SYSTEMIX INC /DE
SC 14D9, 1997-01-17
COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                 SCHEDULE 14D-9
               SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
            SECTION 14(D)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
                           (Name of Subject Company)
 
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
                      (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
 
                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
                         (Title of Class of Securities)
 
                                  871872 10 7
                     (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
 
                         ------------------------------
 
                                IRIS BREST, ESQ.
                                GENERAL COUNSEL
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
                               3155 PORTER DRIVE
                          PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94303
                                 (415) 856-4901
            (Name, address and telephone number of person authorized
                to receive notices and communications on behalf
                       of the person(s) filing statement)
 
                         ------------------------------
 
                                WITH A COPY TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
           MORRIS J. KRAMER, ESQ.                          JEFFRY HOFFMAN, ESQ.
  SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP       SHEREFF, FRIEDMAN, HOFFMAN & GOODMAN LLP
              919 THIRD AVENUE                               919 THIRD AVENUE
          NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022                       NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
               (212) 735-3000                                 (212) 891-9260
</TABLE>
 
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ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY.
 
    The name of the subject company is SyStemix, Inc. (the "Company"). The
address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 3155 Porter Drive,
Palo Alto, California 94304. The title of the class of equity securities to
which this Statement relates is the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Shares").
 
ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE PURCHASER.
 
    This Statement relates to the tender offer by Novartis Biotech Holding Corp.
(formerly known as Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation) ("Purchaser"), a
Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis Inc.
(referred to herein as "Parent"), a company organized under the laws of
Switzerland and the successor by merger to Sandoz Ltd., to purchase all of the
Shares held by the Company's stockholders other than Parent or its affiliates
(such stockholders, the "Public Stockholders" and such Shares, the "Publicly
Held Shares") at $19.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in Purchaser's Offer to Purchase dated
January 17, 1997 and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together with
the Offer to Purchase constitute the "Offer"), copies of which are filed
respectively as Exhibits 1 and 2 hereto and are incorporated herein by
reference. The Offer is disclosed in a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1
dated January 17, 1997 (the "Schedule 14D-1") and in a Rule 13e-3 Transaction
Statement on Schedule 13E-3 dated January 17, 1997 (the "Schedule 13E-3"), both
of which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and the rules promulgated by the Commission thereunder. The
Offer is being made by Purchaser pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of January 10, 1997 among Parent, Purchaser and the Company (the
"Merger Agreement"). As set forth in the Schedule 14D-1, the address of the
principal executive offices of each of Purchaser and Parent is 608 Fifth Avenue,
New York, New York 10020 and Schwarzwaldallee 215, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland,
respectively.
 
ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
 
    (a) The name and address of the Company, which is the person filing this
Statement, is set forth in Item 1 above. All information contained in this
Statement or incorporated herein by reference concerning Purchaser or Parent, or
actions or events with respect to any of them, was provided by Purchaser or
Parent, respectively, and the Company takes no responsibility for such
information. The Company takes no responsibility for that portion of the
information contained in this Statement or incorporated herein by reference
concerning the Independent Directors, or actions or events with respect to any
of them, which was provided by the Independent Directors. Information contained
in this Statement with respect to the Company and its advisors has been provided
by the Company.
 
    (b) Except as described herein, in Schedule I hereto, and in the Company's
Proxy Statement dated May 31, 1996 relating to the Company's 1996 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders (the "1996 Proxy Statement") (attached hereto as Exhibit 7 and
incorporated herein by reference), to the knowledge of the Company, as of the
date hereof there are no material contracts, agreements, arrangements or
understandings, or any potential or actual conflicts of interest between the
Company or its affiliates and (1) the Company and its executive officers,
directors or affiliates or (2) Purchaser and its executive officers, directors
or affiliates.
 
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    (1) CERTAIN CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, ARRANGEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS AND ANY
ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BETWEEN (A) THE COMPANY OR ITS
AFFILIATES AND (B) THE COMPANY AND ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR
AFFILIATES.
 
    Information concerning certain contracts, agreements, arrangements or
understandings and certain actual or potential conflicts of interest between (x)
the Company or its affiliates and (y) the Company and its executive officers,
directors or affiliates, is set forth in Schedule I hereto and in the 1996 Proxy
Statement, and such information is incorporated herein by reference. Additional
information relating to these matters is described below.
 
    INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE OFFER AND THE MERGER.  In considering
the recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and
Messrs. Harold Edgar, Joseph Ruvane and Edgar Schollmaier (the "Independent
Directors") set forth in Item 4(a) hereto, Public Stockholders should be aware
that certain members of the Board and the Independent Directors, respectively,
have interests in the Merger and the Offer which are described in Schedule I
hereto and which may present them with certain conflicts of interest. Each of
the Independent Directors and members of the Board were aware of these potential
conflicts and considered them along with the other factors described in Item
4(b)(2) below.
 
    (2) CERTAIN CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, ARRANGEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS AND ANY
ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BETWEEN (A) THE COMPANY OR ITS
AFFILIATES AND (B) THE PURCHASER AND ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR
AFFILIATES.
 
    Information concerning certain contracts, agreements, arrangements or
understandings and certain actual or potential conflicts of interest between (x)
the Company or its affiliates and (y) the Purchaser and its executive officers,
directors or affiliates, is set forth in the 1996 Proxy Statement, and such
information is incorporated herein by reference. Additional information relating
to these matters is described below.
 
    On January 13, 1997, the Company and Parent issued a press release
announcing the Merger Agreement and Purchaser's intention to commence the Offer.
A copy of that press release is filed as Exhibit 3 hereto and is incorporated
herein by reference.
 
    THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
    THE OFFER.  The Merger Agreement provides for the commencement of the Offer
as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date thereof, but in no event
later than five business days after the initial public announcement of
Purchaser's intention to commence the Offer. Purchaser shall not, without the
consent of a majority of the Independent Directors, accept for payment any
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer unless at least a majority of the then
issued and outstanding Shares, other than Shares owned by Parent and Purchaser,
shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of
the Offer. The obligation of Purchaser to accept for payment and pay for Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, there
being validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Offer
(i) not less than a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares other than
Shares owned by Parent or Purchaser (the "First Minimum Condition") and (ii) at
least the number of Shares that when added to the Shares owned by Parent and
Purchaser shall constitute 90% of the Shares then outstanding (the "Second
Minimum Condition") and certain other conditions that are described in
"CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATING THE OFFER" below. Purchaser and Parent have agreed
that no change in the Offer may be made which decreases the price per Share
payable in the Offer or which reduces the maximum number of Shares to be
purchased in the Offer or which imposes conditions to the Offer in addition to
those set forth in "CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATING THE OFFER" below. The First
Minimum Condition may not be waived without the consent of a majority of the
Independent Directors. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in the event all
conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied other
than the Second Minimum Condition, Purchaser may extend the Offer for a period
or periods aggregating not more than 20 business days after the later of (i) the
initial expiration date of the Offer and (ii) the date on which all other
conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been
 
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satisfied, after which time (or earlier if Parent did not extend the Offer)
Purchaser shall waive the Second Minimum Condition and consummate the Offer.
 
    THE MERGER.  The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof, and in accordance with Delaware General Corporation
Law ("DGCL"), at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"),
Purchaser shall be merged with and into the Company. As a result of the Merger,
the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will cease and the Company will
continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the "Surviving
Corporation") and will become an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent.
Upon consummation of the Merger, each issued and then outstanding Share (other
than any Shares held in the treasury of the Company or owned by Purchaser,
Parent or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent or the
Company, and other than Shares held by stockholders who shall not have voted in
favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who shall have demanded
properly in writing appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 262 of
DGCL) shall be cancelled and shall be converted automatically into the right to
receive $19.50 in cash, or any higher price paid per Share in the Offer (the
"Merger Price").
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of common stock, par value $.01
per share, of Purchaser issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
the Surviving Corporation.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the directors of Purchaser immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be the initial directors of the Surviving
Corporation and that the officers of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation. The
Merger Agreement provides that, at the Effective Time, the Certificate of
Incorporation of Purchaser will be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, at the Effective Time, Article I
of the Certification of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation will be
amended to read as follows: The name of the corporation is "SyStemix, Inc." The
Merger Agreement also provides that the By-laws of Purchaser will be the By-laws
of the Surviving Corporation.
 
    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding option and warrant
to purchase Shares (in each case, an "Option"), whether or not then exercisable,
may be surrendered by the holder of such Option for cancellation by the Company,
and each holder of a cancelled Option shall be entitled to receive an amount in
cash from Purchaser, in consideration for the cancellation of each such Option,
at the same time as the Merger Price is received by the holders of Shares, equal
to the product of (i) the number of Shares to be issued upon the exercise of
such Option and (ii) the excess, if any, of the amount paid per Share pursuant
to the Offer over the exercise price per Share previously subject to such
Option; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Options owned by Purchaser, Parent or any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled without any
conversion thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect
thereto. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain such consents as
may be necessary or required so that, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
each Option may be and shall be cancelled by the Company.
 
    Purchaser or the paying agent in the Offer and the Merger (the "Paying
Agent") shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration
otherwise payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement to any holder of Shares
and/or an Option such amounts that Purchaser or the Paying Agent is required to
deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the United
States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law.
 
    AGREEMENTS OF PARENT, PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY.  Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, the Company shall, if required by applicable law in order to
consummate the Merger, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold an annual or
special meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable following
consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and taking action on
the Merger Agreement and the transactions
 
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contemplated thereby (the "Stockholders' Meeting"). At the Stockholders'
Meeting, Parent and Purchaser shall cause all Shares then owned by them and
their subsidiaries to be voted in favor of the approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. Purchaser currently
has sufficient voting power to approve the Merger, even if no other stockholder
votes in favor of the Merger. In the event that Purchaser acquires such number
of Shares that, when taken together with the Shares previously owned by
Purchaser, constitute at least 90% of the then outstanding Shares, the parties
have agreed to take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to
become effective, in accordance with Section 253 of DGCL, as soon as reasonably
practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the stockholders of the
Company.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall, if required by
applicable law, as soon as practicable following consummation of the Offer, file
a proxy statement with the Commission under the Exchange Act (the "Proxy
Statement"), and shall use its best efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared
by the Commission. Parent, Purchaser and the Company shall cooperate with each
other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement, and the Company shall notify
Parent of the receipt of any comments of the Commission with respect to the
Proxy Statement and of any requests by the Commission for any amendment or
supplement thereto or for additional information and shall provide to Parent
promptly copies of all correspondence between the Company or any representative
of the Company and the Commission. The Company shall give Parent and its counsel
the opportunity to review the Proxy Statement prior to it being filed with the
Commission and shall give Parent and its counsel the opportunity to review all
amendments and supplements to the Proxy Statement and all responses to requests
for additional information and replies to comments prior to their being filed
with, or sent to, the Commission. The Company and its counsel shall be given the
opportunity to review and comment on the Offer documents and any amendments
thereto prior to the filing thereof with the Commission. Parent and Purchaser
shall provide the Company and its counsel with a copy of any written comments or
telephonic notification of any verbal comments Parent or Purchaser may receive
from the Commission or its staff with respect to the Offer documents promptly
after the receipt thereof and shall provide the Company and its counsel with a
copy of any written responses and telephonic notification of any verbal
responses of Parent, Purchaser or their counsel. Each of the Company, Parent and
Purchaser agrees to use its reasonable best efforts, after consultation with the
other parties, to respond promptly to all such comments of and requests by the
Commission and to cause the Proxy Statement and all required amendments and
supplements thereto to be mailed to the holders of Shares entitled to vote at
the Stockholders' Meeting at the earliest practicable time.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has covenanted and agreed
that, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, unless
Parent shall otherwise agree in writing, the businesses of the Company and its
subsidiaries shall be conducted only in, and the Company and the Subsidiaries
shall not take any action except in, the ordinary course of business and in a
manner consistent with past practice; and the Company shall use its best efforts
to preserve substantially intact the business organization of the Company and
its subsidiaries, to keep available the services of the current officers,
employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries and to preserve
the current relationships of the Company and its subsidiaries with customers,
suppliers and other persons with which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
has significant business relations.
 
    The Company and Parent are each obligated under the Merger Agreement to give
each other prompt notice of (i) the occurrence, or non-occurrence, of any event
the occurrence, or non-occurrence, of which would be likely to cause any
representation or warranty contained in the Merger Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate and (ii) any failure of the Company, Parent or Purchaser, as the case
may be, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it thereunder.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation
shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification than
those set forth in Article XV of the By-laws of the Company, which provisions
shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years
 
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from the Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights
thereunder of individuals who at the Effective Time were directors, officers,
employees, fiduciaries or agents of the Company, unless such modification shall
be required by law.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company shall, to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law and regardless of whether the Merger becomes
effective, indemnify and hold harmless, and, after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable
law, indemnify and hold harmless, each present and former director, officer,
employee, fiduciary and agent of the Company and each of its subsidiaries and
each fiduciary and agent of each such director and officer (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") against all costs and expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and settlement
amounts paid in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining
to any action or omission in their capacity as an officer, director, employee,
fiduciary or agent, whether occurring before or after the Effective Time, until
the expiration of the statute of limitations relating thereto (and shall pay any
expenses in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding to
each Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL, upon
receipt from the Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced of any
undertaking to repay such advances required under the DGCL). In the event of any
such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (i) the Company or the
Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, shall pay the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified Parties, which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company or the Surviving Corporation, promptly
after statements therefore are received and (ii) the Company and the Surviving
Corporation shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable
for any settlement effected without its written consent (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld); and PROVIDED FURTHER that neither the Company nor the
Surviving Corporation shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (plus appropriate local counsel) for all Indemnified Parties in
any single action except (x) that the persons who served as directors of the
Company who were not designees of Parent shall be entitled to retain one
additional counsel (plus appropriate local counsel) to represent them at the
expense of the Company or the Surviving Corporation, and (y) to the extent that
two or more of such Indemnified Parties shall have conflicting interests in the
outcome of such action, in which case such additional counsel (including local
counsel) as may be required to avoid any such conflict or likely conflict may be
retained by the Indemnified Parties at the expense of the Company or the
Surviving Corporation; and PROVIDED FURTHER that, in the event that any claim
for indemnification is asserted or made within the period prior to the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, all rights to
indemnification in respect of such claim shall continue until the disposition of
such claim. Parent has agreed to guarantee the foregoing obligations of the
Surviving Corporation and, following consummation of the Offer, the Company,
under this paragraph.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the Surviving Corporation shall use its
reasonable efforts to maintain in effect for six years from the Effective Time,
if available, the current directors' and officers' liability insurance policies
maintained by the Company (provided that the Surviving Corporation may
substitute therefore policies of at least the same coverage containing terms and
conditions which are not materially less favorable) with respect to matters
occurring prior to the Effective Time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall
the Surviving Corporation be required to expend more than an amount per year
equal to 175% of current annual premiums paid by the Company for such insurance.
In the event that, but for the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence,
the Surviving Corporation would be required to expend more than 175% of current
annual premiums, the Surviving Corporation shall obtain the maximum amount of
such insurance obtainable by payment of annual premiums equal to 175% of current
annual premiums. In the event the Company or the Surviving Corporation or any of
their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any
other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper
provision shall be made so that the
 
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successor and assigns of the Company or the Surviving Corporation, as the case
may be, or at Parent's option, Parent, shall assume the foregoing
indemnification obligations.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and subject to the conditions
thereof, each of the parties thereto shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, including, without limitation, using its reasonable best
efforts to obtain all licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts
with the Company and its subsidiaries as are necessary for the consummation of
the transactions and to fulfill the conditions of the Offer and the Merger. In
case at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of the Merger Agreement, the proper officers
and directors of each party to the Merger Agreement and the Surviving
Corporation shall use their reasonable best efforts to take all such action.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties thereto agreed that each of
the acquisition agreement and the stock and warrant purchase agreement among the
Company, Parent and Purchaser shall be terminated as of the Effective Time. For
purposes of clarity, it is understood by the parties that all representations,
warranties and agreements between the parties which, by the terms of such
agreements, survive either or both the Closing Date (as that term is defined in
each of such agreements) or the termination of such agreements shall all be
terminated as of the Effective Time.
 
    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The Merger Agreement contains various
customary representations and warranties of the parties thereto, including
representations by the Company, Parent and Purchaser as to the enforceability of
the Merger Agreement and by the Company as to the absence of certain changes or
events concerning the Company's business, compliance with law, corporate status
and capitalization and the accuracy of financial statements and Commission
filings.
 
    CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER.  Under the Merger Agreement, the respective
obligations of each party to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction
at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions: (a) to the extent
required by the DGCL and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby shall have been approved and
adopted by the affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company; (b) no
foreign, United States or state governmental authority or other agency or
commission or foreign, United States or state court of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect and has the effect
of: (i) making the acquisition of Shares by Parent or Purchaser or any affiliate
of either of them illegal or otherwise restricting, preventing or prohibiting
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii)
seeking to prohibit or limit materially the ownership or operation by the
Company, Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries of all or any material
portion of the business or assets of the Company, Parent or any of their
respective subsidiaries as a result of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement or (iii) compelling the Company, Parent, Purchaser or any of
their respective subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate all or any material
portion of the business or assets of the Company, Parent or Purchaser or any of
their respective subsidiaries as a result of the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement; and (c) Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have
purchased all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this condition shall not be applicable to the
obligations of Parent or Purchaser if, in breach of the Merger Agreement or the
terms of the Offer, Purchaser fails to purchase any Shares validly tendered and
not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer.
 
    TERMINATION; FEES AND EXPENSES.  The Merger Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger and the other transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Effective Time, notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby by
 
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the stockholders of the Company: (a) by mutual written consent duly authorized
by the Boards of Directors of Parent, Purchaser and the Company, if such
termination is also approved by a majority of the Independent Directors; or (b)
by either Parent, Purchaser or the Company if (i) the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before June 30, 1997; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such right to
terminate shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any
obligation under the Merger Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the
failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before such date or (ii) any court
of competent jurisdiction or other governmental authority shall have issued an
order, decree, ruling or taken any other action restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other action
shall have become final and nonappealable; or (c) by Parent if due to an
occurrence or circumstance that would result in failure to satisfy any condition
to the Offer, Purchaser shall have (i) failed to commence the Offer within 60
days following the date of the Merger Agreement, (ii) terminated the Offer
without having accepted any Shares for payment thereunder or (iii) failed to pay
for Shares pursuant to the Offer within 90 days following the commencement of
the Offer, unless such failure to pay for Shares shall have been caused by or
resulted from the failure of Parent or Purchaser to perform in any material
respect any material covenant or agreement of either of them contained in the
Merger Agreement or the material breach by Parent or Purchaser of any material
representation or warranty of either of them contained in the Merger Agreement;
or (d) by the Company, upon approval of the Board and a majority of the
Independent Directors, if due to an occurrence or circumstance that would result
in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the Offer, Purchaser shall have
(i) failed to commence the Offer within 60 days following the date of the Merger
Agreement, (ii) terminated the Offer without having accepted any Shares for
payment thereunder, or (iii) failed to pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer
within 90 days following the commencement of the Offer, unless such failure to
pay for Shares shall have been caused by or resulted from the failure of the
Company to perform in any material respect any material covenant or agreement of
it contained in the Merger Agreement or the material breach by the Company of
any material representation or warranty of it contained in the Merger Agreement;
or (e) by the Company, upon approval of the Board and a majority of the
Independent Directors, (i) if any representation or warranty of Parent or
Purchaser in the Merger Agreement which is qualified as to materiality shall not
be true and correct or any such representation or warranty that is not so
qualified shall not be true and correct in any material respect, in each case as
if such representation or warranty was made as of such time on or after the date
of the Merger Agreement, or (ii) Parent or Purchaser shall have failed to
perform in any material respect any obligation or to comply in any material
respect with any agreement or covenant of Parent or Purchaser to be performed or
complied with by it under the Merger Agreement.
 
    In the event of the termination of the Merger Agreement, the Merger
Agreement shall forthwith become void.
 
    Except as set forth below, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are consummated.
 
    In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to consummation
of the Offer and the Merger, other than a termination by the consent of the
parties or a termination by Parent or Purchaser which results from any
representation or warranty of the Company in the Merger Agreement not being true
and correct or the failure of the Company to perform any obligation or to comply
with any agreement or covenant of the Company to be performed or complied with
by it under the Merger Agreement, then, in any such event, Purchaser shall, and
Parent shall cause Purchaser to, pay all actual out-of-pocket fees and expenses
incurred by the parties, including all fees and expenses payable to investment
banking firms, counsel and accountants, in connection with the structuring,
negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of the Merger Agreement, as
well as all printing and advertising expenses.
 
    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATING THE OFFER.  Purchaser shall not, without the
consent of a majority of the Independent Directors, accept for payment any
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer unless at least a majority of the then
issued and outstanding Shares, other than Shares owned by Parent and Purchaser,
 
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shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of
the Offer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, Purchaser shall not
be required to accept for payment or pay for any Shares tendered pursuant to the
Offer, and may terminate or amend the Offer and may postpone the acceptance for
payment of, and payment for, Shares tendered, if (i) immediately prior to the
expiration of the Offer the Second Minimum Condition shall not have been
satisfied or (ii) at any time on or after the date of the Merger Agreement, and
prior to the acceptance for payment of Shares, any of the following conditions
shall exist:
 
        (a) an order shall have been entered in any action or proceeding before
    any federal or state court or governmental agency or other regulatory body
    or a permanent injunction by any federal or state court of competent
    jurisdiction in the United States shall have been issued and remain in
    effect (i) making illegal the purchase of, or payment for, any Shares by
    Parent, Purchaser or any affiliate of Parent or Purchaser; (ii) otherwise
    preventing the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the
    Merger Agreement; (iii) imposing limitations on the ability of Parent,
    Purchaser or any affiliate of Parent or Purchaser to exercise effectively
    full rights of ownership of any Shares, including, without limitation, the
    right to vote any Shares acquired by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer on all
    matters properly presented to the Company's stockholders, which would effect
    a material diminution in the value of the Shares acquired by Purchaser;
 
        (b) there shall have been any federal or state statute, rule or
    regulation enacted or promulgated on or after the date of the Offer that
    could reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in any of
    the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (a)
    above;
 
        (c) any representation or warranty of the Company in the Merger
    Agreement which is qualified as to materiality shall not be true and correct
    or any such representation or warranty that is not so qualified shall not be
    true and correct in any material respect, in each case as if such
    representation or warranty was made as of such time on or after the date of
    this Agreement;
 
        (d) there shall have occurred and be remaining in effect (i) any general
    suspension of, or limitation on prices for, trading in securities of the
    Company on NASDAQ, (ii) any material change in United States or Switzerland
    currency exchange rates or a suspension of, or limitation on, currency
    exchange markets in the United States or Switzerland, (iii) a declaration of
    a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in
    the United States or Switzerland, (iv) a commencement of a war or armed
    hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or
    indirectly involving the United States or Switzerland or (v) in the case of
    any of the foregoing existing on the date hereof, a material acceleration or
    worsening thereof;
 
        (e) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with
    its terms; or
 
        (f) Purchaser and the Company (with the approval of a majority of the
    Independent Directors) shall have agreed that Purchaser shall terminate the
    Offer or postpone the acceptance for payment of or payment for Shares
    thereunder;
 
which, in the reasonable judgment of Purchaser in any such case, and regardless
of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by Parent or any of its
affiliates) giving rise to any such condition, makes it inadvisable to proceed
with such acceptance for payment or payment.
 
    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and Parent
and may be asserted by Purchaser or Parent regardless of the circumstances
giving rise to any such condition or may be waived by Purchaser or Parent in
whole or in part at any time and from time to time in their sole discretion;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Purchaser and Parent may not waive the First Minimum
Condition without the consent of a majority of the Independent Directors.
Purchaser has agreed to waive the Second Minimum Condition under certain
circumstances described herein. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time
to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right; the waiver of any such right with respect to particular facts and other
circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
facts and circumstances; and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right
that may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
 
    The foregoing description summarizes certain provisions of the Merger
Agreement which relate to arrangements among the Company, Parent, Purchaser and
the Company's executive officers and directors. These, and the foregoing
descriptions of the Merger Agreement, are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4 hereto
and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION.
 
    (a) RECOMMENDATION.
 
    At the January 10, 1997 Board meeting, the Board, based in part upon the
unanimous recommendation of the Independent Directors, by unanimous vote of all
directors present and voting determined that each of the Offer and the Merger is
fair to and in the best interests of the Public Stockholders, approved the Offer
and the Merger and recommended that such stockholders accept the Offer and
tender their Shares pursuant thereto. The directors who are designees of Parent
abstained from such determination and approval.
 
    THEREFORE, THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS TENDER ALL
THEIR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
 
    A copy of a letter to all stockholders of the Company communicating the
recommendations of the members of the Board is filed as Exhibit 5 hereto and is
incorporated herein by reference.
 
    As stated above in Item 3(b)(1) and described in Item 4(b)(2) below, certain
members of the Board have (in addition to their positions as members of the
Board) varying degrees of other associations or affiliations with either the
Company, Purchaser or Parent. Consequently, such directors do not purport to be,
and in no circumstance intend to imply that they are, independent or among
themselves all equally independent, of each of the Company, Purchaser, Parent or
all of them.
 
    (b) BACKGROUND; REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
AND THE BOARD; OPINION OF LEHMAN BROTHERS.
 
    (1) BACKGROUND.
 
    EXISTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND PARENT.  Parent, through its
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary Purchaser, owns a total of 10,610,099 of the
outstanding Shares, constituting approximately 73% of the outstanding Shares,
and also holds currently exercisable warrants to acquire 1,367,600 additional
Shares. As of the date of the Offer to Purchase, six of the eleven directors of
the Company are designees of Parent. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement,
dated December 16, 1991, among the Company, the predecessor of Parent and
Purchaser, certain persons, or their successors, were designated to be the
Independent Directors in evaluating any proposed transaction between the Company
and Parent or its affiliates.
 
    On January 30, 1995, the Company, the predecessor of Parent, and Purchaser
amended the December 1991 stock acquisition agreement allowing Parent and
Purchaser to increase its ownership of the Company to 71.6% on a fully diluted
basis, and entered into a stock and warrant purchase agreement. On February 2,
1995, the Company issued to Purchaser 4,616,272 shares of common stock plus
warrants to purchase an additional 1,367,600 shares of common stock in exchange
for aggregate proceeds of $80.0 million. Per the terms of the amended stock
acquisition agreement, Parent and Purchaser are prohibited until December 16,
1998 from increasing their shareholdings on a fully diluted basis above 71.6%
before the exercise of any warrants, and above 73.9% if the warrants are
exercised. From December 17, 1998 to February 18, 2002, Parent and Purchaser are
prohibited from increasing their shareholdings above 75% on a fully diluted
basis. Parent and Purchaser are, however, permitted to make a tender offer or
merger or acquisition proposal for 100% of the Company, provided such offer is
at a price that is fair to the stockholders of the Company and is approved by a
majority of the Independent Directors.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    PARENT'S UNSOLICITED OFFER. On May 23, 1996, Parent delivered a letter to
the Board containing an unsolicited proposal to acquire all of the Publicly Held
Shares for $17.00 per Share in cash.
 
    On May 24, 1996, the Company announced it had received Parent's proposal.
Also on May 24, 1996, Messrs. Ruvane, Edgar and Schollmaier (the Independent
Directors) held an organizational meeting by telephone to begin their
consideration of Parent's proposal. A representative of Shereff, Friedman,
Hoffman & Goodman LLP, the legal counsel which had represented the Independent
Directors in connection with the 1995 investment in the Company by Parent's
predecessor and Purchaser, participated in the meeting, and that firm was
retained to represent the Independent Directors.
 
    On May 28, 1996, a second telephonic meeting of the Independent Directors
was held during which the Independent Directors continued their analysis of
Parent's proposal and determined to select a financial advisor to advise them
whether such proposal was fair to the Public Stockholders.
 
    On June 3, 1996, interviews with several investment banking firms were held
and, shortly thereafter, Lehman Brothers Inc. ("Lehman Brothers") was selected
to serve as financial advisor to the Independent Directors.
 
    On June 11, 1996, the Independent Directors again met by telephone to
further consider Parent's proposal. Mr. Schollmaier (an Independent Director)
was asked to contact Dr. Daniel Vasella (Chief Executive Officer of Parent and a
director of the Company designated by Parent) and apprise him of the Independent
Directors' preliminary conclusion that Parent's proposal did not reflect a fair
price for the Publicly Held Shares.
 
    On June 13, 1996, Mr. Schollmaier and Dr. Vasella met in Basel, Switzerland
and discussed Parent's proposal. Mr. Schollmaier advised Dr. Vasella that he
believed the Independent Directors would not be able to approve Parent's
proposal in light of their preliminary conclusions. Mr. Schollmaier suggested
that Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, financial advisor to
Parent ("Morgan Stanley"), meet to discuss Parent's proposal in an effort to
resolve the parties' differing views.
 
    On August 6, 1996, the Independent Directors met with representatives of
Lehman Brothers to discuss the status of the negotiations with Parent, to review
the Lehman Brothers' analysis of Parent's proposal and to consider the
conclusion of Lehman Brothers that Parent's proposal was inadequate. Based in
part on their discussions with Lehman Brothers and in part on their own views of
the inadequacy of Parent's proposal, the Independent Directors directed Lehman
Brothers to seek to negotiate an improved proposal from Parent.
 
    During the period following the August 6, 1996 meeting, discussions between
Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley took place.
 
    On September 24, 1996, Mr. Ruvane (an Independent Director) and Dr. Raymund
Breu, Chief Financial Officer of Parent, met together with representatives of
Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley to have further discussions regarding
Parent's proposal. These discussions did not result in an improved proposal or
an exchange of information between the parties' respective financial advisors.
At the same meeting, the issue of the Company's financing needs was raised.
 
    From October 19, through October 26, 1996, Mr. Edgar (an Independent
Director) and Dr. Breu had two telephone conversations regarding the terms of
Parent's proposal.
 
    On October 29, 1996, the Company announced that it had been informed by its
Independent Directors that Parent's offer had been rejected. The Independent
Directors stated that their decision was based in part on the advice of Lehman
Brothers that the offer was inadequate and not fair to the Public Stockholders
from a financial point of view. The Independent Directors advised the Company
that they remained willing to discuss an acquisition by Parent and Purchaser at
an appropriate price.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    On November 1, 1996 Mr. Schollmaier met with Dr. Breu, again reviewed the
basis for the Independent Directors' rejection of Parent's proposal and
reiterated the Independent Directors' willingness to resume negotiations
regarding a transaction at a higher price.
 
    In mid-November, 1996, the Independent Directors were advised by Dr. Breu
that Parent believed it might be mutually beneficial to reopen negotiations. Dr.
Breu suggested a meeting between the Independent Directors and certain executive
officers of Parent.
 
    THE OFFER.  On December 19, 1996, in response to Dr. Breu's suggestion, a
meeting was held between the Independent Directors and Messrs. Vasella and Breu,
and Paul Herrling, Ph.D. (Head of Research of the Pharma Division of Parent and
a director of the Company designated by Parent), at which Parent indicated it
was prepared to consider increasing its offer to $19.50 per Share for the
Publicly Held Shares, if acceptable minimum conditions and other terms could be
agreed upon.
 
    On December 30, 1996, Parent's counsel delivered an initial draft of the
Merger Agreement to the Independent Directors and the Company and their
respective counsel. Negotiations continued over the next several days.
 
    On January 6, 1997, a telephonic meeting of the Independent Directors and
representatives of Lehman Brothers took place to discuss the revised offer.
Lehman Brothers advised the Independent Directors of its preliminary
determination that the Offer was fair to the Public Stockholders from a
financial point of view. Lehman Brothers reviewed with the Independent Directors
written materials which had been prepared by Lehman Brothers and provided to the
Independent Directors prior to the meeting. The written materials were portions
of the more detailed report which was delivered to the Independent Directors on
the following day. The report contained the analysis which formed the basis of
Lehman Brothers' conclusions as to the fairness of the Offer.
 
    On January 10, 1997, a final meeting of the Independent Directors was held.
At this meeting, Lehman Brothers reported that it was prepared to render its
written opinion that the Offer was fair to the Public Stockholders from a
financial point of view. Lehman Brothers reviewed its complete report with the
Independent Directors and a draft of the text of the written opinion it was
prepared to deliver concerning the fairness of the transaction. The Independent
Directors considered the Lehman Brothers' report and draft opinion and based, in
part, on such report and opinion and on the additional factors set forth in
"REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS AND THE BOARD"
below, unanimously concluded that they would approve the Offer and recommend
that the Board approve the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement and
recommend that the Public Stockholders tender the Publicly Held Shares in the
Offer.
 
    Later on January 10, 1997, the Board held a telephonic meeting to discuss
the Offer and the Merger and to receive any recommendation that the Independent
Directors would be prepared to make to the Board. At this meeting, Lehman
Brothers reiterated its presentation which it made to the Independent Directors
earlier in the day, including rendering its opinion, which it subsequently
confirmed in writing that, as of that date, the proposed consideration to be
offered in the Offer and the Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Public Stockholders. Following additional oral presentations by
representatives of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to the
Company, with respect to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the
Independent Directors recommended to the Board that it approve the Offer, the
Merger and the Merger Agreement. Following a discussion of the Independent
Directors' recommendation and a further discussion of the Offer, the Merger and
the Merger Agreement by the Board, the members of the Board present and voting
(directors who are designees of Parent abstained) voted unanimously to approve
and adopt the Merger Agreement and recommend to the Public Stockholders that
such stockholders accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to the
Offer, and determined that the Offer and the Merger are fair to, and in the best
interests of the Public Stockholders.
 
    The Merger Agreement and related agreements were executed as of January 10,
1997, and Parent and the Company issued a joint press release announcing such
execution and delivery on January 13, 1997.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
    On January 17, 1997, the Purchaser commenced the Offer.
 
    (2) REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS AND THE
BOARD.
 
    In reaching its determinations referred to immediately above, the
Independent Directors considered the following factors, each of which, in the
view of the Independent Directors, supported such determinations:
 
        (i) the Company's uncertain financial prospects as a result of (a) the
    current rate at which the Company is utilizing its available funds, and (b)
    uncertainty as to whether the Company would be able to raise additional
    capital which would be adequate for its ongoing needs (particularly in light
    of Parent's stated refusal to participate in any further financing and
    Parent's ability to maintain its percentage interest in the Company through
    certain "top-up" rights granted to Parent and Purchaser in connection with
    their 1991 investment in the Company);
 
        (ii) the risk that the Company would suffer the loss of key employees
    and other adverse consequences if the Company did not accept the Offer and
    pursued other alternatives with the attendant delay;
 
        (iii) the historical market prices and recent trading activity of the
    Shares including the fact that the $19.50 per Share cash consideration to be
    paid to the Public Stockholders in the Offer and Merger represents a premium
    of 77.3% over the reported cash price on the last full trading day preceding
    the public announcement of Parent's original proposal and a premium of 34.5%
    over the average closing price for the thirty days prior to January 3, 1997;
 
        (iv) the history of the negotiations between the Independent Directors
    and their representatives and Parent and their representatives, including
    the facts that (a) the negotiations resulted in an increase in the price at
    which Parent and Purchaser were prepared to acquire the Publicly Held Shares
    from $17.00 to $19.50 per Share, and (b) the Independent Directors belief
    that Parent and Purchaser would not further increase the Offer and that
    $19.50 per Share was the highest price which could be obtained from Parent
    and Purchaser;
 
        (v) the opinion of Lehman Brothers that the consideration to be offered
    to the Public Stockholders in the Offer and the Merger is fair to such
    stockholders from a financial point of view and the report and analysis
    presented by Lehman Brothers (see "OPINION OF LEHMAN BROTHERS");
 
        (vi) the First Minimum Condition's requirement that the Offer not be
    consummated unless at least a majority of the Publicly Held Shares are
    validly tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn;
 
        (vii) the stated unwillingness of Parent and Purchaser to consider a
    sale of their interest in the Company which made pursuit of other potential
    business combinations impracticable;
 
        (viii) the ability of the Public Stockholders to exercise dissenters'
    rights under the DGCL;
 
        (ix) the likelihood that the proposed acquisition would be consummated,
    based in part on the financial condition of Parent;
 
        (x) the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, including the
    absence of a financing condition; and
 
        (xi) the structure of the transaction which is designed, among other
    things, to result in receipt by the Public Stockholders at the earliest
    practicable time of the consideration to be paid in the Offer and the fact
    that the per Share consideration to be paid in the Offer and the Merger is
    the same.
 
    In reaching its determinations referred to above, the Board considered the
recommendation of the Independent Directors and the factors set forth
immediately above, each of which, in the view of the Board, supported such
determinations.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    The members of the Board, including the Independent Directors, evaluated the
various factors listed above in light of their knowledge of the business,
financial condition and prospects of the Company, and based upon the advice of
financial and legal advisors. In light of the number and variety of factors that
the Board and the Independent Directors considered in connection with their
evaluation of the Offer and the Merger, neither the Board nor the Independent
Directors found it practicable to assign relative weights to the foregoing
factors, and, accordingly, neither the Board nor the Independent Directors did
so. In addition to the factors listed above, the Board and the Independent
Directors had each considered the fact that consummation of the Offer and Merger
would eliminate the opportunity of the Public Stockholders to participate in any
potential future growth in the value of the Company, but determined that (a)
this loss of opportunity was reflected in part by the price of $19.50 per Share
to be paid in the Offer and the Merger, and (b) as noted above, there was
significant uncertainty as to the Company's long-term economic viability.
 
    The Board, including the Independent Directors, believes that the Offer and
the Merger are procedurally fair because, among other things: (i) the
Independent Directors consisted of independent directors appointed to represent
the interests of the Public Stockholders; (ii) the Independent Directors
retained and were advised by independent legal counsel; (iii) the Independent
Directors retained Lehman Brothers as their independent financial advisor to
assist them in evaluating the Offer and the Merger; (iv) the existence of the
First Minimum Condition to the Offer; (v) the deliberations pursuant to which
the Independent Directors evaluated the Offer and the Merger and alternatives
thereto; and (vi) the fact that the $19.50 per Share price and the other terms
and conditions of the Merger Agreement resulted from active arm's length
bargaining between representatives of the Independent Directors, on the one
hand, and Parent, on the other.
 
    (3) OPINION OF LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
    Lehman Brothers was engaged by the Company to act as financial advisor to
the Independent Directors in connection with the Offer and the Merger, as
described under "BACKGROUND." As part of its role as financial advisor to the
Independent Directors, Lehman Brothers was engaged to render to the Independent
Directors financial advisory services and, if requested by them to render, to
the Board, an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the
Public Stockholders of the consideration to be offered in the Offer and the
Merger.
 
    On January 6, 1997, in connection with the Independent Directors'
preliminary evaluation of the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement, Lehman
Brothers made a preliminary presentation to the Independent Directors with
respect thereto (the "Lehman Brothers Report"). As part of the presentation,
Lehman Brothers reviewed with the Independent Directors certain of the
information and financial data described below.
 
    Complete copies of the Lehman Brothers Report were delivered to the
Independent Directors on January 7, 1997, in connection with the Independent
Directors' final evaluation of the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
On January 9, 1997, representatives of Lehman Brothers reviewed the information
included in the Lehman Brothers Report with John J. Schwartz, Ph.D. and Irving
L. Weissman, M.D. (the directors of the Company who are neither Independent
Directors nor designees of Parent).
 
    On January 10, 1997, Lehman Brothers reviewed with the Independent Directors
the matters set forth in the Lehman Brothers Report and rendered its oral
opinion to the Independent Directors that as of that date the proposed
consideration to be offered in the Offer and the Merger was fair, from a
financial point of view, to the Public Stockholders.
 
    Later on January 10, 1997, in connection with the Board's evaluation of the
Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement, Lehman Brothers reviewed with the
Board the matters set forth in the Lehman Brothers Report and rendered its oral
opinion to the Board that as of that date the proposed consideration to be
offered in the Offer and the Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Public Stockholders.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    Lehman Brothers delivered its written opinion to the Board on January 10,
1997 (the "Lehman Opinion"). A copy of the Lehman Opinion, which sets forth the
assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of review undertaken by
Lehman Brothers, is attached as Exhibit 21 to this Schedule 14D-9 and is
incorporated herein by reference. The Lehman Opinion is also included as
Appendix I to this Schedule 14D-9.
 
    No limitations were imposed by the Company or the Independent Directors on
the scope of Lehman Brothers' investigation or the procedures to be followed by
Lehman Brothers in rendering the Lehman Opinion, except that Lehman Brothers was
not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, any indications of interest from
any third party with respect to a purchase of all or a part of the Company's
business. Lehman Brothers was not requested to and did not make any
recommendation to the Independent Directors or the Board as to the form or
amount of consideration to be offered to the Public Stockholders in the Offer or
the Merger, which was determined through negotiations between the Independent
Directors and its financial and legal advisors (including Lehman Brothers) and
Parent and its financial and legal advisors. In arriving at the Lehman Opinion,
Lehman Brothers did not ascribe a specific range of value to the Company, but
rather made its determination as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the consideration to be offered to the Public Stockholders in the Offer
and the Merger on the basis of the financial and comparative analyses described
below. The Lehman Opinion is for the use and benefit of the Independent
Directors and Messrs. Schwartz and Weissman and was rendered to them in
connection with their consideration of the Offer and the Merger and is not
intended to be and does not constitute a recommendation to any Public
Stockholder as to whether to accept the consideration to be offered to such
stockholder in the Offer or the Merger. Lehman Brothers was not requested to
opine as to, and the Lehman Opinion does not in any manner address, the
Company's underlying business decision to enter into the Merger Agreement.
 
    In arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers reviewed and analyzed:
(a) the Merger Agreement and the specific terms of the Offer and the Merger; (b)
publicly available information concerning the Company which Lehman Brothers
believed to be relevant to its analysis, including the Company's Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1996; (c) other financial and operating information with
respect to the business, operations and prospects of the Company prepared by the
Company in 1996 and furnished to Lehman Brothers by the Company (including
financial projections for the fiscal years 1996-2005); (d) a trading history of
the Company's common stock from August 7, 1991 to the present and a comparison
of that trading history with those of other companies that Lehman Brothers
deemed relevant; (e) a comparison of the historical financial results and
present financial condition of the Company with those of other companies that
Lehman Brothers deemed relevant; (f) an analysis of the cash required to fund
the Company's near term capital and operating requirements, the cash currently
available to the Company and the alternatives available to the Company to obtain
additional financing; and (g) a comparison of the financial terms of the Offer
and the Merger with the financial terms of certain other transactions that
Lehman Brothers deemed relevant. In addition, Lehman Brothers had discussions
with the management of the Company concerning its business, operations, assets,
financial condition and prospects, and undertook such other studies, analyses
and investigations as Lehman Brothers deemed appropriate.
 
    In arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers assumed and relied upon
the accuracy and completeness of the financial information provided by the
Company and other information used by Lehman Brothers without assuming any
responsibility for independent verification of such information and further
relied upon the assurances of management of the Company that they were not aware
of any facts that would make the information provided by the Company inaccurate
or misleading. With respect to the financial projections of the Company, upon
advice of the Company, Lehman Brothers assumed that such projections were
reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best available estimates and
judgments of the management of the Company as to the future financial
performance of the Company. However, for purposes of its analysis, Lehman
Brothers also considered certain more conservative assumptions and estimates
which resulted in significant adjustments to the projections of the Company.
Lehman Brothers
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
discussed these adjusted projections with the Company's management and they have
agreed that, because the Company's projections have been prepared based on
assumptions which include the success of each of its products in human clinical
trials and in the marketplace, it is appropriate for Lehman Brothers to adjust
such projections to reflect the uncertainties inherent in the business and
prospects of the Company and in the Company's ability to secure adequate
financing in the future to fund its capital and operating requirements. Without
agreeing with each particular adjustment Lehman Brothers made, the Company's
management believes that the overall extent of Lehman Brothers' adjustments to
the Company's projections is reasonable and that Lehman Brothers' use of such
adjusted projections in its analysis is appropriate. In arriving at the Lehman
Opinion, Lehman Brothers conducted a limited physical inspection of the
properties and facilities of the Company and did not make nor obtain any
evaluations or appraisals of the assets or liabilities of the Company. The
Lehman Opinion was necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions
as they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of the Lehman
Opinion.
 
    The following paragraphs summarize the financial and comparative analyses
performed by Lehman Brothers in connection with the January 10, 1997 oral
opinions and presented initially to the Independent Directors and later to the
Board. The summary does not represent a complete description of the analyses
performed by Lehman Brothers.
 
    The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to
the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial and comparative analysis
and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and,
therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description.
Furthermore, in arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers did not
attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, but
rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevancy of each
analysis and factor. Accordingly, Lehman Brothers believes that its analyses
must be considered as a whole and that considering any portions of its analyses
and of the factors considered by it, without considering all analyses and
factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying
the Lehman Opinion. In its analyses, Lehman Brothers made numerous assumptions
with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions
and other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Any estimates
contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than as set forth therein. Additionally, analyses relating to the
value of businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at
which businesses actually may be sold.
 
    COMMON STOCK PRICE ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers compared the Company's stock
price performance from August 7, 1991 to January 3, 1997 against the offer of
$19.50 per Share. Lehman Brothers noted that the offer of $19.50 per Share was
above the closing stock price for all but 42 trading days since February 1,
1993. Lehman Brothers also compared the price performance of the Company's
common stock from August 7, 1991 to January 3, 1997 with those of the AMEX
Biotechnology Index. Using August 7, 1991 as a base value of 100%, on January 3,
1997, the Company's stock price was 67.7% of its base value as compared to the
AMEX Biotechnology Index, which was 204.2% of its base value.
 
    COMMON STOCK TRADING VOLUME ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers analyzed the
historical daily trading volume of the Company's common stock over various
periods. Lehman Brothers noted that since January 1, 1995, 3,285,900 common
shares had been traded. Of these shares, only 10.8% of the shares traded between
$17.88 to $18.63 per share; 36.3% of the shares traded between $15.88 and $17.88
per share; 37.1% of the shares traded between $13.88 to $15.88; and the
remaining 15.8% of the shares traded below $13.88 per share.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    COMPARABLE PUBLIC COMPANY ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers compared the historical
financial, operating and stock market performances of certain publicly traded
companies that it considered relevant with the historical financial and
operating performance of the Company, based upon information that was publicly
available at that time and based upon information provided to Lehman Brothers by
the management of the Company. The companies that Lehman Brothers included in
its universe of gene therapy companies were Avigen Inc., GeneMedicine, Inc.,
Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somatix Therapy Corporation, Targeted Genetics
Corporation and Vical Incorporated (the "Comparable Gene Therapy Companies"),
and in its universe of cell therapy companies were Cell Genesys, Inc. and
CellPro Incorporated (the "Comparable Cell Therapy Companies"). Lehman Brothers
examined both the market value of the total outstanding common equity (the
"Market Value") and the Market Value minus "Cash" (the "Technology Value"), the
historical cash-burn rate, cash on hand and years of cash remaining for both
such groups of comparable companies. "Cash" equals cash and cash equivalents
plus short-term marketable securities.
 
    Lehman Brothers noted that at the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per
Share, the fully-diluted Market Value for the Company of $287.4 million was
above the high end of the high/low range of $270.7 million to $36.1 million for
the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies, and above the high end of the high/ low
range of $196.1 million to $183.8 million for the Comparable Cell Therapy
Companies. The proposed purchase price represented a 145.2% premium to the mean
market valuation of $117.2 million, and a $187.7% premium to the median market
valuation of $99.9 million for the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies. The
proposed purchase price represented a 51.3% premium to the mean market valuation
of $189.9 million for the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies.
 
    Lehman Brothers also noted that the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per
share, the fully-diluted Technology Value for the Company of $268.4 million was
above the high end of the high/low range of $219.9 million to $15.1 for the
Comparable Gene Therapy Companies, and above the high end of the high/ low range
of 104.8 million to $77.4 million for the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies. The
proposed purchase price represented a 239.8% premium to the mean technology
valuation of $79 million, and a 328.8% premium to the median technology
valuation of $62.6 million for the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies. The
proposed purchase price represented a 194.6% premium to the mean market
valuation of $91.1 million.
 
    Lehman Brothers noted that, per discussions with the Company management, the
Company had approximately $25 million of cash and cash equivalents as of
December 31, 1996. Lehman Brothers noted that the Company's implied burn life,
calculated as the cash on hand divided by the latest twelve month cash burn rate
(defined as the product of net income and depreciation less capital
expenditures) of 0.8 years was 74.2% less than the mean implied burn life of 3.1
years for the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies and 91.8% less than the mean
implied burn life of 9.7 years for the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies.
 
    Lehman Brothers also compared the price performance of the Common Stock from
January 2, 1995 to January 3, 1997 with those of an index of the Comparable Gene
Therapy and Cell Therapy Companies and the AMEX Biotechnology Index. Using
January 2, 1995 as the base of 100%, on January 3, 1997, the Company's common
stock price was 88.6% of the base value, as compared to an index of the
Comparable Gene Therapy and Cell Therapy Companies and the AMEX Biotechnology
Index values of 177.9% and 158.6% of their base value, respectively.
 
    Because of the inherent differences between the business, operations and
prospects of the Company and the businesses, operations and prospects of the
Comparable Gene Therapy Companies, the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies and
large capitalization biotechnology companies, Lehman Brothers believed that it
was inappropriate to, and therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative
results of the analysis but rather also made qualitative judgments concerning
differences between the financial and operating characteristics and prospects of
the Company and the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies and the Comparable Cell
Therapy Companies that would affect the public trading values of each.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers performed a discounted cash
flow analysis on the projected financial information provided by the Company to
Lehman Brothers. Lehman Brothers noted that the Company's projections were
prepared based on assumptions that include, among other things, the success of
each of its products in human clinical trials and in the market place. For
purposes of its analysis, Lehman Brothers considered certain more conservative
assumptions and estimates that reflect the uncertainties inherent in the
Company's business and prospects. Using these more conservative assumptions and
estimates, Lehman Brothers prepared two scenarios, whereby the second scenario
contained more significant adjustments to the Company's projections than the
first scenario. Lehman Brothers discounted to present value the projected stream
of after-tax cash flows and the terminal year value (the "Terminal Value") of
the business. The Terminal Value for the discounted cash flow analysis of the
Company's projections was based upon, among other things, a range of 5.0x-8.0x
multiples of projected fiscal 2001 revenues. The Terminal Value for the
discounted cash flow analyses of Lehman Brothers' two adjusted scenarios were
based upon, among other things, ranges of 11.0x-15.0x multiples of projected
fiscal 2005 earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"). Lehman Brothers
analyzed the revenue and EBIT multiples of Amgen, Inc. and an index of U.S.
Pharmaceutical Companies. Lehman Brothers noted that in 1990 and 1991 Amgen had
revenue multiples of 4.7x and 9.8x, respectively. Lehman Brothers also noted
that based on Lehman Brothers equity research estimates, Amgen has a 1997
revenue multiple of 5.3x. Additionally, Lehman Brothers noted that an index of
U.S. Pharmaceutical Companies has a one year forward revenue multiple of 3.6x
and an EBIT multiple of 16.2x. Lehman Brothers also noted that, based on Lehman
Brothers equity research estimates, Amgen has a one year forward EBIT multiple
of 12.6x.
 
    In performing this analysis, Lehman Brothers used discount rates ranging
from 35% to 50%, which were chosen based on several assumptions regarding
factors such as the current level of inflation, interest rates, the inherent
business risk in the Company's operations, as well as in the gene therapy and
biotechnology industry as a whole, and the cost of capital to the Company.
 
    For the discounted cash flow analysis of the Company's projections, (i) the
firm value of the Company resulting from these analyses ranged from $372.3
million to $1,032.8 million and (ii) the equity value per share of the Company's
common stock on a fully-diluted basis resulting from these analyses ranged from
$25.92 to $66.70 per Share. In the first of Lehman Brothers' scenarios, (i) the
imputed firm value of the Company resulting from these analyses ranged from
$144.1 million to $571.7 million and (ii) the imputed equity value per Share of
the Company's common stock on a fully-diluted basis resulting from these
analyses ranged from $11.82 to $38.23. In the second of Lehman Brothers'
scenarios, (i) the imputed firm value of the Company resulting from these
analyses ranged from $83.1 million to $406.2 million, and (ii) the imputed
equity value per Share of the Company's common stock on a fully diluted basis
resulting from these analyses ranged from $8.06 to $28.01.
 
    COMPARABLE TRANSACTION ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers compared the financial and
operating performance of certain companies that had engaged in recent merger or
alliance transactions, and which Lehman Brothers considered relevant, with the
historical financial and operating performance of the Company, based upon
information that was publicly available at the time and based upon information
provided to Lehman Brothers by the Company's management. The transactions that
Lehman Brothers considered comparable to the Merger included the transactions by
Bergen Brunswig Corp. with IVAX Corp., by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Inc. with Applied
Immune Sciences, Inc., by Sandoz AG with Genetic Therapy, Inc., by Chiron
Corporation with Viagene, Inc., by Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with Glycomed,
Inc., by CIBA-GEIGY Limited with Chiron Corporation, by American Cyanamid
Company with Immunex Corporation,and by American Home Products with Genetics
Institute, Inc. Lehman Brothers analyzed the tender/merger price per share for
shares purchased directly from the target company (the "Merger Purchase Price
Per Share"). The Merger Purchase Price Per Share for each of these transactions
was then compared to the target stock price one day prior to the announcement of
the transaction to calculate the premium over such stock price (the "Premium").
The Premium in the comparable transactions analyzed by Lehman Brothers ranged
from a high of 67.9% to a low of (13.4)%. In addition, Lehman Brothers noted
that the Premium for the Company at the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per
Share was 77.3% when
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
compared to the price of $11.00 per Share one day prior to Parent's public
announcement of its original proposal of $17.00 on May 24, 1996. Lehman Brothers
also noted that the premium for the Company at the proposed purchase price of
$19.50 per Share was 29.5% on January 3, 1997.
 
    In addition, the Merger Purchase Price Per Share for each of these
transactions was then compared to: (i) the target's stock price 30 days prior to
the announcement of the transaction, (ii) the target's high stock price over the
last twelve months prior to announcement of the transaction and (iii) the
target's low stock price over the last twelve months prior to announcement of
the transaction. The high and low premiums were as follows: (i) 95.3% to
(11.3)%, (ii) 245.7% to (54.9)%; and (iii) 533.8% to 5.8%. The respective
premiums for the Company at the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per Share for
such dates or periods ending May 23, 1996 are as follows (i) 51.5%, (ii) 16.4%,
and (iii) 77.3%. Lehman Brothers also noted that the premiums for the Company at
the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per Share for such dates or periods ending
on January 3, 1997 were (i) 34.5%, (ii) 4.7% and (iii) 77.3%.
 
    Because the reasons for and the circumstances surrounding each of the
transactions analyzed were specific to each transaction and because of the
inherent difference between the businesses, operations and the prospects of the
Company and the business, operations and prospects of the selected acquired
companies analyzed, Lehman Brothers believed that it was inappropriate to, and
therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of the analysis, but
rather also made qualitative judgments concerning differences between the
characteristics of these transactions and the Offer and the Merger that would
affect the acquisition values of the Company and such acquired companies.
 
    HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Lehman Brothers reviewed
historical financial statements of the Company and the projected financial
statements of the Company through 2005 referred to above as well as the
assumptions underlying the Company's projections. In order to analyze the
Company's projections, Lehman Brothers compared the Company's projected revenue
and EBIT growth rates for five years after initial product launch to Amgen and
Genentech's revenue and EBIT growth rates for five years after initial product
launch. Lehman Brothers also reviewed the projected financial performance versus
actual financial performance in terms of sales, sales growth and net income for
Genentech and Genetics Institute. Lehman Brothers also reviewed the projections
of Applied Immune Science disclosed publicly in 1993 and compared these
projections to Applied Immune Sciences' projections disclosed publicly in 1995.
Additionally, Lehman Brothers compared the Company's projected sales disclosed
publicly in 1992 to actual sales during 1992 to 1996. Lehman Brothers also
compared the Company's projected EBIT margin ("EBIT margin") in 2005 to the 1995
EBIT margins of several large capitalization pharmaceutical companies (the
"Pharmaceutical Companies") and noted that the Company's projected EBIT margin
in year 2005 was substantially higher than the highest EBIT margin in the year
1995 of the Pharmaceutical Companies. Lehman Brothers also compared the
Company's projected selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a
percentage of revenues and projected 2005 research and development expenses
("R&D") as a percentage of revenues to the SG&A as a percentage of revenues and
R&D as a percentage of revenues for several large capitalization pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies (the "Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies").
Lehman Brothers noted that the Company's projected SG&A as a percentage of
revenues and R&D as a percentage of revenues was lower than the lowest SG&A as a
percentage of revenues and lower than the mean R&D as a percentage of revenues
for the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies.
 
    ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED.  Lehman Brothers reviewed the recent weak financing
environment for biotechnology companies and also analyzed the stock price
changes of certain large biotechnology companies from May 1, 1996 to January 3,
1997. Lehman Brothers noted the decrease in stock prices for the following
companies: Amgen Inc., (0.7%); Centocor, Inc., (10.5%); Chiron Corporation,
(20.1%); and Genzyme Corporation, (15.7%).
 
    Lehman Brothers analyzed the changes in original filing price to offered
price for biotechnology initial public offerings from July 1, 1996 to January 3,
1997. Lehman Brothers noted that the mean, median, high and low change of offer
price from midpoint of the filing range for initial public offerings was
(16.5%),
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
(16.7%), 7.1% and (41.7%), respectively. Lehman Brothers also analyzed the
change in original filing price to offered price for biotechnology follow-on
offerings from July 1, 1996 to January 3, 1997. Lehman Brothers noted that the
mean, median, high and low change of offer price from the original filing price
for follow-on offerings was (31.0%), (26.3%), (13.5%) and (52.6%), respectively.
 
    Lehman Brothers analyzed the possible dilutive effects of a public offering
on the Company's existing stockholders and the dilutive effect of Parent's
"top-up" rights under their existing agreements with the Company. Lehman
Brothers also reviewed the viability of the Company pursuing certain other
strategic alternatives and considered, in particular, the fact that Parent has
indicated that it is unwilling to facilitate another potential strategic partner
making an offer for the Company.
 
    A copy of the Lehman Brothers Report has been filed as an exhibit to the
Statement on Schedule 13E-3 filed by Parent, the Purchaser and the Company and
is incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Lehman Brothers Report and
the Lehman Opinion are available for inspection and copying at the principal
executive offices of the Company during regular business hours by any
stockholder of the Company, or a stockholder's representative who has been so
designated in writing.
 
ITEM 5. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED.
 
    In connection with the Offer and other matters arising in connection
therewith, Lehman Brothers Inc. has been retained as the exclusive financial
advisor to the Independent Directors.
 
    FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS.  Pursuant to the Letter
Agreement dated September 9, 1996 between Lehman Brothers and the Company, and
agreed and accepted by the Independent Directors (the "Lehman Engagement
Letter"), Lehman Brothers agreed to render financial advisory services to the
Independent Directors concerning the unsolicited offer by Parent, including any
revised or modified offer to acquire all the Publicly Held Shares. Pursuant to
such engagement, Lehman Brothers agreed to (i) assist in evaluating the Offer or
alternatives thereto; (ii) implement the determinations of the Independent
Directors; (iii) at the Independent Directors' request, negotiate with Parent
with respect to the Offer and/ or develop alternatives (provided that Lehman
Brothers will not solicit third parties without the Independent Directors' prior
approval); (iv) if requested by the Independent Directors, render an opinion to
the Board of Directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to
the Public Stockholders of the consideration to be offered to such stockholders
in the Offer.
 
    Pursuant to the Lehman Engagement Letter, the Company has paid to Lehman
Brothers a retainer of $100,000, has agreed to pay Lehman Brothers a fee of
$500,000 upon the rendering of its opinion and has agreed to pay Lehman Brothers
an additional advisory fee, based on the aggregate value of consideration
received by the Company's stockholders, of approximately $415,000 upon
consummation of the Merger. In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse
Lehman Brothers for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with the Merger and to indemnify Lehman Brothers for certain liabilities that
may arise out of its engagement by the Company and the rendering of its opinion.
 
    Lehman Brothers is an internationally recognized investment banking firm
and, as part of its investment banking activities, is regularly engaged in the
evaluation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive bids, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for corporate and other purposes. The Independent Directors selected
Lehman Brothers because of its expertise, reputation and familiarity with the
Company in particular and the biotechnology industry in general and because its
investment banking professionals have substantial experience in transactions
similar to the Merger.
 
    OTHER PERSONS.  Neither the Company, the Independent Directors nor any
person acting on behalf of either of them has employed, retained or agreed to
compensate any other person to make solicitations or recommendations to
stockholders on behalf of the Independent Directors or the Company concerning
Purchaser's Offer.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES.
 
    (a) To the best knowledge of the Company, no transactions in Shares have
been effected during the past 60 days by the Company or any of its executive
officers, directors or affiliates.
 
    (b) The Company has not been advised by its executive officers, directors
and affiliates who own Publicly Held Shares, either directly or beneficially,
whether they intend to tender such Shares to Purchaser pursuant to the Offer.
 
ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE SUBJECT COMPANY.
 
    (a) Except as described in Items 3 and 4 above, including as set forth in
the Offer, to the knowledge of the Company no negotiation is being undertaken or
is underway by the Company in response to the Offer which relates to or would
result in (i) any extraordinary transaction, such as a merger or reorganization,
involving the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the Company, (ii) a
purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets by the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company, (iii) a tender offer for or other acquisition of
securities by or of the Company or (iv) any material change in the present
capitalization or dividend policy of the Company.
 
    (b) Except as described in Items 3 and 4 above, there are no transactions,
board resolutions, agreements in principle, or signed contracts in response to
the Offer which relate to or would result in one or more of the matters referred
to in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (a) of this Item 7.
 
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED.
 
