CHOLESTECH CORPORATION
S-8, 1997-10-17
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
Previous: CHOLESTECH CORPORATION, S-8, 1997-10-17
Next: CELLEGY PHARMACEUTICALS INC, S-1, 1997-10-17





        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 1997
                                                     Registration No. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                      ------------------------------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933

                      ------------------------------------
                             CHOLESTECH CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                      ------------------------------------


     California                                         94-3065493
- ------------------------                    ------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                            3347 Investment Boulevard
                            Hayward, California 94545
   (Address, including zip code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)


                      ------------------------------------
                          1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PROGRAM
                            (Full title of the plan)


                      ------------------------------------
                                ANDREA J. TILLER
                          Vice President of Finance and
                             Chief Financial Officer
                             CHOLESTECH CORPORATION
                            3347 Investment Boulevard
                            Hayward, California 95454
                                 (510) 732-7200
(Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


                      ------------------------------------
                                   Copies to:
                             CHRIS F. FENNELL, ESQ.
                       Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
                            Professional Corporation
                               650 Page Mill Road
                               Palo Alto, CA 94306
                                 (415) 493-9300
                      ------------------------------------


<TABLE>
                                                   CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
                                                            Proposed
   Title of Each Class of                                    Maximum             Proposed Maximum
     Securities to be             Amount to be         Offering Price Per      Aggregate Offering            Amount of
        Registered                 Registered                Share                   Price               Registration Fee
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                            <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Common Stock, no par       
value(1)...................      900,000 shares                 $12.625                $11,362,500            $3,443.18(2)
====================================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1)  Includes  Preferred Share Purchase Rights which, prior to the occurrence of
     certain  events,  will not be exercisable or evidenced  separately from the
     Common Stock.
(2)  Calculated  in  accordance  with Rule  457(c)  solely  for the  purpose  of
     computing the amount of the  registration fee based upon the average of the
     high and low prices for the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
     Market on October 10, 1997.
====================================================================================================================================
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                     PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.          Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     The  following   documents  and  information   heretofore  filed  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission by Cholestech Corporation (the "Company") are
hereby incorporated by reference:

         (a) The Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 28, 1997,  filed pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

         (b) The Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 27, 1997, filed pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

         (c) The  description  of the  Company's  Common Stock  contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Commission on May
4, 1992 pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

         (d) The  description of the Company's  Preferred  Stock Purchase Rights
contained in the Company's  Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the
Commission on January 27, 1997 pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

     All documents  subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment  which  indicates that all securities  offered have been sold or which
deregisters  all  securities  then  remaining  unsold,  shall  be  deemed  to be
incorporated by reference in this  registration  statement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing such documents.

Item 4.          Description of Securities.

     Not applicable.

Item 5.          Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

     Not applicable.

Item 6.          Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     As permitted by Section 204(a) of the California  General  Corporation Law,
the  Registrant's  Articles of  Incorporation  eliminate a  director's  personal
liability for monetary  damages to the Registrant and its  shareholders  arising
from a breach or alleged breach of the  director's  fiduciary  duty,  except for
liability  arising  under  Sections  310  and  316  of  the  California  General
Corporation Law or liability for (i) acts or omissions that involve  intentional
misconduct or knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or omissions that
a director  believes to be contrary to the best  interests of the  Registrant or
its  shareholders  or that  involve the absence of good faith on the part of the
director,  (iii) any  transaction  from  which a director  derived  an  improper
personal benefit,  (iv) acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the
director's duty to the Registrant or its  shareholders in circumstances in which
the director  was aware,  or should have been aware,  in the ordinary  course of
performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the Registrant or
its shareholders and (v) acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused  pattern
of  inattention  that amounts to an  abdication  of the  director's  duty to the
Registrant or its shareholders. This provision does not eliminate the directors'
duty of care, and in  appropriate  circumstances  equitable  remedies such as an
injunction or other forms of  non-monetary  relief would remain  available under
California law.

     Sections 204(a) and 317 of the California General Corporation Law authorize
a corporation to indemnify its directors,  officers,  employees and other agents
in terms sufficiently broad to permit indemnification  (including  reimbursement
for expenses)  under certain  circumstances  for  liabilities  arising under the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act").  The  Registrant's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions covering indemnification
of corporate  directors,  officers and other agents against certain  liabilities
and expenses incurred as a result of proceedings involving such persons in their
capacities as directors,  officers,  employees or agents,  including proceedings
under the Securities Act or the Securities



<PAGE>


Exchange   Act  of  1934,   as  amended.   The   Registrant   has  entered  into
Indemnification Agreements with its directors and executive officers.

Item 7.          Exemption from Registration Claimed.

     Not applicable.

Item 8.          Exhibits.

       Exhibit
        Number              Document
        ------              --------
         4.3      1997 Stock Incentive Program and form of agreement thereunder.

         5.1      Opinion  of Wilson  Sonsini  Goodrich  & Rosati,  Professional
                  Corporation.

         23.1     Consent of Independent Auditors.

         23.2     Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

         24.1     Power of Attorney (see page II-3).


Item 9.         Undertakings.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)  To file,  during  any  period in which  offers or sales are being  made,  a
post-effective  amendment to this registration statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
the  registration  statement or any material  change to such  information in the
registration statement.

