PROTEIN DATABASES INC /DE/
8-K, 1997-10-31
COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

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




Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)      October 29, 1997



                              IDP LIQUIDATING CORP.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                    000-17032                   13-3186604
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission                (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)              File Number)            Identification No.)



             775 Park Avenue, Suite 255, Huntington, New York 11743
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (516) 673-3939


         Protein Databases, Inc., 405 Oakwood Road, Huntington Station,
                                 New York 11746
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)


                                   Page 1 of 3

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         On October 29, 1997, IDP Liquidating Corp. (formerly Protein Databases,
Inc.) (the  "Company")  completed  the sale to  Bio-Rad  Laboratories,  Inc.  of
substantially  all of its assets  (other than certain  excluded  assets) used or
held in connection  with the  Company's  business of  developing,  marketing and
selling  software systems for protein and DNA analysis for life science research
and  biotechnology  applications.  The assets  included  intellectual  property,
computers and software,  inventory and certain contract  rights.  The assets did
not include cash and accounts receivable.  The purchase price was $1,000,000, of
which   $300,000   is  being  held  in  escrow  in  respect  of  the   Company's
indemnification obligations under the sale agreement.

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         The Company changed its name to "IDP Liquidating  Corp." on October 30,
1997.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

(c)      Exhibits

10.1     Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of July 16, 1997, by and between
         Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and Protein Databases, Inc. (now known as 
         IDP Liquidating  Corp.)

99.1     Press Release, dated October 22, 1997.


                                   Page 2 of 3


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


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


                                    By: /s/ Ronald R. Hahn
                                       -------------------------------
                                       Name:  Ronald R. Hahn
                                       Title: President


Date:  October 31, 1997


                                   Page 3 of 3









                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 by and between

                             PROTEIN DATABASES, INC.

                                  as "Seller,"

                                       and

                           BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

                                   as "Buyer"


                              Dated: July 16, 1997



<PAGE>



                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


               This Asset Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of July 16, 1997, is by
and between Bio-Rad Laboratories,  Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("Buyer"),  and
Protein Databases, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Seller").

                                    RECITALS

               A. Seller owns certain assets which it uses in the conduct of the
Business (as defined below).

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

                                    AGREEMENT

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


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

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

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

               "ANCILLARY  AGREEMENT"  shall  mean:  Agreement  Not to  Compete,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H.

               "ASSETS"  shall mean all of the right,  title and interest in and
to the business,  properties, assets and rights of any kind, whether tangible or
intangible,  real or personal and constituting,  or used or useful in connection
with,  or related to, the  Business  owned by Seller or in which  Seller has any
interest, including without limitation all of Seller's right, title and interest
in the following:

               (a) all Contract Rights;

               (b) Equipment;

               (c) all Inventory;


<PAGE>

               (d) all Proprietary Rights relating to the Business;

               (e) to the extent transferable, all Permits;

               (f) all computers and software;

               (g) all Insurance Policies, to the extent assignable;

               (h)  all  available  supplies,   sales  literature,   promotional
literature,  customer,  supplier and  distributor  lists,  art work, and display
units, related to the Business;

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

but excluding therefrom the Excluded Assets.

               "BALANCE  SHEET"  shall mean the  balance  sheet of Seller at the
date indicated thereon, together with the notes thereon.

               "BOOKS  AND  RECORDS"  shall  mean (a) all  records  and lists of
Seller  pertaining  to the Assets,  (b) all records and lists  pertaining to the
Business,  customers,  suppliers or  personnel  of Seller,  and (c) all product,
business and marketing plans of Seller.

               "BUSINESS"  shall mean the Seller's  business of the development,
marketing and selling of software  systems for protein and DNA analysis for life
science research and biotechnology applications, all as it relates to the Assets
transferred to Buyer hereunder.

               "CLOSING  DATE" shall mean October 30, 1997, or such earlier date
as Buyer and Seller shall reasonably  mutually agree upon if Seller has obtained
the consent of its Shareholders to this Asset Purchase Agreement.

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

               "CONTRACT"  shall  mean  any  agreement,  contract,  note,  loan,
evidence of indebtedness, purchase, order, letter of credit, indenture, security
or pledge agreement, franchise agreement, undertaking, practice, covenant not to
compete, employment agreement, license, instrument,  obligation or commitment to
which  Seller is a party or is bound and which  relates to the  Business  or the
Assets, whether oral or written, but excluding all Leases.

               "CONTRACT   RIGHTS"  shall  mean  all  of  Seller's   rights  and
obligations under the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.7 and not rejected by Buyer
and under any  Contracts  not so listed  which  Buyer,  in its sole  discretion,
elects to accept and assume.


                                       A-2


<PAGE>

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

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

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

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

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

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

               (a) accounts notes and other receivables;

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

               (c) all Permits, to the extent not transferable;

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

               (e)  all  refunds,  deposits,  prepayments  or  prepaid  expenses
(including without limitation any prepaid insurance premiums) of Seller;

               (f) all Books and Records;

               (g) all deposits and prepaid expenses of Seller;


                                       A-3


<PAGE>

               (h) all  claims,  causes of action,  choses in action,  rights of
recovery  and  rights of  set-off  of any kind,  against  any  person or entity,
including without  limitation any liens,  security  interests,  pledges or other
rights to payment or to enforce payment in connection with products delivered by
Seller on or prior to the Closing Date; and


               (i) the equipment listed on Schedule 1.l.

               "FACILITIES"  shall  mean  all  plants,  offices,   manufacturing
facilities, stores, warehouses, improvements,  administration buildings, and all
real property and related  facilities  which are identified or listed on Exhibit
"A" attached hereto.

               "FACILITY  LEASE(S)"  shall mean all of the leases of  Facilities
listed on Schedule 4.7.

               "FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS"  shall mean the 1996  Year-End  Financial
Statements  and the Quarterly  Financial  Statements for the quarter ended March
31, 1997.

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

               "INSURANCE POLICIES" shall mean the insurance policies related to
the Assets listed on Schedule 4.22.

               "INTERIM  BALANCE  SHEET" shall mean the unaudited  Balance Sheet
dated the Interim Balance Sheet Date.

               "INTERIM BALANCE SHEET DATE" shall mean March 31, 1997.

               "INTERIM  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS"  shall mean the Interim  Balance
Sheet and the  unaudited  statements  of  operations,  changes in  shareholders'
equity and cash flow for the period ended on the Interim Balance Sheet Date.

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

               "LEASED REAL PROPERTY" shall mean all leased  property  described
in the Facility Lease.

               "LEASEHOLD  ESTATES"  shall  mean  all  of  Seller's  rights  and
obligations as lessee under the Lease.


                                       A-4


<PAGE>

               "LEASEHOLD  IMPROVEMENTS"  shall mean all leasehold  improvements
situated in or on the Leased real property and owned by Seller.

               "LEASE(S)"  shall mean the  existing  lease  with  respect to the
personal or real  property of Seller  listed on Schedule 4.7 and not rejected by
Buyer.

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

               "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" or "material adverse change" shall mean
with respect to the  Business or the Assets any  significant  adverse  effect or
change in the  condition  prospects,  assets,  Liabilities  or operations of the
Business  and/or  the  Assets or on the  ability  of Seller  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or any event or condition which would, with
the passage of time, constitute a "material adverse effect" or "material adverse
change."

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

               "PATENTS"  shall mean all  patents  and patent  applications  and
registered design and registered design applications.

               "PERMITS"   shall  mean  all   licenses,   permits,   franchises,
approvals,  authorizations,   consents  or  orders  of,  or  filings  with,  any
governmental authority,  whether foreign, federal, state or local, necessary for
the conduct of the Business.

               "PROPRIETARY RIGHTS" shall mean all of Seller's Copyrights (which
shall  include  registered,  unregistered  and  common  law  copyright  rights),
Patents,  and  Patent  Applications,  web  sites  and  web  services  (including
necessary  software),  Trademarks,  technology  rights  and  licenses,  computer
software  (including  without  limitation any source or object codes therefor or
documentation  relating  thereto  including,  but not limited to, the source and
object codes referenced in Exhibit I-1), trade secrets, franchises, flow charts,
customer lists, know-how, inventions, designs,  specifications,  plans, drawings
and intellectual property rights.

