Document:

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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered into
as of January 1, 2001 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE"), by and between QUIDEL CORPORATION,
a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and S. WAYNE KAY, an individual ("KAY").

         1.       EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby engages Kay as its President
and Chief Operating Officer and Kay accepts such employment upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         2.       DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Kay will report directly to the
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Kay shall be responsible for
operational leadership to include direct responsibility for Commercial
Operations and Product Development and Supply Operations. In this capacity, the
Sr. Vice President, Commercial Operations and Sr. Vice President, Product
Development and Supply will report directly to Kay. In addition, Kay shall
perform such other duties and functions consistent with his role and position as
may from time to time be assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer. Kay
agrees that during the course of his employment, he will devote substantially
all of his business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties
and obligations hereunder. In addition, Kay will be nominated for election to
join the Board of Directors of the Company at the May 2001 Annual Shareholders
meeting. In addition Kay will be considered for promotion to the President/CEO
position with the Company within six to twelve months after his initial
employment date. The promotion will be decided at the sole discretion of the
Board of Directors. Kay shall not, without the prior written approval of the
Chief Executive Officer, and obtained in each instance, directly or indirectly
(i) accept employment or receive any compensation for the performance of
services from any business enterprise other than the Company or (ii) enter into
or be concerned or interested in any trade or business or public or private work
(whether for profit or otherwise and whether as partner, principal, shareholder
or otherwise), which may, in the reasonable discretion of the Board, hinder or
otherwise interfere with the performance by Kay of his duties and obligations
hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Kay may serve on the board of directors of up
to three organizations of his choice, and he may participate in and hold
positions of responsibility with industry associations and organizations so long
as such commitments do not unreasonably interfere with Kay's duties and
responsibilities to the Company and the Board of Directors does not object to
Kay's directorship based upon reasonable concerns relating to the nature of the
company in question or its business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in
this Agreement shall prohibit Kay from becoming involved or engaged in
charitable and civic activities, or from acting as an officer, director or
manager of family trusts and partnerships.

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         3.       COMPENSATION.

                  (a)      SALARY. For all services to be rendered by Kay under
this Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Kay, beginning on a date to be
mutually agreed upon (but no later than the commencement of performance of his
duties under this Agreement), a salary (the "Base Salary") equal to Three
Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($325,000) per year, payable in the
Company's normal payroll cycle, less all amounts required by law to be withheld
or deducted. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall review
Kay's Base Salary on or before the earliest of his promotion to Chief Executive
Officer or May 2001 and yearly thereafter. The Compensation Committee, in its
sole and absolute discretion from time to time, may increase (but not decrease
without Kay's prior written consent) Kay's Base Salary.

                           (i)      Kay is eligible to receive a cash
                                    performance bonus, to be paid each year at
                                    the same time bonuses are generally paid to
                                    other senior executives of the Company for
                                    the relevant fiscal year (but not later than
                                    April 30) of up to 35% of Kay's Base Salary,
                                    as may be determined by the Compensation
                                    Committee of the Board of Directors.
                                    Calculation and payment of the bonus is
                                    subject to the terms of any bonus plan and
                                    achievement of the goals set from year to
                                    year by the CEO and Board of Directors for
                                    the relevant fiscal year. The initial goals
                                    for Kay's first year of employment are set
                                    forth in Exhibit A attached to this
                                    Agreement.

                           (ii)     Kay will be reimbursed for attorneys' fees
                                    and costs incurred in connection with the
                                    review and negotiation of this employment
                                    and related agreements between Kay and the
                                    Company, not to exceed $10,000.

                  (b)      STOCK OPTIONS.

         The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has
granted Kay Nonqualified Stock Options to purchase up to 375,000 shares of
Common Stock of the Company under the terms and conditions set forth in that
certain Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit B) executed by the Company and Kay
concurrently with this Agreement. If and at such time as the Company elects Kay
as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company will grant Kay
Nonqualified Stock Options to purchase up to an additional 125,000 shares of
Common Stock of the Company under substantially the same terms as the Stock
Option Agreement executed concurrently with this Agreement, and otherwise in
accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan in effect at the time of the
promotion. The exercise price of the Options shall be the fair market value of
such shares at the time of the promotion.

                  (c)      BENEFITS.

