BIOCIRCUITS CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-14
IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES
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<PAGE>


                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                           
                                      FORM 10-Q

       X      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      ---     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 
              1997 OR
    
              TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
      ---     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM 
              ______ TO _____.
    
                           COMMISSION FILE NUMBER  0-19975
                                           
                               BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                            
            DELAWARE                                             94-3088884
   (State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                          Identification No.)
    
     1324 CHESAPEAKE TERRACE
      SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA                                        94089
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)
                                           
                                           
                                    (408) 745-1961
                (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                                           
                                           

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days.

                               Yes   X     No
                                    ---        ---
                                           
                                     


At October 31, 1997, Registrant had 17,377,153 shares of Common Stock
issued and outstanding.

<PAGE>

                               BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                                           
                                           
                                        INDEX
                                           
PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements and Notes

         Condensed balance sheets (unaudited) - September 30, 1997 and 
          December 31, 1996 ...............................................   3

         Condensed statements of operations (unaudited) - three months 
          ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 and nine months ended
          September 30, 1997 and 1996 and the period from March 7, 1989 
          (inception) through September 30, 1997 ..........................   4

         Condensed statements of cash flows (unaudited) - nine months
          ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 and the period from March 7, 
          1989 (inception) through September 30, 1997 .....................   5

         Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) ..............   6

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...................   8



PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION
                                       
                                       
ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K .................................  13

Signatures ................................................................  14

<PAGE>

PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                               BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                            (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                               CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
                                     (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SEPTEMBER 30, 1997   DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                      ------------------   -----------------
                                                                                                                 (NOTE)
<S>                                                                                    <C>                 <C>
ASSETS
 Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ...........................................................  $   2,632             $  4,944
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
   of $78, ($43 on December 31,1996) ..................................................        143                  201
  Inventory ...........................................................................      1,103                  928
  Prepaid inventory ...................................................................        622                  375
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...........................................        108                  381
  Restricted cash .....................................................................        113                  102
                                                                                          --------             --------
 Total current assets .................................................................      4,721                6,931

 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and
  amortization of $1,965 ($1,671 in 1996) .............................................      1,323                1,375

 Restricted cash ......................................................................        263                  376
 Other assets .........................................................................         42                   44
                                                                                          --------             --------
                                                                                         $   6,349             $  8,726
                                                                                          --------             --------
                                                                                          --------             --------
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable ....................................................................   $    385             $  1,108
  Accrued liabilities .................................................................        107                  208
  Accrued compensation and related expenses ...........................................        107                  142
  Current portion of capital lease obligations  .......................................         87                  118
                                                                                          --------             --------
 Total current liabilities ............................................................        686                1,576

 Long-term portion of capital lease obligations .......................................        ---                   72

 Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 40,000,000 shares
   authorized, issuable in series:  Series A convertible, 30,000,000 shares
   designated, 11,539,443 shares issued and outstanding (12,455,137
   shares outstanding at December 31, 1996), aggregate liquidation preference
   of $.55 per share ..................................................................      9,464                9,903
  Common stock, $0.001 par value, 70,000,000 shares authorized,
   17,377,153 shares issued and outstanding (8,589,930 shares issued
   and outstanding at December 31, 1996) ..............................................     55,533               48,784
  Deficit accumulated during the development stage  ...................................    (59,286)             (51,548)
  Notes receivable secured by common stock ............................................        (15)                 (15)
  Deferred compensation and other .....................................................        (33)                 (46)
                                                                                          --------             --------
 Total stockholders' equity ...........................................................      5,663                7,078
                                                                                          --------             --------
                                                                                          $  6,349             $  8,726
                                                                                          --------             --------
                                                                                          --------             --------
</TABLE>

Note:  Derived from the audited balance sheet at December 31, 1996.

                             See accompanying notes 

                                       3
<PAGE>

                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                        (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                           STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                 (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED        NINE MONTHS ENDED          PERIOD FROM
                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,             SEPTEMBER 30,          MARCH 7, 1989
                                                              ------------------        ------------------     (INCEPTION) THROUGH
                                                               1997        1996         1997          1996      SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                              ------      ------       ------        ------     ------------------
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
REVENUES:
 Product Sales ..........................................    $   158     $    50      $   596      $    206          $  1,017

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 Cost of sales ..........................................        504         542        2,121         1,591             4,431
 Research and development ...............................        794       1,564        3,301         5,579            37,658
 Sales, general and administrative ......................        773       1,179        3,010         3,859            19,288
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------
                                                               2,071       3,285        8,432        11,029            61,377

Loss from operations ....................................     (1,913)     (3,235)      (7,836)      (10,823)          (60,360)

Interest and dividend income ............................         40          81          128           277             2,476
Interest and other expense ..............................         (4)        (74)         (30)         (245)           (1,402)
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------
Net loss ................................................    $(1,877)    $(3,228)     $(7,738)     $(10,791)         $(59,286)
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------

Deemed dividend on preferred stock ......................        ---         ---          ---        (1,180)           (1,180)
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------
Net loss after deemed dividend ..........................    $(1,877)    $(3,228)     $(7,738)     $(11,971)         $(60,466)
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------
                                                             -------     -------      -------      --------          --------
Net loss per share ......................................    $ (0.11)    $ (0.60)     $ (0.65)     $  (2.32)
                                                             -------     -------      -------      -------- 
                                                             -------     -------      -------      -------- 
Net loss per share to common shareholders ...............    $ (0.11)    $ (0.60)     $ (0.65)     $  (2.57)
                                                             -------     -------      -------      -------- 
                                                             -------     -------      -------      -------- 
Shares used in computing net loss per share .............     17,218       5,424       11,952         4,650
                                                             -------     -------      -------      -------- 
                                                             -------     -------      -------      -------- 
</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                        (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                      CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
                                 (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     NINE MONTHS ENDED          PERIOD FROM
                                                                                        SEPTEMBER 30,          MARCH 7, 1989
                                                                                    -------------------     (INCEPTION) THROUGH
                                                                                     1997          1996      SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                                    ------        ------     ------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>          <C>              <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net loss .....................................................................    $(7,738)     $(10,791)         $(59,286)
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
  used in operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization ..............................................        306           352             3,837
   Other ......................................................................        124           286               490
   Changes in:
    Accounts receivable .......................................................         58           ---             (143)
    Prepaid inventory .........................................................       (247)          (17)             (622)
    Inventory .................................................................       (175)         (638)           (1,103)
    Other current assets ......................................................        273           190              (178)
    Other assets ..............................................................          2           ---                14
    Other current liabilities .................................................       (859)           22               597
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------
     Net cash used in operating activities ....................................     (8,256)      (10,596)          (56,394)
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase of property and equipment ...........................................       (242)         (466)           (2,170)
  Short-term investments purchased  ...........................................        ---           ---           (30,337)
  Short-term investments sold/redeemed ........................................        ---           597            30,337
  Restricted cash .............................................................        102            91              (409)
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------
   Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ........................       (140)          222            (2,579)
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs ...........................        ---         7,916            26,933
 Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs ..............................      6,187            67            33,488
 Issuance of long-term debt ...................................................        ---           187             4,949
 Payments on long-term obligations ............................................       (103)         (448)           (3,765)
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities .........................      6,084         7,722            61,605
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ..........................     (2,312)       (2,652)            2,632
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ................................      4,944         6,028               ---
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ......................................    $ 2,632      $  3,376          $  2,632
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------
                                                                                   -------      --------          --------
</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes

                                       5
<PAGE>
                                       
                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                        (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                                       
                   NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                 (UNAUDITED)
                                           
1.   NATURE OF BUSINESS AND FINANCINGS
         
         Biocircuits Corporation (a development stage company) (the
         "Company") was incorporated in Delaware on March 7, 1989. 
         The Company is engaged in developing and commercializing new
         immunodiagnostic testing systems.
         
         The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming
         that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company's
         first sale and shipment of its IOS system occurred in March 1996. 
         The Company has incurred a loss in each period since its
         inception.  At September 30, 1997, the Company's accumulated
         deficit was $59.3 million.  Biocircuits expects to incur
         additional losses over the next several years.  
         
         On April 15, 1997, the Company closed two financings; a unit 
         financing at $1.00 per unit with each unit consisting of one share of
         common stock and one warrant to purchase common stock and a common 
         stock financing at $1.00 per share (collectively the "April 
         Financings"). The Company issued a combined total of 1,688,738 
         shares of common stock and 1,157,488 warrants to purchase common 
         stock in the April Financings and received gross proceeds of 
         approximately $1.7 million. The warrants have an exercise price of 
         $0.75 per share and expire eighteen months after April 15, 1997, 
         subject to certain adjustments. At the Company's option, the Company 
         may shorten the exercise period of these warrants in which case they 
         may become redeemable by the Company at $0.01 per share if the 
         closing prices for the Company's common stock is greater than or 
         equal to $2.00 per share for ten days.

         On July 3, 1997, the Company closed a financing (the "July
         Financing") in which the Company sold 6,853,567 units at
         $0.75 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of common
         stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock
         (the "July Financing Warrants").  The July Financing
         Warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share and
         expire eighteen months after July 3, 1997, subject to
         certain adjustments.  At the Company's option, the Company
         may shorten the exercise period of the July Financing
         Warrants in which case they may become redeemable by the
         Company at $0.01 per share if the closing prices for the
         Company's common stock is greater than or equal to $2.00 per
         share for ten days.  The July Financing resulted in gross
         proceeds to the Company of approximately $5.1 million.  With
         these funds, the Company believes its cash resources will be
         adequate to satisfy its requirements into the second quarter
         of 1998.
              
         Obtaining additional funds, either from generating
         sufficient revenue, raising additional capital from either
         new or existing investors, or the early exercise of the
         outstanding warrants issued in the April and July Financings,
         will be critical to the Company's ability to maintain 
         operations through 1998.  The Company will therefore 
         continue to seek funding from various equity financing 
         sources.  Raising additional funds from public or private 
         sources will result in significant dilution to then-
         existing shareholders.  If adequate funding is not available
         on a timely basis, the Company will be required to curtail
         its operations significantly or to cease operations.  There
         can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
         obtaining additional financing during the balance of 1997 or
         1998.


                                       6
<PAGE>

                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                        (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                                       
             NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                             SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                 (UNAUDITED)
                                                 
2.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements
         have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
         accounting principles for interim financial information and
         with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
         Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the
         information and footnotes required by generally accepted
         accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In
         the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of
         normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair
         presentation have been included.  Operating results for the
         nine month period ended September 30, 1997 are not
         necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected
         for the year ended December 31, 1997.  For further
         information, refer to the consolidated financial statements
         and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual
         report on Form 10-K/A-3 for the year ended December 31,
         1996.  
         
         Net loss per share is computed on the basis of the weighted
         average number of common shares outstanding.  Common
         equivalent shares are excluded from the computation as their
         effect is anti-dilutive.
         
         Following is supplemental proforma earnings per share,
         calculated giving effect to the conversion of the
         outstanding convertible preferred stock on an if converted
         basis (in thousands, except per share data):
         
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,        SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                           1997       1996      1997      1996
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
         <S>                                                             <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
         Net loss to common shareholders as reported  .................  $(1,877)   $(3,228)  $(7,738)  $(11,971)
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
         Shares used in computing net 
              loss per share as reported    ...........................   17,218      5,424    11,952      4,650
         
         Adjustment to include outstanding convertible 
              preferred stock previously excluded 
              as it is anti-dilutive   ................................    2,893      3,186     2,981      3,392
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
         Shares used in computing proforma net loss per share .........   20,111      8,610    14,933      8,042
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
         Pro forma net loss per share  ................................  $ (0.09)   $ (0.37)  $ (0.52)  $  (1.49)
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
                                                                         -------    -------   -------   --------
</TABLE>

3.   RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

         In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards
         Board issued Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share, which is
         required to be adopted on December 31, 1997.  At that time,
         the Company will be required to change the method currently
         used to compute earnings per share and to restate all prior
         periods.  Under the new requirements for calculating primary
         earnings per share, the dilutive effect of stock options
         will be excluded.  The Company expects no impact from the
         implementation of FASB 128 as common equivalent shares are
         excluded from the computation as their effect is anti-dilutive.
         In June of 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued 
         Statements No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, and No. 131, 
         Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, 
         which are required to be adopted in the year ended December 31, 1998. 
         The Company does not expect any significant impact from the
         implementation of FASB 130 or FASB 131.


                                       7
<PAGE>

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


    IN ADDITION TO THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THE FOLLOWING 
DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND 
UNCERTAINTIES.  THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE 
DISCUSSED HEREIN.  FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES 
INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED IN THIS SECTION AND IN THE 
COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K/A-3 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.

    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited 
condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in 
Part 1-Item 1 of this quarterly report and the audited consolidated financial 
statements and notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 
1996 contained in the Company's 1996 annual report to stockholders.  The 
results for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 30, 1997 are 
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire 
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.


OVERVIEW

    Since its inception in 1989, the Company has been engaged in research and 
development and marketing of immunodiagnostic medical applications of its 
technologies.  Immunodiagnostic tests, or "assays," are performed on samples 
of bodily fluids to diagnose a variety of infectious diseases and other 
conditions such as endocrine dysfunctions, and to conduct therapeutic drug 
monitoring.  Immunodiagnostic tests utilize biological reagents, such as 
antibodies, and an instrument to detect the presence of a substance of 
interest, or "analyte," such as a virus or hormone.

    On October 24, 1997, the Company entered into a Manufacturing and 
Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") with Becton Dickinson and Company 
through its Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems Division ("Becton") whereby 
Biocircuits granted Becton exclusive worldwide marketing rights to the 
IOS-TM- system and all cartridges currently available as well as those that 
will be developed in the future, subject to certain minimum placement 
requirements of instruments in physicians' offices by Becton.  Under terms of 
the four year Agreement, Becton paid a one-time, non-refundable signing fee 
of $750,000 and Biocircuits will sell cartridges and accessories, and 
initially instruments, to Becton. In addition, the Company will continue to 
develop new cartridges.  On January 1, 1998, (the "Manufacturing Date") 
Becton assumes responsibility for manufacturing the IOS instrument while the 
Company continues to manufacture cartridges and accessories for transfer to 
Becton.  After the Manufacturing Date, the Company will cease responsibility 
for manufacturing instruments and will begin earning royalties on sales of 
IOS instruments produced by Becton.  The Agreement will have a material 
impact on the Company in that the Company will cease sales and marketing 
efforts as Becton assumes these responsibilities and that the Company will be 
entirely dependent upon Becton for the sale of its products.  There can be no 
assurances that Becton will be successful in marketing the IOS system, that 
the transition of sales and marketing efforts from Biocircuits to Becton will 
be successful, that Becton will be successful in supplying the required IOS 
instruments upon assuming the responsibility for the manufacturing of IOS 
instruments nor that the Company's financial performance resulting from 
Becton's activities will meet the Company's expectations.  

    The Company has incurred a loss in each period since its inception.  At 
September 30, 1997, the Company's accumulated deficit was $59.3 million.  
Biocircuits expects to incur additional losses over the next several years.  
The Company expects that currently available funds will be used primarily for 
the development of additional assays for the IOS point-of-care system and the 
production of the Company's cartridges.  The losses may vary from period to 
period, including from quarter to quarter, and may increase, due to the 
uncertainty of whether the sales and marketing programs of Becton will 
achieve the desired results.  Accordingly, the Company believes that 
quarter-to-quarter results are not a useful indicator of the Company's 
performance. 

