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EXHIBIT 10.13
[CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED. CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE
BEEN REDACTED AND HAVE BEEN SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE COMMISSION.]
by and between
NANOGEN, INC.
and
PROLINX, INC.
This (the "Agreement") is entered into as
of the 18th day of December, 1996 (the "Effective Date"), by and between
NANOGEN, INC., a California corporation having offices at 00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 ("Nanogen") and PROLINX, INC., a Delaware
corporation having offices at 00000 00xx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 ("Prolinx").
WHEREAS, Nanogen has developed proprietary expertise related to, among
other things, microelectronic DNA and macromolecular transport and detection,
screening and imaging of molecules, electronic hybridization, sample
preparation, genetic probe technology, electronic stringency control,
electronic complexity reduction and microfluidics; and
WHEREAS, Prolinx has developed proprietary expertise related to, among
other things, chemical affinity systems, probe immobilization, luminescent
detection reagents and amplification polymers to provide enhanced detection
sensitivity in probe assays; and
WHEREAS, Nanogen and Prolinx desire to collaborate on a sponsored
research program to be conducted by Prolinx and funded in part by Nanogen as
provided in Article 2 hereof (the "Sponsored Research Program"), the components
of which are to (1) identify and develop a chromophore/fluorophore/luminescent
detection reagent (the "Detection Reagent Research Program"), (2) refine and
develop an amplification polymer (the "Amplimer Research Program"), and (3)
apply Prolinx's proprietary chemical affinity systems to the immobilization of
oligonucleotide probes (the "Immobilization and Capture Program"), with the
overall goal of the Sponsored Research Program being the development of an
enhanced sensitivity detection system for use with Nanogen's proprietary
electronically addressable microchip assays.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 "Information" means any and all current and future proprietary or
confidential information relating to, without limitation, either party's
designs, specifications, techniques, inventions, practices, knowledge, trade
secrets, know how, intellectual property, skill, experience, test data, quality
control, manufacturing data or drawings.
1.2 "Nanogen Background Inventions" means the proprietary inventions,
technology and expertise conceived and/or actually or constructively reduced to
practice by Nanogen prior to the Effective Date hereof, including, without
limitation, those covered by United States Patent Number 5,219,726 and its
foreign counterparts, and those described and claimed in United States Patent
Application Numbers *** and their respective foreign counterparts, and all
Nanogen invention disclosures.
1.3 "Nanogen Platform" means Nanogen's proprietary, electronically
addressable microchip arrays.
1.4 "Prolinx Background Inventions" means the proprietary inventions,
technology and expertise conceived and/or actually or constructively reduced to
practice by Prolinx prior to the Effective Date hereof, including, without
limitation, those described and claimed in United States Patent Application
Numbers ***, 08/188,531, 08/842,833, ***, 08/486,714, 08/472,851, 08/480,970,
08/188,958, 08/482,886, 08/189,176, ***, and their respective foreign
counterparts, and all Prolinx invention disclosures.
ARTICLE 2
FUNDING; ANNUAL RESEARCH FEE
2.1 Funding. The parties agree that the cost of the Sponsored
Research Program shall be funded as follows: the cost of the Detection Reagent
Research Program shall be funded solely by Nanogen, the cost of the Amplimer
Research Program shall be funded jointly by Nanogen and Prolinx, and the cost
of the Immobilization and Capture Program shall be funded solely by Prolinx.
2.2 Annual Research Fee. In satisfaction of its funding obligations
under the Detection Reagent Research Program and the Amplimer Research Program,
Nanogen shall pay Prolinx an annual research fee of Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($500,000) per year during the term of this Agreement (the "Annual
Research Fee"), unless sooner terminated as
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set forth in Article 10. The Annual Research Fee shall be payable in equal
monthly Installments of $***. Such payments shall commence within
forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date, and thereafter shall be made on
the first day of each calendar month during the term of this Agreement. Such
monthly payments shall be made to Prolinx in immediately available U.S. funds
payable by cashier's or certified check or wire transfer.
ARTICLE 3
DETECTION REAGENT RESEARCH PROGRAM
3.1 Program Overview. The Detection Reagent Research Program to be
conducted by Prolinx shall focus on the identification and development of a
proprietary chromophore/fluorophore/luminescent detection reagent for Optimized
Use on the Nanogen Platform. For purposes of this Agreement, "Optimized Use"
means a ***-fold to ***-fold increase in detection sensitivity as compared to a
probe labeled with a single fluorophore.