         During the Term of Kay's employment hereunder:

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                           (i)      Kay shall be entitled to four weeks paid
                                    annual vacation leave consistent with the
                                    Company's policies for other senior
                                    executives of the Company.

                           (ii)     Kay will be eligible to participate in the
                                    Company's 401(k) benefit program which
                                    provides for matching of 25% of the first 6%
                                    contributed by the employee. All applicable
                                    401(k) rules and regulations apply for
                                    contributions made by employees.

                           (iii)    The Company shall pay or reimburse Kay for
                                    all reasonable and necessary travel and
                                    other business expenses incurred or paid by
                                    Kay in connection with the performance of
                                    his services under this Agreement consistent
                                    with the Company's policies for other senior
                                    executives of the Company as approved by the
                                    Compensation Committee.

                           (iv)     Upon the commencement of Kay's employment,
                                    the Company shall provide and pay for the
                                    annual cost of premiums for health, dental
                                    and medical insurance coverage for Kay and
                                    Kay's dependents consistent with the
                                    coverage generally made available by the
                                    Company to senior executives of the Company.
                                    The Company agrees to pay directly or
                                    reimburse Kay for continuation coverage
                                    under COBRA for Kay and his covered
                                    dependents under Kay's current health plan
                                    from his former employer during the
                                    relocation of his household, not to exceed
                                    four (4) months.

                           (v)      In addition to the benefits set forth above,
                                    Kay shall be entitled to participate in any
                                    other policies, programs and benefits which
                                    the Compensation Committee may, in its sole
                                    and absolute discretion, make generally
                                    available to its other senior executives
                                    from time to time including, but not limited
                                    to, life insurance, disability insurance,
                                    pension and retirement plans, stock plans,
                                    cash and/or other bonus programs, and other
                                    similar programs. The Company will provide
                                    Kay with a laptop computer and cell phone
                                    for Kay's business use

         4.       RELOCATION: Kay will be reimbursed for all relocation expenses
and receive certain additional benefits in connection with his relocation
pursuant to the Company Relocation Policy (attached to this Agreement as Exhibit
C and incorporated in this Agreement by reference).

         5.       AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. The Company and Kay acknowledge and agree
that Kay's employment by the Company is expressly "at will" and not for a
specified term. This means that either party may terminate Kay's employment at
any time for any

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reason, with or without cause. Any termination of Kay's employment is, however,
subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

         6.       SEVERANCE.

                  (a)      DEATH OR DISABILITY OF KAY. This Agreement and Kay's
employment hereunder shall automatically terminate upon Kay's death or, at the
option of the Company by written notice to Kay, upon Kay's Disability.
"Disability" shall mean the disability of Kay, within the meaning of subsection
22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and where Kay is
unable to work and remains continuously so totally disabled for a period of one
hundred and eighty (180) days. Such termination shall take effect the last day
of the month following the date of death or the date such notice of termination
for Kay's Disability is given. Kay's compensation and other benefits shall
continue during the term of the disability through the effective date of
termination as set forth above.

                  (b)      TERMINATION BY COMPANY FOR CAUSE.

                           (i)      DEFINITION OF CAUSE. For purposes of this
                                    Agreement "Cause" shall be limited to the
                                    following: (1) fraud; (2) personal
                                    dishonesty involving money or property of
                                    the Company or that results in material harm
                                    to the Company; (3) Kay's willful
                                    misconduct; (4) a serious breach of a
                                    fiduciary duty to the Company involving
                                    personal profit; (5) Kay's conviction for a
                                    felony (including via a guilty or NOLO
                                    CONTENDERE plea), excluding traffic
                                    offenses; (6) Kay's willful and continued
                                    neglect of duties (other than any such
                                    failure resulting from his incapacity
                                    because of physical or mental illness); or
                                    (7) Kay's material breach of the provisions
                                    of Sections 2, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of this
                                    Agreement; provided, however, that
                                    unsatisfactory job performance shall not be
                                    considered Cause for termination of Kay's
                                    employment by the Company. Kay shall be
                                    afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure
                                    any willful neglect of his duties and any
                                    other alleged material breach of this
                                    Agreement according to the following terms.
                                    The Company's Board of Directors shall give
                                    Kay written notice stating with reasonable
                                    specificity the nature of the circumstances
                                    determined by the Board of Directors in good
                                    faith to constitute willful neglect or other
                                    material breach, and that failure to cure or
                                    correct such circumstances or breach will
                                    result in termination of employment for
                                    "Cause" under this Agreement. Kay shall have
                                    thirty (30) days from his receipt of such
                                    notice to cure such circumstances or such
                                    breach if such breach is reasonably
                                    susceptible of cure. If, in the reasonable
                                    good faith judgment of the Board of
                                    Directors, the alleged breach is not
                                    reasonably susceptible of cure, or such
                                    circumstances