                                       8
<PAGE>




RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 
AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

    Revenue in the third quarter totaled $158,000, an increase of $108,000 or 
216% from the $50,000 reported in the third quarter of 1996. Increased 
revenues result primarily from increased instrument placements and related 
cartridge sales.  Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 
totaled $596,000, an increase of $390,000 or 189% from the $206,000 reported 
for the first nine months of 1996 when the Company initially launched its IOS 
system.

    Total operating costs and expenses decreased from $3,285,000 in the third 
quarter of 1996 to $2,071,000 in the third quarter of 1997, a decrease of 
$1,214,000 or 37%.  For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, operating 
costs and expenses totaled $8,432,000, a decrease of $2,597,000 or 24% from 
the $11,029,000 reported in the first nine months of 1996.

    Cost of sales decreased from $542,000 in the third quarter of 1996 to 
$504,000 in the third quarter of 1997, a decrease of $38,000 or 7%.  Costs of 
sales for the first nine months of 1997 were $2,121,000, a $530,000 or 33% 
increase from the $1,591,000 reported for the nine months ended September 30, 
1996.  The increase in cost of sales during the first nine months of 1997 
results primarily from reporting cost of sales for a full nine months while 
the cost of sales for the first nine months of 1996 reflects a partial period 
due to the Company launching its IOS system in March 1996.  Cost of sales 
consists primarily of manufacturing overhead and direct manufacturing costs 
associated with revenue generating product.

    Research and development expenses decreased from $1,564,000 in the third 
quarter of 1996 to $794,000 in the third quarter of 1997, a decrease of 
$770,000 or 49%. For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, research and 
development expenses totaled $3,301,000, a decrease of $2,278,000 or 41% from 
the $5,579,000 reported in the first nine months of 1996. The decreases were 
due primarily to the reduction in force which occurred in early April 1997 
and a reduction in outside services, primarily non-recurring engineering 
charges from the Company's supplier of IOS instruments.

    Sales, general and administrative expenses were $773,000 for the third 
quarter of 1997 and $3,010,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997.  
These are decreases of $406,000 or 34% and $849,000 or 22%, respectively, 
from the $1,179,000 reported for the third quarter of 1996 and $3,859,000 
reported for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.  These decreases were 
due primarily to the Company's reduction in force, which occurred in early 
April, and reduced sales and marketing expenses.

    Interest income decreased from $81,000 in the third quarter of 1996 to 
$40,000 in the third quarter of 1997, a decrease of $41,000 or 51%.  Interest 
income decreased from $277,000 in the first nine months of 1996 to $128,000 
in the first nine months of 1997, a decrease of $149,000 or 54%. The decrease 
was due to reduced cash balances from ongoing operating losses and funding of 
working capital.  Interest and other expense decreased from $74,000 in the 
third quarter of 1996 to $4,000 in the third quarter of 1997, a decrease of 
$70,000 or 95% and decreased from $245,000 in the first nine months of 1996 
to $30,000 in the first nine months of 1997, a decrease of $215,000 or 88%.  
The decrease of interest expense results from a reduction of long-term debt.

    Net loss decreased from $3,228,000 or $0.60 per share in the third 
quarter of 1996 to $1,877,000 or $0.11 per share in the third quarter of 
1997, a decrease of $1,351,000 or 42%.  Net loss for the nine months ended 
September 30, 1997 was $7,738,000 or $0.65 per share, a decrease of 
$3,053,000 or 28% from the net loss of $10,791,00 or $2.32 per share in the 
first nine months of 1996.  Alternatively, after the deemed preferred stock 
dividend, net loss to common shareholders decreased from $11,971,000 or $2.57 
per share in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to $7,738,000 or $0.65 
per share in the nine months ended September 30, 1997, a decrease of 
$4,233,000 or 35%.

    In late March 1997, the Company and Kollsman, the Company's exclusive 
North American supplier of the IOS instrument, agreed to reduce the amount of 
the standby letter of credit by $249,000 in exchange for reducing the 
exercise price of a warrant issued to Kollsman to $2.00 per share.  Such 
warrant and standby letter of credit was established in order to secure an 
adequate supply of IOS instruments.  Also in late March 1997, the Company and 


                                       9
<PAGE>

Kollsman agreed to issue Kollsman a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of 
common stock in exchange for a one month shutdown of instrument production.  
In the quarter ended March 31, 1997, the Company recorded a $124,000 expense 
as manufacturing overhead, $60,000 for the warrant price reduction from $7.00 
to $2.00 and $64,000 for the issuance of the warrant to purchase 50,000 
shares of common stock.  In early May 1997, the Company agreed with Kollsman 
to extend the instrument production line shutdown until August 1997, which 
subsequently was extended through the end of 1997, the remaining term of the 
agreement with Kollsman.  The Company further agreed to pay Kollsman $436,000 
to cover the cost of raw material and work in process currently at, or to be 
delivered to, Kollsman.  In return, Kollsman canceled the standby letter of 
credit.  Upon the completion of the Agreement with Becton in which Becton 
assumes responsibility of the manufacturing of the IOS instrument on January 
1, 1998, the Company's manufacturing relationship with Kollsman will 
terminate.  The Company will be entirely dependent upon Becton as the sole 
source of production of its IOS instruments and in turn, Becton may rely on 
itself or upon sole-source suppliers for the instrument or components 
thereof.  Failure of Becton or these suppliers to deliver the required 
quantities on a timely basis and at commercially reasonable prices could 
materially adversely affect the Company.

    The Company's inventory, including prepaid inventory, increased to 
approximately $1,725,000 as of September 30, 1997.  Of this amount, a major 
portion is associated with the instrument: approximately $622,000 of prepaid 
inventory at Kollsman; $591,000 of IOS instrument finished goods; and 
$143,000 of instrument raw materials.  The instrument production shutdown, 
which will last through the end of 1997, is designed to reduce the inventory 
of instrument finished goods.  In addition, the Company is currently in 
negotiations with both Becton and Kollsman regarding the transfer of the 
prepaid instrument inventory and raw material to Becton.  Therefore, based on 
the estimated build rates for Becton in 1998 and the completion of 
negotiations with Kollsman and Becton regarding the instrument prepaid and 
raw material, the Company does not expect to encounter any major obsolete or 
excess inventory issues which may require writedowns other than issues that 
would be expected in the course of normal operations for which the Company 
has $205,000 of reserves recorded.  There can be no assurance that the build 
rates required to support IOS instrument sales will be adequate to 
significantly reduce instrument related inventory, that the negotiations with 
Becton and Kollsman to transfer the instrument inventory to Becton will be 
successful or that the Company's established reserves will be adequate to 
cover any unexpected obsolete or excess inventory issues.

    On April 3, 1997, in order to reduce its losses and conserve 
approximately $250,000 per month, the Company reduced its work force from 92 
employees to 54 employees.  The Company is highly dependent upon the 
principal members of its management and scientific staff and key individuals 
in all areas of the Company.  Although the Company believes it has retained 
sufficient employees to achieve its near-term business objectives after its 
reduction in force on April 3, 1997, there can be no assurance that the loss 
of services of such employees might not impede the achievement of the 
Company's business objectives.  Furthermore, there can be no assurance that 
the reduction in force will not adversely affect the Company's ability to 
retain its remaining employees, however, the Company has implemented certain 
programs which it believes may help in retaining the key employees.  The 
Company faces competition for qualified individuals from numerous 
manufacturers of medical products and other high technology products, as well 
as universities and academic institutions.  There can be no assurance that 
the Company will be able to retain current employees or attract qualified new 
personnel on acceptable terms.

    On April 15, 1997, the Company closed the first tranches in two private 
placements (collectively the "April 1997 Financings") in which the Company 
sold its common stock and issued warrants to purchase common stock. The first 
private placement (the "April Common Stock Financing") was to consist of the 
sale of an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share 
to be issued in three tranches.  The second private placement (the "April 
Units Financing") was to consist of the sale of an aggregate of 5,447,000 
units at $1.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of common stock 
and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock (the "April Financing 
Warrants"), to be issued in two tranches.

    The closing of the second tranches of the April 1997 Financings were 
conditional upon the Company installing a minimum of eighty-eight (88) Good 
Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") units of the IOS system during the three 
month period ended June 30, 1997 that were sold directly or indirectly by the 
Company.  Although the Company implemented various sales and marketing 
programs, including evaluation programs targeted to physicians and incentive 
programs for its sales representatives and distributor sales representatives 
in order to reach this milestone, the milestone was not met by the Company 
and the second tranches of the April 1997 Financings did not close.  The 
closing of the third tranche of the April Common Stock Financing was 
conditional upon the Company


                                       10
<PAGE>

installing a minimum of two hundred thirty-five (235) GMP units of the IOS 
system that are sold directly or indirectly by the Company.  Investors in the 
April Common Stock Financing have elected not to fund the Company in the 
third tranche.

    The Company issued 531,250 shares of its common stock in the first 
tranche of the April Common Stock Financing and 1,157,488 units in the first 
tranche of the April Units Financing.  The April Financing Warrants have an 
exercise price of $0.75 per share and expire eighteen months after April 15, 
1997, subject to certain adjustments.  At the Company's option, the Company 
may shorten the exercise period of the April Financing Warrants in which case 
they may become redeemable by the Company at $0.01 per share if the closing 
prices for the Company's common stock is greater than or equal to $2.00 per 
share for ten days.  The first tranches of the April 1997 Financings resulted 
in gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.7 million.  With these 
funds, the Company's cash resources were adequate to satisfy its requirements 
through the end of the second quarter.

    On July 3, 1997, the Company closed a financing (the "July Financing") in 
which the Company sold 6,853,567 units at $0.75 per unit, each unit 
consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share 
of common stock (the "July Financing Warrants").  The July Financing Warrants 
have an exercise price of $0.75 per share and expire eighteen months after 
July 3, 1997, subject to certain adjustments. At the Company's option, the 
Company may shorten the exercise period of the July Financing Warrants in 
which case they may become redeemable by the Company at $0.01 per share if 
the closing prices for the Company's common stock is greater than or equal to 
$2.00 per share for ten days.  The July Financing resulted in gross proceeds 
to the Company of approximately $5.1 million.  With these funds, the Company 
believes its cash resources will be adequate to satisfy its requirements into 
the second quarter of 1998. 


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    The Company historically has financed its operations primarily through 
sales of common and preferred stock, interest income on the cash balances 
available after such financings, long term debt and capital asset lease 
financings. Since its inception through September 30, 1997, the Company 
raised a total of approximately $60.4 million in the sale of common and 
preferred stock. 

    The Company's cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were 
$2.6 million as of September 30, 1997, compared to $4.9 million at the end of 
1996. The decrease was due primarily to operating losses in the first nine 
months of 1997 offset by the funds raised in the April 1997 and July 1997 
Financings. 

    On April 15, 1997, the Company closed the April 1997 Financings and on 
July 3, 1997, closed the July 1997 Financings, which consisted of the sale of 
common stock and warrants to purchase common stock. With the receipt of funds 
from the April 1997 and July 1997 Financings, the Company believes its cash 
resources will be adequate to satisfy its requirements into the second 
quarter 1998.

    Obtaining additional funds, either from generating sufficient revenue, 
raising additional capital from either new or existing investors, or the 
early exercise of the outstanding warrants issued in the April and July 
Financings, will be critical to the Company's ability to maintain operations 
through 1998.  The Company will therefore continue to seek funding from 
various equity financing sources.  Raising additional funds from public or 
private sources will result in significant dilution to then-existing 
shareholders.  If adequate funding is not available on a timely basis, the 
Company will be required to curtail its operations significantly or to cease 
operations.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in 
obtaining additional financing during the balance of 1997 or 1998. 

    The Company believes that maintaining its listing on the Nasdaq National 
Market System ("Nasdaq") is central to its ability to raise additional funds 
as well as to provide liquidity to investors. The conversion of the Beckman 
Note resulted in the Company meeting the Nasdaq net tangible asset listing 
requirement at year end 1996. The Company failed temporarily to meet Nasdaq 
net tangible assets listing requirement at the end of both the first and 
second quarters of 1997. However, the proceeds from the April 1997 Financings 
allowed the Company to meet Nasdaq listing requirements, on a proforma basis, 
for the first quarter of 1997 and proceeds from the July Financing allowed 
the Company to meet Nasdaq listing requirements, on a proforma basis, for the 
second quarter of 1997. The


                                       11
<PAGE>

proceeds from the July 1997 Financing enabled the Company to meet the Nasdaq 
listing requirements for the third quarter of 1997 and should allow the 
Company to meet these requirements through year end 1997. Thereafter, the 
Company will be required to generate sufficient revenue or raise additional 
capital to maintain Nasdaq listing requirements.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved Nasdaq's proposed 
rules which went effective on August 22, 1997.  Under terms of the revised 
rules, the bid price for the Company's common stock must remain at or above 
$1.00 per share.  Currently, the bid price of the Company's common stock is 
below $1.00 per share, and therefore, the Company does not meet Nasdaq's new 
listing requirements.  Companies which fail to meet Nasdaq's listing 
requirements have six months from August 22, 1997 in order to take 
appropriate action to correct such failure.  If necessary, the Company's 
shareholders have authorized the Board of Directors to effect a 1-for-2.5 
reverse stock split at any time prior to the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting. 
Therefore, if the Company's bid price of its common stock remains below $1.00 
per share, the Company may effect the reverse stock split to increase the 
common stock price.

    The Company believes its cash requirements may increase in future 
periods.  The Company expects to incur substantial additional costs, 
including costs related to ongoing research and development activities, 
clinical trials, expansion of manufacturing, research and development and 
administrative facilities, development of manufacturing capabilities and 
obtaining regulatory approvals.  The Company's long-term capital requirements 
will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of the Company's 
research and product development, the timing and cost of obtaining regulatory 
approvals, the costs associated with patents and other intellectual property 
rights, the levels of resources devoted to the development of manufacturing 
and marketing capabilities and potential collaborative partnerships.  The 
Company intends to seek additional funding through public or private 
financings.  Other methods of financing the acquisition of capital equipment, 
including lease financing, may be utilized if available on attractive terms.  
Raising additional funds from public or private financings may result in 
further dilution to then-existing shareholders.  If adequate funds are not 
available from these sources, the Company will be required to curtail its 
operations significantly.  No assurance can be given that any additional 
financing will be available, or, if available, that it will be available on 
acceptable terms. 




















                                       12
<PAGE>

                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION


PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

              a)   Exhibits

                 + 10.53 Manufacturing and Distribution Agreement between the 
                         Registrant and Becton Dickinson and Company through 
                         its Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems Division 
                         dated October 24, 1997.

                   27.1  Financial Data Schedule

              ---------------
              +    Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of 
                   this Exhibit


              b)   Reports on Form 8-K
     
                   Form 8-K filed July 18, 1997

                                       13
<PAGE>

                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                                  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.