3.2 Funding. As provided in Section 2.1 above, funding for the
Detection Reagent Research Program shall be provided solely by Nanogen from the
Annual Research Fee.
3.3 License. Nanogen shall be granted an exclusive license to the
detection reagent developed for Nanogen by Prolinx pursuant to the Detection
Reagent Research Program, with no field of use limitations, subject to the
terms of a License Agreement to be negotiated between the parties but
including, at a minimum, the terms provided in Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the
Letter of Intent between the parties dated July 24, 1996 (the "License
Agreement").
ARTICLE 4
AMPLIMER RESEARCH PROGRAM
4.1 Program View. The Amplimer Research Program to be conducted by
Prolinx shall focus on the refinement and development of an amplification
polymer designed to amplify and enhance detection sensitivity on the Nanogen
Platform to Optimized Use (as defined in Section 3.1).
4.2 Funding. As provided in Section 2.1 above, funding for the
Amplimer Research Program shall be provided jointly by Nanogen and Prolinx in
equal amounts. Nanogen's portion of such funding shall be provided from the
Annual Research Fee.
4.3 License. Nanogen shall be granted an exclusive license within
the Nanogen Field of Use (as defined in the License Agreement) to the
amplification polymer developed for
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Nanogen by Prolinx pursuant to the Amplimer Research Program, subject to the
terms of the License Agreement.
ARTICLE 5
IMMOBILIZATION AND CAPTURE PROGRAM
5.1 Program Overview. The Immobilization and Capture Program to be
conducted by Prolinx shall involve the application by Prolinx of its already
existing immobilization and capture chemical affinity systems, which systems
are Prolinx Background Inventions, to the immobilization of oligonucleotide
probes, and the development by Prolinx of such additional immobilization and
capture chemical affinity systems as are necessary to achieve the goals and
purposes provided in the Research Plan.
5.2 Funding. As provided in Section 2.1 above, funding for the
Immobilization and Capture Program shall be provided solely by Prolinx.
5.3 License. Nanogen shall be granted a non-exclusive license within
the Nanogen Field of Use (as defined in the License Agreement) to the
immobilization and capture chemical affinity systems developed for Nanogen by
Prolinx pursuant to the Immobilization and Capture Program, subject to the
terms of the license Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
RESEARCH OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
6.1 Research Oversight Committee. To further the objectives of the
parties and to coordinate the research activities conducted pursuant to the
Sponsored Research Program, the parties shall establish a Research Oversight
Committee ("ROC"). The ROC shall be created within thirty (30) days after the
Effective Date and shall be comprised of six (6) members, each with equal
voting power, three of whom shall be appointed, and may be replaced at any
time(s), by Nanogen in its sole discretion, and three of whom shall be
appointed, and may be replaced at any time(s), by Prolinx in its sole
discretion. The purposes of the ROC shall be to supervise and coordinate the
Sponsored Research Program and to provide a mechanism for exchanging
information, modifying the Research Plan (as described in Section 6.5 hereof),
monitoring progress on achieving Technical Milestones set forth in the Research
Plan and reviewing the overall progress of the Sponsored Research Program.
Each party shall be free to replace its representatives on the ROC from time to
time upon written notice to the other party. The ROC shall continue to operate
throughout the term of this Agreement.
6.2 Meeting. The ROC shall meet either in person or telephonically,
as the parties may agree, at least quarterly and, if in person, the meeting
site shall alternate between the offices of Nanogen and Prolinx. Each party
shall be responsible for the expenses incurred by its respective members of the
ROC in attending such meetings. A quorum of all six (6)
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members of the ROC shall be required to meet and conduct business, and all
decisions of the ROC shall require a majority vote.
6.3 Research Project Coordinator. Nanogen, as the sponsoring party,
shall name a Research Project Coordinator from its members on the ROC. The
Research Project Coordinator shall be responsible for convening and conducting
meeting of the ROC, overseeing the occasional and annual modification of the
Research Plan pursuant to agreement of the ROC, sending notices of meetings to
all members of the ROC, and preparing agendas for each ROC meeting. The
secretary of each meeting shall be designated by the party hosting such meeting
and shall be responsible for recording, preparing and disseminating minutes of
such meeting to all members of the ROC. The ROC also may be polled or
consulted by the Research Project Coordinator from time to time by means of
telecommunications or correspondence, but no action of the ROC shall be
effective unless it is by a majority vote.
