EDITEK INC
S-8, 1997-04-02
IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES
Previous: BIOPHARMACEUTICS INC, 10-Q, 1997-04-02
Next: PAINEWEBBER MANAGED INVESTMENTS TRUST, 485BPOS, 1997-04-02



                                                        

              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission

                                  April 1, 1997

                                Registration No.

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                  EDITEK, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     Delaware                                             95-3863205
    (State or other jurisdiction                         (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

    1238 Anthony Road
    Burlington, North Carolina                                 27215
   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                   (Zip Code)

                                  EDITEK, INC.
                     QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

       Peter J. Heath, Esq.                                 Copy to:

       Vice President of Finance                   Robert R. Ribeiro, Esq.
          and Chief Financial Officer              Popham, Haik Schnobrich &
       1238 Anthony Road                              Kaufman, Ltd.
       Burlington, North Carolina  27215           222 South Ninth Street
      (Name and address of agent for service)     Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

      (910) 226-6311
     (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Approximate  date of commencement  of proposed sale to the public:  from time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      Proposed maximum  Proposed maximum     Amount of 
Title of securities  Amount to        offering price    aggregate offering   registration 
to be registered     be registered    per share(l)      price                fee  (2)
<S>                 <C>               <C>              <C>                  <C> 

Common Stock,        350,000           $0.4375          $153,125             $100
$.15 par value
</TABLE>

(1)      Pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended
         (the "Act"), based on the per share prices at which the options granted
         under the Plan may be exercised.

(2)      Pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act.


                                    PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The following  documents of EDITEK,  Inc. ("EDITEK" or the "Company") which have
been filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission are hereby  incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement:

(a)      the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
         31, 1996;

(b)      all other reports filed by Editek pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of 
         the Exchange Act since December 31, 1996;

(c)      the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended, as filed 
         with the Securities Exchange Commission as Commission File No. 
         333-18547;

(d)      the  description  of EDITEK's  Common Stock and Common  Stock  Purchase
         Rights  contained in any  Registration  Statement of the Company  filed
         under  the  Exchange  Act and any  amendment  or  report  filed for the
         purpose of updating any such description.

All documents  filed by the Company  pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Registration  Statement and prior to
the filing of a  post-effective  amendment  which  indicates that all securities
offered  have been  sold or which  deregisters  all  securities  then  remaining
unsold,  shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this  Registration
Statement  and to be a part hereof from the  respective  dates of filing of such
documents.  Any statement contained herein or in a document all or part of which
is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration  Statement to the

<PAGE>

extent that a statement  contained herein or in any subsequently  filed document
which also is or is deemed to be  incorporated  by reference  herein modifies or
supersedes  such statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded  shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

                  Not applicable.

ITEM 5.           INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

                  Not applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company shall indemnify the directors
and officers of the Company  against  liability (and expenses  related  thereto)
arising out of their status as directors and officers to the extent permitted by
law. Additionally certain mandatory  indemnification  rights are available under
the Delaware  General  Corporation Law ("DGCL") to officers and directors to the
extent they are successful in the defense of any proceeding to which they were a
party by virtue of their position as a director or officer.

Further,  as permitted by the DGCL,  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the
Company  includes a provision  limiting the personal  liability of its directors
for  monetary  damages for certain  breaches of their duties as directors to the
extent  permitted  under the DGCL.  The Company also  maintains a directors' and
officers' liability policy which insures such person against claims arising form
certain acts or decisions by them in their  capacities as directors and officers
of the  Company,  subject to  certain  exclusions  and  deductible  and  maximum
amounts.

In  addition  to such  other  rights  of  indemnification  as they  may  have as
directors or as members of a committee of directors,  the Company's  Amended and
Restated Equity Compensation Plan and Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee  Directors provide for indemnification for certain of the Company's
directors  for  liabilities  arising in  connection  with their actions taken as
members of the committees administering such plans.

Such limitation of liability pursuant to state law does not affect liability, if
any,   arising  under  the  federal   securities  laws.   Further,   insofar  as
indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under  the  Securities  Act  may  be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant
to contractual provisions or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the
opinion of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  such  indemnification  is
against  public  policy as expressed  in the  Securities  Act and is,  therefore
unenforceable.

<PAGE>

EDITEK  also  maintains  an  insurance  policy or  policies to assist in funding
indemnification of directors and officers for certain liabilities.


ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

                  Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number            Description

3.(ii)            Bylaws of EDITEK, Inc., as amended to date.

4.1               Restated Certificate of Incorporation of EDITEK, Inc., 
                  as amended to date.

5.1               Opinion of Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd.

23.1              Consent of Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd (included 
                  in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2              Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants.

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS

A.       Post-Effective Amendments

The Company hereby undertakes:

(l)      To file,  during any period in which  offers or sales are being made, a
         post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

     (i)  To  include  any  prospectus  required  by  Section  10(a)(3)  of  the
Securities Act of 1933;

     (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising  after the
effective date of the Registration  Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  represent  a
fundamental  change in the information set forth in the Registration  Statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of  securities  offered would not exceed that
which  was  registered)  and any  deviation  from  the  low or  high  end of the
estimated  maximum  offering  range may be reflected  in the form of  prospectus
filed with the  Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if,
in the  aggregate,  the changes in volume and price  represent no more than a 20
percent  change  in  the  maximum  aggregate-offering  price  set  forth  in the
<PAGE>

"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;
and

(iii)    To  include  any  material  information  with  respect  to the  plan of
         distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration  Statement or
         any material change in the  information  set forth in the  Registration
         Statement;

PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  subparagraphs  (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the
Registration  Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that are  incorporated  by reference in the
Registration Statement.

(2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
         Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
         new Registration  Statement relating to the securities offered therein,
         and the offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be
         the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)      To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any
         of  the  securities   being  registered  which  remain  unsold  at  the
         termination of the offering.

B.       Subsequent Documents Incorporated by Reference

The Company hereby  undertakes  that, for purposes of determining  any liability
under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  each filing of the Company's  annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (and,
where  applicable,  each  filing of an employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report
pursuant  to  Section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934)  that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration  Statement shall be deemed to be a
new Registration  Statement relating to the securities offered therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

C.       Claims for Indemnification

Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers,  and  controlling  persons of the
Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been
advised that, in the opinion of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  such
indemnification  is  against  public  policy  as  expressed  in the  Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
liabilities  (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid
by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the Company in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer
or controlling  person in connection with the securities being  registered,  the
Company  will,  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction  the

<PAGE>

question  whether  such  indemnification  by  it is  against  public  policy  as
expressed  in the Act and will be  governed  by the final  adjudication  of such
issue.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  the  Registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-8 and has  duly  caused  this  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of  Burlington,  State of North  Carolina,  on April 1,
1997.

                                    EDITEK, INC.


                                    By   /s/  Harry G. McCoy, Pharm. D.
                                         Harry G. McCoy, Pharm. D.
                                         President and Chairman of the Board


Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,  this  Registration
Statement has been signed by the following  persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.


By       /s/  Harry G. McCoy, Pharm. D.                    Dated: April 1, 1997
         ------------------------------
         Harry G. McCoy, Pharm. D.
         President and Chairman of the Board

By       /s/  Richard J. Braun                             Dated: April 1, 1997
         ---------------------
         Richard J. Braun
         Chief Executive Officer

By       /s/ Peter J. Heath                                Dated: April 1, 1997
         ------------------
         Peter J. Heath
         Vice President of Finance and C.F.O.
         (principal accounting officer)

By       /s/ Samuel C. Powell, Ph.D.                       Dated: April 1, 1997
         ---------------------------
         Samuel C. Powell, Ph.D.
         Director

By       /s/ Louis Perlman                                 Dated: April 1, 1997
         -----------------
         Louis Perlman
         Director

<PAGE>

By                                                        Dated: April __, 1997
         ----------------------------------
         Alex Bistricer
         Director

By                                                        Dated: April __, 1997
         -----------------------------------
         David Bistricer
         Director

By       /s/ James W. Hansen                              Dated: April 1, 1997
         James W. Hansen
         Director

By       /s/ Miles E. Efron                               Dated: April 1, 1997
         Miles E. Efron
         Director


<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number            Description

3.(ii)            Bylaws of EDITEK, Inc., as amended to date.

4.1               Certificate of Incorporation of EDITEK, Inc., as amended to 
                  date.

5.1               Opinion of Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd.

23.1              Consent of Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd (included 
                  in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2              Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants.

<PAGE>

            This document constitutes part of a prospectus concerning
     securities that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933.


                                   PROSPECTUS

                                  EDITEK, INC.

                                 350,000 Shares

                     Common Stock, $0.15 Par Value Per Share


                                  Offered Under

                     QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                                       OF
                                  EDITEK, INC.
                                1238 ANTHONY ROAD
                        BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27215
                                  910-226-6311


THE  SHARES  OFFERED BY THIS  PROSPECTUS  WILL BE SOLD  UNDER THE  EDITEK,  INC.
QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. PARTICIPATION IN THE
PLAN IS OFFERED AS SET FORTH HEREIN TO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES OF EDITEK, INC.

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION. NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                      The date of this Prospectus is April 1, 1997.

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


AVAILABLE INFORMATION....................................................    3

INTRODUCTION...............................................................  5

QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.....................................  5
         Description of Plan...............................................  5
         Federal Income Tax Consequences...................................  9
         Resale Restrictions............................................    10

COMPANY INFORMATION........................................................ 11

QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
SHEET ..................................................................    13

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE...................... 17


<PAGE>

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         EDITEK,   Inc.  (the   "Company")  is  subject  to  the   informational
requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in
accordance therewith files reports,  proxy statements and other information with
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  Reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  filed by the  Company can be  inspected  and
copied at the  public  reference  facilities  maintained  by the  Commission  at
Judiciary  Plaza,  450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549 and at its
Regional  Offices  located at 75 Park Place,  New York, New York 10007,  and the
John C.  Kluczynski  Federal  Building,  230  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,
Illinois  60604.  Copies  of such  material  can be  obtained  from  the  Public
Reference Section of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  D.C.  20549 upon  request and payment of the  prescribed  fee.  The
Commission  maintains a web site that contains  reports,  proxy and  information
statements, and other information regarding issues that are filed electronically
with the Commission. The address of the web site is HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.

         The  Company's  Common Stock is listed on the American  Stock  Exchange
(the "AMEX"),  and reports,  proxy statements and other information filed by the
Company can be inspected at such exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, NY 10006.

         The  Company  has filed with the  Commission  in  Washington,  D.C.,  a
Registration  Statement  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended  (the
"Securities  Act"),  with respect to the registration of the securities  offered
hereby.  This  Prospectus  omits  certain of the  information  contained  in the
Registration Statement. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of
any documents are not necessarily  complete and, in each instance,  reference is
made to the  copy of such  document  filed  as an  exhibit  to the  Registration
Statement.  Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such  reference.
Items  of  Information  omitted  from  this  Prospectus  but  contained  in  the
Registration  Statement may be obtained from the Commission at Judiciary  Plaza,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549, upon request and payment of the
prescribed fee.


<PAGE>


NO PERSON HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE
ANY REPRESENTATIONS  OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION
WITH  THE  OFFER  MADE  HEREBY,  AND,  IF GIVEN OR  MADE,  SUCH  INFORMATION  OR
REPRESENTATIONS  MUST  NOT BE  RELIED  UPON AS  HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  BY THE
COMPANY.  THIS  PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH
AN OFFER OR  SOLICITATION  IS NOT  AUTHORIZED BY THE LAWS  THEREOF.  NEITHER THE
DELIVERY  OF THIS  PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY  SALES  MADE  HEREUNDER  SHALL  UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES  CREATE  ANY  IMPLICATION  THAT  THERE  HAS BEEN NO  CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.

     Statements and descriptions herein concerning agreements or other documents
filed as exhibits to the  registration  statement  filed in connection with this
Prospectus  are  necessarily  summaries of such  documents  and are qualified in
their  entirety by  reference to the complete  text of the  applicable  document
filed with the  Commission,  which text is  incorporated  in this  Prospectus by
references to such agreements or documents.