    COMPANY PROJECTIONS.  The Company does not as a matter of course publicly
disclose projections as to future revenues or earnings. However, in connection
with Lehman Brothers' analysis (see "OPINION OF LEHMAN BROTHERS") certain
projections prepared by the Company's management in 1996 were made available to
Lehman Brothers, including the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PROJECTED YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31,
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1996E      1997E      1998E      1999E      2000E      2001E      2002E      2003E
                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Total revenue.....................     19,678     31,528     48,134    106,565    246,048    566,676  1,177,835  1,958,429
 
Total operating expenses..........     62,122     75,793     88,329    102,965    134,052    243,064    479,611    781,032
 
Net operating income/(loss).......    (42,444)   (44,265)   (40,195)     3,600    111,996    323,612    698,224  1,177,397
 
Net income/(loss).................    (42,444)   (44,265)   (40,195)     3,600    111,996    244,767    411,952    694,664
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                      2004E      2005E
                                    ---------  ---------
 
<S>                                 <C>        <C>
Total revenue.....................  2,975,622  3,761,314
Total operating expenses..........  1,147,851  1,447,851
Net operating income/(loss).......  1,827,771  2,313,463
Net income/(loss).................  1,078,385  1,364,943
</TABLE>
 
    Projected information of this type is based on estimates and assumptions
that are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive
uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult to predict and many
of which are beyond the Company's control. In addition, the foregoing
projections were based on assumptions which include the success of each of the
Company's products in human clinical trials and in the market place.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the projected results would be
realized or that actual results would not be significantly higher or lower than
those set forth above. In addition, these projections were not prepared with a
view to public disclosure or compliance with the published guidelines of the
Commission or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants regarding projections and forecasts and are included in this
Schedule 14D-9 only because such information was made available for Lehman
Brothers by the Company. For a discussion of Lehman Brothers' treatment and
analysis of the projections see "OPINION OF LEHMAN BROTHERS."
 
    The Company does not intend to update or otherwise publicly revise the
projections to reflect circumstances existing or developments occurring after
the preparation of the projections or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    The Company's projections should be read in conjunction with the historical
financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for
the period ended September 30, 1996, copies of which are set forth in the Offer
to Purchase which is filed as Exhibit 1 hereto and incorporated by reference
herein.
 
    LITIGATION.  The Company has been served notice or been informed of six
stockholder lawsuits with respect to the May 23, 1996 proposal by Parent to
acquire all of the shares of the Company that Parent does not already own, at a
proposed price of $17.00 per share. The lawsuits have been filed in the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware in New Castle County, each suit asking for
class action status and naming the Company, Parent and its affiliated entities,
and the individual members of the Company's Board of Directors as defendants.
The suits generally seek to enjoin consummation of the Parent proposal on the
grounds that the consideration to be paid to the Public Shareholders under the
proposal is unfair and inadequate. Pursuant to a court-approved stipulation,
dated July 15, 1996, no response to the suits will be made by the defendants
until 20 days after they receive notice that a response is required. The
captions, civil action numbers and filing dates of the lawsuits are as follows:
 
        Gwen Werbowsky v. Sandoz Ltd. et al., C.A. No. 15014, May 24, 1996;
 
        James Vosler v. SyStemix, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 15016, May 24, 1996;
 
        Joseph Cincotta v. Sandoz Ltd. et al., C.A. No. 15018, May 28, 1996
 
        Crandon Capital Partners v. Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. et al., C.A. No.
    15019, May 28, 1996;
 
        David Rosenberg v. Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. et al., C.A. No. 15020, May 28,
    1996; and
 
        Kevin Tracy v. Urs Barlocher et al., C.A. No. 15024, May 30, 1996.
 
    These six lawsuits have been consolidated into one action captioned, In Re
SyStemix, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, Consolidated C.A. 15014.
 
    The litigation could result in substantial expense to the Company and
significant diversion of efforts of the Company's management team. The Company
believes that all of such lawsuits are without merit, and intends to vigorously
defend such actions. The above summary does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the complaints and
the order of consolidation, which are attached as Exhibits 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27 and 28 hereto, respectively, and which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
 
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
Exhibit 1  Offer to Purchase, dated January 17, 1997
 
Exhibit 2  Letter of Transmittal
 
Exhibit 3  Joint Press Release issued by SyStemix, Inc. and Novartis Inc. on January 13,
           1997
 
Exhibit 4  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 10, 1997, by and among
           Novartis Inc., Novartis Biotech Holding Corp. and SyStemix, Inc.
 
Exhibit 5  Letter to Stockholders of SyStemix, Inc., dated January 17, 1997*
 
Exhibit 6  By-Laws of SyStemix, Inc.
 
Exhibit 7  1996 Proxy Statement of SyStemix, Inc. dated May 31, 1996 relating to SyStemix,
           Inc.'s 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
 
Exhibit 8  Form of Warrant
 
Exhibit 9  SyStemix, Inc. 1988 Stock Option Plan, as amended
 
Exhibit
10         SyStemix, Inc. 1991 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
Exhibit
11         Acquisition Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1991, among Sandoz Ltd., Sandoz
           Biotech Holdings Corporation and SyStemix, Inc.
 
Exhibit
12         Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1991, among SyStemix,
           Inc., and Eli S. Jacobs, The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company and The Standard
           Fire Insurance Company
 
Exhibit
13         Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1991, between Sandoz Pharma
           Ltd. and SyStemix, Inc.
 
Exhibit
14         Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of December 2, 1991, between Sandoz Pharma
           Ltd. and SyStemix, Inc.
 
Exhibit
15         Consulting Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1991, between Systemix, Inc. and
           Irving L. Weissman
 
Exhibit
16         SyStemix-Sandoz Partnership Agreement, dated as of April 13, 1993
 
Exhibit
17         Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 30, 1995 among
           SyStemix, Inc., Sandoz Ltd. and Sandoz Biotech Holding Corporation
 
Exhibit
18         Employment Agreement, dated as of March 29, 1995, between SyStemix, Inc. and
           John Schwartz
 
Exhibit
19         Declaration of Dissolution of Sandoz-SyStemix Gene Therapy of HIV Partnership,
           dated September 14, 1995
 
Exhibit
20         Research and Development Collaboration Agreement, dated as of August 13, 1995,
           between SyStemix, Inc. and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation
 
Exhibit
21         Opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc., dated January 10, 1997*
 
Exhibit
22         Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of
           Delaware in and for New Castle County entitled Gwen Werbowsky v. Sandoz Ltd. et
           al., C.A. No. 15014, May 24, 1996
 
Exhibit
23         Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of
           Delaware in and for New Castle County entitled James Vosler v. SyStemix, Inc. et
           al., C.A. No. 15016, May 24, 1996
 
Exhibit
24         Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of
           Delaware in and for New Castle County entitled Joseph Cincotta v. Sandoz Ltd. et
           al., C.A. No. 15018, May 28, 1996
 
Exhibit
25         Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of
           Delaware in and for New Castle County entitled Crandon Capital Partners v.
           Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. et al., C.A. No. 15019, May 28, 1996
 
Exhibit
26         Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of
           Delaware in and for New Castle County entitled David Rosenberg v. Joseph J.
           Ruvane, Jr. et al., C.A. No. 15020, May 28, 1996
 
Exhibit
27         Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of
           Delaware in and for New Castle County entitled Kevin Tracy v. Urs Barlocher et
           al., C.A. No. 15024, May 30, 1996
 
Exhibit
28         In Re SyStemix, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, Consolidated C.A. 15014
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Included with Schedule 14D-9 mailed to Stockholders.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURE
 
    After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this Statement is true, complete and
correct.
 
Dated: January 17, 1997
 
                                                   /s/ John J. Schwartz
 
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                                 John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                                                                      SCHEDULE I
 
                   INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE INTERESTS
                   OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE OFFER AND MERGER
 
    In considering the recommendations of the Board and the Independent
Directors set forth in Item 4(a) of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9") of which this Schedule I is a part, Public
Stockholders should be aware that certain members of the Board and the
Independent Directors, respectively, have interests in the Merger and the Offer
which are described below and which may present them with certain conflicts of
interest.
 
    INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS.  The Company has agreed to pay the fees and expenses
of the Independent Directors' counsel and financial advisor.
 
    INTERESTS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND AFFILIATES WITH RESPECT TO
SHARES CURRENTLY HELD AND OPTIONS. Pursuant to the Offer, the Public
Stockholders, including certain directors and employees of the Company, will be
entitled to receive the Offer Price for each Share currently held which is
tendered into the Offer and accepted for payment in accordance with its terms.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the directors and employees of the Company
holding Options may surrender such Options for cancellation and receive in
exchange therefor cash payments as described under "THE MERGER" in Item 3(b)(2)
of the Schedule 14D-9. Assuming all such Shares are tendered in the Offer and
all such Options are surrendered for cancellation prior to the Effective Time,
then the directors and executive officers of the Company will be entitled to
receive, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, based upon their holdings as
of January 10, 1997, cash payments in the manner set forth in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SHARE AND OPTION AMOUNTS WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY'S
                                                                 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
                                                                            OPTIONS
                                                   OWNED    $ AMOUNT AT    CONVERTED                  TOTAL CASH
NAME                                              SHARES    OFFER PRICE   TO CASH(1)     $ AMOUNT    CONSIDERATION
- -----------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
Iris Brest.....................................      1,800        35,100      24,289   $    151,023   $   186,123
Linda M. Burch.................................      5,000  $     97,500      54,420        174,446       271,946
James T. DePalma...............................     --           --           14,548         92,580        92,580
Harold Edgar...................................      8,275       161,363      37,500        105,000       266,363
Edgar J. Fullagar..............................     --    (2)      --         --            --            --
Stephan Guttmann, Ph.D. .......................     --    (2)      --         --            --            --
Paul Herrling, Ph.D. ..........................     --    (2)      --         --            --            --
Wendy R. Hitchcock.............................      1,500        29,250      36,607        133,172       162,422
Audrey F. Jakubowski, M.D......................      1,500        29,250      20,000         30,000        59,250
Christopher A. Juttner, M.D....................      2,000        39,500      25,781        150,467       189,967
Didier L. Lanson, Ph.D. .......................      1,800        35,100      17,386         91,617       126,717
Hugh Lewis.....................................      1,500        29,250      41,869        134,012       163,262
Fred J. Meyer..................................     --    (2)      --         20,959        102,843       102,843
Ulrich Oppikofer, Ph.D. .......................     --    (2)      --         --            --            --
Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr...........................     --           --           48,438        309,606       309,606
Edgar Schollmaier..............................     --           --           13,463         77,366        77,366
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D. .......................     31,000       604,500     225,487      1,134,659     1,739,159
Roland G. Scollay, Ph.D........................      1,500        29,250      18,000         76,500       105,750
Daniel L. Vasella, M.D. .......................     --    (2)      --         --            --            --
Irving L. Weissman, M.D........................    144,603  $  2,819,759      20,959        102,843     2,922,602
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Excludes Options with exercise prices of $19.50 or greater per Share
 
(2) Excludes 11,977,699 shares of Common Stock beneficially held by Purchaser of
    which such person may be considered an affiliate. Such person disclaims
    beneficial ownership of any Shares held by Purchaser or its affiliates.
<PAGE>
    INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.  The Company's By-Laws (the
"By-Laws") provide that each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that the
person or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a
director or officer, employee or agent (a "Representative") of the Company or is
or was serving at the request of the Company as a Representative of another
entity, whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official
capacity as a Representative or in any other capacity while serving as a
Representative, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the
fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law (as it then
exists or may thereafter be amended, but only to the extent such amendment
permits broader indemnification rights than allowed prior to such amendment),
against expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection
therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who ceases to
be a Representative of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall
indemnify any such person seeking indemnity in connection with a Proceeding
initiated by such person only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Company's
Board of Directors. Such right to indemnification is a contract right which
includes, only with respect to officers and directors acting in such capacity,
the right to have expenses incurred in advance of the final disposition of any
Proceeding specified above paid by the Company, but only upon delivery to the
Company by the indemnified party of an undertaking to repay all amounts so
advanced if it is ultimately determined that the person receiving such payments
is not entitled to be indemnified under the By-Laws or otherwise.
 
    The By-Laws also provide that any person making a claim for indemnification
as described above who is not paid within 30 days of the Company's receipt of
such claim may bring suit against the Company to recover such unpaid amount and,
if successful, shall also be entitled to recover the expense of prosecuting such
unpaid claim; provided, that such claimant (i) has tendered an undertaking if
applicable (as described above) and (ii) has met the standards of conduct (as
determined at law or in equity and not by the Company, independent counsel or
stockholders) which make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation
Law for the Company to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed.
 
    The By-Laws further provide that the foregoing rights are not exclusive of
any other right which any person may have or acquire under any statute, Charter
provision, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise. In addition, the Company may purchase and maintain insurance, at its
expense, to protect itself and any Representative of the Company or another
entity against any expense, liability or loss under the By-Laws, whether or not
the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense,
liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Company
currently maintains such insurance for its directors and executive officers. The
foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company's
By-Laws, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 6 to the Schedule 14D-9 and is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
 
    The Company may enter into agreements with any director, officer, employee
or agent of the Company providing for indemnification to the full extent
permitted by Delaware law.
 
    See also the discussion in Item 3(b)(2) of the Schedule 14D-9 under "The
Merger Agreement" for information concerning certain provisions relating to
these matters contained in the Merger Agreement.
 
                                      I-2
<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX I
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                                                                January 10, 1997
 
Board of Directors
SyStemix, Inc.
3155 Porter Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94304
 
Members of the Board of Directors:
 
    We understand that Novartis, Inc. ("Novartis"), Novartis Biotech Holdings
Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis ("Purchaser"), and
SyStemix ("SyStemix" or the "Company") intend to enter into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Purchaser will commence a
tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company's common
stock at $19.50 per share (the "Offer"). Pursuant to the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Agreement, after consummation of the Offer, Purchaser will
merge with and into the Company (the "Merger"). (The Merger, together with the
Offer, are hereinafter referred to as the "Proposed Transaction".) In the
Merger, all shares of the Company's common stock (other than (i) shares held in
the Company's treasury, (ii) shares held by Novartis or any of its subsidiaries,
and (iii) shares as to which dissenters' rights have been perfected) will be
exchanged for cash equal to the amount per share paid in the Offer. The other
terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction are set forth in more detail in
the Agreement.
 
    We have been requested by Harold Edgar, Joseph Ruvane and Edgar Schollmaier,
in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Independent Directors"), to render our opinion with respect to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of the Company, other than
Novartis, of the consideration to be offered to such stockholders in the
Proposed Transaction. We have not been requested to opine as to, and our opinion
does not in any manner address, the Company's underlying business decision to
proceed with or effect the Proposed Transaction.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed and analyzed: (1) the Agreement and
the specific terms of the Proposed Transaction, (2) the annual report of the
Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 filed on form 10-K, the
quarterly financial report of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended September
30, 1996 filed on Form 10-Q and such other publicly available information
concerning the Company that we believe to be relevant to our analysis, (3) other
financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and
prospects of the Company furnished to us by the Company (including financial
projections for years 1996 to 2005 under various operating assumptions), (4) a
trading history of the Company's common stock from August 7, 1991 to the present
and a comparison of that trading history with those of other companies that we
deemed relevant, (5) a comparison of the historical financial results and
present financial condition of the Company with those of other companies that we
deemed relevant, (6) an analysis of the cash required to fund the Company's near
term capital and operating requirements, the cash currently available to the
Company and the alternatives available to the Company to obtain additional
financing, and (7) a comparison of the financial terms of the Proposed
Transaction with the financial terms of certain other recent transactions that
we deemed relevant. In addition, we have held discussions with the management of
the Company concerning its business, operations, assets, financial condition and
prospects and have undertaken such other studies, analyses and investigations as
we deemed appropriate.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of the financial and other information used by us without assuming
any responsibility for independent verification of such information and further
have relied upon the assurances of management of the Company that they are not
aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate
or misleading. With respect to the financial projections of the Company, upon
the advice of the Company, we have assumed that such projections have been
reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates
and judgments of the management of the Company as to the future financial
performance of the Company. However, for purposes of our analysis, we also have
considered certain
<PAGE>
more conservative assumptions and estimates which resulted in significant
adjustments to the projections of the Company. We have discussed these adjusted
projections with the Company's management and they have agreed that, because the
Company's projections have been prepared based on assumptions which include the
success of each of its products in human clinical trials and in the marketplace,
it is appropriate for us to adjust such projections to reflect the uncertainties
inherent in the business and prospects of the Company and in the Company's
ability to secure adequate financing in the future to fund its capital and
operating requirements. Without agreeing with each particular adjustment we have
made, the Company's management believes that the overall extent of our
adjustments to the Company's projections is reasonable and that our use of such
adjusted projections in our analysis is appropriate. In arriving at our opinion,
we have conducted only a limited physical inspection of the properties and
facilities of the Company and have not made or obtained any evaluations or
appraisals of the assets or liabilities of the Company. In addition, you have
not authorized us to solicit, and we have not solicited, any indications of
interest from any third party with respect to the purchase of all or a part of
the Company's business. Our opinion necessarily is based upon market, economic
and other conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date of
this letter.
 
    Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion as of the
date hereof that, from a financial point of view, the consideration to be
offered to the stockholders of the Company other than Novartis in the Proposed
Transaction is fair to such stockholders.
 
    We have acted as financial advisor to the Independent Directors in
connection with the Proposed Transaction and will receive a fee from the Company
for our services, which is contingent in part upon the consummation of the
Proposed Transaction. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify us for
certain liabilities that may arise out of the rendering of this opinion. In the
ordinary course of our business, we may trade in the equity securities of the
Company for our own account and for the accounts of our customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
 
    This opinion is for the use and benefit of the Independent Directors and is
rendered to the Independent Directors in connection with their consideration of
the Proposed Transaction. This opinion also is for the use and benefit of Irving
L. Weissman, M.D. and John J. Schwartz, Ph.D., in their capacity as members of
the Board of Directors of the Company, and is rendered to them in connection
with their consideration of the Proposed Transaction. This opinion is not
intended to be and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of
the Company as to whether to accept the consideration to be offered to such
stockholder in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>        <C>
                                             Very truly yours,
 
                                             LEHMAN BROTHERS
</TABLE>
 
                                      I-2
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                                                        PAGE
NUMBER                                           DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION                                         NUMBER
- ------------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>           <C>                                                                                          <C>
 
Exhibit 1     --Offer to Purchase, dated January 17, 1997
 
Exhibit 2     --Letter of Transmittal
 
Exhibit 3     --Joint Press Release issued by SyStemix, Inc. and Novartis Inc. on January 13, 1997
 
Exhibit 4     --Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 10, 1997, by and among Novartis Inc.,
                Novartis Biotech Holding Corp. and SyStemix, Inc.
 
Exhibit 5     --Letter to Stockholders of SyStemix, Inc., dated January 17, 1997*
 
Exhibit 6     --By-Laws of SyStemix, Inc. (A)
 
Exhibit 7     --Proxy Statement of SyStemix, Inc. dated May 31, 1996 relating to SyStemix, Inc.'s 1996
                Annual Meeting of Stockholders
 
Exhibit 8     --Form of Warrant (B)
 
Exhibit 9     --SyStemix, Inc. 1988 Stock Option Plan, as amended (C)
 
Exhibit 10    --SyStemix, Inc. 1991 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended (G)
 
Exhibit 11    --Acquisition Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1991, among Sandoz Ltd., Sandoz Biotech
                Holdings Corporation and SyStemix, Inc. (D)
 
Exhibit 12    --Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1991, among SyStemix, Inc., and
                Eli S. Jacobs, The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company and The Standard Fire Insurance
                Company (D)
 
Exhibit 13    --Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1991, between Sandoz Pharma Ltd. and
                SyStemix, Inc. (D)
 
Exhibit 14    --Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of December 2, 1991, between Sandoz Pharma Ltd. and
                SyStemix, Inc. (D)
 
Exhibit 15    --Consulting Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1991, between Systemix, Inc. and Irving L.
                Weissman (D)
 
Exhibit 16    --SyStemix-Sandoz Partnership Agreement, dated as of April 13, 1993 (E)
 
Exhibit 17    --Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 30, 1995 between SyStemix,
                Inc., Sandoz Ltd. and Sandoz Biotech Holding Corporation (B)
 
Exhibit 18    --Employment Agreement, dated as of March 29, 1995, between SyStemix, Inc. and John
                Schwartz (F)
 
Exhibit 19    --Declaration of Dissolution of Sandoz-SyStemix Gene Therapy of HIV Partnership, dated
                September 14, 1995 (H)
 
Exhibit 20    --Research and Development Collaboration Agreement, dated as of August 13, 1995, between
                SyStemix, Inc. and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation (H)
 
Exhibit 21    --Opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc., dated January 10, 1997*
 
Exhibit 22    --Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in
                and for New Castle County entitled Gwen Werbowsky v. Sandoz Ltd. et al., C.A. No. 15014,
                May 24, 1996
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                                                        PAGE
NUMBER                                           DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION                                         NUMBER
- ------------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>           <C>                                                                                          <C>
Exhibit 23    --Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in
                and for New Castle County entitled James Vosler v. SyStemix, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 15016,
                May 24, 1996
 
Exhibit 24    --Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in
                and for New Castle County entitled Joseph Cincotta v. Sandoz Ltd. et al., C.A. No. 15018,
                May 28, 1996
 
Exhibit 25    --Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in
                and for New Castle County entitled Crandon Capital Partners v. Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. et
                al., C.A. No. 15019, May 28, 1996
 
Exhibit 26    --Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in
                and for New Castle County entitled David Rosenberg v. Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. et al., C.A.
                No. 15020, May 28, 1996
 
Exhibit 27    --Class Action Complaint in an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in
                and for New Castle County entitled Kevin Tracy v. Urs Barlocher et al., C.A. No. 15024,
                May 30, 1996
 
Exhibit 28    --In Re SyStemix, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, Consolidated C.A. 15014
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Included with Schedule 14D-9 mailed to Stockholders.
 
(A) Incorporated by reference to designated Exhibit included with the Company's
    Form S-1 Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-41180) filed on August
    6, 1991, as amended.
 
(B) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed on February 16,
    1995.
 
(C) Incorporated by reference to the Company Form S-8 Registration Statement
    (Registration No. 33-44040) filed on November 19, 1991.
 
(D) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Schedule 14D-9 filed on December
    20, 1991.
 
(E) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
    January 30, 1993, filed on August 3, 1993.
 
(F) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended
    March 31, 1995, filed on May 11, 1995.
 
(G) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement
    (Registration No. 33-93906) filed on June 23, 1995.
 
(H) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
    September 31, 1995, filed on November 14, 1995.

<PAGE>
                           OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
                     ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
                                       AT
                              $19.50 NET PER SHARE
                                       BY
                         NOVARTIS BIOTECH HOLDING CORP.
                      AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY
                                       OF
                                 NOVARTIS INC.
                                    --------
 
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON FRIDAY,                       FEBRUARY 14, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS
                                   EXTENDED.
                             ---------------------
 
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THERE BEING VALIDLY TENDERED
AND NOT WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER (I) NOT LESS THAN A
 MAJORITY OF THE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING SHARES OTHER THAN SHARES OWNED BY
  NOVARTIS INC. ("PARENT") OR NOVARTIS BIOTECH HOLDING CORP. ("PURCHASER")
    (THE "FIRST MINIMUM CONDITION") AND (II) AT LEAST THE NUMBER OF SHARES
     THAT WHEN ADDED TO THE SHARES OWNED BY PARENT AND PURCHASER SHALL
     CONSTITUTE 90% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING (THE "SECOND MINIMUM
       CONDITION"). THE FIRST MINIMUM CONDITION MAY NOT BE WAIVED WITHOUT
       THE CONSENT OF A MAJORITY OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (AS DEFINED
       BELOW). PURCHASER HAS AGREED TO WAIVE THE SECOND MINIMUM
        CONDITION UNDER                  CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
                               DESCRIBED HEREIN.
                             ---------------------
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SYSTEMIX, INC., BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF ALL DIRECTORS
PRESENT AND VOTING (WITH ALL DIRECTORS WHO ARE DESIGNEES OF PARENT ABSTAINING),
 BASED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVAL OF
  THE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY WHO ARE NOT OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS OF PARENT
    OR PURCHASER NOR OFFICERS OR CONSULTANTS OF THE COMPANY (THE
     "INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS"), HAS DETERMINED THAT EACH OF THE OFFER AND
     THE MERGER (AS DEFINED HEREIN) IS FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS
       OF, THE STOCKHOLDERS OF SYSTEMIX, INC. (OTHER THAN PARENT AND
       PURCHASER), AND RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND
                  TENDER THEIR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
                             ---------------------
 
                                   IMPORTANT
 
    ANY STOCKHOLDER DESIRING TO TENDER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE (THE "COMMON STOCK"), OF
SYSTEMIX, INC. (THE "SHARES") SHOULD EITHER (1) COMPLETE AND SIGN THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL (OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND MAIL OR DELIVER IT TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATE(S)
EVIDENCING TENDERED SHARES, AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, TO THE DEPOSITARY
OR TENDER SUCH SHARES PURSUANT TO THE PROCEDURE FOR BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER SET
FORTH IN "THE TENDER OFFER -- SECTION 3. PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND
TENDERING SHARES" OR (2) REQUEST SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL
BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE TO EFFECT THE TRANSACTION FOR SUCH
STOCKHOLDER. ANY STOCKHOLDER WHOSE SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE MUST CONTACT
SUCH BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE IF SUCH
STOCKHOLDER DESIRES TO TENDER SUCH SHARES.
 
    ANY STOCKHOLDER WHO DESIRES TO TENDER SHARES AND WHOSE CERTIFICATES
EVIDENCING SUCH SHARES ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE, OR WHO CANNOT COMPLY WITH
THE PROCEDURE FOR BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER ON A TIMELY BASIS, MAY TENDER SUCH SHARES
BY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE FOR GUARANTEED DELIVERY SET FORTH IN "THE TENDER
OFFER -- SECTION 3. PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND TENDERING SHARES".
 
    QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION
AGENT OR THE DEALER MANAGER AT THEIR RESPECTIVE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
SET FORTH ON THE BACK COVER OF THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE. ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS
OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE INFORMATION AGENT OR FROM BROKERS,
DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS OR TRUST COMPANIES.
                             ---------------------
  THIS TRANSACTION HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
 THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF SUCH TRANSACTION NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
   OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                             CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
                             ---------------------
 
                      THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS
                              MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
 
       INCORPORATED
 
JANUARY 17, 1997
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................          1
 
SPECIAL FACTORS.......................................................................          3
  Background of the Offer and the Merger..............................................          3
  Recommendation of the Company's Board; Fairness of the Offer and the Merger.........          4
  Recommendation of the Company's Board...............................................          4
  Fairness of the Offer and the Merger................................................          5
  Opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc. ....................................................          6
  Company Financial Projections.......................................................         12
  Position of Parent and Purchaser Regarding Fairness of the Offer and the Merger.....         13
  Analysis of Financial Advisor to Parent.............................................         13
  Purpose and Structure of the Offer and the Merger; Reasons of Parent and Purchaser
    for the Offer and the Merger......................................................         16
  Plans for the Company After the Offer and the Merger; Certain Effects of the
    Offer.............................................................................         17
  Rights of Stockholders in the Merger................................................         18
  The Merger Agreement................................................................         18
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and the Merger............................         24
  Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock................................................         25
  Related Party Transactions..........................................................         26
  Fees and Expenses...................................................................         27
 
THE TENDER OFFER......................................................................         28
   1. Terms of the Offer; Expiration Date.............................................         28
   2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares...................................         29
   3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares.........................         30
   4. Withdrawal Rights...............................................................         32
   5. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.........................................         33
   6. Price Range of Shares; Dividends................................................         34
   7. Certain Information Concerning the Company......................................         34
   8. Certain Information Concerning Purchaser and Parent.............................         37
   9. Financing of the Offer and the Merger...........................................         38
  10. Dividends and Distributions.....................................................         38
  11. Effect of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; NASDAQ Quotation and Exchange
       Act Registration...............................................................         38
  12. Certain Conditions of the Offer.................................................         39
  13. Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals..................................         41
  14. Fees and Expenses...............................................................         42
  15. Miscellaneous...................................................................         43
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>              <C>                                                                   <C>
SCHEDULE I.      Directors and Executive Officers of Parent and Purchaser............        I-1
SCHEDULE II.     Opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc. ....................................       II-1
SCHEDULE III.    Summary of Stockholder Appraisal Rights and Text of Section 262 of
                   the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware..............      III-1
SCHEDULE IV.     Audited Financial Statements (and Related Notes) for the Company for
                   the Years Ended December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995...........       IV-1
SCHEDULE V.      Unaudited Financial Statements (and Related Notes) for the Company
                   for the Period Ended September 30, 1996...........................        V-1
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
To the Holders of Common Stock of
  SyStemix, Inc.:
 
                                  INTRODUCTION
 
    Novartis Biotech Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation formerly known as
Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation ("Purchaser") and an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Novartis Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
Switzerland ("Parent"), hereby offers to purchase all outstanding shares (the
"Shares") of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of
SyStemix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at a price of $19.50 per
Share, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Offer to Purchase and in the related Letter of Transmittal
(which together constitute the "Offer"). Parent is the successor by merger to
Sandoz Ltd. resulting from the merger of Sandoz Ltd. and Ciba-Geigy Limited into
Parent.
 
    Tendering stockholders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or
commissions or, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of
Transmittal, stock transfer taxes with respect to the purchase of Shares by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. Purchaser will pay all charges and expenses of
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley"), which is acting as Dealer
Manager for the Offer (in such capacity, the "Dealer Manager"), ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (the "Depositary") and Georgeson & Company Inc.
(the "Information Agent") incurred in connection with the Offer. See "THE TENDER
OFFER -- Section 14. Fees and Expenses".
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY (THE "BOARD"), BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF
ALL DIRECTORS PRESENT AND VOTING (WITH ALL DIRECTORS WHO ARE DESIGNEES OF PARENT
ABSTAINING), BASED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS OF PARENT OR
PURCHASER NOR OFFICERS OR CONSULTANTS OF THE COMPANY (THE "INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS"), HAS DETERMINED THAT EACH OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER IS FAIR TO,
AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY (OTHER THAN
PURCHASER AND PARENT), AND RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND
TENDER THEIR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
 
    The Company has advised Parent that Lehman Brothers Inc. ("Lehman Brothers")
has delivered to the Board its written opinion that the $19.50 per Share cash
consideration to be offered to the stockholders of the Company in each of the
Offer and the Merger (as defined below) is fair to such stockholders (other than
Parent) from a financial point of view. See "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Opinion of
Lehman Brothers" for further information concerning the opinion of Lehman
Brothers.
 
    The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the
"Schedule 14D-9"), which is being mailed to stockholders herewith.
 
    THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THERE BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER (I) NOT LESS
THAN A MAJORITY OF THE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING SHARES OTHER THAN SHARES OWNED BY
PARENT OR PURCHASER (THE "FIRST MINIMUM CONDITION") AND (II) AT LEAST THE NUMBER
OF SHARES THAT WHEN ADDED TO THE SHARES OWNED BY PARENT AND PURCHASER SHALL
CONSTITUTE 90% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING (THE "SECOND MINIMUM CONDITION").
THE FIRST MINIMUM CONDITION MAY NOT BE WAIVED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF A MAJORITY
OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS. PURCHASER HAS AGREED TO WAIVE THE SECOND MINIMUM
CONDITION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED HEREIN. PURCHASER CURRENTLY OWNS
10,610,099 SHARES, CONSTITUTING APPROXIMATELY 73.2% OF THE CURRENTLY OUTSTANDING
SHARES. PURCHASER ALSO HAS WARRANTS TO ACQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 1,367,600 SHARES
(THE "WARRANTS"), WHICH IT DOES NOT CURRENTLY INTEND TO EXERCISE. SEE "THE
TENDER OFFER -- SECTION 12. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER", WHICH SETS FORTH
IN FULL THE CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER.
<PAGE>
    The Company has advised Purchaser that as of January 10, 1997, (i)
14,500,094 Shares were issued and outstanding, (ii) no Shares were held in the
treasury of the Company and (iii) 2,003,188 Shares were reserved for future
issuance to employees pursuant to outstanding employee stock options granted
pursuant to the Company's stock option plans ("Options"), a maximum of 987,436
of which could become exercisable by February 14, 1997 ("Exercisable Options").
The Company has further advised Purchaser that prior to the announcement of the
Offer, there were approximately 153 holders of record of the issued and
outstanding Shares. Purchaser beneficially owns 11,977,699 Shares, (i) 5,993,827
of which it acquired pursuant to an Acquisition Agreement, dated as of December
16, 1991 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), among the Company, Parent and Purchaser,
(ii) 4,616,272 of which it acquired pursuant to a Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement, dated as of January 30, 1995, among the Company, Purchaser and Parent
(the "Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement") and (iii) 1,367,600 of which it has
the right to acquire pursuant to Warrants granted under the Stock and Warrant
Purchase Agreement (see "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Background of the Offer and the
Merger"). Purchaser does not currently intend to exercise any of the Warrants,
which have an exercise price of $27.50 per Share. As a result, assuming
Purchaser does not exercise any of the Warrants but all Exercisable Options are
exercised, the First Minimum Condition would be satisfied if 2,438,716 Shares
were validly tendered in the Offer and not withdrawn and the Second Minimum
Condition would be satisfied if 3,328,678 Shares were validly tendered in the
Offer and not withdrawn.
 
    The Offer is being made pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of January 10, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), among Parent, Purchaser and the
Company. The Merger Agreement provides that, among other things, as soon as
practicable after the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer and the
satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware ("Delaware Law"), Purchaser will be merged with and into the
Company (the "Merger"). Following consummation of the Merger, the Company will
continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") and will
become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. At the effective time of
the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each Share issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares held in the treasury of the
Company or owned by Purchaser, Parent or any direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent or the Company, and other than Shares held by stockholders
who shall have properly demanded and perfected appraisal rights under Section
262 of Delaware Law) will be cancelled and converted automatically into the
right to receive $19.50 in cash, or any higher price that may be paid per Share
pursuant to the Offer, without interest (the "Merger Consideration"). The Merger
Agreement is more fully described in "SPECIAL FACTORS -- The Merger Agreement".
 
    The consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
certain conditions, including the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement
by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company. See "SPECIAL FACTORS
- -- The Merger Agreement". Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Delaware Law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Shares is required to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the
Merger. Consequently, Purchaser currently has sufficient voting power to approve
and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger without the vote of any other
stockholder.
 
    Under Delaware Law, if Purchaser owns, following consummation of the Offer
or otherwise, at least 90% of the then outstanding Shares, Purchaser will be
able to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the Merger, without a vote of the Company's stockholders. In
such event, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have agreed to take all necessary
and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective as soon as
reasonably practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the
Company's stockholders. Purchaser's obligation to consummate the Offer is
conditioned on there being validly tendered and not withdrawn at least the
number of Shares that, when added to the 10,610,099 Shares owned by Purchaser,
shall constitute 90% of the Shares then outstanding, so as to enable Purchaser
to consummate the Merger without a vote of the Company's
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
stockholders. If, however, fewer than such number of Shares are validly tendered
and not withdrawn, and all other conditions set forth in Annex A of the Merger
Agreement are satisfied, Purchaser may extend the Offer for a period not to
exceed 20 business days after the initial expiration date of the Offer, after
which time (or earlier if Parent did not extend the Offer) Purchaser is
obligated to waive the Second Minimum Condition and acquire such fewer number of
Shares (although it may not acquire less than a majority of the Shares
outstanding other than Shares owned by Parent or Purchaser without the consent
of a majority of the Independent Directors). In such case, a vote of the
Company's stockholders will be required under Delaware Law, and a significantly
longer period of time will be required to effect the Merger. See "SPECIAL
FACTORS -- Purpose and Structure of the Offer and the Merger; Reasons of Parent
and Purchaser for the Offer and the Merger".
 
    THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH
RESPECT TO THE OFFER.
 
                                SPECIAL FACTORS
 
BACKGROUND OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
 
    On December 16, 1991, the Company, Purchaser and Parent entered into the
Acquisition Agreement, pursuant to which Purchaser subsequently acquired
5,993,827 Shares. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, for a ten-year period
beginning at closing and subject to certain exceptions, Parent is prohibited
from acquiring additional Shares without the approval of the majority of the
Independent Directors. The Acquisition Agreement affords Parent representation
on the Board in direct proportion to its percentage stock ownership.
 
    In April 1993, the Company entered into an agreement with Sandoz
Pharmaceutical Corporation, a wholly owned affiliate of Sandoz Pharma Ltd.
(collectively the "Sandoz entities"), to form a joint venture ("Progenesys")
with a primary mission to research and develop hematopoietic cell-based, somatic
gene therapies against HIV infection. The Company and the Sandoz entities
licensed certain initial technologies, within the field, to Progenesys. On
August 31, 1995, the Progenesys partnership was dissolved and replaced by a
collaborative agreement (the "HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration") between the
Company and the Sandoz entities, with terms and conditions substantially
equivalent to those of the partnership agreement. In November 1993, the Company
entered into a two-year collaboration agreement with Parent regarding
therapeutic anti-viral agents for HIV infection. The Company and Parent jointly
decided to terminate the agreement as of March 31, 1995. In March 1994, the
Company and Parent agreed to provide funding for a portion of the research
carried out at Stanford University School of Medicine. For a fuller description
of these arrangements, see "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Related Party Transactions".
 
    In 1995, Purchaser increased its investment in the Company pursuant to the
Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, whereby Purchaser acquired 4,616,272
additional Shares and Warrants to acquire a further 1,367,600 Shares.
 
    On May 23, 1996, Parent delivered a letter to the Board offering to acquire
all the issued and outstanding Shares not then owned by Purchaser for $17.00 per
Share in cash.
 
    On May 24, 1996, the three Independent Directors (Messrs. Ruvane, Edgar and
Schollmaier) first met to consider Parent's proposal. On the same day they
retained their own independent counsel. In early June 1996, the Company advised
Parent that the Independent Directors had selected Lehman Brothers to serve as
financial advisor. The terms of Lehman Brothers' undertaking to render financial
advisory services to the Independent Directors is set forth below in "SPECIAL
FACTORS -- Opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc."
 
    On June 13, 1996, Dr. Daniel L. Vasella, Chief Executive Officer of Parent,
invited Edgar Schollmaier, an Independent Director of the Company, to Parent's
corporate headquarters in Basle, Switzerland to
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
meet and discuss Parent's proposal. At that meeting, Mr. Schollmaier indicated
to Dr. Vasella that the Independent Directors were likely to conclude that
Parent's $17.00 per Share proposal was insufficient.
 
    During August 1996, Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers had various
discussions regarding the financial aspects of Parent's proposal.
 
    On September 24, 1996, Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr., an Independent Director of the
Company, together with representatives from Lehman Brothers, met in New York
with Dr. Raymund Breu, Chief Financial Officer of Parent, and representatives of
Morgan Stanley. At the meeting, Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers
representatives discussed the terms of the outstanding offer made by Purchaser
and the Company's future financing needs.
 
    From October 19 through October 26, 1996, Dr. Breu had telephone
conversations and discussions with Harold Edgar, an Independent Director of the
Company, regarding Purchaser's offer. Dr. Breu and Mr. Edgar discussed Parent's
reasons for such offer and the terms thereof.
 
    On October 28, 1996, the Independent Directors rejected Parent's offer to
acquire the remaining Shares for $17.00 per Share.
 
    On November 1, 1996, Mr. Schollmaier met with Dr. Breu and reviewed the
bases for the Independent Directors' rejection of Parent's proposal. Mr.
Schollmaier suggested that the Independent Directors would be willing to resume
negotiations at a higher price.
 
    In mid-November 1996, Dr. Breu advised the Independent Directors that Parent
believed it might be mutually beneficial to reopen negotiations.
 
    On December 19, 1996, Dr. Breu, Dr. Vasella and Dr. Paul Herrling, Head of
Research of the Pharma Division of Parent, met in New York with Messrs. Ruvane,
Edgar and Schollmaier to discuss the possibility of Purchaser increasing the
value of its offer. Parent's representatives indicated a willingness to consider
offering $19.50 per Share if acceptable mimimum conditions and other terms could
be agreed upon.
 
    On December 30, 1996, Parent's counsel delivered an initial draft of the
Merger Agreement to the Independent Directors, the Company and their respective
counsel.
 
    Negotiations continued over the next several days. On January 6, 1996, Dr.
Breu reiterated Parent's willingness to consider offering $19.50 per Share if
all remaining issues, including acceptable miminum conditions, were resolved.
All remaining issues were resolved on January 10, 1997.
 
    The Board approved and adopted the Merger Agreement at a meeting held on
January 10 and the Merger Agreement was executed as of January 10, 1997.
 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD; FAIRNESS OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
 
    RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD
 
    On January 10, 1997, the Board, by a unanimous vote of all directors present
and voting (with all directors who are designees of Parent abstaining), based in
part on the unanimous recommendation and approval of the Independent Directors,
as required by the Acquisition Agreement, approved the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and determined that each of the Offer and the
Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, the stockholders of the Company
(other than Parent and Purchaser). The Board, by a unanimous vote of all
directors present and voting (with all directors who are designees of Parent
abstaining), has recommended that all holders of Shares accept the Offer and
tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    FAIRNESS OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
 
    In reaching its determinations referred to immediately above, the
Independent Directors considered the following factors, each of which, in the
view of the Independent Directors, supported such determinations:
 
        (i) the Company's uncertain financial prospects as a result of (a) the
    current rate at which the Company is utilizing its available funds, and (b)
    uncertainty as to whether the Company would be able to raise additional
    capital which would be adequate for its ongoing needs (particularly in light
    of Parent's stated refusal to participate in any further financing and
    Parent's ability to maintain its percentage interest in the Company through
    certain "top-up" rights granted to Parent and Purchaser in connection with
    their 1991 investment in the Company);
 
        (ii) the risk that the Company would suffer the loss of key employees
    and other adverse consequences if the Company did not accept the Offer and
    had pursued other alternatives with the attendant delay;
 
        (iii) the historical market prices and recent trading activity of the
    Shares, including the fact that the $19.50 per Share cash consideration to
    be paid to the Public Stockholders in the Offer and Merger represents a
    premium of 77.3% over the reported cash price on the last full trading day
    preceding the public announcement of the initial offer by Parent and
    Purchaser and a premium of 34.5% over the average closing price for the
    thirty days prior to January 3, 1997;
 
        (iv) the history of the negotiations between the Independent Directors
    and their representatives and Parent and its representatives, including the
    facts that (a) the negotiations resulted in an increase in the price at
    which Parent and Purchaser were prepared to acquire the Company's
    outstanding Shares from $17.00 to $19.50 per Share, and (b) the Independent
    Directors belief that Parent and Purchaser would not further increase the
    Offer and that $19.50 per Share was the highest price which could be
    obtained from Parent and Purchaser;
 
        (v) the opinion of Lehman Brothers that the consideration to be offered
    to the holders of Shares in each of the Offer and the Merger is fair to such
    stockholders (other than Parent) from a financial point of view and the
    report and analysis presented by Lehman Brothers;
 
        (vi) the First Minimum Condition's requirement that the Offer not be
    consummated unless at least a majority of those Shares not held by Parent or
    Purchaser are validly tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn;
 
        (vii) the stated unwillingness of Parent and Purchaser to consider a
    sale of their interest in the Company which made pursuit of other potential
    business combinations impracticable;
 
        (viii) the availability of dissenters' rights under Delaware Law;
 
        (ix) the likelihood that the proposed acquisition would be consummated,
    based in part on the financial condition of Parent;
 
        (x) the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, including the
    absence of a financing condition; and
 
        (xi) the structure of the transaction which is designed, among other
    things, to result in receipt by the stockholders at the earliest practicable
    time of the consideration to be paid in the Offer and the fact that the per
    Share consideration to be paid in the Offer and the Merger is the same.
 
    In reading its determinations referred to above, the Board considered the
recommendation of the Independent Directors and the factors set forth
immediately above, each of which, in view of the Board, supported such
determinations.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    The members of the Board, including the Independent Directors, evaluated the
various factors listed above in light of their knowledge of the business,
financial condition and prospects of the Company, and based upon the advice of
financial and legal advisors. In light of the number and variety of factors that
the Board and the Independent Directors considered in connection with their
evaluation of the Offer and the Merger, neither the Board nor the Independent
Directors found it practicable to assign relative weights to the foregoing
factors, and, accordingly, neither the Board nor the Independent Directors did
so. In addition to the factors listed above, the Board and the Independent
Directors had each considered the fact that consummation of the Offer and the
Merger would eliminate the opportunity of the Public Stockholders to participate
in any potential future growth in the value of the Company, but determined that
(i) this loss of opportunity was reflected in part by the price of $19.50 per
Share to be paid in the Offer and the Merger, and (ii) as noted above, there was
significant uncertainty as to the Company's long-term economic viability.
 
    The Board, including the Independent Directors, believes that the Offer and
the Merger are procedurally fair because, among other things: (i) the
Independent Directors consisted of independent directors appointed to represent
the interests of the Public Stockholders; (ii) the Independent Directors
retained and were advised by independent legal counsel; (iii) the Independent
Directors retained Lehman Brothers as their independent financial advisor to
assist them in evaluating the Offer and the Merger; (iv) the existence of the
First Minimum Condition to the Offer; (v) the deliberations pursuant to which
the Independent Directors evaluated the Offer and the Merger and alternatives
thereto; and (vi) the fact that the $19.50 per Share price and the other terms
and conditions of the Merger Agreement resulted from active arm's length
bargaining between representatives of the Independent Directors, on the one
hand, and Parent, on the other.
 
    The Board and the Independent Directors recognized that the Merger is not
structured to require the approval of a majority of the stockholders of the
Company other than Purchaser, and that Purchaser has sufficient voting power to
approve the Merger without the affirmative vote of any other stockholder of the
Company. Consummation of the Offer, however, is conditioned upon the decision of
holders of a majority of the Shares, other than those held by Parent or
Purchaser, to accept the Offer by tendering their Shares, and a condition to the
Merger is that the Purchaser shall have purchased all Shares tendered in the
Offer. While consummation of the Offer would result in the stockholders of the
Company receiving a premium for their Shares over the trading prices of the
Shares prior to the announcement of the Offer and the Merger, it would eliminate
any opportunity for stockholders of the Company other than Parent and Purchaser
to participate in the potential future growth prospects of the Company. The
Board and the Independent Directors, however, believed that this was reflected
in the Offer price to be paid.
 
OPINION OF LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
 
    Lehman Brothers has acted as financial advisor to the Independent Directors
in connection with the Merger, as described under "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Background
of the Offer and the Merger". As part of its role as financial advisor, Lehman
Brothers was engaged to render to the Board an opinion as to the fairness, from
a financial point of view, to the Company's stockholders (other than Parent) of
the consideration to be offered in the Offer and the Merger.
 
    On January 6, 1997, in connection with the Independent Directors'
preliminary evaluation of the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement, Lehman
Brothers made a preliminary presentation to the Independent Directors with
respect thereto (the "Lehman Brothers Report"). As part of the presentation,
Lehman Brothers reviewed with the Independent Directors certain of the
information and financial data described below.
 
    Complete copies of the Lehman Brothers Report were delivered to the
Independent Directors on January 7, 1997, in connection with the Independent
Directors' final evaluation of the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
On January 9, 1997, representatives of Lehman Brothers reviewed the information
included in the Lehman Brothers Report with John J. Schwartz, Ph.D. and Irving
L. Weissman, M.D. (the directors of the Company who are neither Independent
Directors nor designees of Parent).
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    On January 10, 1997, Lehman Brothers reviewed with the Independent Directors
the matters set forth in the Lehman Brothers Report and rendered its oral
opinion to the Independent Directors that as of that date the proposed
consideration to be offered in the Offer and the Merger was fair, from a
financial point of view, to the stockholders of the Company, other than Parent.
 
    Later on January 10, 1997, in connection with the Board's evaluation of the
Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement, Lehman Brothers reviewed with the
Board the matters set forth in the Lehman Brothers Report and rendered its oral
opinion to the Board that as of that date the proposed consideration to be
offered in the Offer and the Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to
the stockholders of the Company, other than Parent.
 
    Lehman Brothers delivered its written opinion to the Board on January 10,
1997 (the "Lehman Opinion"). A copy of the Lehman Opinion, which sets forth the
assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of review undertaken by
Lehman Brothers, is attached as Schedule II hereto.
 
    No limitations were imposed by the Company or the Independent Directors on
the scope of Lehman Brothers' investigation or the procedures to be followed by
Lehman Brothers in rendering the Lehman Opinion, except that Lehman Brothers was
not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, any indications of interest from
any third party with respect to a purchase of all or a part of the Company's
business. Lehman Brothers was not requested to and did not make any
recommendation to the Independent Directors or the Board as to the form or
amount of consideration to be offered to the stockholders in the Offer or the
Merger, which was determined through negotiations between the Independent
Directors and its financial and legal advisors (including Lehman Brothers) and
Parent and its financial and legal advisors. In arriving at the Lehman Opinion,
Lehman Brothers did not ascribe a specific range of value to the Company, but
rather made its determination as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the consideration to be offered to the stockholders (other than Parent)
in the Offer and the Merger on the basis of the financial and comparative
analyses described below. The Lehman Opinion is for the use and benefit of the
Independent Directors and Messrs. Schwartz and Weissman and was rendered to them
in connection with their consideration of the Offer and the Merger and is not
intended to be and does not constitute a recommendation to any Public
Stockholder as to whether to accept the consideration to be offered to such
stockholder in the Offer or the Merger. Lehman Brothers was not requested to
opine as to, and the Lehman Opinion does not in any manner address, the
Company's underlying business decision to enter into the Merger Agreement.
 
    In arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers reviewed and analyzed:
(a) the Merger Agreement and the specific terms of the Offer and the Merger; (b)
publicly available information concerning the Company which Lehman Brothers
believed to be relevant to its analysis, including the Company's Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1996; (c) other financial and operating information with
respect to the business, operations and prospects of the Company prepared by the
Company in 1996 and furnished to Lehman Brothers by the Company (including
financial projections for the fiscal years 1996-2005); (d) a trading history of
the Shares from August 7, 1991 to the present and a comparison of that trading
history with those of other companies that Lehman Brothers deemed relevant; (e)
a comparison of the historical financial results and present financial condition
of the Company with those of other companies that Lehman Brothers deemed
relevant; (f) an analysis of the cash required to fund the Company's near term
capital and operating requirements, the cash currently available to the Company
and the alternatives available to the Company to obtain additional financing;
and (g) a comparison of the financial terms of the Offer and the Merger with the
financial terms of certain other transactions that Lehman Brothers deemed
relevant. In addition, Lehman Brothers had discussions with the management of
the Company concerning its business, operations, assets, financial condition and
prospects, and undertook such other studies, analyses and investigations as
Lehman Brothers deemed appropriate.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    In arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers assumed and relied upon
the accuracy and completeness of the financial information provided by the
Company and other information used by Lehman Brothers without assuming any
responsibility for independent verification of such information and further
relied upon the assurances of management of the Company that they were not aware
of any facts that would make the information provided by the Company inaccurate
or misleading. With respect to the financial projections of the Company, upon
advice of the Company, Lehman Brothers assumed that such projections were
reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best available estimates and
judgments of the management of the Company as to the future financial
performance of the Company. However, for purposes of its analysis, Lehman
Brothers also considered certain more conservative assumptions and estimates
which resulted in significant adjustments to the projections of the Company.
Lehman Brothers discussed these adjusted projections with the Company's
management and they have agreed that, because the Company's projections have
been prepared based on assumptions which include the success of each of its
products in human clinical trials and in the marketplace, it is appropriate for
Lehman Brothers to adjust such projections to reflect the uncertainties inherent
in the business and prospects of the Company and in the Company's ability to
secure adequate financing in the future to fund its capital and operating
requirements. Without agreeing with each particular adjustment Lehman Brothers
made, the Company's management believes that the overall extent of Lehman
Brothers' adjustments to the Company's projections is reasonable and that Lehman
Brothers' use of such adjusted projections in its analysis is appropriate. In
arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers conducted a limited physical
inspection of the properties and facilities of the Company and did not make nor
obtain any evaluations or appraisals of the assets or liabilities of the
Company. The Lehman Opinion was necessarily based upon market, economic and
other conditions as they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of
the Lehman Opinion.
 
    The following paragraphs summarize the financial and comparative analyses
performed by Lehman Brothers in connection with the January 10, 1997 oral
opinions and presented initially to the Independent Directors and later to the
Board. The summary does not represent a complete description of the analyses
performed by Lehman Brothers.
 
    The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to
the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial and comparative analysis
and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and,
therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description.
Furthermore, in arriving at the Lehman Opinion, Lehman Brothers did not
attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, but
rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevancy of each
analysis and factor. Accordingly, Lehman Brothers believes that its analyses
must be considered as a whole and that considering any portions of its analyses
and of the factors considered by it, without considering all analyses and
factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying
the Lehman Opinion. In its analyses, Lehman Brothers made numerous assumptions
with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions
and other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Any estimates
contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than as set forth therein. Additionally, analyses relating to the
value of businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at
which businesses actually may be sold.
 
    COMMON STOCK PRICE ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers compared the Company's stock
price performance from August 7, 1991 to January 3, 1997 against the offer of
$19.50 per Share. Lehman Brothers noted that the offer of $19.50 per Share was
above the closing stock price for all but 42 trading days since February 1,
1993. Lehman Brothers also compared the price performance of the Company's
common stock from August 7, 1991 to January 3, 1997 with those of the AMEX
Biotechnology Index. Using August 7, 1991 as a base value of 100%, on January 3,
1997, the Company's stock price was 67.7% of its base value as compared to the
AMEX Biotechnology Index, which was 204.2% of its base value.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    COMMON STOCK TRADING VOLUME ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers analyzed the
historical daily trading volume of the Company's common stock over various
periods. Lehman Brothers noted that since January 1, 1995, 3,285,900 common
shares had been traded. Of these shares, only 10.8% of the shares traded between
$17.88 to $18.63 per share; 36.3% of the shares traded between $15.88 and $17.88
per share; 37.1% of the shares traded between $13.88 to $15.88; and the
remaining 15.8% of the shares traded below $13.88 per share.
 
    COMPARABLE PUBLIC COMPANY ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers compared the historical
financial, operating and stock market performances of certain publicly traded
companies that it considered relevant with the historical financial and
operating performance of the Company, based upon information that was publicly
available at that time and based upon information provided to Lehman Brothers by
the management of the Company. The companies that Lehman Brothers included in
its universe of gene therapy companies were Avigen Inc., GeneMedicine, Inc.,
Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somatix Therapy Corporation, Targeted Genetics
Corporation and Vical Incorporated (the "Comparable Gene Therapy Companies"),
and in its universe of cell therapy companies were Cell Genesys, Inc. and
CellPro Incorporated (the "Comparable Cell Therapy Companies"). Lehman Brothers
examined both the market value of the total outstanding common equity (the
"Market Value") and the Market Value minus "Cash" (the "Technology Value"), the
historical cash-burn rate, cash on hand and years of cash remaining for both
such groups of comparable companies. "Cash" equals cash and cash equivalents
plus short-term marketable securities.
 
    Lehman Brothers noted that at the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per
Share, the fully-diluted Market Value for the Company of $287.4 million was
above the high end of the high/low range of $270.7 million to $36.1 million for
the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies, and above the high end of the high/ low
range of $196.1 million to $183.8 million for the Comparable Cell Therapy
Companies. The proposed purchase price represented a 145.2% premium to the mean
market valuation of $117.2 million, and a $187.7% premium to the median market
valuation of $99.9 million for the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies. The
proposed purchase price represented a 51.3% premium to the mean market valuation
of $189.9 million for the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies.
 
    Lehman Brothers also noted that the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per
share, the fully-diluted Technology Value for the Company of $268.4 million was
above the high end of the high/low range of $219.9 million to $15.1 for the
Comparable Gene Therapy Companies, and above the high end of the high/ low range
of 104.8 million to $77.4 million for the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies. The
proposed purchase price represented a 239.8% premium to the mean technology
valuation of $79 million, and a 328.8% premium to the median technology
valuation of $62.6 million for the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies. The
proposed purchase price represented a 194.6% premium to the mean market
valuation of $91.1 million.
 
    Lehman Brothers noted that, per discussions with the Company management, the
Company had approximately $25 million of cash and cash equivalents as of
December 31, 1996. Lehman Brothers noted that the Company's implied burn life,
calculated as the cash on hand divided by the latest twelve month cash burn rate
(defined as the product of net income and depreciation less capital
expenditures) of 0.8 years was 74.2% less than the mean implied burn life of 3.1
years for the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies and 91.8% less than the mean
implied burn life of 9.7 years for the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies.
 
    Lehman Brothers also compared the price performance of the Common Stock from
January 2, 1995 to January 3, 1997 with those of an index of the Comparable Gene
Therapy and Cell Therapy Companies and the AMEX Biotechnology Index. Using
January 2, 1995 as the base of 100%, on January 3, 1997, the Common Stock price
was 88.6% of the base value, as compared to an index of the Comparable Gene
Therapy and Cell Therapy Companies and the AMEX Biotechnology Index values of
177.9% and 158.6% of their base value, respectively.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    Because of the inherent differences between the business, operations and
prospects of the Company and the businesses, operations and prospects of the
Comparable Gene Therapy Companies, the Comparable Cell Therapy Companies and
large capitalization biotechnology companies, Lehman Brothers believed that it
was inappropriate to, and therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative
results of the analysis but rather also made qualitative judgments concerning
differences between the financial and operating characteristics and prospects of
the Company and the Comparable Gene Therapy Companies and the Comparable Cell
Therapy Companies that would affect the public trading values of each.
 
    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers performed a discounted cash
flow analysis on the projected financial information provided by the Company to
Lehman Brothers. Lehman Brothers noted that the Company's projections were
prepared based on assumptions that include, among other things, the success of
each of its products in human clinical trials and in the market place. For
purposes of its analysis, Lehman Brothers considered certain more conservative
assumptions and estimates that reflect the uncertainties inherent in the
Company's business and prospects. Using these more conservative assumptions and
estimates, Lehman Brothers prepared two scenarios, whereby the second scenario
contained more significant adjustments to the Company's projections than the
first scenario. Lehman Brothers discounted to present value the projected stream
of after-tax cash flows and the terminal year value (the "Terminal Value") of
the business. The Terminal Value for the discounted cash flow analysis of the
Company's projections was based upon, among other things, a range of 5.0x-8.0x
multiples of projected fiscal 2001 revenues. The Terminal Value for the
discounted cash flow analyses of Lehman Brothers' two adjusted scenarios were
based upon, among other things, ranges of 11.0x-15.0x multiples of projected
fiscal 2005 earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"). Lehman Brothers
analyzed the revenue and EBIT multiples of Amgen, Inc. and an index of U.S.
Pharmaceutical Companies. Lehman Brothers noted that in 1990 and 1991 Amgen had
revenue multiples of 4.7x and 9.8x, respectively. Lehman Brothers also noted
that based on Lehman Brothers equity research estimates, Amgen has a 1997
revenue multiple of 5.3x. Additionally, Lehman Brothers noted that an index of
U.S. Pharmaceutical Companies has a one year forward revenue multiple of 3.6x
and an EBIT multiple of 16.2x. Lehman Brothers also noted that, based on Lehman
Brothers equity research estimates, Amgen has a one year forward EBIT multiple
of 12.6x.
 
    In performing this analysis, Lehman Brothers used discount rates ranging
from 35% to 50%, which were chosen based on several assumptions regarding
factors such as the current level of inflation, interest rates, the inherent
business risk in the Company's operations, as well as in the gene therapy and
biotechnology industry as a whole, and the cost of capital to the Company.
 
    For the discounted cash flow analysis of the Company's projections, (i) the
firm value of the Company resulting from these analyses ranged from $372.3
million to $1,032.8 million and (ii) the equity value per Share of the Common
Stock on a fully-diluted basis resulting from these analyses ranged from $25.92
to $66.70 per Share. In the first of Lehman Brothers' scenarios, (i) the imputed
firm value of the Company resulting from these analyses ranged from $144.1
million to $571.7 million and (ii) the imputed equity value per Share of the
Common Stock on a fully-diluted basis resulting from these analyses ranged from
$11.82 to $38.23. In the second of Lehman Brothers' scenarios, (i) the imputed
firm value of the Company resulting from these analyses ranged from $83.1
million to $406.2 million, and (ii) the imputed equity value per Share of the
Common Stock on a fully diluted basis resulting from these analyses ranged from
$8.06 to $28.01.
 
    COMPARABLE TRANSACTION ANALYSIS.  Lehman Brothers compared the financial and
operating performance of certain companies that had engaged in recent merger or
alliance transactions, and which Lehman Brothers considered relevant, with the
historical financial and operating performance of the Company, based upon
information that was publicly available at the time and based upon information
provided to Lehman Brothers by the Company's management. The transactions that
Lehman Brothers considered comparable to the Merger included the transactions by
Bergen Brunswig Corp. with IVAX Corp., by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Inc. with Applied
Immune Sciences, Inc., by Sandoz AG with Genetic Therapy,
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
Inc., by Chiron Corporation with Viagene, Inc., by Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
with Glycomed, Inc., by CIBA-GEIGY Limited with Chiron Corporation, by American
Cyanamid Company with Immunex Corporation,and by American Home Products with
Genetics Institute, Inc. Lehman Brothers analyzed the tender/merger price per
share for shares purchased directly from the target company (the "Merger
Purchase Price Per Share"). The Merger Purchase Price Per Share for each of
these transactions was then compared to the target stock price one day prior to
the announcement of the transaction to calculate the premium over such stock
price (the "Premium"). The Premium in the comparable transactions analyzed by
Lehman Brothers ranged from a high of 67.9% to a low of (13.4)%. In addition,
Lehman Brothers noted that the Premium for the Company at the proposed purchase
price of $19.50 per Share was 77.3% when compared to the price of $11.00 per
share one day prior to Parent's public announcement of its original proposal of
$17.00 on May 24, 1996. Lehman Brothers also noted that the premium for the
Company at the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per Share was 29.5% on January
3, 1997.
 