                                       BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION



Date:     November 13, 1997

                                       By:    /s/ John Kaiser
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          John Kaiser
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer


                                       By:    /s/ James Welch
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          James Welch
                                          Vice President and Chief Financial 
                                          Officer













                                       14

<PAGE>
                                                         EXHIBIT 10.53


                   MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

                                   BETWEEN

                           BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION
                                     AND
                        BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                                 THROUGH ITS
               BECTON DICKINSON MICROBIOLOGY SYSTEMS DIVISION

<PAGE>

                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE 1.  DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

    1.1     "Affiliate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
    1.2     "Accessories" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.3     "Biocircuits Patent Rights" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.4     "Biocircuits Technology". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.5     "Cartridge" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.6     "Control" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.7     "Confidential Information". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.8     "Distributor Price" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.9     "Existing Cartridges" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
    1.10    "510K filing" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.11    "FDA" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.12    "FD & C Act". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.13    "Good Manufacturing Practices". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.14    "Instrument". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.15    "Manufacture Date". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.16    "Manufacturing Specifications". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.17    "Material Supply Breach". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.18    "New Cartridge" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.19    "Net Sales" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    1.20    "Producer Price Index". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    1.21    "Products". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    1.22    "Product Specification" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    1.23    "Regulatory Approval" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    1.24    "Sell", "Sale" or "Sold". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    1.25    "Tooling" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4



ARTICLE 2. APPOINTMENT OF BECTON AS DISTRIBUTOR; CARTRIDGES.. . . . . . . .   4
    2.1     Grant of Becton Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    2.2     Referral of Inquiries.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
    2.3     Sale of Competing Products by Becton. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
    2.4     Notification of Offers to Acquire Biocircuits.. . . . . . . . .   5
    2.5     Development of Cartridges.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
    2.6     Discount Against Purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
    2.7     Change in Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
    2.8     Regulatory Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
    2.9     Back-Up Manufacturing License.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
    2.10    Technology Escrow.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
    2.11    Facilities Approval.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
    2.12    Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8


                                       i.
<PAGE>

                             TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                (CONTINUED)
                                                                            PAGE
    2.13    Product Dating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8


ARTICLE 3. FORECASTS; ORDERING; DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE . . . . . . . . . .   9
    3.1     Cartridge and Accessories Forecasts and Orders. . . . . . . . .   9
    3.2     Instrument Forecasts and Orders.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
    3.3     Order Acceptance; Changes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
    3.4     Delivery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
    3.5     Inspection and Rejection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10



ARTICLE 4. SIGNING FEE; PRICES; ROYALTIES; PAYMENT TERMS; STOCK PURCHASE. .  11
    4.1     Signing Fee.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
    4.2     Price.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
    4.3     Royalties.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
    4.4     Payment Terms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
    4.5     Exchange Rate.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
    4.6     Blocked Currency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
    4.7     Withholding Taxes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
    4.8     Other Taxes; Transportation; Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
    4.9     Overdue Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
    4.10    Records; Audit of Sales and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
    4.11    Stock Purchase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
    4.12    Valuation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13


ARTICLE 5. MARKETING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
    5.1     Promotion and Marketing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
    5.1.4   Packaging.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
    5.2     Trademarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
    5.3     Customer Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
    


ARTICLE 6. BIOCIRCUITS PRODUCT WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
    6.1     Product Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
    6.2     Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
    6.3     Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
    6.4     No Warranty Pass Through. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17


ARTICLE 7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
    7.1     Mutual Representations and Warranties.. . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
    7.2     Patents.  Biocircuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
    7.3     Trademarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18


                                       ii.
<PAGE>

                             TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                (CONTINUED)
                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE 8. INDEMNIFICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
    8.1     Indemnification by Biocircuits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
    8.2     Indemnification by Becton.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
    8.3     Limitation Of Liability.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
    8.4     Indemnification Procedure.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
    8.5     Intellectual Property.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19


ARTICLE 9. MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS BY BECTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.1     License Grant.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.2     Production and Manufacturing Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.3     Delivery of Tooling and Test Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.4     Delivery of Manufacturing Information.. . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.5     Labels and Packaging Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.6     Testing and Documentation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
    9.7     Facilities Approval.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
    9.8     Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
    9.9     Approval for Manufacturing Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
    9.10    Becton Warranties Regarding Manufacture of Instruments. . . . .  21


ARTICLE 10. PRODUCT RECALLS; ADVERSE EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
    10.1    Product Recall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
    10.2    Adverse Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22


ARTICLE 11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
    11.1    Ownership of Proprietary Rights.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
    11.2    Infringement of Biocircuits Patent Rights by Third Parties. . .  23


ARTICLE 12. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
    12.1    Nondisclosure Obligations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
    12.2    Exceptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
    12.3    Authorized Disclosure.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
    12.4    Prior Confidentiality Agreement.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24


ARTICLE 13. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
    13.1    Compliance with Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25


ARTICLE 14. TERM, TERMINATION, AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION. . . . . . . . . .  25
    14.1    Term. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
    14.2    Early Termination by Either Party.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
    14.3    Early Termination by Biocircuits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
    14.4    Surviving Obligations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26


                                      iii.
<PAGE>

                             TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                (CONTINUED)
                                                                            PAGE
    14.5    Effect of Termination.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
    14.6    No Liability for Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
    14.7    Accrued Obligations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
    14.8    Additional Purchases Upon Expiration or Termination.. . . . . .  27


ARTICLE 15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW; VENUE; OFFICIAL LANGUAGE . .  28
    15.1    Dispute Resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
    15.2    Governing Law; Venue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
    15.3    English Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29


ARTICLE 16. MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
    16.1    No Agency; No Joint Venture; Independent Contractor.. . . . . .  29
    16.2    Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
    16.3    Entire Agreement; Amendment.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
    16.4    Severability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
    16.5    Benefits of this Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
    16.6    Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
    16.7    Notices.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
    16.8    Force Majeure.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
    16.9    Patent Marking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
    16.10   Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
    16.11   Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
    16.12   Publicity.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31


                                      iv.
<PAGE>

                 MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

    THIS MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is 
effective as of the 24th day of October, 1997 (the "Effective Date"), by and 
between BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Biocircuits") with 
its principal place of business at 1324 Chesapeake Terrace, Sunnyvale, 
California 94089 and BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY, a New Jersey corporation 
("Becton") through its BECTON DICKINSON MICROBIOLOGY SYSTEMS DIVISION,  with 
its principal place of business at 7 Loveton Circle, Sparks, Maryland 21152.  

    WHEREAS, Biocircuits desires to establish a worldwide marketing 
relationship for the Instrument, the Cartridges and the Accessories (each as 
defined below) and desires to contract with a third party to manufacture the 
Instruments after January 1, 1998;

    WHEREAS, Becton sells a broad range of medical supplies and devices for 
use by health care professionals and desires to add to its product line for 
point-of-care diagnostics;

    WHEREAS, Becton and Biocircuits have previously entered into a Letter of 
Intent dated June 27, 1997 (the "LOI"), setting forth certain terms for an 
agreement pursuant to which Becton would purchase the Instruments, Cartridges 
and Accessories from Biocircuits, and on an exclusive basis re-sell them to 
third-party distributors and end-users through a network of Becton sales 
representatives;

    WHEREAS, after the Manufacture Date (as defined below), Becton will 
continue to re-sell the Cartridges and Accessories on an exclusive basis and 
will undertake to manufacture or have manufactured the Instruments subject to 
the terms and conditions set forth herein and thereafter continue to re-sell 
the Instruments also on exclusive basis;

    WHEREAS, Becton and Biocircuits desire to enter into a definitive 
agreement to the foregoing effect;

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good 
and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ARTICLE 1

  DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following 
meanings:

    1.1  "AFFILIATE" shall mean any company or entity controlled by, 
controlling or under common control with a party, specifically, any company 
fifty percent (50%) or more of whose voting stock or participating profit 
interest is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a


                                       1.
<PAGE>

party and any company which owns or controls, directly or indirectly, fifty 
percent (50%) or more of the voting stock of a party.

    1.2  "ACCESSORIES" shall mean the Products set forth on Exhibit A which 
may be amended from time to time by Biocircuits.

    1.3  "BIOCIRCUITS PATENT RIGHTS" shall mean those United States and 
foreign patents and patent applications which are listed on Exhibit B hereto 
and incorporated herein, including any and all substitutions, divisionals, 
continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, extensions, 
supplementary protection certificates and foreign counterparts of the 
foregoing.

    1.4  "BIOCIRCUITS TECHNOLOGY" shall mean all know-how, technology, trade 
secrets, processes, data, methods, manufacturing processes and any physical, 
chemical or biological material or other information which Biocircuits owns, 
Controls or acquires or has or acquires a license to (with the right to 
sublicense) necessary or useful for (i) manufacture, marketing, sale, offer 
for sale, importation and distribution of the Instrument (ii) marketing, 
sale, offer for sale, importation and distribution of the Cartridges or (iii) 
marketing, sale, offer for sale, importation and distribution of the 
Accessories.              

    1.5  "CARTRIDGE" shall mean, collectively, Existing Cartridges, New 
Cartridges or any other Biocircuits' cartridge, excluding cartridges used to 
perform quality control or quality assurance testing, manufactured for use 
with the Instrument, all as set forth on Exhibits C and D attached hereto 
which may be amended from time to time.

    1.6  "CONTROL" shall mean possession of the ability to grant a license or 
sublicense as provided for herein without violating the terms of any 
agreement or other arrangement with any third party.

    1.7  "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" shall mean, subject to the exceptions set 
forth in Section 12.2, any information received by one party from the other 
party pertaining to the Biocircuits Technology, the Biocircuits Patent 
Rights, all know-how, data, processes or techniques relating to the Products 
and any research project, work in process, future development, scientific, 
engineering, manufacturing, marketing, business plan, financial or personnel 
matter relating to either party, its present or future products, sales, 
suppliers, customers, employees, investors or business, whether in oral, 
written, graphic or electronic form and whether received pursuant to this 
Agreement or pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement as defined in Section 
12.4.                

    1.8  "DISTRIBUTOR PRICE" shall mean the purchase price paid by an entity 
that sells a Product to the ultimate end user of such Product.

    1.9  "EXISTING CARTRIDGES" shall mean those Cartridges identified as 
Existing Cartridges on Exhibit C.


                                       2.
<PAGE>

    1.10 "510K FILING" shall mean a pre-market notification submitted to the 
FDA for regulatory clearance of a new medical device prior to introduction in 
the United States market and its foreign equivalent as applicable.

    1.11 "FDA" shall mean the United States Food and Drug Administration, and 
any successor thereto, and its foreign equivalents.

    1.12 "FD & C ACT" shall mean the United States Federal Food, Drug and 
Cosmetic Act, as amended, and applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, 
as amended from time to time.             

    1.13 "GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES" or "GMP" shall mean the good 
manufacturing practice regulations promulgated from time-to-time by the FDA 
for the manufacture of medical devices in the United States and other 
countries. "cGMP" or "current GMP" shall mean the GMP practices in effect at 
a particular time, including in the United States the requirements set forth 
in the FDA's current Quality System Regulation, as it may be amended from 
time to time.

    1.14 "INSTRUMENT" shall mean Biocircuits' IOS-Registered 
Trademark-Instrument as described in functional specifications J517-0001, 
Revision F.

    1.15 "MANUFACTURE DATE" shall mean January 1, 1998.

    1.16 "MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS" shall mean the specifications for the 
manufacture of the Instruments which shall initially be agreed to by the 
parties and which may thereafter be amended from time to time by the parties 
pursuant to Section 9.9.

    1.17 "MATERIAL SUPPLY BREACH" shall mean a failure of Biocircuits to 
supply, for reasons other than force majeure, any Instruments, Cartridges 
and/or Accessories to Becton, pursuant to purchase orders accepted by 
Biocircuits, for a period of at least [**] days from the date 
specified for delivery of such Instruments, Cartridges and/or Accessories in 
such accepted Becton purchase orders.

    1.18 "NEW CARTRIDGE" shall mean those Cartridges identified as New 
Cartridges on Exhibit D.

    1.19 "NET SALES" shall mean the actual gross amount charged on account of 
the Sale of Products Sold by or on behalf of Becton or its Affiliates less 
the following amounts to the extent actually incurred or allowed on account 
of the Sale of such Products: (i) credits or rebates on returns, (ii) cash 
discounts in amounts customary in the trade, and (iii) promotional allowances 
actually granted to distributors.  No deduction shall be made for commissions 
paid to individuals, whether they be with independent sales agencies or 
regularly employed by Becton, and on its payroll, or for the cost of 
collections.  Amounts received by Becton or its Affiliates for the sale of 
the Products among Becton or its Affiliates for resale or other disposition 
shall not be included in the computation of Net Sales hereunder; PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, that the subsequent resale or other disposition of such Products to 
third parties, whether made directly by Becton or indirectly


[**] Confidential Treatment Requested


                                      3.
<PAGE>

through an Affiliate, is included in the computation of Net Sales hereunder.  
The Net Sales amount for Instruments leased or otherwise installed (and not 
sold) shall be the average Net Sales amount for Instruments sold (and not 
leased) during the calendar quarter in which the relevant Installation 
occurred.      

    1.20 "PRODUCER PRICE INDEX" shall mean the United States Bureau of Labor 
Statistics Producer Price Index for the net output of major industry groups, 
total manufacturing industries, for the most recent twelve (12) month period 
preceding the date of such Index for which data is publicly available. 

    1.21 "PRODUCTS" shall mean, collectively, the Instrument, the Cartridges 
and the Accessories.

    1.22 "PRODUCT SPECIFICATION" shall mean the specifications for Products 
which shall be initially agreed to by the parties and which may thereafter be 
amended from time to time by the parties.  The current Product Specification 
is contained in the documents listed on Appendix A to this Agreement, copies 
of which have been delivered to Becton.

    1.23 "REGULATORY APPROVAL" shall mean, with respect to a country, all 
approvals, licenses, registrations, clearances or authorizations of the FDA 
or any other federal, state or local regulatory agency, department, bureau or 
other government entity, necessary for the use, manufacture, storage, import, 
transport and sale of a Product in such country.

    1.24 "SELL", "SALE" OR "SOLD" shall mean to sell, lease, distribute, 
market, install or otherwise dispose of and to use in connection with those 
activities.

    1.25 "TOOLING" shall mean the computers used for equipment testing, 
production dies, molds, fixtures and other tooling, owned by Biocircuits, 
used in production of the Instrument or its component parts.

                               ARTICLE 2 

             APPOINTMENT OF BECTON AS DISTRIBUTOR; CARTRIDGES.

    2.1  GRANT OF BECTON RIGHTS.  Biocircuits hereby appoints Becton, and 
Becton hereby accepts such appointment, as the sole distributor for the 
Products worldwide and Biocircuits grants to Becton an exclusive license, 
with no right of sublicense, under the Biocircuits Technology and the 
Biocircuits Patent Rights to market, sell and distribute the Products 
worldwide for the term of this Agreement.  Biocircuits shall not appoint any 
other distributor for the Products and shall not itself Sell the Products 
except to Becton pursuant to this Agreement.  Becton will not, without the 
prior written consent of Biocircuits, sell, market or distribute any version 
of any Products other than the versions Biocircuits designates as its current 
versions.

    2.2  REFERRAL OF INQUIRIES.  Biocircuits agrees to refer all bona fide 
inquiries regarding the Sale of the Products received by it to Becton.  
Becton shall refer to Biocircuits any inquiry


                                      4.
<PAGE>

which Becton may receive for the purchase of any Biocircuits products not 
covered by this Agreement.

