the Inventory located in the foreign
   jurisdictions listed on Schedule 2.4(d) directly from Seller's
   subsidiary located in each such foreign jurisdiction at a purchase price
   to be determined by Seller's subsidiary. The aggregate amount of the
   payments made by Buyer's subsidiaries pursuant to this Section 2.4 is
   referred to herein as the "Aggregate Foreign Inventory Amount."  Except
   as set forth in this Section 2.4(d), all sales of Inventory pursuant to
   this Section 2.4(d) shall be on the same terms and conditions as the
   sale of Inventory located in the United States.

              (i) If the Aggregate Foreign Inventory Amount
   exceeds   [ ** ]   , then within two weeks of the Closing Seller shall
   pay to Buyer an amount equal to the Aggregate Foreign Inventory Amount
   less [ ** ]   .

   [ ** ] This material has been omitted pursuant to a request
          for confidential treatment.  The material has been filed
          separately with the Commission.

                                      11

   <PAGE>
              (ii) If the Aggregate Foreign Inventory Amount is
   less than   [ ** ]   , then within two weeks of the Closing Buyer shall
   pay to Seller an amount equal to   [ ** ]   less the Aggregate Foreign
   Inventory Amount.

              (iii) All payments made by Buyer's subsidiaries, Buyer
   or Seller pursuant to this Section 2.4(d) shall be paid in United States
   dollars net fifteen days.

         2.5 Post-Closing Adjustment.

         (a) Closing Inventory.  The quantities of Inventory to be
   purchased and sold hereunder shall be determined by an itemized inventory
   to be taken at such time as Buyer and Seller mutually agree and shall be
   adjusted to book as of the Closing Date based upon a physical inventory
   pursuant to which all Inventory will be counted as to quantity by
   personnel of Seller and Buyer using the same procedures normally used by
   Seller to take inventories of the type of Inventory being counted;
   provided, that if Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree, an outside
   inventory service or services (the "Inventory Service") mutually
   selected by Seller and Buyer may be selected to take such inventory.
   Both Buyer and Seller will have the right to Representatives present to
   observe the physical inventories.

         (b) Adjustment Amount.  The "Adjustment Amount" shall be
   the amount equal to the Closing Inventory as set forth on the Closing
   Inventory Report less         [ ** ]                   .

              (i) If the Adjustment Amount is a positive number,
   then Buyer shall pay to Seller the Adjustment Amount.

              (ii) If the Adjustment Amount is a negative number
   then Seller shall pay to Buyer the Adjustment Amount.

         (c) Disputed Adjustment Amount.  If Buyer shall disagree
   with the Adjustment Amount, it shall notify Seller of such disagreement
   in writing specifying in detail the particulars of such disagreement
   within fifteen (15) business days after Buyer's receipt of the Closing
   Balance Sheet.  To the extent that any portion of the Adjustment Amount
   is not in dispute, within fifteen (15) business days after Buyer's
   receipt of the Closing Balance Sheet, Buyer shall pay Seller or Seller
   shall pay Buyer, as the case may be, that portion of the Adjustment
   Amount which is not in dispute in the manner set forth in Section 2.5(b).

         (d) Resolution of Disputed Adjustment Amount.  Buyer and
   Seller shall use their best efforts for a period of thirty (30) calendar
   days after Buyer's delivery of such notice (or such longer period as
   Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree upon) to resolve any disagreements
   raised by Buyer with respect to the calculation of the Adjustment
   Amount.  If, at the end of such period, Buyer and Seller are unable to
   resolve such disagreements, Arthur Andersen and Co., and KPMG Peat
   Marwick LLP, independent auditors of Buyer and Seller, respectively,
   shall jointly select a third independent auditor of recognized national
   standing to resolve any remaining disagreements.  The determination by

   [ ** ] This material has been omitted pursuant to a request
          for confidential treatment.  The material has been filed
          separately with the Commission.

                                      12

   <PAGE>
   such third independent auditor shall be final, binding and conclusive on
   the parties.  Buyer and Seller shall use their best efforts to cause
   such third independent auditor to make its determination within thirty
   (30) calendar days of accepting its selection.  Within ten (10) calendar
   days after the date of determination of such third independent auditor,
   Buyer shall pay Seller, or Seller shall pay Buyer, as the case may be,
   the Adjustment Amount in the manner set forth in Section 2.5(b).  The
   fees and expenses of such third independent auditor shall be borne by
   Buyer and Seller equally.

         (e) Payment of Adjustment Amount.  All payments made by
   Buyer or Seller as part of the Adjustment Amount, shall be made by
   wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by
   the payee.

         2.6 Prorations.

         (a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         (b) Utilities; Taxes.  On the Closing Date, or as promptly
   as practicable following the Closing Date, but in no event later than
   sixty (60) calendar days thereafter, the real and personal property
   taxes, water, gas, electricity and other utilities, common area
   maintenance reimbursements to lessors, local business or other license
   fees or taxes, merchants' association dues and other similar periodic
   charges payable with respect to the Assets or the Business shall be
   prorated between Buyer and Seller effective as of the Closing Date.  To
   the extent practicable, utility meter readings for the Facilities shall
   be determined as of the Closing Date.  If the real property tax rate for
   the current tax year is not established by the Closing Date, the
   prorations shall be made on the basis of the rate in effect for the
   preceding tax year and shall be adjusted when the exact amounts are
   determined.  All such prorations shall be based upon the most recent
   available assessed value of any Facility prior to the Closing Date.

         (c) Rents.  Seller shall pay all rent under the Leases
   through the end of the calendar month in which the Closing Date occurs,
   and Buyer shall reimburse Seller for such rent accrued from the Closing
   Date through the end of such month as part of the post-Closing proration.

         2.7 Closing Costs; Transfer Taxes and Fees.  Seller shall be
   responsible for any documentary and transfer taxes imposed by reason of
   the transfers of  the Assets provided hereunder and any deficiency,
   interest or penalty asserted with respect thereto.  Seller shall pay the
   fees and costs of recording or filing all applicable conveyancing
   instruments described in Section 3.2(a).  Buyer shall pay all costs of
   applying for new Permits and obtaining the transfer of existing Permits
   which may be lawfully transferred. Buyer shall be responsible for any
   sales, use or other taxes imposed by reason of the transfers of Assets
   provided hereunder.  Buyer shall provide to Seller a properly executed
   "California Resale Certificate" with respect to the Inventory.

                                      13

   <PAGE>
                                ARTICLE III

                                  CLOSING

         3.1 Closing.  The Closing of the transactions contemplated
   herein (the "Closing") shall be held at 11:00 a.m. local time on the
   Closing Date at the offices of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and
   Popeo, P.C., unless the parties hereto otherwise agree.

         3.2 Conveyances at Closing.

         (a) Instruments and Possession.  To effect the sale and
   transfer referred to in Section 2.1 hereof, Seller will, at the Closing,
   execute and deliver to Buyer:

              (i) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

              (ii) one or more bills of sale, in the form attached
   hereto as Exhibit D, conveying in the aggregate all of Seller's or
   Seller's Subsidiaries' owned personal property included in the Assets;

              (iii) subject to Section 9.2, Assignments of Lease in
   the form attached hereto as Exhibit E with respect to the Leases;

              (iv) subject to Section 9.2, Assignments of Contract
   Rights, each in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto, with respect to
   the Contract Rights included in the Assets;

              (v) Assignments of Patents and Trademarks and other
   Proprietary Rights each in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G, in
   recordable form to the extent necessary to assign such rights;

              (vi) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

              (vii) such other instruments as shall be reasonably
   requested by Buyer to vest in Buyer title in and to the Assets in
   accordance with the provisions hereof.

         (b) Assumption Document.  Upon the terms and subject to
   the conditions contained herein, at the Closing Buyer shall deliver to
   Seller an instrument of assumption substantially in the form attached
   hereto as Exhibit H, evidencing Buyer's assumption, pursuant to Section
   2.2, of the Assumed Liabilities (the "Assumption Document").

         (c) Form of Instruments.  To the extent that a form of any
   document to be delivered hereunder is not attached as an Exhibit hereto,
   such documents shall be in form and substance, and shall be executed and
   delivered in a manner, reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and Seller.

                                      14

   <PAGE>
         (d) Certificates; Opinions.  Buyer and Seller shall
   deliver the certificates, opinions of counsel and other matters
   described in Articles VII and VIII.

         (e) Consents.  Subject to Section 9.2, Seller shall
   deliver all Permits and any other third party consents required for the
   valid transfer of the Assets as contemplated by this Agreement.


                                ARTICLE IV

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

         Parent and Seller, jointly and severally, hereby represent
   and warrant to Buyer as follows, except as otherwise set forth on the
   Disclosure Schedule, which representations and warranties are, as of the
   date hereof, and will be, as of the Closing Date, true and correct:

         4.1 Organization of Seller.  Seller is a corporation duly
   organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
   State of Delaware with full corporate power and authority to conduct the
   Business as it is presently being conducted and to own and lease its
   properties and assets.  Seller is duly qualified to do business as a
   foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where
   the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its
   activities make such qualification necessary, except where the failure
   to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse
   effect on the Assets or the Business.  Copies of the Certificate of
   Incorporation and Bylaws of Seller, and all amendments thereto,
   heretofore delivered to Buyer are accurate and complete as of the date
   hereof.

         4.2 Subsidiaries.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.2, Seller
   does not have any Subsidiaries which own any of the Assets.  No
   corporate proceedings on the part of any Subsidiary are necessary to
   authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         4.3 Authorization.  Seller has all requisite corporate power and
   authority, and has taken all corporate action necessary, to execute and
   deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, to consummate the
   transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform its
   obligations hereunder and thereunder.  The execution and delivery of
   this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements by Parent and Seller and the
   consummation by Parent and Seller of the transactions contemplated
   hereby and thereby have been duly approved by the boards of directors of
   Parent and Seller.  No other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent
   or Seller are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the Ancillary
   Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  This
   Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Seller and
   is, and upon execution and delivery each of the Ancillary Agreements
   will be, legal, valid and binding obligations of Parent and Seller
   enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to
   bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of
   general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
   general principles of equity which may limit the availability of
   equitable remedies.

                                      15

   <PAGE>
         4.4 No Adverse Change.  Since the Interim Balance Sheet Date:

         (a) to the knowledge of Seller there has been no actual or
   threatened material adverse change in the financial condition or results
   of operation, the Business or the Assets or any event, condition or
   state of facts, in either case that is reasonably expected to result in
   a material adverse change in the Assets or the Business;

         (b) there has not been any sale or other disposition,
   except in the ordinary course of business of any of the Assets, or any
   Encumbrance other than a Permitted Encumbrance placed on the Assets; and

         (c) Seller has operated the Business in the ordinary
   course so as to use reasonable efforts to preserve the Business intact,
   to keep available to the Business the services of Seller's employees,
   and to preserve the Business and the goodwill of Seller's suppliers,
   customers, distributors and others having business relations with it.

