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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                                                               Customer No. 1299

                       MASTER LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


             THIS AGREEMENT dated as of June 22, 1999, is made by Third Wave
Technologies, Inc. (the "Borrower"), a Delaware corporation having its principal
place of business and chief executive office at 502 South Rosa Road, Madison,
Wisconsin, 53719-1256 in favor of Transamerica Business Credit Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Lender"), having its principal office at Riverway II,
West Office Tower, 9399 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018.

      WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lender make Loans to it from
time to time; and

      WHEREAS, the Lender has agreed to make such Loans on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Lender
to extend credit, the Borrower hereby agrees with the Lender as follows:

      SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.

      As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings,
and shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the
terms defined:

Agreement shall mean this Master Loan and Security Agreement together with all
schedules and exhibits hereto, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified
from time to time.

Applicable Law shall mean the laws of the State of Illinois (or any other
jurisdiction whose laws are mandatorily applicable notwithstanding the parties'
choice of Illinois law) or the laws of the United States of America, whichever
laws allow the greater interest, as such laws now exist or may be changed or
amended or come into effect in the future.

Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or public
holiday or the equivalent for banks in New York City.

Code shall have the meaning specified in Section 8(d).

Collateral shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.

Collateral Access Agreement shall mean any landlord waiver, mortgagee waiver,
bailee letter, or similar acknowledgement of any warehouseman or processor in
possession of any Equipment.

Effective Date shall mean the date on which all of the conditions specified in
Section 3.3 shall have been satisfied.

Equipment shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.

Event of Default shall mean any event specified in Section 7.

Financial Statements shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.

GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America, as in effect from time to time.

Loans shall mean the loans and financial accommodations made by the Lender to
the Borrower in accordance with




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the terms of this Agreement and the Notes.

Loan Documents shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, and all
other present and future documents, agreements, certificates, instruments, and
opinions delivered by the Borrower under, in connection with or relating to this
Agreement, or any other present or future instrument or agreement between Lender
and Borrower, as each of the same may be amended, modified, extended, restated
or supplemented from time to time.

Material Adverse Change shall mean, with respect to any Person, a material
adverse change in the business, prospects, operations, results of operations,
assets, liabilities, or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person taken
as a whole and after taking into consideration Borrowers financial condition as
of the date hereof and Borrower's ordinary and normal monthly expenditures.

Material Adverse Effect shall mean, with respect to any Person, a material
adverse effect on the business, prospects, operations, results of operations,
assets, liabilities, or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person taken
as a whole.

Note shall mean each Promissory Note made by the Borrower in favor of the
Lender, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

Obligations shall mean and include all loans (including the Loans), advances,
debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by Borrower to
Lender of any kind or nature, present or future, whether or not evidenced by the
Note or any note, guaranty or other instrument, whether or not arising under or
in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other present
or future instrument or agreement, whether or not for the payment of money,
whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, opening, guaranteeing or
confirming of a letter of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification or in any
other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by
assignment, purchase, discount or otherwise), whether absolute or contingent,
due or to become due, now due or hereafter arising and however acquired
(including without limitation all loans previously made by Lender to Borrower).
The term includes, without limitation, all interest (including interest accruing
on or after an bankruptcy, whether or not an allowed claim), charges, expenses,
commitment, facility, closing and collateral management fees, letter of credit
fees, reasonable attorneys' fees, taxes and any other sum properly chargeable to
Borrower under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other present or
future agreement between Lender and Borrower.

Permitted Liens shall mean such of the following as to which no enforcement,
collection, execution, levy, or foreclosure proceeding shall been commenced: (a)
liens for taxes, assessments, and other governmental charges or levies or the
claims or demands of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, laborers,
materialmen, and other like Persons arising by operation of law in the ordinary
course of business for sums which are not yet due and payable, or liens which
are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted and with respect to which adequate reserves are maintained to the
extent required by GAAP; (b) deposits or pledges to secure the payment of
worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, or other social security benefits
or obligations, public or statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, bid or
performance bonds, or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the
ordinary course of business; (c) licenses, restrictions, or covenants for or on
the use of the Equipment which do not materially impair either the use of the
Equipment in the operation of the business of the Borrower or the value of the
Equipment; and (d) attachment or judgment liens that do not constitute an Event
of Default.

Person shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited
liability partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization,
association, corporation, limited liability company, institution, entity, party,
or government (including any division, agency, or department thereof), and the
successors, heirs, and assigns of each.

Schedule shall mean each Schedule in the form of Schedule A hereto delivered by
the Borrower to the Lender from time to time.

Solvent means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date as to which such
Person's solvency is measured:


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     (a)  the fair saleable value of its assets in excess of the total amount
of its liabilities (including contingent liabilities as valued in accordance
with GAAP) as they become absolute and matured;

     (b)  it has sufficient capital to conduct its business; and

     (c)  it is able generally to meet its debts as they mature.

Taxes shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.5.

     SECTION 2. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST; COLLATERAL. The Borrower hereby
assigns and grants to the Lender a continuing general, first priority lien on,
and security interest in, all the Borrower's right, title, and interest in and
to the collateral described in the next sentence (the "Collateral") to secure
the payment and performance of all Obligations. The Collateral consists of all
equipment set forth on all the Schedules delivered from time to time under the
terms of this Agreement (the "Equipment"), together with all present and future
additions, parts, accessories, attachments, substitutions, repairs,
improvements, and replacements thereof or thereto, and any and all proceeds
thereof, including, without limitation, proceeds of insurance and all manuals,
blueprints, know-how, warranties, and records in connection therewith, all
rights against suppliers, warrantors, manufacturers, sellers, or others in
connection therewith, and together with all substitutes for any of the
foregoing.

     SECTION 3. THE CREDIT FACILITY.

          SECTION 3.1. BORROWINGS. Each Loan shall be in an amount not less
than $50,000, and in no event shall the sum of the aggregate Loans made exceed
the amount of the Lender's written commitment to the Borrower in effect from
time to time. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Lender shall
be obligated to make the initial Loan and each other Loan only after the
Lender, in its sole discretion, determines that the applicable conditions for
borrowing contained in Sections 3.3 and 3.4 are satisfied. The timing and
financial scope of Lender's obligation to make Loans hereunder are limited as
set forth in a commitment letter executed by Lender and Borrower, dated as of
May 17, 1999 and attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Commitment Letter").