<PAGE>

                                  INTRODUCTION

         This  document  and the  documents  incorporated  herein  by  reference
constitute  the  Prospectus  for the 350,000  shares of Common Stock,  $0.15 par
value per share (the "Stock") of EDITEK,  Inc. (the  "Company")  registered with
the Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"), and are the remaining shares reserved
for issuance under the EDITEK,  Inc. Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan").  The Plan was  originally  adopted  by the  Board of  Directors  of the
Company on March 13, 1986, and was approved by the  stockholders  of the Company
and became effective on September 11, 1986. The Plan was amended by the Board of
Directors  on July 30,  1993,  subject to  approval of the  stockholders  of the
Company,  which  approval  was  obtained  at  the  1993  annual  meeting  of the
stockholders  held on October 26, 1993, and such amendments  became effective as
of that date. The Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors to increase
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan from 150,000 to 500,000
shares, subject to approval of the Stockholders of the Company. The stockholders
approved the amendment at the Annual  Meeting held on December 20, 1996, and the
amendment became effective as of that date.

                     QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

         Pursuant to the Qualified  Employee  Stock  Purchase Plan (the "Plan"),
eligible  employees of the Company are given an  opportunity  to acquire  Common
Stock of the Company (the "Stock") up to a maximum  amount per employee  through
payroll deductions.

Description of Plan

         The  following  description  of the Plan is merely a summary of some of
the  terms  and  provisions  of the  Plan,  is  not  intended  to be a  complete
description  of the Plan,  and is  qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by a participant, without
charge, upon written or oral request.  Copies of the Plan, as well as additional
information  about the Plan and the  administrators of the Plan, may be obtained
by contacting the Chief  Financial  Officer's  Department,  EDITEK,  Inc.,  1238
Anthony Rd., Burlington, North Carolina 27215, telephone (919) 226-6311.

         The Plan is not  generally  subject to the  provisions  of the Employee
Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA"),  except for the
application of certain  simplified  reporting and disclosure  requirements under
ERISA.  The Plan is not a  qualified  plan  under  Section  401 of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

         Nature and  Purpose.  The Plan allows  eligible  employees  to purchase
shares of the Common Stock of the Company through payroll  deductions at a price
equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair market  value of the stock on the date of
the Company's receipt of the subscription or the date of the employee's exercise
of the right to purchase  such  shares.  The maximum  number of shares that each
eligible  employee  may  subscribe  for under the Plan  shall be subject to such
limitations  as  from  time  to  time  are  established  by  the  Administration
Committee,  which  limitations  shall  apply  equally to all  participants.  The
receipt  of an  approved  subscription  form by the  Company  from  an  eligible
employee  shall  be  treated  as the  grant of a right to  purchase  the  shares
subscribed  for,  and the  accrual  of a  sufficient  amount in such  employee's

<PAGE>

account to acquire a minimum  of 100 shares of stock at the  subscription  price
shall be treated as the exercise of such purchase right.

         The Plan is  designed  to attract and retain  competent  personnel,  to
allow the Company to compete with other companies with respect to  compensation,
to motivate  Company  employees to use their best efforts for the benefit of the
Company,  and to provide  employees  an  opportunity  to  acquire a  proprietary
interest in the Company, thereby encouraging the promotion of the Company's best
interests and giving the employees an  opportunity  to share in future growth of
the Company.

         Administration.   The  Plan  is   administered   by  a  committee  (the
"Administration  Committee") appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company,
who serve at the  discretion  of the  Board.  The  Administration  Committee  is
comprised of two or more non-employee directors. The members of the Stock Option
Committee  are deemed to be the members of the  Administration  Committee  until
otherwise  designated by the Board. The members of the Administration  Committee
shall  serve  until  their  successors  have been  appointed  by the Board.  The
Administration  Committee has the exclusive right to interpret,  prescribe rules
and  regulations  for, and  administer the Plan. In the event there is no market
for the Stock, the Administration  Committee may determine the fair market value
of the Stock for purposes of the Plan.  Also, the committee shall be entitled to
reduce  employee's  subscriptions in excess of prescribed  amounts under certain
circumstances.  The  Plan  grants  the  Administration  Committee  authority  to
establish procedures and limitations regarding such provisions.

         Eligibility.  The Plan  provides  that all  eligible  employees  of the
Company, and of any subsidiaries designated by the Administration Committee, may
subscribe to acquire a maximum  number of shares under the Plan as determined by
the Administration  Committee.  All regularly scheduled employees of the Company
who work for more than twenty hours per week and five months per  calendar  year
are eligible to  participate.  Thus,  executive  officers of the Company meeting
such  requirements are eligible to participate under the Plan. The Plan provides
that all  employees  granted  subscriptions  under the Plan  shall have the same
rights and privileges thereunder, subject to the provisions of state and federal
securities laws which may affect any employee considered to be an insider of the
Company.  The Plan allows for broad-based  employee  participation  and does not
discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.

         Securities  to be Offered.  The Company is  authorized to issue 500,000
shares of Stock under the  Qualified  Plan.  The Stock subject to an award under
the Plan will be made  available  from the  authorized and unissued Stock of the
Company.

         Subscription  Count.  The Plan  provides  that each  employee  shall be
entitled to purchase  during his lifetime a maximum number of shares pursuant to
the Plan. The  Administration  Committee  shall  establish from time to time the
maximum  number of shares that may be acquired by any  employee  under the Plan,
and such maximum shall apply equally to all eligible employees.  The Plan allows
an  employee  to  subscribe  for less than the  maximum  number  of  shares  and
subsequently  subscribe for  additional  shares until he has  subscribed for the
maximum number of shares permitted.  Each new subscription  shall be treated for
all  purposes  under the Plan as a  separate  grant of a right to  purchase  the
number of shares indicated on the  subscription  form.  However,  in order to be
able to subscribe  for  additional  shares,  an employee  must wait at least six
months from the date of the employee's last  subscription,  or three months from

<PAGE>

the date of the withdrawal of a prior  subscription,  or until all subscriptions
outstanding to acquire shares under the Plan have been paid in full.

         Subscription  Price/Purchase  Price. The  subscription  price for Stock
acquired  under the Plan is 85% of the fair market value of the Stock on the day
the executed  subscription  form is received by the Company.  The purchase price
for shares of Stock is the lesser of the  subscription  price or 85% of the fair
market value on the day the right to purchase is exercised.  Thus,  the purchase
price may be different  for each 100 share unit  purchased  pursuant to the same
subscription  form.  The fair market value of the Stock on a given date is based
upon  various  possible  markets for the Stock.  The Plan  includes  methods for
determining  the fair  market  value of the Stock if it is traded on a  national
securities  exchange,  quoted on the National  Association of Securities  Dealer
Automated  Quotation  ("Nasdaq")  System or  otherwise  in the  over-the-counter
market,  or if it is not  traded  or quoted at such  time.  Generally,  the fair
market  value  shall be based upon the last sales  price of the Stock on a given
date if a minimum of 100 shares are sold on such date,  or if no shares are sold
on such  date,  based upon the  average of the high bid and low asked  prices on
such date, or if no prices are available on such date, based upon the last sales
price of the Stock on the last prior date on which a minimum of 100 shares  were
sold.  If the Stock is not traded on an  exchange  or quoted by Nasdaq or in the
over-the-counter  market,  then the  Administration  Committee  is  permitted to
determine in good faith the fair market value by any appropriate method.

         Limitations on Subscriptions.  Employees who own stock possessing 5% or
more of the total combined  voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company are not  eligible to  subscribe  for Stock under the Plan.  Further,  no
employee may subscribe to purchase  Stock under all stock  purchase plans of the
Company at a rate which  exceeds  $25,000 of fair market value of such stock for
any calendar year in which such  subscription is outstanding under the Plan. The
Plan provides  that, in the event that an employee's  subscription  rate exceeds
$25,000 as provided  above,  the  Administration  Committee shall be entitled to
reduce the subscription  amount so that the employee's  rights under the Plan do
not accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 per calendar year.

         Payroll Deductions.  The subscription price under the Plan must be paid
by payroll  deduction  from the  employee's  compensation.  The Plan  allows the
Administration  Committee  to establish  procedures  and  limitations  regarding
payroll deductions;  provided, however, that no payment period may be structured
so  that  the  date  of  exercise  of the  purchase  rights  exceeds  more  than
twenty-seven (27) months from the date of grant of the purchase rights.  Payroll
deductions shall begin when specified by the employee in the  subscription  form
or as soon as practicable thereafter but in no event later than two months after
the date specified by the employee.

         Issuance of Stock.  The Stock will only be issued by the  Company  when
the employee has completed  paying for at least 100 shares (or any lesser amount
of shares under  subscription) at the subscription  price. If the purchase price
is less than the  subscription  price,  the  employee  shall not be  entitled to
acquire more shares than that number for which he subscribed.  Any excess amount
shall be applied to the  purchase of  additional  shares under  subscription  or
returned if no additional shares are then under subscription. The employee shall
not be deemed  to own the  stock  subscribed  for  until  issuance  of the stock
certificate   representing  such  shares.  The  employee  has  no  rights  as  a
shareholder with respect to such shares until such issuance.

<PAGE>

         Withdrawal of  Subscription.  An employee may withdraw his subscription
at any time for any  shares  for which the  right to  purchase  has not yet been
exercised  and receive a refund of the balance in his  account.  An employee who
withdraws  a  subscription,  however,  shall not be entitled  to  subscribe  for
additional  shares  until  at  least  three  (3)  months  after  the  last  such
withdrawal.

         Termination  of  Employment.   Upon   termination  of  a  participating
employee's services because of death,  permanent disability or retirement at age
55 or thereafter,  the employee (or his estate) may prepay any  subscription for
Stock within three (3) months thereafter in the case of permanent  disability or
retirement, or within twelve (12) months thereafter in the case of death. If the
participating  employee's  services are  terminated  for any other  reason,  the
employee will not be entitled to prepay the subscription for Stock but will only
be entitled to receive back the balance of his subscription account.

         Transferability.  Neither the right of an  employee to purchase  shares
under the Plan, nor the employee's  account  balance,  may be transferred by the
employee by way of assignment, pledge or otherwise, except that, in the event of
death of the  employee,  such rights may be  transferred  by will or the laws of
descent and distribution.

         Termination of Plan.  The Plan became  effective on September 11, 1986,
following  its approval by the  stockholders  of the  Company,  and the Plan was
amended  effective  October 26,  1993.  The Plan is  perpetual in nature but the
Board  may  terminate  the Plan at any time and may  amend the Plan from time to
time,  subject to any  approval of the  stockholders  of the Company that may be
required in order that the Plan shall  continue to qualify  under Section 423 of
the Code. Upon  termination of the Plan,  participating  employees shall, at the
discretion of the Board, either be permitted to complete unpaid subscriptions in
a manner  determined  by the  Administration  Committee  or shall be entitled to
receive the balance in their subscription  account in satisfaction of all rights
under the Plan.

     Reports of Account  Status.  Upon request of the  participant,  the Company
shall  provide  a  report  of the  amount  in and  status  of the  participant's
subscription account.

         Interpretation of Plan. The Plan is intended, and shall be interpreted,
to meet and comply with all the  requirements  of Section  423 of the Code,  and
related provisions.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

         The Plan is  intended  to provide  employees  with the  opportunity  to
receive  the  special tax  treatment  afforded  by Section  423 of the  Internal
Revenue Code. The following discussion of the federal income tax consequences of
the Plan is intended  only as a summary of the federal  income tax  treatment of
Section 423 stock as of the date of this Prospectus. The federal income tax laws
pertaining to the Plan are highly technical, and such laws are subject to change
at any  time.  Some  variations  on the  federal  income  tax  effects  of  Plan
participation described below may occur with respect to participation by persons
subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  "Exchange
Act").  Participants  under the Plan are  urged to  consult  with  their own tax
advisors with respect to the tax  consequences  (including those under state and
local tax laws) associated with participation under the Plan.

<PAGE>

         Under existing law, the following description  summarizes the principal
Federal  Income Tax  Consequences  of the purchase and  disposition of shares of
Stock under the Plan.

         Purchase of Shares. An employee does not realize,  and does not have to
report any income for the year in which he  subscribes  for,  or for the year in
which he pays for Stock under the Plan,  even though the  purchase  price is the
lesser of 85% of the fair  market  value of the  Stock on the date the  employee
subscribes, or on the date the right to purchase is exercised.