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                                    or material breach has not been
                                    satisfactorily cured within such thirty (30)
                                    day period, such neglect of duties or
                                    material breach shall thereupon constitute
                                    "Cause."

                           (ii)     PROCEDURE UPON TERMINATION BY COMPANY FOR
                                    CAUSE. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                                    termination by the Company for Cause shall
                                    not be effective until and unless (1) notice
                                    of intention to terminate for Cause has been
                                    given by the Company within 90 days after
                                    the Company learns of the act, failure or
                                    event constituting "Cause" under this
                                    Section (which is not cured by Kay within
                                    any time period permitted for such cure
                                    above), and (2) the Board of Directors has
                                    voted by a majority vote to terminate Kay
                                    for Cause.

                  (c)      TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE FOR GOOD REASON.

                           (i)      DEFINITION OF GOOD REASON. Kay shall have
                                    the right to immediately terminate his
                                    employment for Good Reason. For purposes of
                                    this Section "Good Reason" shall mean the
                                    following: (1) the failure to elect and
                                    continue Kay as Chief Operating Officer (or
                                    Chief Executive Officer after he has been
                                    elected to such office) of the Company, or
                                    if the scope of Kay's duties and
                                    responsibilities are in the aggregate
                                    materially reduced; (2) a requirement by the
                                    Company or the Board that Kay be relocated
                                    to a Company office more than fifty (50)
                                    miles from the current executive offices of
                                    the Company, or the Company requiring Kay to
                                    be based anywhere other than the principal
                                    executive offices of the Company; (3) a
                                    Change of Control as defined in this Section
                                    6 occurs, unless following a Change of
                                    Control the successor organization offers to
                                    continue this Agreement for two (2) years
                                    following such Change of Control or offers
                                    Kay a two (2) year contract incorporating
                                    substantially all of the terms of this
                                    Agreement and maintaining, at least, his
                                    then current salary and benefits; (4) a
                                    material reduction in Kay's total benefit
                                    package, provided that the Company does not
                                    pay Kay an appropriate cash amount to
                                    reimburse him for the benefit reduction, or
                                    (5) a material breach by the Company of any
                                    of the terms of this Agreement if the breach
                                    is not corrected within thirty (30) days
                                    after written notice of such breach is given
                                    to the Company.

                           (ii)     PROCEDURE UPON TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE FOR
                                    GOOD REASON. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                                    termination by Kay for Good Reason shall not
                                    be effective until and unless notice of
                                    intention to terminate for Good Reason has
                                    been given by Kay within 90 days after Kay
                                    learns of the act,

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                                    failure or event constituting "Good Reason"
                                    under this Section (which is not cured by
                                    the Company within any time period permitted
                                    for such cure above).

                  (d)      SEVERANCE. If this Agreement is terminated by Kay for
Good Reason or by the Company without cause, Kay shall be entitled to receive
the following severance payments and benefits (the "Severance Benefit"):

                           (i)      continuation of his base salary, less
                                    applicable withholdings, at the salary rate
                                    in effect at the time of the termination of
                                    his employment, payable in the ordinary
                                    course of the Company's business as if Kay
                                    were remaining in the employ of the Company,
                                    for a period (the "Severance Benefit
                                    Period") of twelve (12) months from the date
                                    of termination, except that in the event
                                    that such termination occurs in connection
                                    with or within one year following a Change
                                    of Control, then Kay shall be entitled to
                                    receive (in lieu of payment of his base
                                    salary for the Severance Benefit Period) a
                                    lump sum payment equal to twelve months of
                                    his base salary and bonus for the preceding
                                    fiscal year, payable within ten (10) days
                                    following the date of such termination, and
                                    the Severance Benefit Period shall be deemed
                                    to be a period of twelve (12) months;