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

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

               "TAX" shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign or other tax,
levy,  impost,  fee,  assessment or other government  charge,  including without
limitation income, estimated income, business, occupation,  franchise, property,
payroll, personal property, sales, transfer, use,


                                       A-5


<PAGE>

employment,  commercial rent, occupancy, franchise or withholding taxes, and any
premium,  including  without  limitation  interest,  penalties  and additions in
connection therewith.

               "TRADEMARKS" shall mean registered trademarks, registered service
marks,  trademark and service mark applications and unregistered  trademarks and
service marks.

               "YEAR-END  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS"  shall mean the audited Balance
Sheet dated December 31, 1996, and the related audited statements of operations,
changes in  shareholders'  equity and cash flow for the year ended  December 31,
1996.

         1.2 OTHER DEFINED  TERMS.  The following  terms shall have the meanings
defined for such terms in the Sections set forth below: 
               Term                                              Section
               ----                                              -------

         Adjustment Amount                                       2.5(b)
         Assumed Liabilities                                     2.2
         Assumption Documents                                    3.2(c)
         Bulk Sales Act                                          10.4
         Claim                                                   10.3(d)
         Claim Notice                                            10.3(d)
         Closing                                                 3.1
         Closing Balance Sheet                                   2.5(a)
         Damages                                                 10.3(a)
         Environmental Conditions                                4.26(a)
         Environmental Laws                                      4.26(a)
         Excluded Liabilities                                    2.3
         Hazardous Substance                                     4.26(a)
         Holdback Amount                                         2.4(c)
         Inventory and Asset Procedures                          2.6
         Net Book Value                                          2.5(b)
         Permitted Encumbrances                                  4.6(a)
         Proposed Acquisition Transaction                        6.2(a)
         Purchase Price                                          2.4(a)
         Release                                                 4.28(a)
         Rehired Employee                                        6.6(a)


                                   ARTICLE II

                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

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


                                       A-6


<PAGE>

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

               (a) All  Liabilities  accruing,  arising  out of, or  relating to
events or  occurrences  happening  after the  Closing  Date under the  Contracts
listed on Schedule 4.7 and not rejected by Buyer,  or under  Contracts or Leases
which are not listed on Schedule  4.7 but which Buyer,  in its sole  discretion,
elects to accept and assume,  but not  including  any  Liability for any Default
under any such Contract occurring on or prior to the Closing Date; and

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

               (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, any Liability to
or in respect of any employees or former employees of Seller  including  without
limitation (i) any employment agreement,  whether or not written, between Seller
and any person,  (ii) any Liability under any employee plan or employee  benefit
at any time  maintained,  contributed  to or required to be contributed to by or
with  respect  to Seller or under  which  Seller  may  incur  Liability,  or any
contributions,  benefits or Liabilities  therefor, or any Liability with respect
to Seller's withdrawal or partial withdrawal from or termination of any Employee
Plan and (iii) any claim of an unfair  labor  practice,  or any claim  under any
state  unemployment  compensation or worker's  compensation law or regulation or
under any federal or state employment  discrimination  law or regulation,  which
shall have been  asserted on or prior to the Closing Date or is based on acts or
omissions which occurred on or prior to the Closing Date;

               (b) Any  Liability  of Seller in respect  of any Tax,  other than
sales taxes as a result of the sale of the Assets pursuant hereto ;

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

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


               (e)  Any  Liability  of  Seller  resulting  from  entering  into,
performing  its  obligations   pursuant  to  or  consummating  the  transactions
contemplated by, this Agreement  (including  without limitation any Liability of
Seller pursuant to Article X hereof),  other than sales taxes as a result of the
sales of the Assets pursuant hereto;


                                       A-7


<PAGE>

               (f) Any Liability related to any Facility.

         2.4 PURCHASE PRICE.

               (a) PURCHASE PRICE. At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to
the  conditions  set forth  herein,  Buyer  shall  pay to  Seller  for the sale,
transfer,  assignment,  conveyance  and  delivery of the Assets,  the  aggregate
amount of One Million  Dollars  ($1,000,000)  (the "Purchase  Price"),  less the
Holdback  Amount by wire transfer of immediately  available  funds to an account
designated by Seller and shall assume the Assumed  Liabilities  pursuant to this
Agreement.  The Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Assets in the manner
required  by  Section  1060 of the Code and  regulations  thereunder.  Exhibit B
attached  hereto sets forth the amount of the  Purchase  Price  allocable to the
various  Assets.  Buyer and Seller  agree to each  prepare  and file on a timely
basis with the Internal  Revenue  Service  substantially  identical  initial and
supplemental  Internal Revenue Service Forms 8594 "Asset Acquisition  Statements
Under  Section  1060"  consistent  with  Exhibit B and which gives effect to any
Adjustment Amount determined in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof.

               (b)  AGREEMENT  NOT TO COMPETE.  At the Closing,  Buyer shall pay
Seller pursuant to the Agreement Not to Compete attached hereto as Exhibit H, an
aggregate of Ten Dollars ($10.00).

               (c) The  "Holdback  Amount"  shall  be an  amount  equal to Three
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) which Buyer, at the Closing, shall, pursuant
to the  Escrow  Indemnification  Agreement  deliver to the  Escrow  Agent  named
therein, pending the determination of Seller's indemnification  obligations,  if
any, as set forth in Section  10.3;  provided,  however,  that  $200,000 of such
amount shall be available only for claims,  if any, related to or arising out of
the Millipore License Agreement dated September 15, 1987.

         2.5 (Intentionally omitted)

         2.6 INVENTORY AND ASSET  PROCEDURES AND PARTIAL  VERIFICATION OF SOURCE
CODE.

               (a)  INVENTORY  PROCEDURES.  The  quantities  of  Inventory to be
purchased and sold hereunder shall be determined by an itemized  inventory to be
taken at such time as Buyer and Seller  mutually  agree and shall be adjusted to
book as of the Closing  Date based upon a physical  inventory  pursuant to which
all  Inventory  will be counted as to quantity by  personnel of Seller and Buyer
using the same  procedures  normally used by Seller to take  inventories  of the
type of  Inventory  being  counted;  provided,  that if Buyer and  Seller  shall
mutually  agree,  an outside  inventory  service  or  services  (the  "Inventory
Service")  mutually  selected  by Seller and Buyer may be  selected to take such
inventory.  Both  Buyer and Seller  will have the right to have  Representatives
present to observe the  physical  inventories.  Any  disputes as to the physical
count,  usability or salability of any item of Inventory  will, if possible,  be
resolved while such physical  inventory is being taken. Any unresolved  disputes
regarding  the  foregoing  not resolved by the Closing  Date will be  separately
listed  and  settled  as soon as  expeditiously  practicable  thereafter  by the
parties  or by another  independent  third  party  mutually  acceptable  to both
parties,  or if they are  unable to agree  then by the  Inventory  Service.  The
determination  of any third  party so engaged  shall be final and binding on the
parties.  No failure to resolve any such  matters  shall  prevent the Closing or
payment of the Purchase Price for the Assets.


                                       A-8


<PAGE>

This inventory  procedure may be used by Buyer to classify or itemize any of the
other Assets, except for the Proprietary Rights.

               (b) SOURCE CODE. In order to partially validate the functionality
of the source code, the versions of Seller's source code for producing  products
currently  in use shall be  partially  verified  prior the  Closing  at  Buyer's
facility in Hercules,  California, using the protocol outlined in Exhibit I. The
verification  shall be subject  to the  Confidentiality  Agreement  set forth in
Exhibit J.

         2.8 CLOSING COSTS; Transfer Taxes and Fees. Provided all computer codes
in the Proprietary  Rights are transferred to Seller by Buyer hereunder by means
of telephone lines or other electronic  transmission  mediums, such as satellite
or the internet,  Buyer shall be responsible  for any  documentary  and transfer
taxes and any sales,  use or other taxes  imposed by reason of the  transfers of
Assets provided hereunder and any deficiency,  interest or penalty asserted with
respect thereto,  Buyer shall also pay the fees and costs of recording or filing
all applicable conveyancing instruments described in Section 3.2(a). Buyer shall
pay all costs of applying for new Permits and obtaining the transfer of existing
Permits which may be lawfully transferred.