         Disposition  of  Shares.  Section  423 of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code
establishes a holding  period that is important in  determining  how any gain on
disposition  of  shares  acquired  under  the  Plan  is to be  taxed.  The  term
"disposition" generally includes every sale, exchange, gift or transfer of legal
title except  transfers made as the result of an employee's  death.  The holding
period  provided  under Section 423 is the later of two (2) years after the date
the  employee  subscribed  or twelve (12)  months  after the date the shares are
transferred  to him. An employee  may have a different  holding  period for each
100-share unit of Stock acquired under the Plan.

         The  issuance of shares of Stock in the joint names of an employee  and
another person is not considered a disposition.  Similarly,  the issue of shares
in an employee's name and the subsequent  transfer of such shares into the joint
names of the employee and another person does not constitute a disposition.

         Sale After End of Holding  Period.  When an employee sells shares after
the specified  holding period,  the employee is required to report the following
on the Federal Income Tax Return for the year in which the sale occurs:

     Ordinary Income:  The employee must report ordinary income in the amount of
the lesser of:

     (1)  15% of  the  fair  market  value  of the  Stock  on  the  date  of the
subscription,  or on the date of purchase, whichever is lower, or 

     (2) any  excess of the fair  market  value of the Stock on the date of sale
over the purchase price.

If the  employee's  purchase  price exceeds the fair market value on the date of
sale, no amount is reported as ordinary income.

         Capital Gain or Loss: If the fair market value of the Stock on the date
of sale exceeds the lesser of the fair market value on the date of  subscription
or the date of purchase,  the employee  must report the amount of such excess as
long-term  capital gain.  On the other hand,  if the purchase  price exceeds the
fair market value on the date of sale, such excess is a long-term capital loss.

         Sale Before End of Holding Period.  When an employee sells shares prior
to the end of the specified  holding period,  the employee is required to report
the  following  on the Federal  Income Tax Return for the year in which the sale
occurs:

<PAGE>

         Ordinary Income: The employee must report the excess of the fair market
value of the Stock on the date of exercise over the employee's purchase price as
ordinary income.  The "date of exercise" is the date when an employee's  account
is  credited  with  sufficient  funds to  purchase  100 shares of Stock (or such
lesser  number as remain  under a  subscription  agreement).  Consequently,  the
employee will normally have a different date of exercise for each 100-share unit
of Stock issued under the Plan.

         Capital Gain or Loss: If the fair market value of the Stock on the date
of sale  exceeds the fair market value on the date the  employee  exercised  the
right to receive  such shares,  the employee  must report such excess as capital
gain.  On the  other  hand,  if the fair  market  value on the date of  exercise
exceeds the fair market  value on the date of sale,  the employee may report the
amount of such excess as capital  loss.  Any such  capital  gain or loss will be
long-term  capital  gain or loss if the Stock is sold  more than six (6)  months
after the date of exercise,  but will be short-term  capital gain or loss if the
Stock is sold within six (6) months after the date of exercise.

         In the case of a disposition  before the end of the holding period, the
Company  receives  a tax  deduction  equal  to the  amount  of  ordinary  income
recognized by the employee.

         THE FOREGOING  DESCRIPTION OF TAX  CONSEQUENCES  IS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR
THE  INFORMATION  OF PERSONS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO  PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN AND IS
NOT  INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE  DESCRIPTION  OF ALL  POSSIBLE  TAX  CONSEQUENCES
ARISING OUT OF THE PLAN. FURTHERMORE, THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS LIMITED TO THE
IMPACT OF THE INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE AS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS
UPON U.S.  CITIZENS  RESIDING  IN THE  UNITED  STATES.  ANY  PERSON  WHO HAS ANY
QUESTION AS TO THE FEDERAL,  STATE,  AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION
IN THE PLAN SHOULD CONSULT LEGAL COUNSEL.

Resale Restrictions

         Participants   under  the  Plan  may  be   restricted   under   certain
circumstances  in their ability to resell  shares of Stock  purchased or awarded
under  the Plan.  These  resale  restrictions  may be  imposed  by virtue of the
provisions of the Plan and the applicable  award agreement and/or by application
of the federal and state securities laws.

         Plan Restrictions. Although a participant may not transfer the right to
purchase shares under the Plan nor the account  balance,  transfer of the shares
of Stock acquired under the Plan is not restricted by the Plan itself.  However,
a transfer  before  expiration of the applicable  holding period will invalidate
the special tax treatment afforded by Section 423 of the Code.

         Securities Law Restrictions. In addition to resale restrictions imposed
by the Code,  additional  resale  restrictions  may be  imposed by virtue of the
applicable   securities  laws.  The  following   discussion  of  securities  law
restrictions placed upon resale of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan
assumes that any applicable  resale  restrictions  imposed  pursuant to the Code
have lapsed, expired, or have been satisfied.

         Participants   under  the  Plan  and  their  transferees  who  are  not
"affiliates"  of the Company,  as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities  Act,
may from time to time sell the Stock  acquired  pursuant  to a stock award under

<PAGE>

the Plan or purchased  pursuant to the exercise of stock  options  granted under
the Plan. Such sales shall be at prices prevailing at the time of sale, with the
participants or their  transferees  paying brokerage  commissions and applicable
transfer  taxes  or  such  shares  may be  sold in  negotiated  transactions  or
otherwise.

         The  Securities  Act imposes  certain  restrictions  on the reoffer and
resale  of the  Stock  acquired  pursuant  to the  Plan by  "affiliates"  of the
Company. "Affiliates" of the Company generally include the directors and certain
officers  of the  company  and any  holder of more than 10% of the  Stock.  This
Prospectus  is not  available  for  reoffers  or resales  of the Stock  acquired
hereunder by persons deemed to be "affiliates" of the Company, and such reoffers
or resales  may be made only  pursuant  to a  Registration  Statement  under the
Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144  promulgated  under the Securities Act or
another exemption from registration thereunder.

         The  directors  and  certain  officers of the Company and any holder of
more  than 10% of the  Stock may also be  liable  to the  Company,  pursuant  to
Section  16(b) of the Exchange  Act, for amounts  realized upon the purchase and
sale or sale and  purchase of any shares of the Stock  within any period of less
than six  months.  The grant of the right to  purchase  Stock  under the Plan is
deemed the "purchase" of the Stock for purchases of Section 16(b) liability, and
this "purchase" will be exempt from Section 16(b) liability, and this "purchase"
will be exempt  from  Section  16(b)  liability  to the extent  the  transaction
satisfies the requirements of Rule 16b-3 at the time. Persons subject to Section
16(b) should consult  counsel for advice  regarding  these  limitations on their
purchase and sale of shares of Stock.

                               COMPANY INFORMATION

         A participant may obtain, without charge, upon written or oral request,
a copy of the following  documents,  which are incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus:

         (1) the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

     (2) All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act since December 31, 1996.

         (3) The  description  of the  Company's  Common Stock  contained in the
Company's  Registration  Statement  filed with the SEC under the  Exchange  Act,
including  any  amendment  or report  filed for the  purpose  of  updating  such
description.

         (4) All other documents  subsequently  filed by the Company pursuant to
Sections  13,  14,  and  15(d) of the  Exchange  Act  prior to the  filing  of a
post-effective  amendment which indicates that all securities  offered have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold.

         Any  statement  contained in a statement  incorporated  or deemed to be
incorporated  by reference  herein shall be deemed to be modified or  superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement  contained herein
or in any other  subsequently  filed  document  which also is or is deemed to be

<PAGE>

incorporated by reference herein modified or superseded such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded  shall not be deemed to constitute a part of
this Prospectus, except as so modified or superseded.

         A participant  may also obtain,  without  charge,  upon written or oral
request, a copy of the following documents:

         (1) Any  document  prepared  by the  Company to update the  information
included in this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference.

         (2)      Any document constituting a part of this Prospectus.

         (3) The Company's  latest annual report to shareholders  containing the
information  required by Rule  14a-3(b)  under the  Exchange  Act for its latest
fiscal year.

     (4) All reports, proxy statements,  and other communications distributed by
the Company to its shareholders generally.

     (5)  All  other  documents  required  to be  delivered  by the  Company  to
participants pursuant to Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act.

         Copies of all documents  referenced  above (other than exhibits to such
documents that are not specifically incorporated by reference in such documents)
may be obtained by contacting the Chief Financial Officer's Department,  EDITEK,
Inc.,  1238 Anthony Rd.,  Burlington,  North  Carolina  27215,  telephone  (910)
226-6311.

<PAGE>

                     QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                           EMPLOYEE INFORMATION SHEET


     Under the Qualified  Employee  Stock  Purchases  Plan (the "Stock  Purchase
Plan"). you can purchase EDITEK stock through convenient  paycheck deductions at
a 15% employee discount.

         The Stock Purchase Plan gives you the opportunity to enjoy ownership of
the Company's  securities by purchasing EDITEK common stock at a discount price.
The Stock  Purchase Plan can be used either as a long-term  investment  for your
future or a shorter-term  savings device with a potential for earnings.  You may
contribute a percentage of your pay through payroll deductions to purchase stock
at the lower of 85% of the market price on either the date you  subscribe or the
date the shares are purchased. Participation is voluntary, and you may subscribe
to  purchase  stock on your first  workday or any day  thereafter.  Contact  the
Company for a subscription/subscription change form.

Advantages of the Stock Purchase Plan.

         -        By purchasing EDITEK stock through the Stock Purchase Plan, 
                  you have the following advantages:

         -        The convenience of regular payroll deductions.

         -        A discount price.

         -        The lower of your subscription price or the price on your 
                  purchase date.

         -        A guaranteed subscription price for 24 months.

         -        Certain tax advantages.

         -        The elimination of any brokers' commissions which might 
                  otherwise be applied to the stock purchase.

Details of some of these advantages appear on the following pages.

The benefits and risks of owning stock.

         As you consider investing in the stock market, you should be aware that
the purchase and ownership of stock do have risks. The price of a share of stock
may go up or down,  and there is no guarantee  that you will be able to sell the
stock for more  than,  or even the same  price as, you paid for it. On the other
hand, you may be willing to accept the risks  associated  with investment in the
stock market as one method of accumulating assets over the long term.

<PAGE>

How to buy EDITEK stock.

         You may  purchase  EDITEK stock under the Stock  Purchase  Plan through
payroll  deductions only and not by cash or check. A percentage of your earnings
is deducted from your regular paycheck over a period of time.  Signing up to buy
stock is referred to as "subscribing"  for stock.  Before deciding on the amount
of your  subscription,  you must consider the price of the stock at the time you
are subscribing and how much of your annual salary you wish to initially  commit
to this investment.

         With  the  subscription/subscription  change  form  available  from the
Company,  you have the option of listing  the stock  either in your name only or
with a joint tenant,  which essentially means that you assign equal ownership to
another person. On the death of one joint owner, the survivor becomes the owner.
Please  note that if you  designate  a joint  tenant  who is a minor,  it may be
impossible  for you to trade,  sell or transfer that stock until the minor is of
legal age or a court order is obtained.

Determining your employee subscription price.

         Your  subscription  price is  determined by taking the closing price of
EDITEK stock on the American  Stock  Exchange as on the day you  subscribe,  and
then determining 85% of that price to account for your discount.  This amount is
recorded as your subscription price.

                  Example:

                  Closing price of stock    $1.00
                  Discount                  x 85%
                  Your subscription price
                  per share (employee price) $0.85

Choosing a payroll deduction and/or number of shares.

         You may  choose  any  level of  payroll  deductions,  ranging  from one
percent to twelve percent (in whole percentage  increments) of your total annual
salary  including  commissions  but  excluding  bonuses,  to be deducted per pay
period. Each subscription must be completed within 24 months. The Stock Purchase
Plan  operates   primarily  on  the  number  of  shares  you  indicate  on  your
subscription form with a corresponding payroll deduction.

Determining your final purchase price.