          SECTION 3.2. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower shall not directly
or indirectly use any proceeds of the Loans, or cause, assist, suffer, or
permit the use of any proceeds of the Loans, for any purpose other than for the
purchase, acquisition, installation, or upgrading of Equipment or the
reimbursement of the Borrower for its purchase, acquisition, installation, or
upgrading of Equipment.

          SECTION 3.3. CONDITIONS TO INITIAL LOAN.

     (a)  The obligation of the Lender to make the initial Loan is subject to
the Lender's receipt of the following, each dated the date of the initial Loan
or as of an earlier date acceptable to the Lender, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel:

          (i)   completed requests for information (Form UCC-11) listing all
     effective Uniform Commercial Code financing statements naming the Borrower
     as debtor and all tax lien, judgment, and litigation searches for the
     Borrower as the Lender shall deem necessary or desirable;

          (ii)  Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (Form UCC-1) duly
     executed by the Borrower (naming the Lender as secured party and the
     Borrower as debtor and in form acceptable for filing in all jurisdictions
     that the Lender deems necessary or desirable to perfect the security
     interests granted to it hereunder) and, if applicable, termination
     statements or other releases duly filed in all jurisdictions that the
     Lender deems necessary or desirable to perfect and protect the priority of
     the security interests granted to it hereunder in the Equipment related to
     such initial Loan;

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            (iii) a Note duly executed by the Borrower evidencing the amount of
        such Loan;

            (iv)  certificates of insurance required under Section 5.4 of this
        Agreement together with loss payee endorsements for all such policies
        naming the Lender as lender loss payee and as an additional insured;

            (v)   a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
        the Borrower ("Secretary's Certificate") certifying (A) that attached to
        the Secretary's Certificate is a true, complete, and accurate copy of
        the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower (or a
        unanimous consent of directors in lieu thereof) authorizing the
        execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, the other Loan
        Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and
        that such resolutions have not been amended or modified since the date
        of such certification and are in full force and effect; (B) the
        incumbency, names and true signature of the officers of the Borrower
        authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party; (C) that
        attached to the Secretary's Certificate is a true and correct copy of
        the Articles or Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as
        amended, which Articles or Certificate of Incorporation have not been
        further modified, repealed or rescinded and are in full force and
        effect; (D) that attached to the Secretary's Certificate of the
        Borrower is a true and correct copy of the Bylaws, as amended, which
        Bylaws of the Company have not been further modified, repealed or
        rescinded and are in full force and effect; and (E) that attached to
        the Secretary's Certificate is a valid Certificate of Good Standing
        issued by the Secretary of the State of the Borrower's state of
        incorporation; and

            (vi)  such other agreements and instruments as the Lender deems
        necessary in its good faith business judgment in connection with the
        transactions contemplated hereby.

        (b) There shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after
due inquiry, threatened litigation, proceeding, inquiry, or other action (i)
seeking an injunction or other restraining order, damages, or other relief with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents or thereby or (ii) which affects or could affect the business,
prospects, operations, assets, liabilities, or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower, except, in the case of clause (ii), where such
litigation, proceeding, inquiry, or other action could not be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect in the judgment of the Lender.

        (c) The Borrower shall have paid all fees and expenses required to be
paid by it to the Lender as of such date.

        (d) The security interests in the Equipment related to the initial Loan
granted in favor of the Lender under this Agreement shall have been duly
perfected and shall constitute first priority liens.

            SECTION 3.4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH LOAN. The obligation of
the Lender to make each Loan is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:

        (a) the Lender shall have received the documents, agreements, and
instruments set forth in Section 3.3(a)(i) through (v) applicable to such Loan,
each in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel and each
dated the date of such Loan or as of an earlier date acceptable to the Lender;

        (b) the Lender shall have received a Schedule of the Equipment related
to such Loan, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel,
and the security interests in such Equipment related to such Loan granted in
favor of the Lender under this Agreement shall have been duly perfected and
shall constitute first priority liens;

        (c) all representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such
Loan as if then made other than representations


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and warranties that expressly relate solely to an earlier date, in which case
they shall have been true and correct as of such earlier date;

     (d) no Event of Default or event which with the giving of notice or the
passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of the requested
Loan as of the date of such request; and

     (e) the Borrower shall be deemed to have hereby reaffirmed and ratified
all security interests, liens, and other encumbrances heretofore granted by the
Borrower to the Lender.

     SECTION 4. THE BORROWER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

          SECTION 4.1.  GOOD STANDING; QUALIFIED TO DO BUSINESS. The Borrower
(a) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of
the State of its organization, (b) has the power and authority to own its
properties and assets and to transact the businesses in which it is presently,
or proposes to be, engaged, and (c) is duly qualified and authorized to do
business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to
be so qualified could have a Material Adverse Effect on (i) the Borrower, (ii)
the Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, or
(iii) the rights of the Lender hereunder.

          SECTION 4.2.  DUE EXECUTION, ETC. The execution, delivery, and
performance by the Borrower of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party
are within the powers of the Borrower, do not contravene the organizational
documents, if any, of the Borrower, and do not (a) violate any law or
regulation, or any order or decree of any court or governmental authority, (b)
conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any
material indenture, mortgage, or deed of trust or any material lease,
agreement, or other instrument binding on the Borrower or any of its
properties, or (c) require the consent, authorization by, or approval of or
notice to or filing or registration with any governmental authority or other
Person. This Agreement is, and each of the other Loan Documents to which the
Borrower is or will be a party, when delivered hereunder or thereunder, will
be, the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable
against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally and by general principles of equity.

          SECTION 4.3.  SOLVENCY; NO LIENS. The Borrower is Solvent and will be
Solvent upon the completion of all transactions contemplated to occur hereunder
(including, without limitation, the Loan to be made on the Effective Date); the
security interests granted herein constitute and shall at all times constitute
the first and only liens on the Collateral other than Permitted Liens; and the
Borrower is, or will be at the time additional Collateral is acquired by it,
the absolute owner of the Collateral with full right to pledge, sell, consign,
transfer, and create a security interest therein, free and clear of any and all
claims or liens in favor of any other Person other than Permitted Liens.