         2.9 SALE OF  EQUIPMENT  PRIOR TO  CLOSING.  At any time or from time to
time prior to  Closing,  Seller may sell any or all of the  equipment  listed on
Schedule 4.5 in accordance with the following procedures:

                    (i)  Seller  shall  notify  Buyer of the  equipment  that it
proposes to sell and the  aggregate  sales price that it  anticipates  receiving
therefor.

                    (ii) If Buyer consents to the sale,  which consent shall not
be unreasonably  withheld,  Seller may sell the equipment for an aggregate price
that is not less than 10% of the  aggregate  price  set  forth in the  notice of
Seller to Buyer regarding same.

                    (iii)  Following  any such sale of  equipment,  Seller shall
notify  Buyer  of the  consummation  of the  sale,  the  equipment  sold and the
proceeds received.

                    (iv)  Seller  shall hold all such  proceeds of sale in trust
for Buyer,  which  proceeds  shall be delivered to Buyer at the Closing,  or, at
Buyer's  election,  deducted  from the cash  Purchase  Price to be  delivered to
Seller at the Closing.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                     CLOSING

         3.1 CLOSING.  The Closing of the transactions  contemplated herein (the
"Closing")  shall be held at _____ a.m.  local time on the  Closing  Date at the
offices of Kramer,  Levin,  Naftalis & Frankel,  919 Third Avenue,  New York, NY
10022-3903, unless the parties hereto otherwise agree.


                                       A-9


<PAGE>

         3.2 CONVEYANCES AT CLOSING.

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

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

                    (ii) (Intentionally omitted)

                    (iii)  subject  to  Section  9.2,  Assignments  of  Contract
Rights,  each in the form of  Exhibit E  attached  hereto,  with  respect to the
Contract Rights;

                    (iv)  Assignments of Patents,  Copyrights and Trademarks and
other  Proprietary  Rights  (including an assignment of all of Seller's  rights,
title and interest to the name(s)  Protein  Databases,  PDI, and all  variations
thereof)  each in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit F, in recordable  form to
the extent necessary to assign such rights;

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

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

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

               (d)  CERTIFICATES;  OPINIONS.  Buyer and Seller shall deliver the
certificates,  opinions of counsel and other  matters  described in Articles VII
and VIII.

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


                                   ARTICLE IV

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

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


                                      A-10


<PAGE>

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

         4.2 SUBSIDIARIES.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.2, Seller does not
have any Subsidiaries which are used by Seller in the conduct of the Business or
which own any of the Assets.

         4.3  AUTHORIZATION.  Seller has all requisite power and authority,  and
has taken all corporate action necessary,  to execute and deliver this Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and  thereby  and to perform  its  obligations  hereunder  and  thereunder.  The
execution and delivery of this  Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreement by Seller
and the  consummation  by Seller of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and
thereby  have  been duly  approved  by the board of  directors,  except  for the
approval of its shareholders which will be obtained prior to Closing, by Seller.
No other corporate  proceedings on the part of Seller are necessary to authorize
this  Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed  and  delivered by
Seller and is, and upon  execution and delivery of the Ancillary  Agreement will
be, legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller enforceable against Seller in
accordance with their terms.

         4.4 NO ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the Interim Balance Sheet Date:

               (a) there has been no actual or threatened  adverse change in the
Assets or any event,  condition  or state of facts,  in either  case that is, or
would result in a material  adverse  change in the Assets or the Business or the
prospects for the Business; it being understood, however, that Seller has ceased
to develop or sell any of its products or to maintain  warranty  support for any
of its products, and has terminated all of its programming,  marketing, warranty
and financial personnel, effective June 1997; and,

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

               (c)  Seller   will  use  its  best   efforts  to   preserve   its
relationships with customers or suppliers having business relationships with it.

         4.5 ASSETS.  Excluding  the Leased Real  Property,  Seller has and will
transfer good and marketable  title to the Assets and upon the  consummation  of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  Buyer will acquire good and marketable
title to all of the  Assets,  free  and  clear of any  Encumbrances  placed  by,
through,  or under thereon by Seller.  The Assets include without limitation all
material  assets  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  the  Business  as  presently
conducted.  Schedule 4.5 contains accurate lists and summary descriptions of all
tangible Assets where the value of an


                                      A-11


<PAGE>

individual  item exceeds $1,000 or where an aggregate of similar items exceeds $
5,000.  All tangible  assets and properties  which are part of the Assets are in
good  operating  condition  and repair and are usable in the ordinary  course of
business  and conform in all  material  respects to all  applicable  Regulations
(including   Environmental  Laws)  relating  to  their  construction,   use  and
operation,  except when a failure to conform  would not have a material  adverse
effect on such asset or property.

         4.6 (Intentionally omitted)


         4.7 CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.

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

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

                    (ii)   Employment   contracts  and   severance   agreements,
including  without  limitation  Contracts  (A) to employ or terminate  executive
officers or other personnel and other contracts with present or former officers,
directors or  shareholders  of Seller or (B) that will result in the payment by,
or the  creation  of any  Liability  to pay on  behalf  of Buyer or  Seller  any
severance,  termination,  "golden  parachute," or other similar  payments to any
present or former personnel following  termination of employment or otherwise as
a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                    (iii) Labor or union contracts;

                    (iv) Distribution, franchise, license, technical assistance,
sales,  commission,  consulting,  agency or advertising contracts related to the
Assets or the Business;

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

                    (vi) Contracts involving future expenditures or Liabilities,
actual or potential,  in excess of $10,000 or otherwise material to the Business
or the Assets.

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

                    (viii)  Promissory  notes,  loans,  agreements,  indentures,
evidences of indebtedness,  letters of credit,  guarantees, or other instruments
relating  to an  obligation  to pay money,  individually  in excess of or in the
aggregate in excess of $10,000, whether Seller shall be the borrower,  lender or
guarantor  thereunder  or  whereby  any  Assets are  pledged  (excluding  credit
provided  by Seller in the  ordinary  course of business  to  purchasers  of its
products);

                    (ix) Contracts  containing covenants limiting the freedom of
Seller to engage in any line of business or compete with any person;


                                      A-12


<PAGE>

                    (x) Any  Contract  with the  United  States,  state or local
government  or any  agency  or  department  thereof  involving  expenditures  or
Liabilities in excess of $5,000;

                    (xi) Leases of real property;

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

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

               (b) ABSENCE OF DEFAULTS. All of the Contracts and Leases to which
Seller is party and by which any of the Assets is bound are valid,  binding  and
enforceable in accordance with their terms.  Seller has fulfilled,  or taken all
action  necessary  to  enable  it to  fulfill  when  due,  all of  its  material
obligations under each of such Contracts and Leases. To the knowledge of Seller,
after reasonable inquiry, all parties to such Contracts and Leases have complied
in all material  respects with the  provisions  thereof,  no party is in Default
thereunder and no notice of any claim of Default has been given to Seller.  With
respect to any Leases,  Seller has not  received any notice of  cancellation  or
termination  under any option or right reserved to the lessor,  or any notice of
Default, thereunder.

               (c) PRODUCT WARRANTY.  Seller has committed no act, and there has
been no omission, which is reasonably likely to result in, and there has been no
occurrence  which  is  reasonably  likely  to give  rise  to,  material  product
liability  or  material  Liability  for breach of warranty  (whether  covered by
insurance  or not) on the part of Seller,  with  respect to  products  designed,
manufactured,   assembled,  repaired,  maintained,  delivered  or  installed  or
services rendered prior to or on the Closing Date.

               (d) LEASES.  Schedule  4.7 also  contains a complete and accurate
list of all Leases described in clauses (xi) and (xii), of Section 4.7(a).

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


                                      A-13


<PAGE>

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


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

         4.10 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Seller has heretofore delivered to Buyer the
Financial  Statements.  The Financial  Statements (a) are in accordance with the
books and records of Seller, (b) have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  consistently  applied  throughout  the periods
covered  thereby,  except as  disclosed  herein,  and (c) fairly  present in all
material respects the consolidated assets,  Liabilities (including all reserves)
and  financial  position of Seller as of the  respective  dates  thereof and the
results of  operations  and  changes in cash  flows for the  periods  then ended
(subject,  in the case of the Interim Financial  Statements,  to normal year-end
adjustments, and except that the Interim Financial Statements do not contain the
footnotes  required  by  GAAP).  The  Year-End  Financial  Statements  have been
examined by Grant Thornton, LLP, independent certified public accountants, whose
report  thereon is included  with such  Year-End  Financial  Statements.  At the
respective dates of the Financial Statements, there were no material Liabilities
of Seller,  which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles,
should have been set forth or reserved for in the  Financial  Statements  or the
notes  thereto,  which  are not  set  forth  or  reserved  for in the  Financial
Statements or the notes thereto.