         Your  actual  purchase  price  may  be  different  from  your  original
subscription price but will never exceed it. The purchase price is determined by
taking 85% of whichever is the lowest of the following:

         -        the closing price of the stock on your subscription date (the
                  "subscription price"), or

<PAGE>

         -        the closing price of the stock on the payday you actually have
                  enough money in your  account to purchase a 100-share  unit of
                  stock  (or such  lesser  amount  under  subscription)  at your
                  original subscription price (the "purchase price").

Therefore,  the price at which you purchase  shares will not  necessarily be the
price at which you subscribed,  although it never will be higher.  You must wait
until you have enough  money in your  account to  purchase a  100-share  unit of
stock (or such lesser amount under  subscription) at your original  subscription
price, even though a lower market price currently may exist.

         For example,  if your subscription  price was $1.00 and the stock price
has declined since your  subscription day, your account still must reach $100.00
($1.00  times 100  shares)  before any shares are  purchased.  The excess of the
subscription  price over the purchase  price will be applied to purchase as many
additional  shares as possible on such purchase date at the lower price. In this
manner,  the  subscription  will be completed  sooner,  but the number of shares
purchased pursuant to the subscription will not increase.  By the same token, if
on the Purchase date the stock price is higher than your subscription price, you
still will purchase the stock at the lower  subscription  price. Money left over
in your account as a result of receiving a lower purchase price will be credited
to your account and applied  toward the purchase of your  remaining  shares,  or
refunded to you upon completion of your subscription.

Stock issuance.

         Since the purchase price is not determined until a sufficient amount is
accumulated   to  purchase  a  100-share  unit  (or  such  lesser  amount  under
subscription),  your account is not charged and shares are not  purchased  until
such time.  The  payday on which this  occurs is called  your  "purchase  date."
However,  it may be several  weeks  later  before you  actually  receive a stock
certificate.

Multiple subscriptions.

         You may subscribe for additional  shares as long as you comply with the
maximum number of shares  limitation,  the maximum payroll deduction  percentage
and  the  applicable  waiting  period.  If you  currently  have  an  outstanding
subscription, you may subscribe for additional shares on the earlier of:

                  -        Immediately when you have completed paying for your 
                           existing subscription;

                  -        Six months after the date your existing subscription
                           was received by the Company; or

                  -        Three months after you cancel a prior subscription.

By  signing  up for  fewer  than the  maximum  number of shares or for a payroll
deduction  of  less  than  the  maximum   percentage,   you  may  make  multiple
subscriptions.

How to cancel a subscription.

         You may cancel any or all of your  subscriptions at any time by filling
out the proper sections of a withdrawal form available from the Company.

<PAGE>

         If you cancel your  subscription(s),  you must wait three months before
you  are  eligible  to  resubscribe  for  additional  stock.  However,  you  may
resubscribe  one day and  cancel a prior  subscription  the next day (or any day
thereafter), thereby making both transactions possible. This can be done only if
you are eligible to resubscribe.

         If you withdraw all of your subscriptions from the Stock Purchase Plan,
you should  receive a check for the full amount of your  account  within 30 days
after receipt of your withdrawal form.

What happens in case.

         If you are temporarily away from work or if you retire. become disabled
or die. your stock subscription may be continued as follows:

         If  you  go on a  leave  of  absence,  temporary  layoff  or  temporary
disability,  you may make  regular  payments to EDITEK for up to three months in
the same  amount as your stock  purchase  payroll  deduction  to  continue  your
subscription.  If you choose not to make such payments,  or if you do not return
to work after  three  months,  you will  receive a check for the balance of your
subscription account.

         If you leave the Company  because of  retirement  (on or after age 55),
permanent  disability or death,  you or your survivors have the right to buy out
and  complete  your  subscriptions  within  three  months  after  retirement  or
disability, and within 12 months in the case of death. You or your survivors may
choose,  on the other hand,  to buy only a portion of those  shares  outstanding
from your  subscriptions,  or to receive only the stock already  purchased and a
check for the balance.

         If you leave for other reasons before your  subscription is fully paid.
you will be  entitled  to  receive  only a cash  refund of the  balance  in your
account.

PLEASE REFER TO THE RULES AND  REGULATIONS OF THE  ADMINISTRATION  COMMITTEE FOR
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.


<PAGE>


                              RULES AND REGULATIONS
                         OF THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
                              FOR THE EDITEK. INC.
                     QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN


         The following  rules and  regulations are applicable to transactions in
the EDITEK,  Inc.  Qualified  Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock  Purchase
Plan"):

         1. Maximum Number of Shares.  Pursuant to Section 4.B. of the Qualified
Plan, the Administration Committee hereby establishes that the maximum number of
shares of Common Stock of EDITEK,  Inc. (the  "Company")  that each employee may
subscribe for in his or her lifetime may not exceed 5,000  shares,  which number
automatically shall be adjusted, as appropriate, in the event of any stock split
or stock dividend.  This limitation shall apply to all participants in the Stock
Purchase Plan without regard to salary levels.  If a subscription  form received
from a participant  indicates a number of shares in excess of the maximum number
of  shares  then-permitted  to  be  subscribed  for  by  such  participant,  the
subscription  form shall  automatically  be adjusted  to the  maximum  number of
shares such participant may acquire.  The Administration  Committee shall notify
the participant of the change.

         Any shares purchased  (i.e.,  fully paid for) on or before December 31,
1993,  shall  not  be  included  in  determining  whether  the  participant  has
previously  subscribed  for the  maximum  number  of  shares.  If a  participant
withdraws a  subscription  form, or the number of shares under  subscription  is
otherwise  reduced as provided  herein,  before the shares are purchased  (i.e.,
fully  paid  for),  the  participant  may  resubscribe  to  purchase  the shares
withdrawn or reduced and such shares  shall only be counted once in  determining
whether the  participant  has  previously  subscribed  for the maximum number of
shares.  If any participant  ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason
and is later reemployed by the Company,  all shares previously  purchased (i.e.,
fully  paid for) by such  participant  on or after  January  1,  1994,  shall be
included in determining  whether the participant  has previously  subscribed for
the maximum number of shares.

         The Administration Committee reserves the right to increase or decrease
the maximum number of shares at any time as it deems necessary. Unless otherwise
provided by the Administration  Committee,  in the event that the maximum number
of shares is decreased, any participant may continue to purchase shares pursuant
to a  subscription  form which has already been  received by the  Company,  even
though such purchases  would result in the  participant  purchasing an amount of
shares greater than the new maximum number of shares.

         2. Statutory  Subscription  Limitation.  As provided in Section 4.D. of
the Qualified Plan, the Administration  Committee may reduce any subscription to
the extent that any  participant  has  subscribed  to purchase  shares at a rate
which exceeds  $25,000 of fair market value of the Common Stock  (determined  on
the date the subscription  form is received by the Company) in any calendar year
that  the  subscription  is  outstanding.   This  limitation  is  determined  by
aggregating all  outstanding  subscriptions  of the participant  under the Stock
Purchase  Plan and any other stock  purchase  plan of the Company.  In the event
that  it  becomes  necessary  for  the  Administration  Committee  to  reduce  a
subscription,  the Administration  Committee will first reduce the percentage of
the  participant's  salary  which is being  deducted  to acquire  the shares and

<PAGE>

extend the period of withholding  as necessary to permit the  acquisition of the
same number of shares for which the participant originally subscribed; provided,
however,  that no subscription period may be extended longer than 24 months from
the date the  Company  received  the  subscription  form.  In the event that the
Administration  Committee is unable to maintain the number of shares  originally
subscribed for by reducing the  withholding  percentage and extending the period
of withholding,  the Administration  Committee shall reduce the number of shares
under subscription  accordingly.  The Administration  Committee shall notify the
participant of any changes.

         3. Payroll Deductions.  Pursuant to Section 5.A. of the Qualified Plan,
the Administration  Committee is authorized to establish appropriate  procedures
and  limitations  for payroll  deductions  to pay the  subscription  price.  The
Administration  Committee  hereby  determines that each participant may withhold
from his or her salary for purposes of purchasing  Common Stock  pursuant to the
Qualified Plan an amount equal to any percentage in whole percentage  increments
within the range between one percent and twelve percent inclusive.  For purposes
of this  paragraph,  salary shall mean base  compensation  (whether  salaried or
hourly) plus any commissions but excluding bonuses.  In order to subscribe,  the
participant  must complete a subscription  form  indicating the number of shares
subscribed  for and the  percentage  of his or her payroll to be withheld to pay
for the shares. Payroll withholding shall begin as soon as practicable after the
subscription form is received by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The
aggregate amount withheld by the participant at any time pursuant to one or more
subscription forms may not exceed the maximum end of the range.

         The Administration  Committee reserves the right to change the range of
percentages at any time as it deems necessary.  Unless otherwise provided by the
Administration  Committee, a change in the range of percentages shall not affect
any  subscription  form which has already been  received by the Chief  Financial
Officer.

         The participant may increase or decrease the percentage withheld at any
time  without  increasing  or  decreasing  the  number of  shares  for which the
participant has subscribed by submitting a subscription  change form. Changes in
withholding  percentages  shall  be  implemented  as soon as  practicable  after
receipt of the subscription  change form by the Chief Financial Officer.  If the
participant  desires to decrease the number of shares  subscribed for, he or she
should submit a withdrawal  form (see 4 below).  If the  participant  desires to
increase  the  number of  shares  subscribed  for,  he or she  should  submit an
additional subscription form.

         Based upon the  percentage  of salary  selected  to be  withheld by the
participant,   the  Chief   Financial   Officer  shall   determine,   using  the
participant's  salary  as of the date of  receipt  of the  original  or  changed
subscription  form, the appropriate  number of pay periods necessary to withhold
an amount  sufficient to acquire the number of shares for which the  participant
has subscribed and whether the statutory  subscription  limit has been exceeded.
In the event that the number of necessary pay periods exceeds 24 months from the
date of receipt of the original  subscription  form,  the  participant  shall be
notified and asked  whether he or she prefers to increase the  percentage  to be
withheld (subject to the maximum percentage then-permitted by the Administration
Committee),  or  whether  he or she would  prefer to reduce the number of shares
subscribed for on the subscription form.

         If the participant  desires to subscribe for additional  shares while a
previous  subscription(s)  is (are)  still  outstanding,  the  participant  must
complete an additional  subscription form. In the additional  subscription form,

<PAGE>

the  participant  must indicate the  percentage of his or her salary which he or
she would like withheld to purchase the additional  shares subscribed for by the
participant on that subscription  form. The receipt of each subscription form is
considered  to be a separate  grant of a right to  acquire  the number of shares
subscribed for therein. Each subscription form shall be independent of any other
subscription form, and the withholding percentage on each form must be increased
or decreased  independently with separate  subscription  change forms. If at any
time the participant has multiple subscriptions  outstanding,  the Company shall
maintain  sub-accounts  in the  participant's  account  to ensure  that  payroll
deductions are attributed to the appropriate subscriptions to determine when the
shares are purchased.

         The      Administrative      Committee      hereby      adopts      the
subscription/subscription change forms attached hereto as Exhibit A for use with
the Qualified Plan.

         4.   Withdrawals.   Pursuant  to  Section  8  of  the  Qualified  Plan,
participants  are  permitted  to  withdraw  subscriptions  for  shares  not  yet
purchased  under  the  Qualified  Plan.  Subscription  forms  may  be  withdrawn
individually, in whole or in part, or all at the same time. Complete withdrawals
of  subscriptions  shall be effective upon receipt of the withdrawal form by the
Chief  Financial  Officer unless a later date is specified by the participant in
the  withdrawal  form.  If  the  withdrawal  is  a  complete   withdrawal  of  a
subscription  form,  the  balance  in the  participant's  sub-account  for  that
subscription will be returned,  and to the extent that amounts are withheld from
the  participant's  payroll for such  subscription  after the date the notice is
received by the Chief  Financial  Officer,  such amounts will be returned to the
participant.

