<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.57

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

July 8, 2003

Michael Knapp
c/o Caliper Technologies Corp.
605 Fairchild Dr.
Mountain View, CA 94043-2234

Dear Mike:

This letter constitutes the agreement (the "Agreement") that Caliper
Technologies Corp. (the "Company") is offering to you in connection with the
Company's acquisition of Zymark Corporation (the "Acquisition"). This offer is
contingent upon the Closing of the Acquisition, anticipated to occur on August
1,2003. If the Acquisition does not close, this offer, even if accepted, shall
be null and void.

         1.       SEPARATION. After the Closing, your employment with the
Company will continue subject to the terms and condition contained herein, until
December 31, 2003 (the "Separation Date"), at which time your employment with
the Company will terminate. On the Separation Date, the Company will pay you all
accrued salary and all accrued and unused vacation and flex time earned through
the Separation Date, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings.

         2.       TRANSITION PERIOD.

                  (a)      DUTIES. Between now and the Separation Date (the
"Transition Period"), you will work for the Company as its Chief Technical
Officer ("CTO"). You will be expected to perform such tasks as the Company's
Chief Executive Officer, or his designees, may request. The Company will provide
reasonable resources to assist you in the completion of your assignments, [ * ].
During the Transition Period, you are expected to comply with the Company's
policies, the terms of your Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions
Agreement (which is attached hereto as Exhibit A), and the terms of this
Agreement. Your employment during the Transition Period will be at will, meaning
that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with
or without cause, and with or without advance notice. During the Transition
Period, you will continue to serve on the Company's Board of Directors
("Board"), however in the event that you cease to be employed with the Company,
then you shall immediately resign from your position on the Board in writing,
unless otherwise requested by the Board.

                  (b)      COMPENSATION. During the Transition Period, the
Company will continue to compensate you for your services based on your current
full-time monthly base salary of

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Michael Knapp
Page 2

$29,167 (or annual base salary of $350,004). These payments will be made on the
Company's ordinary payroll dates, and will be subject to standard payroll
deductions and withholdings.

                  (c)      BENEFITS. During the Transition Period, you will be
eligible to continue your current Company benefits subject to the terms and
limitations of the applicable plans. You will not, however, be eligible for
benefits under the Company's Change of Control, Sr. Mgmt. Severance/Equity
Acceleration Plan.

                  (d)      STOCK OPTIONS. During the Transition Period, your
stock option(s) granted by the Company will continue to vest according to the
terms of the applicable plan document(s) and stock option agreement(s).

                  (e)      OTHER ACTIVITIES. During the Transition Period, you
agree to limit your interests in outside activities to no more than 20% of your
time. The timing of this activity is to be mutually agreed with the CEO. Other
than this exception, you agree not to undertake or engage in any other
employment, occupation or business enterprise, other than ones in which you are
a passive investor. You may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities so
long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of your
duties hereunder.

                  (f)      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. During the Transition Period,
the terms and conditions of your employment will be as described herein.
Accordingly, the terms set forth in this Agreement shall supersede the terms and
conditions set forth in your Key Employee Agreement with the Company dated July
1, 2002 (the "Employment Agreement").

                  (g)      RETENTION BONUS. Provided that: (i) you perform your
Transition Period obligations through the Separation Date, (ii) you execute the
Employment Termination Release attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Release") on
or after the Separation Date and allow the Release to become effective, (iii)
you have not breached this Agreement or your Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement, [ * ] then the Company will pay you a retention bonus of
$350,004, less standard payroll deductions and withholdings ("the Retention
Bonus"). The Retention Bonus will be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) days of
the Employment Termination Release Effective Date (as defined in the Release).