6.4 Agendas. Each ROC member shall communicate to the Research
Project Coordinator proposed agenda items in advance of each meeting of the
ROC, and each such item shall be placed on the agenda.
6.5 Research Plan. Research under the Sponsored Research Program
shall be conducted pursuant to a research plan (the "Research Plan"), which
shall be modified annually under the oversight of the Research Project
Coordinator pursuant to the agreement of the ROC, or by either party at any
time with the consent of the ROC. A copy of the initial Research Plan is
attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Research Plan, among other things, shall
specify the direction, research and Technical Milestones, responsibilities of
the parties, reporting requirements, timetable and experimental parameters of
the research activities conducted pursuant to the Sponsored Research Program.
6.6 Research Commitment. In consideration for the funding provided
by Nanogen, Prolinx shall commit to the Sponsored Research Program a dedicated
team consisting of such number of appropriately qualified scientists and
support personnel per year for the duration of the Sponsored Research Program
as is called for under the Research Plan, as modified annually or from time to
time pursuant to Section 6.5 above. Upon the prior approval of Nanogen, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, Prolinx may change the composition
of the dedicated team from time to time in its reasonable discretion to achieve
the needs of the Sponsored Research Program. Prolinx shall use its best
efforts to execute the Research Plan and to achieve the overall goals of the
Sponsored Research Program. In using its best efforts, it is understood that
Prolinx is not obligated to spend more than the Annual Research Fee as
specified in Section 2.2 hereof, plus those expenditures specified in Sections
4.2 and 5.2 hereof. It is further understood that Prolinx does not guarantee
the results of this scientific endeavor.
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ARTICLE 7
PATENTS AND TECHNOLOGY
7.1 Ownership of Intellectual Property. Each party hereto expressly
acknowledges and agrees that the other party currently is engaged, and shall
continue to be so engaged during the term of this Agreement, in research and
development activities on numerous other projects and matters besides the
Sponsored Research Program (the "Other Work"). Each party further expressly
acknowledges and agrees that all right, title and interest in and to the
Nanogen Background Inventions and the Prolinx Background Inventions, and any
and all intellectual property developed by Nanogen or Prolinx in connection
with its Other Work (the "Other Intellectual Property"), is and shall continue
to be the sole and exclusive property of Nanogen or Prolinx, respectively, and
that neither party shall have any rights whatsoever to the Background
Inventions or Other Intellectual Property of the other party. The following
provisions shall apply only to inventions that are conceived and actually or
constructively reduced to practice during the course of, and arising directly
from, the Sponsored Research Program (collectively "Inventions") pursuant to
this Agreement:
7.1.1 Upon conceiving or reducing to practice any Invention,
the party doing such immediately shall provide the other party with
written notice setting out in detail the nature of the Invention, the
experiments which support the Invention, the person or persons
responsible for conceiving and reducing to practice the Invention and
any other information relevant to the Invention. The discovering
party also shall supply the other party with copies of all invention
disclosures and patent and over applications describing and claiming
the Invention.
7.1.2 The ownership of all Inventions shall be determined as
follows: (i) all right, title and interest in and to all Inventions
conceived and reduced to practice solely by Nanogen, including its
independent contractors, shall be owned by Nanogen; (ii) all right,
title and interest in and to all Inventions conceived and reduced to
practice solely by Prolinx, including its independent contractors,
shall be owned by Prolinx; and (iii) all right, title and interest in
and to all Inventions conceived and reduced to practice jointly by
Nanogen and Prolinx shall be owned jointly by Nanogen and Prolinx.
7.1.3 With respect to any Invention owned by one party under
Section 7.1.2(i) or (ii), the other party shall assist the owner, to
the extent reasonably necessary, at the owner's written request and
expense, in the preparation of patent applications covering such
Inventions which the owner elects in its sole discretion to file.