          SECTION 4.4.  NO JUDGMENTS, LITIGATION. No judgments are outstanding
against the Borrower nor is there now pending or, to the best of the Borrower's
knowledge after diligent inquiry, threatened any litigation, contested claim, or
governmental proceeding by or against the Borrower except judgments and pending
or threatened litigation, contested claims, and governmental proceedings which
would not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower.

          SECTION 4.5.  NO DEFAULTS. The Borrower is not in default or has not
received a notice of default under any material contract, lease, or commitment
to which it is a party or by which it is bound. The Borrower knows of no dispute
regarding any contract, lease, or commitment which could have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Borrower.

          SECTION 4.6.  COLLATERAL LOCATIONS. On the date hereof, each item of
the Collateral is located at the place of business specified in the applicable
Schedule.

          SECTION 4.7.  NO EVENTS OF DEFAULT. No Event of Default has occurred
and is


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continuing nor has any event occurred which, with the giving of notice or the
passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.8.  NO LIMITATION ON LENDER'S RIGHTS. Except as permitted
herein, none of the Collateral is subject to contractual obligations that may
restrict or inhibit the Lender's rights or abilities to sell or dispose of the
Collateral or any part thereof after the occurrence of an Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.9.  PERFECTION AND PRIORITY OF SECURITY INTEREST. To the
best of Borrower's knowledge after inquiry, this Agreement creates a valid and,
upon completion of all required filings of financing statements, perfected first
priority and exclusive security interest in the Collateral, securing the payment
of all the Obligations.

          SECTION 4.10. MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS. The Schedules set forth the
true and correct model number and serial number of each item of Equipment that
constitutes Collateral.

          SECTION 4.11. ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF INFORMATION. All data,
reports, and information heretofore, contemporaneously, or hereafter furnished
by or on behalf of the Borrower in writing to the Lender or for purposes of or
in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any transaction
contemplated hereby or thereby, are or will be true and accurate in all material
respects on the date as of which such data, reports, and information are dated
or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary
to make such data, reports, and information not misleading at such time. There
are no facts now known to the Borrower which individually or in the aggregate
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and which have
not been specified herein, in the Financial Statements, or in any certificate,
opinion, or other written statement previously furnished by the Borrower to the
Lender.

          SECTION 4.12. PRICE OF EQUIPMENT. The cost of each item of Equipment
does not exceed the fair and usual price for such type of equipment purchased in
like quantity and reflects all discounts, rebates and allowances for the
Equipment (including, without limitation, discounts for advertising, prompt
payment, testing, or other services) given to the Borrower by the manufacturer,
supplier, or any other person.

     SECTION 5. COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.

          SECTION 5.1.  EXISTENCE, ETC. The Borrower shall: (a) retain its
existence and its current yearly accounting cycle, (b) maintain in full force
and effect all licenses, bonds, franchises, leases, trademarks, patents,
contracts, and other rights necessary or desirable to the profitable conduct of
its business unless the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower, (c) continue in, and limit its
operations to, the same general lines of business as those presently conducted
by it, and (d) comply with all applicable laws and regulations of any federal,
state, or local governmental authority, except for such laws and regulations the
violations of which would not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Borrower.

          SECTION 5.2.  NOTICE TO THE LENDER. As soon as possible, and in any
event within five days after the Borrower learns of the following, the Borrower
will give written notice to the Lender of (a) any proceeding instituted or
threatened to be instituted by or against the Borrower in any federal, state,
local, or foreign court or before any commission or other regulatory body
(federal, state, local, or foreign) involving a sum, together with the sum
involved in all other similar proceedings, in excess of $50,000 in the
aggregate, (b) any contract that is terminated or amended and which has had or
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower
(c) the occurrence of any Material Adverse Change with respect to the Borrower,
and (d) the occurrence of any Event of Default or event or condition which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, together
with a statement of the action which the Borrower has taken or proposes to take
with respect thereto.

          SECTION 5.3.  MAINTENANCE OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Borrower will
maintain books and records pertaining to the Collateral in such detail, form,
and scope as the Lender shall require in its

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commercially reasonable judgment. The Borrower agrees that the Lender or its
agents may enter upon the Borrower's premises on forty-eight (48) hours prior
written notice at any time and from time to time during normal business hours,
and at any time upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, for
the purpose of inspecting the Collateral and any and all records pertaining
thereto.

            SECTION 5.4. INSURANCE. The Borrower will maintain insurance on the
Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in
such amounts, and covering such risks as are at all times reasonably
satisfactory to the Lender. All such policies shall be made payable to the
Lender, in case of loss, under a standard non-contributory "lender" or "secured
party" clause and are to contain such other provisions as the Lender may
reasonably require to protect the Lender's interests in the Collateral and to
any payments to be made under such policies. Certificates of insurance policies
are to be delivered to the Lender, premium prepaid, with the loss payable
endorsement in the Lender's favor, and shall provide for not less than thirty
days' prior written notice to the Lender, of any alteration or cancellation of
coverage. If the Borrower fails to maintain such insurance, the Lender may
arrange for (at the Borrower's expense and without any responsibility on the
Lender's part for) obtaining the insurance. Unless the Lender shall otherwise
agree with the Borrower in writing, the Lender shall have the sole right, in the
name of the Lender or the Borrower, to file claims under any insurance policies,
to receive and give acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder,
and to execute any endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments,
or other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise,
or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.

            SECTION 5.5. TAXES. The Borrower will pay, when due, all taxes,
assessments, claims, and other charges ("Taxes") lawfully levied or assessed
against the Borrower or the Collateral other than taxes that are being
diligently contested in good faith by the Borrower by appropriate proceedings
promptly instituted and for which an adequate reserve is being maintained by the
Borrower in accordance with GAAP. If any Taxes remain unpaid after the date
fixed for the payment thereof, or if any lien shall be claimed therefor, then,
without notice to the Borrower, but on the Borrower's behalf, the Lender may pay
such Taxes, and the amount thereof shall be included in the Obligations.