    In addition, the Merger Purchase Price Per Share for each of these
transactions was then compared to: (i) the target's stock price 30 days prior to
the announcement of the transaction, (ii) the target's high stock price over the
last twelve months prior to announcement of the transaction and (iii) the
target's low stock price over the last twelve months prior to announcement of
the transaction. The high and low premiums were as follows: (i) 95.3% to
(11.3)%, (ii) 245.7% to (54.9)%; and (iii) 533.8% to 5.8%. The respective
premiums for the Company at the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per Share for
such dates or periods ending May 23, 1996 are as follows (i) 51.5%, (ii) 16.4%,
and (iii) 77.3%. Lehman Brothers also noted that the premiums for the Company at
the proposed purchase price of $19.50 per Share for such dates or periods ending
on January 3, 1997 were (i) 34.5%, (ii) 4.7% and (iii) 77.3%.
 
    Because the reasons for and the circumstances surrounding each of the
transactions analyzed were specific to each transaction and because of the
inherent difference between the businesses, operations and the prospects of the
Company and the business, operations and prospects of the selected acquired
companies analyzed, Lehman Brothers believed that it was inappropriate to, and
therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of the analysis, but
rather also made qualitative judgments concerning differences between the
characteristics of these transactions and the Offer and the Merger that would
affect the acquisition values of the Company and such acquired companies.
 
    HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Lehman Brothers reviewed
historical financial statements of the Company and projected financial
statements of the Company through 2005 referred to above as well as the
assumptions underlying the Company's projections. In order to analyze the
Company's projections, Lehman Brothers compared the Company's projected revenue
and EBIT growth rates for five years after initial product launch to Amgen and
Genentech's revenue and EBIT growth rates for five years after initial product
launch. Lehman Brothers also reviewed the projected financial performance versus
actual financial performance in terms of sales, sales growth and net income for
Genentech and Genetics Institute. Lehman Brothers also reviewed the projections
of Applied Immune Science disclosed publicly in 1993 and compared these
projections to Applied Immune Sciences' projections disclosed publicly in 1995.
Additionally, Lehman Brothers compared the Company's projected sales disclosed
publicly in 1992 to actual sales during 1992 to 1996. Lehman Brothers also
compared the Company's projected EBIT margin ("EBIT margin") in 2005 to the 1995
EBIT margins of several large capitalization pharmaceutical companies (the
"Pharmaceutical Companies") and noted that the Company's projected EBIT margin
in year 2005 was substantially higher than the highest EBIT margin in the year
1995 of the Pharmaceutical Companies. Lehman Brothers also compared the
Company's projected selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a
percentage of revenues and projected 2005 research and development expenses
("R&D") as a percentage of revenues to the SG&A as a percentage of revenues and
R&D as a percentage of revenues for several large capitalization pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies (the "Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies").
Lehman Brothers noted that the Company's projected SG&A as a percentage of
revenues and R&D as a percentage of revenues was lower than the lowest SG&A as a
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
percentage of revenues and lower than the mean R&D as a percentage of revenues
for the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies.
 
    ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED.  Lehman Brothers reviewed the recent weak financing
environment for biotechnology companies and also analyzed the stock price
changes of certain large biotechnology companies from May 1, 1996 to January 3,
1997. Lehman Brothers noted the decrease in stock prices for the following
companies: Amgen Inc., (0.7%); Centocor, Inc., (10.5%); Chiron Corporation,
(20.1%); and Genzyme Corporation, (15.7%).
 
    Lehman Brothers analyzed the changes in original filing price to offered
price for biotechnology initial public offerings from July 1, 1996 to January 3,
1997. Lehman Brothers noted that the mean, median, high and low change of offer
price from midpoint of the filing range for initial public offerings was
(16.5%), (16.7%), 7.1% and (41.7%), respectively. Lehman Brothers also analyzed
the change in original filing price to offered price for biotechnology follow-on
offerings from July 1, 1996 to January 3, 1997. Lehman Brothers noted that the
mean, median, high and low change of offer price from the original filing price
for follow-on offerings was (31.0%), (26.3%), (13.5%) and (52.6%), respectively.
 
    Lehman Brothers analyzed the possible dilutive effects of a public offering
on the Company's existing stockholders and the dilutive effect of Parent's
"top-up" rights under their existing agreements with the Company. Lehman
Brothers also reviewed the viability of the Company pursuing certain other
strategic alternatives and considered, in particular, the fact that Parent has
indicated that it is unwilling to facilitate another potential strategic partner
making an offer for the Company.
 
    The full text of the written opinion of Lehman Brothers dated as of January
10, 1997, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken, is attached as Schedule II hereto. Lehman
Brothers' opinion is directed only to the fairness of the consideration to be
received by the stockholders of the Company (other than Parent) from a financial
point of view and has been provided for the use of the Board and the Independent
Directors in their evaluation of the Offer and the Merger, does not address any
other aspect of the Offer and the Merger or any related transaction and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company as to whether such
stockholder should accept the Offer. The summary of the opinion of Lehman
Brothers set forth herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of such opinion.
 
COMPANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS
 
    The Company does not, as a matter of course, make public forecasts or
projections as to future sales, earnings or other income statement data.
However, in connection with Purchaser's and Parent's review of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Parent examined certain projections
prepared by the Company in 1993, the most current projections then in the
possession of Parent, including the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PROJECTED YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                          1996E      1997E      1998E      1999E      2000E      2001E      2002E      2003E
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Total revenue.........................  $   1,800  $   2,300  $  22,579  $  87,231  $ 147,378  $ 219,492  $ 284,592  $ 339,906
Total operating expenses..............     59,980     67,286     68,648     65,592     66,271     69,217     72,311     75,560
Pretax earnings/(loss)................    (60,095)   (66,987)   (54,128)     1,745     50,228    111,022    160,512    201,912
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                     <C>
                                          2004E
                                        ---------
 
<S>                                     <C>
Total revenue.........................  $ 393,162
Total operating expenses..............     78,972
Pretax earnings/(loss)................    245,503
</TABLE>
 
    THE FOREGOING PROJECTIONS WERE BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S
PRODUCTS AND BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN 1993, INCLUDING THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE
COMPANY WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNDER THE SAME OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AS THEN
EXISTED. THE PROJECTIONS WERE ALSO BASED ON OTHER REVENUE AND OPERATING
ASSUMPTIONS. PROJECTED INFORMATION OF THIS TYPE IS BASED ON ESTIMATES AND
ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND COMPETITIVE
UNCERTAINTIES AND CONTINGENCIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
PREDICT AND MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL. ACCORDINGLY, THERE
CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROJECTED RESULTS WOULD BE REALIZED OR THAT ACTUAL
RESULTS WOULD NOT BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER OR LOWER THAN THOSE SET FORTH ABOVE.
IN ADDITION, THESE PROJECTIONS WERE NOT PREPARED WITH A VIEW TO PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE OR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PUBLISHED GUIDELINES OF THE COMMISSION OR THE
GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
REGARDING PROJECTIONS AND FORECASTS AND ARE INCLUDED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE
ONLY BECAUSE SUCH INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASER AND PARENT BY THE
COMPANY. NONE OF PARENT, PURCHASER, THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PARTY ASSUMES ANY
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR VALIDITY OF THE FOREGOING PROJECTIONS.
 
POSITION OF PARENT AND PURCHASER REGARDING FAIRNESS OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
 
    Parent and Purchaser believe that the consideration to be received by the
Company's stockholders, other than Parent and Purchaser, pursuant to the Offer
and the Merger is fair to the Company's stockholders. Parent and Purchaser base
their belief solely on (i) the fact that the Company's Board and the Independent
Directors concluded that the Offer and the Merger are fair to and in the best
interests of the Company's stockholders (other than Parent and Purchaser), (ii)
the fact that all designees of Parent on the Board abstained from the votes
approving the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and
recommending the Offer and the Merger, (iii) the presentation of Morgan Stanley
to Parent described below, (iv) the fact that the Acquisition Agreement imposes
substantial restrictions on Parent's ability to acquire additional Shares, and
that the parties consequently negotiated the terms of the Offer and the Merger
and the Merger Agreement with the Company on an arm's-length basis, (v) the fact
that the consideration to be paid in the Offer and the Merger represents a
premium of approximately 77% over the reported closing price for the Shares on
the last trading day prior to the public announcement of Parent's original offer
to acquire the remaining equity in the Company and (vi) the historical financial
performance of the Company and its financial results. Parent and Purchaser have
reviewed the factors considered by the Board in support of its decision, as
described in the Schedule 14D-9 and above, and had no basis to question their
consideration of or reliance on those factors. In reaching their conclusion,
Parent and Purchaser also considered generally the current and historical market
prices for the Shares. Neither Parent nor Purchaser found it practicable to
assign, nor did either of them assign, relative weights to the individual
factors considered in reaching its conclusion as to fairness.
 
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO PARENT
 
    On January 6, 1997, representatives of Morgan Stanley discussed its written
presentation regarding the Company (the "Morgan Stanley Presentation") with
senior executives of Parent and certain of its affiliates.
 
    The Morgan Stanley Presentation included a premium analysis, an historical
and comparative market overview of the Company, an analysis of precedent
transactions involving certain biotechnology and other companies and a
discounted cash flow analysis of the Company, each of which is summarized below.
Morgan Stanley was not requested to, and did not, render any opinion with
respect to the fairness of the consideration to be paid pursuant to the Offer or
the Merger. Neither Parent nor any of its affiliates imposed any limitations on
the scope of Morgan Stanley's evaluation.
 
    PREMIUM ANALYSIS.  The Morgan Stanley Presentation included a premium
analysis which indicated that the $19.50 per Share to be paid in the Offer and
the Merger represented a 51.5% premium over the April 24, 1996 per Share price
(the price 30 days prior to Parent's initial offer to the Company), a 77.3%
premium over the May 23, 1996 per Share price (the last full trading day prior
to Parent's initial offer to Company), a 17.3% premium over the implied per
Share price of Purchaser's previous investment in the Company made on January
31, 1995 and a 16.4% premium over the January 5, 1996 per Share price (the
latest 12 month high prior to the announcement of Parent's initial offer on May
24, 1996). In addition, the premium analysis indicated that the $19.50 per Share
to be paid in the Offer and the Merger represented a 29.5% premium over the
January 3, 1997 per Share price.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    COMPANY HISTORICAL COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE.  Morgan Stanley's analysis of
the Company's Common Stock performance consisted of an historical analysis of:
(i) the closing prices and trading volumes of the Shares from January 2, 1996 to
January 3, 1997, (ii) the price performance of the Shares compared against the
Tier I Biotech Index (as defined below), the Gene Therapy and Transgenic Index
(as defined below), the Pharmaceutical Index (as defined below) and the Standard
& Poor's 500 Index from May 24, 1996 to January 3, 1997 (the "Post-Offer
Analysis") and (iii) the price performance of the Shares compared against the
foregoing indices from December 2, 1991 to January 3, 1997 (the "Five-Year
Analysis"). The Tier I Biotech Index included the following publicly traded
companies: Amgen Inc., Biogen, Inc., Centocor, Inc., Chiron Corporation,
Genentech, Inc., Genetics Institute, Inc., Gensia, Inc., Genzyme Corporation,
Immunex Corporation and Synergen, Inc. The Gene Therapy and Transgenic Index
included the following companies: Applied Immune Sciences, Inc., Cell Genesys,
Inc., Cellpro Incorporated, Cephalon, Inc., The Immune Response Corporation and
Vical Incorporated. The Pharmaceutical Index included the following companies:
Abbott Laboratories, American Home Products Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Company, Mark Resources, Inc., Merck &
Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc., Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc., Schering-Plough Corporation,
Syntex Corporation, The Upjohn Company and Warner-Lambert Company. Both the
Post-Offer Analysis and the Five-Year Analysis showed that, during the
respective comparison periods, the price performance of each of the indices used
for comparative purposes was superior to the price performance of the Company's
Common Stock.
 
    PRECEDENT TRANSACTION PREMIUM ANALYSIS.  The Morgan Stanley Presentation
summarized the results of Morgan Stanley's precedent transaction premium
analysis. The Morgan Stanley Presentation grouped transactions (without
identifying them by name) in categories identified as biotechnology minority
squeeze-outs, biotechnology 100% control transactions, selected biotechnology
majority partial purchases, minority squeeze-outs generally and selected
biotechnology minority investments, and also analyzed the premiums in the
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc./Applied Immune Sciences, Inc. transaction, the
abandoned American Home Products Corporation/Immunex ("AHP/IMNX") transaction
and in Purchaser's prior investments in the Company. The precedent transaction
premium analysis, excluding the abandoned AHP/ IMNX transaction and Purchaser's
prior investments in the Company, indicated premiums over the unaffected market
price (the price 30 days in advance of public announcement of the transaction),
ranging from 11.0% to 57.9% and premiums over the price one day prior to public
announcement ranging from 14.0% to 67.9%. In the Rhone-Poulenc Rorer/Applied
Immune Sciences, Inc. transaction, the sole precedent transaction where a
majority stockholder acquired the minority interest in a biotechnology company,
the premium over the unaffected market price was 46.9% and the premium over the
price one day prior to public announcement was 67.9%. As part of the precedent
transactions analysis, Morgan Stanley averaged for each category the premium
over the unaffected market price with the premium for such category one day
prior to public announcement, and using such average category premium calculated
an average implied stock price for the Shares. Excluding the abandoned AHP/IMNX
transaction and Purchaser's prior investments in the Company, this analysis
indicated a range of implied prices of from $13.42 to $18.69 per Share.
 
    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS.  The Morgan Stanley Presentation included a
discounted cash flow analysis to estimate the present value of the stand-alone
unleveraged free cash flows that the Company may be expected to generate based
upon estimates prepared by Morgan Stanley without access to any recent
confidential information concerning the Company. Morgan Stanley's estimates were
based upon publicly available information and upon financial forecasts prepared
by the Company and examined by Parent in 1993. See "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Company
Financial Projections". The Company currently derives no significant revenues
from the sale of any products for patient treatment. The Company's 1993
forecasts indicated that they did not reflect any assumptions regarding
probability of success of current research and development efforts of the
Company and, consequently, Morgan Stanley revised such forecasts to reflect such
factors. Morgan Stanley's discounted cash flow analysis was based upon estimates
that assumed different probability weightings by year for achieving the
projected financial performance of
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
the Company. Morgan Stanley prepared two different cases, one based on
probability weightings for achieving projected financial performance of 100%
prior to estimated product launch in 2001, 100% for 2001-2002, 75% for 2003 and
50% thereafter (the "Base Case"), and one based on probability weightings for
achieving projected financial performance of 100% prior to estimated product
launch in 2001, 100% for 2001-2002, 50% for 2003 and 33% thereafter (the
"Downside Case"). Morgan Stanley discounted the estimated unleveraged free cash
flows over an eleven-year period ending with the 2007 calendar year using
discount rates of 15.0%, 15.5% and 16.0% and assuming a terminal value based on
a range of net income multiples of 17x to 20x. Unleveraged free cash flows were
calculated as the after-tax operating earnings of the Company (excluding any
interest income or expense) plus depreciation and amortization, plus (or minus)
net changes in non-cash working capital, minus projected capital expenditures.
Morgan Stanley added to the present value of the cash flows the derived terminal
value for the Company in 2007 using the range of net income multiples and
discount rates described above. Assuming the range of discount rates and net
income multiples described above, Morgan Stanley calculated Base Case equity
values per fully diluted Share (assuming the exercise of all Options with an
exercise price less than or equal to $19.50) ranging from $12.62 to $19.72. The
Morgan Stanley analysis showed, however, that small changes in assumptions
regarding the probability of success rate for current research and development
efforts produced significant changes in derived per Share equity values. In the
Downside Case, comparably calculated equity values per fully diluted Share
ranged from $2.70 to $7.24.
 
    A copy of the Morgan Stanley Presentation has been filed as an Exhibit to
the Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 filed with the Commission in
connection with the Offer and the Merger. Copies thereof will be made available
for inspection and copying at the principal executive offices of the Company
during regular business hours by any interested stockholder of the Company, or
his representative who has been so designated in writing, and may also be
obtained in the manner described under "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 7. Certain
Information Concerning the Company" (except that copies are not available at the
regional offices of the Commission).
 
    The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the Morgan Stanley Presentation.
 
    In performing its analyses, Morgan Stanley made numerous assumptions (and
may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than others) with
respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Parent or the Company.
The analyses performed by Morgan Stanley are not necessarily indicative of
actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those
suggested by such analyses. Such analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to
reflect the prices at which the Company might actually be sold.
 
    In preparing its analyses, Morgan Stanley assumed and relied upon without
independent verification the accuracy and completeness of the information
reviewed for purposes of its presentation. With respect to the financial
forecasts referred to above, Morgan Stanley assumed that they had been
reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best available estimates and
judgments of the future financial performance of the Company at the time they
were prepared. Morgan Stanley did not make any independent valuation or
appraisal of the assets or liabilities of the Company, nor has it been furnished
with any such appraisals. Morgan Stanley's analyses were necessarily based on
economic, market and other conditions on, and the information made available to
Morgan Stanley as of, the date of its presentation. As described above, the
Morgan Stanley Presentation was one of many factors taken into consideration by
Parent in making its determination to present the Offer. Consequently, the
Morgan Stanley Presentation should not be viewed as determinative of Parent's or
Purchaser's decision to proceed with the Offer and the Merger.
 
    Morgan Stanley is an internationally recognized investment banking and
advisory firm. Morgan Stanley, as part of its investment banking business, is
continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings,
secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements
and for corporate and other
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
purposes. Morgan Stanley was retained by Parent as financial advisor to evaluate
a possible acquisition of the Company based upon its qualifications, expertise
and reputation, as well as Morgan Stanley's prior investment banking
relationship and familiarity with Parent and Purchaser.
 
    Morgan Stanley is a full service securities firm engaged in securities
trading and brokerage activities, as well as providing investment banking and
financial advisory services. In the ordinary course of its trading and brokerage
activities, Morgan Stanley or its affiliates may at any time hold long or short
positions, and may trade or otherwise effect transactions for its own account or
the accounts of customers, in debt or equity securities of Parent, Parent's
affiliates or the Company.
 
PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER; REASONS OF PARENT AND
  PURCHASER FOR THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
 
    The purpose of the Offer and the Merger is for Parent indirectly to acquire
control of, and the entire equity interest in, the Company. The purpose of the
Merger is for Parent indirectly to acquire all Shares not purchased pursuant to
the Offer. Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company will become an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The acquisition of the entire equity interest
in the Company has been structured as a cash tender offer followed by a cash
merger in order to provide a prompt and orderly transfer of ownership of the
Company from the public stockholders to Purchaser and to provide stockholders
with cash for all of their Shares.
 
    Under Delaware Law, the approval of the Board and the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares are required to approve and
adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the Merger. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved and adopted the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and, unless the
Merger is consummated pursuant to the short-form merger provisions under
Delaware Law described below, the only remaining required corporate action of
the Company is the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Shares. Purchaser already has sufficient voting power to cause
the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby without the affirmative vote of any other stockholder of
the Company.
 
    In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to take all action necessary
to convene a meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable after the
consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and taking action on
the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, if such action
is required by Delaware Law. Parent and Purchaser have agreed that all Shares
owned by them and their subsidiaries will be voted in favor of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
 
    Under Delaware Law, if Purchaser acquires, pursuant to the Offer or
otherwise, the number of Shares that, when added to the Shares owned by Parent,
Purchaser or any of their affiliates, equals at least 90% of the Shares then
outstanding, Purchaser will be able to approve the Merger without a vote of the
Company's stockholders. In such event, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have
agreed in the Merger Agreement to take all necessary and appropriate action to
cause the Merger to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after
such acquisition, without a meeting of the Company's stockholders. Purchaser's
obligation to consummate the Offer is conditioned on there being validly
tendered and not withdrawn at least the number of Shares that, when added to the
10,610,099 Shares owned by Purchaser, shall constitute 90% of the Shares then
outstanding, so as to enable Purchaser to consummate the Merger without a vote
of the Company's stockholders. If, however, fewer than such number of Shares are
validly tendered and not withdrawn, and all other conditions set forth in Annex
A of the Merger Agreement are satisfied, Purchaser may extend the Offer for a
period not to exceed 20 business days after the initial expiration date of the
Offer, after which time Purchaser shall waive the Second Minimum Condition and
acquire such fewer number of Shares (although it may not acquire less than a
majority of the Shares
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
outstanding other than Shares owned by Parent or Purchaser without the consent
of a majority of the Independent Directors). In such case, a vote of the
Company's stockholders will be required under Delaware Law, and a significantly
longer period of time will be required to effect the Merger.
 
    Parent believes that cell and cell-based gene therapy will become a major
component of medical treatment of major disorders of the blood and immune system
during the next century. Parent believes that the Company is one of the leaders
in cellular gene therapy research and that its technology and personnel could
provide Parent with a platform for developing this technology. Because of
Parent's leading role in the pharmaceuticals industry, its development resources
and its worldwide distribution network, Parent believes that it offers the
Company a greatly enhanced opportunity to develop and market commercially viable
products.
 
    Parent considered various means of expanding its collaboration with the
Company, including attempting to achieve such an alignment or integration
through an expansion of the parties' commercial relationship without increasing
Parent's ownership of Shares and through such an expansion of the commercial
relationship coupled with some increase in Parent's ownership of Shares. Parent
concluded, however, that these approaches would not enable Parent to take full
advantage of market opportunities and to achieve the desired level of technology
exchange and cooperation. Parent concluded that these benefits were most likely
to be achieved if the Company were under common control with Parent, so that
their efforts could be jointly directed without the conflicts of interest that
might otherwise arise. Consequently, Parent concluded that an acquisition by
Parent of the entire equity interest in the Company should be considered. Parent
chose to undertake the transaction at this time because the businesses in which
Parent and the Company operate are subject to rapid change and Parent wished to
take advantage of commercial opportunities that might no longer be available at
a later time.
 
PLANS FOR THE COMPANY AFTER THE OFFER AND THE MERGER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE
  OFFER
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon completion of the Offer, Parent and
Purchaser intend to effect the Merger in accordance with the terms of the Merger
Agreement. See "SPECIAL FACTORS -- The Merger Agreement".
 
    Parent's management has begun, and intends to continue, a review of the
Company and its assets, corporate structure, capitalization, operations,
properties, policies, management and personnel to determine what changes, if
any, would be desirable in order best to organize and integrate the activities
of the Company and Parent. Parent and Purchaser expressly reserve the right to
make any changes that they deem necessary or appropriate in light of their
review or in light of future developments or that would be desirable to permit
Parent more effectively to manage the Company and function more efficiently as
an integrated worldwide enterprise. Except as otherwise disclosed in this Offer
to Purchase, Parent has no present plans or proposals that would result in an
extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, such as a merger, reorganization, liquidation, relocation of
operations, or sale or transfer of a material amount of assets.
 
    As a result of the Offer, the interest of Parent in the Company's net book
value and net earnings will increase to the extent of the number of Shares
acquired under the Offer. If the Merger is consummated, Parent's interest in
such items will increase to 100% and Parent and its subsidiaries will be
entitled to all benefits resulting from that interest, including all income
generated by the Company's operations and any future increase in the Company's
value. Similarly, Parent will also bear the risk of losses generated by the
Company's operations and any decrease in the value of the Company after the
Merger. Upon consummation of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will become a
privately held corporation. Accordingly, stockholders will not have the
opportunity to participate in the earnings and growth of the Surviving
Corporation after the Merger and will not have any right to vote on corporate
matters. Similarly, stockholders will not face the risk of losses generated by
the Company's operations or decline in the value of the Company after the
Merger.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    Following the consummation of the Merger, the Shares will no longer be
quoted on NASDAQ and the registration of the Shares under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") will be terminated. Accordingly,
following the Merger there will be no publicly traded equity securities of the
Company outstanding and the Company will no longer be required to file periodic
reports with the Commission. See "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 11. Effect of the
Offer on the Market for Shares; NASDAQ Quotation and Exchange Act Registration".
It is expected that, if Shares are not accepted for payment by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer and the Merger is not consummated, the Company's current
management, under the general direction of the Board, will continue to manage
the Company as an ongoing business.
 
RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS IN THE MERGER
 
    No appraisal rights are available in connection with the Offer. However, if
the Merger is consummated, stockholders who have not tendered their Shares will
have certain rights under Delaware Law to dissent and demand appraisal of, and
to receive payment in cash of the fair value of, their Shares. Such rights to
dissent, if the statutory procedures are complied with, could lead to a judicial
determination of the fair value of the Shares, as of the day prior to the date
on which the stockholders' vote was taken approving the Merger or similar
business combination (excluding any element of value arising from the
accomplishment or expectation of the Merger), required to be paid in cash to
such dissenting holders for their Shares. In addition, such dissenting
stockholders would be entitled to receive payment of a fair rate of interest
from the date of consummation of the Merger on the amount determined to be the
fair value of their Shares. In determining the fair value of the Shares, the
court is required to take into account all relevant factors. Accordingly, such
determination could be based upon considerations other than, or in addition to,
the market value of the Shares, including, among other things, asset values and
earning capacity. In WEINBERGER V. UOP, INC., the Delaware Supreme Court stated,
among other things, that "proof of value by any techniques or methods which are
generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise
admissible in court" should be considered in an appraisal proceeding. Therefore,
the value so determined in any appraisal proceeding could be the same as or more
or less than the purchase price per Share in the Offer or the Merger
Consideration.
 
    In addition, several decisions by Delaware courts have held that, in certain
circumstances, a controlling stockholder of a company involved in a merger has a
fiduciary duty to other stockholders which requires that the merger be fair to
such other stockholders. In determining whether a merger is fair to minority
stockholders, Delaware courts have considered, among other things, the type and
amount of consideration to be received by the stockholders and whether there was
fair dealing among the parties. The Delaware Supreme Court stated in WEINBERGER
and RABKIN V. PHILIP A. HUNT CHEMICAL CORP. that the remedy ordinarily available
to minority stockholders in a cash-out merger is the right to appraisal
described above. However, a damages remedy or injunctive relief may be available
if a merger is found to be the product of procedural unfairness, including
fraud, misrepresentation or other misconduct.
 
    See Schedule III attached hereto for a description of appraisal rights under
Delaware Law, as well as a reproduction of the text of Section 262 of Delaware
Law.
 
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
    The following is a summary of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed
as an Exhibit to the Schedule 14D-1 filed by Purchaser and Parent with the
Commission in connection with the Offer. Such summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement.
 
    THE OFFER.  The Merger Agreement provides for the commencement of the Offer
as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date thereof, but in no event
later than five business days after the initial public announcement of
Purchaser's intention to commence the Offer. Purchaser shall not, without the
consent of a majority of the Independent Directors, accept for payment any
Shares tendered pursuant to
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
the Offer unless at least a majority of the then issued and outstanding Shares,
other than Shares owned by Parent and Purchaser, shall have been validly
tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Offer. The obligation
of Purchaser to accept for payment and pay for Shares tendered pursuant to the
Offer is subject to the satisfaction of the Second Minimum Condition and certain
other conditions that are described in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 12. Certain
Conditions of the Offer" hereof. Purchaser and Parent have agreed that no change
in the Offer may be made which decreases the price per Share payable in the
Offer or which reduces the maximum number of Shares to be purchased in the Offer
or which imposes conditions to the Offer in addition to those set forth in "THE
TENDER OFFER -- Section 12. Certain Conditions of the Offer". Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, in the event all conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement
shall have been satisfied other than the Second Minimum Condition, Purchaser may
extend the Offer for a period or periods aggregating not more than 20 business
days after the later of (i) the initial expiration date of the Offer and (ii)
the date on which all other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement shall
have been satisfied, after which time (or earlier if Parent does not extend the
Offer) Purchaser shall waive the Second Minimum Condition and consummate the
Offer.
 
    THE MERGER.  The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof, and in accordance with Delaware Law, at the Effective
Time, Purchaser shall be merged with and into the Company. As a result of the
Merger, the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will cease and the Company
will continue as the Surviving Corporation of the Merger and will become an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Upon consummation of the Merger,
each issued and then outstanding Share (other than any Shares held in the
treasury of the Company or owned by Purchaser, Parent or any direct or indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or the Company, and other than Shares held by
stockholders who shall not have voted in favor of the Merger or consented
thereto in writing and who shall have demanded properly in writing appraisal for
such Shares in accordance with Section 262 of Delaware Law) shall be cancelled
and shall be converted automatically into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of common stock, par value $.01
per share, of Purchaser issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
the Surviving Corporation.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the directors of Purchaser immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be the initial directors of the Surviving
Corporation and that the officers of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation. The
Merger Agreement provides that, at the Effective Time, the Certificate of
Incorporation of Purchaser will be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, at the Effective Time, Article I
of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation will be amended
to read as follows: "The name of the corporation is SyStemix, Inc." The Merger
Agreement also provides that the By-laws of Purchaser will be the By-laws of the
Surviving Corporation.
 
    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding option and warrant
to purchase Shares (in each case, a "Stock Option"), whether or not then
exercisable, may be surrendered by the holder of such Stock Option for
cancellation by the Company, and each holder of a cancelled Stock Option shall
be entitled to receive an amount in cash from Purchaser, in consideration for
the cancellation of each such Stock Option, at the same time as the Merger
Consideration is received by the holders of Shares, equal to the product of (i)
the number of Shares to be issued upon the exercise of such Stock Option and
(ii) the excess, if any, of the amount paid per Share pursuant to the Offer over
the exercise price per Share previously subject to such Stock Option; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that any Stock Options owned by Purchaser, Parent or any direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or of the Company immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be cancelled without any conversion thereof and no
payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto. The Company shall
use all reasonable efforts to obtain such consents as may
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
be necessary or required so that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, each
Stock Option may be and shall be cancelled by the Company.
 
    Purchaser or the designated paying agent shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to the Merger
Agreement to any holder of Shares and/or Stock Options such amounts that
Purchaser or the paying agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to
the making of such payment under the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any
provision of state, local or foreign tax law.
 
    AGREEMENTS OF PARENT, PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY.  Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, the Company shall, if required by applicable law in order to
consummate the Merger, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold an annual or
special meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable following
consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and taking action on
the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (the
"Stockholders' Meeting"). At the Stockholders' Meeting, Parent and Purchaser
shall cause all Shares then owned by them to be voted in favor of the approval
and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Purchaser currently has sufficient voting power to approve the Merger, even if
no other stockholder votes in favor of the Merger. In the event that Purchaser
acquires such number of Shares that, when taken together with the Shares
previously owned by Purchaser, constitute at least 90% of the then outstanding
Shares, the parties have agreed to take all necessary and appropriate action to
cause the Merger to become effective, in accordance with Section 253 of Delaware
Law, as soon as reasonably practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting
of the stockholders of the Company.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall, if required by
applicable law, as soon as practicable following consummation of the Offer, file
a proxy statement with the Commission under the Exchange Act (the "Proxy
Statement"), and shall use its best efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared
by the Commission. Parent, Purchaser and the Company shall cooperate with each
other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement, and the Company shall notify
Parent of the receipt of any comments of the Commission with respect to the
Proxy Statement and of any requests by the Commission for any amendment or
supplement thereto or for additional information and shall provide to Parent
promptly copies of all correspondence between the Company or any representative
of the Company and the Commission. The Company shall give Parent and its counsel
the opportunity to review the Proxy Statement prior to its being filed with the
Commission and shall give Parent and its counsel the opportunity to review all
amendments and supplements to the Proxy Statement and all responses to requests
for additional information and replies to comments prior to their being filed
with, or sent to, the Commission. The Company and its counsel shall be given the
opportunity to review and comment on the Offer documents and any amendments
thereto prior to the filing thereof with the Commission. Parent and Purchaser
shall provide the Company and its counsel with a copy of any written comments or
telephonic notification of any verbal comments Parent or Purchaser may receive
from the Commission or its staff with respect to the Offer documents promptly
after the receipt thereof and shall provide the Company and its counsel with a
copy of any written responses and telephonic notification of any verbal
responses of Parent, Purchaser or their counsel. Each of the Company, Parent and
Purchaser agrees to use its reasonable best efforts, after consultation with the
other parties, to respond promptly to all such comments of and requests by the
Commission and to cause the Proxy Statement and all required amendments and
supplements thereto to be mailed to the holders of Shares entitled to vote at
the Stockholders' Meeting at the earliest practicable time.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has covenanted and agreed
that, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, unless
Parent shall otherwise agree in writing, the businesses of the Company and its
subsidiaries shall be conducted only in, and the Company shall not take any
action except in, the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent
with past practice; and the Company shall use its best efforts to preserve
substantially intact the business organization of the Company and its
subsidiaries, to keep available the services of the current officers, employees
and consultants of the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Company and its subsidiaries and to preserve the current relationships of the
Company and its subsidiaries with customers, suppliers and other persons with
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has significant business relations.
 
    The Company and Parent are each obligated under the Merger Agreement to give
each other prompt notice of (i) the occurrence, or non-occurrence, of any event
the occurrence, or non-occurrence, of which would be likely to cause any
representation or warranty contained in the Merger Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate and (ii) any failure of the Company, Parent or Purchaser, as the case
may be, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it thereunder.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation
shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification than
those set forth in Article XV of the By-laws of the Company, which provisions
shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years
from the Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights
thereunder of individuals who at the Effective Time were directors, officers,
employees, fiduciaries or agents of the Company, unless such modification shall
be required by law.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company shall, to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law and regardless of whether the Merger becomes
effective, indemnify and hold harmless, and, after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable
law, indemnify and hold harmless, each present and former director, officer,
employee, fiduciary and agent of the Company and each of its subsidiaries and
each fiduciary and agent of each such director and officer (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") against all costs and expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and settlement
amounts paid in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining
to any action or omission in their capacity as an officer, director, employee,
fiduciary or agent, whether occurring before or after the Effective Time, until
the expiration of the statute of limitations relating thereto (and shall pay any
expenses in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding to
each Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware Law, upon
receipt from the Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced of any
undertaking to repay such advances required under Delaware Law). In the event of
any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (i) the Company or
the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, shall pay the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified Parties, which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company or the Surviving Corporation, promptly
after statements therefor are received and (ii) the Company and the Surviving
Corporation shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable
for any settlement effected without its written consent (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld); and PROVIDED FURTHER that neither the Company nor the
Surviving Corporation shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (plus appropriate local counsel) for all Indemnified Parties in
any single action except (x) that the persons who served as directors of the
Company who were not designees of Parent shall be entitled to retain one
additional counsel (plus appropriate local counsel) to represent them at the
expense of the Company or the Surviving Corporation, and (y) to the extent that
two or more of such Indemnified Parties shall have conflicting interests in the
outcome of such action, in which case such additional counsel (including local
counsel) as may be required to avoid any such conflict or likely conflict may be
retained by the Indemnified Parties at the expense of the Company or the
Surviving Corporation; and PROVIDED FURTHER that, in the event that any claim
for indemnification is asserted or made within the period prior to the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, all rights to
indemnification in respect of such claim shall continue until the disposition of
such claim. Parent has agreed to guarantee the foregoing obligations of the
Surviving Corporation and, following consummation of the Offer, the Company.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the Surviving Corporation shall use its
reasonable efforts to maintain in effect for six years from the Effective Time,
if available, the current directors' and officers'
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
liability insurance policies maintained by the Company (provided that the
Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor policies of at least the same
coverage containing terms and conditions which are not materially less
favorable) with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the Surviving Corporation be required
to expend more than an amount per year equal to 175% of current annual premiums
paid by the Company for such insurance. In the event that, but for the proviso
to the immediately preceding sentence, the Surviving Corporation would be
required to expend more than 175% of current annual premiums, the Surviving
Corporation shall obtain the maximum amount of such insurance obtainable by
payment of annual premiums equal to 175% of current annual premiums. In the
event the Company or the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective
successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper
provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Company or the
Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, or at Parent's option, Parent, shall
assume the foregoing indemnification obligations.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and subject to the conditions
thereof, each of the parties thereto shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, including, without limitation, using its reasonable best
efforts to obtain all licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts
with the Company and its subsidiaries as are necessary for the consummation of
the transactions and to fulfill the conditions to the Offer and the Merger. In
case at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of the Merger Agreement, the proper officers
and directors of each party to the Merger Agreement and the Surviving
Corporation shall use their reasonable best efforts to take all such action.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties thereto agreed that each of
the Acquisition Agreement and the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement shall be
terminated as of the Effective Time. For purposes of clarity, it is understood
by the parties that all representations, warranties and agreements between the
parties which, by the terms of such agreements, survive either or both the
Closing Date (as that term is defined in each of the Acquisition Agreement and
the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement) or the termination of such agreements
shall all be terminated as of the Effective Time.
 
    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The Merger Agreement contains various
customary representations and warranties of the parties thereto, including
representations by the Company, Parent and Purchaser as to the enforceability of
the Merger Agreement and by the Company as to the absence of certain changes or
events concerning the Company's business, compliance with law, corporate status
and capitalization and the accuracy of financial statements and filings with the
Commission.
 
    CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER.  Under the Merger Agreement, the respective
obligations of each party to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction
at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions: (a) to the extent
required by Delaware Law and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby shall have been
approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company;
(b) no foreign, United States or state governmental authority or other agency or
commission or foreign, United States or state court of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect and has the effect
of: (i) making the acquisition of Shares by Parent or Purchaser or any affiliate
of either of them illegal or otherwise restricting, preventing or prohibiting
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii)
seeking to prohibit or limit materially the ownership or operation by the
Company, Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries of all or any material
portion of the business or assets of the Company, Parent or any of their
respective
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
subsidiaries as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement or (iii) compelling the Company, Parent, Purchaser or any of their
respective subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate all or any material
portion of the business or assets of the Company, Parent or Purchaser or any of
their respective subsidiaries as a result of the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement; and (c) Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have
purchased all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this condition shall not be applicable to the
obligations of Parent or Purchaser if, in breach of the Merger Agreement,
Purchaser fails to purchase any Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn
pursuant to the Offer.
 
    TERMINATION; FEES AND EXPENSES.  The Merger Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger and the other transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Effective Time, notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby by the stockholders
of the Company: (a) by mutual written consent duly authorized by the Boards of
Directors of Parent, Purchaser and the Company, if such termination is also
approved by a majority of the Independent Directors; or (b) by either Parent,
Purchaser or the Company if (i) the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or
before June 30, 1997; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such right to terminate shall not
be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under the
Merger Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the
Effective Time to occur on or before such date or (ii) any court of competent
jurisdiction or other governmental authority shall have issued an order, decree,
ruling or taken any other action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become
final and nonappealable; or (c) by Parent if due to an occurrence or
circumstance that would result in a failure to satisfy any condition to the
Offer, Purchaser shall have (i) failed to commence the Offer within 60 days
following the date of the Merger Agreement, (ii) terminated the Offer without
having accepted any Shares for payment thereunder or (iii) failed to pay for
Shares pursuant to the Offer within 90 days following the commencement of the
Offer, unless such failure to pay for Shares shall have been caused by or
resulted from the failure of Parent or Purchaser to perform in any material
respect any material covenant or agreement of either of them contained in the
Merger Agreement or the material breach by Parent or Purchaser of any material
representation or warranty of either of them contained in the Merger Agreement;
or (d) by the Company, upon approval of the Board and a majority of the
Independent Directors, if due to an occurrence or circumstance that would result
in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the Offer, Purchaser shall have
(i) failed to commence the Offer within 60 days following the date of the Merger
Agreement, (ii) terminated the Offer without having accepted any Shares for
payment thereunder or (iii) failed to pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer
within 90 days following the commencement of the Offer, unless such failure to
pay for Shares shall have been caused by or resulted from the failure of the
Company to perform in any material respect any material covenant or agreement of
it contained in the Merger Agreement or the material breach by the Company of
any material representation or warranty of it contained in the Merger Agreement;
or (e) by the Company, upon approval of the Board and a majority of the
Independent Directors, (i) if any representation or warranty of Parent and
Purchaser in the Merger Agreement which is qualified as to materiality shall not
be true and correct or any such representation or warranty that is not so
qualified shall not be true and correct in any material respect, in each case as
if such representation or warranty was made as of such time on or after the date
of the Merger Agreement, or (ii) Parent or Purchaser shall have failed to
perform in any material respect any obligation or to comply in any material
respect with any agreement or covenant of Parent or Purchaser to be performed or
complied with by it under the Merger Agreement.
 
    In the event of the termination of the Merger Agreement, the Merger
Agreement shall forthwith become void.
 
    Except as set forth below, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are consummated.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to consummation
of the Offer and the Merger, other than a termination by the consent of the
parties or a termination by Parent or Purchaser which results from any
representation or warranty of the Company in the Merger Agreement not being true
and correct or the failure of the Company to perform any obligation or to comply
with any agreement or covenant of the Company to be performed or complied with
by it under the Merger Agreement, then, in any such event, Purchaser shall, and
Parent shall cause Purchaser to, pay all actual out-of-pocket fees and expenses
incurred by the parties, including all fees and expenses payable to investment
banking firms, counsel and accountants, in connection with the structuring,
negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of the Merger Agreement, as
well as all printing and advertising expenses.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
 
    In considering the recommendation of the Board and the Independent Directors
with respect to the Offer and the Merger and the fairness of the consideration
to be received in the Offer and the Merger, stockholders should be aware that
certain officers and directors of the Company have interests in the Offer and
the Merger which are described below and which may present them with certain
potential conflicts of interest. Stockholders also should be aware that Parent
and Purchaser have certain interests that present actual or potential conflicts
of interest in connection with the Offer and the Merger. As a result of
Purchaser's current ownership of approximately 73.2% of the outstanding Shares
and its nominees constituting a majority of the Company's directors, Purchaser
may be deemed to control the Company. The Board was aware of these actual and
potential conflicts of interest and considered them along with the other matters
described under "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Recommendation of the Company's Board;
Fairness of the Offer and the Merger".
 
    Parent and Purchaser have not been advised by the executive officers,
directors or affiliates of the Company whether any of such persons intends to
tender Shares owned by them pursuant to the Offer.
 
    STOCK AND STOCK OPTION OWNERSHIP.  Purchaser owns (i) 5,993,827 Shares which
it acquired pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, (ii) 4,616,272 Shares which
it acquired pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement and (iii)
Warrants to acquire 1,367,600 Shares which it acquired pursuant to the Stock and
Warrant Purchase Agreement. Assuming exercise of the Warrants, Purchaser would
beneficially own 11,977,699 Shares, representing approximately 67% of the Shares
outstanding on a fully diluted basis and 75.5% of the Shares outstanding.
Assuming no exercise of the Warrants, Purchaser would own 10,610,099 Shares,
representing 64.3% of the Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis and 73.2%
of the Shares outstanding.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
 
    The following table sets forth certain information, as of January 10, 1997,
regarding the ownership of Common Stock by each person known by the Company to
be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, each
director of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the other
officers of the Company, and all executive officers and directors of the Company
as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NUMBER OF SHARES     PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                OF COMMON STOCK     COMMON STOCK
                                   NAME OF                                       BENEFICIALLY       BENEFICIALLY
                              BENEFICIAL OWNER                                       OWNED              OWNED
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>
Novartis Biotech Holding Corp.(1)............................................       11,977,699(3)          75.5%
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York(2).................................        1,251,871              8.6%
Iris Brest...................................................................            6,550(4)             *
Linda M. Burch...............................................................           43,155(5)             *
James T. DePalma.............................................................            6,100(6)             *
Harold Edgar.................................................................           50,214(7)             *
Edgar J. Fullager............................................................               --(8)        --
Stephan Guttmann, Ph.D.......................................................               --(8)        --
Paul Herrling, Ph.D..........................................................               --(8)        --
Wendy R. Hitchcock...........................................................           15,374(9)             *
Audrey F. Jakubowski, M.D....................................................            1,500(10)             *
Christopher A. Juttner, M.D..................................................            7,000(11)             *
Didier L. Lanson, Ph.D.......................................................           16,497(12)             *
Hugh Lewis...................................................................           19,442(13)             *
Fred J. Meyer................................................................            7,834(8 14)             *
Ulrich Oppikofer, Ph.D.......................................................               --(8)        --
Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr.........................................................           55,862(15)             *
Edgar Schollmaier............................................................               --(16)        --
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.......................................................          177,326(17)           1.2%
Roland G. Scollay, Ph.D......................................................            1,500(18)             *
Daniel L. Vasella, M.D.......................................................               --(8)        --
Irving L. Weissman, M.D......................................................          158,062(19)           1.1%
All directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons).................          566,416(20)           3.9%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
    * Represents less than 1%.
 
  (1) Purchaser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The address of
      the principal executive offices of Parent is Schwarzwaldallee 215,
      CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland.
 
  (2) The address of the principal executive offices of Morgan Guaranty Trust
      Company of New York is 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10260.
 
  (3) Represents 10,610,099 Shares and Warrants to purchase 1,367,600 Shares.
 
  (4) Includes 4,750 Shares purchasable upon the exercise of stock options
      granted pursuant to the Company's stock option plans, which are
      exercisable or become so within 60 days of January 10, 1997 ("Presently
      Exercisable Options"). Ms. Brest also holds options to purchase 19,539
      Shares which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
  (5) Includes 38,155 Presently Exercisable Options. Ms. Burch also holds
      options to purchase 28,265 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
  (6) Represents Presently Exercisable Options. Mr. DePalma also holds 8,448
      Shares which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
  (7) Includes 41,939 Presently Exercisable Options. Mr. Edgar also holds
      options to purchase 7,500 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
  (8) Excludes 11,977,699 Shares beneficially held by Purchaser of which such
      person may be considered an affiliate. Such person disclaims beneficial
      ownership of any shares held by Purchaser or its affiliates.
 
  (9) Includes 13,374 Shares of Presently Exercisable Options. Ms. Hitchcock
      also holds 23,233 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (10) Dr. Jakubowski also holds 20,000 Shares which are not Presently
      Exercisable Options.
 
 (11) Includes 5,000 Presently Exercisable Options. Dr. Juttner also holds
      options to purchase 20,781 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
 (12) Includes 14,694 Presently Exercisable Options. Dr. Lanson also holds
      options to purchase 14,689 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
 (13) Includes 17,942 Presently Exercisable Options. Mr. Lewis also holds 23,927
      Shares which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (14) Represents Presently Exercisable Options. Mr. Meyer also holds options to
      purchase 13,125 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (15) Represents Presently Exercisable Options. Mr. Ruvane also holds options to
      purchase 7,500 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (16) Mr. Schollmaier holds options to purchase 13,463 Shares which are not
      Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (17) Includes 146,326 Presently Exercisable Options. Dr. Schwartz also holds
      options to purchase 99,161 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
 (18) Dr. Scollay also holds 18,000 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
 (19) Includes 13,459 Presently Exercisable Options. Dr. Weissman also holds
      options to purchase 7,500 Shares which are not Presently Exercisable
      Options.
 
 (20) Includes 365,438 Presently Exercisable Options.
 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    In April 1993, the Company entered into an agreement with the Sandoz
entities to form the Progenesys joint venture with a primary mission to research
and develop hematopoietic cell-based, somatic gene therapies against HIV
infection. The Company and the Sandoz entities licensed certain initial
technologies, within the field, to Progenesys. On August 31, 1995, the
Progenesys partnership was dissolved and replaced by the HIV Gene Therapy
Collaboration between the Company and the Sandoz entities, with terms and
conditions substantially equivalent to those of the partnership agreement. For
the year ended December 31, 1995 (through the date of dissolution), the
Company's share of Progenesys' operating loss was $2.94 million. Revenue earned
by the Company under the HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration was $1.94 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
    In November 1993, the Company entered into a two-year collaboration
agreement with Parent regarding therapeutic anti-viral agents for HIV infection.
The collaboration focused on the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of HIV
disease, the identification of new potential targets for anti-viral therapy and
the IN VIVO testing of anti-HIV agents under development. The Company and Parent
jointly decided to terminate the agreement as of March 31, 1995. Revenue earned
by the Company under the agreement for the year ended December 31, 1995, was
$250,000.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    In March 1994, the Company and Parent agreed to provide funding for a
portion of the research carried out at Stanford University School of Medicine.
The research is directed by Dr. Irving Weissman as Principal Investigator. Dr.
Weissman, a faculty member at Stanford University, is a director, consultant and
chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Company. The agreement provides
that the Company and Parent have the right to negotiate with Stanford for a
license on commercially reasonable terms for intellectual property, if any, that
results from the funding. As amended, the agreement provides for funding through
December 31, 1995. The Company provided $796,000 of funding in 1995. The Company
provided $150,000 of funding and has contributed certain in-kind services during
1996. The agreement has been extended through August 1997.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
    The following is an estimate of expenses to be incurred in connection with
the Offer and the Merger, other than: (i) the fees and expenses of Lehman
Brothers (see "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Opinion of Lehman Brothers" and "THE TENDER
OFFER -- Section 14. Fees and Expenses"); and (ii) the fees and expenses of
Morgan Stanley (see "SPECIAL FACTORS -- Analysis of Financial Advisor to Parent"
and "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 14. Fees and Expenses"). The Merger Agreement
provides that all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Offer and
the Merger will be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, unless
the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to consummation of the Offer and the
Merger (other than a termination by the consent of the parties or a termination
by Parent or Purchaser which results from any representation or warranty of the
Company in the Merger Agreement not being true and correct or the failure of the
Company to perform any obligation or to comply with any agreement or covenant of
the Company to be performed or complied with by it under the Merger Agreement),
in which case Purchaser shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, pay all
actual out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the parties.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
EXPENSES TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AND ITS AFFILIATES:
  Legal Fees.....................................................  $ 300,000
  Printing and Mailing...........................................    110,000
  Advertising....................................................     74,000
  Filing Fees....................................................     18,100
  Depositary Fees................................................    100,000
  Information Agent Fees.........................................     12,500
  Miscellaneous..................................................    150,000
                                                                   ---------
    Total........................................................  $ 764,600
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
EXPENSES TO BE PAID BY THE COMPANY:
  Legal Fees and Expenses........................................  $ 400,000
  Printing and Mailing...........................................     50,000
  Miscellaneous..................................................    100,000
                                                                   ---------
    Total........................................................  $ 550,000
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                                THE TENDER OFFER
 
    1. TERMS OF THE OFFER; EXPIRATION DATE.  Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the
terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), Purchaser will accept for
payment, and will pay for, all Shares validly tendered prior to the Expiration
Date (as hereinafter defined) and not withdrawn as permitted by "THE TENDER
OFFER -- Section 4. Withdrawal Rights". The term "Expiration Date" means 12:00
midnight, New York City time, on Friday, February 14, 1997, unless and until
Purchaser, in its sole discretion (but subject to the terms and conditions of
the Merger Agreement), shall have extended the period during which the Offer is
open, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and
date at which the Offer, as so extended by Purchaser, shall expire.
 
    Purchaser expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion (but subject
to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement), at any time and from time
to time, to extend for any reason the period of time during which the Offer is
open, including the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in "THE TENDER
OFFER -- Section 12. Certain Conditions of the Offer", by giving oral or written
notice of such extension to the Depositary. During any such extension, all
Shares previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer,
subject to the rights of a tendering stockholder to withdraw such stockholder's
Shares. See "THE TENDER OFFER --Section 4. Withdrawal Rights".
 
    Subject to the applicable regulations of the Commission, Purchaser also
expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion (but subject to the terms
and conditions of the Merger Agreement), at any time and from time to time, (i)
to delay acceptance for payment of, or, regardless of whether such Shares were
theretofore accepted for payment, payment for, any Shares, pending receipt of
any regulatory approval specified in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 13. Certain
Legal Matters and Regulatory Approval", (ii) to terminate the Offer and not
accept for payment any Shares upon the occurrence of any of the conditions
specified in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 12. Certain Conditions of the Offer"
and (iii) to waive any condition, except for the First Minimum Condition, or
otherwise amend the Offer in any respect, by giving oral or written notice of
such delay, termination, waiver or amendment to the Depositary and by making a
public announcement thereof. The Merger Agreement provides that, without the
consent of the Company, Purchaser will not (i) decrease the price per Share
payable pursuant to the Offer, (ii) reduce the maximum number of Shares to be
purchased in the Offer or (iii) impose conditions to the Offer in addition to
those set forth in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 12. Certain Conditions of the
Offer". In the event all conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have
been satisfied other than the Second Minimum Condition, Purchaser may extend the
Offer for a period or periods aggregating not more than 20 business days after
the later of (i) the initial expiration date of the Offer and (ii) the date on
which all other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been
satisfied, after which time Purchaser shall waive the Second Minimum Condition.
Purchaser acknowledges that (i) Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act requires
Purchaser to pay the consideration offered or return the Shares tendered
promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the Offer and (ii) Purchaser may
not delay acceptance for payment of, or payment for (except as provided in
clause (i) of the first sentence of this paragraph), any Shares upon the
occurrence of any of the conditions specified in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section
12. Certain Conditions of the Offer" without extending the period of time during
which the Offer is open.
 
    Any such extension, delay, termination, waiver or amendment will be followed
as promptly as practicable by public announcement thereof, such announcement in
the case of an extension to be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time,
on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Subject
to applicable law (including Rules 14d-4(c), 14d-6(d) and 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act, which require that material changes be promptly disseminated to
stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform them of such changes) and
without limiting the manner in which Purchaser may choose to make any public
announcement, Purchaser shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a press
release to the Dow Jones News Service.
 
    If Purchaser makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or the
information concerning the Offer, or if it waives a material condition of the
Offer, Purchaser will extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules 14d-4(c),
14d-6(d) and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act.
 
    Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if, prior to the Expiration
Date, Purchaser should decide to decrease the number of Shares being sought or
to increase or decrease the consideration being offered in the Offer, such
decrease in the number of Shares being sought or such increase or decrease in
the consideration being offered will be applicable to all stockholders whose
Shares are accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer and, if at the time notice
of any such decrease in the number of Shares being sought or such increase or
decrease in the consideration being offered is first published, sent or given to
holders of such Shares, the Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier
than the period ending on the tenth business day from and including the date
that such notice is first so published, sent or given, the Offer will be
extended at least until the expiration of such ten business day period. For
purposes of the Offer, a "business day" means any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 a.m.
through 12:00 midnight, New York City time.
 
    The Company has provided Purchaser with the Company's stockholder list and
security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders
of Shares. This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal will be
mailed to record holders of Shares whose names appear on the Company's
stockholder list and will be furnished, for subsequent transmittal to beneficial
owners of Shares, to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and
similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the
stockholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing
agency's security position listing.
 
    2. ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT AND PAYMENT FOR SHARES.  Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or
amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), Purchaser
will accept for payment, and will pay for, all Shares validly tendered prior to
the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn, promptly after the latest to
occur of (i) the Expiration Date and (ii) the satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions to the Offer set forth in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 12. Certain
Conditions of the Offer". Subject to applicable rules of the Commission and the
terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser expressly reserves the
right to delay acceptance for payment of, or payment for, Shares pending receipt
of any regulatory approvals specified in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 13.
Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals" or in order to comply in whole
or in part with any other applicable law.
 
    In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant
to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i) the
certificates evidencing such Shares (the "Share Certificates") or timely
confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of a book-entry transfer of such
Shares into the Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company, the
Midwest Securities Trust Company or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company
(each, a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and, collectively, the "Book-Entry
Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the procedures set forth in "THE TENDER OFFER
- -- Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares", (ii) the
Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer, an Agent's Message (as defined below) in lieu of the Letter of
Transmittal and (iii) any other documents required under the Letter of
Transmittal.
 
    For purposes of the Offer, Purchaser will be deemed to have accepted for
payment (and thereby purchased) Shares validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn as, if and when Purchaser gives oral or written notice to the
Depositary of Purchaser's acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to the
Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, payment for
Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of the
purchase price therefor with the Depositary,
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
which will act as agent for tendering stockholders for the purpose of receiving
payments from Purchaser and transmitting such payments to tendering stockholders
whose Shares have been accepted for payment. Under no circumstances will
interest on the purchase price for Shares be paid, regardless of any delay in
making such payment.
 
    If any tendered Shares are not accepted for payment for any reason pursuant
to the terms and conditions of the Offer, or if Share Certificates are submitted
evidencing more Shares than are tendered, Share Certificates evidencing
unpurchased Shares will be returned, without expense to the tendering
stockholder (or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer into the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the procedure
set forth in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer
and Tendering Shares", such Shares will be credited to an account maintained at
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility), as promptly as practicable following the
expiration or termination of the Offer.
 
    If, prior to the Expiration Date, Purchaser shall increase the consideration
offered to any holders of Shares pursuant to the Offer, such increased
consideration shall be paid to all holders of Shares that are purchased pursuant
to the Offer, whether or not such Shares were tendered prior to such increase in
consideration.
 
    Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to
time in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or any
portion of the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer or
assignment will not relieve Purchaser of its obligations under the Offer and
will in no way prejudice the rights of tendering stockholders to receive payment
for Shares validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer.
 
    3. PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND TENDERING SHARES.  In order for a
holder of Shares validly to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed,
together with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer, an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal) and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to
Purchase and either (i) the Share Certificates evidencing tendered Shares must
be received by the Depositary at such address or such Shares must be tendered
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below and a
Book-Entry Confirmation must be received by the Depositary (including an Agent's
Message if the tendering stockholder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal),
in each case prior to the Expiration Date, or (ii) the tendering stockholder
must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. The term
"Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility
to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a Book-Entry
Confirmation, which states that such Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received
an express acknowledgement from the participant in such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility tendering the Shares which are the subject of such book-entry
confirmation, that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement
against such participant.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH ANY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT
THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE
DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY
MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS
RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY.
 
    BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER.  The Depositary will establish accounts with respect to
the Shares at the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities for purposes of the Offer
within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any financial
institution that is a participant in the system of any Book-Entry Transfer
Facility may make a book-entry delivery of Shares by causing such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to transfer such
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
Shares into the Depositary's account at such Book-Entry Transfer Facility in
accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for such
transfer. However, although delivery of Shares may be effected through
book-entry transfer at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, either the Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed,
together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in lieu
of the Letter of Transmittal, and any other required documents, must, in any
case, be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the
back cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the Expiration Date, or the
tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedure
described below. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
 
    SIGNATURE GUARANTEES.  Signatures on all Letters of Transmittal must be
guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee
Program, or by any other "eligible guarantor institution", as such term is
defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (each of the foregoing referred
to as an "Eligible Institution"), except in cases where Shares are tendered (i)
by a registered holder of Shares who has not completed either the box entitled
"Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an
Eligible Institution. If a Share Certificate is registered in the name of a
person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to
be made, or a Share Certificate not accepted for payment or not tendered is to
be returned, to a person other than the registered holder(s), then the Share
Certificate must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in
either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear on
the Share Certificate, with the signature(s) on such Share Certificate or stock
powers guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the
Letter of Transmittal.
 
    GUARANTEED DELIVERY.  If a stockholder desires to tender Shares pursuant to
the Offer and the Share Certificates evidencing such stockholder's Shares are
not immediately available or such stockholder cannot deliver the Share
Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the
Expiration Date, or such stockholder cannot complete the procedure for delivery
by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, such Shares may nevertheless be
tendered, provided that all the following conditions are satisfied:
 
        (i) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
 
        (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
    Delivery, substantially in the form made available by Purchaser, is received
    prior to the Expiration Date by the Depositary as provided below; and
 
        (iii) the Share Certificates (or a Book-Entry Confirmation) evidencing
    all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer, in each case together with
    the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and
    duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other
    documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the
    Depositary within three NASDAQ trading days after the date of execution of
    such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
    The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or mail or
transmitted by telegram or facsimile transmission to the Depositary and must
include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in the form
of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery made available by Purchaser.
 
    In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant
to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of the
Share Certificates evidencing such Shares, or a Book-Entry Confirmation of the
delivery of such Shares, and the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof),
properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees,
and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
 
    DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY.  All questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender
of Shares will be determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion, which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Purchaser reserves the
absolute right to reject
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance
for payment of which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. Subject to
the terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to
waive any condition of the Offer or any defect or irregularity in the tender of
any Shares of any particular stockholder, whether or not similar defects or
irregularities are waived in the case of other stockholders. No tender of Shares
will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities
have been cured or waived. None of Purchaser, Parent, the Dealer Manager, the
Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to
give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification. Purchaser's interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal
and the instructions thereto) will be final and binding.
 
    OTHER REQUIREMENTS.  By executing the Letter of Transmittal as set forth
above, a tendering stockholder irrevocably appoints designees of Purchaser as
such stockholder's proxies, each with full power of substitution, in the manner
set forth in the Letter of Transmittal, to the full extent of such stockholder's
rights with respect to the Shares tendered by such stockholder and accepted for
payment by Purchaser (and with respect to any and all other Shares or other
securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after January 10,
1997). All such proxies shall be considered coupled with an interest in the
tendered Shares. Such appointment will be effective when, and only to the extent
that, Purchaser accepts such Shares for payment. Upon such acceptance for
payment, all prior proxies given by such stockholder with respect to such Shares
(and such other Shares and securities) will be revoked without further action,
and no subsequent proxies may be given nor any subsequent written consent
executed by such stockholder (and, if given or executed, will not be deemed to
be effective) with respect thereto. The designees of Purchaser will, with
respect to the Shares for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to
exercise all voting and other rights of such stockholder as they in their sole
discretion may deem proper at any annual or special meeting of the Company's
stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, by written consent in
lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. Purchaser reserves the right to require
that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon
Purchaser's payment for such Shares, Purchaser must be able to exercise full
voting rights with respect to such Shares.
 
    The acceptance for payment by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to any of the
procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between the
tendering stockholder and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Offer.
 
    TO PREVENT BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING WITH RESPECT TO PAYMENT TO
CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF SHARES PURCHASED PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER, EACH SUCH STOCKHOLDER MUST PROVIDE THE DEPOSITARY WITH SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S
CORRECT TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFY THAT SUCH STOCKHOLDER IS NOT
SUBJECT TO BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING BY COMPLETING THE SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9 IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF BACKUP WITHHOLDING APPLIES WITH
RESPECT TO A STOCKHOLDER, THE DEPOSITARY IS REQUIRED TO WITHHOLD 31% OF ANY
PAYMENTS MADE TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER. SEE INSTRUCTION 9 OF THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
 
    4. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS.  Tenders of Shares made pursuant to the Offer are
irrevocable except that such Shares may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date and, unless theretofore accepted for payment by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after March 17, 1997.
If Purchaser extends the Offer, is delayed in its acceptance for payment of
Shares or is unable to accept Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer for any
reason, then, without prejudice to Purchaser's rights under the Offer, the
Depositary may, nevertheless, on behalf of Purchaser, retain tendered Shares,
and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent that tendering
stockholders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4.
 