         4.5 Assets.  Excluding the Leased Real Property, Seller has and
   will transfer good and marketable title to the Assets and upon the
   consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer will acquire
   good and marketable title to all of the Assets, free and clear of any
   Encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances.  The Assets include
   without limitation all assets necessary for the conduct of the Business
   as presently conducted.  Schedule 4.5 contains accurate lists and
   summary descriptions of all tangible Assets where the value of an
   individual item exceeds $1,000.00 or where an aggregate of similar items
   exceeds $1,000.00.  All tangible assets and properties which are part of
   the Assets are in good operating condition consistent with their age,
   have been maintained in accordance with industry standards, and are
   usable in the ordinary course of business and conform in all material
   respects to all applicable Regulations (including Environmental Laws)
   relating to their construction, use and operation.

         4.6 Facilities.

         (a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

         (b) Actions.  There are no pending or, to the best
   knowledge of Seller, threatened condemnation proceedings or other
   Actions relating to any Facility.

         (c) Leases or Other Agreements.  Except for Facility
   Leases listed on Schedule 4.7, there are no leases, subleases, licenses,
   occupancy agreements, options, rights, concessions or other agreements
   or arrangements to which Seller is a party, written or oral, granting to
   any person the right to purchase, use or occupy any Facility or interest
   in any Facility.

         (d) Facility Leases and Leased Real Property.  With
   respect to each Facility Lease, Seller has an unencumbered interest in
   the Leasehold Estate.  Seller enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession
   of all the Leased Real Property.

                                      16

   <PAGE>
         (e) Certificate of Occupancy.  All Facilities have
   received all required approvals of governmental authorities (including
   without limitation Permits and a certificate of occupancy or other
   similar certificate permitting lawful occupancy of the Facilities)
   required in connection with the operation thereof and have been operated
   and maintained in accordance with applicable Regulations in all material
   respects.

         (f) Utilities.  All Facilities are supplied with utilities
   (including without limitation water, sewage, disposal, electricity, gas
   and telephone) and other services necessary for the operation of such
   Facilities as currently operated, and there is no condition which would
   reasonably be expected to result in the termination of the present
   access from any Facility to such utility services.

         (g) Improvements, Fixtures and Equipment.  The
   improvements constructed on the Facilities, including without limitation
   all Leasehold Improvements, and all Fixtures and Equipment and other
   tangible assets owned, leased or used by Seller at the Facilities are
   (i) insured to the extent and in a manner customary in the industry,
   (ii) structurally sound with no known material defects, (iii) in good
   operating condition and repair, subject to ordinary wear and tear, (iv)
   not in need of maintenance, repair or correction except for maintenance
   and repair consistent with industry standards, the cost of which would
   not be material and except for obligations with respect to repairing
   damage caused by removal of fixtures upon termination of the Facility
   Leases as expressly set forth in the Leases, (v) sufficient for the
   operation of the Business as presently conducted and (vi) in conformity
   in all material respects with all applicable Regulations.

         (h) No Special Assessment.  Seller has not received notice
   of any special assessment relating to any Facility or any portion
   thereof and to the knowledge of Seller there is no pending or threatened
   special assessment.

         (i) Normal wear and tear excepted, Buyer shall not be
   required to undertake any remedial work at the Facilities to return the
   Facilities to the conditions in which they existed at the commencement
   of the Lease related thereto other than painting of the premises,
   removal of equipment and fixtures and the repair of any damage to the
   Facilities caused by the removal of such equipment and fixtures.

         4.7 Contracts and Commitments.

         (a) Contracts.  Schedule 4.7 sets forth a complete and
   accurate list of all Contracts of the following categories:

              (i) Contracts not made in the ordinary course of business;

              (ii) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

              (iii) Labor or union contracts;

                                      17

   <PAGE>
              (iv) Franchise, license, consulting or technical
   assistance contracts related to the Assets or the Business;

              (v) Options with respect to any property, real or
   personal, whether Seller shall be the grantor or grantee thereunder;

              (vi) Contracts involving future expenditures or
   Liabilities, actual or potential, in excess of $15,000.00 or otherwise
   material to the Business or the Assets;

              (vii) Contracts or commitments relating to commission
   arrangements with others;

              (viii) Distribution or sales contracts under
   which annual revenue of the Business exceed $50,000;

              (ix) Contracts limiting the freedom of Seller to
   engage in the Business or compete with any person with respect to the
   Business;

              (x) Any Contract with the United States or any
   Contract with any state or local government or any agency or department
   thereof involving expenditures or Liabilities in excess of $15,000.00;

              (xi) Leases of real property;

              (xii) Leases of personal property not cancelable
   (without Liability) within 30 calendar days; and

              (xiii) notes, loans, indentures or other evidences of
   indebtedness.

   Seller has delivered to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of all
   of the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.7, including all amendments and
   supplements thereto.

          (b) Absence of Defaults. To the extent material to the
   Business, (i) all of the Contracts and Leases included in the Assets are
   valid and binding, (ii) Seller has fulfilled, or taken all action
   necessary to enable it to fulfill when due, all of its material
   obligations under each of such Contracts and Leases, (iii) Seller, and
   to Seller's Knowledge, all parties to such Contracts, have complied in
   all material respects with the provisions thereof, to Seller's Knowledge
   no party is in Default thereunder and no notice of any claim of Default
   thereunder has been given to Seller, (iv) Seller and all parties to such
   Leases, have complied in all material respects with the provisions
   thereof, no party is in Default thereunder and no notice of any claim of
   Default thereunder has been given to Seller, (v) Seller has no reason to
   believe that the products and services called for by any unfinished
   Contract cannot be supplied in accordance with the terms of such
   Contract, including time specifications, and (vi) with respect to any
   Leases, Seller has not received any notice of cancellation or
   termination under any option or right reserved to the lessor, or any
   notice of Default thereunder.

                                      18

   <PAGE>
         (c) Product Warranty.  Except as set forth on Schedule
   4.7(c), to the knowledge of Seller, Seller has committed no act, and
   there has been no omission, which may result in, and there has been no
   occurrence which could reasonably be expected to give rise to, product
   liability or Liability for breach of warranty (whether covered by
   insurance or not) on the part of Seller, with respect to products
   designed, manufactured, assembled, repaired, maintained, delivered or
   installed or services rendered prior to or on the Closing Date.

         (d) Leases.  INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         4.8 Permits.  (a) Schedule 4.8 sets forth a complete list of all
   Permits held by Seller and used in the operation of the Business.
   Seller has all Permits required under any Regulation (including
   Environmental Laws) in the operation of its Business or in the ownership
   of the Assets, and owns or possesses such Permits free and clear of all
   Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.  Seller is not in
   Default, nor has it received any notice of any claim of Default, with
   respect to any such Permit.  Except as otherwise governed by law, all
   such Permits are renewable by their terms or in the ordinary course of
   business without the need to comply with any special qualification
   procedures or to pay any amounts other than routine filing fees and will
   not be adversely affected by the completion of the transactions
   contemplated by this Agreement.  No present or former shareholder,
   director, officer or employee of Seller or any affiliate thereof, or any
   other person, firm, corporation or other entity, owns or has any
   proprietary, financial or other interest (direct or indirect) in any
   Permit which Seller owns, possesses or uses.

         (b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with
   the provisions of the HSR Act, and except as disclosed on Schedule 4.8
   hereto, no notice to, declaration, filing or registration with, or
   Permit from, any domestic or foreign governmental or regulatory body or
   authority, or any other person or entity, is required to be made or
   obtained by Parent or Seller in connection with the execution, delivery
   or performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
   transactions contemplated hereby.

         4.9 No Conflict or Violation.  Neither the execution, delivery
   or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
   transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Parent or Seller
   with any of the provisions hereof, will (a) violate or conflict with any
   provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent or
   Seller, (b) except as set forth on Schedule 4.9 hereto, violate,
   conflict with, or result in or constitute a Default under, or result in
   the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result
   in a right of termination or acceleration under, or result in the
   creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the Assets under, any of the
   terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract, Lease or Permit, (i) to
   which Seller is a party or (ii) by which the Assets are bound,
   (c) violate any Regulation or Court Order, (d) impose any Encumbrance on
   the Assets or the Business.

         4.10 Financial Statements.  Seller has heretofore delivered to
   Buyer the Financial Statements.  The Financial Statements (a) are in
   accordance with the books and records of Seller, (b) have been prepared
   in accordance with Seller's customary accounting principles (a copy of
   which has been provided to Buyer) consistently applied throughout the

                                      19

   <PAGE>
   periods covered thereby and (c) fairly present the Assets of the
   Business as of the respective dates thereof and the results of
   operations for the periods then ended (subject, to the qualifications
   and assumptions set forth in such Financial Statements and the notes
   thereto).

         4.11 Books and Records.  Seller has made and kept (and given
   Buyer access to) Books and Records and accounts, which, in reasonable
   detail, fairly and materially accurately reflect the activities of
   Seller related to the Business and the Assets.

         4.12 Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12, there is
   no Action pending, or to the knowledge of Seller, threatened or
   anticipated (a) against, related to or affecting Seller, the Business or
   the Assets (including with respect to Environmental Laws), or
   (b) seeking to delay, limit or enjoin the transactions contemplated by
   this Agreement.  To the knowledge of Seller there are no Court Orders or
   agreements with, or liens by, any governmental authority or quasi-
   governmental entity relating to any Environmental Law which regulate,
   obligate, bind or in any way affect any Facility.

         4.13 Labor Matters.  Seller is not a party to any labor agreement
   with respect to its employees at the Facilities with any labor
   organization, union, group or association.  In the past two years,
   Seller has not experienced any attempt by organized labor or its
   representatives to make Seller conform to demands of organized labor
   relating to its employees at the Facilities or to enter into a binding
   agreement with organized labor that would cover the employees at the
   Facilities.  There is no labor strike or labor disturbance pending or,
   to the knowledge of Seller, threatened against Seller at the Facilities
   nor is any grievance currently being asserted, and in the past two years
   Seller has not experienced a work stoppage at the Facilities.  Without
   limiting the foregoing, Seller is in compliance with the Immigration
   Reform and Control Act of 1986 and maintains a current Form I-9, as
   required by such Act, in the personnel file of each Employee.  Schedule
   4.13 sets forth the names and current annual salary rates or current
   hourly wages of all present Employees of Seller at the Facilities and
   also sets forth the earnings for each of such employees as reflected on
   Form W-2 for the 1996 calendar year.

         4.14 Liabilities.  Other than Excluded Liabilities, Seller has no
   Liabilities due or to become due, except (a) Liabilities which are set
   forth or reserved for on the Interim Balance Sheet, which have not been
   paid or discharged since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, (b) Liabilities
   arising in the ordinary course of business under Contracts, Leases,
   Permits and other business arrangements described in the Disclosure
   Schedule (and under those Contracts, Leases and Permits which are not
   required to be disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule) and (c) Liabilities
   incurred since the Interim Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of
   business and in accordance with this Agreement (none of which relates to
   any Default under any Contract or Lease, breach of warranty, tort,
   infringement or violation of any Regulation or Court Order or arose out
   of any Action) and none of which, individually or in the aggregate, has
   or would have a material adverse effect on the Business or the Assets.

         4.15 Compliance with Law. The conduct of the Business has not
   violated and is in compliance with all Regulations and Court Orders
   relating to the Assets or the Business except to the extent that any
   violation or noncompliance is not material to the Business.  Seller has

                                      20

   <PAGE>
   not received any notice to the effect that, or otherwise been advised
   that, it is not in compliance with any such Regulations or Court Orders,
   except to the extent that any violation or noncompliance is not material
   to the Business.