    2.3  SALE OF COMPETING PRODUCTS BY BECTON.  In consideration for the 
rights granted to Becton pursuant to Section 2.1 above, Becton agrees that 
during the term of this Agreement, it will not (a) manufacture, sell, 
license, lease or otherwise distribute any product that is directly 
competitive with the Products for the less than five (5) physician group 
practice office laboratory market, or (b) utilize any of the Biocircuits 
Patent Rights or Biocircuits Technology for any purpose whatsoever, including 
but not limited to the conduct of development work on any product other than 
the Product, other than to manufacture, market, sell or distribute the 
Products.  A "product that is directly competitive" with any of the Products 
shall mean an instrument-based system performing only immunoassay tests, 
either quantitative or qualitative, targeted for the less than five (5) 
physician group practice office laboratory market.

    2.4  NOTIFICATION OF OFFERS TO ACQUIRE BIOCIRCUITS.  During the term of 
this Agreement, if Biocircuits receives an unsolicited, bona fide, good 
faith, written offer from a third party for the acquisition of Biocircuits on 
terms that are acceptable to Biocircuits (the "Third Party Offer"), or if the 
Board of Directors of Biocircuits solicits offers from third parties for the 
acquisition of Biocircuits (the "Solicited Offer"), prior to signing a 
definitive acquisition agreement providing for the acquisition of Biocircuits 
by the party who has made such a Third Party Offer or the party who has 
responded to the Solicited Offer with a bona fide, good faith, written offer 
for the acquisition of Biocircuits on terms that are acceptable to 
Biocircuits (the "Solicited Response"), Biocircuits shall provide to Becton 
written notice of the receipt of such Third Party Offer or Solicited Response 
(the "Offer Notice").  The Offer Notice shall contain all of the terms and 
conditions of the Third Party Offer or Solicited Response, as applicable.  
Becton shall have twenty (20) business days to respond to the Offer Notice, 
during which time Biocircuits will not accept the Third Party Offer or the 
Solicited Response.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in 
this Section 2.4 or elsewhere in this Agreement, (a) Biocircuits shall have 
no obligation to disclose the identity of the party making such Third Party 
Offer, any party to which the Solicited Offer is made or any party making a 
Solicited Response; and (b) Biocircuits shall have no obligation at all under 
this Section 2.4 to the extent that the Board of Directors of Biocircuits 
determines, after consultation with counsel, that compliance with any 
obligation under this Section 2.4 would constitute a violation of any law, 
rule or regulation applicable to Biocircuits.  Other than the requirement to 
provide the Offer Notice to Becton, Biocircuits is under no other obligation 
to Becton under this Section 2.4, including without limitation, any 
obligation to negotiate with Becton or otherwise pursue a transaction with 
Becton regarding the acquisition of Biocircuits.

    2.5  DEVELOPMENT OF CARTRIDGES.

         2.5.1     During the term of this Agreement, Biocircuits will 
manufacture Existing Cartridges and Accessories for sale to Becton and will 
continue development of New Cartridges as set forth in Section 2.5.2 for 
distribution by Becton.  Biocircuits shall consult with Becton in advance 
regarding the development of additional Cartridges other than Existing and 
New


                                       5.
<PAGE>

Cartridges, if any, but shall not be obligated to undertake such development. 
All Cartridges shall be delivered to Becton fully packaged pursuant to 
Section 5.1.4 and ready for resale.

         2.5.2     The parties agree that the New Cartridges set forth below 
will be available for sale according to the following schedule:

         CARTRIDGE TYPE              AVAILABILITY SCHEDULE
         --------------              ---------------------

             FTI                           12/31/97
             TSH                           12/31/97
            T4/TSH                         12/31/97
        Quantitative hCG                   12/31/97
            Digoxin                          [**]
            Free T4                          [**]
             PSA                             [**]
            [**]                             [**]

    The parties acknowledge that unforeseen circumstances or other 
unanticipated events may delay or otherwise affect the development of the New 
Cartridges pursuant to the above schedule.  In the event of such unforeseen 
circumstances, the parties agree to discuss such circumstances and 
appropriate ways to address them. 

    2.6  DISCOUNT AGAINST PURCHASES.  For each month of delay in the 
availability of the [**] Cartridges beyond [**], Biocircuits shall credit the 
sum of [**] dollars ([**]) per month, up to a maximum cumulative sum of [**] 
dollars ([**]), against Becton's purchases of Products from Biocircuits 
hereunder.  The monthly discount shall accrue on [**] and on the second day 
of each month thereafter until the maximum discount is accrued or the [**] 
Cartridges become available for sale by Becton, whether pursuant to purchase 
from Biocircuits or pursuant to Section 2.9.  Becton's rights under this 
Section 2.6 shall be in addition to any rights it may have under Section 
5.1.2(d).

    2.7  CHANGE IN PRODUCTS. 

         2.7.1     Biocircuits may, at any time, either add to or change any 
of the Products pursuant to any updating, obsolescence, or other change in 
Products occurring within the ordinary course of Biocircuits' business.  


[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

                                       6.
<PAGE>

         2.7.2     Biocircuits will notify Becton in writing at least thirty 
(30) days in advance of any proposed changes to Product Specifications or 
changes to a Product.  The parties agree to discuss in good faith the 
circumstances giving rise to such changes and appropriate actions, if any, to 
be taken in response to such changes.  In the case of changes that would 
compromise (i) the performance of a Product; (ii) the compatibility of a 
Cartridge with the Instrument; or (iii) the ability of an end user to use the 
Product, no such changes shall be implemented unless mutually agreed upon in 
writing by both parties hereto.

         2.7.3     In the event that technical, regulatory or other reasons 
or events beyond Biocircuits' reasonable control prevent Biocircuits from 
producing a Product, Biocircuits will be under no obligation to continue 
producing such Product.  Biocircuits shall seek the consent of Becton, such 
consent not to be unreasonably withheld, before ceasing to produce Products 
during the term of this Agreement for any reason other than the reasons set 
forth in the preceding sentence.

    2.8  REGULATORY APPROVALS.  Biocircuits will be solely responsible for 
obtaining, filing and maintaining all Regulatory Approvals relating to the 
Products; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that after the Manufacture Date, Becton will be 
solely responsible for obtaining Regulatory Approvals pertaining to the 
manufacturing site for the production of Instruments.  All Regulatory 
Approvals, except those pertaining to the site for manufacturing Instruments 
after the Manufacture Date, will be owned by and filed in the name of 
Biocircuits.  Becton will cooperate with Biocircuits in such manner as 
Biocircuits may reasonably request to assist in obtaining such Regulatory 
Approvals.

    2.9  BACK-UP MANUFACTURING LICENSE.  In the event Biocircuits commits a 
Material Supply Breach, Becton shall give Biocircuits written notice of such 
event promptly thereafter.  If such Material Supply Breach remains uncured 
[**] days after such written notice to Biocircuits, or if a force majeure 
prevents Biocircuits from supplying for a period in excess of [**] any 
Instruments, Cartridges or Accessories to Becton pursuant to purchase orders 
accepted by Biocircuits, Becton may exercise (but without the obligation to 
exercise) the back-up manufacturing rights (the "Back-Up Rights") to 
manufacture, or compel Biocircuits to sublicense a third party to manufacture 
for Becton, the Cartridges and Accessories as provided below, by giving 
Biocircuits written notice promptly after (i) such opportunity to cure has 
expired without cure of the Material Supply Breach or (ii) Biocircuits has 
failed to supply the relevant Product for a period in excess of [**] due 
to a force majeure, as applicable.  Immediately upon Becton providing 
Biocircuits proper notice that it elects to exercise the Back-Up Rights 
provided in this Section 2.9, Becton and its Affiliates shall have the right 
to exercise the non-exclusive right and license, under the Biocircuits 
Patents and the Biocircuits Technology, solely to make Cartridges and 
Accessories (the "Back-Up Manufacturing License").  In the event that Becton 
requires that a third party manufacture the Cartridges and Accessories on its 
behalf, Biocircuits agrees to grant a sublicense, equivalent to the Back-Up 
Manufacturing License rights, to one competent manufacturer and one back-up 
manufacturer solely for the purpose of manufacturing the Cartridges and 
Accessories for Becton and its Affiliates for their sale.  In the event 
Becton exercises the Back-Up Rights and manufactures or has manufactured the 
Cartridges pursuant to this Section 2.9, Becton shall thereafter pay to 
Biocircuits, under the


[**] Confidential Treatment Requested


                                      7.
<PAGE>

terms set forth in Article 4 below, royalties on Net Sales of Cartridges 
manufactured by Becton or for Becton by a third party manufacturer at a rate 
of [**] of Net Sales of Cartridges.

    2.10 TECHNOLOGY ESCROW.  To permit Becton to exercise its Back-Up 
Manufacturing License rights pursuant to Section 2.9, within sixty (60) days 
of the Effective Date (i) the parties will select a mutually agreed upon 
person or entity to serve as the holder of a technology escrow (the 
"Technology Escrow Holder"); (ii) Biocircuits will establish a technology 
escrow account with the Technology Escrow Holder; and (iii) the parties will 
negotiate and execute a mutually agreed upon escrow agreement which will 
provide for the release of the escrow contents by the Technology Escrow 
Holder upon occurrence of the conditions triggering Becton's Back-Up 
Manufacturing License rights.  Upon execution of the escrow agreement, 
Biocircuits will place in the technology escrow account the information and 
data necessary to manufacture the Cartridges, Accessories and Instruments.  
During the term of this Agreement, Biocircuits shall update the escrow 
contents every six (6) months to include the then-current information and 
data necessary to manufacture the Cartridges, Accessories and Instruments.  

    2.11 FACILITIES APPROVAL.  Biocircuits shall be responsible for obtaining 
and maintaining all necessary plant inspection standards, plant licenses 
registrations or permits to enable the sale of the Cartridges and Accessories 
worldwide.

    2.12 ACCESS.  Becton and Becton's designees shall have reasonable access 
to observe and inspect Biocircuits' facilities and procedures including 
manufacturing operations, at reasonable intervals and upon reasonable notice 
to Biocircuits.  Biocircuits shall maintain proper and accurate records of 
all manufacturing steps, processes, quality assurance and quality control 
procedures and will provide reasonable access thereto to Becton from time to 
time at reasonable intervals and upon Becton's reasonable request.  Upon 
reasonable advance notice to Biocircuits and at reasonable intervals, Becton 
shall have the right to send authorized representatives to any facilities 
where Cartridges and Accessories are manufactured by or on behalf of 
Biocircuits, to audit any manufacturing records and formulation and testing 
operations and documentation as is necessary to confirm that production of 
each batch of Cartridges and Accessories is in compliance with the cGMP 
regulations, and to confirm that Biocircuits is taking reasonable measures to 
protect the manufacturing facility and their premises.  Upon the request of 
Becton, Biocircuits agrees to notify Becton of the schedules of production 
runs of Cartridges and Accessories and to provide Becton with its monthly 
production lot run reports on a six month basis. However, notwithstanding the 
foregoing Biocircuits shall not be obligated to disclose any information 
regarding Biocircuits Technology to Becton.  Employees of Becton and Becton's 
designees who visit Biocircuits' facilities shall at all times comply with 
Biocircuits' rules and regulations and shall be subject to all 
confidentiality obligations of Becton under this Agreement.

    2.13 PRODUCT DATING.  Unless otherwise agreed between the parties with 
respect to a particular shipment or Cartridge menu item, each Cartridge 
shipped by Biocircuits to Becton will have seventy-five (75%) of its labeled 
shelf-life remaining and unexpired on the date of shipment.  Becton 
acknowledges that Cartridges newly or recently launched may initially have no 
more than [**] labeled shelf-life.


[**] Confidential Treatment Requested


                                      8.
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE 3

               FORECASTS; ORDERING; DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE.

    3.1  CARTRIDGE AND ACCESSORIES FORECASTS AND ORDERS.  Becton shall 
provide a 12-month rolling forecast of its good faith projected purchase 
orders for Cartridges and Accessories, to be updated quarterly.  The first 
three (3) months of projections of each forecast shall represent a firm 
commitment to order the amounts forecasted to be ordered during such three 
(3) month period and shall be accompanied by Becton's standard purchase 
order, PROVIDED HOWEVER, that such purchase order shall reference this 
Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Agreement will supersede any 
different or additional terms of such purchase order.  Projections for months 
4-12 shall represent estimates of future purchase orders.  Becton shall 
provide its first 12-month forecast within thirty (30) days following the 
Effective Date, and each subsequent update will be provided fifteen (15) days 
prior to the beginning of the next quarterly period.

    3.2  INSTRUMENT FORECASTS AND ORDERS.  Becton shall provide a forecast of 
its projected purchase orders for Instruments until the Manufacture Date.  
The first three (3) months projections of such forecast shall represent a 
firm commitment and shall be accompanied by Becton's standard purchase order, 
PROVIDED HOWEVER, that such purchase order shall reference this Agreement and 
the terms and conditions of this Agreement will supersede any different or 
additional terms of such purchase order.  Projections for the remaining 
months until the Manufacture Date represent estimates of future purchase 
orders. Becton shall provide its first 3-month forecast within thirty (30) 
days following the Effective Date, and each subsequent update will be 
provided fifteen (15) days prior to the beginning of the next quarterly 
period.

    3.3  ORDER ACCEPTANCE; CHANGES.  Orders must be made in writing or, if 
made verbally, must be confirmed in writing.  No orders shall be binding upon 
Biocircuits unless and until accepted in writing by Biocircuits.  Biocircuits 
shall accept or reject all orders within fourteen (14) days of the receipt 
thereof.  If Biocircuits fails to so respond to an order within such time 
frame, such order shall be deemed to be accepted.  No written purchase order 
may be canceled by Becton, except with Biocircuits' prior written consent.  
Biocircuits may reject an order only (i) if such purchase order sets forth 
terms and conditions which are inconsistent with this Agreement; or (ii) if 
the request is unreasonable in terms of the delivery requirements based on 
lead times to be agreed upon by each party; or (iii) if the total amount in 
such order and all previous orders submitted in such calendar quarter exceeds 
the amount in the forecast for such calendar quarter by twenty five percent 
(25%) or more.

    3.4  DELIVERY.  Deliveries shall be made F.O.B. Biocircuits' plant 
(applicable site), freight collect.  Title and all risk of loss pertaining to 
the Products shall pass to Becton upon delivery.  A normal delivery time for 
consumable Products (Cartridges and Accessories) will be approximately four 
(4) weeks from date of order or release against a blanket order but in no 
event shall be more than eight (8) weeks from such date.  A normal delivery 
time for the Instruments will be approximately three (3) weeks from date of 
order or release against a blanket order but in no event shall be more than 
six (6) weeks from such date.  Biocircuits shall use commercially reasonable 
efforts to fill orders and deliver products on the dates specified in the 
orders accepted


                                      9.
<PAGE>

from Becton.  In addition to any other remedies Becton may have, Becton shall 
be relieved of any liability for the failure to make the period commitment 
purchase, to the extent such failure results from Biocircuits' failure to 
deliver by such dates.  Such relief of liability of Becton shall be limited 
solely to the specific quantity of Products in question.  Biocircuits shall 
notify Becton immediately of any event preventing delivery of Products within 
the time specified in the accepted order and shall use commercially 
reasonable efforts to achieve delivery as soon as practicable and to overcome 
the event preventing delivery.

