<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.77

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of November 12,
2002 (the "Effective Date") by and between Gen-Probe Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation with offices at 10210 Genetic Center Drive, San Diego, California
92121 ("Gen-Probe"), and [NAME] (the "Executive").

      WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed as an officer of Gen-Probe;

      WHEREAS, prior to September 15, 2002, Gen-Probe was a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.;

      WHEREAS, Chugai distributed its Gen-Probe shareholdings to its
shareholders in a "spin off" transaction on September 15, 2002; and

      WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Gen-Probe (the "Board"), having
considered the proposed spin-off transaction and other circumstances, deems it
in the best interest of Gen-Probe to offer this Agreement to the Executive and
the Executive desires to enter into this Agreement.

      ACCORDINGLY, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. This Agreement shall be immediately effective. This
      Agreement, and Executive's employment hereunder, shall be for an
      indefinite term. At any time during the term of this Agreement, either
      party may terminate this Agreement, and Executive's employment, in
      accordance with the provision of Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement.

2.    POSITION AND DUTIES. The Executive shall serve as [TITLE] of Gen-Probe,
      and shall have commensurate responsibilities and authority. The Board of
      Directors may from time to time particularly specify the Executive's
      duties and authority. The Executive shall not engage in or perform duties
      for any other persons or entities that interfere with the performance of
      his duties hereunder. Any outside board of director positions held by the
      Executive will be subject to approval by the Board of Directors of
      Gen-Probe.

                                       1
<PAGE>

3.    SALARY, BONUS AND BENEFITS.

      (a)   SALARY. During the period of the Executive's employment, Gen-Probe
            shall pay him an annual base salary at the rate the Executive is
            being paid as of the Effective Date. This base salary may be
            adjusted annually by the Board, subject to the terms of this
            Agreement and consistent with the Executive's performance and
            Gen-Probe's policy regarding adjustments in officer compensation
            established from time to time by the Board.

      (b)   BONUS. In addition, at the Board's discretion, the Executive may be
            awarded incentive compensation, in the form of a cash bonus for each
            fiscal year during his employment, based upon performance.

      (c)   BENEFITS. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the
            employee benefit programs (including but not limited to medical,
            dental, life and disability insurance, 401K retirement plan, and
            vacation program), which may be adopted and maintained by Gen-Probe.
            The Executive may receive such other and additional benefits as the
            Board may determine from time to time in its sole discretion.

4.    EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
      reimbursement for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by him in
      performing services hereunder, including all expenses of travel and living
      expenses while away from home on business or at the request of, and in the
      service of Gen-Probe; provided, that such expenses are incurred and
      accounted for in accordance with the policies and procedures established
      by Gen-Probe.

5.    INDEMNIFICATION. Gen-Probe shall indemnify the Executive to the maximum
      extent permitted by law and by the by-laws of Gen-Probe if the Executive
      is made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any threatened or
      pending legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
      administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the Executive
      is or was an officer, director or employee of Gen-Probe or any subsidiary
      or affiliate thereof, in which capacity the Executive is or was serving at
      Gen-Probe's request, against reasonable expenses (including reasonable
      attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and settlement payments incurred by him
      in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

6.    TERMINATION. The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder at any
      time, with or without Good Reason (as defined below) upon written notice
      to Gen-Probe. If Executive contends that Good Reason exists for his
      termination, such notice shall specifically and expressly state the
      grounds which he contends constitute Good Reason. Gen-Probe may terminate
      the Executive's employment hereunder at any time, subject to the terms of
      this Agreement, with or without Cause (as defined below) upon written
      notice to the Executive. If this Agreement is terminated, all compensation
      and benefits other than severance benefits

                                       2
<PAGE>

      described in Section 7 below, to the extent applicable, shall immediately
      cease, except that the Executive will be entitled, through the date of
      termination, to payment of his salary and benefits under Gen-Probe benefit
      programs and plans in accordance with their terms.

      As used in this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following
      events that are not consented to by the Executive: (i) a substantial and
      material diminution in the Executive's duties and responsibilities
      hereunder; (ii) the location of the Executive's assignment on behalf of
      Gen-Probe is moved to a location more than 30 miles from its present
      location; (iii) a reduction of more than ten percent (10%) in the
      Executive's base salary or in the Executive's benefits received from
      Gen-Probe; (iv) the failure of Gen-Probe to obtain a satisfactory
      agreement from any other successor to Gen-Probe to assume and agree to
      perform this Agreement; or (iv) a material breach by Gen-Probe of its
      obligations under this Agreement after notice in writing from the
      Executive and a reasonable opportunity for Gen-Probe to cure or
      substantially mitigate any material adverse effect of such breach. The
      Executive's consent to any event which would otherwise constitute Good
      Reason shall be conclusively presumed if the Executive does not exercise
      his rights to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason under this section
      within ninety (90) days of notice of the event.