         If the  withdrawal  represents  only a decrease in the number of shares
subscribed  for  on  a  particular   subscription   form,  the  balance  in  the
participant's  sub-account  will not be returned to the participant but shall be
applied to the shares  remaining  under that  subscription,  and the  percentage
withheld from the participant's  payroll shall not change unless the participant
so indicates on the withdrawal  form. If the  percentage is not decreased,  such
subscription  will  be  completed  earlier  than  originally  scheduled.  If the
percentage  is  decreased,  the Chief  Financial  Officer  shall  determine  the
appropriate  number of pay periods necessary to withhold an amount sufficient to
acquire the reduced number of shares for which the  participant  has subscribed.
In the event that the number of necessary pay periods exceeds 24 months from the
date of receipt of the original  subscription  form,  the  participant  shall be
notified and asked  whether he or she prefers to increase the  percentage  to be
withheld (subject to the maximum percentage then-permitted by the Administration
Committee),  or whether he or she would  prefer to further  reduce the number of
shares  subscribed for on the subscription  form. Any changes in the withholding
percentage  shall be  implemented  as soon as  practicable  after receipt of the
withdrawal form by the Chief Financial Officer.

         The  Administrative   Committee  hereby  adopts  the  withdrawal  forms
attached hereto as Exhibit B for use with the Qualified Plan.

         5.  Subscription   Account   Balances.   If  a  balance  remains  in  a
participant's  sub-account after all of the shares subscribed for in the related
subscription form have been paid for in full, the balance  automatically will be
returned  to the  participant  if he or  she  has no  other  subscriptions  then
outstanding. If the participant has at least one other subscription outstanding,
the balance in the sub-account shall be transferred to the subaccount related to
the oldest  subscription  form  outstanding  unless the  participant  requests a
refund of the balance in the  sub-account in writing within seven days after the
last  stock  certificate  for the  shares  acquired  pursuant  to the  completed
subscription  agreement is received by the participant.  At least once each year
the Company will provide each  participant  an accounting  of the  participant's
accounts and sub-accounts, if any.

<PAGE>

         6. Temporary  Absence from Work. If a participant  is  temporarily  not
receiving  pay checks from the  Company,  whether due to a  short-term  leave of
absence, temporary layoff or temporary disability or other reason as approved by
the Administration  Committee,  the participant may make regular payments to the
Company to continue his or her  subscription.  Such payments must be in the same
amount as was being  deducted  from the  participant's  pay check  prior to such
temporary absence and must be received on or before the Company's normal payday.
Payments may be made for a period of up to three months after the effective date
of such temporary absence.  If the participant elects not to make such payments,
the participant's outstanding subscriptions will be terminated,  and the balance
of the participant's  subscription  account shall be refunded by the Company. If
the  participant  elects to make such  payments and stops  making such  payments
before  returning  to work or fails to return to work within three  months,  the
participant's  outstanding subscriptions will be terminated after receipt of the
last payment, and the balance of the participant's subscription account shall be
refunded by the Company. If the participant returns to work within three months,
payroll deductions automatically shall be resumed for all subscriptions.

     7.  Amendments:  Delegation of Duties.  These rules and  regulations may be
amended  from  time  to  time  by  the  Administration  Committee  in  its  sole
discretion.  The  Administration  Committee  may  delegate  any of its duties or
responsibilities  under these rules and  regulations,  other than  amending such
rules and regulations  from time to time, to an appropriate  officer or employee
of the Company.

<PAGE>

                                                To be completed by Company only:
                                                   Subscription Date __________
                                  Subscription Change Effective Date __________

                IRREVOCABLE SUBSCRIPTION/SUBSCRIPTION CHANGE FORM
               EDITEK, INC. QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Name: ____________________________  Social Security Number:
Address: __________________________ Date of Birth:
__________________________________  Telephone Number:
Subscription:

         I hereby  subscribe  to purchase  ______  shares (the  "Shares") of the
common stock,  $0.15 par value per share (the "Common Stock"),  of EDITEK,  Inc.
(the "Company")  pursuant to the EDITEK,  Inc. qualified Employee Stock Purchase
Plan (the "Plan"),  the terms of which are incorporated  herein by reference.  I
hereby waive my right to increase,  decrease or cease payroll  deductions except
pursuant to another irrevocable  election six months in advance of the effective
date of any such  election.  Beginning  with the  first  pay  period on or after
______________,  or as  soon as  administratively  practicable  thereafter,  the
Company is authorized to withhold  ________  percent of my salary,  or $________
per pay  period,  to pay for the Shares at the  "subscription  price"  until the
Shares  are  fully  paid  for  or  until  I  otherwise  change  or  cancel  this
subscription by another irrevocable  election.  The "subscription price" for the
Shares will be equal to 85% of the fair market  value of the Common Stock of the
Company on the date of receipt of this form by the Company.  Notwithstanding the
accumulation  of a  sufficient  amount in my  subscription  account to acquire a
100-share unit as provided in the Plan,  please defer the initial  purchase date
of any of the Shares until the first pay period occurring six months and one day
after the date of receipt of this subscription  form. If joint owner information
is provided  below,  I hereby  request that the Shares be issued in the names of
such joint owner and myself, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship.


       (Signature of Participant)                  (Signature of Joint Owner)

          (Date)                                      (Print Name)

Subscription Change:

         Effective as of the first pay period  occurring  six months and one day
after the date of receipt of this subscription change form, I hereby irrevocably
change  the  percentage  of my salary to be  withheld  to  purchase  the  Shares
subscribed for by me on or about to ___ percent of my salary, or $______ per pay
period.  I understand  that all the terms and  conditions  evidenced by my prior
subscription  form,  other than the  amount to be  withheld  from my pay,  shall
remain unchanged.


                           (Signature)

                           (Date)

To be completed by Company only:

Date of receipt of subscription/subscription change      ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
form: 

Closing price of Common Stock on subscription date:       EDITEK, Inc.

Aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subscribed     By:
for by participant (including this subscription) as of
subscription date:                                        Title:

Estimated number of pay periods to complete               Date:
subscription (may not exceed 24 months from
date of receipt of original subscription form):

Aggregate   percentage  of  salary  withheld  by  participant   (including  this
subscription) as of subscription or subscription change date:

Aggregate  dollar amount of shares of Common Stock subscribed for by participant
(based on subscription date fair market value; may not exceed $25,000):

If number of shares  subscribed for is decreased,  revised number of pay periods
to  complete  subscription  (may not  exceed 24 months  from date of  receipt of
related subscription form):

<PAGE>
                                            To be completed by Company only:
                                            Subscription Date __________
                                            Subscription Change Effective Date

                           IRREVOCABLE WITHDRAWAL FORM
               EDITEK, INC. QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Name: ____________________________  Social Security Number:
Address: __________________________ Date of Birth:
__________________________________  Telephone Number:

Decrease/Withdraw Prior Subscription:

         With regard to my  subscription  dated  ____________  to  purchase  the
Common Stock of EDITEK,  Inc. pursuant to the Qualified  Employee Stock Purchase
Plan (the "Plan"), I hereby:

         ____     Decrease the number of shares subscribed for to ____________ 
                  shares; or
         ____     Withdraw the entire unpaid subscription.

         If I am decreasing the number of shares  subscribed for, the percentage
of my salary  withheld to pay for the  reduced  number of shares will not change
unless a new percentage is specified by me herein. New percentage: _______

         This decrease/withdrawal shall be irrevocable and shall be effective as
of the first pay period  occurring  six months and one day after  receipt of the
withdrawal form by the Company.

                                            PARTICIPANT:


                                            (Signature)

                                            (Date)



Withdraw All Prior Subscriptions:

         I hereby  withdraw all of my outstanding  subscriptions  under the Plan
effective  as of the first pay  period  occurring  six  months and one day after
receipt of the withdrawal form by the Company.

                                            PARTICIPANT:

                                            (Signature)

                                            (Date)


To be completed by Company only:

Date of receipt of withdrawal form:

Date of receipt of related subscription form(s):

Number of shares originally subscribed for:

If number of shares  subscribed for is decreased,  revised number of pay periods
to  complete  subscription  (may not  exceed 24 months  from date of  receipt of
related subscription form):




                                                                 Exhibit 3.(ii)
                                     BYLAWS

                                       of

                         ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
                            (a Delaware corporation)

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     Offices

         1. The principal office of the corporation  shall be at 229 South State
Street, in the City of Dover, County of Kent, State of Delaware, and the name of
the resident agent in charge thereof is The  Prentice-Hall  Corporation  System,
Inc.

         2. The  corporation  may also have an office or  offices  at such other
place or  places,  within  or  without  the State of  Delaware,  as the Board of
Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the corporation may
require.

                                   ARTICLE II

                              Stockholders' Meeting

         1. The annual meeting of the  stockholders of the corporation  shall be
held at the offices of the  corporation  in the City of Burlington  and State of
North  Carolina,  or at such other  place  within or without  the State of North
Carolina  as may be  determined  by the  Board  of  Directors  and as  shall  be
designated in the notice of said meeting,  for the purpose of electing directors
and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before
the meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the 15th day of
June of  each  year  (or if  said  day be a  legal  holiday,  then  on the  next
succeeding  day not a legal  holiday) at 1:30 o'clock P.M. or on such other date
or time as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

         At an annual meeting of the  stockholders,  only such business shall be
conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly
brought before an annual  meeting,  business must be (a) specified in the notice
of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors,  (b) otherwise  properly  brought  before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors,  or (c) otherwise  properly  brought before
the meeting by a  stockholder.  For  business to be properly  brought  before an
annual meeting by a stockholder,  the stockholder  must have given timely notice
thereof  in  writing  to the  Secretary  of the  corporation.  To be  timely,  a
stockholder's  notice  must  be  delivered  to or  mailed  and  received  at the
principal  executive  offices of the  corporation not less than 60 days nor more
than 90 days prior to the meeting;  provided,  however,  that, in the event that
less than 70 days' notice is given of the date of the meeting, either by mailing

<PAGE>

such  notice  to  stockholders  or by prior  public  disclosure,  notice  by the
stockholder,  to be  timely,  must be so  received  not later  than the close of
business  on the 10th day  following  the  earlier  of (i) the day on which such
notice of the date of the  annual  meeting  was  mailed or (ii) the day on which
such public  disclosure was made. A stockholder's  notice to the Secretary shall
set forth, as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual
meeting,  (a) a brief  description of the business  desired to be brought before
the annual  meeting and the reasons for  conducting  such business at the annual
meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of
the stockholder  proposing such business,  (c) the class and number of shares of
the corporation  which are beneficially  owned by the  stockholder,  and (d) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business.  Notwithstanding anything
in the Bylaws to the  contrary,  no  business  shall be  conducted  at an annual
meeting  except in accordance  with the  procedures set forth in this Section 1.
The Chairman of an annual  meeting shall,  if the facts  warrant,  determine and
declare to the meeting that business was not brought before the meeting properly
and in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this Section 1; and if he should so
determine and declare, any such business not properly brought before the meeting
shall not be transacted.

         Only persons who are nominated in accordance  with the  procedures  set
forth in this Section 1 shall be eligible for election as Directors. Nominations
of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made
at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or
by any  stockholder  of the  corporation  entitled  to vote for the  election of
Directors at the meeting who complies  with the notice  procedures  set forth in
this Section 1. Such  nominations,  other than those made by or at the direction
of the Board of Directors,  shall be made pursuant to timely notice,  in writing
to the Secretary of the corporation.  To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall
be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
corporation  not  less  than 60 nor  more  than 90 days  prior  to the  meeting;
provided, however, that, in the event that less than 70 days' notice is given of
the date of the  meeting,  either by mailing such notice to  stockholders  or by
prior  public  disclosure,  notice by the  stockholder,  to be timely must be so
received  not later than the close of  business  on the 10th day  following  the
earlier  (i) of the day on which  such  notice  of the date of the  meeting  was
mailed  or  (ii)  the  day on  which  such  public  disclosure  was  made.  Such
stockholder's  notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder
proposes to nominate for election or  re-election  as a Director,  (i) the name,
age, business address and residence  address of such person,  (ii) the principal
occupation or employment of such person, (iii) the class and number of shares of
the corporation,  if any, which are beneficially  owned by such person, and (iv)
any other  information  relating to such person that is required to be disclosed
in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors, or is otherwise required,
in each case,  pursuant to Regulation 14A under the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, (including,  without limitation, such person's written consent
to being named in the proxy  statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director
if elected),  and (b) as to the stockholder  giving the notice, (i) the name and
address as they appear on the corporation's  books, of such stockholder and (ii)
the class and number of shares of the corporation  which are beneficially  owned
by such  stockholders.  At the  request  of the Board of  Directors,  any person

<PAGE>

nominated by the Board of Directors, for election as a Director shall furnish to
the Secretary of the corporation that information  required to be set forth in a
stockholder's  notice of  nomination  which  pertains to the nominee.  No person
shall be eligible for election as a Director of the corporation unless nominated
in accordance  with the  procedures set forth in this Section 1. The Chairman of
the meeting shall,  if the facts  warrant,  determine and declare to the meeting
that a nomination was not made in accordance  with the procedures  prescribed by
the Bylaws;  and, if he should so determine,  he shall so declare to the meeting
and the defective  nomination shall be disregarded.  [Amended effective July 12,
1988.]