            SECTION 5.6. BORROWER TO DEFEND COLLATERAL AGAINST CLAIMS; FEES ON
COLLATERAL. The Borrower will defend the Collateral against all claims and
demands of all Persons at any time claiming the same or any interest therein.
The Borrower will not permit any notice creating or otherwise relating to liens
on the Collateral or any portion thereof to exist or be on file in any public
office other than Permitted Liens. The Borrower shall promptly pay, when
payable, all transportation, storage, and warehousing charges and license fees,
registration fees, assessments, charges, permit fees, and taxes (municipal,
state, and federal) which may now or hereafter be imposed upon the ownership,
leasing, renting, possession, sale, or use of the Collateral, other than taxes
on or measured by the Lender's income and fees, assessments, charges, and taxes
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted and with respect to which adequate reserves are maintained to the
extent required by GAAP.

            SECTION 5.7. NO CHANGE OF LOCATION, STRUCTURE, OR IDENTITY. The
borrower will not (a) change the location of its chief executive office or
establish any place of business other than those specified herein or (b) move or
permit the movement of any item of Collateral from the location specified in the
applicable Schedule, except that the Borrower may change its chief executive
office and keep Collateral at other locations within the United States provided
that the Borrower has delivered to the Lender (i) prior written notice thereof
and (ii) duly executed financing statements and other agreements and instruments
(all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender) necessary or,
in the opinion of the Lender, desirable to perfect and maintain in favor of the
Lender a first priority security interest in the Collateral. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the immediately preceding sentence, the Borrower may
keep any Collateral consisting of motor vehicles or rolling stock at any
location in the United States provided that the Lender's security interest in
any such Collateral is conspicuously marked on the certificate of title thereof
and the Borrower has complied with the provisions of Section 5.9.

            SECTION 5.8. USE OF COLLATERAL; LICENSES; REPAIR. The Collateral
shall be operated by competent, qualified personnel in connection with the
Borrower's business purposes, for the purpose for

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which the Collateral was designed and in accordance with applicable operating
instructions, laws, and government regulations, and the Borrower shall use every
reasonable precaution to prevent loss or damage to the Collateral from fire and
other hazards. The Collateral shall not be used or operated for personal,
family, or household purposes. The Borrower shall procure and maintain in effect
all orders, licenses, certificates, permits, approvals, and consents required by
federal, state, or local laws or local laws or by any governmental body, agency,
or authority in connection with the delivery, installation, use, and operation
of the Collateral. The Borrower shall keep all of the Equipment in a
satisfactory state of repair and satisfactory operating condition in accordance
with industry standards, and will make all repairs and replacements when and
where necessary and practical. The Borrower will not waste or destroy the
Equipment or any part thereof, and will not be negligent in the care or use
thereof. The Equipment shall not be annexed or affixed to or become part of any
realty without the Lender's prior written consent.

          SECTION 5.9. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower will, promptly upon
request by the Lender, execute and deliver or use its best efforts to obtain any
document reasonably required by the Lender (including, without limitation,
warehouseman or processor disclaimers, mortgagee waivers, landlord disclaimers,
or subordination agreements with respect to the Obligations and the Collateral),
give any notices, execute and file any financing statements, mortgages, or other
documents (all in form and substances satisfactory to the Lender), mark any
chattel paper, deliver any chattel paper or instruments to the Lender, and take
any other actions that are reasonably necessary or, in the opinion of the
Lender, desirable to perfect or continue the perfection and the first priority
of the Lender's security interest in the Collateral, to protect the Collateral
against the rights, claims, or interests of any Persons, or to effect the
purposes of this Agreement. The Borrower hereby authorizes the Lender to file
one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto,
relating to all or any part of the Collateral without the signature of the
Borrower where permitted by law. A carbon, photographic, or other reproduction
of this Agreement or any financing statement covering the Collateral or any part
thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law. To
the extent required under this Agreement, the Borrower will pay all costs
incurred in connection with any of the foregoing and upon request Lender will
provide Borrower of a copy of such filings.

          SECTION 5.10. NO DISPOSITION OF COLLATERAL. Except in connection with
an assignment consented to by Lender in accordance with Section 9.3, the
Borrower will not in any way hypothecate or create or permit to exist any lien,
security interest, charge, or encumbrance on or other interest in any of the
Collateral, except for the lien and security interest granted hereby and
Permitted Liens which are junior to the lien and security interest of the
Lender, and the Borrower will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, collaterally
assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral. In the event
the Collateral, or any part thereof, is sold, transferred, assigned, exchanged,
or otherwise disposed of in violation of these provisions, the security interest
of the Lender shall continue in such Collateral or part thereof notwithstanding
such sale, transfer, assignment, exchange, or other disposition, and the
Borrower will hold the proceeds thereof in a separate account for the benefit of
the Lender. Following such a sale, the Borrower will transfer such proceeds to
the Lender in kind.

          SECTION 5.11. NO LIMITATION ON LENDER'S RIGHTS. The Borrower will not
enter into any contractual obligations which may restrict or inhibit the
Lender's rights or ability to sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any
part thereof.

          SECTION 5.12. PROTECTION OF COLLATERAL. Upon reasonable advance notice
to the Borrower (provided that if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing the Lender need not give any notice), the Lender shall have the right
at any time to make any payments and do any other acts the Lender may deem
necessary to protect its security interests in the Collateral, including,
without limitation, the rights to satisfy, purchase, contest, or compromise any
encumbrance, charge, or lien which, in the reasonable judgment of the Lender,
appears to be prior to or superior to the security interests granted hereunder,
and appear in, and defend any action or proceeding purporting to affect its
security interests in, or the value of, any of the Collateral. The Borrower
hereby agrees to reimburse the Lender for all reasonable payments made and
expenses incurred under this Agreement including fees, expenses, and
disbursements of attorneys and paralegals (including the reasonable allocated
costs of in-house counsel) acting for the Lender, including any of the forgoing
payments under, or acts taken to protect its security interests in, any of the
Collateral, which amounts shall be secured under this Agreement, and agrees it
shall be bound by any such payment made or act taken by the Lender hereunder
absent the Lender's


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Lender shall have no obligation to
make any of the foregoing payments or perform any of the foregoing acts.

