<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

July 1, 1998



Cynthia M. Butitta
117 Madera Court
Los Gatos, CA 95032

Dear Cindy:

Telik, Inc. is pleased to offer you the part time position of Chief Financial
Officer, reporting to Dr. Michael Wick.  Your salary will be $10,000 per month
for the first six months of your employment, at which time it will be subject to
review.

We are also pleased to offer you an option to purchase 96,000 shares of Telik
stock subject to the formal approval by the Board of Directors of the Company,
at a price to be established at the next Board of Directors meeting following
your date of hire.  The vesting of the Option will provide that 6,000 shares
will vest on a monthly basis over the following 16 months.  The total option
term will be ten years from the date of your grant.  The other provisions of the
Plan will be contained in the Stock Option Agreement to be entered into after
the Option is approved by the Board.

Telik offers company sponsored health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and
life/accidental death & dismemberment insurance.  The cost to you for this
insurance is $5 per month for you alone, and $100 per month for you and
spouse/dependent coverage.  You will be eligible for these benefits on the first
day of the month following your date of hire.  You will be covered for worker's
compensation insurance effective your first day of employment.  You will also be
eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement program beginning the first day
of the month following your hire date.  Telik offers 12 paid holidays per year.
Vacation for corporate officers is accrued at the rate of 15 days per year.

This offer is conditioned upon the execution of the enclosed Confidentiality
Agreement.  If you accept this offer, the terms described in this letter shall
be the terms of your employment.  The terms described in this letter do not
imply an employment contract for a specified period of time.  Employment at
Telik, Inc. is at will.  Either you or the Company may terminate your employment
at any time.  This letter shall be governed by the laws of California without
giving effect to conflicts of law principles.  This offer is also conditioned
upon your ability to present evidence of identity and employment eligibility as
mandated by U.S. law.
<PAGE>

Cynthia M. Butitta
July 1, 1998
Page 2



It is agreed that during your tenure at Telik you may continue to secure
projects through AFO Capital Advisors L.L.C. which are not in direct conflict
with your responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer at Telik.

We appreciate your interest in Telik, Inc. and look forward to your joining us
on (date).  Please sign and return the original copy of this letter and the
Confidentiality Agreement to indicate your acceptance of our offer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (650) 238-3325.

Sincerely,



Janice L. Braun
Senior Director, Human Resources


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I have read, understand, and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of
employment.  I further understand that while my salary, benefits, job title, and
job duties may change from time to time without a written modification of this
Agreement, such changes will not affect the validity of this Agreement or my
right or the Company's right to terminate my employment.


/s/ Cynthia Butitta
-------------------------------               ---------------------
Signature                                     Date


--------------------------------
Printed Name