         2. Special meetings of the stockholders  shall be held at the principal
office of the  corporation  in the State of  Delaware,  or at such  other  place
within or without the State of Delaware  as may be  designated  in the notice of
said meetings, upon call of the Board of Directors.  [Amended effective July 12,
1988.]

         3. Notice of the purpose or purposes  and of the time and place  within
or without the State of Delaware of every meeting of stockholders shall be given
by the Chairman of the Board or the  President or the  Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary  either  personally  or by mail or by telegraph or by any other lawful
means of  communication  not less than ten nor more than fifty  days  before the
meeting,  to each  stockholder  of record  entitled to vote at such meeting.  If
mailed,  such notice shall be directed to each  stockholder at his address as it
appears on the stock book unless he shall have filed with the  Secretary  of the
corporation  a written  request that notices  intended for him be mailed to some
other  address,  in which case it shall be mailed or  transmitted to the address
designated  in such  request.  Such  further  notice  shall  be  given as may be
required  by  law.  Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  by  statute,  no
publication  of any notice of meeting of  stockholders  shall be  required to be
given any  stockholder  who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy,  or
who  shall,  in person or by  attorney  thereunto  authorized,  waive  notice in
writing or by telegraph,  cable,  radio, or wireless either before or after such
meeting. Except where otherwise required by law, notice of any adjourned meeting
of the stockholders of the corporation shall not be required to be given.

         4. A quorum  at all  meetings  of  stockholders  shall  consist  of the
holders  of  record of a  majority  of the  shares of stock of the  corporation,
issued and outstanding, entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by
proxy,   except  as  otherwise   provided  by  statute  or  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation.  In the  absence of a quorum at any  meeting  or any  adjournment
thereof,  a majority of those present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote
may adjourn  such meeting from time to time.  At any such  adjourned  meeting at
which a quorum is present any business may be  transacted  which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally called.

         5. Meetings of the stockholders  shall be presided over by the Chairman
of the  Board.  If  there  shall  be no  Chairman  of the  Board or if he is not
present,  meetings of stockholders  shall be presided over by the President.  If
either of such officers are not present,  meetings of the stockholders  shall be
presided  over by a  chairman  to be chosen by a  majority  of the  stockholders
entitled  to vote who are  present  in  person or by proxy at the  meeting.  The

<PAGE>

Secretary of the corporation,  or in his absence, an Assistant Secretary,  shall
act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant
Secretary  is present,  the meeting  shall  choose any person  present to act as
secretary of the meeting.

         6.  Except as  otherwise  provided in the Bylaws,  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  or in the laws of the State of Delaware, at every meeting of the
stockholders,  each  stockholder  of the  corporation  entitled  to vote at such
meeting shall have one vote in person or by proxy for each share of stock having
voting  rights  held by him and  registered  in his  name  on the  books  of the
corporation  at the time of such  meeting.  Any vote on  shares  of stock of the
corporation may be given by the stockholder entitled thereto in person or by his
proxy appointed by an instrument in writing,  subscribed by such  stockholder or
by his attorney  thereunto  authorized  and  delivered  to the  secretary of the
meeting.  Except  as  otherwise  required  by  statute,  by the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  or these  Bylaws,  all matters  coming  before any meeting of the
stockholders,  including  the  election  of  directors,  shall be  decided  by a
majority vote of the  stockholders  of the  corporation  present in person or by
proxy at such meetings and entitled to vote thereat, a quorum being present.  At
all  elections of directors  the voting may but need not be by ballot.  [Amended
effective July 12, 1988.]

         7. A complete list of the stockholders  entitled to vote at the ensuing
election of directors,  arranged in alphabetical  order, and showing the address
of each  stockholder  and the  number of shares  registered  in the name of each
stockholder  shall  be  prepared  by  the  Secretary  or  other  officer  of the
corporation  having charge of the stock  ledger.  Such list shall be open to the
examination of any stockholder  during ordinary  business hours, for a period of
at least ten days prior to the election, either at a place within the city, town
or village  where the election is to be held,  which place shall be specified in
the  notice of the  meeting,  or, if not so  specified,  at a place  where  said
meeting is to be held,  and the list shall be produced  and kept at the time and
place of election  during the whole time thereof,  and subject to the inspection
of any stockholder who may be present.

         8. At all  elections  of  directors,  or in any  other  case  in  which
inspectors  may act,  two  inspectors  of  election  shall be  appointed  by the
chairman of the meeting,  except as otherwise provided by law. The inspectors of
election  shall take and  subscribe an oath  faithfully to execute the duties of
inspectors at such meeting with strict  impartiality,  and according to the best
of their  ability  and shall  take  charge of the polls and after the vote shall
have been taken shall make a certificate  of the result  thereof.  If there be a
failure to appoint inspectors or if any inspector  appointed be absent or refuse
to act,  or if his  office  becomes  vacant,  the  stockholders  present  at the
meeting,  by a per capita vote,  may choose  temporary  inspectors of the number
required.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III
                                    Directors

         1. The  property,  affairs  and  business of the  corporation  shall be
managed by its Board of Directors consisting of not less than three (3) nor more
than twelve (12) persons.  The exact number of directors  within the maximum and
minimum limitations  specified shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of
the Board of  Directors.  Except as  hereinafter  provided,  directors  shall be
elected at the annual  meeting of the  stockholders  by plurality  vote and each
director shall be elected to serve for one year and until his successor shall be
elected and shall qualify. Directors need not be stockholders.

         2.  Meetings  of the  Board of  Directors  shall be held at such  place
within or  outside  the State of  Delaware  as may from time to time be fixed by
resolution  of the Board of  Directors,  or as may be specified in the notice of
the meeting.  Regular  meetings of the Board of Directors  shall be held at such
times as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors,
and special  meetings  may be held at any time upon the call of the  Chairman of
the Board or the President or a majority of the  directors by oral,  telegraphic
or written  notice  duly served on or sent or mailed to each  director  not less
than one day before such  meeting.  A meeting of the Board of  Directors  may be
held without notice  immediately  after the annual meeting of the  stockholders.
Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board of Directors. Meetings
may be held  at any  time  without  prior  notice  if all of the  directors  are
present,  or if at any time before or after the meeting  those not present waive
notice of the meeting in writing.

         3. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors then acting, but
in no event less than three (3) directors,  acting at a meeting duly  assembled,
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting
of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present,  a majority
of those present may adjourn the meeting,  without further notice,  from time to
time until a quorum shall have been obtained.

         4. In case one or more vacancies  shall occur in the Board of Directors
by  reason  of death,  resignation,  increase  in the  number  of  directors  or
otherwise  except insofar as otherwise  provided in these Bylaws,  the remaining
directors,  although  less than a  quorum,  may,  by a  majority  vote,  elect a
successor or successors for the unexpired term or terms.

         5. At any special meeting of the stockholders,  duly called as provided
in these Bylaws,  any director or directors may by the  affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority  of all the shares of stock  outstanding  and  entitled to
vote for election of  directors  be removed from office,  either with or without
cause, and his successor or their successors may be elected at such meeting;  or
the  remaining  directors  may, to the extent  vacancies  are not filled by such
election, fill any vacancy or vacancies created by such removal.

<PAGE>

         6. The corporation shall indemnify any person made a party to an action
by or in the right of the  corporation  to  procure a  judgment  in its favor by
reason of the fact that he, his testator or  intestate,  is or was a director or
officer  of  the  corporation,  against  expenses,  including  attorneys'  fees,
actually and necessarily  incurred by him in connection with the defense of such
action or in connection with an appeal therein, except in relation to matters as
to which such  director or officer is adjudged  to be liable for  negligence  or
misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation except as otherwise
provided by law or in the Certificate of Incorporation  of the corporation.  The
corporation  shall indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to
an action or proceeding other than one of the type referred to in the foregoing,
whether civil or criminal, including, without limitation, an action by or in the
right of any other  corporation which any director or officer of the corporation
served in any capacity at the request of the corporation,  by reason of the fact
that he, his testator or intestate was a director or officer of the  corporation
or served such other  corporation  in any capacity,  against  judgments,  fines,
amounts paid in settlement and expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
necessarily  incurred  as a result of such  action or  proceeding  or any appeal
therein,  if such director or officer acted, in good faith,  for a purpose which
he reasonably  believed to be in the best interests of the  corporation  and, in
criminal actions or proceedings, in addition, had no reasonable cause to believe
that his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any such civil criminal action
or  proceeding  by  judgment,  settlement,  conviction  or  upon a plea  of nolo
contendere, or its equivalent, shall not in itself create a presumption that any
such  director  or  officer  did not act in good  faith for a  purpose  which he
reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation or that he had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.  Expenses incurred in
defending  a  civil  or  criminal  action  or  proceeding  may  be  paid  by the
corporation  in advance of the final  disposition  of such action or proceeding.
The  foregoing  right of  indemnification  shall not be deemed  exclusive of any
other  rights to which those  indemnified  may be entitled as a matter of law or
any Bylaw,  agreement,  vote of  stockholders,  provision of the  Certificate of
Incorporation or otherwise.

         7. Any action  required or  permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
Board of Directors or any  committee  thereof may be taken  without a meeting if
prior to such action a written  consent  thereto is signed by all members of the
of Directors  or of the  committee,  as the case may be, and written  consent is
filed with the minutes of proceedings of Board of Directors or the committee.

         8. Directors may, by resolution of the Board of Directors, be allowed a
fixed sum and  expenses  of  attendance  for  attendance  at  regular or special
meetings of the Board of Directors; provided that nothing herein contained shall
be construed to preclude any director from serving the  corporation in any other
capacity and  receiving  compensation  therefor.  Members of special or standing
committees,  and others who attend  pursuant to  direction,  may, by vote of the
Board of Directors,  be allowed a like fixed sum and expenses of attendance  for
attending committee meetings.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    Officers

         l. The  officers  of the  corporation  shall be  chosen by the Board of
Directors  at its first  meeting  after the  election  of the  directors  by the
stockholders and shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice
Presidents,  a  Secretary  and a  Treasurer.  From  time to time  the  Board  of
Directors may appoint such Assistant Secretaries,  Assistant Treasurers and such
other  officers,  agents  and  employees  as it may deem  proper.  Any number of
offices, except the offices of President and Secretary,  may be held by the same
person.  The Chairman of the Board,  if such officer  exists,  and the President
shall be chosen from among the directors.

         2. The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their
respective  successors  are elected and qualify,  but any officer may be removed
from office,  either with or without cause, at any time by the affirmative  vote
of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office. A vacancy
in any office arising from any cause may be filled for the unexpired  portion of
the term by the Board of Directors.

         3. Unless  otherwise  ordered by the Board of Directors,  the President
shall have full power and authority on behalf of the  corporation  to attend and
to act and to vote at any meeting of  security  holders of the  corporations  in
which the corporation may hold securities, and at such meeting shall possess and
may  exercise  any and all rights and powers  incident to the  ownership of such
securities,  in which as the owner thereof the corporation  might have possessed
and  exercised,  if present.  The Board of Directors by resolution  from time to
time may confer like power upon any other person or persons.

                                    ARTICLE V

                               Duties of Officers

         l. The  Chairman of the Board shall chair the  meetings of the Board of
Directors  and shall have such other duties and powers as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall preside at all meetings of
the stockholders and Board of Directors.

         2. The President  shall be chief  executive  officer of the corporation
and as such shall  have  general  and active  direction  of the  management  and
supervision  of the  business  operations  of  the  corporation  subject  to any
limitations  imposed by the Board of Directors.  He shall have such other duties
and powers as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors
and shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board,  preside at all meetings
of the stockholders and Board of Directors.