         4.11  BOOKS AND  RECORDS.  Seller  has made and kept (and  given  Buyer
access to) Books and Records and accounts,  which, in reasonable detail,  fairly
reflect  the  activities  of  Seller.  Seller has not  engaged  in any  material
transaction,  maintained any bank account or used any corporate funds except for
transactions,  bank  accounts and funds which have been and are reflected in the
normally maintained books and records of Seller.

         4.12  LITIGATION.  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  4.12,  or to the
knowledge of Seller,  after  diligent  inquiry and  consultation  with qualified
attorneys  or  other  necessary  professionals,  there  is  no  Action  pending,
threatened or anticipated (a) against,  related to or affecting (i) Seller,  the
Business or the Assets (including with respect to Environmental  Laws), (ii) any
officers or directors of Seller as such, or (iii) any  shareholder  of Seller in
such  shareholder's  capacity as a shareholder of Seller,  (b) seeking to delay,
limit or enjoin the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (c) that involve
the risk of criminal liability to Seller, or (d) in which Seller is a plaintiff,
including any derivative suits brought by or on behalf of Seller.  Seller is not
in Default  with  respect to or  subject  to any Court  Order,  and there are no
unsatisfied judgments against Seller, the Business or the Assets.


                                      A-14


<PAGE>

There is not a reasonable  likelihood of an adverse determination of any pending
Actions.  There  are no Court  Orders  or  agreements  with,  or liens  by,  any
governmental   authority   or   quasi-governmental   entity   relating   to  any
Environmental Law which regulate, obligate, or bind Seller.

         4.13 LABOR MATTERS.  Seller is not a party to any labor  agreement with
respect  to  its  employees  with  any  labor  organization,   union,  group  or
association  and there are no  employee  unions  or any other  similar  labor or
employee organizations under which the employees of Seller are organized.

         4.14  LIABILITIES.  Other  than  Excluded  Liabilities,  Seller  has no
Liabilities due or to become due, except (a) Liabilities  which are set forth or
reserved  for on the  Interim  Balance  Sheet,  which  have  not  been  paid  or
discharged since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, and (b) Liabilities  arising in
the  ordinary  course  of  business,  none  of  which,  individually  or in  the
aggregate,  has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the
Business or the Assets.

         4.15 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Seller and the conduct of the Business are in
compliance  in all  material  respects  with all  Regulations  and Court  Orders
relating to the Assets or the  Business.  Seller has not  received any notice to
the effect that, or otherwise  been advised  that, it is not in such  compliance
with any such Regulations or Court Orders.

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

         4.17 NO OTHER AGREEMENTS TO SELL THE ASSETS.  Neither Seller nor any of
its officers,  directors, or shareholders have any legal obligation to any other
person or firm other than the Buyer to sell,  assign,  transfer or effect a sale
of any of the Assets other than inventory in the ordinary course of business, to
sell or effect a sale of the  capital  stock of Seller,  to effect  any  merger,
consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or other reorganization of Seller, or to
enter into any agreement or cause the entering into of an agreement with respect
to any of the foregoing.

         4.18 PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.

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


                                      A-15


<PAGE>

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

               (c) OWNERSHIP AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY  RIGHTS.  Seller owns
or has a valid right to use each of the Proprietary  Rights, and the Proprietary
Rights will not cease to be valid  rights of Seller by reason of the  execution,
delivery and  performance  by Seller of this  Agreement or the  consummation  by
Seller  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  All of the  pending  Patent
applications  have  been duly  filed.  Seller  has not  received  any  notice of
invalidity or  infringement of any rights of others with respect to the Patents,
Copyrights or  Trademarks.  Seller has taken all reasonable and prudent steps to
protect the Proprietary Rights from infringement by any other person.  Except as
set forth in the Disclosure  Schedule,  no other person (i) has the right to use
any of Seller's  Trademarks on the goods on which they are now being used either
in  identical  form or in such near  resemblance  thereto as to be likely,  when
applied to the goods of any such person, to cause confusion with such Trademarks
or to cause a  mistake  or to  deceive,  (ii)  has  notified  Seller  that it is
claiming any ownership of or right to use such Proprietary  Rights,  or (iii) to
the best of Seller's  Knowledge,  is infringing upon any such Proprietary Rights
in any way. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,  Seller'S use of the
Proprietary  Rights does not conflict with,  infringe upon or otherwise  violate
the valid  rights of any third party in or to such  Proprietary  Rights,  and no
Action  has been  instituted  against  or notices  received  by Seller  that are
presently  outstanding  alleging  that  Seller'S use of the  Proprietary  Rights
infringes  upon or otherwise  violates any rights of a third party in or to such
Proprietary Rights.  There are not, and it is reasonably expected that after the
Closing there will not be, any restrictions on Seller's, or Buyer's, as the case
may be, right to sell products  manufactured by Seller or Buyer, as the case may
be, in connection with the Business.

         4.19 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

               (a) Buyer is not  under  any  obligation  for any  pension  plan,
welfare plan, or Benefit  Arrangement as defined  below.  Seller shall be solely
responsible for all such obligations and liabilities.

                    (i) BENEFIT  ARRANGEMENT.  "Benefit  Arrangement" shall mean
any employment,  consulting, severance or other similar contract, arrangement or
policy and each plan,  arrangement  (written  or oral),  program,  agreement  or
commitment  providing for insurance  coverage  (including without limitation any
self-insured   arrangements),   workers'   compensation,   disability  benefits,
supplemental  unemployment  benefits,  vacation benefits,  retirement  benefits,
life, health,  disability or accident benefits (including without limitation any
"voluntary employees'  beneficiary  association" as defined in Section 501(c)(9)
of the  Code  providing  for  the  same  or  other  benefits)  or  for  deferred
compensation,  profit-sharing bonuses, stock options, stock appreciation rights,
stock  purchases or other forms of  incentive  compensation  or  post-retirement
insurance, compensation or benefits.


                                      A-16


<PAGE>

         4.20 TAX MATTERS.

               (a)  FILING OF TAX  RETURNS.  Seller  has  timely  filed with the
appropriate  taxing  authorities  all returns in respect of Taxes required to be
filed through the date hereof and will timely file any such returns  required to
be filed on or prior to the Closing  Date.  The  returns  and other  information
filed are complete and accurate in all material respects. Except as specified in
Schedule  4.21,  neither  Seller,  nor any  group of which  Seller  now or was a
member,  has  requested  any  extension  of time  within  which to file  returns
(including without limitation information returns) in respect of any taxes.

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

               (c) AUDITS,  INVESTIGATIONS OR CLAIMS.  The consolidated  federal
income tax returns of Seller have never been  examined by the  Internal  Revenue
Service. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, there are no pending or
to the best of Seller's Knowledge,  threatened audits,  investigations or claims
for or relating to any material  additional  Liability in respect of Taxes,  and
there are no matters under  discussion with any  governmental  authorities  with
respect to Taxes that in the reasonable  judgment of Seller, or its accountants,
is likely to result in a material additional  Liability for Taxes. Except as set
forth in the Disclosure  Schedule,  Seller has not been notified that any taxing
authority intends to audit a return for any period.

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

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

               (f)  SECURITY  FOR  TAX-EXEMPT  OBLIGATIONS.  None of the  Assets
directly  or  indirectly  secures any debt the  interest on which is  tax-exempt
under Section 103(a) of the Code.

               (g)  TAX-EXEMPT  USE PROPERTY.  None of the Assets is "tax-exempt
use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code.

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

         4.21 INSURANCE.  Schedule 4.22 contains a complete and accurate list of
all  policies  or  binders of fire,  liability,  title,  worker's  compensation,
product  liability  and other  forms of  insurance  maintained  by Seller on the
Business,  the Assets or its employee Assets. All insurance coverage  applicable
to Seller,  the  Business  and the Assets is in full force and  effect,  insures
Seller in reasonably  sufficient  amounts  against all risks with respect to the
Assets  usually  insured  against by persons  operating  similar  businesses  or
properties of similar size in the localities where such


                                      A-17


<PAGE>

businesses or properties  are located,  provides  coverage as may be required by
applicable  Regulation  and by any and all  Contracts to which Seller is a party
and has been  issued  by  insurers  of  recognized  responsibility.  There is no
Default under any such coverage nor has there been any failure to give notice or
present any claim under any such coverage in a due and timely fashion. There are
no outstanding  unpaid premiums except in the ordinary course of business and no
notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of any such coverage has been received.