    For a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth on the back cover page of this Offer to Purchase.
Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered
the
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of the
registered holder of such Shares, if different from that of the person who
tendered such Shares. If Share Certificates evidencing Shares to be withdrawn
have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, then, prior to
the physical release of such Share Certificates, the serial numbers shown on
such Share Certificates must be submitted to the Depositary and the signature(s)
on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution,
unless such Shares have been tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution. If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer as set forth in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 3. Procedures
for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares", any notice of withdrawal must
specify the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
to be credited with the withdrawn Shares.
 
    All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any
notice of withdrawal will be determined by Purchaser, in its sole discretion,
whose determination will be final and binding. None of Purchaser, Parent, the
Dealer Manager, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will
be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any
notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.
 
    Any Shares properly withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not to have been
validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn Shares may be
re-tendered at any time prior to the Expiration Date by following one of the
procedures described in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 3. Procedures for Accepting
the Offer and Tendering Shares".
 
    5. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.  The receipt of cash for Shares
pursuant to the Offer or in the Merger will be a taxable transaction for federal
income tax purposes and may also be a taxable transaction under applicable
state, local or foreign tax laws. In general, a stockholder will recognize gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the
amount of cash received in exchange for the Shares sold and such stockholder's
adjusted tax basis in such Shares. Assuming the Shares constitute capital assets
in the hands of the stockholder, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss
and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder will have held the
Shares for more than one year at the time of the sale. Gain or loss will be
calculated separately for each block of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer.
 
    Legislative proposals have been under consideration that would reduce the
rate of federal income taxation of certain capital gains. Such legislation, if
enacted, might apply only to gain realized on sales occurring after a date
specified in the legislation. It cannot be predicted whether any such
legislation ultimately will be enacted and, if enacted, when its effective date
will be.
 
    In general, in order to prevent backup federal income tax withholding at a
rate of 31% on the cash consideration to be received in the Offer, each
stockholder who is not otherwise exempt from such requirements must provide such
holder's correct taxpayer identification number (and certain other information)
by completing the Substitute Form W-9 in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
    THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN TYPES OF
STOCKHOLDERS, INCLUDING BROKER-DEALERS, STOCKHOLDERS WHO ACQUIRED SHARES
PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS OR OTHERWISE AS COMPENSATION,
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN
CORPORATIONS.
 
    THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND IS BASED UPON PRESENT LAW. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO
CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
OFFER AND THE MERGER TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF THE
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX, AND STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    6. PRICE RANGE OF SHARES; DIVIDENDS.  The Shares are listed and principally
traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "STMX". The following table sets forth, for
the quarters indicated, the high and low bid prices per Share on NASDAQ as
reported by the Dow Jones News Service.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 HIGH        LOW
                                                                               ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>
1995:
  First Quarter..............................................................  $18 1/2    $12 1/4
  Second Quarter.............................................................   14 1/2    11 3/4
  Third Quarter..............................................................   14 1/4    11 3/4
  Fourth Quarter.............................................................   16 3/8    13 3/8
1996:
  First Quarter..............................................................  $16 3/4    $12 1/2
  Second Quarter.............................................................   20 1/2    10 3/4
  Third Quarter..............................................................   18        14 1/2
  Fourth Quarter.............................................................   17 1/2    12 3/4
1997:
  First Quarter (through January 10, 1997)...................................  $15 1/2    $14 3/4
</TABLE>
 
    Although there is no legal or contractual restriction on the payment of
dividends by the Company, historically the Company has never declared or paid
dividends and has no future plans to do so. The Company currently intends to
retain any future earnings for the development of its business.
 
    On May 23, 1996, the last full trading day prior to the announcement of
Parent's original offer to acquire the Company, the closing price per Share as
reported on NASDAQ was $11. On January 10, 1997, the last full trading day prior
to the public announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement, the closing
price per Share as reported on NASDAQ was $15 5/16. On January 16, 1997, the
last full trading day prior to the commencement of the Offer, the closing price
per Share as reported on NASDAQ was $19 1/4.
 
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR THE SHARES.
 
    7. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY.  Except as otherwise set
forth herein, the information concerning the Company contained in this Offer to
Purchase, including financial information, has been furnished by the Company or
has been taken from or based upon publicly available documents and records on
file with the Commission and other public sources. Neither Purchaser nor Parent
assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information
concerning the Company furnished by the Company or contained in such documents
and records or for any failure by the Company to disclose events which may have
occurred or may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information but
which are unknown to Purchaser or Parent.
 
    GENERAL.  The Company is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive
offices located at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94304. The Company
is a biotechnology company focused on creating new cellular and cell-based gene
therapies for major disorders of the blood and immune system based on the use of
the human hematopoietic stem cell (the "HSC"). The Company believes the special
properties of the HSC should produce long-lasting, highly efficient cell, gene
replacement and gene modification therapies for cancer, AIDS and other
infectious diseases and genetic diseases.
 
    In 1991, the Company completed an initial public offering of Common Stock
and, since that time, has made no additional underwritten public offerings of
Common Stock.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  Set forth below is certain selected financial
information relating to the Company which has been excerpted or derived from the
audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (the "Form 10-K") and the
unaudited financial statements contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1996 (the "Form 10-Q"). More
comprehensive financial information is included in the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q
and other documents filed by the Company with the Commission. The financial
information that follows is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
reports and other documents, including the financial statements and related
notes contained therein. Such reports and other documents may be examined and
copies may be obtained from the offices of the Commission in the manner set
forth below. In addition, Schedules IV and V hereto set forth the Company's
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and the
Company's unaudited financial statements for the period ended september 30,
1996, respectively.
 
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
                         SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NINE MONTHS ENDED      FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     ---------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                       1996        1995        1995        1994
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
  Collaborative research from related parties......................  $   2,975  $      474  $    2,168  $    3,211
  Collaborative research...........................................         32          --         152          --
  Research grants..................................................         15         117         992         234
  Contract testing.................................................         --          --         165         669
  Other............................................................         31          44         139          --
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues.................................................      3,053         635       3,616       4,114
Expenses:
  Research and development
  Collaborative research...........................................      3,007         739       3,422       4,142
  Research grants..................................................         15         117         992         234
  Contract testing.................................................         --          --         150         422
  Gene therapy joint venture.......................................         --         862       2,940       3,997
  Company-sponsored................................................      7,462       9,280      39,229      31,740
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total research and development.................................     10,484      10,998      46,733      40,535
  General and administrative.......................................      2,082       1,868       8,110       8,819
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total operating expenses.......................................     12,566      12,866      54,843      49,354
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Loss from operations...............................................     (9,513)    (12,231)    (51,227     (45,240)
Other income (expense).............................................        666         990       3,140         852
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net loss...........................................................  $  (8,847) $  (11,241) $  (48,087) $  (44,388)
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net loss per share.................................................  $    (.61) $     (.78) $    (3.43) $    (4.54)
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Weighted average shares outstanding................................     14,493      14,434      14,028       9,773
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         AT SEPTEMBER 30           AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     ------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                        1996         1995         1995         1994
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Assets
  Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................................  $     1,995  $    28,765  $     1,679  $     1,474
  Short-term investments...........................................       48,373       37,128       65,836        6,916
  Accounts receivable..............................................          259        1,332          256          243
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets........................        1,164        1,282        1,336        1,145
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total current assets...........................................       51,791       68,507       69,107        9,778
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Property and equipment, net........................................       44,862       52,645       50,553       51,998
Long-term investments..............................................           --        5,698           --       18,155
Investment in gene therapy joint venture...........................           --           --           --        1,753
Deposits and other assets..........................................          617          504          542          613
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total assets...................................................  $    97,270  $   127,354  $   120,202  $    82,297
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.........................  $     6,744  $     3,836  $     3,873  $     3,332
  Accrued compensation.............................................           --           --        2,808        2,332
  Current portion of capital lease obligation......................        1,951        1,792        1,831        1,681
  Deferred revenue from related party..............................        8,400          643        3,097          890
  Current portion of accrued rent..................................           54           --           69           --
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total current liabilities......................................       17,149        6,271       11,678        8,235
Noncurrent portion of capital lease obligation.....................        4,037        5,989        5,518        7,348
Accrued rent, less current portion.................................        4,730        4,336        4,536        3,013
Commitments
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;
    none issued....................................................           --           --           --           --
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,0000,000 shares authorized;
    14,463,094 and 9,788,283 shares issued and outstanding at
    December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.......................          165          157          157          110
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................      246,827      246,256      246,536      164,430
  Deferred compensation............................................         (293)        (275)        (404)        (408)
  Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments.................          688          (18)         390         (309)
  Accumulated deficit..............................................     (176,033)    (135,362)    (148,209)    (100,122)
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total stockholders' equity.....................................       71,354      110,758       98,470       63,701
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                     $    97,270  $   127,354  $   120,202  $    82,297
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES; BOOK VALUE PER SHARE.  The ratio of
earnings to fixed charges for the two most recent fiscal years is not relevant
for the Company, given that the Company has had negative earnings in the last
two fiscal years. The book value per Share was $6.81 at December 31, 1995 and
$4.92 per Share at September 30, 1996.
 
    The Company is subject to the informational filing requirements of the
Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, is required to file periodic reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Commission relating to its
business, financial condition and other matters. Information as of particular
dates concerning the Company's directors and officers, their remuneration, stock
options granted to them, the principal holders of the Company's securities and
any material interest of such persons in transactions with the Company is
required to be disclosed in proxy statements distributed to the Company's
stockholders and filed with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and
other information should be available for inspection at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and also should be available for inspection at the
Commission's regional offices located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048 and the Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials may also be obtained by
mail, upon payment of the Commission's customary fees, by writing to its
principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The
information should also be available for inspection at the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
    8. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PURCHASER AND PARENT.  Purchaser is a
Delaware corporation and has not carried on any activities other than in
connection with the purchase of securities of the Company pursuant to the
Acquisition Agreement and the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, the holding
of such securities and activities in connection with the Offer and the Merger.
The principal offices of Purchaser are located at 608 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10020. Purchaser is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
 
    Parent is a corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland. Its
principal offices are located at Schwarzwaldallee 215, CH-4002 Basle,
Switzerland. The principal business of Parent and its subsidiaries is Life
Sciences, which includes pharmaceuticals, consumer health and vision care
products, agribusiness (including crop protection, animal health and seeds) and
nutrition products.
 
    The name, citizenship, business address, principal occupation or employment
and five-year employment history for each of the directors and executive
officers of Purchaser and Parent and certain other information are set forth in
Schedule I hereto.
 
    Purchaser owns 10,610,099 Shares, representing approximately 73.2% of the
14,500,094 Shares outstanding at January 10, 1997, (i) 5,993,827 of which it
acquired pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement for an average price of $65.37
per Share and (ii) 4,616,272 of which it acquired pursuant to the Stock and
Warrant Purchase Agreement. Purchaser also has Warrants to acquire 1,367,600
Shares which it acquired pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement.
The aggregate purchase price for the Shares and Warrants acquired pursuant to
the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement was $80 million.
 
    Except as described in this Offer to Purchase, (i) none of Purchaser, Parent
nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Parent, any of the persons listed in
Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase or any associate or majority-owned
subsidiary of Purchaser, Parent or any of the persons so listed beneficially
owns or has any right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any Shares and (ii)
none of Purchaser, Parent nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Parent,
any of the persons or entities referred to above nor any director, executive
officer or subsidiary of any of the foregoing has effected any transaction in
the Shares during the past 60 days.
 
    Except as provided in the Merger Agreement and as otherwise described in
this Offer to Purchase, none of Purchaser, Parent nor, to the best knowledge of
Purchaser and Parent, any of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to
Purchase, has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any
other person with respect to any securities of the Company, including, but not
limited to, any contract,
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or voting of
such securities, finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements,
puts or calls, guarantees of loans, guaranties against loss, guaranties of
profits, division of profits or loss or the giving or withholding of proxies.
Except as set forth in this Offer to Purchase, since January 1, 1995, neither
Purchaser nor Parent nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Parent, any of
the persons listed on Schedule I hereto, has had any business relationship or
transaction with the Company or any of its executive officers, directors or
affiliates that is required to be reported under the rules and regulations of
the Commission applicable to the Offer. Except as set forth in this Offer to
Purchase, since January 1, 1995, there have been no contacts, negotiations or
transactions between any of Purchaser, Parent, or any of their subsidiaries or,
to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Parent, any of the persons listed in
Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, on the one hand, and the Company or its
affiliates, on the other hand, concerning a merger, consolidation or
acquisition, tender offer or other acquisition of securities, an election of
directors or a sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets.
 
    9. FINANCING OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER.  The total amount of funds
required by Purchaser to consummate the Offer and the Merger and to pay related
fees and expenses is estimated to be approximately $83.8 million. Parent will
ensure that Purchaser has sufficient funds to acquire all the outstanding Shares
pursuant to the Offer and the Merger. Parent will provide such funds from its
working capital or its affiliates' working capital or from existing credit
facilities or new credit facilities established for this purpose or from a
combination of the foregoing. No decision has been made concerning which of the
foregoing sources Parent will utilize. Such decision will be made based on
Parent's review from time to time of the advisability of particular actions, as
well as on prevailing interest rates and financial and other economic conditions
and such other factors as Parent may deem appropriate.
 
    Parent anticipates that any indebtedness incurred through borrowings under
credit facilities will be repaid from a variety of sources, which may include,
but may not be limited to, funds generated internally by Parent and its
affiliates (including, following the Merger, funds generated by the Surviving
Corporation), bank refinancing, and the public or private sale of debt or equity
securities. No decision has been made concerning the method Parent will employ
to repay such indebtedness. Such decision will be made based on Parent's review
from time to time of the advisability of particular actions, as well as on
prevailing interest rates and financial and other economic conditions and such
other factors as Parent may deem appropriate.
 
    10. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  If, on or after January 10, 1997, the
Company should declare or pay any dividend on the Shares or make any other
distribution (including the issuance of additional shares of capital stock
pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split, the issuance of other securities or
the issuance of rights for the purchase of any securities) with respect to the
Shares that is payable or distributable to stockholders of record on a date
prior to the transfer to the name of Purchaser or its nominee or transferee on
the Company's stock transfer records of the Shares purchased pursuant to the
Offer, then, without prejudice to Purchaser's rights under "THE TENDER OFFER --
Section 12. Certain Conditions of the Offer", (i) the purchase price per Share
payable by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer will be reduced (subject to the
Merger Agreement) to the extent any such dividend or distribution is payable in
cash and (ii) any non-cash dividend, distribution or right shall be received and
held by the tendering stockholder for the account of Purchaser and will be
required to be promptly remitted and transferred by each tendering stockholder
to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser, accompanied by appropriate
documentation of transfer. Pending such remittance and subject to applicable
law, Purchaser will be entitled to all the rights and privileges as owner of any
such non-cash dividend, distribution or right and may withhold the entire
purchase price or deduct from the purchase price the amount or value thereof, as
determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.
 
    11. EFFECT OF THE OFFER ON THE MARKET FOR THE SHARES; NASDAQ QUOTATION AND
EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION.  The purchase of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer will reduce the number of Shares that
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
might otherwise trade publicly and will reduce the number of holders of Shares,
which could adversely affect the liquidity and market value of the remaining
Shares held by the public.
 
    Parent intends to cause the Shares not to be listed for quotation by NASDAQ
following consummation of the Offer.
 
    Depending upon the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the
Shares may no longer meet the standards for continued inclusion in NASDAQ.
According to NASDAQ's published guidelines, the Shares would not be eligible to
be included for listing if, among other things, the number of Shares publicly
held falls below 200,000, the number of holders of Shares falls below 400 or the
aggregate market value of such publicly held Shares does not exceed $1,000,000.
If these standards are not met, quotations might continue to be published in The
NASDAQ SmallCap Market, Inc., but if the number of holders of the Shares falls
below 300, or if the number of publicly held Shares falls below 100,000, or if
the aggregate market value of such publicly held Shares does not exceed $200,000
or there are not at least two registered and active market makers, one of which
may be a market maker entering a stabilizing bid, NASDAQ rules provide that the
securities would no longer qualify for inclusion in NASDAQ and NASDAQ would
cease to provide any quotations. Shares held directly or indirectly by an
officer or director of the Company or by a beneficial owner of more than 10% of
the Shares will ordinarily not be considered as being publicly held for this
purpose. In the event the Shares were no longer eligible for NASDAQ quotation,
quotations might still be available from other sources. The extent of the public
market for the Shares and the availability of such quotations would, however,
depend upon the number of holders of such Shares remaining at such time, the
interest in maintaining a market in such Shares on the part of securities firms,
the possible termination of registration of such Shares under the Exchange Act
as described below and other factors.
 
    The Shares are currently "margin securities", as such term is defined under
the rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal
Reserve Board"), which has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers
to extend credit on the collateral of such securities. Depending upon factors
similar to those described above regarding listing and market quotations,
following the Offer it is possible that the Shares might no longer constitute
"margin securities" for purposes of the margin regulations of the Federal
Reserve Board, in which event such Shares could no longer be used as collateral
for loans made by brokers.
 
    The Shares are currently registered under the Exchange Act. Such
registration may be terminated upon application by the Company to the Commission
if the Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange and there are
fewer than 300 record holders. The termination of the registration of the Shares
under the Exchange Act would substantially reduce the information required to be
furnished by the Company to holders of Shares and to the Commission and would
make certain provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit
recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy
statement in connection with shareholders' meetings and the requirements of Rule
13e-3 under the Exchange Act with respect to "going private" transactions, no
longer applicable to the Shares. In addition, "affiliates" of the Company and
persons holding "restricted securities" of the Company may be deprived of the
ability to dispose of such securities pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If registration of the Shares under the
Exchange Act were terminated, the Shares would no longer be "margin securities"
or be eligible for NASDAQ reporting. Purchaser currently intends to seek to
cause the Company to terminate the registration of the Shares under the Exchange
Act as soon after consummation of the Offer as the requirements for termination
of registration are met.
 
    12. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.  Purchaser shall not, without the
consent of a majority of the Independent Directors, accept for payment any
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer unless at least a majority of the then
issued and outstanding Shares, other than Shares owned by Parent and Purchaser,
shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of
the Offer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, Purchaser shall not
be required to accept for payment or pay for any Shares tendered pursuant to the
Offer, and may terminate or amend the Offer and may postpone the acceptance for
payment of, and payment for, Shares tendered, if (i) immediately prior to the
expiration of
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
the Offer the Second Minimum Condition shall not have been satisfied or (ii) at
any time on or after the date of the Merger Agreement, and prior to the
acceptance for payment of Shares, any of the following conditions shall exist:
 
        (a) an order shall have been entered in any action or proceeding before
    any federal or state court or governmental agency or other regulatory body
    or a permanent injunction by any federal or state court of competent
    jurisdiction in the United States shall have been issued and remain in
    effect (i) making illegal the purchase of, or payment for, any Shares by
    Parent, Purchaser or any affiliate of Parent or Purchaser; (ii) otherwise
    preventing the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the
    Merger Agreement; (iii) imposing limitations on the ability of Parent,
    Purchaser or any affiliate of Parent or Purchaser to exercise effectively
    full rights of ownership of any Shares, including, without limitation, the
    right to vote any Shares acquired by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer on all
    matters properly presented to the Company's stockholders, which would effect
    a material diminution in the value of the Shares acquired by Purchaser;
 
        (b) there shall have been any federal or state statute, rule or
    regulation enacted or promulgated on or after the date of the Offer that
    could reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in any of
    the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (a)
    above;
 
        (c) any representation or warranty of the Company in the Merger
    Agreement which is qualified as to materiality shall not be true and correct
    or any such representation or warranty that is not so qualified shall not be
    true and correct in any material respect, in each case as if such
    representation or warranty was made as of such time on or after the date of
    this Agreement;
 
        (d) there shall have occurred and be remaining in effect (i) any general
    suspension of, or limitation on prices for, trading in securities of the
    Company on NASDAQ, (ii) any material change in United States or Switzerland
    currency exchange rates or a suspension of, or limitation on, currency
    exchange markets in the United States or Switzerland, (iii) a declaration of
    a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in
    the United States or Switzerland, (iv) a commencement of a war or armed
    hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or
    indirectly involving the United States or Switzerland or (v) in the case of
    any of the foregoing existing on the date hereof, a material acceleration or
    worsening thereof;
 
        (e) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with
    its terms; or
 
        (f) Purchaser and the Company (with the approval of a majority of the
    Independent Directors) shall have agreed that Purchaser shall terminate the
    Offer or postpone the acceptance for payment of or payment for Shares
    thereunder;
 
which, in the reasonable judgment of Purchaser in any such case, and regardless
of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by Parent or any of its
affiliates) giving rise to any such condition, makes it inadvisable to proceed
with such acceptance for payment or payment.
 
    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and Parent
and may be asserted by Purchaser or Parent regardless of the circumstances
giving rise to any such condition or may be waived by Purchaser or Parent in
whole or in part at any time and from time to time in their sole discretion;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Purchaser and Parent may not waive the First Minimum
Condition without the consent of a majority of the Independent Directors.
Purchaser has agreed to waive the Second Minimum Condition under certain
circumstances described herein. See "SPECIAL FACTORS -- The Merger Agreement".
The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time to exercise any of the foregoing
rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right; the waiver of any such
right with respect to particular facts and other circumstances shall not be
deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts and circumstances; and each such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any time and from
time to time.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
    13. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS AND REGULATORY APPROVALS.
 
    GENERAL.  Based upon its examination of publicly available information with
respect to the Company and the review of certain information furnished by the
Company to Parent and discussions of representatives of Parent with
representatives of the Company during Parent's investigation of the Company (see
"SPECIAL FACTORS -- Background of the Offer and the Merger"), neither Purchaser
nor Parent is aware of any license or other regulatory permit that appears to be
material to the business of the Company, which might be adversely affected by
the acquisition of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer or, except as set
forth below, of any approval or other action by any domestic (federal or state)
or foreign governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency which
would be required prior to the acquisition of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to
the Offer. Should any such approval or other action be required, it is
Purchaser's present intention to seek such approval or action. Purchaser does
not currently intend, however, to delay the purchase of Shares tendered pursuant
to the Offer pending the outcome of any such action or the receipt of any such
approval (subject to Purchaser's right to decline to purchase Shares if any of
the conditions in Section 12 shall have occurred). There can be no assurance
that any such approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained without
substantial conditions or that adverse consequences might not result to the
business of the Company, Purchaser or Parent or that certain parts of the
businesses of the Company, Purchaser or Parent might not have to be disposed of
or held separate or other substantial conditions complied with in order to
obtain such approval or other action or in the event that such approval was not
obtained or such other action was not taken. Purchaser's obligation under the
Offer to accept for payment and pay for Shares is subject to certain conditions,
including conditions relating to the legal matters discussed in this Section 13.
See "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 12. Certain Conditions of the Offer".
 
    STATE TAKEOVER LAWS.  The Company is incorporated under the laws of the
State of Delaware. In general, Section 203 of Delaware Law prevents an
"interested stockholder" (generally a person who owns or has the right to
acquire 15% or more of a corporation's outstanding voting stock, or an affiliate
or associate thereof) from engaging in a "business combination" (defined to
include mergers and certain other transactions) with a Delaware corporation for
a period of three years following the date such person became an interested
stockholder unless, among other things, prior to such date the board of
directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the
transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested
stockholder. Parent became an interested stockholder in 1992 and thus the
three-year limitation on a business combination between the Company and Parent
is no longer in effect. Accordingly, Section 203 is inapplicable to the Offer
and the Merger.
 
    A number of other states have adopted laws and regulations applicable to
attempts to acquire securities of corporations which are incorporated, or have
substantial assets, stockholders, principal executive offices or principal
places of business, or whose business operations otherwise have substantial
economic effects, in such states. In EDGAR V. MITE CORP., the Supreme Court of
the United States invalidated on constitutional grounds the Illinois Business
Takeover Statute, which, as a matter of state securities law, made takeovers of
corporations meeting certain requirements more difficult. However, in 1987 in
CTS CORP. V. DYNAMICS CORP. OF AMERICA, the Supreme Court held that the State of
Indiana may, as a matter of corporate law and, in particular, with respect to
those aspects of corporate law concerning corporate governance, constitutionally
disqualify a potential acquiror from voting on the affairs of a target
corporation without the prior approval of the remaining stockholders. The state
law before the Supreme Court was by its terms applicable only to corporations
that had a substantial number of stockholders in the state and were incorporated
there.
 
    The Company conducts business in a number of states throughout the United
States, some of which have enacted takeover laws. Purchaser does not know
whether any of these laws will, by their terms, apply to the Offer or the Merger
and has not complied with any such laws. Should any person seek to apply any
state takeover law, Purchaser will take such action as then appears desirable,
which may include challenging the validity or applicability of any such statute
in appropriate court proceedings. In the event it is asserted that one or more
state takeover laws are applicable to the Offer or the Merger, and an
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
appropriate court does not determine that it is inapplicable or invalid as
applied to the Offer, Purchaser might be required to file certain information
with, or receive approvals from, the relevant state authorities. In addition, if
enjoined, Purchaser might be unable to accept for payment any Shares tendered
pursuant to the Offer, or be delayed in continuing or consummating the Offer and
the Merger. In such case, Purchaser may not be obligated to accept for payment
any Shares tendered. See "THE TENDER OFFER --Section 12. Certain Conditions of
the Offer".
 
    ANTITRUST.  Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
and the rules that have been promulgated thereunder by the Federal Trade
Commission (the "FTC"), certain transactions may not be consummated unless
certain information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice and the FTC and certain waiting period requirements have
been satisfied. The acquisition of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer,
however, is not subject to such requirements because Purchaser currently owns in
excess of 50% of the outstanding Shares. See "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 2.
Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares".
 
    The FTC and the Antitrust Division frequently scrutinize the legality under
the antitrust laws of transactions such as the proposed acquisition of Shares by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. At any time before or after the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer by Purchaser, the FTC or the Antitrust Division
could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or
desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer or seeking the divestiture of Shares purchased by
Purchaser or the divestiture of substantial assets of Parent, the Company or
their respective subsidiaries. Private parties and state attorneys general may
also bring legal action under federal or state antitrust laws under certain
circumstances. Based upon an examination of information available to Parent
relating to the businesses in which Parent, the Company and their respective
subsidiaries are engaged, Parent and Purchaser believe that the Offer will not
violate the antitrust laws. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that a
challenge to the Offer on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if such a
challenge is made, what the result would be. See "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section
12. Certain Conditions of the Offer".
 
    LITIGATION.  Shortly after the May 24, 1996 announcement by Parent that it
proposed to acquire those Shares of the Company that it did not already own, six
cases were filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery challenging the fairness of
the proposed transaction to the minority stockholders: WERBOWSKY V. SANDOZ LTD.
ET AL. (filed May 24, 1996), VOSLER V. SYSTEMIX, INC. ET AL. (filed May 24,
1996), CINCOTTA V. SANDOZ LTD. ET AL. (filed May 28, 1996), CRANDON CAPITAL
PARTNERS V. RUVANE ET AL. (filed May 28, 1996), ROSENBERG V. RUVANE ET AL.
(filed May 28, 1996) and TRACY V. BARLOCHER ET AL. (filed May 30, 1996). These
cases, all filed as putative class actions, were subsequently consolidated as IN
RE SYSTEMIX, INC. SHAREHOLDERS LITIGATION. In substance, the complaints alleged
that the acquisition price initially proposed by Parent was not the result of
arms' length negotiations and that, in proposing an allegedly inadequate price,
Parent was not treating the minority stockholders fairly. The plaintiffs also
claimed that the defendants -- Parent, the Company, certain subsidiaries of
Parent and several individuals serving as directors of one or more of those
companies--breached their fiduciary duties to the public stockholders of the
Company by failing to insist on a fair and adequate price. The relief sought by
the plaintiffs includes an injunction against consummation of the transaction;
in the alternative, an order requiring the defendants to evaluate alternatives
to the proposed transaction; rescission of the transaction if consummated; an
accounting; and damages in an unspecified amount.
 
    14. FEES AND EXPENSES.  Except as set forth below, Purchaser will not pay
any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting
tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer.
 
    Morgan Stanley is acting as Dealer Manager in connection with the Offer and
has provided certain financial advisory services in connection with the
acquisition of the Company. In accordance with the letter agreement dated
December 5, 1991 between Sandoz Pharma Ltd. and Morgan Stanley relating to
Purchaser's initial investment in the Company, Morgan Stanley is not receiving
any additional compensation from Purchaser or Parent for its advisory services
or its role as Dealer Manager in connection with the
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
Offer. Parent has agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Morgan Stanley, including the reasonable fees
and expenses of legal counsel, and to indemnify Morgan Stanley against certain
liabilities and expenses in connection with its engagement, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
 
    Purchaser and Parent have retained Georgeson & Company Inc., as the
Information Agent, and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as the
Depositary, in connection with the Offer. The Information Agent may contact
holders of Shares by mail, telephone, telecopy, telegraph and personal interview
and may request banks, brokers, dealers and other nominee stockholders to
forward materials relating to the Offer to beneficial owners.
 
    As compensation for acting as Information Agent in connection with the
Offer, Georgeson & Company Inc. will be paid a fee of $12,500 and will also be
reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses and may be indemnified against
certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the Offer, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws. Purchaser will pay the Depositary
reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the
Offer, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, and will indemnify the
Depositary against certain liabilities and expenses in connection therewith,
including certain liabilities under federal securities laws. Brokers, dealers,
commercial banks and trust companies will be reimbursed by Purchaser for
customary handling and mailing expenses incurred by them in forwarding material
to their customers.
 
    15. MISCELLANEOUS.  Purchaser is not aware of any jurisdiction in which the
making of the Offer is prohibited by any administrative or judicial action
pursuant to any valid state statute. If Purchaser becomes aware of any valid
state statute prohibiting the making of the Offer or the acceptance of Shares
pursuant thereto, Purchaser will make a good faith effort to comply with any
such state statute. If, after such good faith effort, Purchaser cannot comply
with any such state statute, the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be
accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of Shares in such state. In any
jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to
be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer shall be deemed to be made on
behalf of Purchaser by the Dealer Manager or by one or more registered brokers
or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF PURCHASER, PARENT OR THE COMPANY NOT CONTAINED IN
THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED.
 
    Pursuant to Rule 14d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, Parent and Purchaser have filed with the Commission the Schedule
14D-1 together with exhibits, furnishing additional information with respect to
the Offer. Pursuant to Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, the
Company has filed with the Commission the Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the
Offer, and may file amendments thereto. Parent, Purchaser and the Company have
filed a statement on Schedule 13E-3 with respect to the Offer and may file
amendments to the Schedule 13E-3. Such statements, including exhibits and any
amendments thereto, which furnish certain additional information with respect to
the Offer, may be inspected at, and copies may be obtained from, the same places
and in the same manner as set forth in "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 7. Certain
Information Concerning the Company" (except that they will not be available at
the regional offices of the Commission).
 
                                                  NOVARTIS BIOTECH HOLDING CORP.
 
January 17, 1997
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE I
                      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
                              PARENT AND PURCHASER
 
    1.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PARENT.  The following table sets
forth the name, current business address, citizenship and present principal
occupation or employment, and material occupations, positions, offices or
employments and business addresses thereof for the past five years of each
director and executive officer of Parent. Unless otherwise indicated, the
current business address of each person is Novartis Inc., Schwarzwaldallee 215,
CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland. Unless otherwise indicated, each such person is a
citizen of Switzerland.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT;
           NAME, CITIZENSHIP                             MATERIAL POSITIONS HELD DURING THE PAST
     AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS                       FIVE YEARS AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES THEREOF
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
 
Dr. Alex Krauer                          Chairman of the Board of Directors, Member of the Committee of the
                                         Board, Novartis Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Member of the
                                         Committee of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer, Ciba-Geigy Limited,
                                         Klybeckstrasse 141, CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland, from 1987 until
                                         December 1996; Director, Baloise Holding, Aeschengraben 21, CH-4051,
                                         Basle, Switzerland, since 1980; Director, Swiss Bank Corporation,
                                         Aeschenplatz 6, CH-4052 Basle, Switzerland, since 1988; Director, Chiron
                                         Corporation, 4560 Horton Street, Emeryville, California 94608, USA,
                                         since 1995.
 
Dr. Daniel Vasella                       President, Member of the Committee of the Board, Chairman of the
  Novartis Inc.                          Executive Committee, Novartis Inc.; Head of Pharmaceuticals Division,
  Lichtstrasse 35                        Sandoz Ltd., from May 1995 until December 1996; held various positions
  CH-4002 Basle                          within the Sandoz Group during previous five years, Lichtstrasse 35,
  Switzerland                            CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland.
 
Hans-Jorg Rudloff*                       Vice-Chairman, Member of the Committee of the Board, Novartis Inc.;
  Commercial Union Tower                 Vice-Chairman, Director, Sandoz Ltd., from 1994 through December 1996;
  One Undershaft                         Chairman, MC Securities Ltd., London, England, since 1994; Chairman,
  London EC3A 8LH                        MC-BBL Eastern European (Holdings) SA, Luxembourg, since 1994; Director
  England                                or Chairman, other MC Group companies; Chairman and Chief Executive
                                         Officer, Credit Suisse First Boston, London, England, from 1989 to 1993;
  c/o MC Securities Geneve SA            Member of Executive Board, Credit Suisse Holding, Zurich, Switzerland,
  84, Rue du Rhone                       from 1993 to 1994; Director or Member of the Executive Board, other
  CH-1200 Geneva                         Credit Suisse Companies; Vice Chairman, Clariden Bank, Zurich,
  Switzerland                            Switzerland, 1987 through 1995; Director, Pargesa Holding SA, Geneva,
                                         Switzerland, since 1994; Chairman, Cofinec SA, Paris, France, from 1995
                                         through 1996; Director, Orior, Switzerland, since 1994; Director, HEA
                                         Parametre Finance SA, Geneva, Switzerland, since 1996; Chairman of the
                                         Supervisory Board, Patria Finance, Czech Republic, since 1995; Director,
                                         Bank am Bellevue, Zurich, Switzerland, from 1994 through 1995; Director,
                                         TBG Holdings NV, Monaco, since 1995.
</TABLE>
 
                                      I-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT;
           NAME, CITIZENSHIP                             MATERIAL POSITIONS HELD DURING THE PAST
     AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS                       FIVE YEARS AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES THEREOF
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
Prof. Dr. Helmut Sihler**                Vice Chairman, Member of the Committee of the Board, Novartis Inc.;
  c/o Henkel KGaA                        Retired President and CEO, Henkel KGaA, Germany, from June 1980 through
  Henkelstrasse                          June 1992; Member of the Shareholders' Committee, Henkel KGaA, Germany,
  D-40191 Dusseldorf                     since June 1992; Vice-Chairman, Ciba-Geigy Limited, from May 1993 until
  Germany                                December 1996; Director, Ciba-Geigy Limited, May 1983 through December
                                         1996; Member of the Supervisory Board, Adam Opel AG, Russelsheim, Ger-
                                         many, June 1985 through April 1993; Member of the Supervisory Board,
                                         Allianz Lebensversicherungs AG, Stuttgart, Germany, from June 1988
                                         through June 1993; Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Degussa AG,
                                         Frankfurt, Germany, since April 1991; Chairman of the Supervisory Board,
                                         Deutsch Post AG, Frankfurt, Germany, from February 1995 through July
                                         1996; Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Deutsch Telekom AG, Bonn,
                                         Germany, since July 1996; Member of the Shareholder's Committee,
                                         Freudenberg & Co., Weinheim, Germany, from June 1991 through June 1995;
                                         Director, Guinness Plc, London, England, since May 1992; Chairman of the
                                         Supervisory Board, Infratest-Burke AG, Munchen, Germany, from October
                                         1992 through April 1996; Director, IBM, Armonk, N.Y., USA, from July
                                         1989 through July 1993; Member of the Supervisory Board, Leipziger Messe
                                         GmbH, Leipzig, Germany, since March 1992; Chairman of the Supervisory
                                         Board, Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Germany, since March
                                         1993.
 
Prof. Dr. Duillo Arigoni                 Director, Novartis Inc.; Director, Sandoz Ltd. more than five years
  Organic Chemistry Laboratory           until December 1996; Chemistry Professor Emeritus, ETH-Zurich for more
  Federal Institute of Technology        than five years; Member of the Board of Governors, Weizman Institute,
  (ETH-Z)                                Rehovot, Israel.
  Universitatstrasse 16
  CH-8092 Zurich
  Switzerland
 
Birgit Breuel*                           Director, Novartis Inc.; Director, Ciba-Geigy Limited, from October 1994
  Wallstrasse 15/15A                     through December 1996; Minister of Finance, Government of Niedersachsen,
  D-10179 Berlin                         from 1986 through 1990; President, Treuhandanstalt, Berlin, from 1990
  Germany                                until December 1994; Commissioner General, World Exposition EXPO 2000,
                                         Government of Germany, since 1995.
 
Prof. Dr. Peter Burckhardt               Director, Novartis Inc.; Chief and Professor of Medicine, University
  Centre Hospitalier Universitiare       Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland, since 1972.
    CHUV
  CH-1011 Lausanne
  Switzerland
</TABLE>
 
                                      I-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT;
           NAME, CITIZENSHIP                             MATERIAL POSITIONS HELD DURING THE PAST
     AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS                       FIVE YEARS AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES THEREOF
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
Dr. Kaspar V. Cassani                    Director, Novartis Inc.; Retired Vice Chairman, IBM Corporation, since
  Haldenstrasse 53                       1994; Director, Ciba-Geigy Limited, from 1987 through December 1996;
  CH-8142 Uitikon                        Director, Zurich Insurance Company, Zurich, Switzerland, since 1987;
  Switzerland                            Director, Zurich Life (Vita), Zurich, Switzerland, since 1987; Director,
                                         CS Holding, Zurich, Switzerland, from 1988 through May 1996; Director,
                                         SKA Credit Suisse, Zurich, Switzerland, 1988 through May 1996; Director,
                                         Royal Dutch Petroleum Ltd., The Hague, Netherlands, since 1989;
                                         Director, IBM Germany GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, since 1976.
 
Dr. Hans-Ulrich Doerig                   Director, Novartis Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, Credit Suisse First
  c/o Credit Suisse First Boston         Boston; Member of the Executive Board, Credit Suisse Group Zurich,
  Uetlibergstrasse 231                   Switzerland; Member of various Boards of Directors of Credit Suisse
  CH-8070 Zurich                         Group affiliates; Director, Clariant AG, Muttenz, Switzerland, July 1995
  Switzerland                            through June 1996; Director, Coca-Cola AG, Zurich, Switzerland, since
                                         June 1983; Director, Coca-Cola Trading AG, Zurich, Switzerland, since
                                         February 1988; Director, Elektrizitats-Gesellschaft Laufenburg AG,
                                         Laufenburg, Switzerland, since January 1993; Director, Elektrowatt Ltd.,
                                         Zurich, Switzerland, since October 1987; Director, Alusuisse-Lonza
                                         Holding Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland, since April 1988; Director, EXOR
                                         Group S.A., Luxembourg, since June 1984; Director, Hesta AG, Zug,
                                         Switzerland, since November 1993; Director, Hesta Tex AG, Zug,
                                         Switzerland, since June 1995; Director, HIAG Holding AG, Baar,
                                         Switzerland, since April 1991; Director, Konsum Verein Zurich, Zurich,
                                         Switzerland, since June 1994; Director Kraftubertragungswerke
                                         Rheinfelden AG, Rheinfelden, Germany, since January 1991; Director,
                                         Kraftwerk Laufenburg, Laufenburg, Switzerland, since June 1990;
                                         Director, Orell Fussli Werbe AG, Zurich, Switzerland, April 1990 through
                                         April 1993; Director, Rank Xerox AG, Zurich, Switzerland, since May
                                         1983; Director Societe Luxembourgeoise de Centrales Nucleaires, S. A.,
                                         Luxembourg, since May 1983; Director, Swiss American Corporation, New
                                         York, New York, USA, since April 1982; Director, Swiss American
                                         Securities, Inc., New York, New York, USA, since March 1983.
 
Walter G. Frehner                        Director, Novartis Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Swiss Bank
  Inzlingerstrasse 276                   Corporation, Basle, Switzerland, from April 1993 through May 1996;
  CH-4125 Riehen                         President of the Executive Board, Swiss Bank Corporation, Basle,
  Switzerland                            Switzerland, January 1987 through April 1993; Director Ciba-Geigy
                                         Limited, from 1994 through December 1996; Director, Baloise Holding,
                                         since June 1989; Director, SMH Swiss Corporation for Microelectronics
                                         and Watchmaking Industries Ltd., Biel, Switzerland, since November 1978;
                                         Director, Nestle AG, Vevey, Switzerland, May 1993 through June 1995;
                                         Director, Schindler Holding AG, Hergiswil, Switzerland, since August
                                         1984.
</TABLE>
 
                                      I-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT;
           NAME, CITIZENSHIP                             MATERIAL POSITIONS HELD DURING THE PAST
     AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS                       FIVE YEARS AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES THEREOF
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
Robert L. Genillard                      Director, Novartis Inc.; Director, Sandoz Ltd., more than five years
  1, Quai de Mont Blanc                  until December 1996; Director, Credit Suisse, Zurich, Switzerland;
  CH-1211 Geneva                         Director, CS Holding, Zurich, Switzerland; Vice Chairman of the
  Switzerland                            Supervisory Board, TBG Holdings NV, Monaco; Director, Clariden Bank,
                                         Zurich, Switzerland; Director Leu Holding AG, Switzerland, from 1990
                                         until 1995; Director, CS First Boston Group, Inc., New York, New York,
                                         USA, since 1991.
 
Alexandre F. Jetzer                      Director, Novartis Inc.; Member of the Executive Committee, Head of
  Novartis International Inc.            International Coordination, Human Resources, Legal, Tax, Novartis Inc.,
  Lichtstrasse 35                        since December 1996; President of the Executive Board, Sandoz Ltd.,
  CH-4002 Basle                          Lichtstrasse 35, CH-4002 Basle, Switzerland from January 1996 through
  Switzerland                            December 1996; Vice Chairman and CEO, Sandoz Corporation, 608 Fifth
                                         Avenue, New York, New York 10020, USA, from July 1995 through December
                                         1995; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
                                         Corporation, 59 Route 10, East Hanover, New Jersey, USA, from July 1995
                                         through December 1995; Member of the Group Executive Board, Sandoz Ltd.,
                                         Basle, Switzerland, for more than five years until June 1995; Director,
                                         Winterthur Insurance Ltd., Winterthur, Switzerland; Director, Clariden
                                         Bank, Zurich, Switzerland, until June 1995; Director, Leu Holding AG,
                                         Zug, Switzerland, from 1990 until 1995.
 
Pierre Landolt                           Director, Novartis Inc.; Director, Sandoz Ltd., Switzerland, more than
  Fazenda Tamandua                       five years until December 1996; Executive Director, Moco Agropecuaria
  Santa Terezinha-Paraiba                LTDA, Santa Terezinha-Paraiba, Brazil; Director, Misu Irrigacio
  PB 58772                               Industria e Comercio LTDA; Director; Fair Corretora de Cambio e Valores
  Brazil                                 LTD, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Chairman, Emasan SA Basle, Switzerland;
                                         Director, Banque Scandinave en Suisse, Geneva, Switzerland, since 1994.
 
Heini Lippuner                           Director, Novartis Inc.; retired President and Chief Operating Officer,
  Wartenbergstrasse 33                   Ciba-Geigy Limited, Klybeckstrasse 141, CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland,
  CH-4104 Oberwil                        Member of the Executive Committee, Ciba-Geigy Limited more than five
  Switzerland                            years through April, 1996; Director, Credit Suisse Group; Director,
                                         Credit Suisse First Boston; Director, Winterthur Insurance Company;
                                         Director, Buhler Ltd.
 
Prof. Dr. William J. Rutter***           Director, Novartis Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chiron
  c/o Chiron Corporation                 Corporation, since 1981; Director, Ciba-Geigy Limited, from April 1995
  4560 Horton Street                     through December 1996; Director, Carnegie Institute of Washington, since
  Emeryville, CA 94608-2916              1995; Member, Board of Overseers, Harvard University, since 1992.
  USA
 
Dr. Jean Wander                          Director, Novartis Inc.; Director, Sandoz Ltd., Basle, Switzerland, more
  Bollwerk 21                            than five years through December 1996; Tax and Legal Advisor; Director,
  CH-3000 Berne                          Berner Tagblatt Medien AG, Berne, Switzerland.
  Switzerland
</TABLE>
 
                                      I-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT;
           NAME, CITIZENSHIP                             MATERIAL POSITIONS HELD DURING THE PAST
     AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS                       FIVE YEARS AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES THEREOF
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
Dr. Raymund Breu                         Chief Financial Officer, Member of the Executive Committee, Novartis
  Novartis International Inc.            Inc.; Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee,
  Lichtstrasse 35                        Sandoz Ltd., from 1993 through December 1996; Group Treasurer, Sandoz
  CH-4002 Basle                          Ltd., Lichtstrasse 35, CH-4002 Basle, Switzerland, from 1990 through
  Switzerland                            1993.
 
Dr. Hans Kindler                         Head of Swiss Services, Member of the Executive Committee, Novartis
                                         Inc.; Member of the Executive Committee, responsible for Personnel,
                                         Production and Technology, and Safety and Environmental Protection,
                                         Ciba-Geigy Limited, Klybeckstrasse 141, CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland,
                                         from 1990 through December 1996; Director, Lanz AG, Oensingen,
                                         Switzerland.
 
Pierre Douaze****                        Head of Healthcare Division, Member of the Executive Committee, Novartis
  Novartis Pharma Inc.                   Inc.; Member of the Executive Committee, responsible for the Pharma,
  Lichtstrasse 35                        Self-Medication and Diagnostics Divisions, and worldwide head of Pharma
  CH-4002 Basle                          Division, Ciba-Geigy Limited, Klybeckstrasse 141, CH-4002, Basle,
  Switzerland                            Switzerland from 1991 through December 1996.
 
Dr. Wolfgang Samo                        Head of Agribusiness Division, Member of the Executive Committee,
  Novartis International Inc.            Novartis Inc.; Member of the Executive Committee, responsible for Plant
                                         Protection, Animal Health and Seeds Divisions and worldwide Head of the
                                         Plant Protection Division of Ciba-Geigy Limited, Klybeckstrasse 141,
                                         CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland from July 1991 through December 1996.
 
David Pyott*****                         Head of Nutrition Division, Member of the Executive Committee, Novartis
  Novartis International Inc.            Inc.; Head of Nutrition Division, Sandoz Ltd., Lichtstrasse 35, CH-4002,
                                         Basle, Switzerland, from May 1995 through December 1996; held various
                                         positions within the Sandoz Group during previous five years.
 
Dr. Hermann Vodicka**                    Head of Specialty Chemicals, Member of the Executive Committee, Novartis
  Ciba Specialty Chemicals AG            Inc.; Member of the Executive Committee, responsible for the Polymers,
  Klybeckstrasse 141                     Composites, Mettler-Toledo, and Ciba Vision Divisions, and worldwide
  CH-4002 Basle                          Head of the Polymers Division of Ciba- Geigy Limited, Klybeckstrasse
  Switzerland                            141, CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland, from 1993 through March 1996;
                                         continuing Member of the Executive Committee, March through December
                                         1996; President of Mettler-Toledo, Greifensee, Switzerland, from
                                         November 1988 through November 1993; Director, HEXCEL Corp., 281 Tresser
                                         Blvd., Stamford, Connecticut, USA.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*    German Citizen
 
**   Austrian Citizen
 
***  U.S.A. Citizen
 
**** French Citizen
 
*****United Kingdom Citizen
 
                                      I-5
<PAGE>
    2.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PURCHASER.  The following table sets
forth the name, current business address, citizenship and present principal
occupation or employment, and material occupations, positions, offices or
employments and business addresses thereof for the past five years of each
director and executive officer of Purchaser. Unless otherwise indicated, the
current business address of each person is 608 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10020. Unless otherwise indicated, each such person is a citizen of the United
States of America, and each occupation set forth opposite an individual's name
refers to employment with Purchaser.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT;
           NAME, CITIZENSHIP                             MATERIAL POSITIONS HELD DURING THE PAST
     AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS                       FIVE YEARS AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES THEREOF
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
 
Edgar John Fullager*                     Director, President since 1996; Vice Chairman and Chief Executive
  Novartis Pharmaceuticals               Officer of Sandoz Corporation, New York, New York since January 1996;
    Corporation                          Chairman, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation since January 1, 1997;
  59 Route 10                            Chairman, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey
  East Hanover, New Jersey 07936         January 1996 through December 1996; Member of the Executive Committee of
                                         Sandoz Pharma Ltd., Basle, Switzerland from 1994 through 1995; Chief
                                         Executive Officer of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom and
                                         Ireland, Vice President of the Association of British Pharmaceuticals
                                         Industries, from 1980 through 1993.
 
Robert L. Thompson, Jr.                  Director, Vice President, and Secretary since 1991; Executive Vice
  Novartis Corporation                   President, General Counsel and Secretary, Novartis Corporation, New
                                         York, New York since January 1, 1997; Vice President, General Counsel
                                         and Secretary, Sandoz Corporation, New York, New York 1989 through
                                         December 1996.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   British Citizen
 
                                      I-6
<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                                                                January 10, 1997
 
Board of Directors
SyStemix, Inc.
3155 Porter Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94304
 
Members of the Board of Directors:
 
    We understand that Novartis, Inc. ("Novartis"), Novartis Biotech Holdings
Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis ("Purchaser"), and
SyStemix ("SyStemix" or the "Company") intend to enter into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Purchaser will commence a
tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company's common
stock at $19.50 per share (the "Offer"). Pursuant to the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Agreement, after consummation of the Offer, Purchaser will
merge with and into the Company (the "Merger"). (The Merger, together with the
Offer, are hereinafter referred to as the "Proposed Transaction".) In the
Merger, all shares of the Company's common stock (other than (i) shares held in
the Company's treasury, (ii) shares held by Novartis or any of its subsidiaries,
and (iii) shares as to which dissenters' rights have been perfected) will be
exchanged for cash equal to the amount per share paid in the Offer. The other
terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction are set forth in more detail in
the Agreement.
 
    We have been requested by Harold Edgar, Joseph Ruvane and Edgar Schollmaier,
in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Independent Directors"), to render our opinion with respect to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of the Company, other than
Novartis, of the consideration to be offered to such stockholders in the
Proposed Transaction. We have not been requested to opine as to, and our opinion
does not in any manner address, the Company's underlying business decision to
proceed with or effect the Proposed Transaction.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed and analyzed: (1) the Agreement and
the specific terms of the Proposed Transaction, (2) the annual report of the
Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 filed on form 10-K, the
quarterly financial report of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended September
30, 1996 filed on Form 10-Q and such other publicly available information
concerning the Company that we believe to be relevant to our analysis, (3) other
financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and
prospects of the Company furnished to us by the Company (including financial
projections for years 1996 to 2005 under various operating assumptions), (4) a
trading history of the Company's common stock from August 7, 1991 to the present
and a comparison of that trading history with those of other companies that we
deemed relevant, (5) a comparison of the historical financial results and
present financial condition of the Company with those of other companies that we
deemed relevant, (6) an analysis of the cash required to fund the Company's near
term capital and operating requirements, the cash currently available to the
Company and the alternatives available to the Company to obtain additional
financing, and (7) a comparison of the financial terms of the Proposed
Transaction with the financial terms of certain other recent transactions that
we deemed relevant. In addition, we have held discussions with the management of
the Company concerning its business, operations, assets, financial condition and
prospects and have undertaken such other studies, analyses and investigations as
we deemed appropriate.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of the financial and other information used by us without assuming
any responsibility for independent verification of such information and further
have relied upon the assurances of management of the Company that they are not
aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate
or misleading. With respect to the financial projections of the Company, upon
the advice of the Company, we have
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
assumed that such projections have been reasonably prepared on a basis
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of the Company as to the future financial performance of the Company.
However, for purposes of our analysis, we also have considered certain more
conservative assumptions and estimates which resulted in significant adjustments
to the projections of the Company. We have discussed these adjusted projections
with the Company's management and they have agreed that, because the Company's
projections have been prepared based on assumptions which include the success of
each of its products in human clinical trials and in the marketplace, it is
appropriate for us to adjust such projections to reflect the uncertainties
inherent in the business and prospects of the Company and in the Company's
ability to secure adequate financing in the future to fund its capital and
operating requirements. Without agreeing with each particular adjustment we have
made, the Company's management believes that the overall extent of our
adjustments to the Company's projections is reasonable and that our use of such
adjusted projections in our analysis is appropriate. In arriving at our opinion,
we have conducted only a limited physical inspection of the properties and
facilities of the Company and have not made or obtained any evaluations or
appraisals of the assets or liabilities of the Company. In addition, you have
not authorized us to solicit, and we have not solicited, any indications of
interest from any third party with respect to the purchase of all or a part of
the Company's business. Our opinion necessarily is based upon market, economic
and other conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date of
this letter.
 
    Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion as of the
date hereof that, from a financial point of view, the consideration to be
offered to the stockholders of the Company other than Novartis in the Proposed
Transaction is fair to such stockholders.
 
    We have acted as financial advisor to the Independent Directors in
connection with the Proposed Transaction and will receive a fee from the Company
for our services, which is contingent in part upon the consummation of the
Proposed Transaction. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify us for
certain liabilities that may arise out of the rendering of this opinion. In the
ordinary course of our business, we may trade in the equity securities of the
Company for our own account and for the accounts of our customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
 
    This opinion is for the use and benefit of the Independent Directors and is
rendered to the Independent Directors in connection with their consideration of
the Proposed Transaction. This opinion also is for the use and benefit of Irving
L. Weissman, M.D. and John J. Schwartz, Ph.D., in their capacity as members of
the Board of Directors of the Company, and is rendered to them in connection
with their consideration of the Proposed Transaction. This opinion is not
intended to be and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of
the Company as to whether to accept the consideration to be offered to such
stockholder in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>        <C>
                                             Very truly yours,
 
                                             LEHMAN BROTHERS
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
                                                                    SCHEDULE III
 
                  SUMMARY OF STOCKHOLDER APPRAISAL RIGHTS AND
                 TEXT OF SECTION 262 OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION
                          LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
 
    SUMMARY OF STOCKHOLDER APPRAISAL RIGHTS.  No appraisal rights are available
in connection with the Offer. However, if the Merger is consummated,
stockholders will have certain rights under Delaware Law to dissent and demand
appraisal of, and to receive payment in cash of the fair value of, their Shares.
Such rights to dissent, if the statutory procedures are complied with, could
lead to a judicial determination of the fair value of the Shares, as of the day
prior to the date on which the stockholders' vote was taken approving the Merger
or similar business combination (excluding any element of value arising from the
accomplishment or expectation of the Merger), required to be paid in cash to
such dissenting holders for their Shares. In addition, such dissenting
stockholders would be entitled to receive payment of a fair rate of interest
from the date of consummation of the Merger on the amount determined to be the
fair value of their Shares. In determining the fair value of the Shares, the
court is required to take into account all relevant factors. Accordingly, such
determination could be based upon considerations other than, or in addition to,
the market value of the Shares, including, among other things, asset values and
earning capacity. In WEINBERGER V. UOP, INC., the Delaware Supreme Court stated,
among other things, that "proof of value by any techniques or methods which are
generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise
admissible in court" should be considered in an appraisal proceeding. Therefore,
the value so determined in any appraisal proceeding could be the same, more or
less than the purchase price per Share in the Offer or the Merger Consideration.
 
    In addition, several decisions by Delaware courts have held that, in certain
circumstances, a controlling stockholder of a company involved in a merger has a
fiduciary duty to other stockholders which requires that the merger be fair to
such other stockholders. In determining whether a merger is fair to minority
stockholders, Delaware courts have considered, among other things, the type and
amount of consideration to be received by the stockholders and whether there was
fair dealing among the parties. The Delaware Supreme Court stated in WEINBERGER
and RABKIN V. PHILIP A. HUNT CHEMICAL CORP. that the remedy ordinarily available
to minority stockholders in a cash-out merger is the right to appraisal
described above. However, a damages remedy or injunctive relief may be available
if a merger is found to be the product of procedural unfairness, including
fraud, misrepresentation or other misconduct.
 
                            GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
                            OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
 
262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
 
    (a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock
on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section
with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with
subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger
or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to Section228 of this
title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair
value of his shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections
(b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word "stockholder"
means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a member of
record of a nonstock corporation; the words "stock" and "share" mean and include
what is ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or membership
interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the words "depository
receipt" mean a receipt or other
 
                                     III-1
<PAGE>
instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in one or more
shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is
deposited with the depository.
 
    (b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be
effected pursuant to Section251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to
subsection (g) of Section 251), 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 or 264 of this title:
 
        (1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall
    be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or
    depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to
    determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
    meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
    consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or
    designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
    system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held
    of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal
    rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent
    corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its
    approval the vote of the holders of the surviving corporation as provided in
    subsection (f) of Section251 of this title.
 
        (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights
    under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series
    of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by
    the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to
    SectionSection251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept
    for such stock anything except:
 
           a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from
       such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;
 
           b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts
       in respect thereof, which shares of stock or depository receipts at the
       effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a
       national securities exchange or designated as a national market system
       security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association
       of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;
 
           c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository
       receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this
       paragraph; or
 
           d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and
       cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts
       described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this paragraph.
 
        (3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation
    party to a merger effected under Section253 of this title is not owned by
    the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights
    shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
 
    (c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision,
the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and
(e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
 
    (d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
 
        (1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are
    provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of
    stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
    shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for
    such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available
    pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are
    available for any or all of the shares of the constituent
 
                                     III-2
<PAGE>
    corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each
    stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of his shares shall deliver to
    the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or
    consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of his shares. Such demand
    will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity
    of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
    appraisal of his shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation
    shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such
    action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10
    days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving
    or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent
    corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor
    of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger
    or consolidation has become effective; or
 
        (2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to Section228
    or Section253 of this title, each constituent corporation, either before the
    effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days thereafter,
    shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such
    constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval
    of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for
    any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent
    corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section;
    provided that, if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the
    merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given by the surviving or
    resulting corporation to all such holders of any class or series of stock of
    a constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights. Such notice
    may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or
    consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of
    the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights
    may, within twenty days after the date of mailing of such notice, demand in
    writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of such
    holder's shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the
    corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder
    intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder's shares. If such
    notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger or
    consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a
    second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation
    notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such
    constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the
    effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or
    resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on
    or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such
    second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first
    notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is
    entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's
    shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or
    assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is
    required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the
    absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For
    purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice,
    each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall
    be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given; provided
    that, if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or
    consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record
    date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the
    record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day
    on which the notice is given.
 
    (e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with
subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal
rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination
of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw his demand for
appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation.
Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any
stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d)
hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the
 
                                     III-3
<PAGE>
corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement
setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or
consolidation and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received
and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall
be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after his written request for such a
statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10
days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under
subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
 
    (f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy
thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall
within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery
in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and
addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and
with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by
the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the
surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a
duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall
give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by
registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to
the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice
shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of
the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of
Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms
of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and
the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
 
    (g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to
appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an
appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to
submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation
thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder
fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to
such stockholder.
 
    (h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court
shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element
of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or
consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon
the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the
Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate
of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of
interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would have had to pay to
borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding. Upon application by the
surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate
in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery
or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior
to the final determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any
stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting
corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted his
certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may
participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that he is
not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.
 
    (i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares,
together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the
stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court
may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of
holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares
represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the
certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as
other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving
or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.
 
    (j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed
upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon
application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the
expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding,
 
                                     III-4
<PAGE>
including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the fees and
expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares
entitled to an appraisal.
 
    (k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no
stockholder who has demanded his appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d)
of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to
receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date
which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided,
however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time
provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver
to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of his demand for
an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60
days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in
subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the
corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery
shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and
such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.
 
    (l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares
of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to
the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued
shares of the surviving or resulting corporation. (Last amended by Ch. 349, L.
'96, eff. 7-l-96.)
 