         3.  During  the  absence  or  disability  of the  President,  the  Vice
Presidents,  in the order  designated by the Board of Directors,  shall exercise
all the functions of the President.  Each Vice President  shall have such powers

<PAGE>

and  discharge  such  duties as may be  assigned to him from time to time by the
Board of Directors.

         4. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds and securities
of the  corporation.  When necessary or proper he shall endorse on behalf of the
corporation,  for  collection,  checks,  notes and other  obligations  and shall
deposit the same to the credit of the  corporation  in such bank,  or banks,  or
depositories  as may be designated by the Board of Directors,  or by any officer
acting  under  authority  conferred  by the Board of  Directors.  He shall enter
regularly  in books to be kept for  purpose a full and  accurate  account of all
monies received and paid by him on account of the corporation. Whenever required
by the Board of Directors, he shall render an account of all his transactions as
Treasurer and of the  financial  condition of the  corporation.  He shall at all
reasonable  times  exhibit  his  books  and  accounts  to  any  director  of the
corporation  upon  application at the office of the corporation  during business
hours and he shall  perform all things  incident to the  position of  Treasurer,
subject  to the  control of the Board of  Directors.  He shall give bond for the
faithful discharge of his duties if the Board of Directors so require.  He shall
do and perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by
the Board of Directors.

         5. The Assistant Treasurers, in the order of their seniority, shall, in
the absence of or disability of the  Treasurer,  perform the duties and exercise
the powers of the  treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe.

         6. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the  stockholders and all
meetings of the Board of Directors,  and record all votes and the minutes of all
proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose; and shall perform like duties
for other  committees  when so  required.  He shall give,  or cause to be given,
notice  of all  meetings  of  stockholders  and the  Board of  Directors  and of
committees and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board
of  Directors.  He shall keep in safe  custody the seal of the  corporation  and
affix the same to any instrument whose execution has been  authorized.  He shall
be sworn to the faithful  discharge of his duties.  He shall do and perform such
other  duties  as may be  assigned  to him  from  time to time by the  Board  of
Directors.

         7. The Assistant Secretaries,  in the order of their seniority,  shall,
in the  absence  of or  disability  of the  Secretary,  perform  the  duties and
exercise the powers of the  Secretary and shall perform such other duties as the
Board or Directors shall prescribe.

         8. In the case of absence  or  inability  to act of any  officer of the
corporation and of any person herein  authorized to act in his place,  the Board
of  Directors  may from time to time  delegate  the  powers  and  duties of such
officer to any other  officer or any  director  or any other  person whom it may
select.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              Certificates of Stock

         1.  The  interest  of each  stockholder  of the  corporation  shall  be
evidenced by  certificates  for shares of stock  certifying the number of shares
represented  thereby and in such form not  inconsistent  with the Certificate of
Incorporation as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

         Except as  otherwise  required by law,  transfers of shares of stock of
the  corporation  shall  be made  only on the  books of the  corporation  by the
registered holder thereof,  or by his attorney thereunto  authorized by power of
attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the corporation,  or with
a transfer clerk or a transfer  agent  appointed as in Section 4 of this Article
provided,  and on surrender of the certificate or  certificates  for such shares
properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon. The person in whose name
shares of stock stand on the books of the corporation  shall be deemed the owner
thereof for all purposes as regards the corporation. The Board may, from time to
time, make such additional  rules and regulations as it may deem expedient,  not
inconsistent with these Bylaws, concerning the issue, transfer, and registration
of certificates for shares of the capital stock of the corporation.

         The  certificates of stock shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board
or the  President  or a Vice  President  and by the  Secretary  or an  Assistant
Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant  Treasurer,  and sealed with the seal
of the corporation. Such seal may be a facsimile, engraved or printed. Where any
such certificate is signed by a transfer agent other than the corporation or its
employee,  or by a registrar  other than the  corporation  or its employee,  the
signatures of the Chairman of the Board, President,  Vice President,  Secretary,
Assistant Secretary,  Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer upon such certificate may
be facsimiles,  engraved or printed.  In case any such officer who has signed or
whose  facsimile  signature  has been  placed upon such  certificate  shall have
ceased to be such before  such  certificate  is issued,  it may be issued by the
corporation with the same effect as if such officer had not ceased to be such at
the time of its issue.

         2. In  order  that  the  corporation  may  determine  the  stockholders
entitled  to  notice  of or to  vote  at  any  meeting  of  stockholders  or any
adjournment  thereof,  or to  express  consent  to  corporate  action in writing
without a meeting,  or  entitled  to receive  payment of any  dividend  or other
distribution  or allotment of any rights,  or entitled to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any
other lawful action,  the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which  shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days  before the
date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action.

         If no record date is fixed:

<PAGE>

         The record date for determining  stockholders  entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting or  stockholders  shall be at the close of  business on the
day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at
the close of business on the day next  preceding the day on which the meeting is
held.

         The record  date for  determining  stockholders  for any other  purpose
shall be at the close of  business  on the day on which  the Board of  Directors
adopts the resolution relating thereto.

         A  determination  of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjournment meeting.

         3. No  certificate  for  shares  of stock of the  corporation  shall be
issued in place of any  certificate  alleged  to have been  lost,  destroyed  or
stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft
and on delivery to the corporation,  if the Board of Directors shall so require,
of a bond of  indemnity  in such  amount (not  exceeding  twice the value of the
shares  represented  by such  certificate),  upon such terms and secured by such
surety as the Board of Directors may in its discretion require.

         4. The Board of Directors  may appoint one or more  transfer  clerks or
one or more  transfer  agents and one or more  registrars,  and may  require all
certificates  for shares of stock to bear the  signature or signatures of any of
them.

         5. The books,  accounts and records of the  corporation,  except as may
otherwise be required by statute,  may be kept outside of the State of Delaware,
at such place or places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint.
The Board of  Directors  shall  determine  whether and to what extent the books,
accounts and records of the  corporation,  or any of them,  other than the stock
ledger,  shall be open to the  inspection of  stockholders,  and no  stockholder
shall have any right to inspect any book,  account of record of the  corporation
except as conferred by statute or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 Corporate Seal

         The corporate seal of the  corporation  shall consist of two concentric
circles,  between which shall be the name of the  corporation,  and its state of
incorporation, and in the center shall be inscribed the words, "Corporate Seal".

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   Amendments

         The Bylaws of the corporation shall be subject to alteration, amendment
or repeal, and new Bylaws not inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation or statute,  may be made, either by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority in interest of the stockholders of the corporation present
in person or by proxy at any annual or special meeting of the  stockholders  and
entitled to vote thereat a quorum being  present,  provided  that notice of such
proposed  action  shall have been given in the call for the  meeting,  or by the
affirmative  vote of a  majority  of the whole  Board,  given at any  regular or
special meeting of the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   Fiscal Year

         The  fiscal  year  of the  corporation  shall  end on the  last  day of
December in each year.




                                                                   Exhibit 4.1

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                  EDITEK, INC.


         Editek,  Inc., a corporation  organized and existing  under the General
Corporation  Law of the  State of  Delaware  (the  "Corporation"),  does  hereby
certify that:

         The amendment to the  Corporation's  Certificate of  Incorporation  set
forth  in the  following  resolution  approved  by the  Corporation's  Board  of
Directors and stockholders was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware:

         "RESOLVED,  that the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation be
amended by striking Article FOURTH in its entirety and replacing therefor:

         'FOURTH:  The total  number of  shares of stock  which the  Corporation
shall have authority to issue is SIXTY-ONE MILLION  (61,000,000)  shares,  SIXTY
MILLION of which shall be of a class designated as Common Stock with a par value
of FIFTEEN  CENTS ($0.15) per share and ONE MILLION of which shall be of a class
designated as Preferred  Stock with a par value of ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) per share.
All or any part of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation may be issued
and  sold,  from  time to time by the  corporation,  without  further  action by
stockholders,  for such  consideration (but not less than the par value thereof)
and to such persons and on such terms and  conditions as may, from time to time,
be  fixed  or  determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors.   The  voting  powers,
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and the  qualifications,  limitations  or  restrictions  thereof,  of the
classes  of stock of the  corporation  which  are fixed by this  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  and the  authority  vested in the Board of  Directors  to fix by
resolution or resolution  providing for the issue of Preferred  Stock the voting
powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights, and the qualifications,  limitations or restrictions thereof, of
the  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  which  are not  fixed by the  Certificate  of
Incorporation, are as follows:

                  1. The Preferred  Stock may be issued from time to time in one
         or more series,  each such series to have such distinctive  designation
         or  title  as may be  fixed  by the  Board  of  Directors  prior to the
         issuance of any shares thereof.  Each such series may differ from every
         other series already outstanding as may be determined from time to time
         by the Board of Directors  prior to the issuance of any shares thereof,
         in any or all of the following, but in other, respects:

<PAGE>

                           (a) The rate of dividend which the Preferred Stock of
                  any such series  shall be  entitled  to  receive,  whether the
                  dividends of such series shall be cumulative or non-cumulative
                  and,  if such  dividends  shall be  cumulative,  the date from
                  which they shall be cumulative.
                           (b)  The  right  or   obligation,   if  any,  of  the
                  corporation to redeem shares of Preferred  Stock of any series
                  and the amount per share which the Preferred Stock of any such
                  series shall be entitled to receive in case of the  redemption
                  thereof, and the right of the corporation,  if any, to reissue
                  any such shares after the same shall have been redeemed.
                           (c) The amount per share which the Preferred Stock of
                  any such  series  shall be  entitled to receive in case of the
                  voluntary   liquidation,   distribution  or  sale  of  assets,
                  dissolution  or winding up of the  corporation,  or in case of
                  the involuntary  liquidation,  distribution or sale of assets,
                  dissolution or winding up of the corporation.
                           (d) The right,  if any, of the  holders of  Preferred
                  Stock of any such  series  to  convert  the  same  into  other
                  classes  of  stock,  and  the  terms  and  conditions  of such
                  conversion.
                           (e) The  voting  power,  if any,  of the  holders  of
                  Preferred  Stock of any series,  and the terms and  conditions
                  under which they may exercise such voting power.
                           (f) The terms of the sinking  fund or fund of similar
                  nature,  if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of any
                  such series.
                           The  description  of terms of the Preferred  Stock of
                  each series in respect of the foregoing  particulars  shall be
                  fixed and  determined by the Board of Directors by appropriate
                  resolution at or prior to the time of the authorization of the
                  issue of the original  shares of each such series.  

     2. In case the stated  dividends  and the amounts  payable on  liquidation,
distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding up of the corporation are
not paid in full, the  stockholders  of all series of the Preferred  Stock shall
share ratably in the payment of dividends,  including accumulations,  if any, in
accordance  with the same which would be payable on such shares if all dividends
were declared and paid in full and in any  distribution  of assets other than by
way of  dividends,  in  accordance  with the sums which would be payable on such
distribution if all sums payable were discharged and paid in full.

                  3. The  holders of the  Preferred  Stock  shall be entitled to
         receive,  when and as declared by the Board of Directors,  out of funds
         legally available therefor,  preferential dividends in cash at, but not
         exceeding the annual rate fixed for each particular series. The holders
         of the  Preferred  Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends
         thereon other than dividends referred to in this Subdivision 3.
                  4. So long as any of the Preferred Stock remains  outstanding,
         in no event  shall  any  dividend  whatever,  whether  in cash or other
         property  (other than shares of Common  Stock),  be paid or declared or
         any  distribution be made on the Common Stock,  nor shall any shares of
         the Common  Stock be  purchased,  retired or  otherwise  
<PAGE>

acquired for a consideration by the corporation unless (a) the full dividends of
the Preferred  Stock for all past dividend  periods from the respective  date or
then current quarter-yearly dividend period shall have been paid or declared and
a sum set apart sufficient for the payment  thereof,  and (b) if at any time the
corporation  is obligated to retire shares of any series of the Preferred  Stock
pursuant to a sinking fund or a fund of a similar nature,  all arrears,  if any,
in respect of the  retirement  of the  Preferred  Stock of all such series shall
have been made good. Subject to the foregoing provisions and not otherwise, such
dividends  (payable in cash,  stock or  otherwise)  as may be  determined by the
Board of  Directors  may be declared  and paid on the Common  Stock from time to
time out of the remaining funds of the corporation  legally available  therefor,
and the  Preferred  Stock  shall  not be  entitled  to  participate  in any such
dividend, whether payable in cash, stock or otherwise.