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

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

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

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling  persons of Registrant
pursuant to the California  General  Corporations Code, the Restated Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of Registrant,  Indemnification  Agreements  entered
into between Registrant and its officers and directors, or otherwise, Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against  such  liabilities  (other  than the payment by  Registrant  of expenses
incurred or paid by a director,  officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered hereunder,  Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter  has  been  settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to a  court  of
appropriate  jurisdiction  the question  whether such  indemnification  by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-2

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant,
Cholestech Corporation, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto
duly authorized,  in the City of Hayward, State of California,  on this 17th day
of October, 1997.

                                                 CHOLESTECH CORPORATION


                                                 By: /s/ Warren E. Pinckert II
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Warren E. Pinckert II
                                                     President & Chief Executive
                                                     Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that each such person whose signature
appears  below  constitutes  and  appoints,  jointly  and  severally,  Warren E.
Pinckert  II and Andrea J.  Tiller his or her  attorneys-in-fact,  each with the
power of  substitution,  for him or her in any and all  capacities,  to sign any
amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (including  post-effective
amendments),  and to file  the  same,  with  all  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact,  or his
or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

<CAPTION>
                  Signature                                        Title                                  Date 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>                                                  <C>
/s/ WARREN E. PINCKERT II                      President, Chief Executive Officer,                  October 17, 1997
- -------------------------------                and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
(Warren E. Pinckert II)  

/s/ ANDREA J. TILLER                           Vice President of  Finance and Chief                 October 17, 1997
- -------------------------------                Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
(Andrea J. Tiller)                             Accounting Officer)

/s/ HARVEY S. SADOW, PH.D.                     Chairman of the Board                                October 17, 1997
- -------------------------------
(Harvey S. Sadow, Ph.D.)

/s/ JOHN L. CASTELLO                           Director                                             October 17, 1997
- -------------------------------
(John L. Castello)

/s/ H.R. SHEPHERD                              Director                                             October 17, 1997
- -------------------------------
(H.R. Shepherd)

/s/ JOSEPH BUCHMAN                             Director                                             October 17, 1997
- -------------------------------
(Joseph Buchman M.D.)
</TABLE>

                                      II-3

<PAGE>


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                       -----------------------------------

                                    EXHIBITS

                       -----------------------------------


                       Registration Statement on Form S-8

                             Cholestech Corporation

                                October 17, 1997


<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


    Exhibit
    Number                                Exhibit
    ------                                -------
     4.3       1997 Stock Incentive Program and form of agreement thereunder

     5.1       Opinion  of  Wilson  Sonsini  Goodrich  &  Rosati,   Professional
               Corporation

     23.1      Consent of Independent Auditors

     23.2      Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)

     24.1      Power of Attorney (see page II-3)




                             CHOLESTECH CORPORATION

                          1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PROGRAM



          1.  Purposes of the 1997 Stock  Incentive  Program (the  "Plan").  The
purposes of this Plan are:

             o  to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions
                of substantial responsibility,

             o  to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
                Consultants, and

             o  to promote the success of the Company's business.

        Options  granted  under  the  Plan may be  Incentive  Stock  Options  or
Nonstatutory  Stock Options,  as determined by the  Administrator at the time of
grant.  Stock Purchase  Rights may also be granted under the Plan. The Plan also
provides for automatic  grants of Nonstatutory  Stock Options to certain Outside
Directors.

          2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

            (a)  "Administrator"  means  the Board or any of its  Committees  as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

            (b)  "Applicable Laws"  means  the  requirements   relating  to  the
administration  of stock option  plans under U. S. state  corporate  laws,  U.S.
federal and state  securities  laws,  the Code,  any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable  laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction  where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are,
or will be, granted under the Plan.

            (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

            (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            (e) "Committee means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board
in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

            (f) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

            (g)   "Company"   means   Cholestech   Corporation,   a   California
Corporation.


            (h) "Consultant" means any person,  including an advisor, engaged by
the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.





<PAGE>



            (i) "Director" means a member of the Board.

            (j) "Disability" means total and permanent  disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of  the Code.

            (k) "Employee" means any person,  including  Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or  Subsidiary  of the Company.  A Service
Provider  shall  not  cease to be an  Employee  in the case of (i) any  leave of
absence  approved  by the Company or (ii)  transfers  between  locations  of the
Company or between the Company,  its Parent,  any Subsidiary,  or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive  Stock Options,  no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless  reemployment  upon  expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or
contract.  If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the
Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock
Option  held by the  Optionee  shall cease to be treated as an  Incentive  Stock
Option and shall be treated for tax  purposes as a  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option.
Neither  service as a Director  nor payment of a  director's  fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

            (l)  "Exchange  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

            (m) "Fair Market Value" means,  as of any date,  the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

                (i) If the  Common  Stock is  listed  on any  established  stock
exchange or a national market system,  including  without  limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market,  its
Fair  Market  Value  shall be the  closing  sales  price for such  stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of  determination,  as reported in
The  Wall  Street  Journal  or such  other  source  as the  Administrator  deems
reliable;

                (ii) If the Common  Stock is  regularly  quoted by a  recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported,  the Fair Market Value of
a Share of Common  Stock  shall be the mean  between  the high bid and low asked
prices for the Common  Stock on the last market  trading day prior to the day of
determination,  as reported in The Wall Street  Journal or such other  source as
the Administrator deems reliable; or

                (iii) In the  absence  of an  established  market for the Common
Stock,  the  Fair  Market  Value  shall  be  determined  in  good  faith  by the
Administrator.