          SECTION 5.13.  DELIVERY OF ITEMS. The Borrower will (a) promptly (but
in no event later than five calendar days) after its receipt thereof, deliver
to the Lender any documents or certificates of title issued with respect to any
property included in the Collateral, and any promissory notes, letters of
credit or instruments related to or otherwise in connection with any property
included in the Collateral, which in any such case come into the possession of
the Borrower, or shall cause the issuer thereof to deliver any of the same
directly to the Lender, in each case with any necessary endorsements in favor
of the Lender and (b) deliver to the Lender as soon as available copies of any
and all press releases and other similar public communications issued by the
Borrower.

          SECTION 5.14.  SOLVENCY. The Borrower shall be and remain Solvent at
all times.

          SECTION 5.15.  FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES. The Borrower shall not (a) amend
or modify its name, unless the Borrower delivers to the Lender thirty days
prior to any such proposed amendment or modification written notice of such
amendment or modification and within ten days before such amendment or
modification delivers executed Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (in
form and substance satisfactory to the Lender) or (b) merge or consolidate with
any other entity or make any material change in its capital structure, in each
case without the Lender's prior written consent which shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.

          SECTION 5.16.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS. The Borrower shall take all
such further actions and execute all such further documents and instruments as
the Lender may reasonably request.

     SECTION 6.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Until the payment and satisfaction in
full of all Obligations, the Borrower shall deliver to the Lender the following
financial information:

          SECTION 6.1.  ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available, but
not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower and
its consolidated subsidiaries, the consolidated balance sheet, income
statement, and statements of cash flows and shareholders equity for the
Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Financial Statements") for
such year, reported on by independent certified public accountants without an
adverse qualification; and

          SECTION 6.2.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available,
but not later than 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
quarters in any fiscal year of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries,
the Financial Statements for such fiscal quarter, together with a certification
duly executed by a responsible officer of the Borrower that such Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and are fairly stated in
all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).

     SECTION 7.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following
events shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:

          (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay within five days of when due any
amount required to be paid by the Borrower under or in connection with any Note
and this Agreement;

          (b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
Borrower under or in connection with any Loan Document or any Financial
Statement shall prove to have been false or incorrect in any material respect
when made;

          (c) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe (i) any of the
terms, covenants or agreements contained in Sections 5.4, 5.7, 5.10, 5.14, or
5.15 hereof or (ii) any other term, covenant, or agreement contained in any
Loan Document (other than the other Events of Default specified in this Section
7) and such failure remains unremedied for the earlier of fifteen days from (A)
the date on which the Lender has given the Borrower written notice of such
failure and (B) the date on which the Borrower knew or should have known of
such failure;

                                       9
<PAGE>   10
                  (d)   any material provision of any Loan Document to which the
Borrower is a party shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on the
Borrower, or the Borrower shall so state;

                  (e)   dissolution, liquidation, winding up, or cessation of
the Borrower's business, failure of the Borrower generally to pay its debts as
they mature, admission in writing by the Borrower of its inability generally to
pay its debts as they mature, or calling of a meeting of the Borrower's
creditors for purposes of compromising any of the Borrower's debts;

                  (f)   the commencement by or against the Borrower of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, reorganization, receivership, or similar
proceedings under any federal or state law and, in the case of any such
involuntary proceeding, such proceeding remains undismissed or unstayed for
forty-five days following the commencement thereof, or any action by the
Borrower is taken authorizing any such proceedings;

                  (g)   an assignment for the benefit of creditors is made by
the Borrower, whether voluntary or involuntary, the appointment of a trustee,
custodian, receiver, or similar official for the Borrower or for any substantial
property of the Borrower, or any action by the Borrower authorizing any such
proceeding;

                  (h)   the Borrower shall default in (i) the payment of
principal or interest on any indebtedness in excess of $50,000 (other than the
Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or
agreement under which such indebtedness was created; or (ii) the observance or
performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such
indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement relating thereto, or
any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or
other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such
indebtedness to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such indebtedness
to become due prior to its stated maturity; or (iii) any loan or other agreement
under which the Borrower has received financing from Transamerica Corporation or
any of its affiliates;

                  (i)   the Borrower suffers or sustains a Material Adverse
Change;

                  (j)   any tax lien, other than a Permitted Lien, is filed of
record against the Borrower and is not bonded or discharged within five Business
Days;

                  (k)   any judgment which has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower and such judgment
shall not be stayed, vacated, bonded, or discharged within sixty days;

                  (l)   any material covenant, agreement, or obligation, as
determined in the good faith business judgment of the Lender, made by the
Borrower and contained in or evidenced by any of the Loan Documents shall cease
to be enforceable, or shall be determined to be unenforceable, in accordance
with its terms; the Borrower shall deny or disaffirm the Obligations under any
of the Loan Documents or any liens granted in connection therewith; or any liens
granted on any of the Collateral in favor of the Lender shall be determined to
be void, voidable, or invalid, or shall not be given the priority contemplated
by this Agreement; or

                  (m)   there is a change, which change results from a single
transaction or series of related transactions, but not from the sale of newly
issued securities to investors, in more than 35% of the ownership of any equity
interests of the Borrower on the date hereof or more than 35% of such interests
become subject to any contractual, judicial, or statutory lien, charge, security
interest, or encumbrance.

            SECTION 8.  REMEDIES. If any Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing:

                  (a)   The Lender may, without prejudice to any of its other
rights under any Loan Document or Applicable Law, declare all Obligations to be
immediately due and payable (except with respect to any Event of Default set
forth in Section 7(f) hereof, in which case all Obligations shall automatically
become immediately due and payable without necessity of any declaration) without
presentment, representation, demand of


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
payment, or protest, which are hereby expressly waived.

                (b)     The Lender may take possession of the Collateral and,
for that purpose may enter, with the aid and assistance of any person or
persons, any premises where the Collateral or any part hereof is, or may be
placed, and remove the same.

                (c)     The obligation of the Lender, if any, to make
additional Loans or financial accommodations of any kind to the Borrower shall
immediately terminate.