                           (ii)     payment of any cash performance bonus
                                    payable with respect to the fiscal year
                                    prior to the fiscal year in which
                                    termination occurs (if not previously paid),
                                    and, except in the case of a termination
                                    following a Change of Control, payment of
                                    any prorated bonus for the year in which
                                    termination occurs, which payment shall be
                                    calculated on the bonus payable or awarded
                                    for the previous fiscal year;

                           (iii)    consideration by the Board of Directors for
                                    accelerated vesting of any stock options
                                    granted to Kay;

                           (iv)     payment during the Severance Benefit Period
                                    (or until such earlier date that
                                    substantially equivalent or better benefits
                                    are provided by a successor employer) of the
                                    cost of COBRA insurance premiums for all
                                    health insurance, and the cost of life
                                    insurance and disability insurance fringe
                                    benefits on a monthly basis, in advance; and

                           (v)      in the event of a termination by the Company
                                    without cause in connection with or
                                    following a Change of Control, forgiveness
                                    of all outstanding principal and interest on
                                    the Company's home loan to Kay as referenced
                                    in the Relocation Policy (Exhibit C).

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                  (e)      DEFINITION OF CHANGE OF CONTROL. A "Change of
Control" with respect to the Company shall be deemed to have occurred at the
time of the earliest to occur of the events listed in Section 6 (Change of
Control) of the Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit B hereto), executed concurrently
with this Agreement.

         7.       INVENTIONS.

                  (a)      DISCLOSURE. Kay will disclose promptly to the Company
each Invention (as defined below), whether or not reduced to practice, that is
conceived or learned by Kay (either alone or jointly with others) during the
term of his employment by the Company. Further, Kay will disclose in confidence
to the Company all patent applications filed by or on behalf of Kay during the
term of his employment and for a period of one (1) year thereafter.

                  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Invention" includes,
without limitation, any invention, discovery, know-how, idea, trade secret,
technique, formula, machine, method, process, use, apparatus, product, device,
composition, code, design, program, confidential information, proprietary
information, or configuration of any kind, that is discovered, conceived,
developed, improved on, made or produced by Kay (alone or in conjunction with
others) during the duration of Kay's employment and for a period of one (1) year
thereafter, and which:

                           (i)      relates at the time of conception or
                                    reduction to practice of the invention, in
                                    any manner, to the business of the Company,
                                    including actual or demonstrably anticipated
                                    research or development;

                           (ii)     results from or is suggested by work
                                    performed by Kay for or on behalf of the
                                    Company; or

                           (iii)    results from the use of equipment, supplies,
                                    facilities, information, time or resources
                                    of the Company.

The term Invention will also include any improvements to an Invention, and will
not be limited to the definition of patentable or copyrightable invention as
contained in the United States patent or copyright laws.

                  (b)      COMPANY PROPERTY; ASSIGNMENT. Kay acknowledges and
agrees that all Inventions will be the sole property of the Company, including,
without limitation, all domestic and foreign patent rights, rights of
registration or other protection under the copyright laws, or other rights,
pertaining to the Inventions. Kay hereby assigns all of his right, title and
interest in any such Inventions to the Company.

                  (c)      EXCLUSION NOTICE. The assignment by Kay of Inventions
under this Agreement does not apply to any Inventions that are expressly
excluded from coverage pursuant to Section 2870 of the California Labor Code.
Accordingly, Kay is not required to assign an idea or invention for which ALL of
the following are applicable:

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                           (i)      No equipment, supplies, facility or trade
                                    secret information of the Company was used
                                    and the invention or idea was developed
                                    entirely on Kay's own time;

                           (ii)     The invention or idea does not relate to the
                                    business of the Company;

                           (iii)    The invention or idea does not relate to the
                                    Company's actual or demonstrably anticipated
                                    research or development; and

                           (iv)     The invention or idea does not result from
                                    any work performed by Kay for the Company.

As used in this SECTION 7(c), "INVENTION" will have the same meaning as
"invention" as used in Section 2870 of the California Labor Code.