7.1.4 With respect to any Inventions owned jointly under
Section 7.1.2(iii), Nanogen and Prolinx shall cooperate reasonably in
determining whether to file patent applications covering such
Inventions, but in no event shall either party thereby be compelled to
remit any payments in respect to
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such patent applications. Should one party elect to seek patent
protection covering an Invention and the other party elects not to
participate in the costs with respect to such application, then the
non-paying party shall relinquish all rights in the Invention to the
paying party. With respect to jointly owned Inventions for which
patent application and prosecution expenses are shared jointly, the
parties shall engage in good faith discussions regarding any proposed
licensing of such Inventions on a case by case basis. In addition, if
one party wishes to obtain an exclusive license for a jointly owned
Invention with regard to a particular field of use, the parties shall
engage in good faith negotiations for such license.
7.2 Limitations. Each party hereto expressly acknowledges and agrees
that any rights and interests arising in connection with this Agreement with
regard to intellectual property, technology or materials owned or developed by
the other party shall be strictly limited to those rights and interests
expressly granted to such party herein and in the License Agreement. Each
party further expressly agrees that no technology or materials provided by the
other party hereunder may be used for in vivo human studies under any
circumstance without such over party's prior written consent.
ARTICLE 8
CONFIDENTIALITY
8.1 Obligation of Nondisclosure. All Information communicated by one
party to the other party under this Agreement shall be maintained by the
receiving party in strict confidence and shall not be disclosed to any third
party without the express written permission of the disclosing party, which
permission may be granted or withheld in such disclosing party's sole
discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may disclose
Information of the other party to its professional advisors, provided that such
advisors are bound by similar obligations of confidentiality to those contained
herein. In addition, either party may reveal Information of the other party
where required to do so by law or court order; provided, however, that the
party intending to so reveal shall provide the other party with notice of its
intent to reveal at least twenty (20) days prior to such revelations. The
confidentiality obligations of the parties hereunder shall continue for a
period of five (5) years from the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
8.2 Exceptions. The Section 8.1 obligation of non-disclosure
shall apply to all such Information except that which:
8.2.1 Is known by the receiving party prior to its disclosure
other than pursuant to an obligation of confidentiality; or
8.2.2 Becomes known to the receiving party from a third party
under no obligation of confidentiality regarding such Information; or
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8.2.3 Is public knowledge or later becomes public knowledge
through no act on the part of the receiving party.
8.3 Samples. No samples of chemicals, machinery, components, probes,
reagents, and other materials submitted by either party to the other party
pursuant to this Agreement shall be transferred by such other party to any
third party without the prior written consent of the submitting party. All
such samples and materials, to the extent unused, shall be returned to the
submitting party promptly upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
8.4 Publications. At least thirty (30) days prior to the
presentation or submission for publication of manuscripts, including abstracts,
and texts of poster presentations of the results of any research conducted
pursuant to this Agreement and containing Information, the party proposing to
make such publication shall submit the same to the other party for purposes of
allowing the other party to comment on the manuscript or text, decline to
authorize the publication of any of its Information, request the filing by the
submitting party of a patent application or initiate the filing of a patent
application prior to publication of any such Information. Each party shall
make such submissions to the other party until two (2) years following the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 9
WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
9.1 Representations and Warranties. Nanogen and Prolinx each hereby
represents and warrants to the other that:
9.1.1 Corporate Power. It is duly organized and validly existing
and has full corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof.
9.1.2 Due Authorization. It is duly authorized to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
9.1.3 Binding Agreement. This Agreement is a legal and valid
obligation binding upon the party making such representation and
warranty and enforceable in accordance with its terms. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement does not conflict with any
agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which or
by which the party making such representation and warranty may be
bound, nor violate any law or regulation of any court, governmental
body or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over the
party making such representation and warrant.
9.1.4 Intellectual Property Rights. It holds all necessary right,
title and interest in and to its respective Background Inventions and
technology to permit it to undertake the Sponsored Research Program
contemplated by this
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Agreement without subjecting the other party hereto to liability for
infringement of any patent, copyright or trade secret of any third
party.