    3.5  INSPECTION AND REJECTION.  All Products delivered by Biocircuits are 
subject to quality control and test inspection by Becton to verify their 
compliance with the Product Specifications and conformity to the order. 
Biocircuits will supply a final testing certificate for each Product (or lot) 
showing performance data which complies with the Product Specifications.  
These certificates shall be shipped separately from the Products and shall be 
addressed to the Quality Control Supervisor of Becton.  Becton shall have the 
right, but not the obligation, to examine some or all of the Products and 
verify their conformity to the order.  If Becton determines that the Products 
do not conform to the applicable Product Specifications or there are other 
delivery errors, then Becton shall notify Biocircuits in writing of all 
shortages or nonconformities which existed at the time of delivery.  Such 
notification shall be made upon discovery of the nonconformity, but not later 
than thirty (30) days after delivery of the Product.   Any notice of 
rejection shall be in writing and shall specify the reasons for rejection.  
If Becton does not reject a shipment of Products within thirty (30) days 
following receipt, such shipment will be deemed to have been accepted.  Once 
Becton accepts a shipment of Products, Becton shall have no recourse against 
Biocircuits if any Product in the shipment is subsequently deemed unsuitable 
for use for any reason, except as set forth in Section 6.1.  After notice of 
rejection is received by Biocircuits, Becton shall cooperate with Biocircuits 
in determining whether rejection is necessary or justified. Biocircuits shall 
notify Becton as promptly as reasonably possible whether it accepts Becton's 
basis for any rejection.  If Biocircuits agrees with Becton's determination 
that certain Products do not meet the applicable Product Specifications, 
Biocircuits shall (1) replace such rejected  Cartridges and Accessories, or 
(2) reimburse Becton for the repair of such rejected Instruments pursuant to 
Section 5.1.7, as applicable.  If Biocircuits disagrees with Becton's 
determination that certain Cartridges or Accessories do not meet the 
applicable Product Specifications, Biocircuits shall use reasonable and 
timely efforts to replace such rejected Cartridges or Accessories.  The 
rejected Cartridges or Accessories, as appropriate, shall be submitted to a 
mutually acceptable third party laboratory, which shall determine whether 
such Cartridges or Accessories meet the specifications.  The parties agree 
that such laboratory's determination shall be final and determinative.  The 
party against whom the third party tester rules shall bear the reasonable 
costs of the third party testing.  If the third-party tester rules that the 
Cartridges or Accessories meet specifications, Becton shall purchase those 
Cartridges or Accessories at the agreed-upon price, irrespective of whether 
Biocircuits has already replaced it.  If the third-party tester rules that 
the batch does not meet specifications and the batch was not replaced, 
Biocircuits shall credit Becton's account in an amount equal to the purchase 
price of the rejected Cartridges or Accessories, or refund that sum to 
Becton, as appropriate.


                                      10.
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 4

           SIGNING FEE; PRICES; ROYALTIES; PAYMENT TERMS; STOCK PURCHASE

    4.1  SIGNING FEE.  On the Effective Date, Becton shall pay to Biocircuits 
a nonrefundable, noncreditable signing fee of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand 
Dollars ($750,000) for the marketing rights for the Products and the right to 
manufacture, or have manufactured, the Instruments on and after the 
Manufacture Date.

    4.2  PRICE.

         4.2.1     INSTRUMENTS.  Becton agrees to pay Biocircuits U.S. [**]
per new Instrument and U.S. [**] per refurbished Instrument, fully packaged 
and ready for sale, for Instruments furnished by Biocircuits to Becton prior 
to the Manufacture Date.

         4.2.2     CARTRIDGES.

              (a)  The Cartridge transfer prices for Existing and New 
Cartridges are set forth on Exhibits C and D, respectively.  Biocircuits may, 
upon mutual agreement of the parties, increase the transfer prices for 
Cartridges, provided that only one (1) price increase may be made per twelve 
(12) month period.  Such price increase shall not exceed the increase in the 
Producer Price Index for such period.

              (b)  The transfer price of any additional Cartridges developed 
by Biocircuits during the term of the Agreement pursuant to Section 2.5.1 
will be subject to good faith negotiation between the parties PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, that in no event will such price exceed [**] of the Distributor 
Price or be less than [**].

         4.2.3     ACCESSORIES.  The transfer prices for Accessories are set 
forth on Exhibit A.  Biocircuits may, upon mutual agreement of the parties, 
increase the transfer prices for Accessories, provided that only one (1) 
price increase may be made per twelve (12) month period.  Such price increase 
shall not exceed the increase in the Producer Price Index for such period.

    4.3  ROYALTIES.

         4.3.1     RUNNING ROYALTY.  The parties mutually agree that Becton 
shall assume the manufacture of the Instrument pursuant to Article 9 herein. 
Becton shall thereafter pay to Biocircuits royalties on Net Sales of 
Instruments by Becton at a rate of [**] of Net Sales of Instruments, with a 
guaranteed annual minimum Instrument royalty payment of [**], commencing in 
calendar year 1999.

         4.3.2     ACCRUAL OF ROYALTIES.  Royalty payments under this 
Agreement shall accrue to Biocircuits on a calendar quarter basis and payment 
shall be made by Becton within


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                                      11.
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[**] following the end of each calendar quarter.  Each royalty payment shall 
be accompanied by a report summarizing the Net Sales made and the royalty 
payable thereon, including a description of any offsets or credits deducted 
therefrom, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis during the 
relevant three-month period.

    4.4  PAYMENT TERMS.  [**] Biocircuits shall notify Becton of the actual 
date of each shipment of Products at least five (5) days in advance of such 
shipment.  All amounts payable to Biocircuits under this Agreement shall be 
paid in U.S. dollars.

    4.5  EXCHANGE RATE.  The rate of exchange to be used in computing the 
amount of currency equivalent in U.S. dollars due Biocircuits shall be made 
using the spot purchase rate published in the Wall Street Journal (Eastern 
Edition) for the last day of the relevant calendar quarter.

    4.6  BLOCKED CURRENCY.  In each country where the local currency is 
blocked and cannot be removed from the country, at the election of Becton, 
royalties accrued in that country may be paid to Biocircuits in the country 
in local currency by deposit in a local bank designated by Biocircuits.

    4.7  WITHHOLDING TAXES.  Payments hereunder shall be made without 
deduction other than such amount (if any) Becton is required by law to deduct 
or withhold. Payments subject to such deductions or other withholdings shall 
be increased by an amount which shall equal, as nearly as possible, the 
amount required to be deducted or withheld, less any tax benefits realizable 
by Biocircuits.  Becton shall obtain a receipt from the relevant taxing 
authorities for all withholding taxes paid and forward such receipts to 
Biocircuits to enable Biocircuits to claim any and all tax credits for which 
it may be eligible.  Becton shall reasonably assist Biocircuits in claiming 
exemption from such deductions or withholdings under any double taxation or 
similar agreement or treaty from time to time in force.

    4.8  OTHER TAXES; TRANSPORTATION; INSURANCE.  Becton will pay all 
non-U.S. export charges, import duties, any and all sales, use, excise, value 
added or other taxes or assessments imposed by any governmental authority 
upon or applicable to any sale to Becton under this Agreement, and all costs 
and charges for transportation, brokerage, handling and insurance of the 
Products from the point of shipment.

    4.9  OVERDUE PAYMENTS.  Payments due Biocircuits under this Agreement 
shall, if not paid when due under the terms of this Agreement, bear simple 
interest at the lower of 1.5 % per month or the highest rate permitted by 
applicable law, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the number of 
days actually elapsed, beginning on the due date and ending on the day prior 
to the day on which payment is made in full.  Interest accruing under this 
Section shall be due to Biocircuits on demand.  The accrual or receipt by 
Biocircuits of interest under this Section shall not constitute a waiver by 
Biocircuits of any right it may otherwise have to declare a default under 
this Agreement or to terminate this Agreement.


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                                      12.
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    4.10 RECORDS; AUDIT OF SALES AND EXPENSES.  Becton will maintain complete 
and accurate records which are relevant to sales, expenses and payments under 
this Agreement.  Such records shall be made available by Becton upon 
reasonable advance notice during reasonable business hours for a period of 
three (3) years from creation of the individual records for examination at 
Biocircuits' expense and not more often than once each year by a certified 
public accountant selected by Biocircuits and acceptable to Becton, which 
acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld, for the sole purpose of 
verifying for Biocircuits the correctness of calculations of sales, costs, 
expenses or payments under this Agreement.  In the absence of material 
discrepancies (in excess of five percent (5%)) in any request for 
reimbursement resulting from such audit, the accounting expense shall be paid 
by Biocircuits.  If material discrepancies do result, Becton shall bear the 
accounting expense, such expense not to exceed [**]. Any records or 
accounting information received from Becton shall be Confidential Information 
for purposes of Article 12.  The terms of this Section 4.10 shall survive any 
termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years.

    4.11 STOCK PURCHASE.  Becton agrees not to purchase common stock of 
Biocircuits in the open market or from third parties in private transactions 
which, in the aggregate, would exceed [**] without first obtaining the 
written consent of Biocircuits.  

    4.12 VALUATION.  During the first two quarters of the calendar year 2000, 
Becton may obtain, at its cost, a fair and independent valuation of 
Biocircuits by an appraiser or other qualified person or entity of Becton's 
choice. Biocircuits will exercise reasonable commercial efforts consistent 
with the regular conduct of its business to cooperate with such valuation 
process. Becton may make an offer to acquire Biocircuits based on the 
valuation obtained. 

                                  ARTICLE 5

                                  MARKETING.

    5.1  PROMOTION AND MARKETING.

         5.1.1     DILIGENCE.  Becton agrees to promote the sale, marketing 
and distribution of the Products in a manner consistent with generally 
accepted business practices. 

         5.1.2     MINIMUM SALES.

              (a)  Becton's internal forecast for the term of the Agreement 
for U.S. Instrument installations ("Installations") and non-U.S. sales is as 
follows:

              Calendar year [**]:  [**]

              Calendar year [**]:  [**]

              Calendar years [**]:  [**]


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                                      13.
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              (b)  In the event that Becton's actual Installations of 
Instruments are less than, on a cumulative basis up to the end of each 
calendar quarter, [**] of Becton's internal forecast of Installations for the 
applicable calendar quarter (the "Minimum Sales Benchmark"), Becton shall 
have one (1) calendar quarter in which to increase its Installations so as to 
meet or exceed the Minimum Sales Benchmark.

              (c)  If Becton's Installations fall below the Minimum Sales 
Benchmark and such Installations do not meet or exceed the Minimum Sales 
Benchmark by the end of the next succeeding calendar quarter for any reason 
other than those set forth in Section 5.1.2 (e) below, Biocircuits may, at 
its election and in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement.

              (d)  If a menu item in Section 2.5.2 is not available for the 
entire month, in addition to the discount set forth in Section 2.6 (if 
applicable), the forecast volume will be adjusted to the actual volume 
achieved by Becton, not to exceed the original forecast volume.

              (e)  If Becton's Installations fall below the Minimum Sales 
Benchmark because of a material interruption in the supply of Products to 
Becton, or because of a force majeure, Biocircuits and Becton will discuss an 
appropriate and mutually agreeable reduction of the applicable Installations 
consistent with the circumstances.  If the parties are unable to reach 
agreement on the fact or amount of such a reduction, the dispute resolution 
procedures set forth in Section 15.1 shall apply.

         5.1.3     BUSINESS MEETINGS.  Biocircuits and Becton will meet each 
calendar quarter during the term of the Agreement to discuss relevant issues.

         5.1.4     PACKAGING.  From the Effective Date until the Manufacture 
Date, Biocircuits will provide Instruments, Cartridges and Accessories fully 
packaged in accordance with Biocircuits' standard practices and in accordance 
with the Product Specifications.  Becton will notify Biocircuits of any 
special packaging requirements necessary to market any of the Products (which 
shall be made at Becton's expense).  Commencing with the Manufacture Date, 
Becton will be responsible for packaging the Instruments for sale, including, 
without limitation, designing and producing all packaging materials and 
product inserts all in forms which shall be approved in writing by 
Biocircuits prior to first use of such materials by Becton.  All packaging 
materials and product inserts used by Becton shall bear the Biocircuits' 
Trademarks (as hereinafter defined in Section 5.2).  After the Manufacture 
Date, Biocircuits shall continue to provide to Becton Cartridges and 
Accessories fully packaged in accordance with Biocircuits' standard practices 
 and labeled with the Becton trademark in compliance with Section 5.2.

         5.1.5     PROMOTIONAL LITERATURE.  Upon request, Biocircuits will 
furnish Becton, at Becton's expense, with a reasonable supply of its sales 
literature, books, catalogues and the like in English in order to aid Becton 
in effectively carrying out its activities under this Agreement.  Becton 
shall possess the right to design and produce promotional literature.


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                                      14.
<PAGE>

         5.1.6     INVENTORY.  Becton will maintain an inventory of Products 
reasonably sufficient to provide, where appropriate, replacement Products to 
its customers for any defective Product.

         5.1.7     REPLACEMENT OR SERVICE OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.

              (a)  INSTRUMENTS.  Prior to the Manufacture Date, Becton will 
replace all defective Instruments returned to it by its customers, and return 
all such defective and irreparable Instruments to Biocircuits.  Biocircuits 
shall supply Instruments, without charge to Becton, in an amount sufficient 
to replace the Instruments returned to Becton or give credit to Becton 
against outstanding receivables due from Becton against the price of 
Instruments to be delivered to Becton in the future, in amounts equal to the 
price paid by Becton to Biocircuits for Instruments so returned plus all 
transportation costs incurred by Becton in respect of such returned 
Instruments.  After the Manufacture Date, Becton shall replace all defective 
Instruments at its own expense.  All Instrument repair during the term of 
this Agreement shall be performed by Becton.  For those Instruments returned 
to Becton for repair that were sold by Biocircuits and that remain under the 
Biocircuits product warranty set forth in Section 6.1.1, Biocircuits will 
transfer to Becton, within five (5) business days of the Effective Date, a 
one-time payment of [**] to cover the costs of such repair of all such 
Instruments (the "Repair Reserve").  If the costs of such repair exceed 125% 
of the Repair Reserve, Becton may notify Biocircuits of the total amount of 
the repair costs and, upon written verification of such repair costs, 
Biocircuits will reimburse Becton for such repair costs in excess of [**].  
All Instruments manufactured by Becton during the term of this Agreement 
shall be repaired by Becton at Becton's cost.

              (b)  CARTRIDGES.  Becton will replace all defective Cartridges 
returned to it by its customers and, upon request by Biocircuits, provide all 
documentation related to such returned defective Cartridges to Biocircuits. 
During the term of this Agreement, in any given calendar quarter, Biocircuits 
will provide to Becton up to [**] of all Cartridges purchased by Becton from 
Biocircuits during the preceding calendar quarter as replacements for 
defective Cartridges, or, at Biocircuits election, Biocircuits will credit 
the equivalent amount against amounts due Biocircuits for Cartridges to be 
delivered to Becton in the future.  Whether Biocircuits elects to replace the 
defective Cartridges or credit Becton's account, Biocircuits will also credit 
Becton's account for transportation costs incurred by Becton in respect of 
such returned Cartridges. 