         4.16 No Brokers.  Neither Parent, Seller nor any of their
   respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders or affiliates
   has employed or made any agreement with any broker, finder or similar
   agent or any person or firm which will result in the obligation of Buyer
   or any of its affiliates to pay any finder's fee, brokerage fees or
   commission or similar payment in connection with the transactions
   contemplated hereby.

         4.17 No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets.  Neither Parent nor
   Seller nor any of their respective officers, directors, shareholders or
   affiliates have any commitment or legal obligation, absolute or
   contingent, to any other person or firm other than the Buyer to sell,
   assign, transfer or effect a sale of any of the Assets (other than
   inventory in the ordinary course of business), or to enter into any
   agreement or cause the entering into of an agreement with respect to any
   of the foregoing.

         4.18 Proprietary Rights.

         (a) Proprietary Rights.  Schedule 4.18 lists all of
   Seller's Proprietary Rights.  Schedule 4.18 also sets forth:  (i) for
   each Patent, the number and date of issuance, for each country in which
   such Patent has been issued, or, if applicable, the application number
   and date of filing for each country, (ii) for each Trademark, the
   application serial number or registration number and the class of goods
   covered for each country in which a Trademark has been registered and
   (iii) for each Copyright, the number and date of filing for each country
   in which a Copyright has been filed.  Except as otherwise noted on the
   Disclosure Schedule, the Proprietary Rights listed in the Disclosure
   Schedule excluding the Trademarks are all those used by Seller in
   connection with the Business.  Except as otherwise noted on the
   Disclosure Schedule, the Trademarks listed in the Disclosure Schedule
   are all those used by Seller exclusively or primarily in connection with
   the Business.  True and correct copies of all Patents (including all
   pending applications) owned, controlled, created or used by or on behalf
   of Seller or in which Seller has any interest whatsoever have been
   provided to Buyer.

         (b) Royalties and Licenses.  Except as set forth in
   Schedule 4.18, Seller does not have any obligation to compensate any
   person for the use of any such Proprietary Rights nor has Seller granted
   to any person any license, option or other rights to use in any manner
   any of the Proprietary Rights, whether requiring the payment of
   royalties or not.

         (c) Ownership and Protection of Proprietary Rights.
   Seller owns each of the Proprietary Rights and the Proprietary Rights
   will not cease to be valid rights of Seller by reason of the execution,
   delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the
   transactions contemplated hereby.  All of the pending Patent
   applications have been duly filed. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18,
   no other person (i) has been granted by Seller the right to use any of
   Seller's Trademarks included in the Assets on the goods on which they
   are now being used either in identical form or in such near resemblance
   thereto as to be likely, when applied to the goods of any such person,

                                      21

   <PAGE>
   to cause confusion with such Trademarks or to cause a mistake or to
   deceive, (ii) has notified Seller that it is claiming any ownership of
   or right to use such Proprietary Rights, or (iii) to the knowledge of
   Seller, is infringing upon any such Proprietary Rights in any way. No
   Action has been instituted against or notices received by Seller that
   are presently outstanding alleging that Seller's use of the Proprietary
   Rights infringes upon or otherwise violates any rights of a third party
   in or to such Proprietary Rights.  There are not, and it is reasonably
   expected that after the Closing there will not be, any restrictions on
   Seller's or Buyer's, as the case may be, right to sell products
   manufactured by Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, in connection with
   the Business.

         4.19 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

         4.20 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

         4.21 Tax Matters

         (a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         (b) Payment of Taxes.  All Taxes, in respect of periods
   beginning before the Closing Date, have been timely paid, or will be
   timely paid, or an adequate reserve has been established therefor, as
   set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or the Financial Statements, and
   Seller does not have any material Liability for Taxes in excess of
   amounts so paid or reserves so established.

         (c) Audits, Investigations or Claims.  Except as set forth
   in the Disclosure Schedule, the consolidated federal income tax returns
   of Seller have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service for all
   periods to and including those set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, and
   except to the extent shown therein, no material deficiencies for Taxes,
   have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any taxing or other
   governmental authority against Seller.  Except as set forth in the
   Disclosure Schedule, there are no pending or threatened audits,
   investigations or claims for or relating to any material additional
   Liability in respect of Taxes, and there are no matters under discussion
   with any governmental authorities with respect to Taxes that in the
   reasonable judgment of Seller, or its counsel, is likely to result in a
   material additional Liability for Taxes.  Audits of federal, state and
   local returns for Taxes by the relevant taxing authorities have been
   completed for each period and set forth in the Disclosure Schedule and,
   except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, Seller has not been
   notified that any taxing authority intends to audit a return for any
   period.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, no extension of
   a statute of limitations relating to Taxes is in effect with respect to
   Seller.

         (d) Lien.  There are no liens for Taxes (other than for
   current Taxes not yet due and payable) on the Assets.

         (e) Safe Harbor Lease Property.  None of the Assets is
   property that is required to be treated as being owned by any other
   person pursuant to the so-called safe harbor lease provisions of former
   Section 168(f)(8) of the Code.

                                      22

   <PAGE>
         (f) Security for Tax-Exempt Obligations.  None of the
   Assets directly or indirectly secures any debt the interest on which is
   tax-exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.

         (g) Tax-Exempt Use Property.  None of the Assets is "tax-
   exempt use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code.

         (h) Foreign Person.  Seller is not a person other than a
   United States person within the meaning of the Code.

         (i) No Withholding.  The transaction contemplated herein
   is not subject to the tax withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the
   Code, or of Subchapter A of Chapter 3 of the Code or of any other
   provision of law.

         4.22 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         4.23 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         4.24 Inventory.  The Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and
   accurate list of all Inventory as of the date shown thereon.  The
   Inventory as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule or arising since the
   date of the Disclosure Schedule was acquired and has been maintained in
   accordance with the regular business practices of Seller, consists of
   new and unused items of a quality and quantity usable or saleable in the
   ordinary course of business within the past six months, and is valued at
   reasonable amounts based on the normal valuation policy of Seller at
   prices equal to standard cost.  None of such Inventory is obsolete,
   unusable, slow moving, damaged or unsaleable in the ordinary course of
   business, except for such items of Inventory (which in the case of
   finished goods Inventory shall be in an amount not in excess of  [ ** ]
   in any one fiscal year) which have been written down to realizable
   market value, or for which adequate reserves have been provided, in the
   Interim Balance Sheet.

         4.25 Purchase Commitments. As of the date of this Agreement, the
   aggregate of all orders or commitments for the purchase of supplies by
   Seller does not exceed     [ ** ]        , all of which orders and
   commitments were made in the ordinary course of business.  As of the
   date of this Agreement, there are no material claims against Seller to
   return products by reason of alleged overshipments, defective
   merchandise or otherwise, or of products in the hands of customers under
   an understanding that such products would be returnable.  No outstanding
   purchase or outstanding lease commitment of Seller presently is in
   excess of the normal, ordinary and usual requirements of the Business or
   was made at any price in excess of the now current market price or
   contains terms or conditions more onerous than those usual and customary
   in the Business.  There is no outstanding bid, proposal, Contract or
   unfilled order which relates to the Assets which will or would, if
   accepted, have a material adverse effect, individually or in the
   aggregate, on the Business or the Assets.

         4.26 Payments.    Seller has not, directly or indirectly, paid or
   delivered any fee, commission or other sum of money or item or property,
   however characterized, to any finder, agent, client, customer, supplier,

   [ ** ] This material has been omitted pursuant to a request
          for confidential treatment.  The material has been filed
          separately with the Commission.

                                      23

   <PAGE>
   government official or other party, in the United States or any other
   country, which is in any manner related to the Business, which is, or
   may be with the passage of time or discovery, illegal under any federal,
   state or local laws of the United States (including without limitation
   the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices' Act) or any other country having
   jurisdiction.

         4.27 Customers, Distributors and Suppliers.  Schedule 4.27 sets
   forth a complete and accurate list of the names and addresses of
   Seller's (i) twenty largest current customers, distributors and other
   agents and representatives showing the approximate total sales in
   dollars by Seller to each such customer during the current fiscal year;
   and (ii) twenty largest current suppliers showing the approximate total
   purchases in dollars by Seller from each such supplier during such
   fiscal year.  Since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, there has been no
   material adverse change in the business relationship of Seller with any
   customer, distributor or supplier named on Schedule 4.27.  Seller
   has not received any communication from any customer, distributor or
   supplier named on Schedule 4.27 of any intention to terminate or
   materially reduce purchases from or supplies to Seller.

         4.28 Compliance With Environmental Laws.

         (a) Definitions.  The following terms, when used in this
   Section 4.28, shall have the following meanings.  Any of these terms
   may, unless the context otherwise requires, used in the singular or the
   plural depending on the reference.

              (i) "Seller"  For purposes of this Section, the term
   "Seller" shall include (i) all affiliates of Seller,
   (ii) all partnerships, joint ventures and other entities
   or organizations in which Seller was at any time or is a partner, joint
   venturer, member or participant and (iii) all predecessor or former
   corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, organizations, businesses or
   other entities, whether in existence as of the date hereof or at any
   time prior to the date hereof, the assets or obligations of which have
   been acquired or assumed by Seller or to which Seller has succeeded.

              (ii) "Release" shall mean and include any spilling,
   leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting,
   escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment or the
   workplace of any Hazardous Substance, and otherwise as defined in any
   Environmental Law.

              (iii) "Hazardous Substance" shall mean any pollutants,
   contaminants, chemicals, waste and any toxic, infectious, carcinogenic,
   reactive, corrosive, ignitable or flammable chemical or chemical
   compound or hazardous substance, material or waste, whether solid,
   liquid or gas, including without limitation any quantity of asbestos in
   any form, urea formaldehyde, PCB's, radon gas, crude oil or any fraction
   thereof, all forms of natural gas, petroleum products or by-products or
   derivatives, radioactive substance, waste waters, sludges, slag and any
   other substance, material or waste that is subject to regulation,
   control or remediation under any Environmental Laws.

                                      24

   <PAGE>
              (iv) "Environmental Laws" shall mean all Regulations
   which regulate or relate to the protection or clean-up of the
   environment, the use, treatment, storage, transportation, generation,
   manufacture, processing, distribution, handling or disposal of, or
   emission, discharge or other release or threatened release of, Hazardous
   Substances or otherwise dangerous substances, wastes, pollution or
   materials (whether, gas, liquid or solid), the preservation or
   protection of waterways, groundwater, drinking water, air, wildlife,
   plants or other natural resources, or the health and safety of persons
   or property, including without limitation protection of the health and
   safety of employees.  Environmental Laws shall include without
   limitation the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Resource
   Conservation & Recovery Act ("RCRA"), Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking
   Water Act, Atomic Energy Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Toxic
   Substances Control Act, Clean Air Act, Comprehensive Environmental
   Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), Hazardous Materials
   Transportation Act and all analogous or related federal, state or local
   law, each as amended.