ARTICLE 10
TERM AND TERMINATION
10.1 Term and Termination. The term of this Agreement shall be three
(3) years from the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated by either party
upon ninety (90) days written notice. If either party fails materially to
perform its obligations hereunder or otherwise breaches in any material respect
any material covenant, term or condition set forth in this Agreement, the
nonbreaching party may give written notice specifying the breach together with
a statement of its intention to terminate this Agreement if the breach is not
cured within such thirty (30) day period immediately following the date of such
written notice. If such breach is not reasonably susceptible of cure within
such thirty (30) day period, but the breaching party has undertaken and
continues to make diligent efforts to cure said breach within such thirty (30)
day period, the period for cure shall be extended for an additional fifteen
(15) days. If, at the end of the cure period, the breaching party has not
cured the specified breach, the non-breaching party may cause this Agreement to
be terminated immediately effective upon notice to the breaching party.
10.2 Termination in First Year. Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph 10.1, except in the case of material nonperformance or other material
breach by Prolinx, Nanogen shall not terminate funding for the Sponsored
Research Program during the first twelve (12) months of the Sponsored Research
Program unless a determination is made, subject to the following procedures,
that the Technical Milestones, as defined in the Research Plan, have not been
achieved.
10.2.1 Dispute Resolution Procedures. If, within the first nine (9)
months of the Sponsored Research Program, Nanogen wishes to terminate funding
based upon a claim that the Technical Milestones have not been achieved, the
matter shall be presented to the ROC for consideration. If the ROC cannot
agree by majority vote, within ten (10) business days, that the Technical
Milestones have not been achieved, the matter shall be submitted to a
Management Committee comprised of the Chief Executive Officers of both Nanogen
and Prolinx for consideration. If the Management Committee cannot agree,
within ten (10) business days, that the Technical Milestones have not been
achieved, the parties shall have five (5) business days to reach a mutual
agreement on a competent third party technical arbitrator (the "Arbitrator") to
make such determination. Once the Arbitrator is chosen, both parties shall
exert best efforts to provide all reasonably necessary written information to
the Arbitrator within ten (10) business days. Upon the delivery of all such
information, the parties shall meet with the Arbitrator for a single eight (8)
hour session during which each party shall be available to answer questions
from the Arbitrator. The Arbitrator shall then have two (2) additional
business days to reach a decision on the dispute.
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10.2.2 Outcome of Dispute Resolution. If the Arbitrator concludes
that the Technical Milestones have not been achieved, Nanogen shall have the
right to terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days written notice to
Prolinx, commencing upon the date of the Arbitrator's decision. If the
Arbitrator concludes that the Technical Milestones have been achieved, Nanogen
shall have no right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.2.1; provided,
however, that Nanogen shall continue to have rights of termination as provided
in Sections 10.1, 10.3 and 10.4 hereof. In the event of termination by Nanogen
during the first twelve (12) months of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of
this Section, Nanogen's sole and exclusive remedy hereunder shall be to cease
paying the Annual Research Fee provided under this Agreement; provided,
however, that such limitation on Nanogen's remedies shall not apply in the case
of termination by Nanogen for material breach by Prolinx.
10.3 Termination After first Year. After the first year, Nanogen
shall have the right, upon ninety (90) days written notice, to terminate this
Agreement, including the obligation to further fund the Sponsored Research
Program, without cause and at its sole discretion should it decide to do so.
10.4 Insolvency or Bankruptcy. Either party, in addition to any
other remedies available to it by law or in equity, may terminate this
Agreement by written notice to the other party in the event such other party
becomes insolvent or bankrupt, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, or a trustee or receiver of such other party or for all or a
substantial part of its property has been appointed.
10.5 Actions Upon Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement,
each party shall return all Information and samples of the other party to such
other party and shall make no further use of such Information and samples.
Upon termination, each party's intellectual property and Inventions shall
remain exclusively its own, and each party shall retain ownership and control
of its respective patent applications (or, in its sole discretion, enter into
discussions for the transfer of such applications to the other party hereto).
All ownership and license rights granted hereunder by either party to the other
thereupon shall terminate.
ARTICLE 11
INDEMNIFICATION
11.1 Indemnification. Each party hereby acknowledges that other
party's technology is experimental in nature. Therefore, each party shall
defend, indemnify and hold harmless the other party and its directors,
officers, shareholders, employees and agents of, from and against any and all
actions, causes of action, claims, liabilities, damages, losses, fees
(including legal fees), expenses and costs whatsoever (including without
limitation losses, damages and expenses for death, personal injury, illness,
property damage or any other injury or damage) arising from (i) its use,
handling or storage of the other party's technology at its own facility unless
such actions, causes of action, claims, liabilities and/or damages are proven
to be the result of the gross negligence or the willful breach by the other
party of its
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obligations hereunder, and (ii) any breach of its representations and
warranties contained herein.