         5.1.8     RECORDS.  Becton shall at all times maintain complete and 
accurate sales data on the Products, including price lists, catalogs, 
technical bulletin files and the location of each Instrument, by serial 
number, sold by Becton.  No less than once each quarter, Becton shall supply 
Biocircuits with a written report detailing any commonly experienced 
component failures or service problems ("Incidents").  Becton shall maintain 
records of Incidents by serial number of the involved Instrument.  Upon 
reasonable notice from Biocircuits, records of Incidents shall be made 
available by Becton for Biocircuits' inspection.

         5.1.9     EXPENSES.  All expenses incurred by Becton in connection
with the performance of its obligations hereunder will be borne solely by
Becton.  Becton will be


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                                      15.
<PAGE>

responsible for appointing its own employees, agents and representatives, who 
will be compensated by Becton.

         5.1.10    SALES REPRESENTATIVES.  Becton agrees to evaluate
Biocircuits' sales representatives as of the Effective Date and may, but shall
not be obligated to, make offers of employment to those who meet Becton's
employment criteria.

    5.2  TRADEMARKS.  To the extent reasonably required by Becton to perform 
its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, Biocircuits grants to Becton a 
non-transferable, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to 
use during the term of this Agreement the trademarks and trade names listed 
in Exhibit E hereto (collectively, the "Biocircuits Trademarks") with respect 
to the Products, solely in connection with Becton's marketing and 
distribution of the Products under this Agreement.  Becton will not at any 
time do, fail to do or permit any act to be done which in any way impairs 
Biocircuits' rights in the Biocircuits Trademarks.  Becton may use its own 
brand name and logo on the Products in addition to the Biocircuits' 
Trademarks in any manner approved by Biocircuits pursuant to Section 5.1.4, 
such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.  In order to comply with 
Biocircuits' quality control standards, Becton shall (i) use the Biocircuits 
Trademarks in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and (ii) not 
modify any of the Biocircuits Trademarks in any way and not use any of the 
Biocircuits Trademarks on or in connection with any goods or services other 
than the Products.

    5.3  CUSTOMER SUPPORT.  Becton will provide all customer support to end 
users of the Products during the term of this Agreement.  Upon the reasonable 
request of Becton and at Biocircuits' sole expense, Biocircuits agrees to 
provide assistance to Becton , in the form of advisory consultation with 
Becton's customer support personnel, in delivering such customer support to 
end users of Products.

                                  ARTICLE 6

                       BIOCIRCUITS PRODUCT WARRANTY.

    6.1  PRODUCT WARRANTY.

         6.1.1     INSTRUMENTS.  Biocircuits warrants to Becton that the 
Instruments provided to Becton by Biocircuits in accordance with the terms 
hereof shall be (i) in compliance with the Product Specifications; (ii) 
manufactured, packaged, labeled and stored in compliance with the FD&C, cGMP 
and other applicable laws, rules and regulations and (iii) free from defects 
in material and workmanship for a period of [**] from the date on which the 
applicable Instrument is delivered to Becton.

         6.1.2     CARTRIDGES AND ACCESSORIES.  Biocircuits warrants to Becton
that the Cartridges and Accessories provided to Becton by Biocircuits in
accordance with the terms hereof shall be (i) in compliance with the Product
Specifications; (ii) manufactured, packaged, labeled and stored in compliance
with the FD&C, cGMP and other applicable laws, rules and


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                                      16.
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regulations and (iii) free from defects in material and workmanship until the 
expiration date, if any, on such Products.

         6.1.3     REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.  Subject to the terms of Section 
5.1.7 above, defective Products may be returned to Biocircuits for repair or 
replacement.  In the case of Instruments, prior to any such return, Becton 
must first obtain a return of materials authorization (RMA) number from 
Biocircuits. Any returned Instruments must be in their original packaging and 
must be accompanied by the RMA number assigned to such return.  Repair or 
replacement of the defective Product at Biocircuits' discretion shall be 
Becton's sole and exclusive remedy and Biocircuits' sole and exclusive 
obligation for any breach of the foregoing warranty.

    6.2  EXCLUSIONS.  The above warranties shall not apply to any Product 
which (a) has been altered, (b) has not been operated, repaired or maintained 
in accordance with any handling, maintenance or operating instructions 
supplied by Biocircuits or (c) has been subjected to unusual physical or 
electrical stress, misuse, abuse, negligence or accident.

    6.3  DISCLAIMER.  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, 
BIOCIRCUITS MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO 
THE PRODUCTS, AND BIOCIRCUITS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF 
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

    6.4  NO WARRANTY PASS THROUGH.  Becton shall not be entitled to pass 
through any of the foregoing warranties to any third parties.  Becton shall 
be responsible for all warranties made to customers and for all customer 
support.

                                 ARTICLE 7

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

    7.1  MUTUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Each party hereby represents 
and warrants to the other party that (i) it has the right and lawful 
authority to enter into this Agreement; (ii) this Agreement is legal and 
valid and the obligations binding upon such party are enforceable in 
accordance with their terms except insofar as the enforceability hereof may 
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, moratorium and 
other similar laws affecting the rights of the creditors generally, or 
general principles of equity regardless of whether asserted in a proceeding 
in equity or at law; and (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of 
this Agreement does not conflict with any agreement, instrument or 
understanding, oral or written, to which such party may be bound, nor violate 
any law or regulation of any court, governmental body or administrative or 
other agency having jurisdiction over it.

    7.2  PATENTS.  BIOCIRCUITS warrants to Becton that (a) it is the owner of 
the entire right, title and interest in the Biocircuits Patent Rights and 
Biocircuits Technology and has all authority necessary to grant the licenses 
in and to the Biocircuits Patent Rights and Biocircuits Technology herein; 
and (b) the Biocircuits Patent Rights and Biocircuits Technology represent 
all of the


                                      17.
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intellectual property owned or controlled by Biocircuits which is necessary 
for the manufacture, use, offer for sale, sale and importation of the 
Instrument, Cartridges and Accessories; and (c) manufacture, use, offer for 
sale, sale and importation of the Instrument, Cartridges and Accessories has 
not been found to infringe, and to the best of Biocircuits' knowledge without 
undertaking inquiry, is not now infringing, and has not been the subject of 
any notice or allegation, received by Biocircuits as of the Effective Date, 
of infringement of any intellectual property right of a third party. 

    7.3  TRADEMARKS.  Biocircuits warrants to Becton that (a) it is the owner 
of the entire right, title and interest in the Biocircuits Trademarks and has 
all authority necessary to grant the licenses in and to the Biocircuits 
Trademarks herein; and (b) the use of the Biocircuits Trademarks has not been 
found to infringe, and to the best of Biocircuits' knowledge without 
undertaking inquiry, is not now infringing, and has not been the subject of 
any notice or allegation, received by Biocircuits as of the Effective Date, 
of infringement of any intellectual property right of a third party. 

                                  ARTICLE 8

                              INDEMNIFICATION.

    8.1  INDEMNIFICATION BY BIOCIRCUITS.  Biocircuits agrees to indemnify, 
defend and hold Becton harmless from and against all claims, damages, losses, 
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees and court costs 
(collectively "Claims"), which Becton may incur to the extent such Claims 
arise out of (i) a Product's infringement of any United States federal or 
state intellectual property right of a third party (subject to Section 8.5 
below), or (ii) the death or injury of any person or damage to property 
resulting from (a) Biocircuits' breach of its representations, warranties and 
covenants contained in this Agreement (b) Biocircuits' design or manufacture 
of the Products to the extent not caused by fault attributable to Becton, or 
(c) the negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct of Biocircuits or its 
officers, employees or agents.

    8.2  INDEMNIFICATION BY BECTON.  Becton agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold Biocircuits harmless from and against all claims, damages, losses, costs
and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (collectively
"Claims"), which Biocircuits may incur to the extent that such Claims arise out
of or result from (i) Becton's breach of its representations, warranties and
covenants contained in this Agreement, (ii) any Instrument manufactured by
Becton after the Manufacture Date which results in injury, illness or death of
any person or damage to property, to the extent not caused by fault attributable
to Biocircuits, (iii) the sale, promotion or other distribution of Products by
Becton otherwise than a manner consistent with the Agreement, (iv) any
representation or warranty given by Becton with respect to the Products (other
than product warranty given by Biocircuits in Article 6 hereto and other than
the labeling for Products as cleared by the FDA), (v) the manufacture, use or
sale of any product which is not supplied by Biocircuits and which is sold or
combined by Becton with the Products, (vi) repairs or services rendered by
Becton or (vii) injury, illness or death of any person, including without
limitation, Becton's employees or contractors engaged in the manufacture of the
Instrument, or to the extent such injury, illness or death to other persons


                                      18.
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arises out of or results from the negligence, recklessness or willful 
misconduct of Becton or Becton's officers, employees or agents.

    8.3  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE 
TO THE OTHER FOR ANY INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT 
LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE 
POSSIBILITY THEREOF.  Each party acknowledges that the foregoing limitations 
are an essential element of the Agreement between the parties and that in the 
absence of such limitations the pricing and other terms set forth in this 
Agreement would be substantially different.

    8.4  INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURE.  The party seeking indemnification under 
this Article 8 (the "Indemnified Party") shall (i) give the other party (the 
"Indemnifying Party") notice of the relevant claim and the related facts with 
reasonable promptness after becoming aware of same, (ii) reasonably cooperate 
with the Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party's expense, in the 
defense of such claim, and (iii) give the Indemnifying Party the right to 
control the defense and settlement of any such claim, except that (subject to 
Section 8.5 below) the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any settlement 
that affects the Indemnified Party's rights or interest without the 
Indemnifying Party's prior written approval.  The Indemnified Party shall 
have no authority to settle any claim on behalf of the Indemnifying Party.

    8.5  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Biocircuits' obligation to indemnify Becton 
for Claims (as defined in Section 8.1) relating to infringement of any 
intellectual property right of a third party shall be limited to [**] 
in the aggregate and shall be Becton's sole remedy against Biocircuits for 
such Claims.  Biocircuits may, in its sole discretion, (i) obtain for Becton 
the right to continue to manufacture (if applicable), market, sell and 
distribute the relevant Product in the United States (a "Third Party 
License") (ii) replace or modify the relevant Product so as to make the 
Product non-infringing, or (iii) if (i) and (ii) are not commercially and 
technically reasonable, terminate Becton's rights to distribute (and 
manufacture, if applicable) the relevant Product in the United States and 
Becton will remove all such Products from the United States market and will 
cease distributing (and manufacturing, if applicable) the relevant Product in 
the United States.  If Biocircuits elects to obtain for Becton a Third Party 
License, Biocircuits shall not increase the applicable transfer prices set 
forth in Section 4.2 or royalties set forth in Section 4.3 except by mutual 
agreement of the parties.  If the parties do not agree on such an increase, 
Biocircuits may elect to proceed under (iii) above. Biocircuits may, in its 
sole discretion, enter into a settlement with the third party, including but 
not limited to obtaining the rights described in (i) above. Biocircuits shall 
not be obligated to indemnify Becton for Claims arising out of a Product's 
infringement of any intellectual property right of a third party resulting 
from Becton's combination of such Product with technology other than the 
Biocircuits Patents or Biocircuits Technology, Becton's misuse or mishandling 
of such Product or Becton's unauthorized modification of such Product.


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                                      19.
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                                   ARTICLE 9

                    MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS BY BECTON.

    9.1  LICENSE GRANT.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this 
Agreement, Biocircuits hereby grants to Becton and Becton hereby accepts an 
exclusive (even as to Biocircuits) license, with the right to sublicense, 
under the Biocircuits Technology, to manufacture the Instruments effective 
upon the Manufacture Date for the remainder of the term of this Agreement.  
Upon the Manufacture Date and thereafter during the term of this Agreement, 
Becton agrees to manufacture, or have manufactured, the Instruments on behalf 
of Biocircuits.

    9.2  PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING STANDARDS.  Becton agrees to 
manufacture, package, label and store Instruments (i) which meet the 
Manufacturing Specifications for Instruments; (ii) in a manner that is in 
accordance with cGMP requirements and all other applicable FDA requirements 
and applicable requirements of any foreign regulatory authority having 
jurisdiction over the manufacture or sale of the Instruments; and (iii) in a 
manner that is in accordance with any other procedures and documents 
subsequently issued and agreed to by the parties in accordance with the terms 
hereof.  Becton shall provide such facilities, equipment and services as may 
be required.

    9.3  DELIVERY OF TOOLING AND TEST EQUIPMENT.  At least thirty (30) days 
prior to the Manufacture Date, Biocircuits shall deliver the Tooling, at its 
expense and risk, to Becton's designated facility, or if mutually agreed to 
by the parties, access to such Tooling shall be otherwise made available to 
Becton. Biocircuits shall lease the Tooling to Becton under the terms and 
conditions set forth on Exhibit F.  Promptly upon execution of this 
Agreement, the parties shall negotiate in good faith an Equipment Lease 
Agreement which contains the terms set forth in Exhibit F and such other 
terms and conditions as are customary in such agreements.

    9.4  DELIVERY OF MANUFACTURING INFORMATION.  Upon request by Becton, 
Biocircuits shall provide Becton access to all information, documentation, 
drawings, schematics, data, know-how and show-how necessary to manufacture 
the Instruments.  All information and materials provided to Becton under this 
Section shall be Confidential Information of Biocircuits.

    9.5  LABELS AND PACKAGING MATERIALS.  Becton shall mark and label all 
packaging and containers for the shipment and storage of the Instruments in 
accordance with Biocircuits' instructions, at Becton's expense.  Such 
packaging, labels and containers shall be in accordance with the relevant 
requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, as they may be amended 
from time to time. Such labels and packaging shall, as appropriate, include 
Biocircuits' trademark and trade names.

    9.6  TESTING AND DOCUMENTATION.  Becton shall certify to Biocircuits'
reasonable satisfaction that each Instrument was manufactured, packaged, labeled
and stored in accordance with the Manufacturing Specifications for Instruments
and in compliance with cGMP requirements and other applicable U.S. and foreign
regulatory requirements and in accordance with procedures agreed between Becton
and Biocircuits.  Copies of all documentation and test results as are necessary
to demonstrate Becton's compliance under this Section, including


                                      20.
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records that must be maintained pursuant to applicable cGMP regulations, 
shall be provided or made available to Biocircuits upon reasonable notice 
from Biocircuits.

    9.7  FACILITIES APPROVAL.  Becton shall be responsible for obtaining and 
maintaining all necessary plant inspection standards, plant licenses, 
registrations or permits to enable the sale of the Instruments worldwide. 
Becton shall provide on a continuing basis, access upon reasonable prior 
notice by Biocircuits and/or, upon the request of Biocircuits, Biocircuits' 
designee, to all of its protocols, standard operating procedures, equipment 
specifications and manufacturing records, including records that must be 
maintained pursuant to applicable cGMP regulations, useful or necessary for 
the manufacture of the Instruments, and other non-privileged documentation or 
materials prepared by Becton which may be useful in obtaining or maintaining 
registrations, clearances and approvals of the Instruments.

    9.8  ACCESS.  Biocircuits and Biocircuits' designees shall have 
reasonable access to observe and inspect Becton's facilities and procedures 
including manufacturing operations, including all analytical and 
manufacturing documentation related to the Instruments, at reasonable 
intervals and upon reasonable notice to Becton.  Employees of Biocircuits and 
Biocircuits' designees who visit Becton's facilities shall at all times 
comply with Becton's rules and regulations and shall be subject to all 
confidentiality obligations of Biocircuits under this Agreement.