                  (h)      SEVERANCE BENEFITS. Provided you perform your
Transition Period obligations through the Separation Date, execute the Release
on or after the Separation Date, allow the Release to become effective, and have
not breached this Agreement or your Proprietary Information and Inventions
Agreement, then the Company will provide you with the following severance
benefits:

                           (i)      SALARY CONTINUATION. The Company will pay
you severance in the form of continuation of your base salary in effect on the
Separation Date ($29,167 per month) for a period of twelve (12) months following
the Separation Date (the "Salary Continuation"). The Salary Continuation will be
paid on the Company's ordinary payroll dates and will be subject to standard
payroll deductions and withholdings. The Salary Continuation

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 3

ceases if you commence full-time employment with another business entity,
including self-employment; provided, however, that the Salary Continuation will
not cease if you commence unpaid employment with a business entity of which you
are a founder. You agree to notify the Company within three (3) days of
accepting any employment during the Salary Continuation period.

                           (ii)     ACCELERATED VESTING. The Company will
accelerate the vesting of any stock option(s) granted to you by the Company such
that 66.7% of the total number of shares subject to the option(s) will be
immediately vested and exercisable as of the Separation Date (the "Accelerated
Vesting"). If the Company enters into an agreement with the Laboratory
Corporation of America that is acceptable to the Board before December 31, 2003,
then the Company will increase the percentage of shares subject to the option(s)
to receive accelerated vesting (subject to the terms and conditions herein) to
100% (the "Additional Accelerated Vesting").

                           (iii)    HEALTH CARE REIMBURSEMENT. If you timely
elect continued coverage under COBRA, then the Company will pay the premiums
necessary to continue your current health care coverage for a period of twelve
(12) months following the Separation Date (the "COBRA Payments"). The COBRA
Payments cease if you become eligible for benefits under another employer's
medical benefit plan. You agree to notify the Company within three (3) days of
such eligibility.

                  (i)      TERMINATION DURING TRANSITION PERIOD.

                           (i)      TERMINATION WITH CAUSE OR RESIGNATION
WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If, during the Transition Period, your employment with the
Company is terminated with Cause, or you resign from your employment with the
Company without Good Reason, then you will not be eligible for any severance
benefits (except for the Change in Control Severance Benefits, under the
circumstances and conditions described below), including the Retention Bonus,
Salary Continuation, Accelerated Vesting, Additional Accelerated Vesting, COBRA
Payments, Change in Control Severance Benefits or the Consultancy.

                           (ii)     DEFINITION OF CAUSE. "Cause" for termination
shall mean: (1) conduct that constitutes willful gross neglect or willful gross
misconduct in carrying out your duties, resulting, in either case, in material
economic harm to the Company, unless you believed in good faith that such
conduct was in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company; (2) any
unjustified refusal to follow reasonable directives by the CEO or by the Board;
or (3) conviction of a felony crime involving moral turpitude; provided,
however, that the Board shall provide written notice of its intent to terminate
you under (1) or (2) above and you shall have a 30-day period to correct your
actions, if such actions can be corrected.

                           (iii)    DEFINITION OF GOOD REASON. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any one of the following events which
occurs during the Transition Period without your consent: (a) a substantial
reduction of your then existing annual base salary;

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 4

(b) a substantial reduction in the package of benefits and incentives, taken as
a whole, provided to you (although employee contributions may be raised to the
extent of any cost increases imposed by third parties), except to the extent
that such benefits and incentives of all other executive officers of the Company
are similarly reduced; (c) any substantial diminution of your duties,
responsibilities, authority, or reporting structure; or (d) you are required to
relocate to a working location such distance that a relocation from current
residence would be required. You acknowledge and agree that your transition to
CTO during the Transition Period will not constitute Good Reason.

                           (iv)     TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. If your
employment with the Company is terminated without Cause during the Transition
Period at any time except following a Change in Control, and provided that you
sign the Release on or after the last day of your employment with the Company
and allow that Release to become effective, then you will be eligible to receive
the Salary Continuation and Accelerated Vesting. You will not be eligible to
receive any other severance benefits or other compensation, including the
Retention Bonus, Additional Accelerated Vesting, COBRA Payments, Change in
Control Severance Benefits or the Consultancy.