            (n) "Incentive  Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as
an incentive  stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

            (o) "Inside Director" means a Director who is an Employee.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



            (p)  "Nonstatutory  Stock  Option"  means an Option not  intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

            (q)  "Notice  of  Grant"  means  a  written  or  electronic   notice
evidencing  certain  terms  and  conditions  of an  individual  Option  or Stock
Purchase Right grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

            (r) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
the  meaning  of Section 16 of the  Exchange  Act and the rules and  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

            (s) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

            (t) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and an
Optionee  evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The
Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

            (u) "Option  Exchange  Program" means a program whereby  outstanding
Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

            (v) "Optioned  Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or
Stock Purchase Right.

            (w) "Optionee"  means the holder of an  outstanding  Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

            (x) "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an Employee.

            (y) "Parent" means a "parent  corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

            (z) "Plan" means this 1997 Stock Incentive Program.

            (aa)  "Restricted  Stock"  means  shares  of Common  Stock  acquired
pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan.

            (bb) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written agreement
between the  Company  and the  Optionee  evidencing  the terms and  restrictions
applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right.  The Restricted  Stock
Purchase  Agreement is subject to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and the
Notice of Grant.

            (cc)  "Rule  16b-3"  means  Rule  16b-3 of the  Exchange  Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3,  as in effect when  discretion is being  exercised with
respect to the Plan.



                                       -3-


<PAGE>



            (dd) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

            (ee) "Service  Provider" means an Employee,  Director or Consultant;
provided,  however,  that such term shall not include those  individuals who are
representatives  of  shareholders  owning  more  than  one  percent  (1%) of the
outstanding Shares of the Company.

            (ff)  "Share"  means a share of the Common  Stock,  as  adjusted  in
accordance with Section 14 of the Plan.

            (gg) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.


            (hh) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary  corporation",  whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

          3. Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 14
of the Plan,  the maximum  aggregate  number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold  under  the  Plan  is  900,000  Shares  (the  "Pool").  The  Shares  may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

           If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been  exercised in full, or is surrendered  pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available  for  future  grant  or sale  under  the  Plan  (unless  the  Plan has
terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under
the Plan,  whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future  distribution under the Plan,
except  that if Shares of  Restricted  Stock are  repurchased  by the Company at
their original  purchase  price,  such Shares shall become  available for future
grant under the Plan.

          4. Administration of the Plan.

            (a) Procedure.

               (i) Multiple  Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered
by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers.

               (ii)  Section  162(m).  To  the  extent  that  the  Administrator
determines  it  to  be  desirable  to  qualify  Options  granted   hereunder  as
"performance-based  compensation"  within the  meaning of Section  162(m) of the
Code,  the Plan shall be  administered  by a Committee  of two or more  "outside
directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

               (iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions
hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3,  the transactions  contemplated  hereunder
shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.


                                       -4-


<PAGE>



               (iv)  Grants to  Outside  Directors.  All  grants of  Options  to
Outside Directors made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan shall be automatic and
nondiscretionary.

               (v) Other Administration.  Other than as provided above, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall
be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

           (b) Powers of the  Administrator.  Subject to the  provisions  of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee,  subject to the specific duties  delegated
by the Board to such Committee,  the Administrator shall have the authority,  in
its discretion:

               (i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

               (ii) to select the Service  Providers  to whom  Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

               (iii) to  determine  the  number of shares of Common  Stock to be
covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

               (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (v) to determine the terms and conditions,  not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right granted  hereunder.
Such terms and conditions  include,  but are not limited to, the exercise price,
the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised  (which
may be based on performance  criteria),  any vesting  acceleration  or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions,  and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option
or Stock Purchase Right of the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in
each case on such factors as the  Administrator,  in its sole discretion,  shall
determine;

               (vi) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock Purchase
Right to the then  current  Fair Market  Value if the Fair  Market  Value of the
Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock  Purchase Right shall have declined
since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;

               (vii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

               (viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan;

               (ix) to  prescribe,  amend  and  rescind  rules  and  regulations
relating to the Plan,  including  rules and  regulations  relating to  sub-plans
established  for the purpose of qualifying  for  preferred  tax treatment  under
foreign tax laws;



                                       -5-


<PAGE>



               (x) to  modify  or amend  each  Option  or Stock  Purchase  Right
(subject to Section 16(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to
extend the  post-termination  exercisability  period of Options  longer  than is
otherwise provided for in the Plan;

               (xi) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by
electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise
of an Option or Stock  Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The Fair Market Value of the
Shares to be withheld  shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to
be withheld is to be  determined.  All  elections  by an Optionee to have Shares
withheld for this purpose  shall be made in such form and under such  conditions
as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

               (xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company
any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right
previously granted by the Administrator;

               (xiii)  to make all  other  determinations  deemed  necessary  or
advisable for administering the Plan.

           (c)  Effect  of   Administrator's   Decision.   The   Administrator's
decisions,  determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

          5. Eligibility.  Nonstatutory  Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights
may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only
to Employees.