         (b) Facilities.  The Facilities are, and at all times
   since first occupancy by Seller have been, leased and operated by Seller
   in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and
   in a manner that will not give rise to any material Liability under any
   Environmental Laws.  Without limiting the foregoing, (i) to Seller's
   knowledge, there is not and has not been any Hazardous Substance used,
   generated, treated, stored, transported, disposed of or handled under,
   about or from any Facility since first occupancy by Seller, except for
   quantities of any such Hazardous Substances stored or otherwise held on,
   under or about any such Facility in compliance in all material respects
   with all Environmental Laws, (ii) Seller has at all times used,
   generated, treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise
   handled its Hazardous Substances at the Facilities in compliance in all
   material respects with all Environmental Laws and in a manner that will
   not result in any material Liability of Seller under any Environmental
   Law, (iii) there is not now and to the knowledge of Seller has not been
   at any time in the past any underground or above-ground storage tank or
   pipeline at any Facility where the installation, use, maintenance,
   repair, testing, closure or removal of such tank or pipeline was not in
   compliance with all Environmental Laws and there has been no Release
   from or rupture of any such tank or pipeline, including without
   limitation any Release from or in connection with the filling or
   emptying of such tank which would trigger a reportable event under any
   Environmental Law, (iii) except as set forth in Schedule 4.28, Seller
   does not manufacture any product at the Facilities which requires the
   warning mandated by the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic
   Enforcement Act of 1986 ("Proposition 65").

         (c) Notice of Violation.  Except as set forth in Schedule
   4.28, Seller has not received any notice of alleged, actual or potential
   responsibility for, or any inquiry or investigation regarding, (i) any
   Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Substance at the
   Facilities or (ii) an alleged violation of or non-compliance with the
   conditions of any Permit required under any Environmental Law or the
   provisions of any Environmental Law.  Except as set forth in Schedule
   4.28, Seller has not received any notice of any other claim, demand or
   Action by any individual or entity alleging any actual or threatened
   injury or damage to any person, property, natural resource or the
   environment arising from or relating to any Release or threatened
   Release of any Hazardous Substances at, on, under, in, to or from any
   Facilities, or in connection with any operations or activities thereat.

                                      25

   <PAGE>
         (d) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         (e) Environmental Audits or Assessments.  True, complete
   and correct copies of the written reports, and all parts thereof, of all
   environmental audits or assessments which have been conducted at any
   Facility within the past year, either by Seller or any attorney,
   environmental consultant or engineer engaged by Seller for such purpose,
   have been delivered to Buyer and a list of all such reports, audits and
   assessments of which Seller has knowledge is included on the Disclosure
   Schedule.

         (f) Indemnification Agreements.  Seller is not a party,
   whether as a direct signatory or as successor, assign or third party
   beneficiary, or otherwise bound, to any Lease or other Contract
   (excluding insurance policies disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule)
   under which Seller is obligated by or entitled to the benefits of,
   directly or indirectly, any representation, warranty, indemnification,
   covenant, restriction or other undertaking concerning environmental
   conditions.

         (g) Notices, Warnings and Records.  To Seller's knowledge,
   Seller has given all notices and warnings, made all reports, and has
   kept and maintained all records required by and in compliance in all
   material respects with all Environmental Laws.

         4.29 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         4.30 Projections.  The written estimates, projections and other
   forecasts for the Business made available to Buyer in connection with
   Buyer's investigation of the Business and the Assets were prepared in
   good faith by Seller or Parent, as the case may be.


                                ARTICLE V

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Seller as
   follows, which representations and warranties are, as of the date
   hereof, and will be, as of the Closing Date, true and correct:

         5.1 Organization of Buyer.  Buyer is a corporation duly
   organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
   State of Delaware, and is qualified to do business and in good standing
   as a foreign corporation in the State of California.

         5.2 Authorization.  Buyer has all requisite corporate power and
   authority, and has taken all corporate action necessary, to execute and
   deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, to consummate the
   transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform its
   obligations hereunder and thereunder.  The execution and delivery of
   this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements by Buyer and the
   consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and

                                      26

   <PAGE>
   thereby have been duly approved by the board of directors of Buyer.  No
   other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer are necessary to
   authorize this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the
   transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  This Agreement has been
   duly executed and delivered by Buyer and is, and upon execution and
   delivery the Ancillary Agreements will be, legal, valid and binding
   obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their
   terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
   similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
   creditors' rights and to general principles of equity which may limit
   the availability of equitable remedies.

         5.3 No Conflict or Violation.  Neither the execution, delivery
   or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
   transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Buyer with any of
   the provisions hereof, will (a) violate or conflict with any provision
   of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer, (b) violate,
   conflict with, or result in or constitute a Default under, or result in
   the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result
   in a right of termination or acceleration under, or result in the
   creation of any Encumbrance upon any of Buyer's assets under, any of the
   terms, conditions or provisions of any contract, indebtedness, note,
   bond, indenture, security or pledge agreement, commitment, license,
   lease, franchise, permit, agreement, authorization, concession, or other
   instrument or obligation to which Buyer is a party, (c) violate any
   Regulation or Court Order.

         5.4 Consents and Approvals.  Except as set forth on Exhibit I
   hereto and other than in connection with or in compliance with the
   provisions of the HSR Act, no notice to, declaration, filing or
   registration with, or authorization, consent or approval of, or permit
   from, any domestic or foreign governmental or regulatory body or
   authority, or any other person or entity, is required to be made or
   obtained by Buyer in connection with the execution, delivery and
   performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
   contemplated hereby.

         5.5 No Brokers.  Neither Buyer nor any of its officers,
   directors, employees, shareholders or affiliates has employed or made
   any agreement with any broker, finder or similar agent or any person or
   firm which will result in the obligation of Seller or Parent or any of
   their respective affiliates to pay any finder's fee, brokerage fees or
   commission or similar payment in connection with the transactions
   contemplated hereby.

         5.6 Lawsuits, Claims.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.6
   hereto, there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer,
   threatened against Buyer which would materially impair or delay the
   ability of Buyer to effect the Closing.  Buyer is not subject to any
   order, writ, judgment, award, regulatory authority of competent
   jurisdiction or any arbitrator or arbitrators which would materially
   impair or delay the ability of Buyer to effect the Closing.

         5.7 Financial Capability.  On the Closing Date, Buyer will have
   sufficient funds to effect the Closing and all other transactions set
   forth in this Agreement.

         5.8 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

                                      27

   <PAGE>
         5.9 Projections.  In connection with Buyer's investigation of the
   Business and the Assets, Buyer has received from Seller and its
   Representatives certain estimates, projections and other forecasts for
   the Business.  Buyer acknowledges that there are uncertainties inherent
   in attempting to make such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans and
   budgets, that Buyer is familiar with such uncertainties, that Buyer is
   taking full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the adequacy
   and accuracy of all estimates, projections, forecasts, plans and budgets
   so furnished to it, and that Buyer will not assert any claim against
   Seller or any of its Representatives or hold any of them liable, in
   connection with such estimates, projections and forecasts.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                           COVENANTS OF SELLER AND BUYER

         Parent, Seller and Buyer each covenant with the other as follows:

         6.1 Further Assurances.  (a) Upon the terms and subject to the
   conditions contained herein, the parties agree, both before and after
   the Closing, (i) to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be
   taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
   proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions
   contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) to execute any documents,
   instruments or conveyances of any kind which may be reasonably necessary
   or advisable to carry out any of the transactions contemplated
   hereunder, and (iii) to cooperate with each other in connection with the
   foregoing.  Without limiting the foregoing, the parties agree to use
   their (i) respective best efforts to obtain all necessary waivers,
   consents and approvals from other parties to the Leases to be assumed by
   Buyer; provided, however, that Buyer shall not be required to make any
   payments, commence litigation or agree to modifications of the terms
   thereof in order to obtain any such waivers, consents or approvals, and
   (ii) commercially reasonable efforts (A) to obtain all necessary Permits
   as are required to be obtained under any Regulations, (B) to defend all
   Actions challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the
   transactions contemplated hereby, (C) to lift or rescind any injunction
   or restraining order or other Court Order adversely affecting the
   ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated
   hereby, (D) to give all notices to, and make all registrations and
   filings with third parties, including without limitation submissions of
   information requested by governmental authorities, and (E) to fulfill
   all conditions to this Agreement.  Within five (5) calendar days after
   the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Buyer and Seller shall
   make all filings required under the HSR Act, to the extent not
   previously made.

         (b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
   parties agree to use their (i) best efforts to obtain all necessary
   waivers, consents and approvals from other parties to the Contracts
   listed on Schedule 1.1B; provided, however, that no party shall be
   required to make any expenditures in the aggregate in excess of 5% of
   the revenue generated under any such Contract nor shall any party be
   required to commence litigation to obtain any such waivers, consents or
   approvals and (ii) commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all
   necessary waivers, consents and approvals from other parties to the
   Contracts listed on Schedule 1.1C; provided, however, that no party

                                      28

   <PAGE>
   shall be required to make any payments, commence litigation or agree to
   modifications of the terms thereof in order to obtain any such waivers,
   consents or approvals.  To the extent that any such waiver, consent or
   approval to any Contract listed on Schedule 1.1C is not obtained, Seller
   and Parent agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to assist
   Buyer in negotiating new contractual relationships with the other
   parties to such Contracts, provided that none of Buyer, Seller or Parent
   shall be required to make any payment or incur any Liability in
   connection with such negotiations of new contracts or termination of any
   prior contracts.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Buyer
   shall have the right to reject the assignment of any distribution or
   agency Contract of Seller within four months of the Closing Date.

         6.2 No Solicitation.

         (a) No Solicitation.  From the date hereof through the
   Closing or the earlier termination of this Agreement, each of Parent,
   Seller and their Representatives shall not, and shall cause each of
   their respective shareholders or Representatives (including without
   limitation investment bankers, attorneys and accountants), not to,
   directly or indirectly, enter into, solicit, initiate or continue any
   discussions or negotiations with, or encourage or respond to any
   inquiries or proposals by, or participate in any negotiations with, or
   provide any information to, or otherwise cooperate in any other way
   with, any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group,
   other than Buyer and its Representatives, concerning any sale of all or
   a portion of the Assets or the Business, (each such transaction being
   referred to herein as a "Proposed Acquisition Transaction").  Seller and
   its subsidiaries shall not, directly or indirectly, through any officer,
   director, employee, representative, agent or otherwise, solicit,
   initiate or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any
   person (including, without limitation, a "person" as defined in Section
   13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or entity
   relating to any Proposed Acquisition Transaction. Seller hereby
   represents that it is not now engaged in discussions or negotiations
   with any party other than Buyer with respect to any of the foregoing.
   Seller agrees not to release any third party from, or waive any
   provision of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement related to the
   Business to which Seller is a party.

         6.3 Notification of Certain Matters.  From the date hereof
   through the Closing, each party shall give prompt notice to the other of
   (a) the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event which occurrence
   or failure would be likely to cause any representation or warranty
   contained in this Agreement or in any exhibit or schedule hereto to be
   untrue or inaccurate in any material respect and (b) any failure of such
   party, or any of its respective affiliates, or of any of their
   respective shareholders or Representatives, to comply with or satisfy
   any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by
   it under this Agreement or any exhibit or schedule hereto; provided,
   however, that such disclosure shall not be deemed to cure any breach of
   a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement or to satisfy any
   condition.