                           (v)      RESIGNATION FOR GOOD REASON. If you resign
from your employment with the Company for Good Reason at any time during the
Transition Period, except following a Change in Control, and provided that you
sign the Release on or after the last day of your employment with the Company
and allow that Release to become effective, then you will be eligible to receive
the Salary Continuation and COBRA Payments. Additionally, the Company will
accelerate the vesting of any stock options granted to you by the Company such
that, in addition to the number of shares vested as of the date of termination
pursuant to the terms of the applicable stock option plans and stock option
agreements, the number of shares that would have vested over the twelve (12)
months following such date of resignation had you not resigned, shall be deemed
vested and exercisable as of the date of your resignation. You will not be
eligible to receive any other severance benefits or other compensation,
including the Retention Bonus, Accelerated Vesting, Change in Control, Severance
Benefits or the Consultancy.

                           (vi)     TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL. You
will be eligible to receive the Change in Control Severance Benefits if
following a Change in Control your employment with the Company is terminated
without Cause, you suffer a Constructive Termination, or you resign for Good
Reason. You must sign the Release on or after the last day of your employment
with the Company, and allow that Release to become effective, in order to be
eligible to receive the Change in Control Severance Benefits. For purposes of
this Agreement, termination of your employment on the Separation Date will not
constitute a termination without Cause, a termination for Good Reason, or a
Constructive Termination. If you receive Change in Control Severance Benefits,
you will not be eligible to receive any other severance benefits or other
compensation following the termination of your employment, including the
Retention Bonus or the Consultancy.

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 5

                                    (1)      CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE
BENEFITS. The Change in Control Severance Benefits include the Salary
Continuation, COBRA Payments and Additional Accelerated Vesting.

                                    (2)      DEFINITION OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.
For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control means the occurrence of any of
the following:

                                            a. a sale of substantially all of
the assets of the Company;

                                            b. a merger or consolidation in
which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger or
consolidation in which the Company's stockholders immediately before the merger
or consolidation have, immediately after the merger or consolidation, more than
fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving corporation);

                                            c. a reverse merger in which the
Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of the Company's common
stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are either not converted or
by virtue of the merger are converted into other property, whether in the form
of securities, cash or otherwise, in each case (in which the Company's
stockholders immediately before the merger do not have, immediately after the
merger more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the Company); or

                                             d. any transaction or series of
related transactions in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company's
voting power is transferred.

                                    (3)      DEFINITION OF CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION. "Constructive Termination" shall mean either (a) a material
reduction in your duties, responsibilities or position; (b) a material reduction
in your compensation or benefits, except for reductions in compensation and
benefits that are concurrent with and consistent with reductions for all
executives of the acquiring or surviving corporation; or (c) you do not maintain
the exact position in the parent company including title and reporting
structure. Constructive Termination is triggered by your actual resignation
within 30 days of the above change.

         3.       CONSULTANCY. Provided you perform your Transition Period
obligations through the Separation Date, execute the Release on or after the
Separation Date, allow the Release to become effective, and have not breached
this Agreement or your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, then
the Company agrees to retain you to provide consulting services under the terms
specified below.

                  (a)      CONSULTING PERIOD. The consulting relationship
("Consultancy") shall commence on January 1, 2004 and continue until the earlier
of (the "Consulting Period"): (i) December 31, 2004; (ii) the date you breach
your obligations under this Agreement; or (iii) the date you engage in any
activity competitive with the interests of the Company.

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 6

                  (b)      CONSULTING DUTIES. You agree to make yourself
available during the Consulting Period, upon the Company's reasonable request,
to provide consulting services in any area of your experience or expertise, for
a minimum of ten (10) hours per month ("Consulting Duties"). You shall perform
your Consulting Duties at the request and direction of the CEO, exercising the
highest degree of professionalism and utilizing your expertise and creative
talents.

                  (c)      CONSULTING FEES. During the Consulting Period, the
Company will pay you $400 per hour "Consulting Fees" for your services. These
payments will be made based on invoices submitted by you and approved by the CEO
on terms of net 30. Any stock option(s) that you have been granted by the
Company will also continue to vest during the Consulting Period, subject to the
terms and conditions of the applicable stock option agreements(s) and plan
document(s).