                                     III-5
<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE IV
 
                AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (AND RELATED NOTES)
                      FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED
                    DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
              REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG L.L.P. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
SyStemix, Inc.
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SyStemix,
Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of SyStemix, Inc.
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the consolidated results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                               Ernst & Young LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
February 22, 1996
 
                                      IV-1
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                          ------------------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>          <C>
                                                                                             1995         1994
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                               ASSETS
<S>                                                                                       <C>          <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents.............................................................  $     1,679  $     1,474
  Short-term investments................................................................       65,836        6,916
  Accounts receivable...................................................................          256          243
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.............................................        1,336        1,145
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS................................................................       69,107        9,778
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
  Furniture and equipment under capital leases..........................................       10,772       10,772
  Furniture and equipment...............................................................       17,482       12,054
  Leasehold improvements................................................................       42,389       38,895
  Construction in process...............................................................          905        1,367
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
                                                                                               71,548       63,088
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization........................................      (20,995)     (11,090)
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
    NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT..........................................................       50,553       51,998
Long-term investments...................................................................           --       18,155
Investment in gene therapy joint venture................................................           --        1,753
Deposits and other assets...............................................................          542          613
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
                                                                                          $   120,202  $    82,297
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
<CAPTION>
                                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                                                                       <C>          <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..............................................  $     3,873  $     3,332
  Accrued compensation..................................................................        2,808        2,332
  Current portion of capital lease obligation...........................................        1,831        1,681
  Deferred revenue from related party...................................................        3,097          890
  Current portion of accrued rent.......................................................           69           --
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES...........................................................       11,678        8,235
Noncurrent portion of capital lease obligation..........................................        5,518        7,348
Accrued rent, less current portion......................................................        4,536        3,013
Commitments
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued............           --           --
  Common stock, $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 14,463,094 and 9,788,283
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively...........          157          110
  Additional paid in capital............................................................      246,536      164,430
  Deferred compensation.................................................................         (404)        (408)
  Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments......................................          390         (309)
  Accumulated deficit...................................................................     (148,209)    (100,122)
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY..........................................................       98,470       63,701
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
                                                                                          $   120,202  $    82,297
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      IV-2
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                                   1995        1994        1993
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
REVENUES
  Collaborative research from related party...................................  $    2,168  $    3,211  $    5,883
  Collaborative research......................................................         152          --          --
  Research grants.............................................................         992         234         328
  Contract testing............................................................         165         669         213
  Other.......................................................................         139          --          --
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues............................................................       3,616       4,114       6,424
EXPENSES
  Research and Development:
    Collaborative research....................................................       3,422       4,142       6,106
    Research grants...........................................................         992         234         328
    Contract testing..........................................................         150         422         209
    Gene therapy joint venture................................................       2,940       3,997       2,207
    Company-sponsored.........................................................      39,229      31,740      14,119
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total research and development..........................................      46,733      40,535      22,969
  General and administrative..................................................       8,110       8,819       8,173
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
    TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES..................................................      54,843      49,354      31,142
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS..........................................................     (51,227)    (45,240)    (24,718)
Other income (expense)........................................................       3,140         852       6,265
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
NET LOSS......................................................................  ($  48,087) ($  44,388) ($  18,453)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
NET LOSS PER SHARE............................................................  ($    3.43) ($    4.54) ($    1.89)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING...........................................      14,028       9,773       9,738
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      IV-3
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           UNREALIZED
                                                                                           GAIN (LOSS)                  TOTAL
                                              COMMON STOCK         ADDITIONAL  DEFERRED        ON          ACCUM-       STOCK-
                                        -------------------------   PAID-IN     COMPEN-    SHORT-TERM      ULATED      HOLDERS'
                                           SHARES       AMOUNT      CAPITAL     SATION     INVESTMENTS     DEFICIT      EQUITY
                                        ------------  -----------  ----------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>          <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1992..........     9,710,275   $     109   $  163,793  $    (397)   $      --    $   (37,281) $  126,224
Issuance of common stock for cash
  pursuant to option exercises........        41,525           1           19                                                 20
Deferred compensation related to
  issuance of certain stock options...                                    475       (475)                                     --
Amortization of deferred
  compensation........................                                               380                                     380
Net loss..............................                                                                       (18,453)    (18,453)
                                        ------------       -----   ----------  ---------        -----    -----------  ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1993..........     9,751,800         110      164,287       (492)          --        (55,734)    108,171
Issuance of common stock for cash
  pursuant to option exercises........        36,483          --           13                                                 13
Deferred compensation related to
  issuance of certain stock options...                                    130       (130)                                     --
Amortization of deferred
  compensation........................                                               214                                     214
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term
  investments.........................                                                           (309)                      (309)
Net loss..............................                                                                       (44,388)    (44,388)
                                        ------------       -----   ----------  ---------        -----    -----------  ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994..........     9,788,283         110      164,430       (408)        (309)      (100,122)     63,701
Issuance of common stock for cash
  pursuant to option exercises........        58,539          --           31                                                 31
Issuance of common stock to Sandoz,
  net of offering costs of $496.......     4,616,272          47       79,457                                             79,504
Deferred compensation related to
  issuance of certain stock options...                                    328       (328)                                     --
Amortization of deferred
  compensation........................                                               332                                     332
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
  short-term investments..............                                                            699                        699
Contribution of Progenesys joint
  venture equity by Sandoz............                                  2,290                                              2,290
Net loss..............................                                                                       (48,087)    (48,087)
                                        ------------       -----   ----------  ---------        -----    -----------  ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995..........    14,463,094   $     157   $  246,536  $    (404)   $     390    $  (148,209) $   98,470
                                        ------------       -----   ----------  ---------        -----    -----------  ----------
                                        ------------       -----   ----------  ---------        -----    -----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      IV-4
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                                   1995        1994        1993
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net loss....................................................................  ($  48,087) ($  44,388) ($  18,453)
  Adjustments to reconcile net cash used by operating activities: Depreciation
    and amortization..........................................................       9,472       5,541       3,203
    Changes in certain assets/liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.....................................................         (13)        738        (802)
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets...............................         (72)       (309)       (683)
      Deposits and other assets...............................................          71        (120)       (361)
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities................................        (767)     (3,599)      4,742
      Accrued compensation....................................................         476       1,203         888
      Investment in gene therapy joint venture................................         365      (1,753)         --
      Accrued rent............................................................       1,592       1,374       1,605
      Deferred revenue from related party.....................................       2,207         890        (452)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
        Total adjustments.....................................................      13,331       3,965       8,140
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
NET CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES.........................................     (34,756)    (40,423)    (10,313)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Capital expenditures......................................................      (4,259)    (22,152)    (28,878)
    Purchases of available-for-sale investments...............................    (104,043)    (14,007)         --
    Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments.....................      22,299      55,328          --
    Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments................      41,678      14,706          --
    Purchases of investments..................................................          --          --    (165,172)
    Proceeds from sales of investments........................................          --          --     197,220
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES...........................     (44,325)     33,875       3,170
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Payments under capital lease obligations..................................      (1,680)     (1,404)       (521)
    Proceeds under capital lease obligations..................................          --       4,033       5,893
    Net proceeds from issuance of common stock................................      79,535          13          20
    Net proceeds from dissolution of the joint venture........................       1,431          --          --
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES.....................................      79,286       2,642       5,392
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..........................         205      (3,906)     (1,751)
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year................................       1,474       5,380       7,131
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year......................................  $    1,679  $    1,474  $    5,380
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net assets transferred from dissolution of joint venture....................  $    2,248  $       --  $       --
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
  Deferred compensation related to the issuance of stock options..............  $      328  $      130  $      475
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Interest paid during the year...............................................  $      716  $      687  $      170
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      IV-5
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    ORGANIZATION
 
    SyStemix, Inc. (the "Company"), incorporated in the State of Delaware on May
13, 1988, is a biotechnology company focused on creating new cellular and
cell-based gene therapies for major disorders of the blood and immune system
based on the use of the human hematopoietic stem cell.
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated.
 
    DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
 
    The Company depreciates property and equipment using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from three to five
years. Furniture and equipment leased under capital leases are amortized using
the straight-line method over the lease term. Leasehold improvements are
amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their useful lives
or the facility lease term (generally 10 years). Depreciation and amortization
expense for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $9.1 million ($5.3 million in
1994 and $2.8 million in 1993).
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
    NET LOSS PER SHARE
 
    Net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding. Common equivalent shares from stock options are
excluded from the computation as their effect is antidilutive.
 
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash held in commercial banks, time
deposits and other highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90
days or less. Cash equivalents are readily convertible into cash and have
insignificant interest rate risk.
 
    INVESTMENTS
 
    Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at
the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet
date. Debt securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has a
positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity
securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums
and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in
interest income. Marketable debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity
are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried
at
 
                                      IV-6
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
fair value based on quoted market prices, with the unrealized gains and losses
reported in a separate component of stockholders' equity. The amortized cost of
debt securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of
premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included
in interest income. Realized gains or losses and declines in value judged to be
other-than-temporary are included in other income. For the year ended December
31, 1995, the gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale and
held-to-maturity securities were immaterial. The cost of securities sold is
based on the specific identification method. With the exception of securities
issued by the U.S. government, by policy the Company limits the amount of credit
exposure to any one issuer. The Company has not experienced any significant
losses related to these investments.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Collaborative research revenue earned is based on research expenses
incurred. Amounts received in advance of services to be performed are recorded
as deferred revenue until the related expenses are incurred. Milestone payments
are recognized as revenue in the period earned.
 
    The Company has received government grants which support the Company's
research effort in specific research projects. These grants generally provide
for reimbursement of approved costs incurred as defined in the various
agreements.
 
    Contract testing revenue is recognized in the period earned on a cost plus
basis as defined in the relevant agreements.
 
    STOCK COMPENSATION
 
    In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123"). SFAS
123 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. Under SFAS
123 stock-based compensation expense to employees is measured using either the
intrinsic value method as prescribed by Accounting Principle Board Opinion No.
25 or the fair-value method described in SFAS 123. Companies choosing the
intrinsic-value method will be required to disclose the pro-forma impact of the
fair-value method on net income and earnings per share. The Company plans to
implement the standard in 1996 using the instrinsic-value method for stock
awards to employees. There will be no effect of adopting the standard on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
    IMPAIRMENT/DISPOSITION OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
 
    In March 1995, the FASB issued Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of"
(SFAS 121"), which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than
the assets' carrying amount. SFAS 121 also addresses the accounting for
long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of. The Company will adopt
SFAS 121 in the first quarter of 1996. Based on current circumstances the
Company believes there will be no effect of adopting the standard on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
                                      IV-7
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
2. SANDOZ LTD. INVESTMENT
 
    On February 19, 1992, Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation ("Sandoz
Biotech"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd., concluded a
tender offer for 4,011,684 shares of the Company's Common Stock, or 49.13% of
the Company's then outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis) for $70 per
share. In addition, on February 19, 1992 the Company issued 1,982,143 additional
shares of the Company's Common Stock for $56 per share or an aggregate of
approximately $111 million, thereby raising Sandoz Biotech's aggregated
ownership to 60%.
 
    On January 30, 1995 the Company and Sandoz Biotech entered into a stock and
warrant purchase agreement whereby the Company issued to Sandoz Biotech, on
February 2, 1995, an additional 4,616,272 shares of common stock and warrants to
purchase an additional 1,367,600 shares of common stock in exchange for proceeds
of $80.0 million. The warrants have an exercise price of $27.50 per share and
are exercisable during a three year period ending February 2, 1998. Certain
portions of the 1992 acquisition agreement were amended to allow this
transaction. The amended acquisition agreement provides that until December 16,
1998, Sandoz Biotech is prohibited from increasing its share holding above 71.6%
on a fully-diluted basis (73.9% if the warrants are exercised in full), and from
December 17, 1998 to February 18, 2002 above 75%. Sandoz Biotech is, however,
permitted to make a tender offer for 100% of the Company's outstanding shares of
common stock at any time, but only if the offer is approved by a majority of the
Company's independent directors. As of December 31, 1995, Sandoz Biotech held
10,610,099 shares of the Company's common stock.
 
3. JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT WITH SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICAL CORP.
 
    In April 1993, the Company and Sandoz Pharmaceutical Corp., a wholly owned
affiliate of Sandoz Pharma, Ltd. (collectively "Sandoz"), formed an equally
owned joint venture ("Progenesys") to research and develop hematopoietic
cell-based, somatic gene therapies against HIV infection. The Company and Sandoz
licensed their initial technologies within the field to Progenesys. In addition,
the Company and Sandoz were each obligated to provide $5.0 million of funding
annually to Progenesys through March 1996. The Company accounted for its
investment in Progenesys under the equity method. On August 31, 1995, the
Company and Sandoz dissolved Progenesys and entered into an agreement for
research and development of hematopoietic cell-based somatic gene therapy or
prophylaxis of HIV infection (the "HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration"). The terms
and conditions of the HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration agreement are substantially
equivalent to those of the partnership agreement of April 1993 which created
Progenesys. Under the terms of both agreements, the Company and Sandoz are
obligated to fund the project equally. Commencing April 1996, the Company, at
its option may elect to have Sandoz fund a portion or all of the Company's
obligation, to be repaid out of future profits, if any, of the project. The
Company intends to elect this option as of April 1996. As a result the Sandoz
funding will be treated as collaborative research revenues.
 
    After the dissolution of the partnership, the net assets of Progenesys were
transferred to the Company resulting in a $2.29 million increase in paid in
capital associated with the contribution of Sandoz's interest in the joint
venture, and employees of the joint venture became employees of the Company. The
Company's share of Progenesys' operating loss amounted to $2.94 million (prior
to the dissolution of Progenesys) and $4.0 million for the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Summarized
 
                                      IV-8
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
3. JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT WITH SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICAL CORP. (CONTINUED)
information for Progenesys at August 31, 1995 (dissolution date) and December
31, 1994, and for the periods then ended is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1995       1994
                                                                           ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>
Total Assets.............................................................             $   8,525
                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                      ---------
Total Liabilities........................................................             $     932
                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                      ---------
Expenses:
  Research and development...............................................  $   5,532  $   7,497
  General and administrative.............................................        332        497
                                                                           ---------  ---------
Net loss.................................................................  ($  5,864) ($  7,994)
                                                                           ---------  ---------
                                                                           ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
4. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AGREEMENTS WITH SANDOZ
 
    In July 1992, the Company entered into an agreement with Sandoz to work
jointly to identify and isolate a gene that encodes a growth factor that is
responsible for human stem cell self-renewal. Under the terms of the agreement,
the Company granted Sandoz worldwide rights to use the stem cell growth factor
("SCGF") for IN VIVO uses. The Company retained worldwide rights to use the
growth factor EX VIVO and the option to co-promote any resulting product in the
United States for IN VIVO uses. In exchange, Sandoz funded the Company's
research and development efforts on the SCGF project and made payments to the
Company upon the achievement of certain milestones. Pursuant to the terms of the
agreement permitting termination after 18 months, the SCGF collaboration ended
on June 30, 1994. The Company has reacquired rights previously granted for IN
VIVO uses and has continued to fund the SCGF project internally. Revenue earned
under the agreement during 1994 was $1.84 million ($5.66 million in 1993).
 
    In November 1993, the Company entered into a two-year agreement with Sandoz
to work jointly to develop and discover therapeutic agents for HIV infection
(the "Anti-Virals Collaboration"). Sandoz funded 50% of the research project.
The Company and Sandoz jointly decided to terminate the agreement as of March
31, 1995. Revenue earned in conjunction with this collaboration was $252,000 and
$1.37 million for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
5. INVESTMENTS
 
    The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at December 31,
1995 and 1994:
 
                                      IV-9
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
5. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          AVAILABLE-FOR SALE SECURITIES
                                              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                           GROSS                 GROSS               ESTIMATED
                                                   AMORTIZED             UNREALIZED            UNREALIZED               FAIR
                                                      COST                 GAINS                 LOSSES                VALUE
                                              --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------
 
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS)                                  1995       1994       1995       1994       1995       1994       1995       1994
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Asset-backed securities.....................  $     565  $   4,951  $      --  $      --  $      (5) $    (179) $     559  $   4,772
U.S. Corporate securities...................      8,624      2,585         33         --         --       (104)     8,657      2,481
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
  other U.S. government agencies............     34,286         --        203         --         --         --     34,489         --
U.S. Corporate commercial paper.............     12,325         --        158         --         --         --     12,483         --
Mortgage-backed securities..................         --      1,311         --         --         --        (26)        --      1,285
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              $  55,799  $   8,847        394  $      --  $      (5) $    (309) $  56,188  $   8,538
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The following is a summary of held-to-maturity securities at December 31,
1995 and 1994:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
                                                                            GROSS                  GROSS           ESTIMATED
                                                    AMORTIZED             UNREALIZED             UNREALIZED          FAIR
                                                       COST                 GAINS                  LOSSES            VALUE
                                               --------------------  --------------------  ----------------------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS)                                   1995       1994       1995       1994        1995        1994       1995
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------     -----     ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
  other U.S. government agencies.............  $   9,648  $  16,533  $      --  $      --   $      (8)  $    (499) $   9,640
                                                                                                   --
                                                                                                   --
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------               ---------  ---------
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------               ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                            <C>
 
(IN THOUSANDS)                                   1994
                                               ---------
<S>                                            <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
  other U.S. government agencies.............  $  16,034
 
                                               ---------
                                               ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December
31, 1995, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will
differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may
have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                                                                SECURITIES
                                                                         ------------------------
                                                                                       ESTIMATED
                                                                          AMORTIZED      FAIR
                                                                            COST         VALUE
                                                                         -----------  -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)                                                              1995         1995
                                                                         -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
Due in one year or less................................................   $  55,235    $  55,629
Due after one year through three years.................................         564          559
Due after three years..................................................          --           --
                                                                         -----------  -----------
                                                                          $  55,799    $  56,188
                                                                         -----------  -----------
                                                                         -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Held to maturity securities at December 31, 1995, due in one year or less,
were $9.65 million at amortized cost and $9.64 million at estimated fair value.
 
6. LEASE AND RENTAL COMMITMENTS
 
    During 1993 the Company converted its $1.5 million capital lease line with
an original principal value of $883,000 into a new $11 million capital lease
line. The Company refinanced $4.0 million and $5.9 million
 
                                     IV-10
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
6. LEASE AND RENTAL COMMITMENTS (CONTINUED)
of fixed assets under this new capital lease line during 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Under the terms of the capital lease line, the Company is required
to maintain compensating balances in its short-term and long-term investments
equal to 110% of the total principal amounts outstanding under the lease line,
which amounted to $8.2 million at December 31, 1995 and $10.1 million at
December 31, 1994.
 
    Accumulated amortization related to assets under all capital leases at
December 31, 1995 was $6.4 million ($4.3 million in 1994).
 
    The Company leases certain of its facilities under noncancelable operating
leases for an initial term plus renewal options. Total rent expense was
approximately $3.3 million in 1995 ($3.2 million in 1994 and $3.0 million in
1993). The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the
original lease term.
 
    Future minimum lease payments under operating leases (excluding aggregate
sublease rental income of $4.5 million) and capital leases, together with the
present value of the minimum lease payments as of December 31, 1995 are as
follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           CAPITAL
                                                                                             OPERATING      LEASE
                                                                                              LEASES     OBLIGATIONS
                                                                                            -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                         <C>          <C>
Year ending December 31:
      1996................................................................................   $   5,013    $   2,397
      1997................................................................................       4,751        2,397
      1998................................................................................       5,316        2,847
      1999................................................................................       5,671          913
      2000 and thereafter.................................................................      24,183           --
                                                                                            -----------  -----------
Total lease payments......................................................................   $  44,934        8,554
                                                                                            -----------
                                                                                            -----------
Less amount representing interest.........................................................                   (1,205)
                                                                                                         -----------
 
Present value of future lease payments....................................................                    7,349
Less current portion......................................................................                   (1,831)
                                                                                                         -----------
Noncurrent portion of capital lease obligations...........................................                $   5,518
                                                                                                         -----------
                                                                                                         -----------
</TABLE>
 
7. STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
    In March 1989, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the 1988 Stock
Option Plan (the "1988 Plan") whereby incentive and non-statutory options to
acquire common stock of the Company are granted to employees and officers of,
and consultants to, the Company. In June 1991, the Board of Directors of the
Company approved the 1991 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "1991 Plan" or,
together with the 1988 Plan, the "Plans") pursuant to which the committee
administering the Plans may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock
options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and performance
share awards (collectively with grants under the 1988 Plan, "Awards") to
participants. Awards under the 1991 Plan may be made to eligible employees of
the Company, including officers, and nonqualified stock options may be granted
to eligible consultants to the Company and, on a non-discretionary basis, to
certain non-employee directors of the Company. In June 1995, the Board of
 
                                     IV-11
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
7. STOCK OPTION PLANS (CONTINUED)
Directors of the Company and Shareholders authorized an increase of shares of
Common Stock for issuance under the Plans from 2,350,000 to 4,000,000 shares.
Under the Plans, the exercise price of incentive stock options granted may not
be less than 100% (110% in the case of any options granted to a person who owns
more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company) of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant of
the option. Awards generally become exercisable over a four-year period and
generally expire ten years from date of grant.
 
    In June 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a resolution to
offer eligible employees (excluding executive officers) holding stock options
granted under the 1991 Plan the opportunity to exchange their original stock
options for new options granted at the then current fair market value. As a
result, options on 359,779 shares were canceled and regranted. Other than the
change in exercise price and addition of a restriction on exercise through
December 15, 1994, the new options were granted on the same terms and conditions
as the surrendered options.
 
    The Company has recorded deferred compensation expense for the difference
between the grant price and the fair market value of the Company's common stock
for certain Awards granted in 1995, 1994 and 1993. Amortization of deferred
compensation for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $332,000 ($214,000 is 1994
and $380,000 in 1993).
 
    Awards to purchase 766,332 shares of common stock were exercisable at an
aggregate price of approximately $14.3 million as of December 31, 1995 (398,992
shares at $5.3 million in 1994).
 
    Activity under the Plans was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   OUTSTANDING AWARDS
                                                               SHARES    ---------------------------------------
                                                             AVAILABLE                              AGGREGATE
                                                             FOR GRANT     SHARES       PRICE     (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                             ----------  ----------  -----------  --------------
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1992..............................     261,234     644,428  $ .01-58.00    $   10,738
Authorization of additional shares for issuance............   1,000,000          --           --            --
Awards granted.............................................    (443,760)    443,760    .01-25.00         7,648
Awards exercised...........................................          --     (41,525)   .01-  .79           (20)
Awards canceled............................................      39,395     (39,395)   .01-54.50          (525)
                                                             ----------  ----------  -----------       -------
 
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1993..............................     856,869   1,007,268    .01-58.00        17,841
Awards granted.............................................    (990,469)    990,469    .01-41.25        16,704
Awards exercised...........................................          --     (36,483)   .01-17.25           (13)
Awards canceled............................................     475,638    (475,638)   .01-58.00        (8,859)
                                                             ----------  ----------  -----------       -------
 
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1994..............................     342,038   1,485,616    .01-41.25        25,673
Authorization of additional shares for issuance............   1,650,000          --           --            --
Awards granted.............................................    (652,825)    652,825    .01-19.25         8,797
Awards exercised...........................................          --     (58,539)   .01-12.76           (32)
Awards canceled............................................     385,721    (385,721)   .01-23.00        (6,051)
                                                             ----------  ----------  -----------       -------
 
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1995..............................   1,724,934   1,694,181  $ .01-23.00    $   28,387
                                                             ----------  ----------  -----------       -------
                                                             ----------  ----------  -----------       -------
</TABLE>
 
                                     IV-12
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
8. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
    Other income (expense) consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1995       1994       1993
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income......................................................................  $   4,302  $   2,455  $   5,512
Realized gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities................................        (87)      (835)       929
Loss on disposal of property and equipment...........................................       (270)        --         --
Interest expense.....................................................................       (716)      (687)      (170)
Other................................................................................        (89)       (81)        (6)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                       $   3,140  $     852  $   6,265
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
9. AGREEMENTS WITH STANFORD UNIVERSITY
 
    In September 1992, the Company amended the development and license agreement
with Stanford University which allows the Company to use Stanford's technology
and licensed patents relating to the SCID-hu mouse for the purpose of
developing, manufacturing and selling any products derived therefrom. The
license is exclusive for a term commencing January 1, 1992 and will end March 1,
2000. In exchange for the use of the technology, the Company has made $75,000
payments to Stanford in 1995, 1994 and 1993 which were charged to research and
development expense and will continue to make annual payments. In addition, the
Company will pay royalties upon the successful commercialization of any products
under terms specified in the agreement.
 
    In March 1994, the Company together with Sandoz agreed to provide funding
for a portion of the research carried out at Stanford University School of
Medicine. The Company provided $796,000 of funding in 1995 and $960,000 in 1994
and will fund the research program through December 1996; the amount and nature
of the 1996 funding is under negotiation. The research is directed by Dr. Irving
Weissman as Principal Investigator. Dr. Weissman is a director, consultant, and
chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Company. The agreement provides
that the Company and Sandoz have the right to negotiate with Stanford for a
license on commercially reasonable terms for intellectual property, if any, that
results from the funding. The research funded under this agreement is not
currently funded in any way by any other party.
 
10. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
 
    As of December 31, 1995, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $120.0 million for federal income tax purposes. These
carryforwards, if not utilized to offset taxable income in future periods, will
expire in the years 2003 through 2010.
 
    Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the
Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities for federal and state income taxes
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:
 
                                     IV-13
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
10. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Deferred tax assets (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995       1994
                                                                          ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
Net operating loss carryforwards........................................  $  41,100  $  29,800
Research credits (expire in 2003 through 2010)..........................      4,400      3,300
Capitalized research and development....................................      6,100      3,400
Other...................................................................      5,800      2,500
                                                                          ---------  ---------
Total deferred tax assets...............................................     57,400     39,000
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.............................    (57,400)   (39,000)
                                                                          ---------  ---------
Net deferred tax assets.................................................  $       0  $       0
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Utilization of the net operating losses and credits may be subject to an
annual limitation due to the change in ownership limitations provided by the
Internal Revenue Code 1986.
 
    The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets increased by approximately
$17.0 million and $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.
 
                                     IV-14
<PAGE>
                                                                      SCHEDULE V
 
               UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (AND RELATED NOTES)
                      FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                          1996           1995
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
                                                     ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents.........................................................   $     1,995    $    1,679
  Short-term investments............................................................        48,373        65,836
  Accounts receivable...............................................................           259           256
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........................................         1,164         1,336
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS............................................................        51,791        69,107
Net property and equipment..........................................................        44,862        50,553
Deposits and other assets...........................................................           617           542
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
                                                                                       $    97,270    $  120,202
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
 
                                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..........................................   $     6,744    $    6,681
  Current portion of capital lease obligation.......................................         1,951         1,831
  Deferred revenue from related party...............................................         8,400         3,097
  Current portion of accrued rent...................................................            54            69
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES.......................................................        17,149        11,678
Noncurrent portion of capital lease obligation......................................         4,037         5,518
Accrued rent, less current portion..................................................         4,730         4,536
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock......................................................................           165           157
  Additional paid in capital........................................................       246,827       246,536
  Deferred compensation.............................................................          (293)         (404)
  Unrealized gain on short-term investments.........................................           688           390
  Accumulated deficit...............................................................      (176,033)     (148,209)
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY......................................................        71,354        98,470
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
                                                                                       $    97,270    $  120,202
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      V-1
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                     ---------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                       1996        1995        1996        1995
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
REVENUES
    Collaborative research from related party......................  $   2,975  $      474  $    6,835  $      726
    Collaborative research.........................................         32          --         227          --
    Research grants................................................         15         117          79         798
    Contract testing...............................................         --          --          --         161
    Other..........................................................         31          44         110          44
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      TOTAL REVENUES...............................................      3,053         635       7,251       1,729
 
EXPENSES
  Research and development:
    Collaborative research.........................................      3,007         739       7,697       1,245
    Research grants................................................         15         117          79         798
    Gene therapy joint venture.....................................         --         862          --       2,940
    Company-sponsored..............................................      7,462       9,280      23,315      28,994
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total research and development...............................     10,484      10,998      31,091      33,977
  General and administrative.......................................      2,082       1,868       5,891       5,775
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES.....................................     12,566      12,866      36,982      39,752
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS...............................................     (9,513)    (12,231)    (29,731)    (38,023)
Other income (net).................................................        666         990       1,907       2,783
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
NET LOSS...........................................................     (8,847) $  (11,241)    (27,824)    (35,240)
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
NET LOSS PER SHARE.................................................  $    (.61) $     (.78) $    (1.92) $    (2.54)
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING NET LOSS PER SHARE........................     14,493      14,434      14,479      13,880
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      V-2
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
                INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                            ----------------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>         <C>
                                                                                               1996        1995
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net loss................................................................................  $  (27,824) $  (35,240)
  ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Depreciation and amortization.........................................................       7,427       6,717
    Changes in certain assets/liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.................................................................          (3)     (1,089)
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets...........................................         172         (18)
      Investment in gene therapy joint venture............................................          --         365
      Deposits and other assets...........................................................         (75)        109
      Accounts payable and other liabilities..............................................         242      (1,813)
      Deferred revenue....................................................................       5,303        (247)
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
        Total adjustments.................................................................      13,066       4,024
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
  NET CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES...................................................     (14,758)    (31,216)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Capital expenditures....................................................................      (1,625)     (3,795)
  Net change in investments...............................................................      17,761     (17,466)
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES.......................................      16,136     (21,261)
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Payments on capital lease obligations...................................................      (1,361)     (1,248)
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock..............................................         299      79,585
  Net proceeds from dissolution of the joint venture......................................          --       1,431
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES.......................................      (1,062)     79,768
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.................................................         316      27,291
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period..........................................       1,679       1,474
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD................................................  $    1,995  $   28,765
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Deferred compensation related to the issuance of stock options..........................          --  $       42
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
  Net assets transferred from dissolution of the joint venture............................          --  $    2,248
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Interest paid during the period.........................................................  $      440  $      551
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                             See accompanying notes
 
                                      V-3
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    ORGANIZATION
 
    SyStemix, Inc. (the "Company"), incorporated in the State of Delaware on May
13, 1988, is a biotechnology company focused on creating new cellular and
cell-based gene therapies for major disorders of the blood and immune system,
based on the use of the human hematopoietic stem cell.
 
    INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The balance sheet as of September 30, 1996, and the statements of operations
and cash flows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and
1995 are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
adjustments) which the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of
the financial position at such dates and the operating results and cash flows
for those periods. Although the Company believes that the disclosures in these
financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not
misleading, certain information and footnote information normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The December 31, 1995
condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial
statements included in the Company's Form 10-K. The accompanying financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995 as filed with the SEC. Results for any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or for the entire
year.
 
    NET LOSS PER SHARE
 
    Net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding. Common equivalent shares from stock options and
warrants are excluded from the computation as their effect is antidilutive.
 
2. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION WITH SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS
CORPORATION
 
    In April 1993, the Company and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a wholly
owned affiliate of Sandoz Pharma, Ltd. (collectively "Sandoz"), formed an
equally owned joint venture ("Progenesys") to research and develop hematopoietic
cell-based, somatic gene therapies against HIV infection. The Company and Sandoz
licensed their initial technologies within the field to Progenesys. In addition,
the Company and Sandoz were each obligated to provide $5.0 million of funding
annually to Progenesys through March 1996. The Company accounted for its
investment in Progenesys under the equity method. On August 31, 1995, the
Company and Sandoz dissolved Progenesys and entered into a collaborative
agreement for research and development of hematopoietic cell-based somatic gene
therapy designed to prevent replication of HIV in symptomatic or asymptomatic
patients (the "HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration"). The terms and conditions of the
HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration agreement are substantially equivalent to those
of the partnership agreement of April 1993 which created Progenesys. Under the
terms of both agreements, the Company and Sandoz are obligated to fund the
project equally and share equally in the profits and losses of the project.
Commencing April 1996, the Company, pursuant to the terms of the HIV Gene
Therapy Collaboration Agreement, elected to have Sandoz fund all of the
Company's obligation, to be repaid out of future profits, if any, of the
project. The Sandoz funding is recognized as
 
                                      V-4
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
2. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION WITH SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS
CORPORATION (CONTINUED)
collaborative research revenues as expenses are incurred. Revenue earned under
the HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration was $6.84 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996. Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation, an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd., is a majority shareholder of the
Company.
 
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company has been served notice or been informed of six stockholder
lawsuits with respect to the May 23, 1996 Sandoz proposal to acquire all of the
shares of the Company that Sandoz does not already own, at a proposed price of
$17.00 per share. The lawsuits have been filed in the Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware in New Castle County, each suit asking for class action status
and naming the Company, Sandoz and its affiliated entities, and the individual
members of the Company's Board of Directors as defendants. The suits have been
consolidated into one action and generally seek to enjoin consummation of the
Sandoz proposal on the grounds that the consideration to be paid to the public
shareholders under the proposal is unfair and inadequate. Pursuant to a
court-approved stipulation, dated July 15, 1996, no response to the suits will
be made by the defendants until 20 days after they receive notice that a
response is required. The litigation could result in substantial expense to the
Company and significant diversion of efforts of the Company's management team.
 
                                      V-5
<PAGE>
    Facsimiles of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. The Letter of
Transmittal and certificates evidencing Shares and any other required documents
should be sent or delivered by each stockholder or his broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its
addresses set forth below.
 
                        THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
 
                    CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
          BY MAIL:              BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:        BY HAND/BY OVERNIGHT
   ChaseMellon Shareholder            (201) 329-8936              DELIVERY: ChaseMellon
      Services, L.L.C.                                                 Shareholder
  Reorganization Department                                         Services, L.L.C.
         PO Box 798                                             Reorganization Department
       Midtown Station                                                120 Broadway
     New York, NY 10018            Confirm by Telephone:               13th Floor
                                      (201) 296-4209               New York, NY 10271
</TABLE>
 
    Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses and telephone numbers
listed below. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the
Information Agent. A stockholder may also contact brokers, dealers, commercial
banks or trust companies for assistance concerning the Offer.
 
                    The Information Agent for the Offer is:
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                               Wall Street Plaza
                            New York, New York 10005
 
                        Banks and Brokers Call Collect:
                                 (212) 440-9800
 
                           All Others Call Toll Free:
                                 1-800-223-2064
 
                        THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
                              MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                                     INCORPORATED
 
                                 1585 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10036
                                 (212) 761-7621

<PAGE>
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                        TO TENDER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
                       PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
                             DATED JANUARY 17, 1997
                                       OF
                         NOVARTIS BIOTECH HOLDING CORP.
                     AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
                                 NOVARTIS INC.
 
                  THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE
                     AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
           ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
                        THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
                    CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                          <C>
               BY MAIL:                 BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:       BY HAND/BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
  ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,     (FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS     ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
                L.L.C.                             ONLY)                             L.L.C.
      Reorganization Department               (201) 329-8936               Reorganization Department
             P.O. Box 798                  CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:                  120 Broadway
           Midtown Station                    (201) 296-4209                       13th Floor
          New York, NY 10018                                                   New York, NY 10271
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION OR TELEX OTHER
         THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
    THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ
           CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
<PAGE>
    This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by stockholders either if
certificates evidencing Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded herewith
or if delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to the
Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), the Midwest
Securities Trust Company ("MSTC") or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company
("PDTC") (each a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and collectively, the
"Book-Entry Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedure
described under "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the
Offer and Tendering Shares" in the Offer to Purchase (as defined below).
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
 
    Stockholders whose certificates evidencing Shares ("Share Certificates") are
not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Share Certificates and all
other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date
(as defined under "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 1. Terms of the Offer; Expiration
Date" in the Offer to Purchase) or who cannot complete the procedure for
delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis and who wish to tender their
Shares must do so pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described under
"THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering
Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.
 
/ / CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE
    DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITIES AND
    COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name of Tendering Institution
  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Check Box of Applicable Book-Entry Transfer Facility:
 
    (CHECK ONE)           / / DTC           / / MSTC          / / PDTC
 
    Account Number
  -----------------------------
 
    Transaction Code Number
  ---------------------
 
/ / CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
    DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)
  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Window Ticket No. (if any)
  ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
  --------------------------------------------
 
    Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery
  ------------------------------------------------
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>               <C>
                                  DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
  NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
   (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK, EXACTLY AS NAME(S)
         APPEAR(S) ON SHARE CERTIFICATE(S))            SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHARE(S) TENDERED
                                                         (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST, IF NECESSARY)
                                                                    TOTAL NUMBER OF
                                                                    SHARES EVIDENCED
                                                         SHARE             BY          NUMBER OF
                                                      CERTIFICATE        SHARE           SHARES
                                                       NUMBER(S)*   CERTIFICATE(S)*    TENDERED**
                                                      TOTAL SHARES..................
   * Need not be completed by stockholders delivering Shares by book-entry transfer.
  ** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares evidenced by each Share
     Certificate delivered to the Depositary are being tendered hereby. See Instruction 4.
</TABLE>
 
                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    The undersigned hereby tenders to Novartis Biotech Holding Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("Purchaser") and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis
Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland, the above-described
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of SyStemix, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") (all shares of such Common Stock from time to time
outstanding being, collectively, the "Shares") pursuant to Purchaser's offer to
purchase all Shares, at $19.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated
January 17, 1997 (the "Offer to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Offer
to Purchase, constitute the "Offer"). The undersigned understands that Purchaser
reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part,
to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or any portion of
the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer.
 
    Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Shares
tendered herewith, in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned
hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser all
right, title and interest in and to all the Shares that are being tendered
hereby and all dividends, distributions (including, without limitation,
distributions of additional Shares) and rights declared, paid or distributed in
respect of such Shares on or after January 10, 1997 (collectively,
"Distributions") and irrevocably appoints the Depositary the true and lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and
all Distributions, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver
Share Certificates evidencing such Shares and all Distributions, or transfer
ownership of such Shares and all Distributions on the account books maintained
by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together, in either case, with all
accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of
Purchaser, (ii) present such Shares and all Distributions for transfer on the
books of the Company and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all
rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares and all Distributions, all in
accordance with the terms of the Offer.
<PAGE>
    The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Edgar John Fullager and Robert
L. Thompson, Jr. and each of them, as the attorneys and proxies of the
undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote in such manner as
each such attorney and proxy or his substitute shall, in his sole discretion,
deem proper and otherwise act (by written consent or otherwise) with respect to
all the Shares tendered hereby which have been accepted for payment by Purchaser
prior to the time of such vote or other action and all Shares and other
securities issued in Distributions in respect of such Shares, which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders of the Company
(whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting)
or consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. This proxy and power of
attorney is coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered hereby, is
irrevocable and is granted in consideration of, and is effective upon, the
acceptance for payment of such Shares by Purchaser in accordance with the terms
of the Offer. Such acceptance for payment shall revoke all other proxies and
powers of attorney granted by the undersigned at any time with respect to such
Shares (and all Shares and other securities issued in Distributions in respect
of such Shares), and no subsequent proxy or power of attorney shall be given or
written consent executed (and if given or executed, shall not be effective) by
the undersigned with respect thereto. The undersigned understands that, in order
for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser's
acceptance of such Shares for payment, Purchaser must be able to exercise full
voting and other rights with respect to such Shares, including, without
limitation, voting at any meeting of the Company's stockholders then scheduled.
 
    The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered
hereby and all Distributions, that when such Shares are accepted for payment by
Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
thereto and to all Distributions, free and clear of all liens, restrictions,
charges and encumbrances, and that none of such Shares and Distributions will be
subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned, upon request, shall execute and
deliver all additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be
necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the
Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions. In addition, the undersigned shall
remit and transfer promptly to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser all
Distributions in respect of the Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by
appropriate documentation of transfer, and pending such remittance and transfer
or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and
privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may withhold the entire
purchase price of the Shares tendered hereby, or deduct from such purchase price
the amount or value of such Distribution as determined by Purchaser in its sole
discretion.
 
    No authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall be affected
by, and all such authority shall survive, the death or incapacity of the
undersigned. All obligations of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon
the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.
 
    The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of
the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase under "THE TENDER
OFFER--Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" and
in the instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned's acceptance of the
terms and conditions of the Offer. Purchaser's acceptance of such Shares for
payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and
Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions", please issue the check for the purchase price of all Shares
purchased, and return all Share Certificates evidencing Shares not purchased or
not tendered in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under
"Description of Shares Tendered". Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in the
box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions", please mail the check for the
purchase price of all Shares purchased and all Share Certificates evidencing
Shares not tendered or not purchased (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing above
under "Description of Shares Tendered". In the event that the boxes entitled
"Special Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are both
completed, please issue the check for the purchase price of all Shares purchased
and return all Share Certificates evidencing Shares not purchased or not
tendered in the name(s) of, and mail such check and Share Certificates to, the
person(s) so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled
"Special Payment Instructions", please credit any Shares tendered hereby and
delivered by book-entry transfer, but which are not purchased by crediting the
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above. The undersigned
recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation, pursuant to the Special Payment
Instructions, to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered holder(s)
thereof if Purchaser does not purchase any of the Shares tendered hereby.
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
 
        SPECIAL PAYMENT                     SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS                                (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND
            (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND   7)
7)                                          To be completed ONLY if the check for the
To be completed ONLY if the check for the   purchase price of Shares purchased or
purchase price of Shares or Share           Share Certificates evidencing Shares not
Certificates evidencing Shares not          tendered or not purchased are to be mailed
tendered or not purchased are to be issued  to someone other than the undersigned, or
in the name of someone other than the       the undersigned at an address other than
undersigned, or if Shares tendered hereby   that shown under "Description of Shares
and delivered by book-entry transfer which  Tendered".
are not purchased are to be returned by     Mail  / / check  / / Share Certificate(s)
credit to an account at one of the Book-    to:
Entry Transfer Facilities other than that   Name
designated above.                           PLEASE PRINT
Issue  / / check  / / Share Certificate(s)  Address
to:
Name                                        ZIP CODE
                     PLEASE
PRINT                                       (TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL
Address                                     SECURITY NUMBER)
                                            (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE
                                          (ZIP SIDE)
CODE)
    TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL
SECURITY NUMBER
       (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE
SIDE)
/ / Credit Shares delivered by book-entry
    transfer and not purchased to the
    account set forth below:
    Check appropriate box:
    / / DTC             / /
    MSTC             / / PDTC
Account Number:
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                               <C>
 
                IMPORTANT
                                 STOCKHOLDERS: SIGN HERE
                                   (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON
                 REVERSE)
                                             SIGNATURE(S) OF
                 HOLDER(S)
                 Dated: , 1997
                     (Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s)
                 appear(s) on Share Certificates or on a security position
                 listing by a person(s) authorized to become registered
                 holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith.
                 If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator,
                 guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other
                 person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please
                 provide the following information and see Instruction 5.)
                 Name(s):
                                            PLEASE
                 PRINT
                 Capacity (full title)
                 Address:
                                                                         INCLUDE
                 ZIP CODE
                 Area Code and Telephone No:
                 Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.:
                                      (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE
                 SIDE)
                                GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                               (IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND
                 5)
                         FOR USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY.
                        FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: PLACE MEDALLION
                                 GUARANTEE IN SPACE BELOW.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
             FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
 
    1.  GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  All signatures on this Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Medallion Signature
Guarantee Program, or by any other "eligible guarantor institution," as such
term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (each of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"),
unless (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of
the Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any
participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security
position listing as the owner of Shares) tendered hereby and such holder(s) has
(have) completed neither the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" nor the
box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the reverse hereof or (ii) such
Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction
5.
 
    2.  DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND SHARE CERTIFICATES.  This Letter
of Transmittal is to be used either if Share Certificates are to be forwarded
herewith or if Shares are to be delivered by book-entry transfer pursuant to the
procedure set forth under "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 3. Procedures for
Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. Share
Certificates evidencing all physically tendered Shares, or a confirmation of a
book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer
Facility of all Shares delivered by book-entry transfer as well as a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the reverse hereof prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined under "THE TENDER OFFER -- Section 1. Terms of the
offer; Expiration Date" in the Offer to Purchase). If Share Certificates are
forwarded to the Depositary in multiple deliveries, a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.
Stockholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, who cannot
deliver their Share Certificates and all other required documents to the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for
delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis may tender their Shares
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described under "THE TENDER OFFER
- -- Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" in the
Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by
or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by
Purchaser, must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date; and
(iii) the Share Certificates evidencing all physically delivered Shares in
proper form for transfer by delivery, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer
into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all Shares
delivered by book-entry transfer, in each case together with a Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an
Agent's Message (as defined under "THE TENDER OFFER--Section 3. Procedures for
Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" in the Offer to Purchase)), and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Depositary within three NASDAQ trading days after the date of execution of such
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as described under "THE TENDER OFFER --
Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" in the Offer
to Purchase.
 
    The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, Share Certificates and
all other required documents, including delivery through any Book-Entry Transfer
Facility, is at the option and risk of the tendering stockholder, and the
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary. If
delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly
insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to
ensure timely delivery.
 
    No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no
fractional Shares will be purchased. By execution of this Letter of Transmittal
(or a facsimile hereof), all tendering stockholders waive any right to receive
any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.
 
    3.  INADEQUATE SPACE.  If the space provided herein under "Description of
Shares Tendered" is inadequate, the Share Certificate numbers, the number of
Shares evidenced by such Share Certificates and the number of Shares tendered
should be listed on a separate schedule and attached hereto.
<PAGE>
    4.  PARTIAL TENDERS (NOT APPLICABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS WHO TENDER BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER).  If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any Share Certificate
delivered to the Depositary herewith are to be tendered hereby, fill in the
number of Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of Shares
Tendered". In such cases, new Share Certificate(s) evidencing the remainder of
the Shares that were evidenced by the Share Certificates delivered to the
Depositary herewith will be sent to the person(s) signing this Letter of
Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the reverse hereof, as soon as practicable after the expiration
or termination of the Offer. All Shares evidenced by Share Certificates
delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated.
 
    5.  SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; STOCK POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS.  If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on
the face of the Share Certificates evidencing such Shares without alteration,
enlargement or any other change whatsoever.
 
    If any Share tendered hereby is owned of record by two or more persons, all
such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
    If any of the Shares tendered hereby are registered in the names of
different holders, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of such
Shares.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Shares tendered hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates or separate stock
powers are required, unless payment is to be made to, or Share Certificates
evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of,
a person other than the registered holder(s), in which case, the Share
Certificate(s) evidencing the Shares tendered hereby must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the
name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificate(s).
Signatures on such Share Certificate(s) and stock powers must be guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the Share Certificate(s)
evidencing the Shares tendered hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the
registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such
Share Certificate(s) and stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal or any Share Certificate or stock power is
signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact,
officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence
satisfactory to Purchaser of such person's authority so to act must be
submitted.
 
    6.  STOCK TRANSFER TAXES.  Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction
6, Purchaser will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and
transfer of any Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however,
payment of the purchase price of any Shares purchased is to be made to, or Share
Certificate(s) evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued
in the name of, a person other than the registered holder(s), the amount of any
stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other
person or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other person
will be deducted from the purchase price of such Shares purchased, unless
evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or exemption
therefrom, is submitted. Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not
be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates
evidencing the Shares tendered hereby.
<PAGE>
    7.  SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.  If a check for the purchase
price of any Shares tendered hereby is to be issued, or Share Certificate(s)
evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued, in the name of
a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if such
check or any such Share Certificate is to be sent to someone other than the
person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this
Letter of Transmittal but at an address other than that shown in the box
entitled "Description of Shares Tendered" on the reverse hereof, the appropriate
boxes on the reverse of this Letter of Transmittal must be completed.
Stockholders delivering Shares tendered hereby by book-entry transfer may
request that Shares not purchased be credited to such account maintained at a
Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such stockholder may designate in the box
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" on the reverse hereof. If no such
instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by
crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated on the
reverse hereof as the account from which such Shares were delivered.
 
    8.  QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.  Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent or the
Dealer Manager at their respective addresses or telephone numbers set forth
below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal
and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Information Agent
or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.
 
    9.  SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.  Each tendering stockholder is required to provide
the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") on the
Substitute Form W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information" below,
and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct and that
such stockholder is not subject to backup withholding of federal income tax. If
a tendering stockholder has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that
such stockholder is subject to backup withholding, such stockholder must cross
out item (2) of the Certification box of the Substitute Form W-9, unless such
stockholder has since been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such
stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the
information on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the tendering stockholder to
31% federal income tax withholding on the payment of the purchase price of all
Shares purchased from such stockholder. If the tendering stockholder has not
been issued a TIN and has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the
near future, such stockholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided
for the TIN in Part I of the Substitute Form W-9, and sign and date the
Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is written in Part I and the Depositary is
not provided with a TIN within 60 days, the Depositary will withhold 31% on all
payments of the purchase price to such stockholder until a TIN is provided to
the Depositary.
 
    IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE HEREOF), PROPERLY
COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED (TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND
SHARE CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS) OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS
DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE).
 
                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
    Under the federal income tax law, a stockholder whose tendered Shares are
accepted for payment is required by law to provide the Depositary (as payer)
with such stockholder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such
stockholder is an individual, the TIN is such stockholder's social security
number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the stockholder
may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and
payments that are made to such stockholder with respect to Shares purchased
pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding of 31%. In addition,
if a stockholder makes a false statement that results in no imposition of backup
withholding, and there was no reasonable basis for such a statement, a $500
penalty may also be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
    Certain stockholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, such individual must submit a statement, signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to such individual's exempt status. Forms of such statements
can be obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for
additional instructions. A stockholder should consult his or her tax advisor as
to such stockholder's qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and
the procedure for obtaining such exemption.
<PAGE>
    If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31% of
any payments made to the stockholder. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be
reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment
of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
 
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
    To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a stockholder
with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the stockholder is
required to notify the Depositary of such stockholder's correct TIN by
completing the form below certifying that (a) the TIN provided on Substitute
Form W-9 is correct (or that such stockholder is awaiting a TIN) and (b) that
(i) such stockholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that
such stockholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to
report all interest or dividends or (ii) the Internal Revenue Service has
notified such stockholder that such stockholder is no longer subject to backup
withholding.
 
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE DEPOSITARY
 
    The stockholder is required to give the Depositary the social security
number or employer identification number of the record holder of the Shares
tendered hereby. If the Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name
of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on
which number to report. If the tendering stockholder has not been issued a TIN
and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near
future, the stockholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided for the
TIN in Part I, and sign and date the Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is
written in Part I and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN within 60 days,
the Depositary will withhold 31% of all payments of the purchase price to such
stockholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary.
 
             PAYER'S NAME: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                                <C>
        SUBSTITUTE          PART I--Taxpayer Identification    -----------------------------
         FORM W-9           Number--For all accounts, enter       Social Security Number
                            taxpayer identification number in               OR
                            the box at right. (For most        -----------------------------
                            individuals, this is your social      Taxpayer Identification
                            security number. If you do not                Number
                            have a number, see Obtaining a        (If awaiting TIN write
                            Number in the enclosed                    "Applied For")
                            GUIDELINES.) Certify by signing
                            and dating below. Note: If the
                            account is in more than one name,
                            see the chart in the enclosed
                            GUIDELINES to determine which
                            number to give the payer.
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR         PART II--For Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding, see the
TAXPAYER                    enclosed GUIDELINES and complete as instructed therein.
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(TIN)
CERTIFICATION--Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
 
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am
waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
 
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of
failure to report all interest or dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer
subject to backup withholding.
 
CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the
IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or
dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were
subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that you are no
longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). (Also see instructions in
the enclosed GUIDELINES.)
 
SIGNATURE ---------------------------------------------------------------    DATE
- ---------------------, 1997
</TABLE>
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW
      THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
      NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
<PAGE>
    Facsimiles of the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly signed,
will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittal certificates evidencing Shares and
any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each stockholder or
such stockholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.
 
                        THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
                    CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                          <C>
               BY MAIL:                 BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:       BY HAND/BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
  ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,     (FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS     ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
                L.L.C.                             ONLY)                             L.L.C.
      Reorganization Department               (201) 329-8936               Reorganization Department
             P.O. Box 798                  CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:                  120 Broadway
           Midtown Station                    (201) 296-4209                       13th Floor
          New York, NY 10018                                                   New York, NY 10271
</TABLE>
 
    Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses and telephone numbers
listed below. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the
Information Agent. A stockholder may also contact brokers, dealers, commercial
banks or trust companies for assistance concerning the Offer.
 
                    THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS:
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                               Wall Street Plaza
                            New York, New York 10005
 
                        Banks and Brokers Call Collect:
                                 (212) 440-9800
 
                           All Others Call Toll Free:
                                 1-800-223-2064
 
                        THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
                              MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                                      INCORPORATED
 
                                 1585 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10036
                                 (212) 761-7621
 
January 17, 1997

<PAGE>




Novartis to Acquire Remaining Interest in SyStemix

BASEL, Switzerland, and PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis and
Systemix Inc announced today that they had entered into a definitive agreement
for Novartis to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of common stock it
does not already own in SyStemix for USD 19.50 per share in cash. The offer
price represents a 77% premium over the closing price of USD 11.00 per share on
May 23, 1996, the last full trading day prior to Novartis' original offer to
acquire SyStemix for USD 17.00 per share.

The transaction was approved by SyStemix' independent directors as well as by
the board of directors (with the directors designated by Novartis abstaining).

Dr. Daniel Vasella, President and Head of the Executive Committee of Novartis,
commented: "Novartis and SyStemix are engaged in promising discovery activities
in the development of cell and cell based gene therapies for cancer, AIDS,
autoimmune and genetic diseases. With SyStemix fully integrated into Novartis, I
am confident that we will accelerate the pace of our cutting-edge work with
hematopoietic stem-cell technology."

"This is a very positive event for SyStemix," said Dr. John J. Schwartz,
President and CEO of SyStemix. "The outstanding promise of SyStemix' technology
can be realized more broadly and rapidly as part of Novartis."

Novartis currently owns 10,610,099 shares of SyStemix common stock, which, on
October 31, 1996, represented 73.2% of the issued and outstanding shares. Under
the agreement, it will commence a tender offer to acquire the SyStemix shares on
or prior to January 17, 1997. Novartis may not purchase shares in the tender
offer without the consent of the independent directors unless a majority of the
shares Novartis does not already own is validly tendered and not withdrawn in
the tender offer. The tender offer will be subject to other customary
conditions.

All shares not purchased in the tender offer will be converted into the right to
receive USD 19.50 per share in a second-step merger to be consummated as soon as
practicable after the tender offer.

Lehman Brothers Inc. acted as financial advisor to SyStemix. Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated acted as financial advisor to Novartis.

SyStemix, Inc., based in Palo Alto, California, is a biotechnology company
leading in the development of therapies for major disorders of the blood and
immune system based on the use of isolated, expanded and gene-modified human
hematopoietic stem cells.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis is a world leader in Life Sciences
committed to the research and development of innovative products and services.
In 1995, its annual investment in healthcare research and development was more
than CHF 2 billion, the largest in the healthcare industry. SOURCE SyStemix,
Inc.


<PAGE>


                                                                  CONFORMED COPY

================================================================================


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                      Among

                                 NOVARTIS INC.,

                         NOVARTIS BIOTECH HOLDING CORP.

                                       and

                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.


                          Dated as of January 10, 1997


================================================================================
<PAGE>

                            Glossary of Defined Terms
                          (Not Part of this Agreement)



Defined Term                                             Location of Definition
- ------------                                             ----------------------

 affiliate............................................      ss. 8.03(a)
 Agreement............................................      Preamble
 beneficial owner.....................................      ss. 8.03(b)
 Blue Sky Laws........................................      ss. 3.05(b)
 Board................................................      Recitals
 business day.........................................      ss. 8.03(c)
 Certificate of Merger................................      ss. 2.02
 Certificates.........................................      ss. 2.09(b)
 Code.................................................      ss. 2.10
 Company..............................................      Preamble
 Company Common Stock.................................      Recitals
 Company Preferred Stock..............................      ss. 3.03
 control..............................................      ss. 8.03(d)
 Delaware Law.........................................      Recitals
 Dissenting Shares....................................      ss. 2.08(a)
 Effective Time.......................................      ss. 2.02
 Exchange Act.........................................      ss. 1.02(b)
 First Minimum Condition..............................      ss. 1.01(a)
 Indemnified Parties..................................      ss. 5.05(b)
 Material Adverse Effect..............................      ss. 3.01
 Merger...............................................      Recitals
 Merger Consideration.................................      ss. 2.06(a)
 Offer................................................      Recitals
 Offer Documents......................................      ss. 1.01(b)
 Offer to Purchase....................................      ss. 1.01(b)
 Option...............................................      ss. 2.07(a)
 Parent...............................................      Preamble
 Paying Agent.........................................      ss. 2.09(a)
 Per Share Amount.....................................      Recitals
 person...............................................      ss. 8.03(e)
 Proxy Statement......................................      ss. 3.08
 Purchaser............................................      Preamble
 Schedule 14D-9.......................................      ss. 1.02(b)
 Schedule 14D-1.......................................      ss. 1.01(b)
 Schedule 13E-3.......................................      ss. 1.01(b)
 SEC..................................................      ss. 1.01(b)
 Second Minimum Condition.............................      ss. 1.01(a)
<PAGE>

                                      2



Defined Term                                             Location of Definition
- ------------                                             ----------------------

 SEC Reports..........................................      ss. 3.07(a)
 Securities Act.......................................      ss. 3.07(a)
 Shares...............................................      Recitals
 Stockholders' Meeting................................      ss. 5.02(a)
 Subsidiary...........................................      ss. 3.01
 subsidiary...........................................      ss. 8.03(f)
 Surviving Corporation................................      ss. 2.01
 Transactions.........................................      ss. 1.01(b)
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                                            Page

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   THE OFFER

      SECTION 1.01.  The Offer.............................................  2
      SECTION 1.02.  Company Action........................................  3

                                  ARTICLE II

                                  THE MERGER

      SECTION 2.01.  The Merger............................................  5
      SECTION 2.02.  Effective Time; Closing...............................  5
      SECTION 2.03.  Effect of the Merger..................................  5
      SECTION 2.04.  Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws.................  5
      SECTION 2.05.  Directors and Officers................................  6
      SECTION 2.06.  Conversion of Securities..............................  6
      SECTION 2.07.  Stock Options.........................................  6
      SECTION 2.08.  Dissenting Shares.....................................  7
      SECTION 2.09.  Surrender of Shares; Stock Transfer Books.............  7
      SECTION 2.10.  Withholding Rights....................................  8

                                  ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

      SECTION 3.01.  Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries..........  9
      SECTION 3.02.  Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws..............  9
      SECTION 3.03.  Capitalization........................................  9
      SECTION 3.04.  Authority Relative to this Agreement.................. 10
      SECTION 3.05.  No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents............ 11
      SECTION 3.06.  Compliance............................................ 11
      SECTION 3.07.  SEC Filings; Financial Statements..................... 12
      SECTION 3.08.  Offer Documents; Schedule 14D-9; Schedule 13E-3; Proxy
                        Statement.......................................... 13
      SECTION 3.09.  Brokers............................................... 13
<PAGE>

                                   ii



                                                                            Page


                                  ARTICLE IV

            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER

      SECTION 4.01.  Corporate Organization................................ 13
      SECTION 4.02.  Authority Relative to this Agreement.................. 14
      SECTION 4.03.  No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents............ 14
      SECTION 4.04.  Offer Documents; Proxy Statement...................... 15
      SECTION 4.05.  Brokers............................................... 15

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS

      SECTION 5.01.  Conduct of the Business Pending the Merger............ 15
      SECTION 5.02.  Stockholders' Meeting................................. 16
      SECTION 5.03.  Proxy Statement....................................... 16
      SECTION 5.04.  Access to Information; Confidentiality................ 16
      SECTION 5.05.  Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and Insurance 17
      SECTION 5.06.  Notification of Certain Matters....................... 19
      SECTION 5.07.  Further Action; Reasonable Best Efforts............... 19
      SECTION 5.08.  Public Announcements.................................. 19
      SECTION 5.09.  Termination of Agreements............................. 19
      SECTION 5.10.  Financing............................................. 20

                                  ARTICLE VI

                           CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

      SECTION 6.01.  Conditions to the Merger.............................. 20

                                  ARTICLE VII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

      SECTION 7.01.  Termination........................................... 21
      SECTION 7.02.  Effect of Termination................................. 22
      SECTION 7.03.  Amendment............................................. 22
<PAGE>

                                     iii



                                                                            Page

      SECTION 7.04.  Waiver................................................ 22

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                              GENERAL PROVISIONS

      SECTION 8.01.  Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and
                        Agreements......................................... 23
      SECTION 8.02.  Notices............................................... 23
      SECTION 8.03.  Certain Definitions................................... 24
      SECTION 8.04.  Severability.......................................... 25
      SECTION 8.05.  Entire Agreement; Assignment.......................... 25
      SECTION 8.06.  Parties in Interest................................... 25
      SECTION 8.07.  Specific Performance.................................. 26
      SECTION 8.08.  Fees and Expenses..................................... 26
      SECTION 8.09.  Governing Law......................................... 26
      SECTION 8.10.  Headings.............................................. 26
      SECTION 8.11.  Counterparts.......................................... 26

      Annex A:  Conditions to the Offer
<PAGE>

            AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of January 10, 1997 (this
"Agreement"), among NOVARTIS INC., a company organized under the laws of
Switzerland and the successor by merger to Sandoz Ltd. ("Parent"), NOVARTIS
BIOTECH HOLDING CORP. (formerly known as Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation), a
Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
("Purchaser"), and SYSTEMIX, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

            WHEREAS, Purchaser owns an aggregate of 10,610,099 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Company Common Stock") (shares
of Company Common Stock being hereinafter collectively referred to as "Shares");

            WHEREAS, Parent and Purchaser have proposed that Purchaser acquire
all of the remaining issued and outstanding Shares;

            WHEREAS, in furtherance of such acquisition, it is proposed that
Purchaser shall make a cash tender offer in compliance with Section 14(d)(1) of
the Exchange Act (as defined below) and in compliance with the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Offer") to acquire all the issued and
outstanding Shares for $19.50 per Share (such amount, or any greater amount per
Share paid pursuant to the Offer, being hereinafter referred to as the "Per
Share Amount") net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement and the Offer;

            WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms of Section 2.05 of the
Acquisition Agreement among Parent, Purchaser and the Company dated as of
December 16, 1991 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), and based in part on the
opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc. that the consideration to be received by the
holders of Shares (other than Parent and Purchaser) pursuant to each of the
Offer and the Merger (as defined below) is fair to such holders from a financial
point of view, a majority of the Independent Directors (as defined in the
Acquisition Agreement) has approved the Offer and the Merger (the "Independent
Director Approval");

            WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Purchaser and the Company have
each determined that it is in the best interests of their respective
stockholders for Purchaser to acquire all of the remaining issued and
outstanding Shares;

            WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has, by
unanimous vote of all directors present and voting (with all directors who are
designees of Parent abstaining), approved the making of the Offer and resolved
and agreed to recommend that the holders of the Shares tender their Shares
pursuant to the Offer;

            WHEREAS, also in furtherance of such acquisition, the Board of
Directors of Purchaser and the Company have each approved the merger (the
"Merger") of Purchaser
<PAGE>

                                      2

with and into the Company in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware ("Delaware Law") following the consummation of the Offer and
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, Parent, Purchaser and the Company hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   THE OFFER

            SECTION 1.01. The Offer. (a) Provided that this Agreement shall not
have been terminated in accordance with Section 7.01 and none of the events set
forth in Annex A hereto shall have occurred or be existing, Purchaser shall
commence the Offer as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date hereof,
but in no event later than five business days after the initial public
announcement of Purchaser's intention to commence the Offer. Purchaser shall
not, without the consent of a majority of the Independent Directors, accept for
payment any Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer unless at least a majority of
the then issued and outstanding Shares, other than Shares owned by Parent and
Purchaser, shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
expiration of the Offer (the "First Minimum Condition"). The obligation of
Purchaser to accept for payment and pay for Shares tendered pursuant to the
Offer (i) shall be subject to the condition (the "Second Minimum Condition")
that at least the number of Shares that when added to the Shares already owned
by Parent and Purchaser shall constitute not less than 90% (or such other amount
which would allow the Merger to be effected without a meeting of the Company's
stockholders in accordance with Section 253 of the Delaware Law) of the then
issued and outstanding Shares shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn
prior to the expiration of the Offer and (ii) shall be subject to the
satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Annex A hereto. Purchaser
expressly reserves the right to waive any such condition (except the First
Minimum Condition), to increase the price per Share payable in the Offer, and to
make any other changes in the terms and conditions of the Offer; provided,
however, that (i) no change may be made which decreases the price per Share
payable in the Offer or which reduces the maximum number of Shares to be
purchased in the Offer or which imposes conditions to the Offer in addition to
those set forth in Annex A hereto and (ii) in the event all conditions set forth
in Annex A shall have been satisfied other than the Second Minimum Condition,
Purchaser may extend the Offer for a period or periods aggregating not more than
20 business days after the later of (x) the initial expiration date of the Offer
and (y) the date on which all other conditions set forth in Annex A shall have
been satisfied, after which time Purchaser shall waive the Second Minimum
Condition. The Per Share Amount shall, subject
<PAGE>

                                      3

to applicable withholding of taxes, be net to the seller in cash, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions of the Offer. Subject to the terms and conditions
of the Offer (including, without limitation, the First Minimum Condition and the
Second Minimum Condition), Purchaser shall pay, as promptly as practicable after
expiration of the Offer, for all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn.