         Seller shall promptly notify Buyer of any Default, the threat or
   commencement of any Action, or any development that occurs before the
   Closing, in each case to the extent such event is reasonably expected to
   have a material adverse effect on the Assets or the Business.

                                      29

   <PAGE>
         6.4 Investigation by Buyer.

              Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, from the date
   hereof through the Closing Date:

         (a) Seller shall, and shall cause its officers, directors,
   employees and agents to, afford the Representatives of Buyer and its
   affiliates complete access at all reasonable times to the Assets for the
   purpose of inspecting the same, and to the officers, employees, agents,
   attorneys, accountants, properties, Books and Records and Contracts of
   Seller, and shall furnish Buyer and its Representatives all financial,
   operating and other data and information as Buyer or its affiliates,
   through their respective Representatives, may reasonably request.

         (b)(i) Buyer shall have the right, at its sole cost and
   expense to (A) conduct tests of the soil surface or subsurface waters
   and air quality at, in, on, beneath or about the Leased Real Property,
   and such other procedures as may be recommended by a designated employee
   or an independent environmental consultant selected by Buyer (the
   "Consultant") based on its reasonable professional judgment, in a manner
   consistent with good engineering practice, (B) inspect records, reports,
   permits, applications, monitoring results, studies, correspondence, data
   and any other information or documents relevant to environmental
   conditions or environmental noncompliance, and (C) inspect all buildings
   and equipment at the Leased Real Property, including without limitation
   the visual inspection of the Facilities for asbestos-containing
   construction materials; provided, in each case, such tests and
   inspections shall be conducted only (1) during regular business hours;
   and (2) in a manner which will not unduly interfere with the operation
   of the Business and/or the use of, access to or egress from the Leased
   Property.

              (ii) Buyer's right to conduct tests, inspect records
   and other documents, and visually inspect all buildings and equipment at
   the Leased Real Property shall also be subject to the following terms
   and conditions:

                   (A) All testing performed on Buyer's behalf
   shall be conducted by the Consultant or a designated employee;

                   (B) Seller shall have the right to accompany
   the Consultant or designated employee as it performs testing;

                   (C) Except as otherwise required by law, any
   information concerning the Leased Real Property gathered by Buyer or the
   Consultant as the result of, or in connection with, the testing shall be
   kept confidential in accordance with subsection (D) below and shall not
   be revealed to, or discussed with, anyone other than Representatives of
   Buyer or Representatives of Seller or Parent who agree to comply with
   the provisions of subsection (D) below; and

                   (D) In the event that any party to this
   Agreement or any party set forth in subsection (C) above is requested or
   required to disclose information described in subparagraph (b)(i), Buyer
   shall provide Seller or Seller shall provide Buyer, as the case may be,

                                      30

   <PAGE>
   with prompt notice of such request so that Seller or Buyer, as the case
   may be, may seek an appropriate protective order or waiver of the other
   party's compliance with this Agreement.  If, in the absence of a
   protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, such party is
   nonetheless, in the opinion of its counsel, compelled to disclose such
   information to any tribunal or else stand liable for contempt or suffer
   other censure or penalty, such party will furnish only that portion of
   the information which is legally required and will exercise its
   reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential
   treatment will be afforded to the disclosed information.  The
   requirements of this subparagraph shall not apply to information in the
   public domain or lawfully acquired on a nonconfidential basis from
   others.

                   (E) Buyer shall promptly deliver to Seller
   copies of all test and laboratory results and all reports by
   environmental consultants regarding the environmental conditions at the
   Leased Real Property.

                   (F) Buyer shall repair any damage to the
   Leased Real Property resulting from Buyer's testing of the property, and
   shall indemnify and hold harmless Seller from all costs and liabilities
   arising out of such testing, which obligation and indemnity shall
   survive the Closing Date or termination of this Agreement.

         Provided, however, that unless such investigations reveal a
   material breach of a representation or warranty of Seller, no information
   obtained by Buyer as a result of such investigation shall relieve Buyer
   of its obligations to complete the transactions contemplated by this
   Agreement.

         6.5 Conduct of Business.  From the date hereof through the
   Closing, Seller shall, except as contemplated by this Agreement, or as
   consented to by Buyer in writing, operate the Business in the ordinary
   course of business and in accordance with past practice and will not
   take any action inconsistent with this Agreement or with the
   consummation of the Closing.  Without limiting the generality of the
   foregoing, Seller shall not except as specifically contemplated by this
   Agreement or as consented to by Buyer in writing:

         (a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (b) enter into, extend, materially modify, terminate or
   renew any Contract or Lease, except in the ordinary course of business;

         (c) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease, mortgage,
   pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of the Assets, or any
   interests therein, except in the ordinary course of business and,
   without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller and its
   subsidiaries will produce, maintain and sell inventory consistent with
   its past practices;

         (d) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (e) adopt, enter into or amend any collective bargaining
   or employment agreement with any Employees;

                                      31

   <PAGE>
         (f) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (g) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (h) fail to expend funds for budgeted capital expenditures
   or commitments;

         (i) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (j) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (k) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (l) fail to maintain the Assets in substantially their
   current state of repair in accordance with industry practice, excepting
   normal wear and tear or fail to replace consistent with Seller's past
   practice inoperable, worn-out or obsolete Assets;

         (m) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (n) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (o) fail to comply with all Regulations applicable to it,
   to the extent that such failure has a material adverse effect on the
   Assets or the Business;

         (p) intentionally do any other act which would cause any
   representation or warranty of Parent or Seller in this Agreement to be
   or become untrue in any material respect;

         (q) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED;

         (r) fail to use its reasonable efforts to (i) retain the
   Seller's employees and (ii) maintain the Business so that such employees
   will remain available to Seller on and after the Closing Date,
   (iii) maintain existing relationships with suppliers, customers and
   others having business dealings with Seller and (iv) otherwise to
   preserve the goodwill of the Business so that such relationships and
   goodwill will be preserved on and after the Closing Date;

         (s) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED; and

         (t) enter into any agreement, or otherwise become
   obligated, to do any action prohibited hereunder.

         6.6 Employee Matters.

         (a) Buyer shall extend offers of employment to Seller's
   Employees listed on Schedule 6.6 (such Employees are hereinafter
   referred to as the "Rehired Employees"), which offers shall be at
   salaries at least equal to the current salaries of such Employees.

                                      32

   <PAGE>
   Schedule 6.6 sets forth the name of each Rehired Employee, the current
   annual salary of each Rehired Employee and the number of years each
   Rehired Employee has been employed by the Seller and predecessors in
   business of Seller.  The benefit plans provided to Rehired Employees
   shall be substantially equivalent to those in effect for Buyer's
   existing employees except for severance benefits and to the extent
   permitted by such plans the Rehired Employees shall be credited for
   purposes of determining benefits except severance benefits under all
   such plans with all service with Seller or any predecessor in business
   of Seller.  As to any plan that does not currently permit recognition of
   service with Seller for purposes of the plan, Buyer shall use its
   reasonable efforts to effect any necessary plan amendments to permit
   such recognition.  Seller shall terminate the employment of all Rehired
   Employees immediately prior to the Closing and shall cooperate with and
   use its reasonable efforts to assist Buyer in its efforts to secure
   satisfactory employment arrangements with those Employees of Seller to
   whom Buyer makes offers of employment.

         (b) Seller shall be solely responsible for all of the
   Benefit Arrangements and all obligations and liabilities thereunder.
   Buyer shall not assume any of the Benefit Arrangements or any obligation
   or liability thereunder.

         (c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer upon
   any Rehired Employee any right with respect to continuance of employment
   by Buyer, nor shall anything herein interfere with the right of Buyer to
   terminate the employment of any of the Rehired Employees at any time,
   with or without cause, or restrict Buyer in the exercise of its
   independent business judgment in modifying any of the terms and
   conditions of the employment of the Rehired Employees. Notwithstanding
   the foregoing, Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent, Seller
   and their respective affiliates and subsidiaries from any salary related
   severance benefits owed under any Benefit Arrangement to any Rehired
   Employee discharged by Buyer for reasons other than cause in accordance
   with Buyer's personnel policies within six months following the Closing.
   Furthermore, in the event of a plant closing or mass layoff as defined
   under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (or similar
   applicable law ("WARN")), which arises solely as a result of Buyer not
   making offers of employment to the employees listed on Schedule 6.6.

         (d) No provision of this Agreement shall create any third
   party beneficiary rights in any Rehired Employee, any beneficiary or
   dependents thereof, or any collective bargaining representative thereof,
   with respect to the compensation, terms and conditions of employment and
   benefits that may be provided to any Rehired Employee by Buyer or under
   any benefit plan which Buyer may maintain.

         (e) Neither Parent nor Seller shall, directly or
   indirectly, hire or offer employment to any Rehired Employee of Seller,
   unless Buyer first terminates the employment of such Rehired Employee or
   gives its written consent to such employment or offer of employment or
   unless at least one year has elapsed from the date such Rehired Employee
   resigned from employment by Buyer.

         6.7 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

                                      33

   <PAGE>
         6.8 Parent Transfers.   Parent shall, and shall cause all of its
   subsidiaries to, transfer all right, title and interest in the Assets to
   be transferred to Seller prior to the Closing.

                                ARTICLE VII

                       CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS

         The obligations of Seller to consummate the transactions
   provided for hereby are subject, in the discretion of Seller, to the
   satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following
   conditions, any of which may be waived by Seller:

         7.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants.  All
   representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement
   shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the date
   of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date, except as and to
   the extent that the facts and conditions upon which such representations
   and warranties are based are expressly required or permitted to be
   changed by the terms hereof, and Buyer shall have performed and
   satisfied in all material respects all agreements and covenants required
   hereby to be performed by it prior to or on the Closing Date.

         7.2 Consents; Regulatory Compliance and Approval.  All consents,
   approvals and waivers from governmental authorities and other parties
   necessary to permit Seller to transfer the Assets to Buyer as
   contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, unless the failure to
   obtain any such consent, approval or waiver would not have a material
   adverse effect upon Seller.  The applicable waiting period, including
   any extension thereof, under the HSR Act shall have expired.

         7.3 No Actions or Court Orders.  No Action by any governmental
   authority or other person shall have been instituted or threatened which
   questions the validity or legality of the transactions contemplated
   hereby and which could reasonably be expected to damage Seller
   materially if the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated.
   There shall not be any Regulation or Court Order that makes the purchase
   and sale of the Business or the Assets contemplated hereby illegal or
   otherwise prohibited.