                  (d)      TAXES AND WITHHOLDING. Because you will perform the
Consulting Duties as an independent contractor, the Company will not withhold
from the Consulting Fees any amount for taxes, social security or other payroll
deductions. The Company will report your Consulting Fees on an IRS Form 1099.
You acknowledge that you will be entirely responsible for payment of any taxes
which may be due with regard to the Consulting Fees, and you hereby indemnify
and save harmless the Company from any liability for any taxes, penalties or
interest that may be assessed by any taxing authority with respect to the
Consulting Fees, with the exception of the employer's share of social security,
if any.

                  (e)      PROTECTION OF INFORMATION. You agree that, during the
Consulting Period and thereafter, you will not use or disclose any confidential
or proprietary information or materials of the Company that you obtain or
develop in the course of performing the Consulting Duties, except with the
written permission of the Company's CEO. Any and all work product you create
directly in the course of performing the Consulting Duties will be the sole and
exclusive property of the Company. You hereby assign to the Company all right,
title, and interest in all inventions, techniques, processes, materials, and
other intellectual property developed directly in the course of performing the
Consulting Duties.

                  (f)      AUTHORITY DURING CONSULTING PERIOD. After the
Separation Date, you will have no authority, in the absence of the express
written consent of the Board and CEO, to bind the Company (or to represent that
you have authority to bind the Company) to any contractual obligations, whether
written, oral or implied. You agree that after the Separation Date, you will not
represent or purport to represent the Company in any manner whatsoever to any
third party unless authorized to do so in writing by the CEO.

                  (g)      FACILITIES USAGE DURING CONSULTING PERIOD. During the
Consulting Period, you will have access to the Company's facilities to the
extent authorized in advance by the Company's CEO in connection with the
Consulting Duties. In connection with any use of the Company's facilities, you
agree to abide by all Company policies and procedures.

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 7

                  (h)      OTHER ACTIVITIES. You acknowledge that in performing
the Consulting Duties, you will be an independent contractor to the Company and
not an employee, partner, or joint venturer of the Company. You may engage in
other employment or consulting relationships in addition to your work for the
Company during the Consulting Period, provided that such relationships do not
involve providing services to any competitor of the Company or unreasonably
interfere with your provision of consulting services to the Company.

         4.       HEALTH INSURANCE. To the extent provided by the federal COBRA
law and by the Company's current group health insurance policies, you will be
eligible to continue your group health insurance benefits at your own expense
after the Separation Date. Later, you may be able to convert to an individual
policy at your own expense, if you wish. You will be provided with a separate
notice of your COBRA rights.

         5.       EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS. You agree that, within thirty (30)
days of the Separation Date, or your actual employment termination date,
whichever is earlier, you will submit your final documented expense
reimbursement statement reflecting all business expenses you incurred through
your last date of employment, if any, for which you seek reimbursement. The
Company will reimburse you for these expenses pursuant to its regular business
practice.

         6.       OTHER COMPENSATION OR BENEFITS. You acknowledge that, except
as expressly provided in this Agreement, you will not receive any additional
compensation, severance or benefits after your employment terminates.

         7.       RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. On the Separation Date or your
actual employment termination date, whichever is earlier, you agree to return to
the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company
property which you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not
limited to, all Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and
forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer-recorded information,
tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), credit cards,
entry cards, identification badges and keys; and any materials of any kind which
contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company
(and all reproductions thereof).

         8.       PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OBLIGATIONS. You hereby acknowledge
and agree to abide by your continuing obligations under your Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement.

         9.       NONDISPARAGEMENT. You agree not to disparage the Company and
the Company's officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents, in any
manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or
personal reputation; provided that you may respond accurately and fully to any
question, inquiry or request for information consistent with your obligations
under this Agreement.

         10.      NONINTERFERENCE. During the Transition Period and for a one
(1) year period following the Separation Date, you agree not to interfere with
the business of the Company by

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 8

soliciting or attempting to solicit any employee or consultant of the Company to
terminate his or her employment or relationship with the Company in order to
become an employee, consultant or independent contractor to or for any other
entity.