                  (d)      PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS; ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. Kay agrees
to assist the Company (at the Company's expense) in any way the Company deems
necessary or appropriate from time to time to apply for, obtain and enforce
patents on, and to apply for, obtain and enforce copyright protection and
registration of, Inventions in any and all countries. To that end, Kay will (at
the Company's expense), without limitation, testify in any suit or other
proceeding involving any Invention, execute all documents that the Company
reasonably determines to be necessary or convenient for use in applying for and
obtaining patents or copyright protection and registration thereon and enforcing
same, and execute all necessary assignments thereof to the Company or parties
designated by it. Kay's obligations to assist the Company in obtaining and
enforcing patents or copyright protection and registration for Inventions will
continue beyond termination of his employment, but the Company will compensate
Kay at a reasonable rate after such termination for the time actually spent by
Kay at the Company's request on such assistance. Kay hereby irrevocably appoints
the Company, and its duly authorized officers and agents, as Kay's agent and
attorney-in-fact to act for and on behalf of Kay in filing all patent
applications, applications for copyright protection and registration amendments,
renewals, and all other appropriate documents in any way related to Inventions.

                  8.       NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Except in
the performance of his duties hereunder, Kay will not disclose to any person or
entity or use for his own direct or indirect benefit any Confidential
Information (as defined below) pertaining to the Company obtained by Kay in the
course of his employment with the Company. For purposes of this Agreement,
"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" will include all of the Company's confidential or
proprietary information, including, without limitation, any information
encompassed in all strategic plans, insurance plans, Inventions, and any trade
secrets, reports, investigations, experiments, research or developmental work,
work in progress, drawings, designs, plans, proposals, codes, marketing and
sales programs, financial data and records financial projections, cost
summaries, pricing formula, and all concepts or ideas, materials or information
related to the business,

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products or sales of the Company or the Company's customers; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that Confidential Information shall not include information, documents or data
that (i) is or subsequently becomes publicly available or generally known in the
industry without Kay's breach of any obligation of confidentiality owed to the
Company; (ii) was known to Kay prior to his original employment by the Company;
(iii) becomes known to Kay from a source other than the Company (which is not
breaching an obligation to the Company) and which Kay learns of outside the
scope of his employment with the Company; or (iv) is required to be disclosed by
law or other governmental authority.

         9.       RETURN OF MATERIALS AT TERMINATION. In the event of any
termination of Kay's employment for any reason whatsoever, Kay will promptly
deliver to the Company all documents, data, and other information pertaining to
Inventions and Confidential Information. Kay will not take with him any
documents or other information, or any reproduction or excerpt thereof,
containing or pertaining to any Inventions or Confidential Information, other
than (i) documents relating to Kay's compensation or benefits provided by the
Company, and (ii) copies of personal notes or memoranda prepared or created by
Kay in his capacity as an officer and/or director of the Company and evidencing
his fulfillment of his fiduciary duties with respect to the Company.

         10.      NON-SOLICITATION. Kay agrees that so long as he is employed by
the Company and for a period of one (1) year after termination of his employment
for any reason, he will not (a) directly or indirectly solicit, induce or
attempt to solicit or induce any Company employee to discontinue his or her
employment with the Company; (b) usurp any opportunity of the Company of which
Kay became aware during his tenure at the Company; or (c) directly or indirectly
solicit or induce or attempt to influence any person or business that is an
account, customer or client of the Company to restrict or cancel the business of
any such account, customer or client with the Company.

         11.      NO WAIVER. The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach thereof.

         12.      NOTICES. Any and all notices referred to herein will be
sufficiently furnished if in writing, and sent by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, to the respective parties at the following addresses or such
other address as either party may from time to time designate in writing:

                  To the Company:   QUIDEL CORPORATION
                                    10165 McKellar Court
                                    San Diego, CA 92121
                                    Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

                  To Kay:           S. Wayne Kay
                                    8262 Private Lane
                                    Annandale, VA 22003

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         13.      ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by Kay. This
Agreement will be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns, including
any entity that acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of
the Company.

         14.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B and the Relocation Policy attached
hereto as Exhibit C, supersedes any and all prior written or oral agreements
between Kay and the Company, and contains the entire understanding of the
parties hereto with respect to the terms and conditions of Kay's employment with
the Company.

         15.      GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be construed and enforced
in accordance with the internal laws and decisions of the State of California.