         4.22 (Intentionally omitted)

         4.23 INVENTORY. Schedule 4.23 contains a complete list of all Inventory
set forth on the Interim Balance Sheet.

         4.24 PURCHASE  COMMITMENTS AND OUTSTANDING BIDS. As of the date of this
Agreement,  the aggregate of all accepted and unfulfilled orders for the sale of
merchandise  entered into by Seller is less than  $10,000,  and the aggregate of
all orders or commitments for the purchase of supplies by Seller does not exceed
$10,000, all of which orders and commitments were made in the ordinary course of
business.  As of the date of this Agreement,  there are no claims against Seller
to return merchandise by reason of alleged overshipments,  defective merchandise
or otherwise, or of merchandise in the hands of customers under an understanding
that  such  merchandise  would  be  returnable.  There  is no  outstanding  bid,
proposal,  Contract or unfilled  order which relates to the Assets which will or
would,  if accepted,  have a material  adverse  effect,  individually  or in the
aggregate, on the Business or the Assets.

         4.25 CUSTOMERS,  DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS. Schedule 4.25 sets forth a
complete  and  accurate  list of the names and  addresses  of  Seller's  (i) ten
largest customers, distributors and other agents and representatives showing the
approximate  total sales in dollars by Seller to each such customer during 1996;
and (ii) ten  largest  suppliers  showing the  approximate  total  purchases  in
dollars by Seller from each such supplier during the 1996 fiscal year. Since the
Interim  Balance  Sheet Date,  there has been no adverse  change in the business
relationship  of Seller with any  customer,  distributor  or  supplier  named on
Schedule 4.25.

         4.26 COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

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

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

                    (ii)  "HAZARDOUS   SUBSTANCE"  shall  mean  any  pollutants,
contaminants,   chemicals,  waste  and  any  toxic,  infectious,   carcinogenic,
reactive,  corrosive,  ignitible or flammable  chemical or chemical  compound or
hazardous substance,  material or waste, whether solid, liquid or gas, including
without  limitation  any  quantity of asbestos in any form,  urea  formaldehyde,
PCB's, radon gas, crude oil or any fraction thereof, all forms of natural gas,


                                      A-18


<PAGE>

petroleum products or by-products or derivatives,  radioactive substance,  waste
waters, sludges, slag and any other substance, material or waste that is subject
to regulation, control or remediation under any Environmental Laws.

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

                    (iv) "ENVIRONMENTAL  CONDITIONS" means the introduction into
the environment of any pollution,  including without limitation any contaminant,
irritant or  pollutant  or other  Hazardous  Substance  (whether or not upon any
Facility or Former  Facility or other property and whether or not such pollution
constituted at the time thereof a violation of any Environmental Law as a result
of any Release of any kind whatsoever of any Hazardous Substance) as a result of
which  Seller has or may  become  liable to any person or by reason of which any
Facility, former facility or any of the Assets may suffer or be subjected to any
lien.

               (b)  FACILITIES.  The Facilities are, and at all times have been,
when leased or  operated by Seller,  leased and  operated in  compliance  in all
material respects with all Environmental Laws and in a manner that will not give
rise to any Liability under any Environmental Laws.

               (c) ENVIRONMENTAL  CONDITIONS. To the best of Seller's knowledge,
after reasonable inquiry, there are no present or past Environmental  Conditions
in any way relating to the Business or at any Facility.

         4.27 (Intentionally omitted)


                                    ARTICLE V

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

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


                                      A-19


<PAGE>

         5.1  ORGANIZATION  OF BUYER.  Buyer is a  corporation  duly  organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

         5.2  AUTHORIZATION.   Buyer  has  all  requisite  corporate  power  and
authority,  and has taken all corporate action necessary, to execute and deliver
this  Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreements,  to consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby and to perform its  obligations  hereunder  and
thereunder.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement  and the  Ancillary
Agreement  by  Buyer  and  the   consummation  by  Buyer  of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby  and  thereby  have  been  duly  approved  by the  board of
directors  of Buyer.  No other  corporate  proceedings  on the part of Buyer are
necessary  to authorize  this  Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreement  and the
transactions  contemplated  hereby and  thereby.  This  Agreement  has been duly
executed  and  delivered  by Buyer and is, and upon  execution  and delivery the
Ancillary  Agreement  will be, legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective terms.

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

         5.4 NO  CONFLICT  OR  VIOLATION.  Neither  the  execution,  delivery or
performance  by Buyer of this  Agreement  nor the  consummation  by Buyer of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  nor  compliance  by  Buyer  with any of the
provisions  hereof,  will (a)  violate or  conflict  with any  provision  of the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer, or (b) violate,  conflict with,
constitute a Default or result in the  acceleration  or termination of rights or
creation of any Encumbrance under the provisions of any Contract, lease, Permit,
Regulation or Court Order to which Buyer is subject or by which it or its assets
are bound,  in each case except as would not  materially  and adversely  affect,
limit or delay the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement.

         5.5 LITIGATION.  To the knowledge of Buyer,  after diligent inquiry and
consultation with qualified attorneys or other necessary professionals, there is
no Action pending,  threatened or anticipated  against,  related to or affecting
(i)  Buyer,  (ii) any  officers  or  directors  of Buyer as such,  or (iii)  any
shareholder of Buyer in such  shareholder's  capacity as a shareholder of Buyer,
in each case except as would not materially and adversely affect, limit or delay
the  ability  of Buyer  to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

         5.6 PURCHASE PRICE IN CASH.  Buyer has on hand and will have at Closing
in cash one million  dollars  ($1,000,000)  for the full amount of the  Purchase
Price.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                          COVENANTS OF SELLER AND BUYER

               Seller and Buyer each covenant with the other as follows:


                                      A-20


<PAGE>

         6.1 FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
contained herein,  the parties agree, both before and after the Closing,  (i) to
use all reasonable  efforts  without the expenditure of material funds, to take,
or cause to be taken,  all  actions  and to do, or cause to be done,  all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement,  (ii) to execute any documents,  instruments or
conveyances of any kind which may be reasonably  necessary or advisable to carry
out any of the transactions  contemplated hereunder, and (iii) to cooperate with
each other in connection with the foregoing. Without limiting the foregoing, the
parties agree to use their  respective  best efforts (A) to obtain all necessary
waivers,  consents and approvals  from other parties to the Contracts and Leases
to be assumed by Buyer; provided, however that neither Seller nor Buyer shall be
required to make any payments,  commence litigation or agree to modifications of
the terms  thereof in order to obtain any such  waivers,  consents or approvals;
and (B) to obtain all necessary Permits as are required to be obtained under any
Regulations.

         6.2 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN  MATTERS.  From the date hereof through the
Closing,  Seller  and Buyer  shall  give  prompt  notice to the other of (a) the
occurrence,  or failure to occur, of any event which occurrence or failure would
be likely to cause any  representation  or warranty  of Seller or Buyer,  as the
case may be, contained in this Agreement or in any exhibit or schedule hereto to
be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect.