         11.      MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement, including Exhibits A and B,
constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement
between you and the Company with regard to this subject matter. It is entered
into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other
than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such
promises, warranties or representations. This Agreement may not be modified or
amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of
the Company. This Agreement shall bind the heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of
both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision
of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in
part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement
and the provision in question shall be modified by the court so as to be
rendered enforceable. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into
and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
California as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within
California.

<PAGE>

Michael Knapp
Page 9

If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign below and return the
original to me. Additionally, if you sign the Release attached hereto as Exhibit
B on or after your final date of employment with the Company, please return the
signed original of the Release to me.

Sincerely,

CALIPER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

By: /s/ Daniel L. Kisner
    --------------------------------------------
    Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
    Chairman of the Board of Directors

Exhibit A - Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement
Exhibit B - Employment Termination Release

AGREED:

/s/ Michael Knapp
------------------------------
MICHAEL KNAPP

Dated: July 8, 2003

[ * ] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24B-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

<PAGE>

                           CALIPER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

                        EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
                            AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

         In consideration of my employment or continued employment by CALIPER
TECHNOLOGIES CORP. (the "COMPANY"), and the compensation now and hereafter paid
to me, I hereby agree as follows:

I.       NONDISCLOSURE

         1.1      RECOGNITION OF COMPANY'S RIGHTS; NONDISCLOSURE. At all times
during my employment and thereafter, I will hold in strictest confidence and
will not disclose, use, lecture upon or publish any of the Company's Proprietary
Information (defined below), except as such disclosure, use or publication may
be required in connection with my work for the Company, or unless an officer of
the Company expressly authorizes such in writing. I will obtain Company's
written approval before publishing or submitting for publication any material
(written, verbal, or otherwise) that relates to my work at Company and/or
incorporates any Proprietary Information. I hereby assign to the Company any
rights I may have or acquire in such Proprietary Information and recognize that
all Proprietary Information shall be the sole property of the Company and its
assigns.

         1.2      PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. The term "PROPRIETARY INFORMATION"
shall mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or
information of the Company. By way of illustration but not limitation,
"PROPRIETARY INFORMATION" includes (a) trade secrets, inventions, ideas,
processes, formulas, products, formulations, developmental or experimental work,
publications, clinical data, test data, methods, samples, media and/or call
lines, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries,
developments, designs and techniques (hereinafter collectively referred to as
"INVENTIONS"); and (b) information regarding plans for research, development,
new products, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets and unpublished
financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and
(c) information regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that, at all such
times, I am free to use information which is generally known in the trade or
industry, which is not gained as result of a breach of this Agreement, and my
own, skill, knowledge, know-how and experience to whatever extent and in
whichever way I wish.

         1.3      THIRD PARTY INFORMATION. I understand, in addition, that the
Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties
confidential or proprietary information ("THIRD PARTY INFORMATION") subject to a
duty on the Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such information
and to use it only for certain limited purposes. During the term of my
employment and thereafter, I will hold Third Party Information in the strictest
confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel who
need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company) or
use, except in connection with my work for the Company, Third Party Information
unless expressly authorized by an officer of the Company in writing.

         1.4      NO IMPROPER USE OF INFORMATION OF PRIOR EMPLOYERS AND OTHERS.
During my employment by the Company I will not improperly use or disclose any
confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any
other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not
bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property
belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom I have an
obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former
employer or person. I will use in the performance of my duties only information
which is generally known and used by persons with training and experience
comparable to my own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise
legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the
Company.

2.       ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS.

         2.1      PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. The term "PROPRIETARY RIGHTS" shall mean
all trade secret, patent, copyright, mask work and other intellectual property
rights throughout the world.