                (d)     The Lender may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in
addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein (or in any Loan
Document) or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured
party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code (the "Code") whether or not
the Code applies to the affected Collateral and also may (i) require the
Borrower to, and the Borrower hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon
request of the Lender forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as
directed by the Lender and make it available to the Lender at a place to be
designated by the Lender that is reasonably convenient to both parties and (ii)
without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part
thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Lender's
offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit, or for future delivery, and upon such
other terms as the Lender may deem commercially reasonable. The Borrower agrees
that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days'
notice to the Borrower of the time and place of any public sale or the time
after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification. The Lender shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral
regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Lender may adjourn any
public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place
fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time
and place to which it was so adjourned.

                (e)     All cash proceeds received by the Lender in respect of
any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the
Collateral may, in the discretion of the Lender, be held by the Lender as
collateral for, or then or at any time thereafter applied in whole or in part
by the Lender against, all or any part of the Obligations in such order as the
Lender shall elect. Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by the
Lender and remaining after the full and final payment of all the Obligations
shall be paid over to the Borrower or to such other Person to which the Lender
may be required under applicable law, or directed by a court of competent
jurisdiction, to make payment of such surplus.

        SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

                SECTION 9.1.    NOTICES. Except as otherwise provided herein,
all notices, approvals, consents, correspondence, or other communications
required or desired to be given hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
delivered by overnight courier, hand delivery, or certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, if to the Lender, then to Transamerica Technology Finance
Division, 76 Batterson Park Road, Farmington, Connecticut 06032, Attention:
Assistant Vice President, Lease Administration, with a copy to the Lender at
Riverway II, West Office Tower, 9399 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, Illinois
60018, Attention: Legal Department, and if to the Borrower, then to Third Wave
Technologies, Inc., 502 South Rosa Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53719-1256,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer and Secretary or such other address as shall
be designated by the Borrower or the Lender to the other party in accordance
herewith. All such notices and correspondence shall be effective when received.

                SECTION 9.2     HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are
for purposes of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction
of any provision of this Agreement.

                SECTION 9.3.    ASSIGNMENTS. The Borrower shall not have the
right to assign any Note or this Agreement or any interest therein unless the
Lender shall have given the Borrower prior written consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed and the Borrower and its assignee shall have
delivered assignment documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the
Lender in its good faith business judgment. The Lender may assign its rights and
delegate its obligations under any Note or this Agreement.



                                       11

<PAGE>   12


                SECTION 9.4.    AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, AND CONSENTS. Any
amendment, waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any consent to any
departure by the Borrower from any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective only by a writing signed by the Lender and Borrower and shall bind and
benefit the Borrower and the Lender and their respective successors and assigns,
subject, in the case of the Borrower, to the first sentence of Section 9.3.

                SECTION 9.5.    INTERPRETATION OF AGREEMENT. Time is of the
essence in each provision of this Agreement of which time is an element. All
terms not defined herein or in a Note shall have the meaning set forth in the
applicable Code, except where the context otherwise requires. To the extent a
term or provision of this Agreement conflicts with any Note, or any term or
provision thereof, and is not dealt with herein with more specificity, this
Agreement shall control with respect to the subject matter of such term or
provision. Acceptance of or acquiescence in a course of performance rendered
under this Agreement shall not be relevant in determining the meaning of this
Agreement even though the accepting or acquiescing party had knowledge of the
nature of the performance and opportunity for objection.

                SECTION 9.6.    CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST. This Agreement
shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (i)
remain in full force and effect until the indefeasible payment in full of the
Obligations, (ii) be binding upon the Borrower and its successors and assigns
and (iii) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Lender hereunder,
to the benefit of the Lender and its successors, transferees, and assigns.

                SECTION 9.7.    REINSTATEMENT. To the extent permitted by law,
this Agreement and the rights and powers granted to the Lender hereunder and
under the Loan Documents shall continue to be effective or be reinstated if at
any time any amount received by the Lender in respect of the Obligations is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Lender upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, or reorganization of the
Borrower or upon the appointment of any receiver, intervenor, conservator,
trustee, or similar official for the Borrower or any substantial part of its
assets, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

                SECTION 9.8.    SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. All representations,
warranties, and covenants of the Borrower contained herein shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, and shall terminate only upon the
full and final payment and performance by the Borrower of the Obligations
secured hereby.

                SECTION 9.9.    INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrower agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Lender and its directors, officers, agents,
employees, and counsel from and against any and all costs, expenses, claims, or
liability incurred by the Lender or such Person hereunder and under any other
Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, unless such claim or
liability shall be due to willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of
the Lender or such Person. In the event Lender intends to claim indemnification
under this Section 9.9, the Lender will (i) notify Borrower of such claim; (ii)
allow Borrower and its counsel to be involved in and participate in the
settlement of litigation of such claim, provided it does not in anyway
jeopardize or compromise Lender's position or rights in anyway; and (iii)
Lender shall reasonably cooperate with Borrower's request for information in
connection therewith. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Lender's
failure to do (i) - (iii) above, after using its good faith efforts, shall not
in any way compromise or make invalid or unenforceable the indemnification
provisions provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents.

                SECTION 9.10. COUNTERPARTS; TELECOPIED SIGNATURES. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but both of which shall together constitute one
and the same instrument. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents
and any notices given in connection herewith or therewith may be executed and
delivered by telecopier or other facsimile transmission all with the same force
and effect as if the same was a fully executed and delivered original manual
counterpart.

                SECTION 9.11.   SEVERABILITY. In case any provision in or
obligation under this



                                       12

<PAGE>   13
Agreement or any Note or any other Loan Document shall be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation
in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

                SECTION 9.12.   DELAYS; PARTIAL EXERCISE OF REMEDIES. No delay
or omission of the Lender to exercise any right or remedy hereunder, whether
before or after the happening of any Event of Default, shall impair any such
right or shall operate as a waiver thereof or as a waiver of any such Event of
Default. No single or partial exercise by the Lender of any right or remedy
shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or preclude any other
right or remedy.

                SECTION 9.13.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Borrower and the Lender
agree that this Agreement, the Schedule hereto, and the Commitment Letter are
the complete and exclusive statement and agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all proposals and prior
agreements, oral or written, and all other communications between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof. Should there exist any inconsistency
between the terms of the Commitment Letter and this Agreement, the terms of this
Agreement shall prevail.