         6.3 INVESTIGATION BY BUYER.

             From the date hereof through the Closing Date:

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

               6.4  Conduct  of  Business.  From the  date  hereof  through  the
Closing, Seller shall not, except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement
or as consented to by Buyer in writing:

               (a)        (Intentionally omitted)

               (a) enter into, extend, materially modify, terminate or renew any
Contract  related to the Business or Assets being  required by Buyer,  except in
the ordinary course of business;

               (b) sell, assign,  transfer,  convey, lease, mortgage,  pledge or
otherwise  dispose of or encumber any of the Assets,  or any interests  therein,
except in the ordinary course of business; 

                    (i) (Intentionally omitted)

               (c)  acquire  by  merger  or  consolidation  with,  or  merge  or
consolidate  with, or purchase  substantially all of the assets of, or otherwise
acquire any material assets or


                                      A-21


<PAGE>

business  of  any  corporation,   partnership,  association  or  other  business
organization or division thereof;

               (d) (Intentionally omitted);

               (e)  fail to pay its  accounts  payable  and  any  debts  owed or
obligations  due to it, or pay or  discharge  when due any  Liabilities,  in the
ordinary course of business; or

               (f) fail to maintain the Assets in  substantially  their  current
state of repair, excepting normal wear and tear;

               (g) fail to comply in any material  respect with all  Regulations
applicable to it, the Assets and the Business;

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

               (i) fail to use its best  efforts to preserve the goodwill of the
Business  and the  favorable  attitude of the  Company's  customers  towards the
Company's Business and products,  it being understood,  however, that Seller has
ceased to develop or sell any of its  products or to maintain  warranty  support
for any of its products,  and has terminated all of its programming,  marketing,
warranty and financial personnel, effective June 1997; or

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

         6.5 EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

               (a) Buyer shall extend  offers of employment to those of Seller's
employees  whom it desires to hire (such  employees who accept Buyer's offer are
hereinafter  referred to as the "Rehired  Employees"),  which offers shall be on
terms and conditions which Buyer shall determine in its sole discretion.  Seller
shall terminate the employment of all Rehired Employees prior to the Closing and
shall  cooperate with and use its best efforts to assist Buyer in its efforts to
secure  satisfactory  employment  arrangements with those employees of Seller to
whom Buyer makes offers of employment.

               (b) Nothing  contained  in this  Agreement  shall confer upon any
Rehired  Employee any right with respect to  continuance of employment by Buyer,
nor shall  anything  herein  interfere  with the right of Buyer to terminate the
employment of any of the Rehired  Employees at any time,  with or without cause,
or  restrict  Buyer in the  exercise  of its  independent  business  judgment in
modifying  any of the terms and  conditions  of the  employment  of the  Rehired
Employees.

               (c)  Seller  shall not,  directly  or  indirectly,  hire or offer
employment  to any  employee of Seller  whose  employment  is continued by Buyer
after the Closing Date or any employee of Buyer or any successor or affiliate of
Buyer  which is engaged in the  Business,  unless  Buyer  first  terminates  the
employment of such employee or gives its written  consent to such  employment or
offer of employment.


                                      A-22


<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                       CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS

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

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

         7.2  CONSENTS;   REGULATORY  COMPLIANCE  AND  APPROVAL.  All  consents,
approvals and waivers from governmental  authorities and other parties necessary
to permit  Seller to transfer the Assets to Buyer as  contemplated  hereby shall
have been obtained.

         7.3 NO ACTIONS OR COURT ORDERS. No Action by any governmental authority
or other person shall have been  instituted  or threatened  which  questions the
validity  or legality of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and which could
reasonably be expected to damage Seller if the transactions  contemplated hereby
are consummated.

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

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

               (b)  CORPORATE  POWER  AND  AUTHORITY.  Buyer  has the  necessary
corporate  power and  authority to enter into this  Agreement  and the Ancillary
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

               (c) CORPORATE ACTION AND ENFORCEABILITY.  The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreement by Buyer have been
duly authorized by all necessary  corporate  action of Buyer, and this Agreement
and the Ancillary  Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by Buyer, and
with appropriate and customary exceptions,  constitute legally valid and binding
obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their terms.

               (d) NO BREACH OF CONTRACTS. Neither the execution and delivery of
this  Agreement or the  Ancillary  Agreements by Buyer nor the  consummation  by
Buyer of the transactions


                                      A-23


<PAGE>

contemplated hereby or thereby will (i) violate the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Buyer,  or (ii) to the best  knowledge  of such  counsel,  violate any
Court Order applicable to Buyer; and

               (e) NO VIOLATION OF LAW. Neither the execution and performance of
this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation by Buyer
of the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby will violate or result in a
failure to comply with any Regulation or Court Order, applicable to Buyer.

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

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

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

         7.8 ANCILLARY  AGREEMENTS.  Buyer shall have executed and delivered the
Ancillary Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                        CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS

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

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

         8.2  CONSENTS;   REGULATORY  COMPLIANCE  AND  APPROVAL.   All  Permits,
consents,  approvals and waivers from governmental  authorities,  or pursuant to
the Contract Rights, and other parties necessary to permit Buyer to purchase the
Assets  pursuant to this  Agreement,  shall have been  obtained.  Buyer shall be
reasonably  satisfied that all approvals required under any Regulations to carry
out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained and
that the parties  shall have  complied  with all  Regulations  applicable to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


                                      A-24


<PAGE>

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

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

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

               (b)  CORPORATE  POWER AND  AUTHORITY.  Seller  has the  necessary
corporate  power and  authority to enter into this  Agreement  and the Ancillary
Agreement and to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby;
and Seller has all material  Permits,  licenses,  franchises and other authority
required under federal and  applicable  state law to conduct the Business as not
being conducted,  and Seller has the necessary  corporate power and authority to
own,  lease and operate the Assets and its other  properties  and to conduct the
Business as presently conducted;

               (c) CORPORATE ACTION AND ENFORCEABILITY.  The execution, delivery
and  performance  of this  Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreement by Seller have
been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  action of Seller,  and this
Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreement  have been duly executed and delivered by
Seller,  and any approval of the  stockholders  of Seller which is required have
been obtained, and with appropriate and customary exceptions, this Agreement and
each Ancillary  Agreement  constitute  legally valid and binding  obligations of
Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms.

               (d) NO BREACH OF CONTRACTS. Neither the execution and delivery of
this  Agreement or the  Ancillary  Agreement by Seller nor the  consummation  by
Seller of the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby will (i) violate the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Seller,  or (ii) to the best knowledge of
such counsel, violate any Court Order applicable to Seller;

               (e) NO VIOLATION OF LAW. Neither the execution and performance of
this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Seller nor the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated hereby or thereby will violate or result in a failure
to comply with any Regulation or Court Order, applicable to the Business; and no
Permit of, or filing with, any federal,  New York State,  or Delaware  Corporate
Law  governmental  authority is required for the  execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the Ancillary  Agreement by Seller or the consummation by Seller of
the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  except as set forth in this
Agreement,  the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the  exhibits  hereto  or the  Ancillary
Agreement;


                                      A-25


<PAGE>

               (f) TRANSFER  AND  ASSIGNMENT.  The  documents to be delivered by
Seller at the  Closing to effect the  transfer  and  assignment  to Buyer of all
right, title and interest in and to the Assets are in form legally sufficient to
do so.

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

         8.6 MATERIAL CHANGES. Since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, there shall
not have been any  material  adverse  change with respect to the Business or the
Assets, except as contemplated by this Agreement.

         8.7  CORPORATE  DOCUMENTS.   Buyer  shall  have  received  from  Seller
resolutions adopted by the board of directors of Seller approving this Agreement
and  the  Ancillary  Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and
thereby, certified by Seller's corporate secretary, as applicable.

         8.8 CONVEYANCING DOCUMENTS; RELEASE OF ENCUMBRANCES.  Seller shall have
executed and delivered  each of documents  described in Section 3.2 hereof so as
to effect the transfer and assignment to Buyer of all right,  title and interest
in and to the Assets and Seller shall have filed (where necessary) and delivered
to Buyer all  documents  necessary to release the Assets from all  Encumbrances,
which documents shall be in a form reasonably  satisfactory to Buyer's  counsel.
Seller  shall have  obtained,  prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement,  the
consent required to assign to Buyer all rights,  title and interest of Seller in
the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory  Exclusive  Know-How License dated December 1,
1983, including any amendments thereto.

         8.9 NAME  CHANGE.  Seller shall have filed an amendment to its Articles
of  Incorporation  to change its  corporate  name so as not to include the words
"Protein  Databases  or PDI" or any  other  name or mark  that  has  such a near
resemblance  thereto  as may be  likely to cause  confusion  or  mistake  to the
public,  or to otherwise  deceive the public.  Such amendment shall be in a form
acceptable  for filing with the  Secretary  or other  appropriate  office of the
State of Delaware.

         8.10 OTHER  AGREEMENTS  AND  ACTIONS.  Seller  shall have  executed and
delivered  the Ancillary  Agreements in the form attached as an exhibit  hereto.
Buyer shall have entered into  employment  agreement  with Mr. John Randall,  as
attached  hereto,  on such terms as may be mutually  agreeable to Buyer and such
parties and such employment  agreements  shall be in full force and effect as of
the  Closing.  Mr.  John  Randall  shall be in the employ of Buyer  prior to the
execution of this Agreement and shall not have  terminated  such employment with
Buyer  as of the  Closing  date  other  than on  account  of the  breach  of his
Employment Agreement by Buyer.