      As used in this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean any of the following events:
      (i) any act of gross or willful misconduct, fraud, misappropriation,
      dishonesty, embezzlement or similar conduct on the part of Executive; (ii)
      the Executive's conviction of a felony or any crime involving moral
      turpitude (which conviction, due to the passage of time or otherwise, is
      not subject to further appeal); (iii) the Executive's misuse or abuse of
      alcohol, drugs or controlled substances and failure to seek and comply
      with appropriate treatment; (iv) willful and continued failure by the
      Executive to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement (other
      than any failure resulting from disability or from termination by the
      Executive for Good Reason) as determined by a majority of the Board after
      written demand from the Board of Directors for substantial performance is
      delivered to the Executive, and the Executive fails to resume substantial
      performance of his duties on a continuous basis within 30 days of such
      notice; (vi) the death of the Executive; or (vii) the Executive becoming
      disabled such that he is not able to perform his usual duties for
      Gen-Probe for a period in excess of six (6) consecutive calendar months.

                                       3
<PAGE>

7.    SEVERANCE BENEFITS IN CERTAIN EVENTS. If Gen-Probe terminates the
      Executive's employment for reasons other than Cause, or if the Executive
      terminates his employment for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled
      to receive as liquidated damages, the following severance benefits:

      (a)   SALARY. The Executive shall continue to receive his base salary, at
            the rate in effect at the time of his termination of employment, in
            monthly installments commencing the first day of the first month
            following termination and continuing for an aggregate period of six
            (6) months (the "Salary Continuation Period"); provided, however,
            that if termination under this Section 7 occurs in connection with a
            Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive a single lump
            sum payment, payable within 10 days of termination, equal to twelve
            (12) months' base salary.

            For purposes of this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall have the
            meaning set forth on Attachment "1" to this Agreement (hereby
            incorporated by reference). For purposes of this Agreement, a
            termination shall be "in connection with" a Change in Control if
            termination occurs within the period six (6) months prior to or
            eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control.

      (a)   (b) BONUS. If termination under this Section 7 occurs in connection
            with a Change in Control then the Executive shall be entitled to
            receive, in lieu of the bonus provided in Section 3(b) and in
            addition to the salary payment described in Section 7(a), above, an
            amount equal to the greater of (i) the Executive's targeted level
            bonus in the year of the termination, or (ii) the Executive's
            highest discretionary bonus in the preceding three years. The amount
            payable shall be paid in the same manner as and on the same schedule
            as the salary compensation paid under subsection (a) above. No bonus
            compensation shall be payable under this section 7 unless
            termination occurs in connection with a change in control.

            (c) HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE. Continued health care
            coverage under Gen-Probe's medical plan will be provided, without
            charge, to the Executive and his eligible dependents until the
            earlier of (i) one (1) year following the termination date or (ii)
            the first date that the Executive is covered under another
            employer's health benefit program providing substantially the same
            or better benefit options to the Executive without exclusion for any
            pre-existing medical condition. The period of time medical coverage
            continues under this agreement will be counted as coverage time
            under COBRA. Gen-Probe will pay the premium for continued life
            insurance coverage, if any, that the Executive may have elected
            under Gen-Probe's Life Insurance and Supplemental Life Insurance
            plan, subject to payment by the Executive of the portion of such
            premium not contributed by Gen-Probe under such plan, during the
            Salary Continuation Period.

                                       4
<PAGE>

      (d)   401(k) PLAN. The Executive's interest in any unvested contributions
            made by Gen-Probe to the Executive's 401(k) account shall vest as of
            the date of termination.

      (e)   OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES. Gen-Probe agrees to provide Executive with
            outplacement services during the first six months of the Salary
            Continuation Period.

      (f)   TAX MATTERS. All compensation described in this Section 7 will be
            subject to Gen-Probe's collection of all applicable federal, state
            and local income and employment withholding taxes. If any excise tax
            is imposed under Section 4999 in connection with the compensation
            described in this Section 7 and/or in connection with the
            acceleration upon severance of any stock options granted by
            Gen-Probe to the Executive, Executive shall be solely responsible
            for any such excise tax.

      (g)   RELEASE OF CLAIMS. Gen-Probe's obligation to make the payments and
            provide the benefits hereunder shall be conditioned upon Executive's
            execution of a release of all claims, in standard form and content.
            The release shall be mutual and shall also be signed on behalf of
            Gen-Probe.