          6. Limitations.

           (a) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either
an  Incentive   Stock  Option  or  a   Nonstatutory   Stock   Option.   However,
notwithstanding  such designation,  to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value  of  the  Shares  with  respect  to  which  Incentive  Stock  Options  are
exercisable  for the first time by the Optionee  during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary)  exceeds  $100,000,  such
Options shall be treated as  Nonstatutory  Stock  Options.  For purposes of this
Section 6(a),  Incentive  Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which  they  were  granted.  The Fair  Market  Value of the  Shares  shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

           (b)  Neither  the Plan nor any Option or Stock  Purchase  Right shall
confer upon an Optionee  any right with  respect to  continuing  the  Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in
any way with the  Optionee's  right or the  Company's  right to  terminate  such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.



                                       -6-


<PAGE>



          7. Term of Plan.  Subject to  Section  20 of the Plan,  the Plan shall
become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It shall continue in effect for
a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 16 of the Plan.

          8.  Term of  Option.  The term of each  Option  shall be stated in the
Option  Agreement.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option,  the term shall be
ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in
the Option Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted
to an Optionee  who, at the time the  Incentive  Stock  Option is granted,  owns
stock  representing  more than ten percent  (10%) of the total  combined  voting
power of all  classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or  Subsidiary,  the
term of the  Incentive  Stock  Option  shall be five (5) years  from the date of
grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

          9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

           (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be
issued   pursuant  to  exercise  of  an  Option  shall  be   determined  by  the
Administrator, subject to the following:

               (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                    (A)  granted to an Employee  who, at the time the  Incentive
Stock Option is granted,  owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the  voting  power of all  classes  of stock of the  Company  or any  Parent  or
Subsidiary,  the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                    (B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described
in paragraph (A)  immediately  above,  the per Share  exercise price shall be no
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

               (ii) In the case of a  Nonstatutory  Stock Option,  the per Share
exercise  price  shall  be  determined  by the  Administrator.  In the case of a
Nonstatutory   Stock   Option   intended   to  qualify   as   "performance-based
compensation"  within the meaning of Section  162(m) of the Code,  the per Share
exercise  price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

               (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing,  Options may be granted with
a per Share  exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share
on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.

           (b)  Waiting  Period  and  Exercise  Dates.  At the time an Option is
granted,  the Administrator  shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions  which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised.



                                       -7-


<PAGE>



           (c) Form of  Consideration.  The  Administrator  shall  determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option,  including the method
of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option,  the Administrator  shall
determine  the  acceptable  form of  consideration  at the time of  grant.  Such
consideration may consist entirely of:

               (i) cash;

               (ii) check;

               (iii) promissory note;

               (iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares  acquired  upon
exercise of an option,  have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months
on the  date of  surrender,  and (B)  have a Fair  Market  Value  on the date of
surrender  equal to the aggregate  exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;

               (v)  consideration  received  by the  Company  under  a  cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

               (vi) a reduction  in the amount of any Company  liability  to the
Optionee,  including any liability attributable to the Optionee's  participation
in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

               (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

               (viii)  such other  consideration  and method of payment  for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

          10. Exercise of Option.

           (a)  Procedure  for  Exercise;  Rights as a  Shareholder.  Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the  Administrator and set
forth in the Option  Agreement.  Unless the  Administrator  provides  otherwise,
vesting of Options granted  hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of
absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                An Option shall be deemed  exercised when the Company  receives:
(i) written or  electronic  notice of exercise  (in  accordance  with the Option
Agreement)  from the person  entitled  to  exercise  the  Option,  and (ii) full
payment  for the Shares  with  respect to which the  Option is  exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator  and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon  exercise of an Option  shall be issued in the name of the  Optionee or, if
requested  by the  Optionee,  in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate


                                       -8-


<PAGE>



entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized  transfer agent of the
Company),  no  right to vote or  receive  dividends  or any  other  rights  as a
shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,  notwithstanding the
exercise of the Option.  The  Company  shall issue (or cause to be issued)  such
Shares promptly after the Option is exercised.  No adjustment will be made for a
dividend  or other  right  for which  the  record  date is prior to the date the
Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 14 of the Plan.

               Exercising  an Option in any manner shall  decrease the number of
Shares  thereafter  available,  both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

           (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee
ceases  to be a  Service  Provider,  other  than  upon the  Optionee's  death or
Disability,  the Optionee  may exercise his or her Option  within such period of
time as is  specified  in the Option  Agreement to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of termination  (but in no event later than the expiration of
the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of
a specified time in the Option  Agreement,  the Option shall remain  exercisable
for three (3) months  following the Optionee's  termination.  If, on the date of
termination,  the  Optionee  is not vested as to his or her entire  Option,  the
Shares  covered by the unvested  portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.
If, after  termination,  the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified by the  Administrator,  the Option shall  terminate,  and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

           (c)  Disability  of Optionee.  If an Optionee  ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
to the extent the Option is vested on the date of  termination  (but in no event
later than the  expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement).  In the absence of a  specified  time in the Option  Agreement,  the
Option shall remain  exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination.  If, on the date of  termination,  the Optionee is not vested as to
his or her entire  Option,  the Shares  covered by the  unvested  portion of the
Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after  termination,  the Optionee does not
exercise his or her Option within the time  specified  herein,  the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

           (d) Death of Optionee.  If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider,
the Option may be  exercised  within such period of time as is  specified in the
Option  Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant),  by the  Optionee's  estate or by a
person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or  inheritance,
but only to the extent  that the  Option is vested on the date of death.  In the
absence of a specified  time in the Option  Agreement,  the Option  shall remain
exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination.  If, at
the time of death,  the  Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire  Option,
the Shares  covered by the  unvested  portion  of the Option  shall  immediately
revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator
of the Optionee's estate or, if


                                       -9-


<PAGE>



none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will
or the laws of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.