         8.12 (Intentionally omitted)


                                   ARTICLE IX

                      RISK OF LOSS; CONSENTS TO ASSIGNMENT


                                      A-26


<PAGE>

         9.1 RISK OF LOSS.  From the date hereof until the Closing,  all risk of
loss or damage to the property  included in the Assets shall be borne by Seller,
and  thereafter  shall  be borne by  Buyer.  If any  portion  of the  Assets  is
destroyed or damaged by fire or any other cause on or prior to the Closing Date,
other than use,  wear or loss in the ordinary  course of business,  Seller shall
give  written  notice to Buyer as soon as  practicable  after,  but in any event
within five (5) calendar days of,  discovery of such damage or destruction,  the
amount of insurance,  if any, covering such Assets and the amount, if any, which
Seller is otherwise entitled to receive as a consequence.  Prior to the Closing,
Buyer  shall have the  option,  which shall be  exercised  by written  notice to
Seller  within ten (10)  calendar  days after  receipt of Seller's  notice or if
there is not ten  (10)  calendar  days  prior to the  Closing  Date,  as soon as
practicable  prior to the Closing Date,  of (a)  accepting  such Assets in their
destroyed  or damaged  condition  in which  event Buyer shall be entitled to the
proceeds of any  insurance or other  proceeds  payable with respect to such loss
and to such  indemnification  for any uninsured portion of such loss pursuant to
Section  10.3,  and the full Purchase  Price shall be paid for such Assets,  (b)
excluding  such Assets from this  Agreement,  in which event the Purchase  Price
shall be reduced by the amount  allocated  to such  Assets,  as mutually  agreed
between the parties or (c) terminating this Agreement in accordance with Section
11.1.  If Buyer  accepts such Assets,  then after the Closing,  any insurance or
other  proceeds  shall  belong,  and shall be  assigned  to,  Buyer  without any
reduction in the Purchase Price; otherwise, such insurance proceeds shall belong
to Seller.

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


                                    ARTICLE X

                           ACTIONS BY SELLER AND BUYER
                                AFTER THE CLOSING

         10.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS; TAX MATTERS.

               (a) BOOKS AND RECORDS.  Each party agrees that it will  cooperate
with and make available to the other party, during normal business hours, and on
reasonable  notice,  all Books and Records,  information and employees  (without
substantial  disruption of employment) retained and remaining in existence after
the Closing which are necessary or useful in connection  with the preparation of
any tax  returns  or any tax  inquiry,  audit,  investigation  or  dispute,  any
litigation  or  investigation  or any other matter  requiring any such Books and
Records, information or employees


                                      A-27


<PAGE>

for any reasonable  business  purpose.  The party  requesting any such Books and
Records,  information or employees shall bear all of the out-of-pocket costs and
expenses   (including   without   limitation   attorneys'  fees,  but  excluding
reimbursement  for  salaries  and  employee  benefits)  reasonably  incurred  in
connection with providing such Books and Records, information or employees.

               (b) COOPERATION AND RECORDS RETENTION. Seller and Buyer shall (i)
each provide the other with such  assistance  as may  reasonably be requested by
any of them in connection  with the  preparation of any return,  audit, or other
examination by any taxing  authority or judicial or  administrative  proceedings
relating to Liability for Taxes, (ii) each retain and provide the other with any
records or other  information  that may be  relevant  to such  return,  audit or
examination,  proceeding or determination, and (iii) each provide the other with
any  final  determination  of any such  audit  or  examination,  proceeding,  or
determination  that affects any amount required to be shown on any tax return of
the other for any period.

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

         10.2  SURVIVAL OF  REPRESENTATIONS,  ETC.  All of the  representations,
warranties,  covenants and agreements made by each party in this Agreement or in
any attachment, Exhibit, the Disclosure Schedule, certificate,  document or list
delivered  by any such party  pursuant  hereto  shall  survive the Closing for a
period  of (and  claims  based  upon  or  arising  out of such  representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements may be asserted at any time before the date
which shall be) eleven months following the Closing.  Each party hereto shall be
entitled to rely upon the  representations and warranties of the other party set
forth in this  Agreement.  Buyer's  due  diligence  review  shall have no effect
whatsoever on the liability of Seller to Buyer under this Agreement or otherwise
for breach of any representation,  warranty or covenant of Seller hereunder. The
termination  of the  representations  and warranties  provided  herein shall not
affect  the  rights of a party in  respect  of any Claim made by such party in a
writing  received by the other party prior to the  expiration of the  applicable
survival period provided herein.

         10.3 INDEMNIFICATIONS.

               (a) BY SELLER.  Seller shall  indemnify,  save and hold  harmless
Buyer,   its  affiliates  and   subsidiaries,   and  its  and  their  respective
Representatives, from and against any and all costs, losses, Taxes, Liabilities,
obligations,  damages,  lawsuits,  deficiencies,  claims,  demands, and expenses
(whether or not arising out of third-party claims), including without limitation
interest,  penalties,  reasonable costs of mitigation, losses in connection with
any  Environmental  Law (including  without  limitation any clean-up or remedial
action),   lost  profits  and  other  losses  resulting  from  any  shutdown  or
curtailment of operations,  damages to the environment,  attorneys' fees and all
amounts paid in  investigation,  defense or  settlement  of any of the foregoing
(herein, "Damages"),  actually suffered by Buyer as a result of (i) any material
breach  of  any   representation   or   warranty  or  the   inaccuracy   of  any
representation,  made by Seller in or pursuant to this  Agreement  that directly
results in a material  diminution in value of the Assets or Business  Agreement;
(ii) any  material  breach of any  covenant  or  agreement  made by Seller in or
pursuant to this  Agreement  that directly  results in a material  diminution in
value of the Assets or Business; (iii) any material Excluded Liability or (iv)


                                      A-28


<PAGE>

any  Liability  imposed upon Buyer by reason of Buyer's  status as transferee of
the  Business  or the  Assets;  provided,  however,  that  Seller  shall  not be
responsible  to Buyer under this Section 10.3 (a) unless the  aggregate  Damages
are $14,500, and in the event that such Damages exceed $14,500,  Seller shall be
responsible for all Damages.

               (b) BY BUYER.  Buyer shall  indemnify  and save and hold harmless
Seller from and against any and all Damages incurred in connection with, arising
out of,  resulting from or incident to (i) any breach of any  representation  or
warranty or the inaccuracy of any  representation,  made by Buyer in or pursuant
to this Agreement; (ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement made by Buyer in
or pursuant to this Agreement;  or (iii) from and after the Closing, any Assumed
Liability.

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

               (d)  DEFENSE OF CLAIMS.  If a claim for Damages (a "Claim") is to
be  made  by  a  party  entitled  to   indemnification   hereunder  against  the
indemnifying party, the party claiming such  indemnification  shall give written
notice (a "Claim Notice") to the indemnifying party as soon as practicable after
the party entitled to  indemnification  becomes aware of any fact,  condition or
event  which may give rise to Damages  for which  indemnification  may be sought
under this Section 10.3. If any lawsuit or  enforcement  action is filed against
any party entitled to the benefit of indemnity hereunder, written notice thereof
shall be given to the indemnifying  party as promptly as practicable (and in any
event  within  fifteen (15)  calendar  days after the service of the citation or
summons).  The failure of any indemnified  party to give timely notice hereunder
shall not affect rights to indemnification hereunder,  except to the extent that
the indemnifying party demonstrates actual damage caused by such failure.  After
such notice,  the indemnified party shall be entitled,  if it so elects,  (i) to
take control of the defense and investigation of such lawsuit or action, (ii) to
employ  and engage  attorneys  of its own choice  reasonably  acceptable  to the
indemnifying  party to handle and defend the same,  and (iii) to  compromise  or
settle such claim,  which  compromise or settlement  shall be made only with the
written consent of the indemnifying  party,  such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.  In the event that the indemnified party has not elected to
assume the defense  and  investigation  of any lawsuit or action  within 30 days
after the  service of the  citation  or  summons,  then at any time  thereafter,
unless the  indemnified  party shall have previously  assumed such defense,  the
indemnifying   party   shall  have  the  right  to  assume   such   defense  and
investigation, in which case the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for
any  costs  and  expenses  of  the  indemnified  party  thereafter  incurred  in
connection with the defense or investigation  of such lawsuit or action.  If the
indemnifying  party  shall  assume  the  defense of any  lawsuit or action,  the
indemnifying  party shall not settle or compromise such lawsuit or action except
in such manner as will  provide a full and complete  release of the  indemnified
party. The  indemnifying  party shall be liable for any settlement of any action
effected  pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 10.3 and for any final
judgment (subject to any right of appeal),  and the indemnifying party agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless an indemnified party from and against any Damages by
reason of such settlement or judgment.