    9.9  APPROVAL FOR MANUFACTURING CHANGES.  Becton agrees that no changes 
will be made to any materials, specifications, equipment or methods of 
production or testing for the Instrument without Biocircuits' prior written 
approval.  Subsequent to the prior written approval of Biocircuits, such 
approval not to be unreasonably withheld, Becton may then make those changes 
in manufacturing procedures permitted by applicable regulations.  In the 
event that government regulations or regulatory authorities enacted after the 
Effective Date require a change in the manufacturing procedures for the 
Instrument, the parties will meet promptly to discuss a mutually agreeable 
way to implement such change.

    9.10 BECTON WARRANTIES REGARDING MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS.  Becton 
warrants during the period in which it manufactures Instruments:

         9.10.1    that it will comply with all manufacturing instructions 
and the Manufacturing Specifications, including any quality control standards 
agreed to by the parties hereto;

         9.10.2    that the Instruments will be manufactured, packaged, 
labeled, stored and serviced in accordance with Biocircuits' instructions and 
specifications and in compliance with cGMP and other applicable laws, rules 
and regulations;

         9.10.3    that, upon delivery of Instruments to a carrier on behalf 
of Biocircuits or Becton, the Instruments will be in conformity with the 
Manufacturing Specifications and with the FD & C Act or its foreign 
equivalent, and with all other applicable laws and regulations then in 
effect; and


                                      21.
<PAGE>

         9.10.4    that it shall not knowingly ship Instruments that are 
defective in any way, or are adulterated, misbranded or otherwise unsuitable, 
or that have been misused, contaminated, tampered with or otherwise altered, 
mishandled or subjected to negligence.

                                 ARTICLE 10

                    PRODUCT RECALLS; ADVERSE EVENTS.

    10.1 PRODUCT RECALL.  Becton shall have the right to control the 
arrangement of any Product recall, and the parties will cooperate with each 
other in implementing such recall.  Specifically, the parties shall cooperate 
in the event of a Product recall with respect to the reshipment, storage or 
disposal of recalled Products; the preparation and maintenance of relevant 
records and reports; and notification to any recipients or users.  In the 
event that any governmental agency or authority issues a recall or takes 
similar action in connection with the Products, or in the event either party 
determines that an event, incident or circumstance has occurred which may 
result in the need for a recall or market withdrawal, the party with such 
information shall, within twenty-four (24) hours, advise the other party of 
the circumstances by telephone or facsimile.  The party primarily responsible 
for the event precipitating the Product recall shall be responsible for the 
expenses arising from such recall.  In the event of a recall of Cartridges 
and Accessories for a defect that is primarily related to the manufacture of 
such Cartridges and Accessories, Biocircuits shall bear the expenses arising 
from such recall.  In the event of a recall of Cartridges and Accessories for 
a defect from the use, including but not limited to the manner of storage, of 
such Cartridges and Accessories after such Cartridges and Accessories have 
passed to Becton pursuant to Section 3.4 above, Becton shall bear the 
expenses arising from such recall.

    10.2 ADVERSE EVENTS.  Each party shall advise the other party, by 
telephone or facsimile, within such time as is required by the FDA or foreign 
equivalent (with respect to the severity of an adverse event) after it 
becomes aware of any complaints, adverse event reports or safety issues 
potentially caused by use of the Products or to which the use of the Products 
may have contributed as well as any product malfunction or any other 
reportable events under 21 CFR 803-804 or similar laws and regulations in 
other countries.  Such advising party shall provide the other party with a 
written report delivered by confirmed facsimile of any such reports, stating 
the full facts known to it, including but not limited to, customer name, 
address, telephone number and serial number, if any, of the Products involved.

                                  ARTICLE 11

                          INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

    11.1 OWNERSHIP OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.  Biocircuits will retain all of its
rights, title and interest in and ownership of all Biocircuits Technology,
Biocircuits Patent Rights, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and all other
industrial and intellectual property embodied in the Products.  Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Becton will have no right, title
or interest in any industrial or intellectual property relating to the Products,
marketing


                                      22.
<PAGE>

and promotional materials and reports and all marketing data and all 
intellectual property relating thereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any marketing 
materials developed by or for Becton pursuant to Section 5.1.5 shall be the 
property solely of Becton.

    11.2 INFRINGEMENT OF BIOCIRCUITS PATENT RIGHTS BY THIRD PARTIES.

         11.2.1    NOTIFICATION.  Each Party shall promptly notify the other 
in writing of any alleged or threatened infringement of the Biocircuits 
Patent Rights of which it becomes aware.

         11.2.2    ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS.  Biocircuits shall retain the right to 
bring, at Biocircuits' expense, an appropriate action against any person or 
entity infringing a Biocircuits Patent Right directly or contributorily and 
shall be entitled to retain all amounts recovered in connection with such 
action.  In the event that Biocircuits is unable or unwilling to commence an 
action against the alleged infringer within one hundred twenty (120) days of 
the date of notice of such infringement, Becton may, but shall not be 
obligated to, prosecute the alleged infringement or threatened infringement 
and shall be entitled to retain all amounts recovered in connection with such 
action.  In such event, Becton shall act in its own name and at its own 
expense.  In the event that either party brings an action under this Section 
11.2.2, the other party shall, at the expense of the party bringing the 
action, cooperate fully with the party bringing the action, including if 
required to bring such an action, the furnishing of a power of attorney.

                                ARTICLE 12

                         CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

    12.1 NONDISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS.  During the term of this Agreement, and 
for a period of five (5) years after termination hereof, each party will 
maintain all Confidential Information in trust and confidence and will not 
disclose any Confidential Information to any third party or use any 
Confidential Information for any unauthorized purpose.  Each party may use 
such Confidential Information only to the extent required to accomplish the 
purposes of this Agreement. Confidential Information shall not be used for 
any purpose or in any manner that would constitute a violation of any laws or 
regulations, including without limitation the export control laws of the 
United States.  Confidential Information shall not be reproduced in any form 
except as required to accomplish the intent of this Agreement.  Each party 
will use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect proprietary 
or confidential information of its own, which shall at minimum be a 
reasonable standard of care.  Each party will promptly notify the other upon 
discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential 
Information.  All information that is to be held confidential shall be given 
only to individuals who are made aware of the confidential nature of the 
information and who have signed a confidentiality agreement or who have a 
fiduciary responsibility to Becton and who have a need to know.

    12.2 EXCEPTIONS.    Confidential Information shall not include any 
information which:

         12.2.1    is now, or hereafter becomes, through no act or failure to 
act on the part of the receiving party, generally known or available;


                                      23.
<PAGE>

         12.2.2    is known by the receiving party at the time of receiving 
such information, as evidenced by its written records;

         12.2.3    is hereafter furnished to the receiving party by a third 
party, as a matter of right and without restriction on disclosure;

         12.2.4    is independently developed by the receiving party without 
any breach of Section 12.1;

         12.2.5    is the subject of a written permission to disclose 
provided by the disclosing party; or

         12.2.6    is of such inconsequential nature as to render it valueless.

    The parties agree that the material financial terms of this Agreement 
will be considered the Confidential Information of both parties.  However, 
each party shall have the right to disclose the material financial terms of 
this Agreement to any potential acquirer, merger partner, or other bona fide 
potential financial partner, subject to a requirement to secure confidential 
treatment of such information consistent with the Agreement or if it is 
prudent or proper to make such disclosure to comply with applicable 
government regulations; provided that the disclosing party shall utilize 
reasonable efforts to not publicly disclose such information to the extent 
legally permitted and practicable.

    12.3 AUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
Agreement, each party may disclose Confidential Information if such 
disclosure:

         12.3.1    is in response to a valid order of a court or other 
governmental body of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; 
PROVIDED, HOWEVER that the responding party shall first have given notice to 
the other party hereto and shall have made a reasonable effort to obtain a 
protective order requiring that the Confidential Information so disclosed be 
used only for the purposes for which the order was issued;

         12.3.2    is otherwise required by law; or

         12.3.3    is otherwise necessary to conduct financings, file or 
prosecute patent applications, prosecute or defend litigation or comply with 
applicable governmental regulations, including regulatory filings, or 
otherwise establish rights or enforce obligations under this Agreement, but 
only to the extent that any such disclosure is necessary.

    12.4 PRIOR CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.  The terms of this Article 12 shall 
supersede that certain Confidentiality Agreement between the parties dated 
July 14, 1997 (the "Confidentiality Agreement") and the Confidentiality 
Agreement shall terminate concurrent with the execution of this Agreement.


                                      24.
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE 13

                             COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

    13.1 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

         13.1.1    MANUFACTURING AND SHIPPING.  Becton and Biocircuits each 
shall be responsible for complying with all applicable legal and regulatory 
requirements of the United States and any other national, supranational 
(e.g., European Union), state or local regulatory agency, department, bureau, 
commission, council or other governmental entity regarding the manufacture 
and shipment obligations hereunder.  Becton and Biocircuits each shall give 
the other party prompt notice of any impending inspections by a governmental 
agency of the facility used for or processes involved in the manufacture of 
the Cartridges, Accessories and Instruments hereunder, and shall provide the 
other party an opportunity to observe such inspection.  Becton and 
Biocircuits each shall provide the other party with copies of inspection 
reports, correspondence and other documents relating to government 
inspections.  Each party shall promptly notify the other of new instructions, 
regulations or specifications of which it becomes aware which are relevant to 
the manufacture of the Instruments under this Agreement and which are 
required by the FDA, equivalent foreign regulatory agencies, or other 
applicable laws or governmental regulations and shall confer with each other 
with respect to the best means to comply with such requirements.  Each party 
shall assist the other in obtaining and maintaining all approvals and 
authorizations of any governmental agencies necessary for the manufacture, 
import, export or distribution of Instruments, and will promptly notify the 
other party of any comments, responses or notices that a party receives from 
any governmental authorities which relate to the regulatory status of the 
Instrument.

         13.1.2    MARKETING AND SALES.  Becton shall comply with all 
applicable laws, regulations and orders of any governments or government 
agencies worldwide and with all other governmental requirements applicable to 
its promotion, marketing and sales activities with respect to the Products, 
including obtaining import approvals or other permits, customs clearances, or 
authorizations for the shipment and sale of Products.  In connection with 
Becton's compliance with this paragraph, Becton will provide Biocircuits with 
all information it shall reasonably request, including but not limited to 
distribution records, copies of any filings made in connection therewith and 
any promotional literature, sales literature, books, catalogues and the like 
prepared in connection with the Products. Biocircuits will, at Becton's 
expense, furnish Becton with such assistance and cooperation as may 
reasonably be requested in connection with compliance with such governmental 
requirements.

                               ARTICLE 14

              TERM, TERMINATION, AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

    14.1 TERM.  Except as provided in Sections 14.2 and 14.3, this Agreement 
and the licenses and rights granted hereunder will be effective for a term of 
four (4) years.


                                      25.
<PAGE>

    14.2 EARLY TERMINATION BY EITHER PARTY.  Either party may terminate this 
Agreement upon written notice to the other party if (i) the other party 
commits any material breach of this Agreement which the other party fails to 
cure within [**] following written notice from the non-breaching party 
specifying such breach; (ii) the other party permanently ceases to conduct 
business; or (iii) the other party (a) becomes insolvent, (b) makes an 
assignment for the benefit of creditors, (c) commences any dissolution, 
liquidation or winding up, (d) has a receiver, trustee, conservator or 
liquidator appointed for all or a substantial part of its assets, or (e) has 
a petition filed by or against it under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as 
amended, 11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq., or under any state insolvency laws 
providing for the relief of debtors, and such petition is not dismissed 
within [**] of its filing.

    14.3 EARLY TERMINATION BY BIOCIRCUITS.  Biocircuits may, at its election
and in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement if  Becton fails to meet
the minimum sales requirement set forth in Section 5.1.2.  

    14.4 SURVIVING OBLIGATIONS.  Termination or expiration of this Agreement
will not (i) affect any other rights of either party which may have accrued up
to the date of such termination or expiration, (ii) relieve either party of its
obligations under Article 8 (Indemnity) or Article 12 (Confidential
Information), or (iii) relieve Becton of its obligation to pay to Biocircuits
sums due prior to termination or expiration of this Agreement.

    14.5 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  Upon the termination of this Agreement for
whatever reason:

         14.5.1  the right of Becton to act as a sales representative and 
distributor of the Products will cease and, if the Agreement terminates after 
the Manufacture Date, Becton will cease manufacture of the Instruments.  In 
addition, Becton will immediately discontinue all use of Biocircuits' trade 
names and trademarks in connection with the Products.  Becton will return to 
Biocircuits all price lists, catalogs, sales literature, operating and 
service manuals, advertising literature and other materials relating to the 
Products originally provided by Biocircuits to Becton.  However, for 
materials produced by Becton, Becton will destroy such materials which relate 
solely to the Product.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Becton will have the 
right, for a period not to exceed [**] to sell any Products remaining in 
inventory to the extent the same are not repurchased by Biocircuits pursuant 
to subsection 14.5.3 below or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated 
by Becton pursuant to Section 14.2 for an additional [**] solely with respect 
to the fulfillment of firm standing orders as proven by documentation 
presented to Biocircuits.

         14.5.2  Becton shall provide to Biocircuits:

                 (a)  all manufacturing documentation and drawings related to 
the manufacture of the Instruments and the technical data package related 
thereto; and

                 (b)  upon the effective date of termination, the following 
information: (i) the location of all Instruments sold by Becton during the 
term of this Agreement; (ii) the complaint and incident files related to the 
Instruments; and (iii) a copy of Becton's customer list

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

                                      26.
<PAGE>

for the Products compiled during the term of this Agreement, including names, 
addresses, telephone numbers and purchase history.

         14.5.3    in the event the Agreement either terminates at the end of 
four (4) years or is terminated by Biocircuits pursuant to Section 14.3, if 
desired by Biocircuits, Biocircuits may repurchase from Becton all of the 
Products (to the extent that the same are in new and original condition) then 
in Becton's inventory, F.O.B. Becton's facilities, and Biocircuits will repay 
to Becton the actual price paid by Becton to Biocircuits for such returned 
products less any and all amounts then owing and uncontested, for whatever 
reason, from Becton to Biocircuits;

         14.5.4    except to the extent of selling its remaining inventory of 
Instruments as permitted by subsection 14.5.1 above, after termination Becton 
will not represent or hold itself out as being an authorized distributor or 
sales representative for the Products or engage in any practices which might 
make it appear that Becton is still such an authorized distributor or sales 
representative;

         14.5.5    Becton will promptly assign or cause to be assigned to 
Biocircuits, or its designee, every government approval, clearance, 
registration or permit relating to the Products obtained by Becton.  In the 
event such assignment is not permitted by law, Becton will cooperate in the 
cancellation of such government approval, clearance, registration or permit 
standing in its name and the reissuance of such government approval, 
clearance, registration or permit to Biocircuits or its nominee;

         14.5.6    Becton will transfer to Biocircuits at Becton's cost any 
rights it may have to any trademarks or trade names of Biocircuits; and

         14.5.7    In the event the Agreement is terminated, the Equipment 
Lease Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F will terminate concurrently 
therewith.