8.    MISCELLANEOUS.

      (a)   ARBITRATION. Executive and Gen-Probe agree that any and all claims
            or disputes that in any way relate to or arise out of Executive's
            employment with Gen-Probe or the termination of such employment
            (including but not limited to claims under this Agreement or any
            other contract, tort claims, and statutory claims of employment
            discrimination, retaliation or harassment) shall be resolved
            exclusively through final and binding arbitration in San Diego,
            California. Executive and Gen-Probe waive any rights to a jury trial
            in connection with such claims or disputes. The costs of the
            arbitration, including the fees of the arbitrator, shall be borne
            exclusively by Gen-Probe. Any such arbitration shall take place in
            San Diego, California and shall be conducted by a single neutral
            arbitrator who shall be a retired federal or state judge, to be
            appointed by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ("JAMS") in
            accordance with JAMS rules. The applicable procedural rules of JAMS
            shall govern the arbitration. The arbitrator's decision shall be
            delivered in writing and shall disclose the essential findings and
            conclusion on which the arbitrator's decision is based. The parties
            shall be permitted to conduct adequate discovery to allow for a full
            and fair exploration of the issues in dispute in the arbitration
            proceeding. The arbitrator may grant any relief which otherwise
            would have been available to the parties in a court proceeding. The
            decision and award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding, and
            judgment upon the arbitrator's award may be entered by any court of
            competent jurisdiction.

                                       5
<PAGE>

      (b)   GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
            accordance with and be governed by the laws of the State of
            California.

      (c)   ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire Agreement and
            understanding between the Executive and the Company on the subject
            matter hereof, and supersedes any other negotiations, agreements,
            understandings, oral agreements, representations and past or future
            practices whether written or oral. No provision of this Agreement
            may be amended, supplemented, modified, cancelled, or discharged
            unless such amendment, supplement, modification, cancellation or
            discharge is agreed to, in writing, signed by the Executive and a
            duly authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive);
            and no provisions hereof may be waived, except in writing, so signed
            by or on behalf of the party granting such waiver.

      (d)   VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or
            provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
            enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall
            remain in full force and effect.

      (e)   NOTICES. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and
            all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in
            writing and shall be deemed to have duly given when personally
            delivered or mailed by United States certified or registered mail,
            return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

            If    to the Executive:

                                        [ADDRESS]

            If to Gen-Probe:
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer
                                        Gen-Probe Incorporated
                                        10210 Genetic Center Drive
                                        San Diego, California 92121

                       With a copy to:

                                        General Counsel
                                        Gen-Probe Incorporated
                                        10210 Genetic Center Drive
                                        San Diego, California 92121

                                       6
<PAGE>

      (f)   SUCCESSORS. Gen-Probe will require any successor (whether direct or
            indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
            substantially all the business and/or assets of Gen-Probe, by
            agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive,
            expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
            manner and to the same extent that Gen-Probe would be required to
            perform it if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement and
            all rights under the Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
            to the benefit of and be enforceable by the party's personal or
            legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, and
            successors.

      (g)   NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. Nothing herein shall be construed
            as giving the Executive any rights to continued employment with
            Gen-Probe, and Gen-Probe shall continue to have the right to
            terminate the Executive's employment at any time, with or without
            cause, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

      In witness whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement.

Executive:                              Gen-Probe Incorporated:

____________________________            By __________________________
[NAME]                                  Henry L. Nordhoff
                                        Chairman, President and Chief Executive
                                        Officer

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                 ATTACHMENT "1"

                        DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL"

            Change in Control. "Change in Control" shall mean a change in
ownership or control of the Company effected through any of the following
transactions:

            (a) any person or related group of persons (other than the Company
or a person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or
indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the
total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities by means of
any transaction or series of transactions; or

            (b) there is a change in the composition of the Board over a period
of thirty-six (36) consecutive months (or less) such that a majority of the
Board members (rounded up to the nearest whole number) ceases, by reason of one
or more proxy contests for the election of Board members, to be comprised of
individuals who either (i) have been Board members continuously since the
beginning of such period or (ii) have been elected or nominated for election as
Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members
described in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such election or
nomination was approved by the Board; or

            (c) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation (or other entity), other
than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of
the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent
(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of
the surviving entity or another entity) more than 66-2/3% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however,
that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
Company (or similar transaction) in which no person acquires more than 25% of
the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities
shall not constitute a Change in Control; or

            (d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

                                       8
<PAGE>

Schedule to Exhibit 10.65

The preceding form of Employment Agreement was entered into between the Company
and the following individuals:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME                           TITLE                              EXECUTION DATE
<S>                        <C>                                         <C>
Lyle J. Arnold             Vice President - Research                   January 12, 2004
Martin B. Edelshain        Vice President - Corporate Development      November 11, 2003
Paul E. Gargan             Vice President - Business Development       November 12, 2002
Gurney I. Lashley          Vice President - Supply Chain               November 12, 2002
Mark A. Powelson           Vice President - Worldwide Sales            January 12, 2004
Peter R. Shearer           Vice President - Intellectual Property      November 12, 2002
Donald D. Tartre           Vice President - Finance and
                              Corporate Controller                     January 19, 2004
Valerie M. Day             Vice President - Product Development        April 1, 2004
</TABLE>

                                       9