         7.4 Opinion of Counsel.  Buyer shall have delivered to Seller an
   opinion of counsel to Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and
   substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller, to the effect that:

         (a) Incorporation.  Buyer is a corporation duly
   incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
   the State of Delaware;

         (b) Corporate Power and Authority.  Buyer has the
   necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
   the Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the transactions contemplated
   hereby and thereby;

                                      34

   <PAGE>
         (c) Corporate Action and Enforceability.  The execution,
   delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements
   by Buyer have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of
   Buyer, and this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements have been duly
   executed and delivered by Buyer, and constitute legally valid and
   binding obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance
   with their terms, except as limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
   reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors'
   rights generally or by equitable principles (whether considered in an
   action at law or in equity), (ii) limitations imposed by federal or
   state law or equitable principles upon the availability of specific
   performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or
   (iii) other customary limitations reasonably satisfactory to Seller's
   counsel;

         (d) No Breach of Contracts.  Neither the execution and
   delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Buyer nor the
   consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will (i)
   violate the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer, (ii) cause
   a Default under any term or provision of any material contract known to
   such counsel to which Buyer is a party, or (iii) to the best knowledge
   of such counsel, violate any Court Order applicable to Buyer; and

         (e) No Violation of Law.  Neither the execution and
   performance of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Buyer nor
   the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will
   violate or result in a failure to comply with any Regulation or Court
   Order, applicable to Buyer; and, to the best knowledge of such counsel,
   no Permit of, or filing with, any governmental authority is required for
   the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements
   by Buyer or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated
   hereby and thereby, except as set forth in this Agreement, the
   Disclosure Schedule, the exhibits hereto or the Ancillary Agreements.

         7.5 Certificates.  Buyer shall furnish Seller with
   such certificates of its officers and others to evidence compliance with
   the conditions set forth in this Article VII as may be reasonably
   requested by Seller.

         7.6 Corporate Documents.  Seller shall have received from Buyer
   resolutions adopted by the board of directors of Buyer approving this
   Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated
   hereby or thereby, certified by Buyer's corporate secretary.

         7.7 Assumption Document.  Buyer shall have executed the
   Assumption Document.

         7.8 Ancillary Agreements.  Buyer shall have executed and
   delivered the Ancillary Agreements to which Buyer is a party.


                                ARTICLE VIII

                     CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS

                                      35

   <PAGE>
         The obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions
   provided for hereby are subject, in the discretion of Buyer, to the
   satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following
   conditions, any of which may be waived by Buyer:

         8.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants.  All
   representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement
   shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the date
   of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date, except as and to
   the extent that the facts and conditions upon which such representations
   and warranties are based are expressly required or permitted to be
   changed by the terms hereof, and Seller shall have performed and
   satisfied in all material respects all agreements and covenants required
   hereby to be performed by it prior to or on the Closing Date.

         8.2 Consents; Regulatory Compliance and  Approval.  All Permits,
   consents, approvals and waivers from governmental authorities and other
   parties necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
   hereby and for the operation of the Business by Buyer (including,
   without limitation, all required third party consents to the assignment
   of the Leases and Contracts to be assumed by Buyer but excluding the
   Optional Consents) shall have been obtained.  All approvals required
   under any Regulations to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
   Agreement shall have been obtained.  The applicable waiting period,
   including any extension thereof, under the HSR Act shall have expired.

         8.3 No Actions or Court Orders.  No Action by any governmental
   authority or other person shall have been instituted or threatened which
   questions the validity or legality of the transactions contemplated
   hereby and which could reasonably be expected to damage Buyer, the
   Assets or the Business materially if the transactions contemplated
   hereby are consummated, including without limitation any material
   adverse effect on the right or ability of Buyer to own, operate, possess
   or transfer the Assets after the Closing.  There shall not be any
   Regulation or Court Order that makes the purchase and sale of the
   Business or the Assets contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise
   prohibited.

         8.4 Opinion of Counsel.  Parent and Seller shall have delivered
   to Buyer an opinion of counsel to Parent and Seller, dated as of the
   Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, to
   the effect that:

         (a) Incorporation.  Seller is a corporation duly
   incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
   the State of Delaware; Seller is duly qualified to do business as a
   foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where
   the ownership or leasing of its property or nature of the Business
   requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified
   would not have a material adverse effect on the Business or the Assets;

         (b) Corporate Power and Authority.  Parent and Seller have
   the necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
   and the Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the transactions
   contemplated hereby and thereby; and Seller has the necessary corporate

                                      36

   <PAGE>
   power and authority to own, lease and operate the Assets and its other
   properties and to conduct the Business as presently conducted;

         (c) Corporate Action and Enforceability.  The execution,
   delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements
   by Seller have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of
   Parent and Seller, and this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements have
   been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Seller, and no approval
   of the stockholders of Parent or Seller is required in connection
   therewith or, if required, such approval has been duly obtained in
   accordance with the provisions of Parent or Seller's Certificate of
   Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, and this Agreement and each
   Ancillary Agreement constitute legally valid and binding obligations of
   Parent and Seller, enforceable against Parent and Seller in accordance
   with their terms, except as limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
   reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors'
   rights generally or by equitable principles (whether considered in an
   action at law or in equity), (ii) limitations imposed by federal or
   state law or equitable principles upon the availability of specific
   performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (iii)
   other customary limitations reasonably satisfactory to Buyer's counsel;

         (d) No Breach of Contracts.  Neither the execution and
   delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Seller nor the
   consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will (i)
   violate the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent or Seller,
   (ii) to the best knowledge of such counsel cause a Default under any
   term or provision of any material Contract or Lease to which Seller is a
   party or by which the Assets are bound, or (iii) to the best knowledge
   of such counsel, violate any Court Order applicable to Parent or Seller;

         (e) No Violation of Law.  Neither the execution and
   performance of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Parent or
   Seller nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
   thereby will violate or result in a failure to comply with any
   Regulation or Court Order applicable to the Business or operations of
   Seller; and, to the best knowledge of such counsel, no Permit of, or
   filing with, any governmental authority is required for the execution
   and delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Parent or
   Seller or the consummation by either Parent or Seller of the
   transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except as set forth in
   this Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule, the exhibits hereto or the
   Ancillary Agreements;

         (f) Transfer and Assignment.  The documents to be
   delivered by Seller at the Closing to effect the transfer and assignment
   to Buyer of all right, title and interest in and to the Assets are
   effective to do so, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy,
   insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to
   creditors' rights generally and equitable principles (whether considered
   in an action at law or in equity), (ii) limitations imposed by federal
   or state law or equitable principles upon the availability of specific
   performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or
   (iii) other customary limitations reasonably satisfactory to Buyer's
   counsel;

                                      37

   <PAGE>
         (g) No Breach of Contract.  To the knowledge of such
   counsel, Seller is not in Default under any term or provision of any
   material Contract or Lease to be assumed by Buyer or other material
   Contract to which Seller is a party or by which the Assets are bound,
   except for such Defaults which will not have a material adverse effect
   upon the Business or the Assets.

         8.5 Certificates.  Parent and Seller shall furnish Buyer with
   such certificates of its officers and others to evidence compliance with
   the conditions set forth in this Article VIII as may be reasonably
   requested by Buyer.

         8.6 Material Changes.  Since the Interim Balance Sheet Date,
   there shall not have been any material adverse change with respect to
   the Business or the Assets.

         8.7 Corporate Documents.  Buyer shall have received from Seller
   resolutions adopted by the boards of directors of Parent and Seller and
   resolutions of Parent, for itself and as the shareholder of Seller,
   approving this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the
   transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, certified by Parent's and
   Seller's corporate secretary, as applicable.

         8.8 Due Diligence Review.  Buyer and its Representatives shall
   have been permitted to conduct a due diligence review of Seller's Books
   and Records, Financial Statements, and other records and accounts of the
   Business.  Such review shall have no effect whatsoever on the Liability
   of Parent or Seller to Buyer under this Agreement or otherwise for
   breach of any representations, warranties or covenants of Parent or
   Seller or hereunder.

         8.9 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         8.10 Conveyancing Documents; Release of Encumbrances.  Seller
   shall have executed and delivered each of documents described in Section
   3.2 hereof so as to effect the transfer and assignment to Buyer of all
   right, title and interest in and to the Assets and Seller shall have
   filed (where necessary) and delivered to Buyer all documents necessary
   to release the Assets from all Encumbrances other than Permitted
   Encumbrances, which documents shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory
   to Buyer's counsel.

         8.11 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         8.12 Permits.  Buyer shall have obtained or been granted the
   right to use all Permits necessary to its operation of the Business.

         8.13 Other Agreements.  Parent and Seller shall have executed and
   delivered the Ancillary Agreements in the forms attached as exhibits
   hereto.

         8.14 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

                                      38

   <PAGE>
         8.15 Tax Clearance Certificate.  Seller shall provide Buyer with
   a clearance certificate or similar document(s) that may be required by
   any state taxing authority in order to relieve Buyer of any obligation
   to withhold any portion of the Purchase Price.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                      RISK OF LOSS; CONSENTS TO ASSIGNMENT

         9.1 Risk of Loss.  From the date hereof through the Closing
   Date, all risk of loss or damage to the property included in the Assets
   shall be borne by Seller, and thereafter shall be borne by Buyer.  If
   any portion of the Assets is destroyed or damaged by fire or any other
   cause on or prior to the Closing Date, other than use, wear or loss in
   the ordinary course of business, Seller shall give written notice to
   Buyer as soon as practicable after, but in any event within five (5)
   calendar days of, discovery of such damage or destruction, specifying
   the amount of insurance, if any, covering such Assets and the amount, if
   any, which Seller is otherwise entitled to receive as a consequence.
   Prior to the Closing, Buyer shall have the option, which shall be
   exercised by written notice to Seller within ten (10) calendar days
   after receipt of Seller's notice or if there is not ten (10) calendar
   days prior to the Closing Date, as soon as practicable prior to the
   Closing Date, of (a) accepting such Assets in their destroyed or damaged
   condition in which event Buyer shall be entitled to the proceeds of any
   insurance or other proceeds payable with respect to such loss and the
   full Purchase Price shall be paid for such Assets, (b) excluding such
   Assets from this Agreement, in which event the Purchase Price shall be
   reduced by the amount allocated to such Assets, as mutually agreed
   between the parties or (c) terminating this Agreement in accordance with
   Section 11.1.  If Buyer accepts such Assets, then after the Closing, any
   insurance or other proceeds shall belong, and shall be assigned to,
   Buyer without any reduction in the Purchase Price; otherwise, such
   insurance proceeds shall belong to Seller.

         9.2 Consents to Assignment.  Anything in this Agreement to the
   contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not constitute an
   agreement to assign any Contract, Lease or Permit included in the Assets
   or any claim or right or any benefit arising thereunder or resulting
   therefrom if an attempted assignment thereof, without the consent of a
   third party thereto, would constitute a Default thereof or in any way
   adversely affect the rights of Buyer thereunder.  If such consent is not
   obtained, or if an attempted assignment thereof would be ineffective or
   would affect the rights thereunder so that Buyer would not receive all
   such rights, Seller will cooperate with Buyer, in accordance with
   Sections 6.1(a) and (b) to provide to Buyer the benefits under any such
   Contract, Lease, Permit or any claim or right, including without
   limitation enforcement for the benefit  of Buyer of any and all rights
   of Seller against a third party thereto arising out of the Default or
   cancellation by such third party or otherwise.  Nothing in this Section
   9.2 shall affect Buyer's right to terminate this Agreement under
   Sections 8.2 and 11.1 in the event that any consent or approval to the
   transfer of any Asset is not obtained.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                      39


   <PAGE>
                           ACTIONS BY SELLER AND BUYER
                                AFTER THE CLOSING

         10.1 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         10.2 Books and Records; Tax Matters.

