<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit 10.2


                                  SENOMYX, INC.

                        EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

                            AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT


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

1.       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, mask works,
ideas, processes, formulas, source and object codes, data, programs, 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and selling, business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements,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


                                       1.
<PAGE>

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
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 Company 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

                                       2.
<PAGE>


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.

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


                                       3.
<PAGE>

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 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: _______________, ____.

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

Dated:
       -------------


----------------------------------------
(SIGNATURE)


----------------------------------------
(PRINTED NAME)


ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

SENOMYX, INC.


By:
   -------------------------------------

Title:
      ----------------------------------


----------------------------------------
(Address)


----------------------------------------

Dated:
      ----------------------------------


                                       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:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 (PRINTED NAME OF EMPLOYEE)

                                         Date:
                                              ----------------------------------
WITNESSED BY:


----------------------------------------
(PRINTED NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE)


                                       5.
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B

TO:            SENOMYX, INC.

FROM:
               ---------------------
DATE:
               ---------------------

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 SENOMYX, INC. (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:


         / /       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):

         INVENTION OR IMPROVEMENT   PARTY(IES)            RELATIONSHIP

1.
         ------------------------   -------------         ----------------------
2.
         ------------------------   -------------         ----------------------
3.
         ------------------------   -------------         ----------------------

/ /  Additional sheets attached.


                                       6.