         2.2      PRIOR INVENTIONS. Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented,
which I made prior to the commencement of my employment with the Company are
excluded from the scope of this Agreement. To preclude any possible uncertainty,
I have set forth on Exhibit B (Previous Inventions) attached hereto a complete
list of all Inventions that I have, alone or jointly with others, conceived,
developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed or reduced
to practice prior to the commencement of my employment with the Company, that I
consider to be my property or the property of third parties and that I wish to
have excluded from the scope of this Agreement (collectively referred to as
"PRIOR INVENTIONS"). If disclosure of any such Prior Invention would cause me to
violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand that

                                        1

<PAGE>

I am not to list such Prior Inventions in Exhibit B but am only to disclose a
cursory name for each such invention, a listing of the party(ies) to whom it
belongs and the fact that full disclosure as to such inventions has not been
made for that reason. A space is provided on Exhibit B for such purpose. If no
such disclosure is attached, I represent that there are no Prior Inventions. If,
in the course of my employment with the Company, I incorporate a Prior Invention
into a Company product, process or machine, the Company is hereby granted and
shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide
license (with rights to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicensees) to
make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, I agree that I will not incorporate, or permit to be incorporated,
Prior Inventions in any Company Inventions without the Company's prior written
consent.

         2.3      ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS. Subject to Sections 2.4, and 2.6, I
hereby assign and agree to assign in the future (when any such Inventions or
Proprietary Rights are first reduced to practice or first fixed in a tangible
medium, as applicable) to the Company all my right, title and interest in and to
any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether
or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, made or
conceived or reduced to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with
others, during the period of my employment with the Company. Inventions assigned
to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company pursuant to this
Section 2, are hereinafter referred to as "COMPANY INVENTIONS."

         2.4      NONASSIGNABLE INVENTIONS. This Agreement does not apply to an
Invention which qualifies fully as a nonassignable Invention under Section 2870
of the California Labor Code (hereinafter "SECTION 2870"). I have reviewed the
notification on Exhibit A (Limited Exclusion Notification) and agree that my
signature acknowledges receipt of the notification.

         2.5      OBLIGATION TO KEEP COMPANY INFORMED. During the period of my
employment and for six (6) months after termination of my employment with the
Company, I will promptly disclose to the Company fully and in writing all
Inventions authored, conceived or reduced to practice by me, either alone or
jointly with others. In addition, I will promptly disclose to the Company all
patent applications filed by me or on my behalf within a year after termination
of employment. At the time of each such disclosure, I will advise the Company in
writing of any Inventions that I believe fully qualify for protection under
Section 2870; and I will at that time provide to the Company in writing all
evidence necessary to substantiate that belief. The Company will keep in
confidence and will not use for any purpose or disclose to third parties without
my consent any confidential information disclosed in writing to the Company
pursuant to this Agreement relating to Inventions that qualify fully for
protection under the provisions of Section 2870. I will preserve the
confidentiality of any Invention that does not fully qualify for protection
under Section 2870.

         2.6      GOVERNMENT OR THIRD PARTY. I also agree to assign all my
right, title and interest in and to any particular Invention to a third party,
including without limitation the United States, as directed by the Company.

         2.7      WORKS FOR HIRE. I acknowledge that all original works of
authorship which are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope
of my employment and which are protectable by copyright are "works made for
hire," pursuant to United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C., Section 101).

         2.8      ENFORCEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. I will assist the Company
in every proper way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and
foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all
countries. To that end I will execute, verify and deliver such documents and
perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may
reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing,
sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In
addition, I will execute, verify and deliver assignments of such Proprietary
Rights to the Company or its designee. My obligation to assist the Company with
respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and all
countries shall continue beyond the termination of my employment, but the
Company shall compensate me at a reasonable rate after my termination for the
time actually spent by me at the Company's request on such assistance.

         In the event the Company is unable for any reason, after reasonable
effort, to secure my signature on any document needed in connection with the
actions specified in the preceding paragraph, I hereby irrevocably designate and
appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and
attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for and
in my behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other
lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of the preceding paragraph with
the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. I hereby waive and
quitclaim to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I
now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned
hereunder to the Company.

                                        2

<PAGE>

3.       RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current records (in
the form of notes, sketches, drawings and in any other form that may be required
by the Company) of all Proprietary Information developed by me and all
Inventions made by me during the period of my employment at the Company, which
records shall be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all
times.

4.       ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES. I agree that during the period of my employment
by the Company I will not, without the Company's express written consent, engage
in any employment or business activity which is competitive with, or would
otherwise conflict with, my employment by the Company. I agree further that for
the period of my employment by the Company and for one (l) year after the date
of termination of my employment by the Company I will not induce any employee of
the Company to leave the employ of the Company.