    14.6 NO LIABILITY FOR TERMINATION.  Neither party will have any 
obligation to the other by reason of the terminating party's termination 
permitted by this Agreement.  Each party hereby agrees not to assert any 
claim by reason of such termination of this Agreement.  Neither party, by 
reason of the termination of this Agreement, will be liable to the other 
because of any damages, expenditure, loss of profits, or prospective profits 
of any kind or nature, sustained or arising out of such termination or for 
any investments related to the performance of this Agreement or the goodwill 
created in the course of the performance under this Agreement.

    14.7 ACCRUED OBLIGATIONS.  No termination of this Agreement will in any 
manner whatsoever release, or be construed as releasing, any party from any 
liability to the other arising out of or in connection with a party's breach 
of, or failure to perform any covenant, agreement duty or obligation 
contained in this Agreement.  Neither party will be relieved from any 
obligations vested prior to the date of termination of this Agreement.

    14.8 ADDITIONAL PURCHASES UPON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION.  Upon 
expiration of this Agreement, Becton may purchase from Biocircuits, at the 
transfer prices set forth under Section 4.2.2, [**] during the calendar 

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

                                      27.
<PAGE>

quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter in which the Agreement 
expires.  In the event the Agreement is terminated by Biocircuits pursuant to 
Sections 14.2(ii), 14.2(iii) or 14.3, Becton may purchase from Biocircuits, 
at the transfer prices set forth under Section 4.2.2, [**] purchased by 
Becton during the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter 
in which the effective date of termination falls.

                                  ARTICLE 15

          DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW; VENUE; OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.

    15.1 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.  

         15.1.1  In the event of any dispute between the parties arising 
under or related to this Agreement (a "Dispute"), the presidents (or a direct 
assignee of each of the presidents reporting to the president) of the parties 
hereto will negotiate in good faith in an effort to resolve such Dispute for 
a period of sixty (60) days following written notification from the other 
party describing in reasonable detail the matter in dispute.  Upon the 
expiration of the sixty (60) day period with the Dispute remaining unsolved, 
either party may proceed under Section 15.1.2 below.

         15.1.2  If a matter has not been resolved under the procedures set 
forth in Section 15.1.1 above, then within ten (10) days thereafter, either 
party may, but shall not be obligated to, initiate nonbinding mediation of 
the controversy or claim under the then-current Center for Public Resources 
Model ADR procedures for Mediation of Business Disputes (the "CPR 
Procedures").  Once the mediation is initiated by one party, the other party 
agrees to participate in and conduct mediation in accordance with the CPR 
Procedures in good faith and not to pursue other remedies while such 
mediation is proceeding.  If neither party initiates mediation within such 
ten (10) day period, or if the dispute has not been resolved by such 
mediation within sixty (60) days following initiation of mediation, either 
party may pursue all available remedies.

         15.1.3  All applicable statutes of limitations and defenses based 
upon the passage of time shall be tolled while the negotiation and mediation 
procedures set forth in this Section 15.1 are pending.  The parties will take 
such action, if any, as may reasonably be required to effectuate such tolling.

         15.1.4  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the remedy at law for any 
breach of the provisions of this Agreement or such other agreements may be 
inadequate, and, accordingly, an aggrieved party seeking equitable relief or 
remedies for such a breach shall have the right and is hereby granted the 
privilege, in addition to all other remedies at law or in equity, to proceed 
directly in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek temporary or 
preliminary equitable relief.

         15.1.5  Each party shall pay its own costs incurred in attempting to 
resolve a dispute pursuant to the consultation and mediation procedures set 
forth in this Section 15.1

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

                                      28.
<PAGE>


without the right to recover such costs from the other party and shall share 
equally the cost of mediation.

    15.2 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE.  This Agreement is made in accordance with and
shall be governed and construed under the laws of the State of California, as
applied to agreements executed and performed entirely in California by
California residents and in no event shall this Agreement be governed by the
United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.  Any
claim or controversy arising out of or related to this Agreement or any breach
hereof not otherwise resolved pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof shall be submitted
to a federal court in the State of California having jurisdiction over the
matter, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such
court.

    15.3 ENGLISH LANGUAGE.  The official text of this Agreement and any Exhibit
or any notice given or accounts or statements required by this Agreement shall
be in English.  In the event of any dispute concerning the construction or
meaning of this Agreement, reference shall be made only to this Agreement as
written in English and not to any other translation into any other language.

                                   ARTICLE 16

                                 MISCELLANEOUS.

    16.1 NO AGENCY; NO JOINT VENTURE; INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.  Becton will act
as independent contractor under the terms of this Agreement.  Becton is not, and
will not be deemed to be, employee, agent, co-venturer or legal representative
of Biocircuits for any purpose.  Becton will not be entitled to enter into any
contracts in the name of, or on behalf of Biocircuits, nor will Becton be
entitled to pledge the credit of Biocircuits in any way or hold itself out as
having authority to do so.

    16.2 ASSIGNMENT.  Neither party may assign, in whole or in part, this
Agreement nor any right or obligation arising under it without the prior written
consent of the other, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that either party may assign or transfer its rights and obligations
arising under this Agreement to a purchaser of all or substantially all of the
stock or assets of such party or to an entity into which such party is merged,
or to a wholly-owned subsidiary of such party, without the consent of the other
party.

    16.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.  This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto,
set forth and constitute the final, complete and entire agreement between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede any and all
prior agreements, understandings, promises and representations made by either
party to the other concerning the subject matter hereof and the terms applicable
hereto and are intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of
the agreement between the parties.  This Agreement may not be released,
discharged, amended or modified in any manner except by an instrument in writing
signed by duly authorized officers of both parties.

                                      29.
<PAGE>

    16.4 SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or 
is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such 
provision will be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws 
so as to be valid, legal and enforceable and to conform to the maximum extent 
possible to the intention of the parties including, without limitation, by 
deleting such provision.

    16.5 BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  Except as expressly provided for 
herein, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to give to any person or 
entity other than Becton and Biocircuits any legal or equitable right, remedy 
or claim under this Agreement.  This Agreement will be for the sole and 
exclusive benefit of Becton and Biocircuits and shall be binding upon and 
inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns.

    16.6 WAIVER.  No waiver of any right under this Agreement will be deemed 
effective unless contained in a writing signed by the party charged with such 
waiver, and no waiver of any right arising from any breach or failure to 
perform will be deemed to be a waiver of any future such right or of any 
other right arising under this Agreement.

    16.7 NOTICES.  Notices, consents and the like required or permitted 
hereunder will be in writing and will be sent to the addresses set forth 
below or to such other addresses as the parties may hereafter specify, and 
will be deemed given on the earlier of:

         16.7.1    physical delivery (or refusal to accept same) to a party, 
including confirmed delivery by facsimile or telex;

         16.7.2    upon delivery (or refusal to accept same) after sending by 
expedited courier; or

         16.7.3    upon delivery (or refusal to accept same) by certified 
mail, return receipt requested.

    Copies of notices will be sent to the appropriate address as set forth 
below:

               To Biocircuits:     Biocircuits Incorporated
                                   1324 Chesapeake Terrace
                                   Sunnyvale, California  94089
                                   Attention: John B. Kaiser

               With a copy to:     Cooley Godward LLP
                                   Five Palo Alto Square, Suite 400
                                   Palo Alto, California  94306
                                   Attention: Lana K. Hawkins, Esq.

                                      30.
<PAGE>

               To Becton:          Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems
                                   7 Loveton Circle
                                   P.O. Box 8999
                                   Sparks, Maryland  21152-0999
                                   Attention: President

                With a copy to:    Becton Dickinson and Company
                                   1 Becton Drive
                                   Franklin Lakes, New Jersey  07417-1880
                                   Attn: General Counsel

    16.8 FORCE MAJEURE.  Each of the parties hereto will not be liable for 
any failure or delay in performance hereunder where such failure or delay is 
due, in whole or in part, to any cause beyond its reasonable control, 
including but not limited to Acts of God, fire, flood, warfare, labor 
disputes or other similar catastrophic events.  If a force majeure prevents 
Biocircuits from supplying, for a period in excess of [**], Instruments, 
Cartridges or Accessories to Becton pursuant to a purchase order accepted by 
Biocircuits, Becton shall have the rights set forth in Section 2.9.  If a 
force majeure prevents Becton from selling, for the [**] period after a force 
majeure, Cartridges and Accessories in amounts equivalent to its average 
sales of Cartridges and Accessories during the two calendar quarters 
immediately preceding the force majeure, Biocircuits may terminate Becton's 
right to distribute Cartridges and Accessories.  

    16.9 PATENT MARKING.  Becton agrees to include on the Products and on all 
packaging materials and Product labeling patent marking as reasonably 
requested by Biocircuits.

    16.10     COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of 
counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which will 
constitute together but one and the same document.

    16.11     HEADINGS.  The headings of the several Articles and Sections 
herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to 
be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

    16.12     PUBLICITY.  All public announcements and press releases 
regarding the subject matter of this Agreement shall be made only after 
mutual agreement by the parties as to the content and timing thereof.  Any 
such announcements or communications shall be made only with the prior 
approval of the other party hereto, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, 
except as otherwise required by applicable law or legal process.  The parties 
agree that the public announcement of this Agreement shall be made pursuant 
to a press release in the form attached as Exhibit G.

                        [SIGNATURES BEGIN ON NEXT PAGE]

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

                                      31.
<PAGE>

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date
first above mentioned.



     BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION           BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY THROUGH
                                       ITS BECTON DICKINSON MICROBIOLOGY
                                       SYSTEMS DIVISION

By:                                    By:   [signature]
   --------------------------------       ----------------------------------
Printed Name:                          Printed Name: Vincent A. Forlenze
             ----------------------                 ------------------------
Title:                                 Title: President
      -----------------------------          -------------------------------


<PAGE>


    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date
first above mentioned.



     BIOCIRCUITS CORPORATION           BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY THROUGH
                                       ITS BECTON DICKINSON MICROBIOLOGY
                                       SYSTEMS DIVISION

By:  [signature]                       By:   
   --------------------------------       ----------------------------------
Printed Name:   John Kaiser            Printed Name: 
             ----------------------                 ------------------------
Title:  President & CEO                Title: 
      -----------------------------          -------------------------------


<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

                      ACCESSORIES LIST AND TRANSFER PRICES

ITEM                                    CATALOG #                     TRANSFER
                                                                        PRICE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IOS Controls Kit                        1110-0002                       [**]
IOS Buffer Kit (3 pack)                 1110-0005                       [**]
IOS Printer Paper (3 pack)              1552-0003                       [**]
IOS Waste Kit                           1110-0011                       [**]
Pipette-Grey-T4/TU 33ul (1)             1210-0003                       [**]
Pipette-White-TSH 150ul (1)             1210-0008                       [**]
IOSQC Cartridge (1)                     1210-0002                       [**]
IOS Software Card (1)                   1510-0023                       [**]
Pipette Tips (96 racked)                1353-0001                       [**]
IOS Cleaning Cartridge                  1210-0050                       [**]
IOS Users Manual                        1551-0001                       [**]
IOS Instructional Video                 1552-0007                       [**]

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B

                           BIOCIRCUITS PATENT RIGHTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  BIOC#                     TITLE                           SERIAL #      PATENT #        FILED         ISSUED
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>                                          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 
[**]                         [**]                             [**]          [**]          [**]           [**] 

</TABLE>

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT C

                     EXISTING CARTRIDGES AND TRANSFER PRICES


FTI (T4/T Uptake)  [**]
TSH                [**]
T4/TSH             [**]
Quant. HCG         [**]

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT D

                       NEW CARTRIDGES AND TRANSFER PRICES

Digoxin  [**]
PSA      [**]
Free T4  [**]

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E

                             BIOCIRCUITS TRADEMARKS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARK COUNTRY     APPLICATION            CLASS, GOODS, SERVICES             COUNTRY STATUS           NEXT ACTION
                 REGISTRATION 
                      NO.     
<S>              <C>              <C>                                     <C>                    <C>
BIOCIRCUITS      Registration     Int'l Class 10: Medical diagnostic      Registered 10/1/96     File Declaration of
United States    No. 2,004,582    test systems consisting essentially     (First Use of Mark     Use between     
                                  of optical detection apparatus, for     3/1/96)                10/1/2001-      
                                  detecting the presence of                                      10/1/2002; Renew
                                  antigens, antibodies, probes, and                              registration by 
                                  receptors                                                      10/1/2006       

IOS              Registration     Int'l Class 10:  Medical                Registered             File Declaration of
United States    No. 2,008,814    diagnostic immunoassay device           10/15/96 (First Use    Use between      
                                  for testing bodily fluids and           of Mark 3/1/96)        10/15/2001-      
                                  tissue, and reagent cartridges                                 10/15/2002; Renew
                                  therefor                                                       registration by  
                                                                                                 10/15/2006       
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT F

                              EQUIPMENT LEASE TERMS 

1.  Rent is [**]
2.  Rent is payable upon the Manufacturing Date and the first day of the month
    thereafter during the term of the agreement.  When the agreement terminates
    under Article 14, the obligations of this lease also terminate.
3.  Upon termination of the lease, BD will provide to Biocircuits the tools and
    fixtures or provide access to such tooling and fixtures.
4.  Biocircuits retains title to the tooling.
5.  BD shall incur the cost of maintaining and repair of such tooling during
    the term of the agreement.
6.  Biocircuits shall maintain adequate insurance for the tooling.
7.  Following is a list of tooling



                                           TOOLING ITEMS
                                       ---------------------
                                           Case Tooling
                                           Plastic Pump
                                           Text Fixtures
                                           Computers
                                           Tooling (Keypad)
                                           Keypad
                                           Frame (501-0019)
                                           CPU PCB (F500-0011)
                                           Stage Carriage (511-0022)
                                           MTR/DRVR PCB (F500-0012)
                                           MTR/DRVR PCB Assy (507-0089)
                                           Barcode Preamp (F500-0013)
                                           Optics Carrage (511-0030)
                                           Fluidics Interconnect (F500-0016)
                                           Ref Amp (F500-0015)
                                           Ref/Interconnect (F500-0015)
                                           UV Lamp (F500-0017)

[**] Confidential Treatment Requested
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                         PRODUCT SPECIFICATION DOCUMENTS

PRODUCT                                 DOCUMENT NO.

IOS-Registered Trademark- Instrument    J517-0001, Revision F
IOS Controls Kit                        1110-0002-D
IOS Buffer Kit (3 pack)                 1110-0005-C
IOS Printer Paper (3 pack)              1552-0003-A
IOS Waste Kit                           1110-0011-B
Pipette-Grey-T4/TU 33ul (1)             1210-0003-B
Pipette-White-TSH 150ul (1)             1210-0008-B
IOSQC Cartridge (1)                     1210-0002-E
IOS Software Card (1)                   1510-0023-D
Pipette Tips (96 racked)                1353-0001-C
Cleaning Cartridge                      1210-0050-A
Video                                   1552-0007-A
User Manual                             1552-0001-D
T4/T Uptake                             J210-0001-C
TSH                                     J210-0006-C
hCG (quantitative)                      J210-0017-C
hCG (serum)                             J210-0018-B


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1997
THIRD QUARTER 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      221
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (78)
<INVENTORY>                                      1,103
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,721
<PP&E>                                           3,288
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,965)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   6,349
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              686
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                      9,464
<COMMON>                                        55,533
<OTHER-SE>                                    (59,334)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     6,349
<SALES>                                            205
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   596
<CGS>                                            2,121
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,121
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,301
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  30
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,738)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,738)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,738)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.65)
        

</TABLE>


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