            (b) As soon as reasonably practicable on the date of commencement of
the Offer, Purchaser shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") (i) a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 (together with all
amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-1") with respect to the
Offer and (ii) a Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 (together
with all amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 13E-3") with respect
to the Offer and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the
"Transactions"). The Schedule 14D-1 and the Schedule 13E-3 shall contain or
shall incorporate by reference an offer to purchase (the "Offer to Purchase")
and forms of the related letter of transmittal and any related summary
advertisement (the Schedule 14D-1, the Schedule 13E-3, the Offer to Purchase and
such other documents, together with all supplements and amendments thereto,
being referred to herein collectively as the "Offer Documents"). Parent,
Purchaser and the Company agree to correct promptly any information provided by
any of them for use in the Offer Documents which shall have become false or
misleading, and Parent and Purchaser further agree to take all steps necessary
to cause the Schedule 14D-1 and the Schedule 13E-3 as so corrected to be filed
with the SEC and the other Offer Documents as so corrected to be disseminated to
holders of Shares, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable
federal securities laws. The Company and its counsel shall be given the
opportunity to review and comment on the Offer Documents and any amendments
thereto prior to the filing thereof with the SEC. Parent and Purchaser shall
provide the Company and its counsel with a copy of any written comments or
telephonic notification of any verbal comments Parent or Purchaser may receive
from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Offer Documents promptly after the
receipt thereof and shall provide the Company and its counsel with a copy of any
written responses and telephonic notification of any verbal responses of Parent,
Purchaser or their counsel.

            SECTION 1.02. Company Action. (a) The Company hereby approves of and
consents to the Offer and represents that (i) a majority of the Independent
Directors approved the Offer and the Merger, (ii) the Board, at a meeting duly
called and held on January 10, 1997, has, by unanimous vote of all directors
present and voting (with all directors who are designees of Parent abstaining),
(A) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including each of the
Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the holders of
Shares (other than Parent and Purchaser), (B) approved and adopted this
Agreement and the Transactions and (C) recommended that the stockholders of the
Company accept the Offer and approve and adopt this Agreement and the
Transactions, and (iii) Lehman Brothers Inc. has delivered to the Independent
Directors and to the Board a written opinion that the consideration to be
received by the holders of Shares (other than
<PAGE>

                                      4

Parent and Purchaser) pursuant to each of the Offer and the Merger is fair to
the holders of Shares from a financial point of view. The Company hereby
consents to the inclusion in the Offer Documents of the recommendation of the
Board described in the immediately preceding sentence.

            (b) As soon as reasonably practicable on the date of commencement of
the Offer, the Company shall file with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation
Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together with all amendments and supplements
thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") containing the recommendation of the Board
described in Section 1.02(a) and shall disseminate the Schedule 14D-9 to the
extent required by Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any other applicable federal
securities laws. The Company, Parent and Purchaser agree to correct promptly any
information provided by any of them for use in the Schedule 14D-9 which shall
have become false or misleading, and the Company further agrees to take all
steps necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the
SEC and disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as and to the extent
required by applicable federal securities laws. Purchaser and its counsel shall
be given the opportunity to review and comment on the Schedule 14D-9 and any
amendments thereto prior to the filing thereof with the SEC. The Company shall
provide Purchaser and its counsel with a copy of any written comments or
telephonic notification of any verbal comments the Company may receive from the
SEC or its staff with respect to the Schedule 14D-9 promptly after the receipt
thereof and shall provide Purchaser and its counsel with a copy of any written
responses and telephonic notification of any verbal responses of the Company or
its counsel.

            (c) The Company shall promptly furnish Purchaser with mailing labels
containing the names and addresses of all record holders of Shares and with
security position listings of Shares held in stock depositories, each as of a
recent date, together with all other available listings and computer files
containing names, addresses and security position listings of record holders and
beneficial owners of Shares. The Company shall furnish Purchaser with such
additional information, including, without limitation, updated listings and
computer files of stockholders, mailing labels and security position listings,
and such other assistance as Parent, Purchaser or their agents may reasonably
request. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, and except for such
steps as are necessary to disseminate the Offer Documents and any other
documents necessary to consummate the Offer or the Merger, Parent and Purchaser
shall hold in confidence the information contained in such labels, listings and
files, shall use such information only in connection with the Offer and the
Merger, and, if this Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with Section
7.01, shall deliver to the Company all copies of such information then in their
possession.
<PAGE>

                                      5

                                  ARTICLE II

                                  THE MERGER

            SECTION 2.01. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with Delaware Law, at
the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined) Purchaser shall be merged with and
into the Company. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of
Purchaser shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving
corporation of the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation").

            SECTION 2.02. Effective Time; Closing. As promptly as practicable
after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article VI, the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by
filing this Agreement or a certificate of merger or certificate of ownership and
merger (in either case, the "Certificate of Merger") with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware, in such form as is required by, and executed in
accordance with the relevant provisions of, Delaware Law (the date and time of
such filing being the "Effective Time"). Prior to such filing, a closing shall
be held at the offices of Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York,
New York 10022, or such other place as the parties shall agree, for the purpose
of confirming the satisfaction or waiver, as the case may be, of the conditions
set forth in Article VI.

            SECTION 2.03. Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the
effect of the Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of
Delaware Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject
thereto, at the Effective Time all the property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of the Company and Purchaser shall vest in the Surviving Corporation,
and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties
of the Company and Purchaser shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations,
restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

            SECTION 2.04. Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws. (a) At the
Effective Time the Certificate of Incorporation of Purchaser previously
delivered to the Company shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law and such
Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, that, at the Effective Time,
Article I of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall
be amended to read as follows: "The name of the corporation is SyStemix, Inc."

            (b) At the Effective Time, the By-laws of Purchaser previously
delivered to the Company shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended as provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation and such By-laws.
<PAGE>

                                      6

            SECTION 2.05. Directors and Officers. The directors of Purchaser
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the
Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation, and the officers of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of
the Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are
duly elected or appointed and qualified.

            SECTION 2.06. Conversion of Securities. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Purchaser, the
Company or the holders of any of the following securities:

                  (a) Each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
      Effective Time (other than any Shares to be cancelled pursuant to Section
      2.06(b) and any Dissenting Shares (as hereinafter defined)) shall be
      cancelled and shall be converted automatically into the right to receive
      an amount equal to the Per Share Amount in cash (the "Merger
      Consideration") payable, without interest, to the holder of such Share,
      upon surrender, in the manner provided in Section 2.09, of the certificate
      that formerly evidenced such Share;

                  (b) Each Share held in the treasury of the Company and each
      Share owned by Purchaser, Parent or any direct or indirect wholly owned
      subsidiary of Parent or of the Company immediately prior to the Effective
      Time shall be cancelled without any conversion thereof and no payment or
      distribution shall be made with respect thereto; and

                  (c) Each share of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of
      Purchaser issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
      shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid
      and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
      Surviving Corporation.

            SECTION 2.07. Stock Options and Warrants. (a) Immediately prior to
the Effective Time, each outstanding option and warrant to purchase Shares (in
each case, an "Option"), whether or not then exercisable, may be surrendered by
the holder of such Option for cancellation by the Company, and each holder of a
cancelled Option shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash from Purchaser,
in consideration for the cancellation of each such Option, at the same time as
the Merger Consideration is received by the holders of Shares, equal to the
product of (i) the number of Shares to be issued upon the exercise of such
Option and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Per Share Amount over the exercise
price per Share previously subject to such Option; provided, however, that any
Options owned by Purchaser, Parent or any direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent or of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be cancelled without any conversion thereof and no payment or distribution
shall be made with respect thereto.
<PAGE>

                                      7


            (b) The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain such
consents as may be necessary or required so that, immediately prior to the
Effective Time, each Option may be and shall be cancelled by the Company.

            SECTION 2.08. Dissenting Shares. (a) Notwithstanding any provision
of this Agreement to the contrary, Shares that are outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time and which are held by stockholders who shall have not
voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who shall have
demanded properly in writing appraisal for such Shares in accordance with
Section 262 of Delaware Law (collectively, the "Dissenting Shares") shall not be
converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration. Such
stockholders shall be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of such
Shares held by them in accordance with the provisions of such Section 262,
except that all Dissenting Shares held by stockholders who shall have failed to
perfect or who effectively shall have withdrawn or lost their rights to
appraisal of such Shares under such Section 262 shall thereupon be deemed to
have been converted into and to have become exchangeable for, as of the
Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without any
interest thereon, upon surrender, in the manner provided in Section 2.09, of the
certificate or certificates that formerly evidenced such Shares.

            (b) The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any demands
for appraisal received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands, and any
other instruments served pursuant to Delaware Law and received by the Company
and (ii) the opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect
to demands for appraisal under Delaware Law. The Company shall not, except with
the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to any
demands for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any such demands.

            SECTION 2.09. Surrender of Shares; Stock Transfer Books. (a) Prior
to the Effective Time, Purchaser shall designate a bank or trust company to act
as agent (the "Paying Agent") for the holders of Shares in connection with the
Merger to receive the funds to which holders of Shares shall become entitled
pursuant to Section 2.06(a). Such funds shall be invested by the Paying Agent as
directed by the Surviving Corporation.

            (b) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall cause to be mailed to each person who was, at the Effective Time, a holder
of record of Shares entitled to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to
Section 2.06(a) a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates
evidencing such Shares (the "Certificates") shall pass, only upon proper
delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent) and instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates pursuant to such letter of
transmittal. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Certificate, together with
such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance
with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as
<PAGE>

                                      8

may be required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Certificate
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration for
each Share formerly evidenced by such Certificate, and such Certificate shall
then be cancelled. No interest shall accrue or be paid on the Merger
Consideration payable upon the surrender of any Certificate for the benefit of
the holder of such Certificate. If payment of the Merger Consideration is to be
made to a person other than the person in whose name the surrendered Certificate
is registered on the stock transfer books of the Company, it shall be a
condition of payment that the Certificate so surrendered shall be endorsed
properly or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such payment shall have paid all transfer and other taxes required by
reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a person other than the
registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or shall have established to
the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such taxes either have been
paid or are not applicable.

            (c) At any time following the sixth month after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to
deliver to it any funds which had been made available to the Paying Agent and
not disbursed to holders of Shares (including, without limitation, all interest
and other income received by the Paying Agent in respect of all funds made
available to it), and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to the
Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned property, escheat and other similar
laws) only as general creditors thereof with respect to any Merger Consideration
that may be payable upon due surrender of the Certificates held by them.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Surviving Corporation nor the Paying
Agent shall be liable to any holder of a Share for any Merger Consideration
delivered in respect of such Share to a public official pursuant to any
abandoned property, escheat or other similar law.

            (d) At the close of business on the day of the Effective Time, the
stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall
be no further registration of transfers of Shares on the records of the Company.
From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Shares outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such
Shares except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable law.

            SECTION 2.10. Withholding Rights. Purchaser or the Paying Agent
shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise
payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Shares and/or an Option such
amounts that Purchaser or the Paying Agent is required to deduct and withhold
with respect to the making of such payment under the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To
the extent that amounts are so withheld by Purchaser or the Paying Agent, such
amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid
to the holder of the
<PAGE>

                                      9

Shares and/or Option in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made
by Purchaser or the Paying Agent.

                                  ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

            The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Purchaser
that:

            SECTION 3.01. Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries. Each of
the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (a "Subsidiary") is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization and has the requisite power and authority and
all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the
failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing or to have such power,
authority and governmental approvals would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). The Company and
each Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation to do
business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of
the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its business
makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except for such failures to be
so qualified or licensed and in good standing that would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. When used in connection with the
Company or any Subsidiary, the term "Material Adverse Effect" means any change
or effect that, when taken together with all other adverse changes and effects
that are within the scope of the representations and warranties made by the
Company in this Agreement and which are not individually or in the aggregate
deemed to have a Material Adverse Effect, is or is reasonably likely to be
materially adverse to the business, operations, properties, condition (financial
or otherwise), assets or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent
liabilities) or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            SECTION 3.02. Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws. The Company
has heretofore furnished to Parent a complete and correct copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws or equivalent organizational
documents, each as amended to date, of the Company and each Subsidiary. Such
Certificates of Incorporation, By-laws or equivalent organizational documents
are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in
violation of any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or
equivalent organizational documents.

            SECTION 3.03. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 30,000,000 Shares and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $.01 per share ("Company Preferred Stock"). As of the date hereof, (i)
14,500,094 Shares
<PAGE>

                                      10

are issued and outstanding, all of which are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, (ii) no Shares are held in the treasury of the Company, (iii)
3,383,239 Shares are authorized for future issuance (with respect to which
options to acquire 2,016,378 Shares are issued and outstanding) pursuant to
employee stock options or stock incentive rights granted pursuant to the
Company's 1988 Stock Option Plan and 1991 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, and
(iv) 1,367,600 Shares are reserved for future issuance in connection with the
exercise of the Warrants (as such term is defined in the Stock and Warrant
Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 30, 1995, among Parent, Purchaser and
Company (the "Warrant Purchase Agreement")). As of the date hereof, no shares of
Company Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding. Except as contemplated by
this Agreement, there are no options, warrants or other rights, agreements,
arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued
capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or obligating the Company or any
Subsidiary to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, or other equity
interests in, the Company or any Subsidiary. All Shares subject to issuance as
aforesaid, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified in the
instruments pursuant to which they are issuable, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except for obligations to
executives under currently existing employment agreements to make loans relating
to personal residences, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the
Company or any Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Shares
or any capital stock of any Subsidiary or to provide funds to, or make any
investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any
person. Each outstanding share of capital stock of each Subsidiary is duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and each such share
owned by the Company or another Subsidiary is free and clear of all security
interests, liens, claims, pledges, options, rights of first refusal, agreements,
limitations on the Company's or such other Subsidiary's voting rights, charges
and other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.

            SECTION 3.04. Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company has
all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to
perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by
the Company of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action (including approval by a majority of the Independent
Directors as provided in the Acquisition Agreement) and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement
or to consummate the Transactions (other than, with respect to the Merger, the
approval and adoption of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the then
outstanding Shares if and to the extent required by applicable law, and the
filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by Delaware
Law). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the
Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent
and Purchaser, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
<PAGE>

                                      11

terms. The restrictions on business combinations contained in Section 203 of
Delaware Law have been satisfied with respect to the Transactions.

            SECTION 3.05. No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the
performance of this Agreement by the Company will not, (i) conflict with or
violate the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or equivalent organizational
documents of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) conflict with or violate any
law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or
any Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of the Company or any
Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute
a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or other
encumbrance on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant
to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license,
permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary or any property
or asset of either of them is bound or affected, except for any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which would not,
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or prevent or
materially delay the performance by the Company of any of its obligations under
this Agreement or the consummation of any of the Transactions.

            (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company do
not, and the performance of this Agreement by the Company will not, require any
consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification
to, any governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or foreign, except (i)
for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, state securities or
"blue sky" laws ("Blue Sky Laws") and state takeover laws and filing and
recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by Delaware Law and (ii)
where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or
to make such filings or notifications, would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, or prevent or materially delay the
performance by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement or the
consummation of any of the Transactions.

            SECTION 3.06. Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is
in conflict with, or in default or violation of, (i) any law, rule, regulation,
order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or by
which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or
affected, or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement,
lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which the
Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary
or any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected,
except for any such conflicts, defaults or violations that would
not,individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, or prevent
or materially delay the
<PAGE>

                                      12

performance by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement or the
consummation of any of the Transactions.

            SECTION 3.07. SEC Filings; Financial Statements. (a) The Company has
filed all forms, reports and documents required to be filed by it with the SEC
since December 31, 1994, and has heretofore delivered to Parent, in the form
filed with the SEC, (i) its Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively, (ii) its Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1996, (iii)
all proxy statements relating to the Company's meetings of stockholders (whether
annual or special) held since December 31, 1994, and (iv) all other forms,
reports and other registration statements (other than Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q not referred to in clause (ii) above) filed by the Company with the SEC
since December 31, 1994 (the forms, reports and other documents referred to in
clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above being referred to herein, collectively,
as the "SEC Reports"). The SEC Reports (i) were prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations
thereunder and (ii) did not at the time they were filed contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No
Subsidiary is required to file any form, report or other document with the SEC.

            (b) Each of the consolidated financial statements (including, in
each case, any notes thereto) contained in the SEC Reports was prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto) and each fairly presented the consolidated financial position, results
of operations and changes in financial position of the Company and the
consolidated Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and for the
respective periods indicated therein.

            (c) Except as and to the extent set forth on the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries at December 31,
1995, including the notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year then ended, or on the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries at September 30,
1996, including the notes thereto, included in the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period then ended, the Company and the consolidated
Subsidiaries have no liability or obligation of any nature (whether accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise) which would be required to be reflected on a
consolidated balance sheet, or in the notes thereto, prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, except for liabilities and obligations
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since
September 30, 1996.
<PAGE>

                                      13

            SECTION 3.08. Offer Documents; Schedule 14D-9; Schedule 13E-3; Proxy
Statement. Neither the Schedule 14D-9 nor any information supplied by the
Company for inclusion in the Offer Documents or the Schedule 13E-3 shall, at the
respective times the Schedule 14D-9, the Offer Documents, the Schedule 13E-3 or
any amendments or supplements thereto are filed with the SEC or are first
published, sent or given to stockholders of the Company, as the case may be,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. Neither the proxy statement to be sent to the stockholders of the
Company in connection with the Stockholders' Meeting (as hereinafter defined) or
the information statement to be sent to such stockholders, as appropriate (such
proxy statement or information statement, as amended or supplemented, being
referred to herein as the "Proxy Statement"), shall, at the date the Proxy
Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to
stockholders of the Company, at the time of the Stockholders' Meeting and at the
Effective Time, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading or necessary to correct any statement
in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the
Stockholders' Meeting which shall have become false or misleading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation or warranty
with respect to any information supplied by Parent, Purchaser or any of their
representatives which is contained in any of the foregoing documents. The
Schedule 14D-9 and the Proxy Statement shall comply in all material respects as
to form with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.

            SECTION 3.09. Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker (other
than Lehman Brothers Inc.) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee
or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made
by or on behalf of the Company. The Company has heretofore furnished to Parent a
complete and correct copy of all agreements between the Company and Lehman
Brothers Inc. pursuant to which such firm would be entitled to any payment
relating to the Transactions.

                                  ARTICLE IV

            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER

            Parent and Purchaser hereby, jointly and severally, represent and
warrant to the Company that:

            SECTION 4.01. Corporate Organization. Each of Parent and Purchaser
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.
<PAGE>

                                      14


            SECTION 4.02. Authority Relative to this Agreement. Each of Parent
and Purchaser has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate
the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and
Purchaser and the consummation by Parent and Purchaser of the Transactions have
been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of Parent or Purchaser are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than, with
respect to the Merger, the filing and recordation of appropriate merger
documents as required by Delaware Law). This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Parent and Purchaser and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of each of Parent and Purchaser enforceable against each
of Parent and Purchaser in accordance with its terms.

            SECTION 4.03. No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Purchaser do not, and the
performance of this Agreement by Parent and Purchaser will not, (i) conflict
with or violate the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of either Parent or
Purchaser, (ii) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order,
judgment or decree applicable to Parent or Purchaser or by which any property or
asset of either of them is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of
or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien
or other encumbrance on any property or asset of Parent or Purchaser pursuant
to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license,
permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which Parent or Purchaser
is a party or by which Parent or Purchaser or any property or asset of either of
them is bound or affected, except for any such conflicts, violations, breaches,
defaults or other occurrences which would not prevent or materially delay the
performance by Parent or Purchaser of any of its obligations under this
Agreement or the consummation of any of the Transactions.

            (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and
Purchaser do not, and the performance of this Agreement by Parent and Purchaser
will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing
with or notification to, any governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or
foreign, except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act,
Blue Sky Laws and state takeover laws, and filing and recordation of appropriate
merger documents as required by Delaware Law and (ii) where failure to obtain
such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or
notifications, would not prevent or materially delay the performance by Parent
or Purchaser of any of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation
of any of the Transactions.
<PAGE>

                                      15

            SECTION 4.04. Offer Documents; Proxy Statement. The Offer Documents
will not, at the time the Offer Documents are filed with the SEC or are first
published, sent or given to stockholders of the Company, as the case may be,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The information supplied by Parent for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement will not, on the date the Proxy Statement (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) is first mailed to stockholders of the Company, at the time
of the Stockholders' Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any statement
which, at such time and in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is
false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not false or misleading or necessary to correct any statement
in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the
Stockholders' Meeting which shall have become false or misleading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and Purchaser make no representation or
warranty with respect to any information supplied by the Company or any of its
representatives which is contained in any of the foregoing documents or the
Offer Documents. The Offer Documents shall comply in all material respects as to
form with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.

            SECTION 4.05. Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker (other
than Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's
or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or Purchaser.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS

            SECTION 5.01. Conduct of the Business Pending the Merger. The
Company covenants and agrees that, between the date of this Agreement and the
Effective Time, unless Parent shall otherwise agree in writing, the businesses
of the Company and the Subsidiaries shall be conducted only in, and the Company
and the Subsidiaries shall not take any action except in, the ordinary course of
business and in a manner consistent with past practice; and the Company shall
use its best efforts to preserve substantially intact the business organization
of the Company and the Subsidiaries, to keep available the services of the
current officers, employees and consultants of the Company and the Subsidiaries
and to preserve the current relationships of the Company and the Subsidiaries
with customers, suppliers and other persons with which the Company or any
Subsidiary has significant business relations.
<PAGE>

                                      16

            SECTION 5.02. Stockholders' Meeting. (a) If required by applicable
law in order to consummate the Merger, the Company, acting through the Board,
shall, in accordance with applicable law and the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws, (i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold an
annual or special meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable following
consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and taking action on
this Agreement and the Transactions (the "Stockholders' Meeting") and (ii)
include in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Board (with all
directors who are designees of Parent abstaining) that the stockholders of the
Company approve and adopt this Agreement and the Transactions. At the
Stockholders' Meeting, Parent and Purchaser shall cause all Shares then owned by
them and their subsidiaries to be voted in favor of the approval and adoption of
this Agreement and the Transactions.

            (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Purchaser shall
acquire such number of Shares that, when taken together with the Shares
previously owned by Purchaser, constitute at least 90 percent of the then
outstanding Shares, the parties hereto agree, subject to Article VI, to take all
necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective, in
accordance with Section 253 of Delaware Law, as soon as reasonably practicable
after such acquisition, without a meeting of the stockholders of the Company.

            SECTION 5.03. Proxy Statement. If required by applicable law, as
soon as practicable following consummation of the Offer, the Company shall file
the Proxy Statement with the SEC under the Exchange Act, and shall use its best
efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC. Parent, Purchaser and
the Company shall cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy
Statement, and the Company shall notify Parent of the receipt of any comments of
the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement and of any requests by the SEC for
any amendment or supplement thereto or for additional information and shall
provide to Parent promptly copies of all correspondence between the Company or
any representative of the Company and the SEC. The Company shall give Parent and
its counsel the opportunity to review the Proxy Statement prior to its being
filed with the SEC and shall give Parent and its counsel the opportunity to
review all amendments and supplements to the Proxy Statement and all responses
to requests for additional information and replies to comments prior to their
being filed with, or sent to, the SEC. Each of the Company, Parent and Purchaser
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts, after consultation with the other
parties hereto, to respond promptly to all such comments of and requests by the
SEC and to cause the Proxy Statement and all required amendments and supplements
thereto to be mailed to the holders of Shares entitled to vote at the
Stockholders' Meeting at the earliest practicable time.

            SECTION 5.04. Access to Information; Confidentiality. (a) From the
date hereof to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause the
Subsidiaries and the officers, directors, employees, auditors and agents of the
Company and the Subsidiaries to, afford the officers, employees and agents of
Parent and Purchaser access at all reasonable
<PAGE>

                                      17

times to the officers, employees, agents, properties, offices, plants and other
facilities, books and records of the Company and each Subsidiary, and shall
furnish Parent and Purchaser with financial, operating and other data and
information as Parent or Purchaser, through its officers, employees or agents,
may reasonably request, in any case consistent with that currently available to
such persons and necessary to conduct the Offer and consummate the other
Transactions.

            (b) No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.04 shall affect any
representation or warranty in this Agreement of any party hereto or any
condition to the obligations of the parties hereto.

            (c) Information afforded or furnished to Parent or Purchaser by the
Company pursuant to this Section 5.04 shall be kept confidential and shall not
be disclosed to third parties except (i) with the consent of the Company, (ii)
as may be required by law, regulation or by legal process (including by
deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative
demand or similar process), or (iii) as may be necessary in connection with the
Transactions.

            SECTION 5.05. Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and
Insurance. (a) The By-laws of the Surviving Corporation shall contain provisions
no less favorable with respect to indemnification than are set forth in Article
XV of the By-laws of the Company, which provisions shall not be amended,
repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the Effective Time
in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals
who at the Effective Time were directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries or
agents of the Company, unless such modification shall be required by law.

            (b) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law and regardless of whether the Merger becomes effective, indemnify
and hold harmless, and, after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, indemnify and hold
harmless, each present and former director, officer, employee, fiduciary and
agent of the Company and each Subsidiary and each fiduciary and agent of each
such director and officer (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against all
costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and settlement amounts paid in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or
after the Effective Time), whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, arising out of or pertaining to any action or omission in their
capacity as an officer, director, employee, fiduciary or agent, whether
occurring before or after the Effective Time, until the expiration of the
statute of limitations relating thereto (and shall pay any expenses in advance
of the final disposition of such action or proceeding to each Indemnified Party
to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware Law, upon receipt from the
Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced of any undertaking to repay such
advances required under Delaware Law). In the event of any such claim,
<PAGE>

                                      18

action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (i) the Company or the Surviving
Corporation, as the case may be, shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel selected by the Indemnified Parties, which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Company or the Surviving Corporation, promptly after
statements therefor are received and (ii) the Company and the Surviving
Corporation shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter; provided,
however, that neither the Company nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable
for any settlement effected without its written consent (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld); and provided, further, that neither the Company nor
the Surviving Corporation shall be obligated pursuant to this Section 5.05(b) to
pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus appropriate local
counsel) for all Indemnified Parties in any single action except (x) that the
persons who served as directors of the Company who were not designees of Parent
shall be entitled to retain one additional counsel (plus appropriate local
counsel) to represent them at the expense of the Company or the Surviving
Corporation, and (y) to the extent that two or more of such Indemnified Parties
shall have conflicting interests in the outcome of such action, in which case
such additional counsel (including local counsel) as may be required to avoid
any such conflict or likely conflict may be retained by the Indemnified Parties
at the expense of the Company or the Surviving Corporation; and provided further
that, in the event that any claim for indemnification is asserted or made within
the period prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, all
rights to indemnification in respect of such claim shall continue until the
disposition of such claim. Parent hereby agrees to guarantee the obligations of
the Surviving Corporation and, following consummation of the Offer, the Company,
under this Section 5.05(b).

            (c) The Surviving Corporation shall use its reasonable efforts to
maintain in effect for six years from the Effective Time, if available, the
current directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company (provided that the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor
policies of at least the same coverage containing terms and conditions which are
not materially less favorable) with respect to matters occurring prior to the
Effective Time; provided, however, that in no event shall the Surviving
Corporation be required to expend pursuant to this Section 5.05(c) more than an
amount per year equal to 175% of current annual premiums paid by the Company for
such insurance. In the event that, but for the proviso to the immediately
preceding sentence, the Surviving Corporation would be required to expend more
than 175% of current annual premiums, the Surviving Corporation shall obtain the
maximum amount of such insurance obtainable by payment of annual premiums equal
to 175% of current annual premiums.

            (d) In the event the Company or the Surviving Corporation or any of
their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any
other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper
provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the
<PAGE>

                                      19

Company or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, or at Parent's option,
Parent, shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.05.

            SECTION 5.06. Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall
give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the
Company, of (i) the occurrence, or nonoccurrence, of any event the occurrence,
or nonoccurrence, of which would be likely to cause any representation or
warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate and (ii) any
failure of the Company, Parent or Purchaser, as the case may be, to comply with
or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied
by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to
this Section 5.06 shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available
hereunder to the party receiving such notice.

            SECTION 5.07. Further Action; Reasonable Best Efforts. Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions hereof, each of the parties hereto shall (i)
use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate
action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective
the Transactions, including, without limitation, using its reasonable best
efforts to obtain all licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts
with the Company and the Subsidiaries as are necessary for the consummation of
the Transactions and to fulfill the conditions to the Offer and the Merger. In
case at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and
directors of each party to this Agreement and the Surviving Corporation shall
use their reasonable best efforts to take all such action.

            SECTION 5.08. Public Announcements. Parent and the Company shall
consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any
public statements with respect to this Agreement or any Transaction and shall
not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation, except as may be required by law or any listing agreement with a
national securities exchange to which Parent or the Company is a party.

            SECTION 5.09. Termination of Agreements. The parties hereto hereby
agree that each of the Acquisition Agreement and the Warrant Purchase Agreement
shall be terminated as of the Effective Time. For purposes of clarity, it is
understood by the parties hereto that all representations, warranties and
agreements between the parties which, by the terms of such agreements, survive
either or both the Closing Date (as that term is defined in each of the
Acquisition Agreement and the Warrant Purchase Agreement) or the termination of
such agreements shall all be terminated as of the Effective Time.
<PAGE>

                                      20

            SECTION 5.10. Financing. Parent shall ensure that Purchaser has
sufficient funds to acquire all the outstanding Shares in the Offer and the
Merger.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                           CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

            SECTION 6.01. Conditions to the Merger. The respective obligations
of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or
prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

                  (a) Stockholder Approval. This Agreement and the Transactions
      shall have been approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of the
      stockholders of the Company to the extent required by Delaware Law and the
      Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

                  (b) No Order. No foreign, United States or state governmental
      authority or other agency or commission or foreign, United States or state
      court of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
      enforced or entered any law, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
      injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
      which is then in effect and has the effect of: (i) making the acquisition
      of Shares by Parent or Purchaser or any affiliate of either of them
      illegal or otherwise restricting, preventing or prohibiting consummation
      of the Transactions, (ii) seeking to prohibit or limit materially the
      ownership or operation by the Company, Parent or any of their respective
      subsidiaries of all or any material portion of the business or assets of
      the Company, Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries as a result of
      the Transactions, or (iii) compelling the Company, Parent, Purchaser or
      any of their respective subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate all or
      any material portion of the business or assets of the Company, Parent,
      Purchaser or any of their respective subsidiaries as a result of the
      Transactions; and

                  (c) Offer. Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have
      purchased all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the
      Offer; provided, however, that this condition shall not be applicable to
      the obligations of Parent or Purchaser if, in breach of this Agreement or
      the terms of the Offer, Purchaser fails to purchase any Shares validly
      tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer.
<PAGE>

                                      21

                                  ARTICLE VII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

            SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger and the other Transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Effective Time, notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of this
Agreement and the Transactions by the stockholders of the Company:

                  (a) By mutual written consent duly authorized by the Boards of
      Directors of Parent, Purchaser and the Company, if such termination is
      also approved by a majority of the Independent Directors; or

                  (b) By either Parent, Purchaser or the Company if (i) the
      Effective Time shall not have occurred on or before June 30, 1997;
      provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
      Section 7.01(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure to
      fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of, or
      resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before such
      date or (ii) any court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental
      authority shall have issued an order, decree, ruling or taken any other
      action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such
      order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and
      nonappealable; or

                  (c) By Parent if due to an occurrence or circumstance that
      would result in a failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Annex A
      hereto, Purchaser shall have (i) failed to commence the Offer within 60
      days following the date of this Agreement, (ii) terminated the Offer
      without having accepted any Shares for payment thereunder or (iii) failed
      to pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer within 90 days following the
      commencement of the Offer, unless such failure to pay for Shares shall
      have been caused by or resulted from the failure of Parent or Purchaser to
      perform in any material respect any material covenant or agreement of
      either of them contained in this Agreement or the material breach by
      Parent or Purchaser of any material representation or warranty of either
      of them contained in this Agreement; or

                  (d) By the Company, upon approval of the Board and a majority
      of the Independent Directors, if due to an occurrence or circumstance that
      would result in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in
      Annex A hereto, Purchaser shall have (i) failed to commence the Offer
      within 60 days following the date of this Agreement, (ii) terminated the
      Offer without having accepted any Shares for payment thereunder or (iii)
      failed to pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer within 90 days following
      the commencement of the Offer, unless such failure to pay for Shares shall
      have been caused by or resulted from the failure of the Company to perform
      in any
<PAGE>

                                      22

      material respect any material covenant or agreement of it contained in
      this Agreement or the material breach by the Company of any material
      representation or warranty of it contained in this Agreement; or

                  (e) By the Company, upon approval of the Board and a majority
      of the Independent Directors, if any representation or warranty of Parent
      and Purchaser in this Agreement which is qualified as to materiality shall
      not be true and correct or any such representation or warranty that is not
      so qualified shall not be true and correct in any material respect, in
      each case as if such representation or warranty was made as of such time
      on or after the date of this Agreement; or Parent or Purchaser shall have
      failed to perform in any material respect any obligation or to comply in
      any material respect with any agreement or covenant of Parent or Purchaser
      to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement.

            SECTION 7.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01, this Agreement shall forthwith
become void, and there shall be no liability on the part of any party hereto,
except (i) as set forth in Section 8.01 and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve
any party from liability for any breach hereof.

            SECTION 7.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto by action taken by or on behalf of their respective Boards of
Directors at any time prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that,
after the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions by the
stockholders of the Company, no amendment may be made which would reduce the
amount or change the type of consideration into which each Share shall be
converted upon consummation of the Merger, imposes conditions to the Merger
other than set forth in Section 6.01 or would otherwise amend or change the
terms and conditions of the Merger in a manner materially adverse to the holders
of the Shares (other than Parent and its affiliates); and provided further that
such amendment shall be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors.
This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by
the parties hereto.

            SECTION 7.04. Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any
party hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or
other act of any other party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any agreement or condition
contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in an
instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be bound thereby and, in
the case of any extension or waiver by which the Company is to be bound, only if
approved by a majority of the Independent Directors.
<PAGE>

                                      23

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                              GENERAL PROVISIONS

            SECTION 8.01. Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and
Agreements. The representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement
shall terminate at the Effective Time or upon the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.01, as the case may be, except that the agreements set
forth in Articles II and VIII and Section 5.05 shall survive the Effective Time
indefinitely.

            SECTION 8.02. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall
be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by
telecopy or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such
other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance
with this Section 8.02):

            if to Parent or Purchaser:

                  Novartis Corporation
                  608 Fifth Avenue
                  New York, New York  10020
                  Telecopier No:  (212) 957-8367
                  Attention:  General Counsel

            with a copy to:

                  Shearman & Sterling
                  599 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, New York  10022
                  Telecopier No:  (212) 848-7179
                  Attention:  David W. Heleniak, Esq.

            if to the Company:

                  SyStemix, Inc.
                  3155 Porter Drive
                  Palo Alto, California  94304
                  Telecopier No:  (415) 856-4919
                  Attention:  General Counsel
<PAGE>

                                      24

            with copies to:

                  Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
                  919 Third Avenue
                  New York, New York  10022
                  Telecopier No:  (212) 735-2000
                  Attention:  Morris J. Kramer, Esq.

                  and

                  Shereff Friedman Hoffman & Goodman LLP
                  919 Third Avenue
                  New York, New York  10022
                  Telecopier No:  (212) 758-9500
                  Attention:  Jeffry Hoffman, Esq.

            SECTION 8.03. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement,
the term:

                  (a) "affiliate" of a specified person means a person who
      directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is
      controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person;

                  (b) "beneficial owner" with respect to any Shares means a
      person who shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such Shares (i)
      which such person or any of its affiliates or associates (as such term is
      defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act) beneficially
      owns, directly or indirectly, (ii) which such person or any of its
      affiliates or associates has, directly or indirectly, (A) the right to
      acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or subject only to
      the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
      understanding or upon the exercise of consideration rights, exchange
      rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (B) the right to vote
      pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or (iii) which are
      beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other persons with whom
      such person or any of its affiliates or associates or person with whom
      such person or any of its affiliates or associates has any agreement,
      arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting
      or disposing of any Shares;

                  (c) "business day" means any day on which the principal
      offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C. are open to accept filings, or, in
      the case of determining a date when any payment is due, any day on which
      banks are not required or authorized by law or executive order to close in
      the City of New York;
<PAGE>

                                      25

                  (d) "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under
      common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or as
      trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
      management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of
      voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or credit
      arrangement or otherwise;

                  (e) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
      limited partnership, limited liability company, syndicate, person
      (including, without limitation, a "person" as defined in Section 13(d)(3)
      of the Exchange Act), trust, association or entity or government,
      political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government; and

                  (f) "subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" of the Company, the
      Surviving Corporation, Parent or any other person means an affiliate
      controlled by such person, directly or indirectly, through one or more
      intermediaries.

            SECTION 8.04. Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law,
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse
to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in
order that the Transactions be consummated as originally contemplated to the
fullest extent possible.

            SECTION 8.05. Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written
and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter
hereof. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise,
except that Parent and Purchaser may assign all or any of their rights and
obligations hereunder to any affiliate of Parent provided that no such
assignment shall relieve the assigning party of its obligations hereunder if
such assignee does not perform such obligations.

            SECTION 8.06. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other
person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason
of this Agreement, other than Section 5.05 (which is intended to be for the
benefit of the persons covered thereby and may be enforced by such persons).
<PAGE>

                                      26

            SECTION 8.07. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other
remedy at law or in equity.

            SECTION 8.08. Fees and Expenses. (a) In the event that this
Agreement is terminated prior to consummation of the Merger, other than a
termination pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (d) or a termination pursuant to
Section 7.01(b) or (c) which results from any representation or warranty of the
Company in this Agreement not being true and correct or the failure of the
Company to perform any obligation or to comply with any agreement or covenant of
the Company to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement, then,
in any such event, Purchaser shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, pay all
actual out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the parties hereto, including
all fees and expenses payable to investment banking firms, counsel and
accountants, in connection with the structuring, negotiation, preparation,
execution and performance of this Agreement, as well as all printing and
advertising expenses.

            (b) Except as set forth in this Section 8.08, all costs and expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by
the party incurring such costs and expenses, whether or not any Transaction is
consummated.

            SECTION 8.09. Governing Law. Except to the extent that Delaware Law
is mandatorily applicable to the Transactions, this Agreement shall be governed
by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. All
actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be
heard and determined in any New York state or federal court sitting in the City
of New York and the parties hereto hereby consent to the jurisdiction of such
courts in any such action or proceeding.

            SECTION 8.10. Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this
Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

            SECTION 8.11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
<PAGE>

                                      27

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

                 NOVARTIS INC.


                 By /s/Raymund Breu                     /s/Christoph Maeder
                    -------------------------------     ------------------------
                    Name:  Raymund Breu                 Christoph Maeder
                    Title: Chief Financial Officer      Corporate Counsel


                 NOVARTIS BIOTECH HOLDING
                 CORP.


                 By /s/Robert L. Thompson, Jr.
                    --------------------------------
                    Name:  Robert L. Thompson, Jr.
                    Title: Vice President and Secretary


                 SYSTEMIX, INC.


                 By /s/John J. Schwartz
                    --------------------------------
                    Name:  John J. Schwartz
                    Title: President and Chief Executive
                           Officer
<PAGE>

                                                                       ANNEX A

                             Conditions to the Offer

            Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, Purchaser shall
not be required to accept for payment or pay for any Shares tendered pursuant to
the Offer, and may terminate or amend the Offer and may postpone the acceptance
for payment of and payment for Shares tendered, if (i) the Second Minimum
Condition shall not have been satisfied or (ii) at any time on or after the date
of this Agreement, and prior to the acceptance for payment of Shares, any of the
following conditions shall exist:

                  (a) an order shall have been entered in any action or
      proceeding before any federal or state court or governmental agency or
      other regulatory body or a permanent injunction by any federal or state
      court of competent jurisdiction in the United States shall have been
      issued and remain in effect (i) making illegal the purchase of, or payment
      for, any Shares by Parent, Purchaser or any affiliate of Parent or
      Purchaser; (ii) otherwise preventing the consummation of any of the
      Transactions; (iii) imposing limitations on the ability of Parent,
      Purchaser or any affiliate of Parent or Purchaser to exercise effectively
      full rights of ownership of any Shares, including, without limitation, the
      right to vote any Shares acquired by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer on
      all matters properly presented to the Company's stockholders, which would
      effect a material diminution in the value of the Shares acquired by
      Purchaser;

                  (b) there shall have been any federal or state statute, rule
      or regulation enacted or promulgated on or after the date of the Offer
      that could reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in
      any of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of
      paragraph (a) above;

                  (c) any representation or warranty of the Company in this
      Agreement which is qualified as to materiality shall not be true and
      correct or any such representation or warranty that is not so qualified
      shall not be true and correct in any material respect, in each case as if
      such representation or warranty was made as of such time on or after the
      date of this Agreement;

                  (d) there shall have occurred and be remaining in effect (i)
      any general suspension of, or limitation on prices for, trading in
      securities of the Company on the NASDAQ National Market System, (ii) any
      material change in United States or Switzerland currency exchange rates or
      a suspension of, or limitation on, currency exchange markets in the United
      States or Switzerland, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any
      suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States or
      Switzerland, (iv) a commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other
      national or international calamity directly or indirectly involving the
      United
<PAGE>

                                     A-2

      States or Switzerland or (v) in the case of any of the foregoing existing
      on the date hereof, a material acceleration or worsening thereof;

                  (e) this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance
      with its terms; or

                  (f) Purchaser and the Company (with the approval of a majority
      of the Independent Directors) shall have agreed that Purchaser shall
      terminate the Offer or postpone the acceptance for payment of or payment
      for Shares thereunder;

which, in the reasonable judgment of Purchaser in any such case, and regardless
of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by Parent or any of its
affiliates) giving rise to any such condition, makes it inadvisable to proceed
with such acceptance for payment or payment.

            The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and
Parent and may be asserted by Purchaser or Parent regardless of the
circumstances giving rise to any such condition or may be waived by Purchaser or
Parent in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in their sole
discretion. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time to exercise any of
the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right; the waiver
of any such right with respect to particular facts and other circumstances shall
not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts and circumstances; and
each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any
time and from time to time.


<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
 
                               3155 Porter Drive
                          Palo Alto, California 94304
 
                                                                January 17, 1997
 
Dear Stockholders:
 
    I am pleased to inform you that on January 10, 1997, the Company entered
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Novartis Inc. (the successor by merger
to Sandoz Ltd.) and Novartis Biotech Holding Corp. (formerly Sandoz Biotech
Holdings Corporation), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis,
pursuant to which Novartis Biotech is commencing a cash tender offer (the
"Offer") to purchase all outstanding shares of the Company's common stock it
does not already own at $19.50 per share. The Offer is conditioned upon, among
other things, satisfaction of the condition that there be validly tendered and
not withdrawn at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock held
by stockholders other than Novartis and Novartis Biotech. Following the
completion of the Offer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Merger Agreement, Novartis Biotech will be merged into the Company (the
"Merger"), and each share of the Company's common stock not purchased in the
Offer (other than those shares held in the Company's treasury or owned by
Novartis, its affiliates, or by any dissenting stockholders) will be converted
into the right to receive $19.50 per share in cash, without interest. Upon
consummation of these transactions, Novartis will own the entire equity interest
in the Company.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BASED IN PART ON THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF THE
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (COMPRISED OF DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT OFFICERS OF, OR
CONSULTANTS TO, THE COMPANY NOR OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS OF NOVARTIS OR ITS
AFFILIATES), HAS APPROVED (WITH ALL DIRECTORS WHO ARE DESIGNEES OF NOVARTIS
ABSTAINING) THE MERGER AGREEMENT, DETERMINED THAT EACH OF THE OFFER AND MERGER
IS FAIR TO AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS AND
RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES PURSUANT
TO THE OFFER.
 
    In arriving at their decisions, the Independent Directors and the Board of
Directors gave careful consideration to a number of factors described in the
attached Schedule 14D-9 that is being filed today with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Among other things, the Independent Directors and the Board
of Directors considered the opinion of Lehman Brothers, the financial advisor to
the Independent Directors, that the consideration to be offered to the
stockholders of the Company (other than Novartis) in the Offer and the Merger is
fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
 
    Accompanying this letter, in addition to the attached Schedule 14D-9
relating to the Offer, is the Offer to Purchase, dated January 17, 1997, of
Novartis Biotech, together with related materials including a Letter of
Transmittal to be used for tendering your shares. These documents set forth the
terms and conditions of the Offer and the Merger, provide detailed information
about these transactions and include instructions as to how to tender your
shares. I urge you to read the enclosed materials carefully.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          /s/ John J. Schwartz
 
                                          John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>
                                    SYSTEMIX
                                     [LOGO]
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         NOTICE OF 1996 ANNUAL MEETING
                                      AND
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                   IMPORTANT
                  Whether or not you plan to be present at the
                1996 Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, and
               date the accompanying proxy and return it promptly
                       in the enclosed prepaid envelope.
<PAGE>
                                    SYSTEMIX
                                     [LOGO]
                               3155 Porter Drive
                          Palo Alto, California 94304
 
                                                                    May 31, 1996
 
Dear Stockholders:
 
    You  are cordially invited to attend the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of SyStemix, Inc. to be  held on Thursday, June 27,  1996 at 10:00 a.m.  Pacific
Daylight  Savings Time,  at the  offices of Ernst  & Young  LLP, 1451 California
Avenue, Palo Alto, California.
 
    Whether or not you plan to attend the 1996 Annual Meeting, please  complete,
sign,  and date the  accompanying proxy and  return it promptly  in the enclosed
prepaid envelope. If you attend  the Annual Meeting, you  may vote in person  if
you wish, even if you have previously returned your proxy.
 
                                          Sincerely,
                                          John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.
                                          PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
                 NOTICE OF 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                 TO BE HELD ON
 
                                 JUNE 27, 1996
 
    Notice  is hereby  given that the  1996 Annual Meeting  of Stockholders (the
"Annual Meeting") of  SyStemix, Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation (the  "Company"),
will  be  held on  June 27,  1996, at  the offices  of Ernst  & Young  LLP, 1451
California Avenue,  Palo  Alto, California,  commencing  at 10:00  a.m.  Pacific
Daylight Savings Time, for the following purposes:
 
    (1)  To elect four directors,  each to hold office  for a three-year term as
       Class II  directors  and until  their  successors are  duly  elected  and
       qualified.
 
    (2)  To  ratify  the  selection  of  Ernst  &  Young  LLP  as  the Company's
       independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996.
 
    (3) To transact such  other matters as may  properly come before the  Annual
       Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
 
    The  Board of Directors has  fixed the close of business  on May 17, 1996 as
the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice  of,
and  to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
A list of  such stockholders  will be  available at the  time and  place of  the
meeting  and, for any purpose germane to  the meeting, during the ten days prior
to the meeting, at the office of  the Secretary of the Corporation at 1651  Page
Mill Road, Palo Alto, California, during ordinary business hours.
 
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, AND
DATE  THE  ACCOMPANYING PROXY  AND RETURN  IT PROMPTLY  IN THE  ENCLOSED PREPAID
ENVELOPE. IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU  WISH,
EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY RETURNED YOUR PROXY.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          Iris Brest
                                          VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL
                                          AND SECRETARY
 
Palo Alto, California
May 31, 1996
<PAGE>
                                 SYSTEMIX, INC.
 
                               3155 PORTER DRIVE
                          PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                  FOR THE 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD ON JUNE 27, 1996
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                  INTRODUCTION
 
    This  Proxy Statement  is being furnished  to the  stockholders of SyStemix,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the  "Company" or "SyStemix"), in connection  with
the solicitation by its Board of Directors from holders of outstanding shares of
the  Company's common stock, par  value $.01 per share  (the "Common Stock"), of
proxies to be voted at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to
be held on Thursday, June 27, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Savings  Time,
at  the  offices  of Ernst  &  Young  LLP, 1451  California  Avenue,  Palo Alto,
California,  and  at  any  adjournment  or  postponement  thereof  (the  "Annual
Meeting"),  for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of 1996 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. The Company's  principal executive offices are  located
at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94304.
 
    This  Proxy  Statement and  the  form of  proxy  are first  being  mailed to
stockholders of the Company on or about May 31, 1996.
 
    All proxies duly executed  and received prior to  or at the Annual  Meeting,
and  not  revoked, will  be voted  on all  matters presented  at the  meeting in
accordance with the instructions  indicated on such proxies.  In the absence  of
specified  instructions, proxies  so received  will be  voted FOR  (1) the named
nominees to the Company's  Board of Directors, and  FOR (2) the ratification  of
the  selection of Ernst  & Young LLP  as independent auditors  for the Company's
fiscal year  ending  December  31,  1996. If  any  other  matters  are  properly
presented  at the  Annual Meeting  for consideration,  the persons  named in the
enclosed form of  proxy and acting  thereunder will have  discretion to vote  on
such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
 
    Any  proxy given pursuant to this solicitation  may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before it is  voted. Proxies may be revoked by (i)  filing
with  the Secretary of the Company,  at or before the taking  of the vote at the
Annual Meeting, a  written notice of  revocation bearing a  later date than  the
proxy,  (ii) delivering to the Secretary of  the Company a proxy bearing a later
date relating to the  same shares before  the taking of the  vote at the  Annual
Meeting,  or (iii) attending  the Annual Meeting and  voting in person (although
attendance at  the Annual  Meeting will  not  in and  of itself  constitute  the
revocation  of a  proxy). Any written  notice of revocation  or subsequent proxy
should be sent so as to be delivered to 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California
94304, Attention: Secretary, or hand delivered  to Iris Brest of the Company  at
or  before the taking  of the vote at  the Annual Meeting.  The persons named as
proxies on the enclosed form of proxy, John J. Schwartz and Wendy R.  Hitchcock,
were  selected by the Board of Directors of  the Company and are officers of the
Company.
 
                       RECORD DATE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING
 
    The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on May
17, 1996, as the record date for the determination of the stockholders  entitled
to  notice of, and to vote at,  the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only holders of
record of Common Stock on the record date will be entitled to such notice and to
vote at the Annual Meeting. On May  17, 1996, 14,470,149 shares of Common  Stock
were  outstanding. Each stockholder on  the Record Date is  entitled to one vote
per share on each
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting. The holders of a majority of  the
shares  issued  and outstanding,  whether present  in  person or  represented by
proxy, will constitute a  quorum for the transaction  of business at the  Annual
Meeting.
 
                            SANDOZ LTD. TRANSACTION
 
    On  February  19, 1992,  Sandoz Ltd.  acquired  a 60%  interest (on  a fully
diluted basis)  in  the  Company.  The  acquisition  was  effected  through  two
simultaneous transactions. In the first, Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation, an
indirect  wholly owned subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd. (collectively with Sandoz Ltd.,
"Sandoz") purchased, pursuant to a tender  offer, 4,011,684 shares or 49.13%  of
the  Company's Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) for $70 per share. In the
second, the  Company sold  1,982,143 shares  of the  Company's Common  Stock  to
Sandoz,  at  a price  of $56  per share  or an  aggregate of  approximately $111
million, thereby raising Sandoz's  aggregate ownership to  60% of the  Company's
Common  Stock on  a fully  diluted basis.  Sandoz provided  such funds  from its
working capital.
 
    On January 30, 1995, the Company and Sandoz entered into a stock and warrant
purchase agreement whereby the Company issued to Sandoz, on February 2, 1995, an
additional 4,616,272  shares  of  Common  Stock  and  warrants  to  purchase  an
additional  1,367,600 shares of Common Stock,  in exchange for proceeds of $80.0
million. The  warrants  have an  exercise  price of  $27.50  per share  and  are
exercisable during a three-year period ending February 2, 1998. Certain portions
of  the original  acquisition agreement,  entered into  between the  Company and
Sandoz on December 16, 1991 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), were amended to allow
this transaction.
 
    The Acquisition  Agreement, as  amended, provides  that until  December  16,
1998,  Sandoz is prohibited from increasing its share holding above 71.6% of the
Common Stock on a  fully-diluted basis (73.9% if  the warrants are exercised  in
full),  and from December  17, 1998 to  February 18, 2002  above 75%. Sandoz is,
however, permitted to bid for 100% of the Company at any time after December 16,
1994, but only  if such action  is recommended  by a majority  of the  Company's
"Independent Directors" as defined in the Acquisition Agreement.
 
    The Acquisition Agreement, as amended, also provides that Sandoz has certain
rights  to purchase  (at its option  either from  the Company or  on the market)
additional shares of  Common Stock  to maintain its  level of  ownership in  the
event  of  an increase  in  the number  of  shares of  Common  Stock outstanding
(including through the issuance of securities, such as options or warrants  that
may  be exercised  for Common  Stock) (the  "Top-Up Right").  Until February 19,
1999, Sandoz has a Top-Up Right, with certain limitations, to maintain ownership
of 71.6% (73.9% if the warrants are exercised in full) of the Common Stock on  a
fully  diluted basis.  From February  19, 1999  until 2002  Sandoz has  a Top-Up
Right, with certain limitations, to maintain its then aggregate ownership of the
Common Stock on a fully diluted basis which may not exceed 75%. The Top-Up Right
may be exercised with  respect to options granted  under employee benefit  plans
only when such options are exercised.
 
    Under  the  terms  of  the  Acquisition  Agreement,  Sandoz  is  entitled to
designate up  to  the number  (rounded  up to  the  next whole  number)  of  the
Company's  Board of Directors that will  give Sandoz representation equal to the
product of  the total  number of  members of  the Company's  Board of  Directors
multiplied by the percentage that the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
then  beneficially owned by Sandoz or any affiliate of Sandoz bears to the total
number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. Sandoz has agreed to vote all
shares of Common Stock  directly or indirectly beneficially  owned by them  (the
"Sandoz Shares"), and the Company has agreed, at such time, to promptly take all
actions necessary to cause the designees of Sandoz to be elected as directors of
the  Company. The Acquisition Agreement provides that the directors nominated by
Sandoz shall be divided evenly, as  nearly as possible, among the three  classes
of  directors. The Acquisition Agreement further  provides that Sandoz will vote
the Sandoz Shares, and the Company shall promptly take all actions necessary, to
ensure that the Board of  Director's membership shall include three  Independent
Directors,  and Sandoz has agreed to vote the Sandoz Shares, and the Company has
agreed that it shall
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
promptly take  all actions  necessary, to  ensure that  any successors  to  such
Independent  Directors shall be nominated by the remaining Independent Directors
and shall be elected, provided Sandoz  consents to such election, which  consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.
 
    The  percentage of the  Company's Common Stock  beneficially owned by Sandoz
(which includes  1,367,600  shares purchasable  upon  exercise of  warrants)  is
75.6%.  Because of  its ownership  of more  than a  majority of  the outstanding
shares of Common  Stock, Sandoz will  control the  outcome of any  matter to  be
voted on at the 1996 Annual Meeting.
 
                       PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF SYSTEMIX
 
    The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 1996, the names and principal
business  addresses of each person known by  SyStemix to be the beneficial owner
of more than five percent of the Common Stock.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NUMBER OF SHARES    PERCENTAGE OF
                             NAME AND                                OF COMMON STOCK    COMMON STOCK
                            ADDRESS OF                                BENEFICIALLY      BENEFICIALLY
                         BENEFICIAL OWNER                                 OWNED             OWNED
- ------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                <C>
Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation (1)                                  11,977,699(2)        75.6%
  608 Fifth Avenue
  New York, New York 10020
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
 of New York                                                              1,251,871            8.7%
  60 Wall Street
  New York, New York 10260
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Sandoz  Biotech  Holdings  Corporation  is  an  indirect  and   wholly-owned
    subsidiary  of Sandoz Ltd. The address of the principal executive offices of
    Sandoz Ltd. is Lichtstrasse 35, CH-4056, Basle, Switzerland.
 
(2) Represents 10,610,099  shares  of  Common Stock  and  warrants  to  purchase
    1,367,600 shares of Common Stock.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
 
    The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 1996, the number of shares of
Common  Stock beneficially owned by directors,  the executive officers listed in
the Summary Compensation Table,  and directors and all  executive officers as  a
group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                      OF COMMON STOCK      PERCENTAGE OF
                      NAME OF                          BENEFICIALLY        COMMON STOCK
                 BENEFICIAL OWNER                          OWNED        BENEFICIALLY OWNED
- ---------------------------------------------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>
Linda M. Burch                                               31,327(1)           *
Harold Edgar                                                 42,714(2)           *
Edgar J. Fullagar                                           --     (3)          --
Stephan Guttmann, Ph.D.                                     --     (3)          --
Paul Herrling, Ph.D.                                        --     (3)          --
Wendy R. Hitchcock                                            8,687(4)           *
Didier L. Lanson, Ph.D.                                      10,667(5)           *
Hugh Lewis                                                   11,252(6)           *
Fred J. Meyer                                                 5,959(3,7)          *
Ulrich Oppikofer, Ph.D.                                     --     (3)          --
Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr.                                        48,362(8)           *
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.                                     120,037(9)           *
Daniel L. Vasella, M.D.                                     --     (3)          --
Irving L. Weissman, M.D.                                    150,562(10)           1.0%
All directors and executive officers as
 a group (18 persons)                                       435,592(11)           3.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 *  Represents less than 1%.
 
 (1)Includes  28,327 shares  of Common  Stock purchasable  upon the  exercise of
    stock options granted pursuant  to the Company's  stock option plans,  which
    are  exercisable or become  so within 60  days of March  1, 1996 ("Presently
    Exercisable Options").  Ms.  Burch also  holds  options to  purchase  22,986
    shares of common stock which are not Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (2)Represents  34,439 shares of  Presently Exercisable Options.  Mr. Edgar also
    holds options  to  purchase 7,500  shares  of  Common Stock  which  are  not
    Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (3)Excludes  11,977,699  shares of  Common  Stock beneficially  held  by Sandoz
    Biotech Holdings  Corporation of  which  such person  may be  considered  an
    affiliate.  Such person disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by
    Sandoz Biotech Holding Corporation or its affiliates.
 
 (4)Includes 6,687 shares of Presently  Exercisable Options. Ms. Hitchcock  also
    holds  options  to purchase  20,063  shares of  Common  Stock which  are not
    Presently Exercisable Options.
 
 (5)Represents Presently Exercisable Options. Dr.  Lanson also holds options  to
    purchase  11,005 shares of Common Stock  which are not Presently Exercisable
    Options.
 
 (6)Represents Presently Exercisable  Options. Mr. Lewis  also holds options  to
    purchase  20,760 shares of Common Stock  which are not Presently Exercisable
    Options.
 
 (7) Represents Presently Exercisable Options.  Mr. Meyer also holds options  to
    purchase  7,500 shares of  Common Stock which  are not Presently Exercisable
    Options.
 
 (8) Represents Presently Exercisable Options. Mr. Ruvane also holds options  to
    purchase  7,500 shares of  Common Stock which  are not Presently Exercisable
    Options.
 
 (9) Includes 89,037 shares of Presently Exercisable Options. Dr. Schwartz  also
    holds  options  to purchase  120,450 shares  of Common  Stock which  are not
    Presently Exercisable Options.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
(10) Includes 5,959 shares of  Presently Exercisable Options. Dr. Weissman  also
    holds  options  to  purchase 7,500  shares  of  Common Stock  which  are not
    Presently Exercisable Options.
 
(11) Includes 244,914 shares of Presently Exercisable Options.
 
                      PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
    SyStemix has a classified Board of Directors consisting of three classes  of
directors   serving  staggered  three-year  terms  and  until  their  respective
successors are duly elected and appointed.  Class I consists of four  directors,
Class  II of  four directors  and Class  III of  three directors.  Four Class II
directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms  expiring
on  the date of the  annual meeting of stockholders in  1999 and until each such
director's successor shall have been duly elected or appointed. The Class I  and
Class  III directors will serve  until the annual meeting  of stockholders to be
held in 1998  and 1997,  respectively, and in  each case  until their  successor
shall have been duly elected or appointed.
 
    The  nominees for  Class II  directors are  HAROLD EDGAR,  PAUL L. HERRLING,
ULRICH OPPIKOFER AND IRVING L. WEISSMAN.
 