         (a) Books and Records.  Each party agrees that it will
   cooperate with and make available to the other party, during normal
   business hours, all Books and Records, information and employees
   (without substantial disruption of employment) retained and remaining in
   existence after the Closing which are necessary or useful in connection
   with any tax inquiry, audit, investigation or dispute, any litigation or
   investigation or any other matter requiring any such Books and Records,
   information or employees for any reasonable business purpose.  The party
   requesting any such Books and Records, information or employees shall
   bear all of the out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without
   limitation attorneys' fees) reasonably incurred in connection with
   providing such Books and Records, information or employees.  All
   information received pursuant to this Section 10.2(a) shall be subject
   to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

         (b) Cooperation and Records Retention.  Seller and Buyer
   shall (i) each provide the other with such assistance as may reasonably
   be requested by any of them in connection with the preparation of any
   return, audit, or other examination by any taxing authority or judicial
   or administrative proceedings relating to Liability for Taxes, (ii) each
   retain and provide the other with any records or other information that
   may be relevant to such return, audit or examination, proceeding or
   determination, and (iii) each provide the other with any final
   determination of any such audit or examination, proceeding, or
   determination that affects any amount required to be shown on any tax
   return of the other for any period.  Without limiting the generality of
   the foregoing, Buyer and Seller shall each retain, until the applicable
   statutes of limitations (including any extensions) have expired, copies
   of all tax returns, supporting work schedules, and other records or
   information that may be relevant to such returns for all tax periods or
   portions thereof ending on or before the Closing Date.

         (c) Payment of Liabilities.  Following the Closing Date,
   Seller shall pay promptly when due all of the debts and Liabilities of
   Seller, including any Liability for Taxes, other than Assumed
   Liabilities; provided, however, this covenant shall not apply to that
   portion (or all) of any debt that Seller is contesting in good faith.

         10.3 Survival of Representations, Etc.  All of the
   representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by each party
   in this Agreement or in any attachment, Exhibit, the Disclosure
   Schedule, certificate, document or list delivered by any such party
   pursuant hereto shall survive the Closing for a period of (and claims
   based upon or arising out of such representations, warranties, covenants
   and agreements may be asserted at any time before the date which shall
   be) three years following the Closing except for the tax and
   environmental representations which shall survive until the expiration
   of the applicable statute of limitations (with extensions) with respect
   to the matters addressed in such sections.  Each party hereto shall be

                                      40

   <PAGE>
   entitled to rely upon the representations and warranties of the other
   party set forth in this Agreement.  The termination of the
   representations and warranties provided herein shall not affect the
   rights of a party in respect of any Claim made by such party in a
   writing received by the other party prior to the expiration of the
   applicable survival period provided herein.

         10.4 Indemnifications.

         (a) By Parent and Seller.  Parent and Seller, jointly and
   severally, shall indemnify, save and hold harmless Buyer, its affiliates
   and subsidiaries, and its and their respective Representatives, from and
   against any and all costs, losses (including without limitation
   diminution in value), Taxes, Liabilities, obligations, damages,
   lawsuits, deficiencies, claims, demands, and expenses (whether or not
   arising out of third-party claims), including without limitation
   interest, penalties, costs of mitigation, losses in connection with any
   Environmental Law (including without limitation any clean-up or remedial
   action), damages to the environment, attorneys' fees and all amounts
   paid in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing
   (herein, "Damages"), incurred in connection with, arising out of,
   resulting from or incident to (i) any breach of any representation or
   warranty or the inaccuracy of any representation, made by Parent or
   Seller in or pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) any breach of any covenant
   or agreement made by Seller in or pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) any
   Excluded Liability or (iv) any Liability imposed upon Buyer by reason of
   Buyer's status as transferee of the Business or the Assets.

         The term "Damages" as used in this Section 10.4 is not
   limited to matters asserted by third parties against Seller or Buyer,
   but includes Damages incurred or sustained by Seller or Buyer in the
   absence of third party claims.  Payments by Buyer of amounts for which
   Buyer is indemnified hereunder, and payments by Seller of amounts for
   which Seller is indemnified, shall not be a condition precedent to
   recovery.  Except for the rights to specific performance set forth in
   Section 11.15, Seller's obligation to indemnify Buyer, and Buyer's
   obligation to indemnify Seller, shall be the exclusive remedy of the
   parties for any claim arising under or related to the execution,
   delivery and performance of this Agreement.  The amount of any Damages
   for which indemnification is provided to Buyer hereunder shall be
   computed net of the (i) proceeds of any insurance received by the
   Indemnified Party to the extent that such insurance was funded by Seller
   or any of its affiliates and (ii) amount of any tax benefit actually
   realized by the Indemnified Party with respect to the matter which was
   the basis for the Damages for which indemnification is sought.

         (b) By Buyer.  Buyer shall indemnify and save and hold
   harmless Parent, Seller, their respective affiliates and subsidiaries,
   and their respective Representatives from and against any and all
   Damages incurred (i) in connection with, arising out of, resulting from
   or incident to (x) any breach of any representation or warranty or the
   inaccuracy of any representation, made by Buyer in or pursuant to this
   Agreement; (y) any breach of any covenant or agreement made by Buyer in
   or pursuant to this Agreement; or (z) from and after the Closing, any
   Assumed Liability; (ii) solely as a result of the operation of the
   Business or use of the Assets by Buyer after the Closing and not related
   to any breach of warranty or representation by Seller under this
   Agreement; or (iii) in connection with, arising out of, resulting from

                                      41

   <PAGE>
   or incident to the Lease relating to the property located at 17932
   Daimler Street, Irvine, CA, provided that such claim does not arise out
   of, result from or is not incident to, any breach of any representation
   or warranty made by Seller pursuant to this Agreement.

         (c) Cooperation.  The indemnified party shall cooperate in
   all reasonable respects with the indemnifying party and such
   indemnifying party's attorneys in the investigation, trial and defense
   of such lawsuit or action and any appeal arising therefrom; provided,
   however, that the indemnified party may, at its own cost, participate in
   the investigation, trial and defense of such lawsuit or action and any
   appeal arising therefrom.  The parties shall cooperate with each other
   in any notifications to insurers.

         (d) Defense of Claims.  If a claim for Damages (a "Claim")
   is to be made by a party entitled to indemnification hereunder against
   the indemnifying party, the party claiming such indemnification shall
   give written notice (a "Claim Notice") to the indemnifying party as soon
   as practicable after the party entitled to indemnification becomes aware
   of any fact, condition or event which may give rise to Damages for which
   indemnification may be sought under this Section 10.4.  If any lawsuit
   or enforcement action is filed against any party entitled to the benefit
   of indemnity hereunder, written notice thereof shall be given to the
   indemnifying party as promptly as practicable (and in any event within
   fifteen (15) calendar days after the service of the citation or
   summons).  The failure of any indemnified party to give timely notice
   hereunder shall not affect rights to indemnification hereunder, except
   to the extent that the indemnifying party demonstrates actual damage
   caused by such failure.  After such notice, if the indemnifying party
   shall acknowledge in writing to the indemnified party that the
   indemnifying party shall be obligated under the terms of its indemnity
   hereunder in connection with such lawsuit or action, then the
   indemnifying party shall be entitled, if it so elects at its own cost,
   risk and expense, (i) to take control of the defense and investigation
   of such lawsuit or action, (ii) to employ and engage attorneys of its
   own choice to handle and defend the same, and (iii) to compromise or
   settle such claim, provided that any compromise or settlement which
   results in the indemnified party becoming subject to injunctive relief
   or that otherwise adversely affects the business of the indemnified
   party shall be made only with the written consent of the indemnified
   party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.  If the
   indemnifying party fails to assume the defense of such claim within
   fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the Claim Notice, the
   indemnified party against which such claim has been asserted will (upon
   delivering notice to such effect to the indemnifying party and the
   indemnifying party not assuming such defense within 15 days of such
   notice) have the right to undertake, at the indemnifying party's cost
   and expense, the defense, compromise or settlement of such claim on
   behalf of and for the account and risk of the indemnifying party.   In
   the event the indemnified party assumes the defense of the claim, the
   indemnified party will keep the indemnifying party reasonably informed
   of the progress of any such defense, compromise or settlement.  The
   indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action
   effected pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 10.4 and for
   any final judgment (subject to any right of appeal), and the
   indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless an indemnified
   party from and against any Damages by reason of such settlement or
   judgment.

                                      42

   <PAGE>
         (e) Right of Offset.  Anything in this Agreement to the
   contrary notwithstanding, Buyer may withhold and set off against any
   other amounts otherwise due Seller, including without limitation amounts
   owing pursuant to the Holdback Note, any amount as to which Seller is
   obligated to indemnify Buyer pursuant to any provision of this Section
   10.4 and Seller may withhold and set off against any other amounts
   otherwise due Buyer any amount as to which Buyer is obligated to
   indemnify Seller pursuant to Section 10.4(b)(iii).

         (f) Product and Warranty Liability.  The provisions of
   this Section 10.4 shall cover, without limitation, all Liabilities of
   whatsoever kind, nature or description relating, directly or indirectly,
   to product liability, litigation or claims against Buyer or Seller in
   connection with, arising out of, or relating to products sold or shipped
   from the Facilities by Buyer or Seller, respectively.

         (g) Brokers and Finders.  Pursuant to the provisions of
   this Section 10.4, each of Buyer and Seller shall indemnify, hold
   harmless and defend the other party from the payment of any and all
   broker's and finder's expenses, commissions, fees or other forms of
   compensation which may be due or payable from or by the indemnifying
   party, or may have been earned by any third party acting on behalf of
   the indemnifying party in connection with the negotiation and execution
   hereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (h) Limitations.  Neither Buyer nor Seller shall be liable
   to the other under this Section 10.4 for any Damages until any
   individual amount otherwise due the party being indemnified exceeds
             [ ** ]                          and the aggregate amount
   otherwise due the party being indemnified exceeds an accumulated total
   of              [ ** ]                             , and then only to
   the extent of such excess; provided, however, that neither Buyer nor
   Seller shall, in any event, have any obligation to indemnify and hold
   harmless the other under this Section 10.4 for any amount in excess of
               [ ** ]                     except for claims based upon
   violations of the representations of Seller and Parent contained in
   Section 4.13, Section 4.21 and Section 4.28.

        (i) Representatives.  No individual Representative of any
   party shall be personally liable for any Damages under the provisions
   contained in this Section 10.4.  Nothing herein shall relieve either
   party of any Liability to make any payment expressly required to be made
   by such party pursuant to this Agreement.


         10.5 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         10.6 Holdback Amount.  Buyer and Seller agree and acknowledge
   that offset against the Holdback Amount shall not be Buyer's exclusive
   method of receiving indemnification from Seller pursuant to Section 10.4.

         10.7 Bulk Sales.  It may not be practicable to comply or attempt
   to comply with the procedures of the "Bulk Sales Act" or similar law of
   any or all of the states in which the Assets are situated or of any
   other state which may be asserted to be applicable to the transactions

   [ ** ] This material has been omitted pursuant to a request
          for confidential treatment.  The material has been filed
          separately with the Commission.