         16.      ARBITRATION. In the event of any controversy, dispute or claim
arising out of or related to this Agreement or Kay's employment by the Company,
the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an attempt to reach a mutually
acceptable settlement of such dispute. If negotiations in good faith do not
result in a settlement of any such controversy, dispute or claim, it shall be
finally settled by expedited binding arbitration, conducted in San Diego,
California, in accordance with the National Rules of the American Arbitration
Association governing employment disputes. With respect to discovery in any such
arbitration, the parties incorporate herein by reference Section 1283.05 of the
California Code of Civil Procedure.

         17.      AUTHORIZATION. The undersigned officer of the Company
represents that he is fully authorized and empowered to execute and deliver this
Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the Company represents and warrants that
all necessary corporate action has been taken to approve and authorize the
Company's entry into and performance of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, as of the
Effective Date.

                                     QUIDEL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation

                                     By: /s/ Andre DeBruin
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                     Printed Name: Andre DeBruin
                                                  -----------------------------
                                     Title: President & CEO
                                           ------------------------------------

                                             for the Compensation Committee

                                               /s/ S. Wayne Kay
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                   S. Wayne Kay

                                      10<Page>

                               QUIDEL CORPORATION

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

         THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made effective as of
August 13, 2001 (the "GRANT DATE"), by and between QUIDEL CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and S. WAYNE KAY ("OPTIONEE").

         A.       Concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Company and Optionee have entered into that certain Amendment #1 to
Employment Agreement pertaining to Optionee's appointment to the office of Chief
Executive Officer.

         B.       As a part of Optionee's appointment, and effective the Grant
Date, the Company has granted to Optionee, pursuant to the Company's 2001 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "PLAN"), a nonstatutory stock option (the "OPTION") to
purchase shares of the common stock of the Company (the "COMMON STOCK") on the
terms and conditions set forth herein. This Agreement is intended to memorialize
the terms and conditions upon which the Committee granted the Option to
Optionee.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

         1. GRANT OF OPTION. Optionee may, at Optionee's election and
upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, purchase all or any part of an
aggregate of 125,000 shares of Common Stock (the "OPTIONED SHARES") at the price
per share equal to $5.20 (the "OPTION PRICE"). The Option Price equals the
closing price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the
Grant Date.

         2.       VESTING SCHEDULE.

                  The Option shall vest and become exercisable cumulatively as
to 31,250 of the Optioned Shares on the first anniversary of the Grant Date. The
balance of the Optioned Shares shall vest at the rate of 8-1/3% (i.e., 7,812.50
shares) for each full calendar quarter following the first anniversary of the
Grant Date.

         3.       EXERCISE OF OPTION.

                  (a)      EXTENT OF EXERCISE. The Option may be exercised at
the time or after installments vest as specified in Section 2 with respect to
all or part of the Optioned Shares covered by such vested installments, subject
to the further restrictions contained in this Agreement. In the event that
Optionee exercises the Option for less than the full number of Optioned Shares
included within a vested installment, Optionee shall be entitled to exercise the
Option (in one or more subsequent increments) for the balance of the Optioned
Shares included in said vested installment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event
shall Optionee be entitled to

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exercise the Option for fractional shares of Common Stock or for a number of
shares exceeding the maximum number of Optioned Shares.

                  (b)      PROCEDURE. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised
when the Secretary of the Company receives written notice of exercise from or on
behalf of Optionee, together with payment of the Option Price and any amounts
required under Section 3(c). The Option Price shall be payable upon exercise in
(i) legal tender of the United States; (ii) capital stock of the Company
delivered in transfer to the Company by or on behalf of Optionee, duly endorsed
in blank or accompanied by stock powers duly endorsed in blank, with signatures
guaranteed in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), if required by the Company (valued at fair market value as
of the exercise date); or (iii) such other consideration as the Company may deem
acceptable in any particular instance; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company may,
in its discretion, (x) allow exercise of the Option in a broker-assisted or
similar transaction in which the Option Price is not received by the Company
until promptly after exercise, and/or (y) loan the Option Price to Optionee, if
the exercise will be followed by a prompt sale of some or all of the Optioned
Shares and a portion of the sales proceeds is dedicated to full payment of the
Option Price and amounts required pursuant to Section 3(c).