    The following table  sets forth  certain information,  as of  March 1,  1996
unless  otherwise noted, concerning each of  the four nominees for directors and
each current director in the classes continuing in office.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      CLASS OF   DIRECTOR
                   NAME                         AGE           POSITIONS HELD         DIRECTORS     SINCE
- -------------------------------------------     ---     ---------------------------  ----------  ---------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>                          <C>         <C>
Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr.                               70  Chairman of the Board        Class I          1990
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.                             61  President, CEO               Class I          1995
Stephan Guttmann, Ph.D.                             67  Director                     Class I          1992
Fred J. Meyer                                       65  Director                     Class I          1994
Harold Edgar                                        53  Director                     Class II         1989
Paul L. Herrling, Ph.D.                             49  Director                     Class II         1994
Ulrich Oppikofer, Ph.D.                             61  Director                     Class II         1992
Irving L. Weissman, M.D.                            56  Director                     Class II         1988
Edgar J. Fullagar                                   56  Director                     Class III        1996
Daniel L. Vasella, M.D.                             42  Director                     Class III        1995
Edgar H. Schollmaier                                62  Director (1)                 Class III        1996
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) As of March 15, 1996
 
    JOSEPH J.  RUVANE,  JR., has  served  as a  director  of the  Company  since
December  1990 and was elected Chairman of the Board in April 1991. From 1988 to
1990, Mr. Ruvane was Vice Chairman of  Glaxo Inc., and from 1986 to 1988,  Chief
Executive  Officer and  Chairman of  that company. Mr.  Ruvane also  served as a
director for Glaxo Inc.'s parent company, Glaxo Holdings P.L.C. Mr. Ruvane is  a
director on the boards of Intercardia Inc. and Connective Therapeutics Inc.
 
    JOHN J. SCHWARTZ, PH.D., was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company on March 29, 1995. From December 1994 to March 1995, Dr. Schwartz
served  as  the Company's  Acting President  and  Chief Executive  Officer. From
January 1993  to December  1994,  Dr. Schwartz  was  the Company's  Senior  Vice
President,  General Counsel and Secretary. From  1969 through 1992, Dr. Schwartz
was employed  by Stanford  University, most  recently as  the University's  Vice
President and General Counsel.
 
    EDGAR  J. FULLAGAR  has served  as a director  of the  Company since January
1996. Mr.  Fullagar is  Vice  Chairman and  Chief  Executive Officer  of  Sandoz
Corporation  New  York,  Chairman  of  Sandoz  Pharmaceuticals  Corporation, and
President   of    Sandoz   Biotech    Holdings   Corp.    From   1994    through
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
1995,  Mr. Fullagar  was a  member of the  Executive Committee  of Sandoz Pharma
Ltd., as  well  as Senior  Vice  President,  Marketing, of  Sandoz  Pharma,  and
Chairman  of the Board of Sandoz Pharma's  Swiss operating company. From 1980 to
1993, Mr. Fullagar was Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in  the
United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
 
    STEPHAN  GUTTMANN,  PH.D., has  served as  a director  of the  Company since
February 1992. From 1956  until 1993, Dr. Guttman  was employed by Sandoz  Ltd.,
most recently as Head of Pharma Research and Development.
 
    FRED  J. MEYER has served as a  director of the Company since December 1994.
Mr. Meyer has been Chief Financial Officer  and a director of the Omnicom  Group
Inc.  since 1988. Mr. Meyer was employed by  Sandoz from 1971 to 1981, from 1978
to 1981 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz United States,  Inc.,
a  holding company. Between 1981  and 1982, Mr. Meyer  was Managing Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Wander Ltd., Berne.  Mr. Meyer is also a director  on
the  boards of  Zurich-American Insurance  Companies, SoGen  International Fund,
SoGen Funds, Inc., and Sandoz Corp.
 
    HAROLD EDGAR has served as a director of the Company since March 1989 and as
interim part-time Secretary of the Company from September 1991 to December 1992.
In 1991 and 1992, Mr. Edgar was also retained by the Company to provide  outside
legal  counsel. Since 1985,  Mr. Edgar has  been the Julius  Silver Professor of
Law, Science and  Technology and  Director of the  Program in  Law, Science  and
Technology at Columbia University School of Law.
 
    PAUL L. HERRLING, PH.D., has served as a director of the Company since March
1994.  Dr. Herrling is  head of Corporate  Research for Sandoz  Pharma Ltd. From
1992 to 1994, Dr. Herrling  was head of Preclinical  Research, and from 1987  to
1992,  head of the Sandoz Research Institute (Berne), both at Sandoz Pharma Ltd.
Dr. Herrling is also a director on the board of Genetic Therapy Inc.
 
    ULRICH OPPIKOFER, PH.D., has served as a director of the Company since March
1992. Dr. Oppikofer is Executive Vice President of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. From  1985
to 1990, Dr. Oppikofer was Executive Vice President of Sandoz Ltd. Dr. Oppikofer
also serves as a director of Swiss Life, a life insurance cooperative located in
Zurich, Switzerland.
 
    EDGAR H. SCHOLLMAIER has served as a director of the Company since March 15,
1996.  Mr.  Schollmaier  is  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of Alcon
Laboratories, Inc.,  where he  has  been employed  since  1958, serving  in  his
present  position since 1977. Mr. Schollmaier is also a director on the board of
Stevens International, Inc.
 
    DANIEL L. VASELLA, M.D., has served as a director of the Company since  June
1995.  Dr. Vasella is Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. and a member
of the Sandoz  Group Executive  Committee. Prior to  his appointment  as CEO  in
1995, Dr. Vasella was Chief Operating Officer of Sandoz Pharma from 1994 to 1995
and  Senior Vice President and Head of  Worldwide Development from 1993 to 1994.
From 1988 until  1992, Dr. Vasella  was with Sandoz  Pharmaceuticals Corp.,  the
U.S.  affiliate of Sandoz Pharma, most  recently as Director and Department Head
in Marketing. Dr. Vasella serves on several Sandoz boards and also on the  board
of Genetic Therapy Inc.
 
    IRVING  L. WEISSMAN,  M.D., a  co-founder of  the Company,  has served  as a
director of the Company and Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board since  May
1988. Since 1988, Dr. Weissman has been the Karel and Avis Beekhuis Professor of
Cancer  Biology, a Professor  in the Departments  of Pathology and Developmental
Biology, and  Associate  Director  for  the  Center  of  Molecular  and  Genetic
Medicine,  all at Stanford  University. From 1988  to 1992, Dr.  Weissman was an
Investigator in  the Howard  Hughes Medical  Institute at  Stanford  University.
Since  1986, Dr.  Weissman has  been the Director  of the  Immunology Program at
Stanford University.  Dr.  Weissman is  a  Member  of the  National  Academy  of
Sciences,  a Fellow of the American  Association for the Advancement of Science,
and a Member  of the  American Academy  of Arts  and Sciences;  he received  the
Pasarow Prize in cancer immunology in 1989.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Election  of directors shall be determined by  a plurality of the votes cast
in person or by proxy at the  Annual Meeting. Under applicable Delaware law,  in
tabulating  the vote, abstentions will be counted  and will have the same effect
as negative votes, whereas broker non-votes will not be counted (which will have
the effect  of reducing  the absolute  number, but  not the  percentage, of  the
affirmative   votes  needed  for  election  of  the  directors).  The  Company's
Certificate of Incorporation allows voting by proxy on this matter.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH OF THE FOUR NOMINEES.
 
    It is the intention of  the persons named in the  enclosed form of proxy  to
vote  such proxy "FOR" the election of the four nominees for Class II directors,
HAROLD EDGAR, PAUL L. HERRLING, ULRICH OPPIKOFER AND IRVING L. WEISSMAN,  unless
otherwise directed by the stockholders. Management does not contemplate that any
of  the nominees will become unable to serve,  but if for any reason that should
occur before the Annual Meeting,  it is expected that  the persons named in  the
proxy  will vote for another nominee or nominees  to be selected by the Board of
Directors.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS HELD
 
    The Company's  Board of  Directors has  the following  standing  Committees:
Executive,  Audit,  Nominating,  Compensation  and,  through  1995,  Special (to
administer the  Stock Option  Plan). Beginning  in 1996,  the functions  of  the
Special Committee were assumed by the Compensation Committee.
 
    The  members of the Executive Committee  are Harold Edgar, Edgar J. Fullagar
and Fred J. Meyer. This  committee has been delegated all  of the powers of  the
Board  of  Directors with  customary and  statutory exceptions.  Management also
solicits advice from the members of the Executive Committee on an ongoing  basis
throughout the year. The Executive Committee held one meeting in 1995.
 
    The  members of  the Audit  Committee are  Harold Edgar,  Fred J.  Meyer and
Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. This committee meets with representatives of the Company's
independent auditors during the course of their audit,reviews audit  procedures,
and  receives recommendations and reports from the auditors. The Audit Committee
held two meetings in 1995.
 
    The members of the Compensation Committee  are Edgar J. Fullagar, Joseph  J.
Ruvane,  Jr., and  Daniel L.  Vasella. This  committee, composed  exclusively of
outside directors, is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Board of
Directors the  compensation  of certain  executives  as well  as  reviewing  and
recommending  the  overall  Company-wide  compensation  plan  and  strategy. The
Compensation Committee  held  five meetings  in  1995. Beginning  in  1996,  the
Compensation  Committee also has the authority to administer the Company's Stock
Option Plans, a function  that was performed by  the Special Committee in  1995.
The Special Committee held six meetings in 1995.
 
    The  members of  the Nominating Committee  are Edgar J.  Fullagar, Joseph J.
Ruvane,  Jr.,  and  Daniel  L.  Vasella.  This  committee  considers  and  makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors as to persons whom it concludes should
be  considered for membership and matters  relating to the selection, tenure and
retirement of directors. The Nominating Committee did not meet during 1995.  The
Nominating   Committee   will   consider   nominees   recommended   by  SyStemix
stockholders. Stockholders wishing to recommend a person for consideration as  a
nominee  to the Board of  Directors should send a  letter to the Company stating
the name and  qualifications of the  proposed nominee. The  letter must be  sent
prior  to January  20 of the  year of the  annual meeting at  which the proposed
nominee  would  be  considered.  Stockholders  are  also  entitled  to  nominate
candidates  for director at  the Annual Meeting  if they have  complied with the
advance notice provisions contained in the Company's Bylaws.
 
    The Board of  Directors held  ten meetings during  1995. Incumbent  director
Daniel  L. Vasella attended less  than 75% of the meetings  of the Board and the
Compensation Committee, on  which he  served, during  his period  of service  in
1995.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
    With  the  exception of  Mr.  Edgar and  Mr.  Ruvane, and  except  as stated
elsewhere in  this  Proxy  Statement,  no  director  received  remuneration  for
services  provided as a member of the  Board of Directors before March 17, 1995.
Effective as of March 17, 1995, each member of the Board of Directors who is not
an employee of  either SyStemix, Sandoz,  or a SyStemix  or Sandoz affiliate  (a
"Non-Employee  Director") is compensated with a $6,000 annual retainer (prorated
for the portion of the calendar year served after March 17, 1995) and $1,000 for
each Board of Directors' meeting attended. Effective as of March 17, 1995,  each
Non-Employee  Director also receives  an automatic annual  grant of nonqualified
stock options to purchase 7,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock, priced  at
the  fair market value  of the Company's Common  Stock on the  date of the grant
(prorated for the portion of the calendar year served after March 17, 1995).
 
    For 1995 services as a member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Ruvane and  Mr.
Edgar  were compensated with a $6,000 annual  retainer, $1,000 for each Board of
Directors meeting attended, and the grant of options to purchase 7,500 shares of
the Company's Common  Stock, priced at  the fair market  value of the  Company's
Common  Stock on the date  of the grant. Mr.  Meyer was compensated for services
after March 17, 1995  as a Non-Employee Director  with a $4,768 prorated  annual
retainer,  $1,000 for each  Board of Directors meeting  attended after March 17,
1995, and the grant of options to purchase 5,959 shares of the Company's  Common
Stock, priced at the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date
of  the grant. Dr. Weissman was compensated for services after March 17, 1995 as
a Non-Employee Director with a grant of options to purchase 5,959 shares of  the
Company's  Common Stock, priced at the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the  date of  the grant; Dr.  Weissman also  received compensation  for
services as a consultant (see, "Directors' Affiliations").
 
    Directors  who are  employees of SyStemix,  Sandoz, or a  SyStemix or Sandoz
affiliate, do not receive fees or stock options for their services as directors.
All Directors continue  to be reimbursed  for their expenses  relating to  their
attendance at Board of Directors' meetings.
 
DIRECTORS' AFFILIATIONS
 
    The following affiliations exist between the Company and its directors:
 
    Dr.  Weissman is  chairman of  the Company's  Scientific Advisory  Board. In
addition, Dr. Weissman is retained by the Company as an exclusive consultant  to
advise  the Company in connection with developments in his area of expertise, to
the extent permitted by Stanford University, Dr. Weissman's full-time  employer.
During 1995, Dr. Weissman received in cash $127,829 for his consulting services.
 
    In  connection with the  Sandoz transaction in  February 1992, certain stock
options were repurchased.  As a result  of this transaction,  Mr. Edgar and  Mr.
Ruvane  received in cash  $202,238 and $108,100,  respectively. (The latter also
received a cash payment of $141,782 for repurchase of stock held by Mr.  Ruvane,
pursuant to this transaction).
 
    Additional  affiliations are discussed at "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets  forth the annual  and long-term compensation,  for
each  of the last three  years ended December 31,  1995, for the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, the former Vice  President, Process and Product  Development,
and the four other highest paid executive officers in the last fiscal year:
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME AND
        PRINCIPAL POSITION            YEAR
- ----------------------------------  ---------                                                LONG-TERM
                                                       ANNUAL COMPENSATION                 COMPENSATION            ALL OTHER
                                               -----------------------------------  ---------------------------  COMPENSATION
                                                SALARY      BONUS    OTHER ANNUAL                                -------------
                                               ---------  ---------  COMPENSATION             AWARDS
                                                                     -------------  ---------------------------       ($)
                                                  ($)        ($)                                   SECURITIES
                                                                          ($)        RESTRICTED    UNDERLYING
                                                                                       STOCK      OPTIONS/SARS
                                                                                     AWARDS (A)   -------------
                                                                                    ------------       (#)
                                                                                        ($)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D. (b)              1995    288,521     75,000        17,691(c)     249,800(d)      80,000       --
 President & CEO                         1994    237,743    150,375(e)        3,329      --            59,487         --
                                         1993    207,119     78,750       --            224,890(d)      70,000        --
Linda M. Burch                           1995    156,200     43,299           690        --            --             --
 Vice President, Business                1994    134,447     37,988       --             --            16,313         --
 Development                             1993    149,204     26,227       --             --            20,000         --
John N. Gardner, D. Phil. (f)            1995    155,856      6,691         2,716        --            --              82,925(f)
 Former Vice President, Process          1994    155,691     68,680        31,099(g)      16,365(h)       9,750       --
 and Product Development                 1993     19,971     --             3,400(g)      40,600(h)      20,000       --
Wendy R. Hitchcock                       1995    161,200     44,685         7,702        --            --             --
 Vice President, Chief Financial         1994    103,569     29,760       --             32,730(i)      26,750        --
 Officer                                 1993     --         --           --             --            --             --
Didier L. Lanson, Ph.D. (j)              1995    169,222     32,630        18,413(k)      --            4,550         --
 Vice President, Europe                  1994    158,901     23,477       126,759(l)      --            5,122         --
                                         1993    146,683      9,717        43,030(m)      --                          --
Hugh Lewis                               1995    148,200     47,772         1,685        --             5,250         --
 Vice President, Operations              1994    132,540     40,133        18,023(n)      --           16,762         --
                                         1993     80,000     26,498         3,274(n)      --           10,000         --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(a) The  dollar  value  of restricted  stock  is calculated  by  multiplying the
    closing price of the  Company's Common Stock on  the NASDAQ National  Market
    System  on  the  date of  grant  by the  number  of shares  awarded  net any
    consideration paid  by the  named  executive. Dividends  will be  paid  with
    respect  to  restricted stock  at the  same time  and on  the same  terms as
    dividends are paid on the Common Stock generally.
 
(b) Dr. Schwartz has been the Company's President and CEO since March 29,  1995.
    From  December 2,  1994 to  March 28, 1995,  Dr. Schwartz  was the Company's
    Acting President and CEO.  Prior to December 2,  1994, Dr. Schwartz was  the
    Company's Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
 
(c) Represents cash payments for car allowances and supplemental life insurance.
 
(d) Represents  an aggregate  of 31,000  shares of  restricted stock,  20,000 of
    which vesting monthly and 11,000 of which vesting annually over four  years.
    As  of December 31, 1995, the aggregate of 31,000 shares of restricted stock
    valued at $310,149 was held.
 
(e) Represents $84,375 bonus for achievement of 1994 goals, and $66,000 one-time
    performance share award for achievement of specific corporate goals in  1994
    in accordance with the terms of his promotion to Senior Vice President.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
(f) Dr.  Gardner retired  from SyStemix  effective December  8, 1995.  Under the
    terms of Dr. Gardner's amended offer of employment, he received six  months'
    severance pay which was paid in 1996.
 
(g) Represents  primarily payments for relocation of  $28,383 in 1994 and $3,400
    in 1993.
 
(h) Represents an aggregate of 3,500 shares of restricted stock vesting annually
    over four years. As of December  31, 1995, 2,125 shares of restricted  stock
    valued  at  $31,875 were  held  (the balance  of  the restricted  shares was
    canceled as of December 8, 1995, as a result of Dr. Gardner's retirement).
 
(i) Represents  2,000 shares  of  restricted stock  vesting annually  over  four
    years.  As of December 31, 1995, 1,500  shares of restricted stock valued at
    $22,350 were held.
 
(j)   Prior  to  February 1,  1995,  Dr.  Lanson was  an  employee  of  SyStemix
    International S.A.R.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
(k)  Represents cash  payment for  relocation to  France ($12,436), supplemental
    life insurance ($1,698) and tax equalization ($4,279).
 
(l) Represents cash  payments for  tax equalization  ($96,401), tax  preparation
    fees   ($5,700),  interim  living  costs  ($23,674)  and  supplemental  life
    insurance ($684).
 
(m) Represents  cash  payments for  relocation  from France  ($34,670)  and  tax
    equalization ($8,360).
 
(n)  Represents primarily relocation  expenses of $14,965 in  1994 and $3,225 in
    1993.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
    Dr. Schwartz  was appointed  President and  Chief Executive  Officer of  the
Company  on  March  29, 1995,  and  entered  into an  employment  agreement that
superseded his  prior  employment  agreement with  the  Company.  Dr.  Schwartz'
employment agreement generally provides for, among other things, an initial term
of  four years (automatically extended for  an additional one-year period absent
six-months' prior  notice not  to  extend), an  initial  annual base  salary  of
$300,000,  which annual salary may be  increased (but not decreased) pursuant to
an annual review by the Board of  Directors, initial equity award (this and  all
other  equity awards  referenced in Employment  Agreements with  the Company are
granted under the Company's 1991 Stock  Option and Incentive Plan, described  in
"1991  Stock Option Plan" below), annual bonus (not less than 25% of base salary
for highly  effective performance  of  the corporate  goals) and  equity  awards
(under  a  formula, for  highly effective  performance  of the  corporate goals)
pursuant to the Company's  bonus and incentive  program, percentage cash  awards
for   the  achievement  of  certain  financial  transactions,  employee  welfare
benefits, vacation in  accordance with  Company policy  but not  less than  four
weeks  per  year,  a  $150,000  interest-free housing  loan  (none  of  which is
outstanding), and provision of an automobile. In the event of a specified change
in control, the executive's stock  options will become fully vested  immediately
prior  to such change in  control. In the event  of termination without cause or
resignation for good reason, the executive will receive his base salary and 100%
of his target  bonus, together  with certain other  benefits including  employee
welfare  benefits, for a  severance period of  not less than  two years, and all
stock options will become vested and non-forfeitable.
 
    Ms. Burch entered into  an employment agreement  with the Company  effective
September  1,  1993. Ms.  Burch's  employment agreement,  as  amended, generally
provides for, among other things, an initial term of three years  (automatically
extended  for an additional one-year period  absent six-months' prior notice not
to extend), an initial annual base  salary of $145,707, which annual salary  may
be  increased (but not decreased)  pursuant to an annual  review by the Board of
Directors, annual bonus and  equity awards pursuant to  the Company's bonus  and
incentive program, employee welfare benefits, and a vacation of fifteen business
days  per year. In  the event of  termination without cause,  the executive will
receive her base salary, together with certain employee welfare benefits, for  a
severance period of not less than six months.
 
    Ms.  Hitchcock  entered  into  an  employment  agreement  with  the  Company
effective May  2,  1994.  Ms.  Hitchcock's  employment  agreement,  as  amended,
generally provides for, among other things, an
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
initial  term of three years (automatically  extended for an additional one-year
period absent six-months' prior  notice not to extend),  an initial annual  base
salary  of $155,000,  which annual salary  may be increased  (but not decreased)
pursuant to an annual review by the Board of Directors, annual bonus and  equity
awards  pursuant to the Company's bonus  and incentive program, employee welfare
benefits, and a  vacation of fifteen  business days  per year. In  the event  of
termination  without cause, the executive will receive her base salary, together
with certain employee welfare benefits, for a severance period of not less  than
six months.
 
    Dr.  Lanson entered into an employment  agreement with the Company effective
February 1,  1995.  Dr. Lanson's  employment  agreement, as  amended,  generally
provides  for, among other  things, an initial term  of two years (automatically
extended for an additional one-year  period absent six-months' prior notice  not
to  extend), an  initial annual base  salary of $164,800  (25% of which  is at a
guaranteed exchange rate  of 5.5 French  francs per U.S.  dollar), which  annual
salary  may be increased (but not decreased) pursuant to an annual review by the
Board of Directors,  annual bonus and  equity awards pursuant  to the  Company's
bonus  and incentive program,  employee welfare benefits,  a vacation of fifteen
business days  per  year, certain  French-U.S.  tax equalization  benefits,  and
relocation expenses.
 
    Mr.  Lewis entered into  an employment agreement  with the Company effective
September 1,  1993.  Mr.  Lewis' employment  agreement,  as  amended,  generally
provides  for, among other things, an initial term of three years (automatically
extended for an additional one-year  period absent six-months' prior notice  not
to  extend), an initial annual base salary  of $120,000, which annual salary may
be increased (but not decreased)  pursuant to an annual  review by the Board  of
Directors,  annual bonus and  equity awards pursuant to  the Company's bonus and
incentive program, employee welfare benefits, and a vacation of fifteen business
days per year.  In the event  of termination without  cause, the executive  will
receive  his base salary, together with certain employee welfare benefits, for a
severance period of not less than six months.
 
    Mr. Gardner, who resigned his employment with the Company effective December
8, 1995, did not have an  employment agreement with the Company. However,  under
the  terms of the  Company's October 1993  offer of employment,  as amended, Dr.
Gardner received severance in the amount of six months' pay upon termination  of
his employment with the Company.
 
1991 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In  June 1991, the Board of Directors  of the Company approved the Company's
1991 Stock  Option and  Incentive Plan  (as amended,  the "Stock  Option  Plan")
pursuant  to  which  the  committee administering  the  Stock  Option  Plan (the
"Committee") may  grant incentive  stock  options, nonqualified  stock  options,
stock  appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and performance share awards
to eligible  employees of  the Company,  including executive  officers, and  may
grant  nonqualified stock  options to eligible  consultants to  the Company. The
grant of stock options and other awards under the Stock Option Plan to employees
and consultants is subject to the discretion of the Committee. Directors who are
not employees of either the Company, Sandoz, or their affiliates  ("Non-Employee
Directors")  receive automatic  annual grants  of nonqualified  stock options to
purchase 7,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of  not
less  than  the  fair market  value  of such  stock  on  the date  of  the grant
(generally, the first day of the calendar year or such later date of appointment
as a director, in which case the number of shares is prorated for the  remaining
portion of the calendar year). The grant of nonqualified stock options under the
Stock  Option Plan to Non-Employee Directors is not subject to the discretion of
the Committee.
 
    Awards in the aggregate  of up to 4,000,000  shares of the Company's  common
stock  ("Common Stock")  may be  granted under the  Stock Option  Plan (less the
number of shares  awarded under  the Company's  1988 Stock  Option Plan),  which
aggregate number of shares represents an aggregate market value of $55.0 million
based  on a fair  market value of $13.75  per share of Common  Stock on March 1,
1996.
 
    Stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan may be either (i)  options
intended  to  qualify as  "incentive  stock options"  under  Section 422  of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
"Code"), which  may  be  granted only  to  employees  of the  Company,  or  (ii)
nonqualified  stock options, which may be  granted to employees, consultants and
Non-Employee Directors.  Under  the  Stock  Option Plan,  in  the  case  of  any
incentive  stock  option  (and  any  nonqualified  stock  option  awarded  to  a
Non-Employee Director), the exercise price of the option granted may not be less
than 100% (110% in  the case of any  options granted to a  person who owns  more
than  10% of  the total  combined voting power  of all  classes of  stock of the
Company) of the fair market  value of the Common Stock  on the date of grant  of
the  option as defined in the Stock  Option Plan. Stock options generally become
exercisable over a four-year period and generally expire ten years from the date
of grant.
 
    Stock appreciation  rights, with  or without  accompanying options,  may  be
granted  under the Stock Option Plan to employees of the Company, and the holder
is entitled to a payment equal to the increase in value of the Common Stock from
the date of grant to the date of exercise. The payment made to holders of  stock
appreciation  rights may be made in cash or in Common Stock at the discretion of
the Committee. In the event a  stock appreciation right is granted  concurrently
with a stock option, the number of shares subject to the underlying stock option
shall be reduced accordingly by the exercise of such stock appreciation right. A
stock  appreciation  right  granted  independently  of  a  stock  option becomes
exercisable on the date  or dates determined by  the Committee, but not  earlier
than 6 months after the date awarded, except in the case of death or disability.
 
    Restricted  stock may be awarded under the Stock Option Plan to employees of
the Company. The Committee determines the number of shares subject to the award,
the price to be paid for such shares, and the restrictions to be imposed on such
shares (which restrictions cannot terminate earlier than 6 months after the date
awarded). A holder of restricted  stock may not transfer  the shares so long  as
any restrictions remain and if the employment of a holder is terminated prior to
the  lapse of the  restrictions, the Company  may be entitled  to repurchase the
restricted shares at the  price paid by the  participant. Holders of  restricted
stock are entitled to vote such shares.
 
    Performance  share  awards may  be granted  under the  Stock Option  Plan to
employees of the Company and entitle the holder to receive a specified amount of
cash or Common  Stock (at the  discretion of the  Committee) based on  achieving
some  predetermined objective established by the  Committee. Such cash or Common
Stock cannot be  issued earlier  than 6 months  after the  date the  performance
share award was granted.
 
    In  the event of a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Stock
Option Plan), the vesting of outstanding  awards granted under the Stock  Option
Plan  would be accelerated, unless the  Board of Directors (as constituted prior
to the change in control) determined otherwise. For purposes of the Stock Option
Plan, a change in control includes,  among other things, the acquisition by  any
person  or group (as defined) of 20% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company or a  change in  a majority  of the members  of the  Board of  Directors
during  any two-year period (unless approved  by three-fourths of the members of
the Board of Directors then still in office who were in office at the  beginning
of  such period). The acceleration of  outstanding awards under the Stock Option
Plan under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing
a change in control of the Company or other corporate action.
 
    Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, if the outstanding shares of Common Stock
are increased, decreased, or changed into  a different number or kind of  shares
or  securities of the Company (E.G., through a capital change or adjustment), an
appropriate and proportionate adjustment must be made in the number and kind  of
shares for which options may be granted. A corresponding adjustment changing the
number  or  kind  of  shares  and the  exercise  price  per  share  allocated to
unexercised options, or portions thereof, granted prior to any such change, will
also be made. Any such adjustment, however,  will be made without any change  in
the  total price applicable to the unexercised  portion of the option but with a
corresponding adjustment in the price for each share.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    Based  on  existing federal  income  tax laws,  the  following is  a summary
description of the general federal income tax consequences that may obtain  with
respect  to  the  incentive  stock options,  nonqualified  stock  options, stock
appreciation rights and  restricted stock that  may be granted  pursuant to  the
Company's 1991 Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("Stock Option Plan").
 
    INCENTIVE  STOCK OPTIONS ("ISOS").  No taxable income will be realized by an
option holder upon the grant  of an ISO, or upon  the exercise of an ISO  unless
the  exerciser is subject to alternative minimum tax. If shares are issued to an
option holder  pursuant  to  the exercise  of  an  ISO and  if  a  disqualifying
disposition  of  such  shares  is  not made  by  such  option  holder  (I.E., no
disposition is made within two years after the date of grant or within one  year
after  the receipt of such shares by such  option holder), then (i) upon sale of
such shares, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price of the ISO will
be taxed  to  such option  holder  as a  long-term  capital gain  and  any  loss
sustained  will  be a  long-term capital  loss,  and (ii)  no deduction  will be
allowed to the Company. However, if shares acquired upon the exercise of an  ISO
are  disposed  of prior  to the  expiration of  either holding  period described
above, generally (i) the option holder will realize ordinary income in the  year
of  disposition in  an amount equal  to the excess  (if any) of  the fair market
value of the shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on
the disposition of the  shares), over the exercise  price thereof, and (ii)  the
Company  will  be  entitled  to  deduct an  amount  equal  to  such  income. Any
additional gain  recognized by  the option  holder upon  a disposition  of  such
shares  prior to the  expiration of the  holding period described  above will be
taxed as a short-term or  long-term capital gain, as the  case may be, and  will
not  result in any deduction by the Company.  If an ISO is exercised at the time
when it  no longer  qualifies  as an  ISO,  such option  will  be treated  as  a
nonqualified  stock option. Subject to certain exceptions, an ISO generally will
not be eligible for the  federal income tax treatment  described above if it  is
exercised more than three months following termination of employment. The amount
by  which the  fair market value  of the  stock on the  exercise date  of an ISO
exceeds the exercise price generally will constitute an item which increases the
option holder's "alternative minimum taxable income" in the year of exercise.
 
    NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS ("NQSOS").  In  general, an optionee will not  be
subject  to tax  at the time  a NQSO  is granted. Upon  exercise of  a NQSO, the
optionee generally must include  in ordinary income at  the time of exercise  an
amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock at the
time  of exercise over the exercise price. The Company will be entitled to a tax
deduction in the same amount as  the ordinary income recognized by the  optionee
with  respect to shares acquired upon exercise of an option. Any subsequent gain
or loss recognized upon disposition of the shares will be taxed as short-term or
long-term capital gains, as the case may be.
 
    STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS ("SARS").  An employee will not recognize  income,
and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction, upon the grant of a SAR. On
the  exercise of  a SAR for  cash, the holder  will be taxed  at ordinary income
rates on the amount of cash received. On  the exercise of a SAR for shares,  the
holder  will  be taxed  at that  time on  the  fair market  value of  the shares
received and will have  a tax basis  in such shares equal  to their fair  market
value.  The Company will be entitled to a  deduction at the same time and in the
same amount as the ordinary income recognized  by the holder upon exercise of  a
SAR.
 
    RESTRICTED  STOCK AWARDS ("RSAS").   An employee  will not recognize income,
and the Company will  not be entitled to  a deduction, upon the  grant of a  RSA
(unless,  within 30 days after the date of  receipt of the RSA, the holder files
an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to include the value of the stock in
income when awarded). Absent a Section  83(b) election, a holder generally  will
recognize  ordinary income equal to  the excess of the  fair market value of the
restricted stock, at the time the  restrictions lapse, over the amount, if  any,
which  the holder paid for  the restricted stock. The  Company generally will be
entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the
holder, at the time  the holder recognizes the  income. (The tax treatment  upon
disposition  of  restricted stock  after lapse  of  the restrictions  will vary,
depending upon whether the holder made a Section 83(b) election with respect  to
the stock.)
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    THE  DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE  IS INTENDED ONLY AS  A SUMMARY AND DOES NOT
PURPORT TO BE A  COMPLETE ENUMERATION OR ANALYSIS  OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX  EFFECTS
RELEVANT  TO  RECIPIENTS OF  AWARDS  UNDER THE  PLANS.  AMONG OTHER  ITEMS, SUCH
DISCUSSION DOES  NOT  ADDRESS  TAX  CONSEQUENCES ARISING  AS  THE  RESULT  OF  A
PARTICIPANT'S  DEATH,  OR  UNDER  THE  LAW OF  ANY  STATE,  LOCALITY  OR FOREIGN
JURISDICTION. SUCH DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT APPLY
TO THE SPECIFIC  FACTS OR  CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY  APPLY TO  A PARTICULAR  AWARD
RECIPIENT.
 
    The following table shows, as to the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table, information concerning stock options granted during the year
ended  December  31, 1995.  In addition,  in  accordance with  the rules  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission,  the table shows  the hypothetical gains  or
"option  spreads" that would  exist for such  options based on  assumed rates of
annual compound stock  appreciation of 5%  and 10%  per year from  the date  the
options were granted over the full option term.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                          ----------------------------------------------------   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                           NUMBER OF                                            VALUE AT ASSUMED RATES
                                          SECURITIES    % OF TOTAL                                  OF STOCK PRICE
                                          UNDERLYING      OPTIONS                                  APPRECIATION FOR
                                            OPTIONS     GRANTED TO     EXERCISE                    OPTION TERMS (B)
                                          GRANTED (A)    EMPLOYEES     PRICE (A)   EXPIRATION   ----------------------
NAME                                          (#)           (%)        ($/SHARE)      DATE       5% ($)      10% ($)
- ----------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D..................      80,000         13.3%         12.50      3/29/05     628,895    1,593,742
Linda M. Burch..........................      --            --            --           --          --          --
John N. Gardner, D.Phil. (c)............      --            --            --           --          --          --
Wendy R. Hitchcock......................      --            --            --           --          --          --
Didier L. Lanson, Ph.D..................       4,550          0.8%         14.75      3/17/05      42,207      106,960
Hugh Lewis..............................       5,250          0.9%         14.75      3/17/05      48,700      123,415
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(a)  All grants were of incentive stock options, the exercise price of which may
    not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock
    on the date of grant. Options  generally become exercisable in equal  annual
    installments  over a four-year period; pursuant to his employment agreement,
    Dr. Schwartz' options vest ratably each month over the four-year period.
 
(b) The 5% and 10%  assumed rates of appreciation are  mandated by the rules  of
    the  Securities and Exchange  Commission and do  not represent the Company's
    estimate or projection of the future common stock price.
 
(c) Dr. Gardner retired from SyStemix effective December 8, 1995.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    The following table shows, as to the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table, information concerning stock options exercised and the value
of unexercised options held by the named executives for the year-ended  December
31, 1995.
 
    AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NUMBER OF SECURITIES        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                                   UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                                         SHARES                      OPTIONS AT FY-END                 FY-END
                                       ACQUIRED ON     VALUE                (#)                         ($)
                                        EXERCISE     REALIZED    --------------------------  --------------------------
                NAME                       (#)          ($)      EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D...............      --           --           69,871        139,616       47,500        192,500
Linda M. Burch.......................      --           --           25,327         25,986       (1)           (1)
John N. Gardner, D.Phil. (2).........      --           --           12,437        --            (1)           --
Wendy R. Hitchcock...................      --           --            6,687         20,063       (1)           (1)
Didier L. Lanson, Ph.D...............      --           --            9,530         12,142       (1)             1,138
Hugh Lewis...........................      --           --            9,190         22,822       (1)             1,313
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1)  The exercise price of  the applicable options was  above $15.00, the market
    price of the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1995.
 
(2) Dr. Gardner retired from SyStemix effective December 8, 1995.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
    The Report  of  the  Compensation  Committee  shall  not  be  deemed  to  be
incorporated  by reference by  any general statement  incorporating by reference
this proxy  statement into  any filing  under the  Securities Act  of 1933  (the
"Securities  Act") or under  the Securities Exchange Act  of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"), except  to the  extent that  the Company  specifically incorporates  this
information  by reference,  and shall not  otherwise be deemed  filed under such
acts.
 
    The Compensation  Committee  of the  Board  of Directors  (the  "Committee")
establishes  the general compensation policies of the Company for all employees,
including the  Company's Chief  Executive Officer  and certain  other  executive
officers  (collectively,  "Executive Officers").  The  Committee meets  at least
annually to review the  annual compensation and bonus  plans, and recommends  to
the  Board  of  Directors the  salaries,  bonus  and other  compensation  of the
Executive Officers.  The  Committee's philosophy  for  the compensation  of  the
Company's Executive Officers is to:
 
    - Attract  and retain world class talent  critical to the achievement of the
      Company's strategic goals and mission;
 
    - Focus Executive  Officers on  key  research, development  and  operational
      goals that reflect the strategy and mission of the Company that will bring
      an increased value to the stockholders;
 
    - Pay  fairly for both results  and contributions while recognizing superior
      efforts and processes that lead to results;
 
    - Be consistent  and equitable  in the  administration of  the  compensation
      policy;
 
    - Allow Executive Officers to participate in the Company's growth.
 
    In  order to recommend the appropriate compensation levels for its Executive
Officers, the  Committee considers  (i) the  salaries of  executive officers  in
similar  positions of comparably-sized companies and their performance according
to data obtained from an independent outside consultant and (ii) the achievement
of certain objectives (consistent with the Company's strategy and mission).
 
    The Company has also established a bonus and incentive program for employees
including Executive Officers. Annually,  objectives are established relating  to
the  Company as a whole  and to the Executive  Officers' areas of responsibility
and are  weighted as  to importance.  Bonuses are  determined by  an  arithmetic
formula  based on the achievement  of the defined objectives  and may consist of
both
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
cash and  stock  options. The  maximum  cash bonus  which  may be  paid  to  any
participant   under  the  program,  or  applicable  contract,  is  40%  of  such
participant's base salary. The bonuses paid for the last three years to  certain
Executive  Officers of  the Company  are described  in the  Summary Compensation
Table appearing in "Executive Compensation," above.
 
    The Committee  believes  stock  options  are a  critical  component  of  its
long-term, performance-based compensation policy. The principal items considered
in  the granting of stock  options to the Executive  Officers of the Company are
the executive's ability to influence  the Company's long-term growth  potential,
and  the achievement  of the Company's  strategic objectives.  Since options are
generally granted  with  exercise prices  equal  to current  market  value,  the
Committee  believes  that options  motivate  Executive Officers  to  achieve the
desired performance levels  in a manner  which will also  benefit the  Company's
stockholders.
 
    In  setting compensation  for the Chief  Executive Officer  (the "CEO"), the
Committee and  the  Board  of  Directors  review  the  Company's  strategic  and
operational  goals agreed upon by the Committee  and the CEO. On March 29, 1995,
John Schwartz  was  appointed  President  and CEO,  whereupon  his  base  salary
(annualized  for 12 months) was increased 26.2% to $300,000 from the base salary
paid to him (as  Senior Vice President  and General Counsel  and then as  Acting
CEO)  in the prior year. Dr. Schwartz was also paid, in 1996, a bonus of $75,000
for achievement of the Company's 1995  goals, as calculated under the  Company's
bonus program in accordance with his employment agreement.
 
    The  Company is in the  research and development stage  and does not receive
revenues from proprietary cellular therapies. Consequently, the Company does not
deem it appropriate to base its compensation decisions on traditional  financial
measures of performance, including return on equity or sales.
 
    The  Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 amended Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code  and placed  a limit  on the  amount of  certain types  of
income  which may  be deductible for  tax purposes  by the Company.  None of the
Company's current Executive  Officers have received  compensation exceeding  the
statutory limit and the Company has not yet determined how this legislation will
impact future compensation decisions or arrangements.
 
    The Committee is composed of three independent, non-employee directors, who,
except  as disclosed under  "Election of Directors  -- Directors' Affiliations,"
have no interlocking  relationships as  defined by the  Securities and  Exchange
Commission.
 
              Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of SyStemix, Inc.
                                            Edgar J. Fullagar
                                            Daniel L. Vasella
                                            Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr.
 
                        COMPANY STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
 
    The stock price performance graph below includes information required by the
Securities  and  Exchange Commission  and shall  not  be deemed  incorporated by
reference by any general statement into  any filing under the Securities Act  or
under   the  Exchange  Act,  except  to  the  extent  the  Company  specifically
incorporates this information by  reference, and shall  not otherwise be  deemed
soliciting material or filed under such acts.
 
    The  following graph shows a comparison  of the cumulative total stockholder
return for the Company, the NASDAQ  Stock Market Index (U.S. Companies) and  the
NASDAQ  Pharmaceutical Index from August 7, 1991 (the date the Company commenced
trading its  stock)  through  December  31,  1995.  The  graph  assumes  a  $100
investment  (including  reinvestment  of dividends)  on  August 7,  1991  in the
Company's stock, the NASDAQ Stock Market  Index (U.S. Companies) and the  NASDAQ
Pharmaceutical Index.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                                    [GRAPH]
 
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
    In  March  1994, the  Company and  Sandoz  agreed to  provide funding  for a
portion of the research carried out  at Stanford University School of  Medicine.
The  research is directed by Dr.  Irving Weissman as Principal Investigator. Dr.
Weissman, a faculty member  at Stanford University,  is a director,  consultant,
and  chairman of  the scientific  advisory board  of the  Company. The agreement
provides that the Company and Sandoz  have the right to negotiate with  Stanford
for  a license  on commercially reasonable  terms for  intellectual property, if
any, that  results from  the funding.  As amended,  the agreement  provides  for
funding  through December 31, 1995. The  Company provided $796,000 of funding in
1995. The  parties are  negotiating  the terms  of  an amendment  extending  the
agreement through December 31, 1996.
 
    In   April  1993,  the  Company  entered   into  an  agreement  with  Sandoz
Pharmaceutical Corporation,  a wholly-owned  affiliate  of Sandoz  Pharma  Ltd.,
(collectively  "Sandoz") to form  a joint venture  ("Progenesys") with a primary
mission to research and develop hematopoietic cell-based, somatic gene therapies
against  HIV  infection.  The  Company  and  Sandoz  licensed  certain   initial
technologies,  within  the  field,  to  Progenesys.  On  August  31,  1995,  the
Progenesys partnership was dissolved and  replaced by a collaborative  agreement
(the  "HIV Gene  Therapy Collaboration")  between the  Company and  Sandoz, with
terms and  conditions  substantially  equivalent to  those  of  the  partnership
agreement.   For  the  year  ended  December  31,  1995  (through  the  date  of
dissolution), the  Company's  share  of Progenesys'  operating  loss  was  $2.94
million.  Revenue  earned under  the HIV  Gene  Therapy Collaboration  was $1.94
million for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
    In  November  1993,  the  Company  entered  into  a  two-year  collaboration
agreement with Sandoz regarding therapeutic anti-viral agents for HIV infection.
The  collaboration  focused  on  the  underlying  pathogenic  mechanisms  of HIV
disease, the identification of new potential targets for anti-viral therapy  and
the IN-VIVO testing of anti-HIV agents under development. The Company and Sandoz
jointly  decided to terminate the Agreement as of March 31, 1995. Revenue earned
under the agreement for the year ended December 31, 1995, was $250,000.
 
    In August 1994, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York acquired 1,251,871
shares of the Company's common stock held by Eli S. Jacobs and affiliates.  J.P.
Morgan  Investment,  an affiliate  of  Morgan Guaranty  Trust  Company, provided
investment management services to the Company
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
through August  31,  1995.  Fees for  the  year  ended December  31,  1995  were
approximately  $19,000. The Company  believes that the fees  paid by the Company
were the same as would be paid to a non-related party for such services.
 
    With the  exception of  the Sandoz  transaction and  executive  compensation
arrangements discussed elsewhere in the Proxy Statement, the Company knows of no
other  relationships or transactions with parties  related to the Company. For a
full discussion of the Sandoz transactions, see "Sandoz Ltd. Transaction." For a
full discussion  of executive  compensation, see  "Executive Compensation."  See
also, "Directors' Affiliations."
 
                      COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    Section  16(a) of  the Securities Exchange  Act of  1934 requires directors,
executive officers,  and beneficial  owners of  more than  10% of  any class  of
registered equity securities of the Company to file with the SEC initial reports
of  ownership and  reports of  changes in  ownership of  Common Stock  and other
equity securities of  the Company,  and the  SEC regulations  require that  they
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
 
    To  the Company's knowledge,  based solely on  review of the  copies of such
reports furnished  to the  Company  and written  representations that  no  other
reports were required, for the time period from January 1, 1995 through December
31,  1995, all  Section 16(a)  filing requirements  applicable to  its officers,
directors and the holder  of more than  10% of the  Company's Common Stock  were
complied with, except one report covering three separate transactions for Joseph
M.  McCune,  a former  employee,  was inadvertently  filed  late and  one report
covering one transaction for Eli S. Jacobs, a former director, was not filed.
 
                     PROPOSAL 2 -- RATIFICATION OF PROPOSAL
                             TO APPROVE APPOINTMENT
                            OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    The Board of  Directors has  appointed Ernst &  Young LLP  as the  Company's
independent  auditors  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  December  31,  1996. This
appointment is  subject  to  the ratification  by  the  Company's  stockholders.
Accordingly, the following resolution will be offered at the Annual Meeting:
 
    "RESOLVED,  that the  appointment, by  the Board  of Directors  of SyStemix,
    Inc., of Ernst & Young  LLP as the independent  auditors of the Company  for
    the year ending December 31, 1996, is hereby ratified."
 
    Ernst  & Young LLP has  been serving the Company  in this capacity since the
Company's inception in 1988  and has advised  the Company that  it will have  in
attendance  at  the Annual  Meeting  a representative  who  will be  afforded an
opportunity to make a  statement, if such representative  desires to do so,  and
will respond to appropriate questions presented at the Annual Meeting.
 
    The  affirmative vote  of the  holders of  a majority  of the  votes cast in
person or by proxy at the Annual  Meeting is required to ratify the  appointment
of  independent auditors. Under applicable  Delaware law, in determining whether
the proposal has received the requisite number of affirmative votes, abstentions
will be counted and will  have the same effect as  a vote against the  proposal,
whereas  broker non-votes  will not  be counted (which  will have  the effect of
reducing the absolute number, but not  the percentage, of the affirmative  votes
needed for approval of the proposal). The Company's Certificate of Incorporation
does  not  contain a  provision  governing the  voting  by stockholders  on this
matter.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S  INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR 1996.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
    The  Board  of Directors  does  not intend  to  present any  other  items of
business and knows of no other items  of business that are likely to be  brought
up  at  the Annual  Meeting  except as  specified in  the  Notice of  the Annual
Meeting. However,  if  other matters  should  properly come  before  the  Annual
Meeting, the persons named in the Proxy will have the discretionary authority to
vote such proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
 
                 STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSALS FOR 1997 ANNUAL MEETING
 
    Stockholders of SyStemix that intend to present proposals at the 1997 Annual
Meeting  of  SyStemix must  submit the  proposals  in writing  and they  must be
received by the Company  at its principal executive  office (3155 Porter  Drive,
Palo  Alto, California 94304) no later than  January 31, 1997, in order for such
proposals to be considered  for inclusion in the  Company's proxy statement  and
proxy relating to the meeting.
 
                  COST OF SOLICITATION FOR 1996 ANNUAL MEETING
 
    Copies  of  solicitation material  will  be furnished  to  brokerage houses,
fiduciaries and custodians to forward to  beneficial owners of the Common  Stock
held  in their names. The cost of solicitation of Proxies, including expenses in
connection with preparing  and mailing this  Proxy Statement, will  be borne  by
SyStemix. In addition, SyStemix will reimburse brokerage firms and other persons
representing  beneficial owners of Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding
solicitation material  to  such  beneficial  owners.  Original  solicitation  of
Proxies  by  mail  may  be  supplemented  by  telephone,  telegram  and personal
solicitation by directors, officers or other employees for such services.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          Iris Brest
                                          VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL
                                          AND SECRETARY
 
Palo Alto, California
May 31, 1996
 
                                       19

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                                                                January 10, 1997
 
Board of Directors
SyStemix, Inc.
3155 Porter Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94304
 
Members of the Board of Directors:
 
    We understand that Novartis, Inc. ("Novartis"), Novartis Biotech Holdings
Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis ("Purchaser"), and
SyStemix ("SyStemix" or the "Company") intend to enter into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Purchaser will commence a
tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company's common
stock at $19.50 per share (the "Offer"). Pursuant to the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Agreement, after consummation of the Offer, Purchaser will
merge with and into the Company (the "Merger"). (The Merger, together with the
Offer, are hereinafter referred to as the "Proposed Transaction".) In the
Merger, all shares of the Company's common stock (other than (i) shares held in
the Company's treasury, (ii) shares held by Novartis or any of its subsidiaries,
and (iii) shares as to which dissenters' rights have been perfected) will be
exchanged for cash equal to the amount per share paid in the Offer. The other
terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction are set forth in more detail in
the Agreement.
 
    We have been requested by Harold Edgar, Joseph Ruvane and Edgar Schollmaier,
in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Independent Directors"), to render our opinion with respect to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of the Company, other than
Novartis, of the consideration to be offered to such stockholders in the
Proposed Transaction. We have not been requested to opine as to, and our opinion
does not in any manner address, the Company's underlying business decision to
proceed with or effect the Proposed Transaction.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed and analyzed: (1) the Agreement and
the specific terms of the Proposed Transaction, (2) the annual report of the
Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 filed on form 10-K, the
quarterly financial report of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended September
30, 1996 filed on Form 10-Q and such other publicly available information
concerning the Company that we believe to be relevant to our analysis, (3) other
financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and
prospects of the Company furnished to us by the Company (including financial
projections for years 1996 to 2005 under various operating assumptions), (4) a
trading history of the Company's common stock from August 7, 1991 to the present
and a comparison of that trading history with those of other companies that we
deemed relevant, (5) a comparison of the historical financial results and
present financial condition of the Company with those of other companies that we
deemed relevant, (6) an analysis of the cash required to fund the Company's near
term capital and operating requirements, the cash currently available to the
Company and the alternatives available to the Company to obtain additional
financing, and (7) a comparison of the financial terms of the Proposed
Transaction with the financial terms of certain other recent transactions that
we deemed relevant. In addition, we have held discussions with the management of
the Company concerning its business, operations, assets, financial condition and
prospects and have undertaken such other studies, analyses and investigations as
we deemed appropriate.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of the financial and other information used by us without assuming
any responsibility for independent verification of such information and further
have relied upon the assurances of management of the Company that they are not
aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate
or misleading. With respect to the financial projections of the Company, upon
the advice of the Company, we have
 
<PAGE>
assumed that such projections have been reasonably prepared on a basis
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of the Company as to the future financial performance of the Company.
However, for purposes of our analysis, we also have considered certain more
conservative assumptions and estimates which resulted in significant adjustments
to the projections of the Company. We have discussed these adjusted projections
with the Company's management and they have agreed that, because the Company's
projections have been prepared based on assumptions which include the success of
each of its products in human clinical trials and in the marketplace, it is
appropriate for us to adjust such projections to reflect the uncertainties
inherent in the business and prospects of the Company and in the Company's
ability to secure adequate financing in the future to fund its capital and
operating requirements. Without agreeing with each particular adjustment we have
made, the Company's management believes that the overall extent of our
adjustments to the Company's projections is reasonable and that our use of such
adjusted projections in our analysis is appropriate. In arriving at our opinion,
we have conducted only a limited physical inspection of the properties and
facilities of the Company and have not made or obtained any evaluations or
appraisals of the assets or liabilities of the Company. In addition, you have
not authorized us to solicit, and we have not solicited, any indications of
interest from any third party with respect to the purchase of all or a part of
the Company's business. Our opinion necessarily is based upon market, economic
and other conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date of
this letter.
 
    Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion as of the
date hereof that, from a financial point of view, the consideration to be
offered to the stockholders of the Company other than Novartis in the Proposed
Transaction is fair to such stockholders.
 
    We have acted as financial advisor to the Independent Directors in
connection with the Proposed Transaction and will receive a fee from the Company
for our services, which is contingent in part upon the consummation of the
Proposed Transaction. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify us for
certain liabilities that may arise out of the rendering of this opinion. In the
ordinary course of our business, we may trade in the equity securities of the
Company for our own account and for the accounts of our customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
 
    This opinion is for the use and benefit of the Independent Directors and is
rendered to the Independent Directors in connection with their consideration of
the Proposed Transaction. This opinion also is for the use and benefit of Irving
L. Weissman, M.D. and John J. Schwartz, Ph.D., in their capacity as members of
the Board of Directors of the Company, and is rendered to them in connection
with their consideration of the Proposed Transaction. This opinion is not
intended to be and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of
the Company as to whether to accept the consideration to be offered to such
stockholder in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>        <C>
                                             Very truly yours,
 
                                             LEHMAN BROTHERS
</TABLE>
 
                                       2

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 22


                IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY


- --------------------------------------X

GWEN WERBOWSKY,
                         Plaintiff,

             - against -                              C.A. No. 15014

SANDOZ LTD., SANDOZ AG, SANDOZ                    CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
BlOTECH HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
JOSEPH J. RUVANE, JOHN J. SCHWARTZ,
STEPHEN GUTTMAN, FRED J. MEYER, PAUL
HERRLING, ULRICH OPPIKOFER, URS
BARLOCHER, HEINZ IMHOF, IRVING L.
WEISSMAN, HAROLD EDGAR, ELI S. JACOBS
and SYSTEMIX, INC.,

                         Defendants.
- --------------------------------------X

                                  INTRODUCTION

            1. This action arises out of an unlawful scheme and plan by Sandoz
LTD and certain of its subsidiaries, the owner of 73% of SyStemix Inc.
("SyStemix" or the "Company"), to acquire the minority shares of SyStemix for
grossly inadequate consideration through unfair dealing. Plaintiff brings this
action individually and on behalf of the public shareholders of SyStemix seeking
redress for breaches of fiduciary duties by the members of the Board of
Directors of SyStemix, Sandoz LTD, Sandoz AG, and Sandoz Biotech Holdings
Corporation (collectively "Sandoz") in connection with Sandoz's offer to
purchase the 27% of SyStemix's shares outstanding which it does not already own
for $17.00 per share (the "Buyout"). Sandoz is attempting to take advantage of
the

<PAGE>

temporarily depressed price for SyStemix stock, trading at its lowest point for
at least the last 12 months. In light of Sandoz' collaboration with SyStemix on
research and development, Sandoz and the other defendants are well aware that
there are numerous products of SyStemix that have or will be entering the
marketplace in the near future. In addition, the stock price of SyStemix has not
reacted positively as has the stock of other companies in its industry during
the last several months because of Sandoz' control of the overwhelming majority
of SyStemix's outstanding stock.

                                   THE PARTIES

            2. Plaintiff Gwen Werbowsky owns, and since prior to the
announcement of the transaction complained of, has owned Systemix common stock.

            3. Defendant SyStemix is a Delaware corporation with executive
offices at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California. Systemix develops cellular
and gene therapy products for cancer patients, AIDS and genetic diseases. As of
May 24, 1996, SyStemix had approximately 14.46 million shares of common stock
outstanding, 73% of which was owned by Sandoz. The remaining 3.9 million shares
are held by hundreds, if not thousands, of shareholders.

            4. (a) Defendant Sandoz Ltd., is a corporation with principal
executive offices at Basel, Switzerland. Sandoz Ltd. is engaged in the business
of manufacturing and marketing pharmaceuticals, industrial and construction
chemicals, pigments and additives, crop-protection agents, quality seeds and
specialty foods.


                                       2

<PAGE>

                  (b) Defendant Sandoz AG is a corporation with principal
executive offices at Nuremberg, Germany. Sandoz AG is involved in the business
of pharmaceutical and nutrition research.

                  (c) Defendant Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation is a
Delaware corporation with principal executive offices at New York, New York.
Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd.

                  (d) The three entities described in paragraphs (a)-(c) above
are collectively referred to herein as "Sandoz".

            5. As of May 24, 1996, Sandoz reportedly owned 73% of SyStemix's
outstanding common stock. As such, together with Sandoz's domination and control
of the SyStemix Board of Directors, Sandoz and its representatives on the
SyStemix board effectively control SyStemix.

            6. Defendant Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. ("Ruvane") is, and has been since
April 1991, Chairman of the Board of Directors of defendant SyStemix.

            7. Defendant John J. Schwartz ("Schwartz") is, and has been at all
times relevant hereto, President, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and a director
of defendant SyStemix. Defendant Schwartz has also held various management
positions with SyStemix. From January 1993 to December 1994 he was Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of SyStemix.

            8. Defendant Stephen Guttman ("Guttman") is, and has been since
February 1992, a director of defendant SyStemix. From 1956 until 1993, defendant


                                       3

<PAGE>

Guttman held various management positions with Sandoz, including Head of Pharma
Research and Development of Sandoz Ltd. from 1984 until 1993.

            9. Defendant Fred J. Meyer ("Meyer") is, and has been since December
1984, a director of defendant SyStemix. Meyer is also a director of Sandoz.

            10. Defendant Paul Herrling ("Herrling") is, and has been since
March 1994, a director of defendant SyStemix. Herrling has worked for Sandoz
since 1987, and since January 1994, has been employed as head of corporate
research for Sandoz Pharma Ltd., a subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd.

            11. Defendant Ulrich Oppikofer ("Oppikofer") is, and has been since
March 1992, a director of defendant SyStemix. Oppikofer has served as Executive
Vice President of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. since 1990.

            12. Defendant Urs Barlocher ("Barlocher") is, and has been since
June 1993, a director of defendant SyStemix. Since 1993, Barlocher has been Head
of Life Sciences for Sandoz Ltd.

            13. Defendant Heinz Imhof ("Imhof") is, and has been since June
1993, a director of defendant SyStemix. Since 1993, Imhof has been Vice Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz Corporation and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, both subsidiaries of Sandoz Ltd.

            14. Defendant Irving L. Weissman ("Weissman") is, and has been since
May 1988, a director of defendant SyStemix.

            15. Defendant Harold Edgar ("Edgar") is, and has been since March
1989, a director of defendant SyStemix.


                                        4

<PAGE>

            16. Defendant Eli S. Jacobs ("Jacobs") is, and has been since August
1988, a director of defendant SyStemix. Jacobs was Chairman of the Board of
SyStemix from March 1989 through March 1990, and from December 1990 through
April 1991.

            17. The foregoing individuals, as officers and/or directors of
SyStemix (collectively, the "Individual Defendants"), and Sandoz owe the highest
fiduciary duties of good faith, loyalty, fair dealing, due care, and candor to
plaintiff and the other members of the Class (as defined below). The Individual
Defendants are, however, incapable of impartially determining whether the
challenged transaction is in the best interest of SyStemix's public shareholders
because their allegiance lies with Sandoz by reason of their current and
promised positions with Sandoz and/or their current or promised positions with
SyStemix.

                            CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

            18. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of
this Court, on behalf of herself and all other shareholders of the Company
(except the defendants herein and any persons, firm, trust, corporation, or
other entity related to or affiliated with them and their successors in
interest), and their successors in interest, who are or will be threatened with
injury arising from defendants' actions, as more fully described herein (the
"Class").

            19. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the
following reasons:


                                       5

<PAGE>

                  (a) The Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is
impracticable. There are hundreds if not thousands of stockholders of SyStemix
stock who are members of the Class.

                  (b) Members of the Class are scattered throughout the United
States and are so numerous that it is impracticable to bring them all before
this Court.

                  (c) There are questions of law and fact that are common to the
Class and that predominate over questions affecting any individual class member.
The common questions include, inter alia, the following:

                        (i) Whether defendants have engaged in and are
continuing to engage in conduct which unfairly benefits Sandoz at the expense of
the members of the Class;

                        (ii) Whether the individual defendants, as officers
and/or directors of the Company, and Sandoz, the controlling stockholder of
SyStemix, have fulfilled, and are capable of fulfilling, their fiduciary duties
to plaintiff and the other members of the Class;

                        (iii) Whether plaintiff and the other members of the
Class would be irreparably damaged were defendants not enjoined from the conduct
described herein;

                        (vi) Whether defendants have initiated and timed the
Buyout unfairly to benefit Sandoz at the expense of SyStemix's public
shareholders.


                                        6

<PAGE>

                  (d) The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the
other members of the Class in that all members of the Class will be damaged by
defendants' actions.

                  (e) Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has
retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. Plaintiff
is an adequate representative of the Class.

                             SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS

            20. On May 24, 1996, SyStemix announced that Sandoz had offered
$17.00 per share to buy all outstanding shares of SyStemix that are not already
owned by Sandoz. Presently, Sandoz owns approximately 73% of the outstanding
shares of SyStemix and Sandoz' representatives comprise a majority of the
SyStemix board of directors.

            21. Under the Sandoz proposal, Sandoz would spend over $51 million
to purchase the remaining SyStemix stock, offering each holder of SyStemix
common shares (other than Sandoz) $17.00 per share. This price offers no premium
to the historic trading price of SyStemix common stock over the last 12 months
and the intrinsic value of SyStemix common stock. Sandoz is attempting to
acquire SyStemix the day after SyStemix common stock closed at its lowest
trading price in 12 months.

            22. The aforesaid proposal is in furtherance of a plan and scheme
which, if its consummation is not enjoined, will result in forcing SyStemix
public shareholders to sell their investment in the Company for grossly
inadequate consideration.


                                        7

<PAGE>

            23. The consideration to be paid to Class members in the proposed
stock acquisition is unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things,
the intrinsic value of SyStemix's common stock is materially in excess of the
amount offered, giving due consideration to the promising products of SyStemix
that will be entering the marketplace and considering SyStemix's anticipated
operating results, net asset value and profitability. Similarly, the amount
offered does not take into account that Sandoz' ownership of 73% of the
outstanding shares of Systemix has effectively suppressed the market price of
SyStemix for at least the past year.

            24. Sandoz is the research and development partner of SyStemix and
is well aware of the progress of several of SyStemix' new products. In making
its inadequate offer to acquire the remaining stock of Systemix, Sandoz has
tried to take advantage of the fact that the market price of SyStemix stock does
not fully reflect the progress of these new products.

            25. The proposed stock acquisition price offered by Sandoz is not
the result of arms length negotiations, but rather represents a maneuver by
Sandoz and its representatives on the SyStemix board of directors to take
advantage of its control over Systemix to force SyStemix's minority shareholders
to relinquish their SyStemix shares at a grossly unfair price.

            26. Because of Sandoz' inherent conflict of interest as the 73%
owner of SyStemix, the SyStemix board cannot properly evaluate the proposed
offer. Given the dominance and control of Sandoz over SyStemix and its board of
directors, none of


                                        8
<PAGE>

the directors is capable of vigorously representing and protecting the interests
of SyStemix's minority shareholders or bargaining at arm's length on their
behalf.