                                      43

   <PAGE>
   contemplated hereby.  Accordingly, to induce Buyer to waive any
   requirements for compliance with any or all of such laws, Seller hereby
   agrees that the indemnity provisions of Section 10.4 hereof shall apply
   to any Damages of Buyer arising out of or resulting from the failure of
   Seller or Buyer to comply with any such laws.

         10.8 Taxes.  Subject to Section 2.6, Parent and Seller shall pay,
   or cause to be paid, when due all Taxes for which Seller is or may be
   liable or that are or may become payable with respect to all taxable
   periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date.

         10.9 Insurance.  For six (6) years after the Closing Date, Seller
   or Parent shall continue to maintain products liability insurance with
   respect to products insured as of the Closing Date providing
   substantially the same coverage as in effect on the date hereof and
   Seller shall cause Buyer to be named as an additional insured on each
   such policy.

         10.10 Name.  Parent hereby grants to Buyer, effective as of the
   Closing Date, the right to use the name "Chiron" on existing packaging,
   stationery, purchase order forms, advertising, literature and the like
   until the supply of such material is exhausted.

         10.11 Collection of Receivables.  Buyer shall cooperate with
   Seller at Seller's expense in the collection of accounts receivable of
   customers of the Business that are not transferred to Seller and shall
   promptly remit to Seller any payments received by Buyer on account of
   any invoice for goods shipped on or prior to the Closing Date.  Seller
   shall promptly remit to Buyer any payments received by Seller on account
   of any invoice for goods shipped after the Closing Date.

         10.12 Supply of Products.  Schedules 1.1B and 1.1C list certain
   commitments of Seller and its subsidiaries to provide products
   manufactured at the Facilities ("Products") to third parties (the
   "Commitments").  A true, correct and complete copy of each document or
   agreement reflecting such Commitments has been provided to Buyer.  If
   notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1(b) any party does not
   consent to assignment or cancellation of the Contracts set forth on
   Schedules 1.1B and 1.1C, from and after the Closing Buyer shall supply
   to Seller the Products required to be supplied to such party for the
   required period under any such Contract, at the price at which Seller is
   required to supply such product to such party less 8% provided, however,
   that in no event shall Buyer be required to supply Products to Seller at
   a price below Seller's standard cost.


                                 ARTICLE XI

                                MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1 Termination.

         (a) Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any
   time prior to Closing:

                                      44

   <PAGE>
              (i) By mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller;

              (ii) By Buyer or Seller if the Closing shall not have
   occurred on or before December 19, 1997; provided however, that this
   provision shall not be available to Buyer if Seller has the right to
   terminate this Agreement under clause (iv) of this Section 11.1, and
   this provision shall not be available to Seller if Buyer has the right
   to terminate this Agreement under clause (iii) of this Section 11.1;

              (iii) By Buyer if there is a material breach of any
   representation or warranty set forth in Article IV hereof or any
   covenant or agreement to be complied with or performed by Parent or
   Seller pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the failure of a
   condition set forth in Article VIII to be satisfied (and such condition
   is not waived in writing by Buyer) on or prior to the Closing Date, or
   the occurrence of any event which results or would result in the failure
   of a condition set forth in Article VIII to be satisfied on or prior to
   the Closing Date, provided that, Buyer may not terminate this Agreement
   prior to the Closing if Seller has not had an adequate opportunity to
   cure such failure; or

              (iv) By Seller if there is a material breach of any
   representation or warranty set forth in Article V hereof or of any
   covenant or agreement to be complied with or performed by Buyer pursuant
   to the terms of this Agreement or the failure of a condition set forth
   in Article VII to be satisfied (and such condition is not waived in
   writing by Seller) on or prior to the Closing Date, or the occurrence of
   any event which results or would result in the failure of a condition
   set forth in Article VII to be satisfied on or prior to the Closing
   Date; provided that, Seller may not terminate this Agreement prior to
   the Closing Date if Buyer has not had an adequate opportunity to cure
   such failure.

         (b) In the Event of Termination.  In the event of
   termination of this Agreement:

              (i) Each party will redeliver all documents, work
   papers and other material of any other party relating to the
   transactions contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before or after
   the execution hereof, to the party furnishing the same;

              (ii) The provisions of  the Confidentiality Agreement
   shall continue in full force and effect; and

              (iii) No party hereto shall have any Liability to any
   other party to this Agreement, except as stated in subsections (i), (ii)
   and (iii) of this Section 11.1(b), except for any willful breach of this
   Agreement occurring prior to the proper termination of this Agreement.
   The foregoing provisions shall not limit or restrict the availability of
   specific performance or other injunctive relief to the extent that
   specific performance or such other relief would otherwise be available
   to a party hereunder.

                                      45

   <PAGE>
         11.2 Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or
   obligations hereunder may be assigned by any party without the prior
   written consent of the other parties; except that (i) Buyer may, without
   such consent, assign all such rights to any lender as collateral
   security and assign all such rights and obligations to a wholly owned
   subsidiary (or a partnership controlled by Buyer) or subsidiaries of
   Buyer which shall assume all obligations and Liabilities of Buyer under
   this Agreement (provided that Buyer shall remain responsible for the due
   performance of such obligations), (ii) Seller may assign its rights and
   obligations hereunder insofar as such rights and obligations relate to
   Assets held by a Subsidiary of Seller to such Subsidiary (provided that
   Seller and Parent shall remain responsible for the due performance of
   such obligations by such Subsidiary), and (iii) either party may assign
   all rights and obligations hereunder to a purchaser of all or
   substantially all of the assets of such party or to a successor in
   interest to such party which shall assume all obligations and
   Liabilities of such party under this Agreement.  Subject to the
   foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
   of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
   assigns, and no other person shall have any right, benefit or obligation
   under this Agreement as a third party beneficiary or otherwise.

         11.3 Notices; Transfer of Funds.  All notices, requests, demands
   and other communications which are required or may be given under this
   Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
   given when received.  In each case notice shall be sent to:

              If to Parent or Seller, addressed to:

                        Chiron Diagnostics Corporation
                        333 Coney Street
                        Walpole, Massachusetts  02032
                        Attention:  President


   with a copy to:      Chiron Diagnostics Corporation
                        63 North Street
                        Medfield, Massachusetts 02052-1688
                        Attention:  Legal Department


              If to Buyer, addressed to:

                        Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
                        1000 Alfred Nobel Drive
                        Hercules, California 94547
                        Attention:  Sanford S. Wadler, Esq.


   or to such other place and with such other copies as either party may
   designate as to itself by written notice to the others.

                                      46

   <PAGE>
         Payments to be made to Seller hereunder shall be made by
   wire transferred funds to be delivered to Seller's account number
   12335223422 at Bank of America San Francisco, ABA Number 121000358 or to
   such other account or place as Seller may designate by written notice as
   provided herein.  Payments to be made to Buyer hereunder shall be made
   by wire transferred funds to be delivered to Buyer's account number
   5886988 at First Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; ABA Number 071000013 or to
   such other account or place as Buyer may designate by written notice as
   provided herein.

         11.4 Choice of Law.  This Agreement shall be construed,
   interpreted and the rights of the parties determined in accordance with
   the laws of the State of California, without reference to the choice of
   law provisions of any other state.

         11.5 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers.  This Agreement,
   the Ancillary Agreements, together with all exhibits and schedules
   hereto and thereto (including the Disclosure Schedule), and the
   Confidentiality Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the
   parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
   agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral
   or written, of the parties.  This Agreement may not be amended except by
   an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
   No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall
   be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby.
   No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or
   shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not
   similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless
   otherwise expressly provided.

         11.6 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         11.7 Multiple Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in
   one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
   all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         11.8 Expenses.  Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement,
   each party hereto shall pay its own legal, accounting, out-of-pocket and
   other expenses incident to this Agreement and to any action taken by
   such party in preparation for carrying this Agreement into effect.

         11.9 Invalidity.  In the event that any one or more of the
   provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument
   referred to herein, shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid,
   illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent
   permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall
   not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such
   instrument.

         11.10 Titles; Gender.  The titles, captions or headings of the
   Articles and Sections herein, and the use of a particular gender, are
   for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of
   or to affect or restrict the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

                                      47

   <PAGE>
         11.11 Publicity.  The parties hereto covenant and agree that,
   except as provided for hereinbelow, each will not from and after the
   date hereof make, issue or release any public announcement, press
   release, statement or acknowledgment of the existence of, or reveal
   publicly the terms, conditions and status of, the transactions provided
   for herein, without the prior written consent of the other party as to
   the content and time of release of and the media in which such statement
   or announcement is to be made; provided, however, that in the case of
   announcements, statements, acknowledgments or revelations which either
   party is required by law to make, issue or release, the making, issuing
   or releasing of any such announcement, statement, acknowledgment or
   revelation by the party so required to do so by law shall not constitute
   a breach of this Agreement if such party shall have given, to the extent
   reasonably possible, not less than two (2) calendar days prior notice to
   the other party, and shall have attempted, to the extent reasonably
   possible, to clear such announcement, statement, acknowledgment or
   revelation with the other party.  Each party hereto agrees that it will
   not unreasonably withhold any such consent or clearance.

         11.12 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         11.13 Cumulative Remedies.  Except as otherwise expressly provided
   herein, all rights and remedies of either party hereto are cumulative of
   each other and of every other right or remedy such party may otherwise
   have at law or in equity, and the exercise of one or more rights or
   remedies shall not prejudice or impair the concurrent or subsequent
   exercise of other rights or remedies.

         11.14 Service of Process, Consent to Jurisdiction.

         (a) Service of Process.  Each party hereto irrevocably
   consents to the service of any process, pleading, notices or other
   papers by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified,
   postage prepaid, to such party at such party's address set forth herein,
   or by any other method provided or permitted under California or
   Massachusetts law.

         (b) Consent and Jurisdiction.  Each party hereto
   irrevocably and unconditionally (1) agrees that any suit, action or
   other legal proceeding arising out of this Agreement may be brought in
   the United States District Court for the Northern District of California
   or, if such court does not have jurisdiction or will not accept
   jurisdiction, in any court of general jurisdiction in California;
   (2) consents to the jurisdiction or any such court in any such suit,
   action or proceeding; and (3) waives any objection which such
   Shareholder may have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or
   proceeding in any such court.

         11.15 Specific Performance.  The parties acknowledge that the
   subject matter of this Agreement (i.e., the Assets of Seller) is unique
   and that no adequate remedy at law would be available for breach of this
   Agreement.  Accordingly, each party agrees that the other parties will
   be entitled to an appropriate decree of specific performance or other
   equitable remedies to enforce this Agreement (without any bond or other
   security being required) and each party waives the defense in any action
   or proceeding brought to enforce this Agreement that there exists an
   adequate remedy at law.

                                      48

   <PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
   Agreement to be duly executed on their respective behalf, by their
   respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and
   year first above written.

   Chiron Corporation                       Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.



   By        /s/ R.W. Barker                By        /s/ Sanford Wadler
     Name:  Richard W. Barker                 Name:  Sanford S. Wadler
     Its Senior Vice President                Its Vice President and Secretary



   Chiron Diagnostics Corporation



   By        /s/ R.W. Barker
     Name:  Richard W. Barker
     Its President





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