                SECTION 9.14.   SETOFF. In addition to and not in limitation of
all rights of offset that the Lender may have under Applicable Law, and whether
or not the Lender has made any demand or the Obligations of the Borrower have
matured, the Lender shall have the right to appropriate and apply to the
payment of the Obligations of the Borrower all deposits and other obligations
then or thereafter owing by the Lender to or for the credit or the account of
the Borrower.

                SECTION 9.15.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER AND THE
LENDER IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING,
OR COUNTERCLAIM, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

                SECTION 9.16.   GOVERNING LAW. THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION,
AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

                SECTION 9.17.   VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE
BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS SITUATED IN COOK COUNTY, OR OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, AND, BY
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE BORROWER HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF
AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION
OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, IN CONNECTION
WITH ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING, (a) ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF
FORUM AND NON CONVENIENS, THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF
ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS AND (b) THE
RIGHT TO INTERPOSE ANY NONCOMPULSORY SETOFF, COUNTERCLAIM, OR CROSS-CLAIM. THE
BORROWER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE
AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES
THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT
THE ADDRESS FOR IT SPECIFIED IN SECTION 9.1 HEREOF. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT
THE RIGHT OF THE LENDER TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW
OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE BORROWER IN
ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, SUBJECT IN EACH INSTANCE TO THE PROVISIONS HEREOF WITH
RESPECT TO RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.



                                       13
<PAGE>   14
                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Borrower has caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its proper and duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.


                                        THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


                                    By: /s/ DAVID C. SNEIDER
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Name:  David C. Sneider
                                       Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
                                       Federal Tax ID: 39-1791034

Accepted as of the
22 day of June, 1999


TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

By: /s/ GARY P. MORO
   ------------------------------------
   Name:  GARY P. MORO
   Title: SVP-CREDIT



                                       14

<PAGE>   15
                                PROMISSORY NOTE

                                                             Date: June 29, 1999

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned promises to pay to the order of
Transamerica Business Credit Corporation or its assigns (the "Payee") at its
office located at Riverway II, West Office Tower, 9399 West Higgins road,
Rosemont, Illinois 60018, or at such other place as the Payee or the holder
hereof may designate in writing, the principal amount of Five Hundred Twenty
Nine Thousand, Two Hundred Fifty Four and 15/100 Dollars ($529,254.15) received
by the undersigned, plus interest, in lawful money of the United States and in
immediately available funds. This Note shall be payable commencing with a first
installment of Fifteen Thousand, Four Hundred Eighty-Three and 70/100 Dollars
($15,483.70) payable on the date hereof and thereafter in 41 consecutive equal
monthly installments of Fourteen Thousand, Five Hundred Fifteen and 90/100
Dollars ($14,515.90) commencing August 1, 1999 and a final installment payable
on January 1, 2003 of Fifty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred Twenty Five and 42/100
Dollars ($52,925.42) together with the unpaid balance of the Note. No amount of
principal paid or prepaid hereunder may be reborrowed.

     This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Master Loan and Security
Agreement dated as of June 22, 1999 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Agreement"), between the undersigned and the
Payee and is subject and entitled to all provisions and benefits thereof.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth
in the Agreement.

     If any installment of this Note is not paid within five days after its due
date, the undersigned agrees to pay on demand, in addition to the amount of such
installment, an amount equal to 5% of such installment, but only to the extent
permitted by Applicable Law.

     The undersigned shall have the right to prepay this Note at any time on or
after August 1, 2000, on thirty days' prior written notice to the Payee. On the
date of any such prepayment, the undersigned shall pay an amount equal to the
present value of the remaining payments (principal and interest) due hereunder
discounted at 6% simple interest per annum, together with all interest, fees
and other amounts payable on the amount so prepaid or in connection therewith to
the date of such prepayment. Any prepayments shall be applied to the
installments hereof in the inverse order of maturity.

     Upon the maturity of this Note, the entire unpaid principal amount on this
Note, together with all interest, fees and other amounts payable hereon or in
connection herewith, shall be immediately due and payable without further
notice or demand, with interest on all such amounts at a rate not to exceed the
lawful limit, from the date of such maturity or acceleration, as the case may
be, until all such amounts have been paid. Upon default or the acceleration of
the maturity of this Note in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, the
entire unpaid principal amount on this Note, together with all interest, fees,
prepayment fees and charges in an amount equal to the present value of the
remaining payments (principal and interest) due hereunder discounted at 6%
simple interest per annum and other amounts payable hereon or in connection
herewith, shall be immediately due and payable without further notice or
demand, with interest on all such amounts at a rate not to exceed the lawful
limit, from the date of such maturity, default or acceleration, as the case
may be, until all such amounts have been paid.

     If any payment on this Note becomes payable on a day other than a Business
Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.

     The undersigned hereby waives diligence, demand, presentment, protest and
notice of any kind, and assents to extensions of the time of payment, release,
surrender or substitution of security, or forbearance or
<PAGE>   16
other indulgence, without notice. The undersigned agrees to pay all amounts
under this Note without offset, deduction, claim, counterclaim, defense or
recoupment, all of which are hereby waived.

     The Payee, the undersigned and any other parties to the Loan Documents
intend to contract in strict compliance with applicable usury law from time to
time in effect. In furtherance thereof such Persons stipulate and agree that
none of the terms and provisions contained in the Loan Documents shall ever be
construed to create a contract to pay, for the use, forbearance or detention of
money, interest in excess of the maximum amount of interest permitted to be
charged by Applicable Law from time to time in effect. Neither the undersigned
nor any present or future guarantors, endorsers, or other Persons hereafter
becoming liable for payment of any Obligation shall ever be liable for unearned
interest thereon or shall ever be required to pay interest thereon in excess of
the maximum amount that may be lawfully charged under Applicable Law from time
to time in effect, and the provisions of this paragraph shall control over all
other provisions of the Loan Documents which may be in conflict or apparent
conflict herewith. The Payee expressly disavows any intention to charge or
collect excessive unearned interest or finance charges in the event the
maturity of any Obligation is accelerated. If (a) the maturity of any
Obligation is accelerated for any reason, (b) any Obligation is prepaid and as
a result any amounts held to constitute interest are determined to be in excess
of the legal maximum, or (c) the Payee or any other holder of any or all of the
Obligations shall otherwise collect amounts which are determined to constitute
interest which would otherwise increase the interest on any or all of the
Obligations to an amount in excess of that permitted to be charged by
Applicable Law then in effect, then all sums determined to constitute
interest in excess of such legal limit shall, without penalty, be promptly
applied to reduce the then outstanding principal of the related Obligations or,
at the Payee's or such holder's option, promptly returned to the undersigned
upon such determination. In determining whether or not the interest paid or
payable, under any specific circumstance, exceeds the maximum amount permitted
under Applicable Law, the Payee and the undersigned (and any other payors
thereof) shall to the greatest extent permitted under Applicable Law, (i)
characterize any non-principal payment as an expense, fee or premium rather
than as interest, (ii) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof,
and (iii) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread the total amount of interest
through the entire contemplated term of this Note in accordance with the amount
outstanding from time to time thereunder and the maximum legal rate of interest
from time to time in effect under Applicable Law in order to lawfully charge
the maximum amount of interest permitted under Applicable Law.