            27. In addition, although the SyStemix board has appointed a
purported "independent" committee to review the proposal, the committee has
apparently been authorized only to evaluate Sandoz' proposed stock acquisition
and not to explore any other alternative transaction or means to assure that
SyStemix's minority shareholders will receive full and fair value for their
shares.

            28. Sandoz, by reason of its 73% ownership of SyStemix's outstanding
shares, is in a position to ensure effectuation of the transaction without
regard to its to SyStemix's public shareholders.

            29. Because Sandoz is in possession of proprietary corporate
information concerning SyStemix's future financial prospects, the degree of
knowledge and economic power between Sandoz and the Class members is unequal,
making it grossly and inherently unfair for Sandoz to obtain the remaining 23%
of SyStemix's shares at the unfair and inadequate price that it has proposed.

            30. By offering a grossly inadequate price for Systemix's shares,
Sandoz has violated its duties as majority shareholder of SyStemix to treat the
minority fairly in its dealings with the minority public shareholders, and to
provide full and fair disclosure to the minority shareholders in connection with
the proposed buyout.

            31. By reason of the foregoing, defendants have breached and will
continue to breach their duties to the minority public shareholders of SyStemix
and are


                                       9
<PAGE>

engaging in improper overreaching and wrongful and coercive conduct in seeking
to carry out Sandoz' wishes.

            32. Plaintiff and the Class will suffer irreparable harm unless the
defendants are enjoined from breaching their fiduciary duties and from carrying
out the aforesaid plan and scheme.

            33. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.

            WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment as follows:

                  a. Declaring this to be a proper class action and naming
plaintiff as Class representative;

                  b. Granting preliminary and permanent injunctive relief
against consummation of the Buyout;

                  c. In the event the Buyout is consummated, rescinding the
Buyout and/or awarding rescissory damages to plaintiff and the Class;

                  d. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to
plaintiff and to other members of the Class for all damages suffered and to be
suffered by them as the result of the wrongs alleged herein;

                  e. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to
plaintiff and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by
defendants as a result of the conduct complained of and, pending such
accounting, to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of
plaintiff and other members of the Class;

                  f. Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of the
action including allowances for plaintiff's reasonable attorneys and experts
fees; and


                                       10
<PAGE>

                  g. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and
proper in the premises.


Dated: May 24, 1996

                                          ROSENTHAL, MONHAIT, GROSS & GODDESS,
                                             P.A.

                                          [Illegible]
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Suite 1401, Mellon Bank Center
                                          P.O. Box 1070
                                          Wilmington, DE 19899-1070
                                          (302) 656-4433
                                          Attorneys for Plaintiff

OF COUNSEL:

KAUFMAN MALCHMAN KIRBY & SQUIRE, LLP
Irving Malchman
Peter S. Linden
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 371-6600

WOLF POPPER ROSS WOLF & JONES LLP
Stephen D. Oestreich
845 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 759-4600


                                       11

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 23


               IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY


- -------------------------------------------X

JAMES VOSLER,

                         Plaintiff,             CIVIL ACTION NO. 15016

                   V.

SYSTEMIX, INC., SANDOZ BIOTECH
HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
J.J. RUVANE, JR., JOHN J. SCHWARTZ,
STEPHAN GUTTMANN, FRED MEYER, HAROLD
EDGAR, PAUL HERRLING, ULRICH
OPPIKOFER, IRVING WEISSMAN, URS
BARLOCHER, HEINZ P. IMHOF, and
ELI S. JACOBS,

                         Defendants.
- -------------------------------------------X

                             CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

      Plaintiff, by his attorneys, for his Complaint alleges, upon information
and belief, except as to the allegations contained in paragraph 2, which
plaintiff alleges upon knowledge, as follows:

                                NATURE OF ACTION

      1. Plaintiff brings this class action on behalf of himself and all other
shareholders of defendant Systemix, Inc. ("Systemix" or the "Company") similarly
situated (the "Class") to enjoin defendants from effectuating an unfair cash-out
acquisition by Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation ("Sandoz"), designed to force
the sale of minority shareholders' equity interest in Systemix at a grossly
inadequate and unfair price of $17 per share. As set forth below, pursuant to
the proposed acquisition, Sandoz, which now controls approximately 76% of the
Company's total shares outstanding, will acquire the remaining 24% equity
interest in the Company. Moreover, the acquisition
<PAGE>

proposal is manifestly unfair as it is substantially below the fair market value
of the Company on a private market basis and/or as a multiple of said value and,
as the $17.00 per share acquisition price represents a discount of $3.00 per
share below the Company's common stock trading price the day that the
transaction was announced.

                                     PARTIES

      2. Plaintiff James Vosler, at all times relevant hereto, has owned 800
shares of Systemix common stock.

      3. Defendant Systemix is a Delaware corporation with its principal
executive offices located at 5155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94304.
Systemix is a biotechnology company that develops cellular therapies for cancer
patients. As of April 30, 1996, the Company had 14.46 million shares of common
stock outstanding. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the Company
reported a net loss of $ 48.09 million, or $3.43 per share, on revenues of $3.62
million.

      4. Sandoz is an indirect and wholly-owned subsidiary of Sandoz, Ltd., a
multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate. Sandoz's principal place of business
is 608 Fifth Avenue. As of March 31, 1995, Sandoz owned approximately 11.978
million shares, or 75.8%, of Systemix common stock.

      5. At all relevant times herein, defendant J.J. Ruvane, Jr. ("Ruvane") was
Chairman of the Systemix Board of Directors


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

("Board"), and a member of the Board's Executive, Audit, Compensation and
Nominating Committees.

      6. At all relevant times herein, defendant John J. Schwartz ("Schwartz")
was Chief Executive Officer and President, and a member of the Board's Executive
Committee.

      7. At all relevant times herein, the following Individual Defendants were
also members of the Board of Systemix and/or committees thereof as follows:

            (a) Defendant Stephan Guttmann ("Guttmann") was a member of the
      Board.

            (b) Defendant Fred Meyer ("Meyer") was a member of the Board.

            (c) Defendant Harold Edgar ("Edgar") was a member of the Board and a
      member of the Board's Audit Committee.

            (d) Defendant Paul Herrling ("Herrling") was a member of the Board.

            (e) Defendant Ulrich Oppikofer ("oppikofer") was a member of the
      Board Committee.

            (f) Defendant Irving Weissmann ("Weissmann") was a member of the
      Board, as well as a member of its Special Committee.

            (g) Defendant Urs Barlocher ("Barlocher") was a member of the Board,
      as well as a member of its Compensation and Nominating Committees.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

            (h) Defendant Heinz P. Imhof ("Imhof") was a member of the Board, as
      well as a member of its Executive, Audit, Compensation, Nominating and
      Special Committees.

            (i) Defendant Eli S. Jacobs ("Jacobs") was a member of the Board, as
      well as a member of its Executive and Special Committees.

      8. By virtue of their positions as directors and/or senior executive
officers of Systemix and their exercise of control over its business and
corporate affairs, defendants Ruvane, Schwartz, Guttmann, Meyer, Edgar,
Herrling, Oppikofer, Weissman, Barlocher, Imhof and Jacobs (collectively the
"Individual Defendants") had, at all relevant times, the power to control and
influence, and did control and influence, and cause Systemix to engage in the
practices complained of herein. Each Individual Defendant owes Systemix and its
public stockholders fiduciary obligations and is required to: use his ability
to control and manage Systemix in a fair, just and equitable manner; maximize
shareholder value; act in furtherance of the best interests of Systemix and its
public stockholders; govern Systemix in such a manner as to heed the expressed
views of its public shareholders; refrain from abusing his position of control;
provide full disclosure to the public shareholders; and not favor his own or any
other party's interests at the expense of Systemix and its public shareholders.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

      9. At all relevant times herein, defendant Sandoz owned and controlled
approximately 76 percent of the outstanding shares of Systemix common stock.
Said defendant has tailed to discharge its fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the
other members of the Class because of the domination and control that it
exercises over the affairs of Systemix, along with its representation on the
Company's twelve member Board. As a result of this domination and control, said
defendant has decided to acquire for itself the remaining outstanding shares of
Systemix at a grossly inadequate price to the detriment of the other
shareholders.

                            CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

      10. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of the
Court of Chancery, for declaratory, injunctive and other relief on his own
behalf and as a class action, on behalf of all public stockholders of Systemix
(except defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other
entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants) and their successors
in interest, who are being deprived of their equity interest in Systemix and
the opportunity to maximize the value of their Systemix shares by the wrongful
acts of the defendants described herein.

      11. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the
following reasons:


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

            (a) The class of stockholders for whose benefit this action is
      brought is so numerous that joinder of all class members is impracticable.
      As of April 30, 1996, Systemix had approximately 14,469,599 shares of
      common stock duly issued and outstanding, which traded on the Nasdaq
      Market System, and were owned by thousands of shareholders. Members of the
      Class are scattered throughout the United States.

            (b) There are questions of law and fact that are common to the
      members of the Class and that predominate over any questions affecting any
      individual members. The common questions include, inter alia, the
      following:

                  (i) whether the defendants have engaged in conduct
            constituting unfair dealing to the detriment of the public
            stockholders of Systemix;

                  (ii) whether the proposed acquisition proposal by Sandoz of
            $17 per share is unfair to the public stockholders of Systemix
            because it does not constitute a fair price for the shares of the
            Company; and

                  (iii) whether the defendants have breached their fiduciary and
            common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the other members of
            the Class.

            (c) The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other
      members of the Class, and plaintiff has no


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

      interests that are adverse or antagonistic to the interests of the Class.

            (d) Plaintiff is committed to the vigorous prosecution of this
      action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of
      this nature. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the
      Class and will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class.

            (e) The prosecution of separate actions by individual members of the
      Class would create a risk of inconsistent or varying adjudications with
      respect to individual members of the Class, and that would establish
      incompatible standards of conduct for the party opposing the Class.

            (f) Defendants have acted, and are about to act, on grounds
      generally applicable to the Class, thereby making appropriate final
      injunctive or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the Class
      as a whole.

            (g) Plaintiff anticipates that there will be no difficulty in the
      management of this litigation. A class action is superior to other
      available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this
      controversy.

                                CLAIM FOR RELIEF

      12. Systemix is a medical biotechnology company that is on the
leading-edge of medical science. The Company develops cellular therapies for
cancer patients, and is testing a system


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

whereby multiple myeloma patients about to undergo chemotherapy will have
hematopoietic stem cells removed from their blood and purified for reinjection
later. If successful, the purified cells will create new, cancer-free bone
marrow cells. The market for such a treatment is enormous.

      13. On May 24, 1996, Sandoz announced that it intended to commence an
offer to acquire the 25% of Systemix it does not own for $17 per share, or about
$42.4 million. The offer price represents a discount of approximately 17% below
Systemix's trading price of $20 per share on the day the announcement was made.
The offer price is also very near the level that Systemix shares traded in
January, 1996 when said shares traded as high as $16 3/4 per share.

      14. Given Sandoz's domination and control of Systemix, the Systemix Board
cannot be expected to act independently and advocate the best interests of
Systemix's public shareholders. Moreover, by virtue of its control and
domination of Systemix, Sandoz has unique knowledge of the Company and has
access to information denied or unavailable to the public.

      15. Given the domination and control of Systemix, the Individual
Defendants cannot be expected to negotiate for the best and highest price for
Systemix's public shareholders.

      16. In view of defendant Sandoz's control of Systemix, it is unfair and in
violation of defendants' fiduciary duties to consummate the transaction without
first obtaining a


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

recommendation and input by a truly independent representative of the public
stockholders or obtaining the majority approval of the public stockholders.

      17. By virtue of the acts and conduct alleged herein, the defendants are
carrying out a preconceived plan whereby Sandoz will acquire the minority public
shares of Systemix at a price that is grossly inadequate and intrinsically
unfair to Systemix public shareholders, is substantially below true value and is
a product of defendants' conflicts of interest. As a result, the public common
stockholders of Systemix will be wrongfully deprived of their valuable
investment in the Company and all of its present and continuing profitability
and growth and will receive, in return for their investment, grossly inadequate
consideration.

      18. The proposed acquisition constitutes an improper and unlawful attempt
by the defendants unfairly to cash-out the minority shareholders of systemix.

      19. Unless enjoined by this Court, defendants will continue to breach
fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the other members of the Class, and will
succeed in consummating an unfair transaction by virtue of the unfair dealing
complained of herein, all to the irreparable harm of the Class.

      20. Plaintiff and the other members of the Class have no adequate remedy
at law.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment and relief in his favor and in favor
of the Class and against defendants, as follows:

      A. Declaring that this action be certified as a proper class actions and
certifying plaintiff as a class representative;

      B. Declaring that the defendants and each of them have committed a gross
abuse of trust and have breached their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and other
members of the class;

      C. Preliminarily and permanently enjoining defendants and their counsel,
agents, employees and all persons acting under, in concert with, or for them,
from proceeding with, consummating or closing the proposed transaction which
will irreparably harm plaintiff and the Class;

      D. In the event the acquisition proposal is consummated, rescinding it and
setting it aside and/or granting rescissory damages;

      E. Awarding compensatory damages in an amount to be determined upon the
proof submitted to the Court.

      F Awarding the costs and disbursements of this action;

      G. Awarding plaintiff counsel fees; and

      H. Awarding such other and further relief which the Court may deem just
and proper.


                                       10

<PAGE>

Dated: May 24, 1996


                                          ROSENTHAL MONHAIT GROSS 
                                              & GODDESS, P.A.
                                           

                                              J. A. ROSENTHAL
                                          -------------------------------
                                          Joseph Rosenthal
                                          1401 Mellon Bank Center
                                          919 Market Street
                                          Wilmington, DE  19801
                                          (302) 65G-4433

OF COUNSEL:

BERNSTEIN LITOWITZ BERGER 
    & GROSSMANN LLP
Vincent R. Cappucci
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10019
(212) 554-1400


<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24


               IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY

- --------------------------------------------X
JOSEPH CINCOTTA,

                        Plaintiff,
                                                  CA. No. 15018
             - against -
                                                  CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
SANDOZ LTD., SANDOZ AG, SANDOZ
BIOTECH HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
JOSEPH J. RUVANE,  JOHN J. SCHWARTZ,
STEPHEN GUTTMAN, FRED J. MEYER, PAUL
HERRLING, ULRICH OPPIKOFER, URS
BARLOCHER, HEINZ IMHOF, IRVING L.
WEISSMAN, HAROLD EDGAR, ELI S. JACOBS:
and SYSTEMIX, INC.,

                        Defendants.
- --------------------------------------------X

                                  INTRODUCTION

      1. This action arises out of an unlawful scheme and plan by Sandoz LTD and
certain of its subsidiaries, the owner of 73% of SyStemix Inc. ("SyStemix" or
the "Company"), to acquire the minority shares of SyStemix for grossly
inadequate consideration through unfair dealing. Plaintiff brings this action
individually and on behalf of the public shareholders of SyStemix seeking
redress for breaches of fiduciary duties by the members of the Board of
Directors of Systemix, Sandoz LTD, Sandoz AG, and Sandoz Biotech Holdings
Corporation (collectively "Sandoz") in connection with Sandoz's offer to
purchase the 27% of SyStemix's shares outstanding which it does not already own
for $17.00 per share (the "Buyout"). Sandoz is attempting to take advantage of
the
<PAGE>

temporarily depressed price for SyStemix stock, trading at its lowest point for
at least the last 12 months. In light of Sandoz' collaboration with SyStemix on
research and development, Sandoz and the other defendants are well aware that
there are numerous products of SyStemix that have or will be entering the
marketplace in the near future. In addition, the stock price of SyStemix has not
reacted positively as has the stock of other companies in its industry during
the last several months because of Sandoz' control of the overwhelming majority
of SyStemix's outstanding stock.

                                   THE PARTIES

      2. Plaintiff Joseph Cincotta owns, and since prior to the announcement of
the transaction complained of, has owned SyStemix common stock.

      3. Defendant Systemix is a Delaware corporation with executive offices at
3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California. SyStemix develops cellular and gene
therapy products for cancer patients, AIDS and genetic diseases. As of May
24, 1996, SyStemix had approximately 14.46 million shares of common stock
outstanding, 73% of which was owned by Sandoz. The remaining 3.9 million shares
are held by hundreds, if not thousands, of shareholders.

      4. (a) Defendant Sandoz Ltd., is a corporation with principal executive
offices at Basel, Switzerland. Sandoz Ltd. is engaged in the business of
manufacturing and marketing pharmaceuticals, industrial and construction
chemicals, pigments and additives, crop-protection agents, quality seeds and
specialty foods.


                                        2
<PAGE>

            (b) Defendant Sandoz AG is a corporation with principal executive
offices at Nuremberg, Germany. Sandoz AG is involved in the business of
pharmaceutical and nutrition research.

            (c) Defendant Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation is a Delaware
corporation with principal executive offices at New York, New York. Sandoz
Biotech Holdings Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd.

            (d) The three entities described in paragraphs (a)-(c) above are
collectively referred to herein as "Sandoz".

      5. As of May 24, 1996, Sandoz reportedly owned 73% of SyStemix's
outstanding common stock. As such, together with Sandoz's domination and control
of the SyStemix Board of Directors, Sandoz and its representatives on the
SyStemix board effectively control SyStemix.

      6. Defendant Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. ("Ruvane") is, and has been since April
1991, Chairman of the Board of Directors of defendant SyStemix.

      7. Defendant John J. Schwartz ("Schwartz") is, and has been at all times
relevant hereto, President, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and a director of
defendant SyStemix. Defendant Schwartz has also held various management
positions with SyStemix. From January 1993 to December 1994 he was Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of SyStemix.

      8. Defendant Stephen Guttman ("Guttman") is, and has been since February
1992, a director of defendant SyStemix. From 1956 until 1993, defendant


                                       3
<PAGE>

Guttman held various management positions with Sandoz, including Head of Pharma
Research and Development of Sandoz Ltd. from 1984 until 1993.

      9. Defendant Fred J. Meyer ("Meyer") is, and has been since December 1984,
a director of defendant SyStemix. Meyer is also a director of Sandoz.

      10. Defendant Paul Herrling ("Herrling") is, and has been since March
1994, a director of defendant SyStemix. Herrling has worked for Sandoz since
1987, and since January 1994, has been employed as head of corporate research
for Sandoz Pharma Ltd., a subsidiary of Sandoz Ltd.

      11. Defendant Ulrich Oppikofer ("Oppikofer") is, and has been since March
1992, a director of defendant SyStemix. Oppikofer has served as Executive Vice
President of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. since 1990.

      12. Defendant Urs Barlocher ("Barlocher") is, and has been since June
1993, a director of defendant SyStemix. Since 1993, Barlocher has been Head of
Life Sciences for Sandoz Ltd.

      13. Defendant Heinz lmhof ("lmhof") is, and has been since June 1993, a
director of defendant SyStemix. Since 1993, lmhof has been Vice Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz Corporation and Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, both subsidiaries of Sandoz Ltd.

      14. Defendant Irving L. Weissman ("Weissman") is, and has been since May
1988, a director of defendant SyStemix.

      15. Defendant Harold Edgar ("Edgar") is, and has been since March 1989, a
director of defendant SyStemix.


                                        4
<PAGE>

      16. Defendant Eli S. Jacobs ("Jacobs") is, and has been since August 1988,
a director of defendant SyStemix. Jacobs was Chairman of the Board of SyStemix
from March 1989 through March 1990, and from December 1990 through April 1991.

      17. The foregoing individuals, as officers and/or directors of Systemix
(collectively, the "Individual Defendants"), and Sandoz owe the highest
fiduciary duties of good faith, loyalty, fair dealing, due care, and candor to
plaintiff and the other members of the Class (as defined below). The Individual
Defendants are, however, incapable of impartially determining whether the
challenged transaction is in the best interest of SyStemix's public shareholders
because their allegiance lies with Sandoz by reason of their current and
promised positions with Sandoz and/or their current or promised positions with
SyStemix.

                            CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

      18. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of this
Court, on behalf of himself and all other shareholders of the Company (except
the defendants herein and any persons, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity
related to or affiliated with them and their successors in interest), and their
successors in interest, who are or will be threatened with injury arising from
defendants' actions, as more fully described herein (the "Class").

      19. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the
following reasons:


                                        5
<PAGE>

            (a) The Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is
impracticable. There are hundreds if not thousands of stockholders of SyStemix
stock who are members of the Class.

            (b) Members of the Class are scattered throughout the United States
and are so numerous that it is impracticable to bring them all before this
Court.

            (c) There are questions of law and fact that are common to the Class
and that predominate over questions affecting any individual class member. The
common questions include, inter alia, the following:

                  (i) Whether defendants have engaged in and are continuing to
engage in conduct which unfairly benefits Sandoz at the expense of the members
of the Class;

                  (ii) Whether the individual defendants, as officers and/or
directors of the Company, and Sandoz, the controlling stockholder of SyStemix,
have fulfilled, and are capable of fulfilling, their fiduciary duties to
plaintiff and the other members of the Class;

                  (iii) Whether plaintiff and the other members of the Class
would be irreparably damaged were defendants not enjoined from the conduct
described herein;

                  (vi) Whether defendants have initiated and timed the Buyout
unfairly to benefit Sandoz at the expense of SyStemix's public shareholders.


                                        6
<PAGE>

            (d) The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the other
members of the Class in that all members of the Class will be damaged by
defendants' actions.

            (e) Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has
retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. Plaintiff
is an adequate representative of the Class.

                             SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS

      20. On May 24,1996, SyStemix announced that Sandoz had offered $17.00 per
share to buy all outstanding shares of SyStemix that are not already owned by
Sandoz. Presently, Sandoz owns approximately 73% of the outstanding shares of
SyStemix and Sandoz' representatives comprise a majority of the SyStemix board
of directors.

      21. Under the Sandoz proposal, Sandoz would spend over $51 million to
purchase the remaining SyStemix stock, offering each holder of SyStemix common
shares (other than Sandoz) $17.00 per share. This price offers no premium to the
historic trading price of SyStemix common stock over the last 12 months and the
intrinsic value of SyStemix common stock. Sandoz is attempting to acquire
SyStemix the day after SyStemix common stock closed at its lowest trading price
in 12 months.

      22. The aforesaid proposal is in furtherance of a plan and scheme which,
if its consummation is not enjoined, will result in forcing SyStemix public
shareholders to sell their investment in the Company for grossly inadequate
consideration.


                                        7
<PAGE>

      23. The consideration to be paid to Class members in the proposed stock
acquisition is unfair and grossly inadequate because, among other things, the
intrinsic value of SyStemix's common stock is materially in excess of the amount
offered, giving due consideration to the promising products of SyStemix that
will be entering the marketplace and considering SyStemix's anticipated
operating results, net asset value and profitability. Similarly, the amount
offered does not take into account that Sandoz' ownership of 73% of the
outstanding shares of SyStemix has effectively suppressed the market price of
Systemix for at least the past year.

      24. Sandoz is the research and development partner of Systemix and is well
aware of the progress of several of SyStemix' new products. In making its
inadequate offer to acquire the remaining stock of SyStemix, Sandoz has tried to
take advantage of the fact that the market price of SyStemix stock does not
fully reflect the progress of these new products.

      25. The proposed stock acquisition price offered by Sandoz is not the
result of arms length negotiations, but rather represents a maneuver by Sandoz
and its representatives on the SyStemix board of directors to take advantage of
its control over SyStemix to force SyStemix's minority shareholders to
relinquish their SyStemix shares at a grossly unfair price.

      26. Because of Sandoz' inherent conflict of interest as the 73% owner of
SyStemix, the SyStemix board cannot properly evaluate the proposed offer. Given
the dominance and control of Sandoz over SyStemix and its board of directors,
none of


                                        8
<PAGE>

the directors is capable of vigorously representing and protecting the interests
of SyStemix's minority shareholders or bargaining at arm's length on their
behalf.

      27. In addition, although the SyStemix board has appointed a purported
"independent" committee to review the proposal, the committee has apparently
been authorized only to evaluate Sandoz' proposed stock acquisition and not to
explore any other alternative transaction or means to assure that SyStemix's
minority shareholders will receive full and fair value for their shares.

      28. Sandoz, by reason of its 73% ownership of SyStemix's outstanding
shares, is in a position to ensure effectuation of the transaction without
regard to its fairness to Systemix's public shareholders.

      29. Because Sandoz is in possession of proprietary corporate information
concerning SyStemix's future financial prospects, the degree of knowledge and
economic power between Sandoz and the Class members is unequal, making it
grossly and inherently unfair for Sandoz to obtain the remaining 23% of
SyStemix's shares at the unfair and inadequate price that it has proposed.

      30. By offering a grossly inadequate price for SyStemix's shares, Sandoz
has violated its duties as majority shareholder of SyStemix to treat the
minority fairly in its dealings with the minority public shareholders, and to
provide full and fair disclosure to the minority shareholders in connection with
the proposed buyout.

      31. By reason of the foregoing, defendants have breached and will continue
to breach their duties to the minority public shareholders of SyStemix and are


                                       9
<PAGE>

engaging in improper overreaching and wrongful and coercive conduct in seeking
to carry out Sandoz' wishes.

      32. Plaintiff and the Class will suffer irreparable harm unless the
defendants are enjoined from breaching their fiduciary duties and from carrying
out the aforesaid plan and scheme.

      33. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.

      WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment as follows:

            a. Declaring this to be a proper class action and naming plaintiff
as Class representative;

            b. Granting preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against
consummation of the Buyout;

            c. In the event the Buyout is consummated, rescinding the Buyout
and/or awarding rescissory damages to plaintiff and the Class;

            d. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to
plaintiff and to other members of the Class for all damages suffered and to be
suffered by them as the result of the wrongs alleged herein;

            e. Ordering defendants, jointly and severally, to account to
plaintiff and the Class for all profits realized and to be realized by
defendants as a result of the conduct complained of and, pending such
accounting, to hold such profits in a constructive trust for the benefit of
plaintiff and other members of the Class;

            f. Awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of the action
including allowances for plaintiff's reasonable attorneys and experts fees; and


                                       10
<PAGE>

            g. Granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper
in the premises.

Dated: May 28, 1996


                                          ROSENTHAL, MONHAIT, GROSS 
                                            & GODDESS, P.A.


                                          J. A. Rosenthal
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Suite 1401, Mellon Bank Center
                                          P.O. Box 1070
                                          Wilmington, DE 19899-1070
                                          (302) 656-4433
                                          Attorneys for Plaintiff

OF COUNSEL:

WOLF POPPER ROSS WOLF & JONES LLP
Stephen D. Oestreich
845 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 7594600


                                       11

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 25


                IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY

- --------------------------------------------X
CRANDON CAPITAL PARTNERS, 
a Florida Partnership, 
Individually
And On Behalf of All Others 
Similarly Situated,
                                                 C. A. No. 15019
                        Plaintiff,

          - against -
                                                 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
JOSEPH J. RUVANE, JR., JOHN J.
SCHWARTZ, HAROLD EDGAR, STEPHEN
GUTTMANN, PAUL HERRLING, EDGAR
FULLAGAR, FRED J. MEYER, ULRICH
OPPIKOFER, EDGAR H. SCHOLLMAIER,
DANIEL L. VASELLA, IRVING L.
WEISSMAN, SANDOZ LTD.,
And SYSTEMIX, INC.,

                        Defendants.
- --------------------------------------------X

      Plaintiff, by its attorneys, alleges upon personal knowledge as to its own
acts and upon information and belief as to all other matters, as follows:

      1. Plaintiff brings this action individually and as a class action on
behalf of all persons, other than defendants, who own the securities of
SyStemix, Inc. ("SyStemix" or the "Company") and who are similarly situated (the
"Class"), for injunctive and other relief. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief
herein, inter alia, to enjoin the implementation of a transaction whereby Sandoz
Ltd. ("Sandoz") proposes to buy all of the outstanding common stock of SyStemix
which it does not already own, in order to obtain l00% ownership of the Company.
Alternatively, in the event that the proposed transaction is consummated,
plaintiff seeks to recover
<PAGE>

damages caused by the breach of fiduciary duties owed by defendants to the
Class.

                                     Parties

      2. Plaintiff is and, at all relevant times, has been the owner of shares
of SyStemix common stock.

      3. SyStemix is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware. SyStemix is engaged in the development of cellular and
gene therapies for treatment of bone marrow, blood, and immune system diseases.
SyStemix maintains its principal executive offices at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo
Alto, California. SyStemix has approximately 14.5 million shares of common stock
outstanding and hundreds of stockholders of record. SyStemix stock trades on the
NASDAQ National Market System.

      4. Sandoz is a Swiss pharmaceutical corporation with its principal offices
located a Lichtstrasse 35, Basle, Switzerland. Though subsidiaries, Sandoz
presently owns or controls 73% of SyStemix's outstanding stock.

      5. Defendant Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. ("Ruvane") is and, at all times
material hereto, has been the Chairman of the Board of SyStemix.

      6. Defendant John J. Schwartz ("Schwartz") is and, at all times material
hereto, has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
SyStemix.

      7. Defendants Harold Edgar, Stephen Guttmann, Paul


                                        2
<PAGE>

Herrling, Edgar Fullagar, Fred J. Meyer, Ulrich Oppikofer, Edgar H. Schollmaier,
Daniel L. Vasella, and Irving L. Weissman are directors of SyStemix.

      8. The defendants named in paragraphs 5 through 7 are hereinafter referred
to as the "Individual Defendants."

      9. Because of their positions as officers/directors, defendants owe
fiduciary duties of loyalty and due care to plaintiff and the other members of
the Class.

      10. Each defendant herein is sued individually as a conspirator, as well
as in his/her/its capacity as an officer, director and/or controlling
shareholder of the Company, and the liability of each arises from the fact that
each defendant has engaged in all or part of the unlawful acts, plans, schemes,
or transactions complained of herein.

                            CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

      11. Plaintiff brings this case in his own behalf and as a class action,
pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of the Court of Chancery, on behalf of all
stockholders of the Company (except defendants herein and any person, firm,
trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with any of the
defendants, or any of the Company's principal stockholders) who are or will be
threatened with injury arising from defendants' actions as is described more
fully below.

      12. This action is properly maintainable as a class


                                        3

<PAGE>

action.

      13. The Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable.
The Company has approximately 14.5 million shares of common stock. There are
hundreds of record and beneficial stockholders.

      14. There are questions of law and fact common to the Class including,
inter alia, whether: 

            a. defendants have breached and will continue to breach their
fiduciary and other common law duties owed by them to plaintiff and the members
of the Class; and

            b. plaintiff and the other members of the Class irreparably damaged
by the wrongs complained of herein.

      15. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting the action and has retained
competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. Plaintiff's claims
are typical of the claims of the other members of the Class and plaintiff has
the same interests as the other members of the Class. Plaintiff is an adequate
representative of the Class.

      16. The prosecution of separate actions by individual members of the Class
would create the risk of inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to
individual members of the Class which would establish incompatible standards of
conduct for defendants, or adjudications with respect to individual members of
the Class which would as a practical matter be dispositive of the interests of
the other members not parties to the adjudications or substantially impair or
impede their ability to protect their 


                                       4
<PAGE>

interests. 

      17. The defendants have acted, or refused to act, on grounds generally
applicable to, and causing injury to, the Class and, therefore, preliminary and
final injunctive relief on behalf of the Class as a whole is appropriate.

                             SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS

      18. On May 28, 1996, the Dow Jones News Wire reported that SyStemix had
received an offer from Sandoz to acquire all of the outstanding stock of
SyStemix that Sandoz did not already own and which was publicly held for $17.00
per share. As of the date of this offer, Sandoz indirectly owned 73% of the
Company's stock.

      19. Six of the eleven member SyStemix board are representatives of Sandoz
and the offer must be approved only by a majority of three purportedly
independent board members. Pursuant to the terms of an earlier standstill
agreement, the offer is not required to be presented to the public shareholders
for approval.

      20. Sandoz, which acquired a 60%. interest in SyStemix in February 1992
when it paid approximately $65 per share of the SyStemix stock, now seeks to
take advantage of the projected gains from expected FDA approval of a
gene-altered HIV treatment. Sandoz is attempting to squeeze out SyStemix's
public shareholders at a price which is wholly inadequate in light of the
expected gains by the Company.

      21. The proposed transaction is grossly unfair,


                                       5
<PAGE>

inadequate, and provides consideration to SyStemix's public stockholders
substantially below the fair or inherent value of the Company. The intrinsic
value of the equity of SyStemix is materially greater than the consideration
contemplated by the proposed offer price, taking into account SyStemix's new
gene therapy treatment.

      22. The proposed transaction is wrongful, unfair and harmful to SyStemix
public stockholders, and will deny Class members their right to share
proportionately in the true value of SyStemix's valuable assets, profitable
business, and future growth in profits and earnings, while usurping the same for
the benefit of the majority owner of the Company's stock.

      23. The terms of the proposed transaction are not the result of
arm's-length negotiations, but were fixed arbitrarily by Sandoz as part of its
unlawful plan and scheme to permit Sandoz to obtain total control over SyStemix
at the lowest possible price.

      24. Defendants have violated fiduciary and other common law duties owed to
the plaintiff and the other members of the Class in that they have not and are
not exercising independent business judgment, and have acted and are acting to
the detriment of the Class.

      25. As a result of defendants' action, plaintiff and the Class have been
and will be damaged by defendants' breaches of fiduciary duty and, therefore,
plaintiff and the Class will not receive the fair value of SyStemix's assets and
businesses.

      26. Unless enjoined by this Court, defendants will


                                       6
<PAGE>

continue to breach their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the Class, and
will succeed in Sandoz's plan to exclude plaintiff and the Class from the fair
proportionate share of SyStemix's valuable assets and businesses, all to the
irreparable harm of the Class.

      27. Plaintiff and the Class have no adequate remedy of law.

      WHEREFORE, plaintiff prays for judgment and relief as follows:

            a. declaring that this lawsuit is properly maintainable as a class
action and certifying plaintiff as representative of the Class;

            b. declaring that the defendants and each of them have committed a
gross abuse of trust and have breached their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and
the other members of the Class;

            c. preliminarily and permanently enjoining defendants and their
counsel, agents, employees, and all persons acting under, in concert with, or
for them, from proceeding with or implementing the transaction;

            d. in the event the transaction is consummated, rescinding it and
setting it aside;

            e. awarding compensatory damages against defendants, jointly and
severally, in an amount to be determined at trial, together with prejudgment
interest at the maximum rate allowable by law;

            f. awarding plaintiff and the Class their costs and disbursements
and reasonable allowances for plaintiff's counsel


                                       7
<PAGE>

and experts' fees and expenses; and 

            g. granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper.

Dated: May 28, 1996


                                   Respectfully submitted,

                                   ROSENTHAL MONHAIT GROSS
                                    & GODDESS, P.A.

                                   By: /s/ J. A. Rosenthal
                                      ----------------------------
                                      Joseph A. Rosenthal, Esq.
                                      1401 Mellon Bank Center
                                      919 Market Street
                                      Wilmington, Delaware 19899
                                      (302) 656-4433
                                      Attorneys for Plaintiff

OF COUNSEL:

WECHSLER HARWOOD 
 HALEBIAN & FEFFER LLP 
805 Third Avenue 
New York, New York 10022
(212) 935-7400


                                       8


<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 26


                IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY


- ------------------------------------------------
DAVID ROSENBERG,

                    Plaintiff,

          -against -

                                                Civil Action No. 15020
JOSEPH J. RUVANE, JR., JOHN J. SCHWARTZ,             CLASS ACTION
STEPHEN GUTTMAN, FRED J. MEYER, HAROLD                COMPLAINT
EDGAR, PAUL HERRLING, ULRICH OPPIKOFER,
IRVING L. WEISSMAN, EDGAR FULLAGER,
EDGAR H. SCHOLLMAIER, DANIEL L. VASELLA
SYSTEMIX, INC., and SANDOZ, LTD.,

                    Defendants.
- ------------------------------------------------

            Plaintiff, by his attorneys, Rosenthal, Monhait, Gross & Goddess,
P.A., for his complaint against defendants, alleges upon information and belief,
except for paragraph 2 hereof, which is alleged upon knowledge, as follows:

            1. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of
the Court of Chancery on his behalf and as a class action on behalf of all
persons, other than defendants and those in privity with them, who own the
common stock of SyStemix Inc., ("SyStemix" or the "Company").

            2. Plaintiff has been the owner of the common stock of the Company
since prior to the transaction herein complained of and continuously to date.

            3. SyStemix is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware. The Company researches and develops cellular
processes and products for the

<PAGE>

treatment of diseases of human bone marrow, blood and immune systems. The
Company maintains its principal offices at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto,
California.

            4. Defendant Sandoz, Ltd. ("Sandoz") is the indirect owner of
approximately 73% of the Company's outstanding common stock.

            5. Defendants Joseph J Ruvane, Jr., John J. Schwartz, Stephen
Guttman, Fred J. Meyer, Harold Edgar, Paul Herrling, Ulrich Oppikofer, Irving L.
Weissman, Edgar Fullagar, Edgar H. Schollmaier and Daniel Vasella are Sandoz's
nominees on SyStemix's Board of Directors and are controlled by Sandoz.

            6. The individual defendants, by reason of their corporate
directorships and executive positions, stand in a fiduciary position relative to
the Company's public shareholders. Said defendants owe the public shareholders
of SyStemix the highest duties of good faith, fair dealing, due care, loyalty,
and full and candid disclosure.

            7. Each defendant herein is sued individually as a conspirator and
aider and abettor, as well as in his capacity as an officer and/or director of
the Company (in the case of the individual defendants), or as a control person
and the liability of each arises from the fact that he/it has engaged in all or
part of the unlawful acts, plans, schemes, or transactions complained of herein.

                            CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

            8. Plaintiff brings this action on his own behalf and as a class
action, pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of the Court of Chancery, on behalf of
all security holders of the Company (except the defendants herein and any
person, firm, trust, corporation, or other entity related to or affiliated with
any of the defendants) and their successors in interest, who are or will be
threatened with injury arising from defendants' actions as more fully described
herein.

            9. This action is properly maintainable as a class action.

            10. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is
impracticable. As of April 30, 1996, there were approximately 14,469,599 shares
of SyStemix common stock outstanding, of which approximately 27% is owned by
holders other than defendant Sandoz and/or directors and officers of the
Company.

            11. There are questions of law and fact which are common to the
class and which predominate over questions affecting any individual class
member. The common questions include, inter alia, the following: (a) whether
defendants have breached their fiduciary and other common law duties owed by
them to plaintiff and the members of the class; (b) whether defendants are
pursuing a scheme and course of business designed to eliminate the public
securities holders of SyStemix in violation of the laws of the State of Delaware
in order to benefit from a proposed acquisition of SyStemix' publicly owned
securities by Sandoz at the expense and to the detriment of the plaintiff and
the other public stockholders


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

who are members of the class; (c) whether defendants are acting on both sides of
the proposed going private transaction, thus implicating conflicts of interest,
self-dealing and overreaching; (d) whether the proposed transaction constitutes
a breach if the duty of fair dealing owed to plaintiff and the other members of
the class; and (e) whether the class is entitled to injunctive relief or damages
as a result of the wrongful conduct committed by defendants.

            12. Plaintiff is committed to prosecuting this action and has
retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this nature. The claims
of the plaintiff are typical of the claims of other members of the class and
plaintiff has the same interests as the other members of the class. Plaintiff
will fairly and adequately represent the class. A class action is superior to
any other type of adjudication of this controversy.

            13. Defendants have acted in a manner which affects plaintiff and
all members of the class, thereby making appropriate injunctive relief and/or
corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole.

            14. The prosecution of separate actions by individual members of the
Class would create a risk of inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect
to individual members of the Class, which would establish incompatible standards
of conduct for defendants, or adjudications with respect to individual members
of the Class which would, as a practical matter, be dispositive of the


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

interests of other members or substantially impair or impede their ability to
protect their interests.

                             SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS

            15. By virtue of its dominance and control over SyStemix, defendant
Sandoz, together with the individual defendants, has engaged in a plan involving
acts which are grossly unfair to plaintiff and other member of the class. The
purpose of the plan is to enable Sandoz to acquire 100% equity ownership of
SyStemix and its assets for its own benefit, and at the expense of the other
SyStemix stockholders who would be deprived of their equity investment and the
benefits to accrue therefrom, for a grossly inadequate price.

            16. On May 24, 1996, Sandoz announced that it had offered to
purchase the approximately 27% stake in SyStemix which it did not already own
for $17.00 per share.

            17. Because of Sandoz' overwhelming control over SyStemix, no third
party, as a practical matter, can attempt any bid for SyStemix, as the success
of any such bid would require the consent and cooperation of Sandoz.

            18. The price of $17.00 per share to be paid to the class members is
unfair and grossly inadequate consideration because, among other things: (a) the
intrinsic value of the stock of SyStemix is materially in excess of $17.00 per
share, giving due consideration to the prospects for growth and profitability of
SyStemix in light of its business, earnings and earnings power,


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

present and future; (b) the $17.00 per share price is inadequate and offers an
inadequate premium to the public stockholders of SyStemix because the common
stock of SyStemix has traded at a price in excess of $16.50 per share during the
five months preceding the day the proposed transaction was announced; and (c)
the $17.00 per share price is not the result of arm's length negotiations but
was fixed arbitrarily by Sandoz, as part of a plan for Sandoz to obtain complete
ownership of SyStemix's assets and business at the lowest possible price and to
obtain for himself benefits disproportionate with those to be received by the
public stockholders.

            19. The proposed bid serves no legitimate business purpose of
SyStemix but rather is an attempt by defendants to unfairly benefit Sandoz from
the transaction at the expense of SyStemix's public stockholders. The proposed
plan will, for a grossly inadequate consideration deny plaintiff and the other
members of the class their right to share proportionately in the future success
of SyStemix and its valuable assets, while permitting Sandoz to reap huge
benefits from the transaction.

            20. Because defendants are in possession of corporate information
concerning SyStemix's assets, businesses and future financial prospects, the
degree of knowledge and economic power between defendants and the public
stockholders of SyStemix is unequal, making it grossly and inherently unfair for
Sandoz to obtain ownership of SyStemix's assets from the public common
shareholders at the unfair and inadequate price which defendants have set.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

            21. By reason of the foregoing acts, practices and course of
conduct, Sandoz has breached and continues to breach its duty as controlling
stockholder of SyStemix and the individual defendants have breached and continue
to breach their duties as directors of SyStemix owed to the remaining
stockholders including plaintiff and the other members of the class herein and
are engaging in improper overreaching in attempting to carry out the proposed
transaction.

            22. Plaintiff and the class have suffered and will suffer
irreparable damage unless defendants are enjoined from breaching their fiduciary
duties and from carrying out the aforesaid plan and scheme.

            23. Plaintiff and the other members of the class have no adequate
remedy at law.

            WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment against the defendants jointly
and severally, as follows:

                  (a)   declaring this action to be a action and certifying
                        plaintiff as representative,

                  (b)   enjoining, preliminarily and permanently, Sandoz's offer
                        for the acquisition of the SyStemix stock owned by
                        plaintiff and the other members of the class under the
                        terms presently proposed;

                  (c)   to the extent, if any, that the transaction or
                        transactions complained of


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                        are consummated prior to the entry of this Court's final
                        judgment, rescinding such transaction or transactions,
                        or granting, inter alia, rescissory damages;

                  (d)   directing that defendants account to plaintiff and the
                        other members of the class for all damages caused to
                        them and account for all profits and any special
                        benefits obtained as a result of their unlawful conduct;

                  (e)   awarding plaintiff the costs and disbursements of this
                        action, including a reasonable allowance for the fees
                        and expenses of plaintiff's attorneys and experts, and

                  (f)   granting plaintiff and the other members of the class
                        such other and further relief as may be just and proper.

                                     ROSENTHAL, MONRAIT, GROSS 
                                      & GODDESS, P.A.

                                     By: /s/ J. A. Rosenthal
                                        --------------------------------
                                        P.O. Box 1070                
                                        Ste. 1401, Mellon Bank Center
                                        Wilmington, Delaware 19801   
                                        Attorneys for Plaintiff      
                                        
OF COUNSEL:

BERNSTEIN LIEBHARD & LIFSHITZ
274 Madison Avenue
New York, NY  10016
(212) 779-1414


                                      -8-



<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 27


                IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE
                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY

- -----------------------------------------------------
KEVIN TRACY, Individually and on Behalf of All Others
Similarly Situated,                                  

                    Plaintiff,
            V.                                              C.A. NO. 15024

URS BARLOCHER, STEPHAN GUTTMANN, HEINZ
IMHOF, FRED J. MEYER, JOSEPH J. RUVANE, JR.,
IRVING L. WEISSMAN, M.D., HAROLD EDGAR,
PAUL HERRLING, ELI S. JACOBS, URLICH
OPPIKOFER, JOHN V. SCHWARTZ, SYSTEMIX, INC.
and SANDOZ, LTD.,

                    Defendants.
- -----------------------------------------------------

                             CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

      Plaintiff, by and through his attorneys, alleges as follows:

            1. Plaintiff brings this action as a Class action on behalf of
himself and all other stockholders of SyStemix, Inc. ("SyStemix" or the
"Company") who are similarly situated, against the directors of SyStemix and the
controlling shareholder of SyStemix to enjoin certain actions of the defendants
related to the offer to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of SyStemix
stock (the "Purchase") by its controlling shareholder, defendant Sandoz, Ltd.
("Sandoz").

                                   THE PARTIES

            2. Plaintiff Kevin Tracy is the owner of SyStemix common stock and
has owned such stock at all times material hereto.

            3. SyStemix is a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and is engaged in the development of cellular and gene
therapies based


<PAGE>

primarily on the isolation, gene modification and expansion of human
hematopoietic stem cells. Its principal executive offices are located at 3155
Porter Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94304. As of December 31, 1994, SyStemix had
approximately 14.46 million shares of common stock outstanding, which are traded
on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "STMX".
10,610,099 of such shares, or approximately 73%, are held by Sandoz.

            4. (a) Defendant Sandoz, Ltd. is a Swiss company which purchased
approximately 60% of SyStemix in February 1992 for $391,817,888. In February
1995, Sandoz infused SyStemix with an additional $80 million, and, in return,
boosted its stake in the Company by an additional 4.6 million common shares.
Sandoz also received warrants for approximately 1.4 million shares of the
Company at an exercise price of $27.50 per share and a maturity of 3 years. If
Sandoz were to exercise these warrants, its stake in SyStemix would increase to
approximately 83%. Consequently, as a result of its current stock ownership,
Sandoz controls defendant SyStemix and its Board of Directors.

               (b) Defendant John J. Schwartz is and was at all relevant times
the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and a director.

               (c) Defendant Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. is and was at all relevant
times hereto Chairman of the Board of the Company.

               (d) Defendant Stephan Guttmann, Ph.D. is and was at all relevant
times hereto a director of the Company. From 1956 until his retirement in 1993,
defendant Guttmann served with Sandoz in various executive capacities.


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

               (e) Defendant Fred J. Meyer is and was at all relevant times
hereto a director of the Company. Meyer is also a director of Sandoz Corp., an
affiliate of Sandoz.

               (f) Defendant Paul Herrling, Ph.D. is and was at all relevant
times hereto a director of the Company. In January of 1994, Herrling became head
of corporate research for Sandoz Pharma, Ltd. ("Sandoz Pharma") an affiliate of
Sandoz.

               (g) Defendant Urlich Oppikofer, Ph.D. is and was at all relevant
tunes hereto a director of the Company. Since 1990, Oppikofer has served as
Executive Vice President of Sandoz Pharma.

               (h) Defendant Urs Barlocher, Ph.D. is and was at all relevant
times hereto a director of the Company. Since 1993, Barlocher has been the head
of Life Science's department of Sandoz.

               (i) Defendant Heinz Imhof is and was at all relevant times hereto
a director of the Company. Currently, Imhof is Vice Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Sandoz Corp. and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz
Pharmaceuticals.

               (j) Defendants Harold Edgar and Irving L. Weissman, M.D. are and
were at all relevant times hereto directors of the Company. Defendant Edgar
previously served as SyStemix's Secretary from 1991 through 1992.

            5. The foregoing individual defendants (collectively referred to
herein as the "Individual Defendants") are in a fiduciary relationship with
plaintiff and the public stockholders of SyStemix, and owe plaintiff and the
other SyStemix public stockholders the highest obligations of good faith, fair
dealing, due care, loyalty and full and candid disclosure.


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

            6. Each of the Individual Defendants owe their positions as
directors of SyStemix, and the resulting benefits therefrom, to Sandoz, the
controlling shareholder of SyStemix, and as such cannot exercise the independent
judgment required as a director of SyStemix.

            7. By virtue of defendants' positions as directors, officers and
controlling shareholder of SyStemix, defendants were and are in a fiduciary
relationship with plaintiff and the other public stockholders of the Company,
and owe to plaintiff and the other members of the Class the highest obligations
of good faith and fair dealing.

                            CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

            8. Plaintiff brings this action for declaratory, injunctive and
other relief on his own behalf and as a class action, pursuant to Rule 23 of the
Rules of the Court of Chancery, on behalf of all common stockholders of SyStemix
(except defendants herein and any person, firm, trust, corporation or other
entity related to or affiliated with any of the defendants) or their successors
in interests, who are being deprived of the opportunity to maximize the value of
their SyStemix shares by the wrongful acts of the defendants as described herein
(the "Class").

            9. This action is properly maintainable as a class action for the
following reasons:

               (a) The Class is so numerous that joinder of all Class members is
impracticable. There are more than 14 million common shares of SyStemix
outstanding, owned by more than 203 stockholders of record. Members of the Class
are scattered throughout the United States.


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

               (b) There are questions of law and fact which are common to
members of the Class including whether the defendants have breached the
fiduciary duties owed by them to plaintiff and members of the Class by reason of
the acts described herein.

               (c) The claims of plaintiff are typical of the claims of the
other members of the Class and plaintiff has no interests that are adverse or
antagonistic to the interests of the Class.

               (d) Plaintiff is committed to the vigorous prosecution of this
action and has retained competent counsel experienced in litigation of this
nature. Accordingly, plaintiff is an adequate representative of the Class and
will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class.

               (e) The prosecution of separate actions by individual members of
the Class would create a risk of inconsistent or varying adjudications with
respect to individual members of the Class and establish incompatible standards
of conduct for the parties opposing the Class.

               (f) Defendants have acted and are acting on grounds generally
applicable to the Class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief with
respect to the Class as a whole.

                               FACTUAL BACKGROUND

            10. On February 19, 1992, Sandoz acquired a 60% interest in the
Company on a fully diluted basis. The acquisition was effected through two
simultaneous transactions. In the first, Sandoz Biotech Holdings Corporation, an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sandoz, purchased 4,011,684 shares (or
49.13% of the Company's common stock on a fully


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

diluted basis) in a tender offer for $70 per share. In the second, the Company
sold 1,982,143 shares of the Company's common stock to Sandoz at a price of $56
per share or an aggregate of approximately $111 million. Sandoz provided such
funds from its working capital.

            11. The acquisition agreement entered into between the Company and
Sandoz (the "Acquisition Agreement") provided that until December 16, 1998,
Sandoz was prohibited from increasing its shareholdings above 60%, and from
December 17, 1998 to February 18, 2002 above 75%. Sandoz, however, is permitted
to bid for 100% of the Company at any time after December 16, 1994, but only if
such action is recommended by a majority of the Company's independent directors.
Specifically, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Sandoz could make a tender
offer for all shares or voting securities provided, inter alia, that such action
satisfies the following requirements: (i) the offer must be a "tender offer" for
purposes of, and must be made in compliance with, Section 14(d)(1) of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (or any
successor provisions thereto); and (ii) any tender offer or merger or
acquisition proposal must be at a price that is fair to the stockholders of the
Company, and must be approved by a majority of the independent directors.

            12. The Acquisition Agreement also provided that Sandoz had certain
rights to purchase (at its option either from the Company or on the market)
additional shares of common stock to maintain its level of ownership in the
event that the number of shares of common stock outstanding, on a fully diluted
basis, increased above 10,005,511 shares -- the number of shares outstanding on
the closing date of the Acquisition Agreement (including


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

through the issuance of securities, such as options or warrants that may be
exercised for common stock) (the "Top-Up Right"). Until February 19, 1999,
Sandoz had a Top-Up Right, with certain limitations, to maintain ownership of
60% of the common stock on a fully diluted basis. From February 19, 1999 until
2002, Sandoz has a Top-Up Right, with certain limitations, to maintain its then
aggregate ownership of the common stock on a fully diluted basis which may not
exceed 75%.

            13. On January 30, 1995, the Company and Sandoz entered into a stock
and warrant purchase agreement whereby the Company issued to Sandoz, on February
2, 1995, an additional 4,616,272 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
an additional 1,357,600 shares of common stock in exchange for proceeds of $80
million. The warrants have an exercise price of $27.50 per share and are
exercisable during a three period ending February 2, 1998. Certain portions of
the Acquisition Agreement were amended to allow this transaction. As a result,
Sandoz currently owns approximately 73% of defendant SyStemix.

            14. On May 3, 1996, Dow Jones News Wire reported that SyStemix
announced it had revenues totalling $1.47 million in the period ending March 31,
1996, compared with $424,000 for the same period a year ago. The Company said
its net loss in the same period decreased over 17% to $10.35 million (or $.72
per share) compared with $12.53 million (or $.98 per share) in the year earlier
period.

            15. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1995, SyStemix reported
revenues totalling $3.62 million compared to $4.11 million for the same period a
year


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

earlier. Net loss was $48.09 million (or $3.43 per share), versus $44.29 million
(or $4.54 per share) in 1994.

            16. SyStemix has attributed its losses to the Company's initiation
of clinical trials and increased activities in the research and development of
its HIV Gene Therapy Collaboration with Sandoz. On March 18, 1996, Schwartz
stated the "[r]esults in 1996 will reflect the streamlining of functions
implemented late last year as well as the advancement of additional products
toward clinical trials in both the U.S. and Europe." Thus, SyStemix is poised to
reap the benefits of its costly research and development and expects to become
profitable in the coming year.

            17. Under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, Sandoz is entitled
to designate a number of members of the Company's Board of Directors equal to
the product of the total number of members of the Company's Board of Directors
multiplied by the percentage that the aggregate number of shares of common stock
then beneficially owned by Sandoz or any affiliate of Sandoz bears to the total
number of shares of common stock then outstanding, rounded up to the next whole
number. Sandoz has agreed to vote all shares of common stock directly or
indirectly beneficially owned by it (the "Sandoz Shares") to elect such
directors, and the Company has agreed, at such time, to promptly take all
actions necessary to cause the designees of Sandoz to be elected as directors of
the Company. The Acquisition Agreement provides that the directors nominated by
Sandoz shall be divided evenly, as nearly as possible, among the three classes
of directors. The Acquisition Agreement further provides that (i) Sandoz will
vote the Sandoz Shares, and the Company shall promptly take all actions
necessary, to ensure that the Board of Directors' membership


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

shall include three "independent" members who are not employees or consultants
of the Company or Sandoz, or affiliates of such employees or consultants; and
(ii) Sandoz will vote the Sandoz Shares, and the Company shall promptly take all
actions necessary, to ensure that any successors to such independent directors
shall be nominated by the remaining independent directors and shall be elected
(provided Sandoz consents to such election, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld).

            18. Since Sandoz' beneficial ownership (including 1,367,600 shares
purchasable upon the exercise of its warrants) is over 73% of the outstanding
shares of common stock, it controls the outcome of any matter to be voted on at
the Company.

            19. On May 24, 1995, SyStemix announced it had received an
unsolicited proposal from Sandoz to acquire all of the outstanding SyStemix
shares it doesn't already own for $17 a share (the "Offer"). SyStemix stock has
traded as high as $16-3/4 per share as recently as January 5, 1996.

            20. Because of Sandoz's ownership of a more than 70% in the Company,
no fair, arms-length market check to determine the fair value of SyStemix's
publicly held shares can be conducted. Moreover, defendants, through their
actions, have capped the price for which the remaining publicly held shares of
SyStemix could ever be acquired without taking adequate steps to determine the
fair value of such shares. Furthermore, contrary to the practices often followed
in similar transactions, Sandoz has failed to condition the Offer upon its
acceptance by a majority of unaffiliated shares.

            21. Sandoz hopes to acquire SyStemix at a price which does not
reflect its potential in light of SyStemix's strong revenue growth, promising
new products and recent


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

restructuring efforts, which items have not yet been fully reflected in the
trading price of the Company's stock.

            22. As a result of the foregoing, Sandoz and the Individual
Defendants have breached their fiduciary obligations to the Class or aided and
abetted such breaches.

            23. The actions taken by the defendants are in gross disregard of
the duties each of them owes to plaintiff and the other members of the Class.

            24. Plaintiff and other Class members are immediately threatened by
the acts and transactions complained of herein which have caused and will cause
irreparable injury to them.

            25. Plaintiff and the Class have no adequate remedy at law.

         WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment, including preliminary and
permanent injunctive relief, in his favor and in favor of the Class and against
defendants as follows:

      A. Declaring that this action is properly maintainable as a class action,
and certifying plaintiff as Class representative;

      B. Declaring that defendants and each of them have committed a gross abuse
of trust and have breached their fiduciary duties to plaintiff and the other
members of the Class;

      C. Directing the defendants to carry out their fiduciary duties to
plaintiff and the other members of the Class by:

         (1) undertaking an appropriate evaluation of alternatives designed to
maximize value for SyStemix's public stockholders;


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

         (2) adequately ensuring that no conflicts of interests exist between
defendants' own interests and their fiduciary obligation to the public
stockholders or, if such conflicts exist, to ensure that all of the conflicts
would be resolved in the best interests of SyStemix's public stockholders;

         (3) act independently by, among other things, appointing a truly
disinterested committee so that the interests of SyStemix's public stockholders
would be protected;

      D. Enjoining the Offer;

      E. If the Offer goes forward, requiring defendants to account for any
damages their actions cause the Class and/or awarding rescissory damages;

      F. Awarding plaintiff and the Class the costs and disbursements of this
action, including reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees; and

      G. Granting such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and
proper.


Dated: May 30, 1996


                                        ROSENTHAL, MONHAIT, GROSS & 
                                         GODDESS, P.A.

                                        By: /s/ [illegible]
                                           ----------------------------
                                        Mellon Bank Center, Suite 1401     
                                        919 North Market Street       
                                        Wilmington, Delaware 18801    
                                        (302) 656-4433                


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

OF COUNSEL:


GOODKIND LABATON RUDOFF 
 & SUCHAROW 
100 Park Avenue, 12th Floor 
New York, New York 10017
(212) 907-0700

Attorneys for Plaintiff


                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 28


                IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                          IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY


- ---------------------------------X
GWEN WERBOWSKY,

            Plaintiff,

     v.                                   C.A. No. 15014

SANDOZ LTD. et al.,

            Defendants.
- ---------------------------------X
JAMES VOSLER,

            Plaintiff,

     v.                                   C.A. No. 15016

SYSTEMIX, INC. et al.,

            Defendants.
- ---------------------------------X
JOSEPH CINCOTTA,

            Plaintiff,

     v.                                   C.A. No. 15018

SANDOX LTD. et al.,

            Defendants.
- ---------------------------------X
CRANDON CAPITAL PARTNERS,

            Plaintiff,

     V.                                   C.A. No. 15019

JOSEPH J. RUVANE, JR. et al.,

            Defendants.
- ---------------------------------X


<PAGE>

- ---------------------------------X
DAVID ROSENBERG,

            Plaintiff,

     V.                                   C.A. No. 15020

JOSEPH J. RUVANE, JR et al.,

            Defendants.
- ---------------------------------X
KEVIN TRACY,

            Plaintiff,

     v.                                   C.A. No. 15024

URS BARLOCHER et al.,

            Defendants.
- ---------------------------------X


                             ORDER OF CONSOLIDATION

     It appearing that the above-captioned actions involve the same subject
matter, and that the administration of justice would be best served by
consolidating the actions.

     IT IS, this 20 day of Aug., 1996, ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:

     1. The above-captioned actions shall be consolidated for all purposes.

     2. Hereafter, papers need only be filed in Civil Action No. 15014.

     3. The caption of the consolidated action shall be as follows:

- -----------------------------------------X

IN RE SYSTEMIX, INC. SHAREHOLDERS            CONSOLIDATED
LITIGATION                                   C.A. No. 15014

- -----------------------------------------X

     4. The law firms of BERNSTEIN LIEBHARD & LIFSHITZ, 274 Madison Avenue, New
York, NY 10016; BERNSTEIN LITOWITZ BERGER & GROSSMAN LLP,


                                       2
<PAGE>

1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019; GOODKIND LABATON RUDOFF &
SUCHAROW, 100 Park Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10017; KAUFMAN MALCHMAN
KIRBY & SQUIRE, LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; WECHSLER HARWOOD
HALEBIAN & FEFFER LLP, 805 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; and WOLF POPPER
ROSS WOLF & JONES, L.L.P., 845 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 shall constitute
plaintiffs' Committee of the Whole. The law firms of BERNSTEIN LITOWITZ BERGER &
GROSSMAN LLP and KAUFMAN MALCHMAN KIRBY & SQUIRE, LLP are designated as
plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel. The law firm of ROSENTHAL, MONHAIT, GROSS &
GODDESS, P.A., Suite 1401, Mellon Bank Center, Wilmington, DE 19801 is
designated as Delaware Liaison Counsel for plaintiffs.

     5. All documents previously served and filed to date in any of the cases
consolidated herein are deemed a part of the record in the consolidated action.
The complaint and first request for production of documents filed in C.A.
No. 15014 are hereby designated as the complaint and plaintiffs' first document
request in the consolidated action. Defendants need not respond to the
complaints filed in any of the other constituent actions.

     6. Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel shall set policy for plaintiffs for the
prosecution of this litigation, delegate and monitor the work performed by
plaintiffs' attorneys to ensure that there is no duplication of effort or
unnecessary expense, coordinate on behalf of plaintiffs the initiation and
conduct of discovery proceedings, conduct settlement negotiations, and provide
supervision and coordination of the activities of plaintiffs' counsel.


                                             /s/ ILLEGIBLE
                                             --------------------------------
                                                  Vice Chancellor


                                       3



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