5.       NO CONFLICTING OBLIGATION. I represent that my performance of all the
terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not and will not
breach any agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by me in
confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered
into, and I agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in
conflict herewith.

6.       RETURN OF COMPANY DOCUMENTS. When I leave the employ of the Company, I
will deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, memoranda,
specifications, devices, formulas, and documents, together with all copies
thereof, and any other material containing or disclosing any Company Inventions,
Third Party Information or Proprietary Information of the Company. I further
agree that any property situated on the Company's premises and owned by the
Company, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets or other work
areas, is subject to inspection by Company personnel at any time with or without
notice. Prior to leaving, I will cooperate with the Company in completing and
signing the Company's termination statement.

7.       LEGAL AND EQUITABLE REMEDIES. Because my services are personal and
unique and because I may have access to and become acquainted with the
Proprietary Information of the Company, the Company shall have the right to
enforce this Agreement and any of its provisions by injunction, specific
performance or other equitable relief, without bond and without prejudice to any
other rights and remedies that the Company may have for a breach of this
Agreement.

8.       NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given to
the appropriate party at the address specified below or at such other address as
the party shall specify in writing. Such notice shall be deemed given upon
personal delivery to the appropriate address or if sent by certified or
registered mail, three (3) days after the date of mailing.

9.       NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. In the event that I leave the employ of
the Company, I hereby consent to the notification of my new employer of my
rights and obligations under this Agreement.

10.      GENERAL PROVISIONS.

         10.1     GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION. This
Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State
of California, as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be
performed entirely within California between California residents. I hereby
expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts
located in San Diego County, California for any lawsuit filed there against me
by Company arising from or related to this Agreement.

         10.2     SEVERABILITY. In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and
this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein. If moreover, any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be
excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it
shall be construed by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the
extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

         10.3     SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement will be binding upon my
heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for
the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.

         10.4     SURVIVAL. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the
termination of my employment and the assignment of this Agreement by the Company
to any successor in interest or other assignee.

         10.5     EMPLOYMENT. I agree and understand that nothing in this
Agreement shall confer any right with respect to continuation of employment by
the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with my right or the Company's
right to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause.

         10.6     WAIVER. No waiver by the Company of any breach of this
Agreement shall be a waiver of any

                                        3

<PAGE>

preceding or succeeding breach. No waiver by the Company of any right under this
Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any other right. The Company shall
not be required to give notice to enforce strict adherence to all terms of this
Agreement.

         10.7     ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The obligations pursuant to Sections 1 and 2
of this Agreement shall apply to any time during which I was previously
employed, or am in the future employed, by the Company as a consultant if no
other agreement governs nondisclosure and assignment of inventions during such
period. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all
prior discussions between us. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement,
nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in
writing and signed by the party to be charged. Any subsequent change or changes
in my duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of
this Agreement.

         This Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of my employment
with the Company, namely: September 20, 1995.

         I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. I HAVE
COMPLETELY FILLED OUT EXHIBIT B TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Dated: September 20, 1995
       ----------------------------

/s/  Michael R. Knapp
-----------------------------------
SIGNATURE

Michael R. Knapp
-----------------------------------
(PRINTED NAME)

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

CALIPER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

By: /s/ Lawrence A. Bock
    --------------------------------
Title: President

3180 Porter Drive
------------------------------------
(Address)

Palo Alto, CA 94304
------------------------------------
                                        4

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                         LIMITED EXCLUSION NOTIFICATION

         THIS IS TO NOTIFY you in accordance with Section 2872 of the California
Labor Code that the foregoing Agreement between you and the Company does not
require you to assign or offer to assign to the Company any invention that you
developed entirely on your own time without using the Company's equipment,
supplies, facilities or trade secret information except for those inventions
that either:

         (1)      Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of
the invention to the Company's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated
research or development of the Company;

         (2)      Result from any work performed by you for the Company.