ARTICLE 12
ASSIGNMENT
12.1 Assignment. Except as otherwise provided herein, no party may
assign its contractual rights or obligations under this Agreement to any other
person or entity without the prior written consent of the other party. Nothing
in this Section 12.1 shall restrict the power of either party to assign or
otherwise transfer any of its rights to any of its Background Inventions or
other property.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Notices. To be effective, all notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally
or by facsimile transmission (receipt verified), mailed by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, or sent by express
courier service, to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice; provided, that
notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof):
If to Nanogen, addressed to:
Nanogen, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Vice President, General Counsel
With a copy to: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
If to Prolinx, addressed to:
Prolinx, Inc.
00000 00xx Xxxxxx X.X., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
13.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of California. Any claim or controversy arising out of or relating
to this contract or any breach hereof shall be submitted to a court of
competent jurisdiction in the State of California or the State of Washington.
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13.3 Severability. If any term, covenant or condition of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any party or circumstance, to any
extent, is held to be invalid or unenforceable, then (i) the remainder of this
Agreement, or the application of such term, covenant or condition to parties or
circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this
Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by
law; and (ii) the parties hereto covenant and agree to renegotiate any such
term, covenant or application thereof in good faith in order to provide a
reasonably acceptable alternative to the term, covenant or condition of this
Agreement or the application thereof that is invalid or unenforceable.
13.4 Ambiguities. Ambiguities, if any, in this Agreement shall not
be construed against either party, irrespective of which party may be deemed to
have authored the ambiguous provision.
13.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all Exhibits
hereto, sets forth all the covenants, promises, warranties, representations,
conditions and understandings between the parties hereto and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.
13.6 Modifications. No subsequent alteration, amendment, change or
addition to this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto unless
reduced to writing and signed by the respective authorized officers of the
parties.
13.7 Force Majeure. Neither party hereto shall lose any rights
hereunder or be liable to the other party for damages or losses on account of
failure of performance by the defaulting party if the failure is occasioned by
government action (including compliance with requests, rules, regulations or
orders of any governmental authority), war, fire, robbery, vandalism,
explosion, flood, strike, lockout, embargo, act of God, or any similar cause
beyond the control of the defaulting party, provided that the party claiming
force majeure has exerted all reasonable efforts to avoid or remedy such force
majeure.
13.8 Further Actions. Each party agrees to execute, acknowledge and
deliver such further instruments, and to do all such other acts, as may be
necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this
Agreement.
13.9 Independent Contractors. The parties acknowledge and agree that
they are acting as independent contractors, and neither party is granted any
rights or authority to assume or create any obligation or liability, express or
implied, on the other party's behalf or to bind the other party in any manner
whatsoever.
13.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement in
duplicate originals by their authorized officers as of the date and year first
above written.
NANOGEN, INC. PROLINX, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------ -----------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Chairman and President and
Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT A
INITIAL RESEARCH PLAN
RESEARCH PROTOCOL FOR THE JOINT PROGRAM
BETWEEN NANOGEN AND PROLINX ON ATTACHMENT CHEMISTRY
AND SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION
November 21, 1996
The application of Prolinx's attachment chemistry to Nanogen's chip
technology is critically dependent on the stability of the *** under electric
field conditions. A feasibility study has been designed to address this issue
before the research agreement is finalized. This study must be completed
within one month of receiving the reagents from Prolinx so that the Research
Oversight Committee will have time to assess the results and determine if
continuation of the scheduled to commence on
January 1, 1997, is justified.
This plan is based on the assumption that the linkage is stable. We
will continue with a full-scale evaluation of the probes and linkers supplied
by Prolinx. The first three quarters will focus on the use of *** attachment
chemistry with a variety of polymer surfaces. Work on signal amplification
will begin in the third quarter with greater emphasis occurring toward the end
of the year.
Feasibility Study (Nov.-Dec. '96)
---------------------------------
Stability of ***
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