                                      A-29


<PAGE>

               (e) (Intentionally omitted)

               (f) (Intentionally omitted)

               (g)  BROKERS AND  FINDERS.  Pursuant  to the  provisions  of this
Section 10.3, each of Buyer and Seller shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend
the other party from the payment of any and all broker's and finder's  expenses,
commissions,  fees or other  forms of  compensation  which may be due or payable
from or by the  indemnifying  party,  or may have been earned by any third party
acting on behalf of the  indemnifying  party in connection  with the negotiation
and  execution  hereof and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.

               10.4 BULK SALES. It may not be practicable to comply or attempt
to comply with the  procedures  of the "Bulk Sales Act" or similar law of any or
all of the states in which the Assets are  situated  or of any other state which
may be  asserted  to be  applicable  to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.
Accordingly,  to induce Buyer to waive any  requirements for compliance with any
or all of such laws,  Seller  hereby  agrees that the  indemnity  provisions  of
Section  10.3  hereof  shall  apply to any  Damages of Buyer  arising  out of or
resulting from the failure of Seller or Buyer to comply with any such laws.

               10.5 TAXES. Except for sales taxes on the Purchased Assets,
subject to Section  2.8,  Seller  shall pay,  or cause to be paid,  when due all
Taxes for which  Seller  is or may be liable or that are or may  become  payable
with respect to all taxable periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date.

               10.6 NAME.  Seller  hereby  grants to Buyer,  effective as of the
Closing  Date,  the right for a period  of six  months to use the name  "Protein
Databases,  Inc., or PDI" on stationery,  invoices,  and the like, pursuant to a
non-exclusive,  royalty free license in favor of Seller in  connection  with the
winding up of the Business and the liquidation of Seller.


               10.7  HOLDBACK.  Buyer  and  Seller  shall  enter  into an Escrow
Indemnification Agreement, by and among Buyer, Seller and the Escrow Agent named
therein,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit K attached  hereto.  The parties
agree and acknowledge  that the Holdback  Amount shall not be Buyer's  exclusive
method of receiving indemnification from Seller pursuant to this Article X.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1 TERMINATION.

               (a)  TERMINATION.  This  Agreement  may be terminated at any time
prior to Closing:
                               
                    (i) By mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller;


                                      A-30


<PAGE>

                    (ii) By  Buyer  or  Seller  if the  Closing  shall  not have
occurred on or before December 31, 1997;  provided however,  that this provision
shall not be  available  to Buyer if  Seller  has the  right to  terminate  this
Agreement  under clause (iv) of this Section 11.1, and this provision  shall not
be available to Seller if Buyer has the right to terminate this Agreement  under
clause (iii) of this Section 11.1, in each case because of a material  breach by
the other party;

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

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

               (b) IN THE EVENT OF  TERMINATION.  In the event of termination of
this Agreement:

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

         11.2  ASSIGNMENT.  Neither  this  Agreement  nor any of the  rights  or
obligations  hereunder  may be assigned by any party  without the prior  written
consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing,  this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors  and  permitted  assigns,  and no other  person shall have any right,
benefit or  obligation  under this  Agreement  as a third party  beneficiary  or
otherwise.

         11.3 NOTICES;  TRANSFER OF FUNDS.  All notices,  requests,  demands and
other  communications  which are  required or may be given under this  Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when received if
personally delivered; when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy, electronic or
digital  transmission  method;  the day  after it is sent,  if sent for next day
delivery to a domestic address by recognized  overnight  delivery service (e.g.,
Federal  Express);  and upon receipt,  if sent by certified or registered  mail,
return receipt requested. In each case notice shall be sent to:


                                      A-31


<PAGE>

                     If to Seller, addressed to:

                               Protein Databases, Inc.
                               405 Oakwood Road
                               Huntington Station
                               New York, NY  11746-7296

                               Attention:  Steven Blose

                               With a copy to:

                               Peter S. Kolevzon, Esq.
                               Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel
                               919 Third Avenue
                               New York, NY  10022-3903

                     If to Buyer, addressed to:

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

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

               Payments  to be made to  Seller  hereunder  shall be made by wire
transferred funds to be delivered to Seller's account number 411-006490, routing
number 021000018,  at The Bank of New York, 501 Walt Whitman Road, Melville,  NY
11747,  or to such other  account or place as Seller  may  designate  by written
notice as provided herein.

         11.4 CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement shall be construed,  interpreted and
the rights of the parties determined in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York  applicable to contracts made and to be performed  entirely within such
state.

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


                                      A-32


<PAGE>

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

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

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

         11.9 PUBLICITY. Except as may be required by applicable Securities Law,
neither  Buyer nor  Seller  shall  issue any press  release  or make any  public
statement regarding the transactions  contemplated hereby, without prior written
approval of the other party, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. Buyer and Seller may, at their discretion, issue or make an appropriate
press release or public announcement after the Closing.

         11.10  CUMULATIVE  REMEDIES.  All rights and  remedies of either  party
hereto are  cumulative  of each other and of every  other  right or remedy  such
party may  otherwise  have at law or in equity,  and the exercise of one or more
rights or remedies  shall not  prejudice or impair the  concurrent or subsequent
exercise of other rights or remedies.

         11.11 SERVICE OF PROCESS, CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

               (a) SERVICE OF PROCESS. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to
the service of any process,  pleading, notices or other papers by the mailing of
copies thereof by registered, certified or first class mail, postage prepaid, to
such party at such  party's  address set forth  herein,  or by any other  method
provided or permitted under New York law.

               (b) CONSENT AND JURISDICTION.  Each party hereto  irrevocably and
unconditionally  (1)  agrees  that any suit,  action or other  legal  proceeding
arising out of this Agreement may be brought in the United States District Court
for the  District in which  Seller is  currently  located;  (2)  consents to the
jurisdiction or any such court in any such suit,  action or proceeding;  and (3)
waives any objection  which it may have to the laying of venue of any such suit,
action or proceeding in any such court.


                                      A-33


<PAGE>

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


BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.



By    /s/ Sanford Wadler
  --------------------------------------------
      Name: Sanford Wadler
      Its   Vice President and General Counsel



PROTEIN DATABASES, INC.



By    /s/ Stephen H. Blose
  --------------------------------------------
      Name: Stephen H. Blose
      Its   President and Chief Executive Officer


                                      A-34



                                                                         NEWS
                                                                         RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            CONTACT:    RONALD R. HAHN
                                                             PRESIDENT AND C.E.O


         Huntington,  New York,  October 22, 1997. . . Protein  Databases,  Inc.
(OTC: PDBQ), a Delaware corporation,  announced today that its stockholders have
approved the Plan of Complete  Liquidation and  Dissolution of the Company,  the
Asset Purchase Agreement,  dated as of July 16, 1997, by and between the Company
and Bio-Rad Laboratories,  Inc. (AMEX: BIO.A and BIO.B) of Hercules, California,
a Delaware corporation,  to sell substantially all of its assets,  including its
intellectual  property,  for $1 million in cash, and a change in the name of the
Company to "IDP Liquidating Corp.," at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on
October 22, 1997.  

         Protein  Databases,  Inc.  has  been  engaged  in the  development  and
marketing of intelligent  scanning  densitometers  and low level light detection
systems that fully  integrate the Company's  proprietary  software with computer
hardware and  instrumentation.  These systems have been sold to the life science
research  laboratories  at  university,   government,  hospital  and  industrial
(biotech and pharmaceutical)  institutions, in the United States and abroad, for
the analysis of  biological  information.  Since June 30, 1997,  the Company has
ceased  all of its sales and  distribution,  product  development  and  customer
support activities.


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