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                                                                    Exhibit 10.8

                             Collaboration Agreement

                                 by and between

Bruker-Franzen Analytik GmbH
Fahrenheitstr.4
28359 Bremen
                       hereinafter referred to as 'Bruker'

and

Sequenom Instruments GmbH
Mendelssohnstr. 15 D
22761 Hamburg
                      hereinafter referred to as 'Sequenom'

                                November 24, 1997

Preamble

(1)   Bruker-Franzen Analytik develops and manufactures mass spectrometers and
      supplies such instruments on a worldwide scale.

      Bruker-Franzen Analytik has exclusive intellectual property rights and
      know-how, covering

      o     MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer technology
      o     Pulsed Ion Extraction
      o     Multi-Target Acquisition
      o     Postprocessing XMASS(TM) software

      Bruker-Franzen Analytik maintains an organisation appropriate for the
      manufacture, marketing and customer service with regard to such mass
      spectrometers.

(2)   Sequenom has exclusive intellectual property rights and know-how, covering
      Sequenom's DNA MassArray(TM) technology basis and comprising

      o     Sample preparation and sample conditioning of nucleic acids,
            optimized for MS separation and detection
      o     DNA analysis application formats specifically designed for MS
            analysis (BiomassSIZE(TM), BiomassSCAN(TM), BiomassPROBE(TM),
            BiomassSEQUENCE(TM), BiomassINDEX(TM))
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      o     Parallel processing features, applying DNA chips (SpectroChip(TM))
            and multiplexing
      o     Separation and detection of nucleic acids by MS, incl. analytical
            and diagnostic applications.

(3)   The parties intend to establish a broad relationship focusing on nucleic
      acid analysis by mass spectrometry subject to the experience within this
      Collaboration.

Collaboration

(1)   Bruker-Franzen and Sequenom intend to collaborate in the manufacture and
      marketing of and in the provision of customer service for 2D-array
      MADI-TOF mass spectrometers designed to process Sequenom's
      SpectroChips(TM) (the 'Mass Spectrometer') under a joint Bruker-Franzen -
      Sequenom logo.

      The Mass Spectrometer will be made available as stand-alone instrument and
      will be integrated by Sequenom in collaboration with highly qualified
      instrument manufacturers in the area of microliter and nanoliter liquid
      handling, mass spectrometry and system integration in modular analytical
      lines (the 'Modular System'), comprising automatic liquid handling
      modules, DNA amplification and sequencing modules, sample-to-chip transfer
      modules and controlling and data management units. The Modular System will
      be designed to run applications of Sequenom's DNA MassArray(TM) software.

(2)   Bruker-Franzen will design and manufacture the Mass Spectrometer, meeting
      the specifications required for use in the DNA MassArray(TM) process and
      dedicated and appropriate to process Sequenom's SpectroChips(TM),
      including the XY-stage component and signal acquisition software. The
      parties will mutually agree on specifications for the Mass Spectrometer
      and the SpectroChip(TM). Bruker will make available to Sequenom the
      complete details of the interface, including software protocols and time
      behavior, enabling Sequenom to develop the specific application DNA
      MassArray(TM) software.

(3)   The Mass Spectrometer will be available by June 30, 1998.

(4)   Bruker-Franzen and Sequenom will promote the Mass Spectrometer under a
      joint label. The procedure will be defined on a case-by-case basis.

(5)   Bruker-Franzen will market and provide service for the Mass Spectrometer
      on a world-wide scale and under the name of Bruker-Franzen and Sequenom.

(6)   Sequenom will provide nucleic acid analysis services to customers and to
      corporate partners using DNA MassArray(TM)'

      Sequenom will provide DNA MassArray(TM) application development, including
      necessary software, to Mass Spectrometry users.
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      Sequenom will develop, manufacture and market SpectroChips(TM) for
      whatever applications.

Business Terms

(1)   Bruker-Franzen will supply the Mass Spectrometer to the market at a
      competitive market price (the 'Market Price').

(2)   Sequenom maintains the option to purchase from Bruker-Franzen the Mass
      Spectrometer at a reduced price (the 'Supply Price').

      The Supply Price will be calculated by deducting [*](1) from the Market
      Price, referring to the basic instrument, in the respective country of
      instrument delivery.

(3)   Bruker-Franzen Analytik will provide one Mass Spectrometer to Sequenom,
      Hamburg as (beta) test site by June 30, 1998 without payment.

      Initially, a prototype instrument equipped for handling of a single
      SpectroChip(TM) will be supplied by March 30, 1998. The Modular System in
      Hamburg will be used as demonstration and test site by both parties.

      A second Mass Spectrometer will be supplied to Sequenom, San Diego, the
      price being the Supply Price, by June 30, 1998.

(4)   The Mass Spectrometer will be locked by appropriate hardware and software
      features for the exclusive processing of Sequenom's SpectroChip(TM).

Timelines

(1)   The Collaboration Agreement will come into force with the date of
      signature.

(2)   The Collaboration Agreement may be terminated by either party at 12 months
      notice; such first notice of termination may, however, not be given
      earlier than 30 Dec. 1999.


Date:  December 4, 1997                   Date:  December 4, 1997
     ---------------------------               -------------------------
Bruker-Franzen                      Sequenom

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(1) [*] Indicates information has been omitted and separately filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to an application for an order
declaring confidential treatment thereof.
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/s/  Dr. Franzen                    /s/ Hubert Koster

/s/  H.J. Baum