           (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy
out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option  previously  granted based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the
Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

          11. Stock Purchase Rights.

           (a) Rights to Purchase.  Stock  Purchase  Rights may be issued either
alone,  in addition  to, or in tandem with other awards  granted  under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator  determines
that it will offer Stock  Purchase  Rights  under the Plan,  it shall advise the
offeree  in  writing or  electronically,  by means of a Notice of Grant,  of the
terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of
Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and
the time  within  which the offeree  must accept such offer.  The offer shall be
accepted by  execution  of a  Restricted  Stock  Purchase  Agreement in the form
determined by the Administrator.

           (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise,
the  Restricted  Stock Purchase  Agreement  shall grant the Company a repurchase
option  exercisable  upon  the  voluntary  or  involuntary  termination  of  the
purchaser's  service  with  the  Company  for any  reason  (including  death  or
Disability).   The  purchase  price  for  Shares  repurchased  pursuant  to  the
Restricted  Stock  Purchase  Agreement  shall be the original  price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation  of any  indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company.  The repurchase  option shall lapse at a rate  determined by the
Administrator.

           (c) Other Provisions.  The Restricted Stock Purchase  Agreement shall
contain such other terms,  provisions and conditions not  inconsistent  with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

           (d)  Rights  as a  Shareholder.  Once  the  Stock  Purchase  Right is
exercised,  the  purchaser  shall  have  the  rights  equivalent  to  those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized  transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 14
of the Plan.

          12. Automatic Option Grants to Outside Directors.

           (a) First Option.  Each Outside Director who first becomes an Outside
Director within six months after an annual meeting of the Company's shareholders
after  the  effective  date  of this  Plan  shall  be  automatically  granted  a
Nonstatutory  Stock Option to purchase 5,000 Shares (the "First  Option") on the
date on which such person first becomes an Outside Director, whether through


                                      -10-


<PAGE>



election by the  shareholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill
a vacancy; provided, however, that an Inside Director who ceases to be an Inside
Director but who remains a Director shall not receive a First Option.

           (b) Subsequent  Option.  Each Outside Director shall be automatically
granted a  Nonstatutory  Stock Option to purchase  10,000 Shares (a  "Subsequent
Option") on the date of the annual  shareholder  meeting of each year;  provided
that he or she is then an Outside Director.

           (c) Terms of  Options.  The  terms of First  Options  and  Subsequent
Options granted hereunder shall be as follows:

               (i) the term of each Option shall be five (5) years.

               (ii)  the  exercise  price  per  Share  shall be 100% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In the event that the date of grant
is not a trading  day,  the  exercise  price per Share  shall be the Fair Market
Value on the next trading day immediately following the date of grant.

               (iii) 25% of the Shares  subject  to the  Option  shall vest each
calendar  quarter  after the date of grant,  so that 100% of the Optioned  Stock
shall be exercisable  one year after the date of grant,  subject to the Optionee
remaining a Service Provider as of such vesting dates.

           (d) In the event that any Option  granted under this Section 12 would
cause the number of Shares  subject  to  outstanding  Option  plus the number of
Shares previously purchased under Options to exceed the Pool, then the remaining
Shares  available  for Option  grant under this Section 12 shall be granted on a
pro rata basis. No further grants shall be made under this Section 12 until such
time,  if any, as additional  Shares  become  available for grant under the Plan
through action of the Board or the stockholders to increase the number of Shares
which may be issued  under the Plan or through  cancellation  or  expiration  of
Options previously granted hereunder.


          13.  Non-Transferability  of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Purchase Right may
not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any
manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or  distribution  and may be
exercised,  during the lifetime of the Optionee,  only by the  Optionee.  If the
Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable,  such Option
or Stock  Purchase Right shall contain such  additional  terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

          14. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

           (a) Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the
shareholders  of the Company,  the number of shares of Common  Stock  covered by
each outstanding Option and


                                      -11-


<PAGE>



Stock Purchase  Right,  and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been
authorized  for  issuance  under  the Plan but as to which no  Options  or Stock
Purchase  Rights have yet been  granted or which have been  returned to the Plan
upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, as well as
the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such  outstanding  Option or
Stock  Purchase  Right,  shall be  proportionately  adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock  resulting  from a stock
split,  reverse stock split, stock dividend,  combination or reclassification of
the Common  Stock,  or any other  increase  or  decrease in the number of issued
shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company;
provided,  however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company
shall not be deemed to have been "effected  without  receipt of  consideration."
Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose  determination in that respect
shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly provided herein, no
issuance  by the  Company  of  shares  of  stock  of any  class,  or  securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class,  shall affect,  and no adjustment
by reason  thereof  shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares
of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.