     This Note may not be changed, modified or terminated orally, but only by
an agreement in writing signed by the undersigned and the Payee or any holder
hereof.

     The undersigned shall, upon demand, pay to the Payee all costs and
expenses incurred by the Payee (including the fees and disbursements of counsel
and other professionals) in connection with the preparation, execution and
delivery of this Note and all other Loan Documents, and in connection with the
administration, modification and amendment of the Loan Documents, and pay to the
Payee all costs and expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel
and other professionals) paid or incurred by the Payee in (A) enforcing or
defending its rights under or in respect of this Note or any of the other Loan
Documents, (B) collecting any of the liabilities by the undersigned to the Payee
or otherwise administering the Loan Documents, (C) foreclosing or otherwise
collecting upon any collateral and (D) obtaining any legal, accounting or other
advice in connection with any of the foregoing.

     This Note shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
undersigned and inure to the benefit of the Payee and its successors, endorsees
and assigns. If any term or provision of this Note shall be held invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity of all other terms and provisions hereof
shall in no way be affected thereby.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   17
     EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE PAYEE HEREBY
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY
DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH DISPUTE
SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

     THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF
LAW.

                                                 THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                                 By: /s/ LANCE FORS
                                                    --------------------------
                                                  Name:  Lance Fors
                                                  Title: President & CEO

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   18
                                                               CUSTOMER NO. 1299
                           FIRST AMENDMENT TO MASTER
                          LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


            THIS FIRST AMENDMENT to MASTER LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the
"Amendment"), dated as of September __, 1999, by and between Third Wave
Technologies, Inc. (the "Borrower"), a Wisconsin Corporation, having its
principal place of business and chief executive office at 502 South Rosa Road,
Madison, Wisconsin, 53719-1256, and TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION
(the "Lender"), a Delaware Corporation, having its principal office at Riverway
II, West Office Tower, 9399 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, Illinois, 60018.


                                  WITNESSETH:

            WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Lender are parties to a Master Loan
and Security Agreement, dated as of June 22, 1999 (as amended, the "Loan
Agreement"; capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in the Loan Agreement unless otherwise defined herein); and

            WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Loan Agreement in
the manner set forth herein.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the Borrower and Lender hereby agree as follows:

            1. AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT. Effective as of the date this
Amendment is fully executed by the Lender and Borrower hereof, and subject to
the satisfaction of the Borrower of conditions as determined by Lender, the Loan
Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

                        (a) Section 3.1, titled "Borrowings", is hereby deleted
in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

                        SECTION 3.1. BORROWINGS. Each Loan shall be in an amount
not less than $50,000, and in no event shall the sum of the aggregate Loans made
exceed the amount of the Lender's written commitment to the Borrower in effect
from time to time. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Lender
shall be obligated to make the initial Loan and each other Loan only after the
Lender, in its sole discretion, determines that the applicable conditions for
borrowing contained in Sections 3.3 and 3.4 are satisfied. The timing and
financial scope of Lender's obligation to make Loans hereunder are limited as
set forth in commitment letters executed by Lender and Borrower, dated as of May
17, 1999 and August 24, 1999 and attached hereto as Exhibit A and Exhibit B
(collectively the "Commitment Letters").

            2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER. The Borrower
represents and warrants as follows:

                        (a) Since June 22, 1999, there has occurred no
development, event or change that has had or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                        (b) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.

                        (c) The representations and warranties of such Borrower
contained in Section 4.1 of the Loan Agreement are true and correct in all
material respects on the date hereof as though made on and as of the date


                                      -1-
<PAGE>   19
hereof, except to the extent that such representation and warranties expressly
relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and
warranties were true and correct on and as of such earlier date).

               (d)  This Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of such Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with
its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and
other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles of
equity.

          3.   EXPENSES. The Borrower shall pay for all of the reasonable costs
and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel to the Lender.

          4.   MISCELLANEOUS.

               (a)  Except as expressly amended herein, all of the terms and
provisions of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are ratified and
confirmed in all respects and shall remain in full force and effect.

               (b)  Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, all references in
the Loan Documents to the Loan Agreement shall mean the Loan Agreement as
amended by this Amendment and all references in the Loan Agreement to the "this
Agreement", "hereof", "herein", or similar terms, shall mean and refer to the
Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

               (c)  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment
shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as an amendment to or
waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lender under any of the Loan
Documents, or constitute an amendment or waiver of any provision of any of the
Loan Documents.

               (d)  This Amendment may be executed by the parties hereto
individually or in combination, in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
This Amendment may be executed and delivered by telecopier with the same force
and effect as if the same were a fully executed and delivered original manual
counterpart.

               (e)  This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document.

          5.   GOVERNING LAW. THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF
THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.






                                      -2-
<PAGE>   20

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly
executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the
date first above written.

                                        BORROWER

                                        THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


                                        By: /s/ DAVID C. SNEIDER
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Name:  David C. Sneider
                                            Title: Secretary
                                        Hereunto Duly Authorized


                                        LENDER

                                        TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT
                                        CORPORATION


                                        By: /s/ GARY P. MORO
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Name:  Gary P. Moro
                                            Title: Senior Vice President
                                        Hereunto Duly Authorized









                                      -3-