         To the extent a provision in the foregoing Agreement purports to
require you to assign an invention otherwise excluded from the preceding
paragraph, the provision is against the public policy of this state and is
unenforceable.

         This limited exclusion does not apply to any patent or invention
covered by a contract between the Company and the United States or any of its
agencies requiring full title to such patent or invention to be in the United
States.

         I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT of a copy of this notification.

                                       By: /s/ Michael R. Knapp
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Michael R. Knapp
                                                      (Printed Name of Employee)

                                       Date: September 20, 1995
                                             -----------------------------------
WITNESSED BY:

/s/ Lawrence A. Bock
---------------------------------------
                       Lawrence A. Bock
(Printed Name of Representative)


Dated: September 20, 1995
       --------------------------------
                                      A-1.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

     TO:    CALIPER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

     FROM:  Michael R. Knapp

     DATE:  4-23-96

SUBJECT:          PREVIOUS INVENTIONS

         1.       Except as listed in Section 2 below, the following is a
complete list of all inventions or improvements relevant to the subject matter
of my employment by Caliper Technologies Corp. (the "COMPANY") that have been
made or conceived or first reduced to practice by me alone or jointly with
others prior to my engagement by the Company:

         [X]      No inventions or improvements.

         [ ]      See below:

                  __________

                  __________

                  __________

[ ]      Additional sheets attached.

         2.       Due to a prior confidentiality agreement, I cannot complete
the disclosure under Section 1 above with respect to inventions or improvements
generally listed below, the proprietary rights and duty of confidentiality with
respect to which I owe to the following party(ies):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         INVENTION OR IMPROVEMENT      PARTY(IES)             RELATIONSHIP
<S>      <C>                           <C>                    <C>
1.       ________________________      __________________     __________________

2.       ________________________      __________________     __________________

3.       ________________________      __________________     __________________
</TABLE>

[ ]      Additional sheets attached.

                                      B-1.
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                         EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION RELEASE
           (to be signed on or after the employment termination date)

I understand that my employment with Caliper Technologies Corp. (the "Company")
terminated effective ____________, 200_. I also understand that, pursuant to the
separation letter agreement between me and the Company, which I signed on
________________________, 2003 (the "Agreement"), I am required to sign this
Employment Termination Release ("Release") in exchange for certain benefits
under the Agreement. I further understand that, regardless of whether I sign
this Release, the Company will pay me all accrued salary and vacation earned
through my termination date, to which I am entitled by law.

I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its directors,
officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors,
successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns
from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown,
that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or
omissions occurring prior to my signing this Release. This general release
includes, but is not limited to: (1) all claims arising out of or in any way
related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment;
(2) all claims related to my compensation or benefits from the Company,
including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements,
severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership
interests in the Company; (3) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful
termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing,
including claims arising under the Employment Agreement or the Company's Change
of Control, Sr. Mgmt. Severance/Equity Acceleration Plan; (4) all tort claims,
including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in
violation of public policy; and (5) all federal, state, and local statutory
claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys'
fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as
amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA"), and the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act (as amended).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any
rights I may have under the ADEA, as amended. I also acknowledge that the
consideration given for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof
is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further
acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA,
that: (a) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may
arise after the execution date of this Release; (b) I have been advised hereby
that I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this
Release (although I may choose not to do so); (c) I have forty-five (45) days to
consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release
earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the execution of this Release to
revoke the Release in a writing to the Company; (e) this Release will not be
effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which
will be the eighth day after this Release is executed by me ("Employment
Termination Release Effective Date"); and (f) the Company has

<PAGE>

provided to me, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Section 626(f)(1)(H), a disclosure
concerning the availability of this employment termination program to other
employees.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN
CLAIMS. In giving this release, which includes claims that may be unknown to me
at present, I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the
California Civil Code which reads as follows: "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND
TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT
THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY
AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR." I expressly waive and relinquish all
rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of
similar effect with respect to my release of any unknown or unsuspected claims I
may have against the Company.

HAVING READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE FOREGOING, I HEREBY AGREE TO THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS STATED ABOVE.

____________________________________      ______________________________________
Michael Knapp                             Date