           (b)  Dissolution  or  Liquidation.  In  the  event  of  the  proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company,  the Administrator  shall notify each
Optionee as soon as  practicable  prior to the  effective  date of such proposed
transaction.  The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise  his or her Option  until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the  Option  would not  otherwise  be  exercisable.  In  addition,  the
Administrator  may provide that any Company  repurchase option applicable to any
Shares  purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse
as to all such Shares,  provided the proposed  dissolution or liquidation  takes
place at the time and in the manner contemplated.  To the extent it has not been
previously  exercised,   an  Option  or  Stock  Purchase  Right  will  terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

           (c)  Merger or Asset  Sale.  In the event of a merger of the  Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the  Company,  each  outstanding  Option and Stock  Purchase  Right  shall be
assumed  or  an  equivalent   option  or  right  substituted  by  the  successor
corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event
that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or
Stock  Purchase  Right,  the Optionee  shall fully vest in and have the right to
exercise the Option or Stock  Purchase  Right as to all of the  Optioned  Stock,
including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If
an Option or Stock Purchase  Right becomes fully vested and  exercisable in lieu
of assumption or  substitution  in the event of a merger or sale of assets,  the
Administrator  shall notify the Optionee in writing or  electronically  that the
Option or Stock  Purchase  Right  shall be fully  vested and  exercisable  for a
period of  fifteen  (15) days from the date of such  notice,  and the  Option or
Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the
purposes  of this  paragraph,  the  Option  or  Stock  Purchase  Right  shall be
considered  assumed if,  following  the merger or sale of assets,  the option or
right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of


                                      -12-


<PAGE>



Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right  immediately  prior
to the merger or sale of assets,  the  consideration  (whether  stock,  cash, or
other  securities  or  property)  received  in the  merger  or sale of assets by
holders  of  Common  Stock  for each  Share  held on the  effective  date of the
transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration,  the type of
consideration  chosen by the holders of a majority of the  outstanding  Shares);
provided,  however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of
assets is not solely  common stock of the successor  corporation  or its Parent,
the Administrator  may, with the consent of the successor  corporation,  provide
for the  consideration  to be received  upon the exercise of the Option or Stock
Purchase Right,  for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock
Purchase  Right,  to be solely common stock of the successor  corporation or its
Parent  equal in fair market  value to the per share  consideration  received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

          15.  Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option or Stock  Purchase
Right shall be, for all purposes,  the date on which the Administrator makes the
determination  granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later
date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be
provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

          16. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

           (a)  Amendment  and  Termination.  The Board  may at any time  amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

           (b)  Shareholder  Approval.  The  Company  shall  obtain  shareholder
approval of any Plan  amendment to the extent  necessary and desirable to comply
with Applicable Laws.

           (c) Effect of Amendment or  Termination.  No  amendment,  alteration,
suspension or  termination  of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually  agreed  otherwise  between the Optionee and the  Administrator,
which  agreement  must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers  granted to it hereunder  with respect to Options  granted  under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

          17. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

           (a) Legal  Compliance.  Shares  shall not be issued  pursuant  to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option
or Stock  Purchase  Right and the  issuance  and  delivery of such Shares  shall
comply  with  Applicable  Laws and shall be further  subject to the  approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

           (b) Investment Representations.  As a condition to the exercise of an
Option or Stock Purchase  Right,  the Company may require the person  exercising
such Option or Stock  Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased


                                      -13-


<PAGE>



only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such
Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,  such a representation  is
required.

          18.  Inability to Obtain  Authority.  The  inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having  jurisdiction,  which authority
is deemed by the  Company's  counsel to be necessary to the lawful  issuance and
sale of any Shares  hereunder,  shall  relieve the Company of any  liability  in
respect of the failure to issue or sell such  Shares as to which such  requisite
authority shall not have been obtained.

          19. Reservation of Shares. The Company,  during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep  available  such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

          20. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted.  Such  shareholder  approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the
degree required under Applicable Laws.


                                      -14-


<PAGE>





                             CHOLESTECH CORPORATION

                          1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PROGRAM

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


        Unless  otherwise  defined  herein,  the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.  NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

[Optionee's Name and Address]

        You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and  conditions of the Plan and this Option  Agreement,  as
follows:

        Grant Number                          ____________________________

        Date of Grant                         ____________________________

        Vesting Commencement Date             ____________________________

        Exercise Price per Share              $___________________________

        Total Number of Shares Granted        ____________________________

        Total Exercise Price                  $___________________________

        Type of Option:                       ___ Incentive Stock Option

                                              ___ Nonstatutory Stock Option

        Term/Expiration Date:                 ____________________________


     Vesting Schedule:

        This Option may be exercised,  in whole or in part,  in accordance  with
the following schedule:

        25% of the Shares  subject to the Option shall vest twelve  months after
the  Vesting  Commencement  Date,  and 1/48 of the Shares  subject to the Option
shall vest each month  thereafter,  so that 100% of the Optioned  Stock shall be
exercisable after four years, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service
Provider on such dates.





<PAGE>



        Termination Period:

        This Option may be exercised for three months after  Optionee  ceases to
be a Service Provider. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option
may be exercised for one year after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. In
no event shall this Option be exercised later than the  Term/Expiration  Date as
provided above.