                  5. In the event of any  liquidation,  distribution  or sale of
         assets, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, whether voluntary
         or involuntary, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the
         holders of Common  Stock,  the holders of the  Preferred  Stock of each
         series shall be entitled to be paid in cash the applicable  liquidation
         price  per share  fixed at the time of the  original  authorization  of
         issuance of shares of such  respective  series,  together with a sum in
         the case of each share of the Preferred  Stock,  computed at the annual
         dividend  on such share  became  cumulative  to the date fixed for such
         distribution  or payment date paid thereon.  If such payment shall have
         been made in full to the holders of the Preferred  Stock, the remaining
         assets  and funds of the  corporation  shall be  distributed  among the
         holders of the Common Stock according to their respective shares.
                  6.  Subject  to the  powers,  preferences  and  rights and the
         qualification,  limitations and restrictions  thereof,  with respect to
         each class of capital stock of the corporation having any preference or
         priority over the Common  Stock,  the holders of the Common Stock shall
         have and  possess  all  rights  appertaining  to  capital  stock of the
         corporation.  Holders of Common  Stock may not act by  written  consent
         without a meeting.' "

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Editek,  Inc. has caused this Certificate to be signed
and attested by its duly authorized officers this 20th day of December, 1996.

                                       EDITEK, Inc.

                                       By: /s/ Harry G. McCoy
                                           Harry G. McCoy, President

ATTEST:


/s/ Peter J. Heath
Peter J. Heath, Secretary

<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                  EDITEK, INC.


         The undersigned, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

1.       The name of the corporation is EDITEK, Inc.

2.       The Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation is hereby amended
         by deleting Article FOURTH in its entirety and substituting the 
         following in lieu thereof:

                  "FOURTH:  The  total  number  of  shares  of stock  which  the
         Corporation  shall  have  authority  to  issue  is  THIRTY-ONE  MILLION
         (31,000,000)  shares,  THIRTY  MILLION  of  which  shall  be of a class
         designated  as Common Stock with a par value of FIFTEEN  CENTS  ($0.15)
         per share  and ONE  MILLION  of which  shall be a class  designated  as
         Preferred  Stock with a par value of ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) per share.  All
         or any part of the authorized  capital stock of the  Corporation may be
         issued and sold, from time to time by the corporation,  without further
         action by stockholders,  for such  consideration (but not less than the
         par value thereof) and to such persons and on such terms and conditions
         as may,  from  time to time,  be fixed or  determined  by the  Board of
         Directors. The voting powers,  designations,  preferences and relative,
         participating, optional or other special rights and the qualifications,
         limitations  or  restrictions  thereof,  of the classes of stock of the
         corporation which are fixed by this Certificate of  Incorporation,  and
         the authority  vested in the Board of Directors to fix by resolution or
         resolutions  providing  for the issuance of Preferred  Stock the voting
         powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional
         or  other  special  rights,  and  the  qualifications,  limitations  or
         restrictions  thereof,  of the shares of Preferred  Stock which are not
         fixed by the Certificate of Incorporation, are as follows:

                           1. The  Preferred  Stock may be  issued  from time to
                  time in one or more  series,  each  such  series  to have such
                  distinctive  designation or title as may be fixed by the Board
                  of Directors prior to the issuance of any shares thereof. Each
                  such  series  may  differ  from  every  other  series  already
                  outstanding  as may be  determined  from  time  to time by the
                  Board  of  Directors  prior  to the  issuance  of  any  shares
                  thereof,  in any or all  of the  following,  but in no  other,
                  respects:

                                    (a) The rate of dividend which the Preferred
                           Stock  of  any  such  series  shall  be  entitled  to
                          
<PAGE>
                           receive,  whether the  dividends of such series shall
                           be   cumulative  or   non-cumulative   and,  if  such
                           dividends  shall be  cumulative,  the date from which
                           they shall be cumulative.

                                    (b) The right or obligation,  if any, of the
                           corporation  to redeem  shares of Preferred  Stock of
                           any  series  and  the  amount  per  share  which  the
                           Preferred  Stock of any such series shall be entitled
                           to receive in case of the redemption thereof, and the
                           right of the corporation, if any, to reissue any such
                           shares after the same shall have been redeemed.

                                    (c) The amount per share which the Preferred
                           Stock of any such series shall be entitled to receive
                           in case of the voluntary liquidation, distribution or
                           sale of  assets,  dissolution  or  winding  up of the
                           corporation,   or  in   case   of   the   involuntary
                           liquidation,   distribution   or  sale   of   assets,
                           dissolution or winding up of the corporation.

                                    (d) The  right,  if any,  of the  holders of
                           Preferred  Stock of any such  series to  convert  the
                           same into other  classes of stock,  and the terms and
                           conditions of such conversion.

                                    (e) The voting power, if any, of the holders
                           of Preferred  Stock of any series,  and the terms and
                           conditions  under which they may exercise such voting
                           power.

                                    (f) The terms of the sinking fund or fund of
                           similar  nature,  if  any,  to be  provided  for  the
                           Preferred Stock of any such series.

         The  description  of terms of the  Preferred  Stock of each  Series  in
respect of the foregoing  particulars shall be fixed and determined by the Board
of Directors by appropriate resolution or resolutions at or prior to the time of
the authorization of the issuance of the original shares of each such series.

                           2. In  case  the  stated  dividends  and the  amounts
                  payable  on  liquidation,  distribution  or  sale  of  assets,
                  dissolution or winding up of the  corporation  are not paid in
                  full, the  stockholders  of all series of the Preferred  Stock
                  shall  share  ratably in the payment of  dividends,  including
                  accumulations, if any, in accordance with the sums which would
                  be payable on such shares if all  dividends  were declared and
                  paid in full and in any  distribution  of assets other than by
                  way of dividends,  in accordance  with the sums which would be
                  payable  on  such   distribution  if  all  sums  payable  were
                  discharged and paid in full.

                           3.  The  holders  of the  Preferred  Stock  shall  be
                  entitled  to  receive,  when and as  declared  by the Board of
                  Directors,   out  of   funds   legally   available   therefor,
                  preferential  dividends  in cash  at,  but not  exceeding  the
                  


<PAGE>

                  annual rate fixed for each particular  series.  The holders of
                  the  Preferred  Stock  shall not be  entitled  to receive  any
                  dividends  thereon  other than  dividends  referred to in this
                  Subdivision 3.

                           4.  So  long as any of the  Preferred  Stock  remains
                  outstanding,  in  no  event  shall  any  dividend  whatsoever,
                  whether in cash or other property (other than shares of Common
                  Stock), be paid or declared or any distribution be made on the
                  Common  Stock,  nor shall any  shares of the  Common  Stock be
                  purchased,  retired or otherwise  acquired for a consideration
                  by the  corporation  unless  (a)  the  full  dividends  of the
                  Preferred  Stock  for  all  past  dividend  periods  from  the
                  respective date or then current quarter-yearly dividend period
                  shall  have  been  paid  or  declared  and  a  sum  set  apart
                  sufficient for the payment thereof, and (b) if at any time the
                  corporation is obligated to retire shares of any series of the
                  Preferred  Stock  pursuant  to a  sinking  fund or a fund of a
                  similar  nature,  all  arrears,  if  any,  in  respect  of the
                  retirement  of the  Preferred  Stock of all such series  shall
                  have been made good.  Subject to the foregoing  provisions and
                  not  otherwise,  such  dividends  (payable  in cash,  stock or
                  otherwise)  as may be determined by the Board of Directors may
                  be declared and paid on the Common Stock from time to time out
                  of the remaining  funds of the corporation  legally  available
                  therefor,  and the  Preferred  Stock  shall not be entitled to
                  participate  in any such  dividend,  whether  payable in cash,
                  stock or otherwise.

                           5. In the event of any  liquidation,  distribution or
                  sale of assets,  dissolution or winding up of the corporation,
                  whether  voluntary or involuntary,  before any distribution or
                  payment  shall be made to the  holders  of Common  Stock,  the
                  holders  of the  Preferred  Stock  of  each  series  shall  be
                  entitled to be paid in cash the applicable  liquidation  price
                  per share fixed at the time of the original  authorization  of
                  issuance of shares of such respective series,  together with a
                  sum,  in the  case  of  each  share  of the  Preferred  Stock,
                  computed at the annual  dividend  rate for the series of which
                  the  particular  share  is a  part  from  the  date  on  which
                  dividends  on such share became  cumulative  to the date fixed
                  for such  distribution or payment less the aggregate amount of
                  all dividends  theretofore and on distribution or payment date
                  paid thereon.  If such payment shall have been made in full to
                  the holders of the Preferred  Stock,  the remaining assets and
                  of the  corporation  shall be distributed  among the holder of
                  the Common Stock according to their respective shares.

                           6. Subject to the powers,  preferences  and right and
                  the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, with
                  respect  to each  class of  capital  stock of the  corporation
                  having any  preference or priority over the Common Stock,  the
                  holders of the Common  Stock shall have and possess all rights
                  appertaining to capital stock of the  corporation.  Holders of
                  Common  Stock  may  not  act  by  written  consent  without  a
                  meeting."

<PAGE>

3.       The  foregoing  amendment  was  duly  adopted  in  accordance  with the
         provisions of Section 242 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State
         of Delaware by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the  outstanding
         shares of capital stock entitled to vote with respect to such amendment
         and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote
         thereon as a class.


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  corporation  has caused this  Certificate of
Amendment to be executed on its behalf by James D. Skinner,  its President,  and
Peter J. Heath, its Secretary, this 13th day of November, 1995, hereby declaring
and  certifying  that this is the act and deed of the  corporation  and that the
facts stated herein are true.

                                               EDITEK, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                               By: /s/ James D. Skinner
                                                  James D. Skinner, President

ATTEST:


/s/ Peter J. Heath
Peter J. Heath, Secretary



                                                                    Exhibit 5.1

               Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd. Letterhead



                                 March 26, 1997



EDITEK, Inc.
1238 Anthony Road
Burlington, North Carolina  27215

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the  Registration  Statement on Form S-8 that you intend to
file with the Securities and Exchange  Commission pursuant to the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended,  for the purpose of  registering  350,000  shares of Common
Stock,  $.15 par value (the  "Shares") of EDITEK,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
(the "Company"),  initially  issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted
pursuant to the EDITEK Qualified  Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted March 13,
1986 (the "Plan"), as amended in 1996.

We have  examined such  documents and have reviewed such  questions of law as we
have  considered  necessary and  appropriate for the purposes of the opinion set
forth below.

In rendering our opinion set forth below,  we have assumed the  authenticity  of
all documents  submitted to us as originals,  the  genuineness of all signatures
and the  conformity to authentic  originals of all documents  submitted to us as
copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto
of all  natural  persons  and,  with  respect to all  parties to  agreements  or
instruments  relevant  hereto other than the Company,  that such parties had the
requisite power and authority  (corporate or otherwise) to execute,  deliver and
perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have
been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise),  executed
and delivered by such parties and that such  agreements or  instruments  are the
valid,  binding and enforceable  obligations of such Parties. As to questions of
fact material to our opinions,  we have relied upon  certificates of officers of
the Company and of public officials.

Based on the  foregoing,  we are of the  opinion  that the Shares have been duly
authorized and, upon issuance,  delivery and payment therefor in accordance with
the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


<PAGE>

Our opinion  expressed above is limited to the business  corporation laws of the
State of Delaware.

We  hereby  consent  to  the  filing  of  this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to  the
Registration Statement.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                   /s/ Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd.

                                   By:    /s/ Robert R. Ribeiro
          
                                          Robert R. Ribeiro



                                                                  Exhibit 23.2




                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the Editek,  Inc.  Qualified  Employee Stock Purchase Plan of
our report dated  February 21, 1997 with respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements  and  schedule of Editek,  Inc.  included in its annual  Report (Form
10-K) for the year  ended  December  31,  1996,  filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

                                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 31, 1997




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