II.  AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option.  The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants
to the  Optionee  named  in the  Notice  of  Grant  attached  as  Part I of this
Agreement  (the  "Optionee")  an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the  "Exercise  Price"),  subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan,  which is incorporated  herein by reference.  Subject to
Section  16(c) of the Plan,  in the event of a  conflict  between  the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and  conditions  of this Option  Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

           If  designated  in the Notice of Grant as an  Incentive  Stock Option
("ISO"),  this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive  Stock Option under
Section 422 of the Code.  However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive
Stock  Option,  to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000  rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

        2. Exercise of Option.

           (a) Right to Exercise.  This Option is exercisable during its term in
accordance  with the  Vesting  Schedule  set out in the  Notice of Grant and the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

           (b) Method of Exercise.  This Option is exercisable by delivery of an
exercise  notice,  in the form  attached as Exhibit A (the  "Exercise  Notice"),
which shall state the election to exercise  the Option,  the number of Shares in
respect of which the Option is being  exercised (the  "Exercised  Shares"),  and
such other  representations  and  agreements  as may be  required by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  The Exercise  Notice shall be completed
by the Optionee and delivered to Secretary of the Company.  The Exercise  Notice
shall be  accompanied  by  payment  of the  aggregate  Exercise  Price as to all
Exercised  Shares.  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised  upon receipt by
the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate
Exercise Price.

           No Shares  shall be issued  pursuant  to the  exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise  complies with Applicable Laws.  Assuming such
compliance,  for income tax purposes the  Exercised  Shares shall be  considered
transferred  to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.



                                       -2-


<PAGE>



        3. Method of Payment.  Payment of the aggregate  Exercise Price shall be
by any of the  following,  or a  combination  thereof,  at the  election  of the
Optionee:

           (a) cash;

           (b) check;

           (c)  consideration  received by the Company under a cashless exercise
program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

           (d)  surrender  of  other  Shares  which  (i) in the  case of  Shares
acquired  upon  exercise of an option,  have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender,  and (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate  Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares.

        4.  Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner  otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of the Plan and this  Option  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon the  executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        5. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the  Notice  of  Grant,  and may be  exercised  during  such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

        6. Tax  Consequences.  Some of the federal tax consequences  relating to
this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE,  AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THE  OPTIONEE  SHOULD  CONSULT A TAX ADVISER  BEFORE  EXERCISING  THIS OPTION OR
DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

           (a) Exercising the Option.

               (i)  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option.  The Optionee may incur regular
federal  income tax  liability  upon  exercise of a NSO.  The  Optionee  will be
treated as having received  compensation  income (taxable at ordinary income tax
rates) equal to the excess,  if any, of the Fair Market  Value of the  Exercised
Shares on the date of  exercise  over their  aggregate  Exercise  Price.  If the
Optionee is an Employee or a former  Employee,  the Company  will be required to
withhold  from his or her  compensation  or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable  taxing  authorities  an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this
compensation  income  at the time of  exercise,  and may  refuse  to  honor  the
exercise  and  refuse to  deliver  Shares if such  withholding  amounts  are not
delivered at the time of exercise.



                                       -3-


<PAGE>



               (ii) Incentive Stock Option.  If this Option qualifies as an ISO,
the  Optionee  will  have no  regular  federal  income  tax  liability  upon its
exercise, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised
Shares on the date of  exercise  over  their  aggregate  Exercise  Price will be
treated as an adjustment to alternative  minimum  taxable income for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to alternative  minimum tax in the year of
exercise.  In the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee but remains a
Service  Provider,  any  Incentive  Stock  Option of the  Optionee  that remains
unexercised  shall  cease to qualify as an  Incentive  Stock  Option and will be
treated for tax  purposes as a  Nonstatutory  Stock Option on the date three (3)
months and one (1) day following such change of status.

           (b) Disposition of Shares.

               (i) NSO. If the Optionee  holds NSO Shares for at least one year,
any gain  realized on  disposition  of the Shares  will be treated as  long-term
capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

               (ii) ISO. If the Optionee  holds ISO Shares for at least one year
after  exercise  and two years  after  the  grant  date,  any gain  realized  on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term  capital gain for federal
income tax  purposes.  If the  Optionee  disposes of ISO Shares  within one year
after  exercise  or two years after the grant  date,  any gain  realized on such
disposition  will be treated as compensation  income (taxable at ordinary income
rates) to the extent of the excess,  if any, of the lesser of (A) the difference
between the Fair Market Value of the Shares acquired on the date of exercise and
the aggregate  Exercise Price,  or (B) the difference  between the sale price of
such Shares and the aggregate  Exercise Price. Any additional gain will be taxed
as capital gain,  short-term  or long-term  depending on the period that the ISO
Shares were held.

           (c)  Notice  of  Disqualifying  Disposition  of  ISO  Shares.  If the
Optionee sells or otherwise  disposes of any of the Shares acquired  pursuant to
an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii) one
year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall immediately  notify the Company
in  writing  of such  disposition.  The  Optionee  agrees  that he or she may be
subject to income tax  withholding  by the  Company on the  compensation  income
recognized  from such early  disposition of ISO Shares by payment in cash or out
of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.

        7. Entire Agreement;  Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated  herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and  supersede in their
entirety all prior  undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof,  and may not be modified  adversely to the
Optionee's  interest  except by means of a writing  signed  by the  Company  and
Optionee.  This agreement is governed by the internal  substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of California.



                                       -4-


<PAGE>



        8. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.  OPTIONEE  ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES  PURSUANT TO THE  VESTING  SCHEDULE  HEREOF IS EARNED
ONLY BY  CONTINUING  AS A SERVICE  PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY  (AND NOT
THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED,  BEING  GRANTED AN OPTION OR  PURCHASING  SHARES
HEREUNDER).  OPTIONEE FURTHER  ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT,  THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO
NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED  PROMISE  OF  CONTINUED  ENGAGEMENT  AS A
SERVICE  PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD,  FOR ANY PERIOD,  OR AT ALL, AND SHALL
NOT  INTERFERE  WITH  OPTIONEE'S  RIGHT  OR THE  COMPANY'S  RIGHT  TO  TERMINATE
OPTIONEE'S  RELATIONSHIP  AS A SERVICE  PROVIDER  AT ANY TIME,  WITH OR  WITHOUT
CAUSE.

        By your  signature  and the  signature of the  Company's  representative
below,  you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.  Optionee has
reviewed  the Plan and  this  Option  Agreement  in their  entirety,  has had an
opportunity  to obtain the  advice of counsel  prior to  executing  this  Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,  conclusive and final all decisions
or  interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option  Agreement.  Optionee  further  agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.


OPTIONEE:                                CHOLESTECH CORPORATION



- -----------------------------------      ---------------------------------------
Signature                                By

- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Print Name                               Title

- ------------------------------------
Residence Address

- ------------------------------------





                                       -5-


<PAGE>



                                CONSENT OF SPOUSE

        The  undersigned  spouse of Optionee  has read and hereby  approves  the
terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.  In consideration of
the  Company's  granting  his or her spouse the right to purchase  Shares as set
forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably  bound by the  terms  and  conditions  of the  Plan and this  Option
Agreement  and further  agrees that any  community  property  interest  shall be
similarly bound.  The undersigned  hereby appoints the  undersigned's  spouse as
attorney-in-fact  for the undersigned  with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.


                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Spouse of Optionee


                                       -6-


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A

                          1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PROGRAM

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE


Cholestech Corporation
3347 Investment Blvd.
Hayward, CA  94545-3808


Attention:  Secretary

        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today,  ________________,  199__,
the undersigned  ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase  ______________  shares
(the  "Shares") of the Common Stock of Cholestech  Corporation  (the  "Company")
under and  pursuant to the 1997 Stock  Incentive  Program  (the  "Plan") and the
Stock Option Agreement dated ___ , 19___ (the "Option Agreement").  The purchase
price for the Shares shall be $___ , as required by the Option Agreement.

        2. Delivery of Payment.  Purchaser  herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

        3. Representations of Purchaser.  Purchaser  acknowledges that Purchaser
has received,  read and understood the Plan and the Option  Agreement and agrees
to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

        4.  Rights as  Shareholder.  Until the  issuance  (as  evidenced  by the
appropriate  entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized  transfer
agent of the  Company) of the Shares,  no right to vote or receive  dividends or
any other  rights as a  shareholder  shall  exist with  respect to the  Optioned
Stock,  notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as  practicable  after exercise of the Option.
No  adjustment  will be made for a dividend  or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of  issuance,  except as provided in Section 14 of the
Plan.

        5. Tax  Consultation.  Purchaser  understands  that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax  consequences as a result of Purchaser's  purchase or disposition of
the Shares.  Purchaser  represents  that  Purchaser has  consulted  with any tax
consultants  Purchaser  deems  advisable  in  connection  with the  purchase  or
disposition  of the Shares and that  Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

        6. Entire  Agreement;  Governing Law. The Plan and Option  Agreement are
incorporated  herein  by  reference.  This  Agreement,  the Plan and the  Option
Agreement  constitute  the entire  agreement  of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements  of the  Company and  Purchaser  with  respect to the subject  matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's  interest except by
means of a writing





<PAGE>



signed by the Company and Purchaser.  This agreement is governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.


Submitted by:                              Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                                 CHOLESTECH CORPORATION


- ----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Signature                                  By

- ----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Print Name                                 Its


Address:                                   Address:

__________________________________         3347 Investment Blvd.
                                           Hayward, CA  94545-3808
- ----------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Date Received


                                       -2-




                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


                                October 17, 1997


Cholestech Corporation
3347 Industrial Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94545

         RE:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
              ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration  Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission on or about October 17, 1997 (the
"Registration   Statement")  in  connection  with  the  registration  under  the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  for an aggregate of 900,000 shares of your
Common Stock under the 1997 Stock Incentive Program. Such shares of Common Stock
are referred to herein as the  "Shares,"  and such plan is referred to herein as
the  "Plan."  As your  counsel  in  connection  with this  transaction,  we have
examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to
be taken by you in connection  with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant
to the Plan.

     It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in the
Plan and pursuant to the agreements  which  accompany each grant under the Plan,
the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable.

     We  consent to the use of this  opinion  as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement,  and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                            Professional Corporation

                                            /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI


                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                       Consent of Independent Accountants

We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report  dated April 24, 1997  appearing on page F-2
of Cholestech  Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March
28, 1997.


/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Jose, California
October 16, 1997



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