                  (c)      WITHHOLDING TAXES. Whenever shares of Common Stock
are to be issued upon exercise of the Option, the Company shall have the right
to require Optionee to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any
federal, state and local withholding tax requirements prior to such issuance.
The Company may, in its discretion, allow satisfaction of tax withholding
requirements by accepting delivery of Common Stock.

         4.       TERM OF OPTION AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION. No portion of the
Option shall vest after termination of Optionee's employment, regardless of the
reason for such termination. In the event that Optionee shall cease to be an
employee of the Company, the Option shall be exercisable, to the extent already
exercisable at the date Optionee ceases to be an employee and regardless of the
reason Optionee ceases to be an employee, for a period of 365 days after that
date, and shall then expire and terminate. In the event of the death of Optionee
while he is an employee of the Company or within the period after termination of
such status during which he is permitted to exercise the Option, the Option may
be exercised by any person or persons designated by Optionee on a beneficiary
designation form adopted by the administrator for such purpose or, if there is
no effective beneficiary designation form on file with the Company, by the
executors or administrators of Optionee's estate or by any person or persons who
shall have acquired the Option directly from Optionee by his will or the
applicable laws of descent and distribution. Unless earlier terminated as
provided in this Section, the Option shall automatically expire and terminate,
and thereby become unexercisable, on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant
Date.

         5.       ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS. If the outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the Company are increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a
different number or kind of shares of the Company through reorganization,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock
split, upon authorization of the Board or the Committee an appropriate and
proportionate adjustment shall be made in the number or kind of Optioned Shares
and the Option Price; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such adjustment need be made
if, upon

                                       2
<Page>

the advice of counsel, the Board or the Committee determines that such
adjustment may result in the receipt of federally taxable income to Optionee, to
holders of other derivative securities of the Company or holders of Common Stock
or other classes of the Company's securities.

         6.       CHANGE IN CONTROL.

         (a)      ACCELERATION OF VESTING. If a Change in Control (as defined
below) of the Company occurs, then notwithstanding the vesting provisions of
Section 2 or anything else herein to the contrary, all Optioned Shares shall
automatically vest and become exercisable immediately prior to such Change in
Control, if Optionee is an employee of the Company at that time or immediately
prior thereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" means the
following and shall be deemed to occur if any of the following events occurs:

                  (i)      Any person, entity or group, within the meaning of
Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding the Company and its
subsidiaries and any employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the Company or
its subsidiaries and also excluding an underwriter or underwriting syndicate
that has acquired the Company's securities solely in connection with a public
offering thereof (such person, entity or group being referred to herein as a
"Person"), becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Company's
then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors; or

                  (ii)     Individuals who, as of the Grant Date, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board, provided that any individual who becomes a director after
the Grant Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered to be a member of the
Incumbent Board unless that individual was nominated or elected by any Person
having the power to exercise, through beneficial ownership, voting agreement
and/or proxy, 20% or more of either the then outstanding shares of Common Stock
or the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, in which case that
individual shall not be considered to be a member of the Incumbent Board unless
such individual's election or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders is approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board; or

                  (iii)    Consummation by the Company of the sale or other
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
or a reorganization or merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
person, entity or corporation, other than

                           (A)      a reorganization or merger or consolidation
         that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
         immediately prior thereto (or, in the case of a reorganization or
         merger or consolidation that is preceded or accomplished by an
         acquisition or series of related acquisitions by any Person, by tender
         or exchange offer or otherwise, of voting securities representing 5% or
         more of the combined voting power of all securities of the Company,
         immediately prior to such acquisition or the first

                                       3
<Page>

         acquisition in such series of acquisitions) continuing to represent,
         either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
         securities of another entity, more than 50% of the combined voting
         power of the voting securities of the Company or such other entity
         outstanding immediately after such reorganization or merger or
         consolidation (or series of related transactions involving such a
         reorganization or merger or consolidation), or

                           (B)      a reorganization or merger or consolidation
         effected to implement a recapitalization or reincorporation of the
         Company (or similar transaction) that does not result in a material
         change in beneficial ownership of the voting securities of the Company
         or its successor; or

                  (iv)     Approval by the stockholders of the Company or an
order by a court of competent jurisdiction of a plan of liquidation of the
Company.

         (b)      PROVISION FOR OPTION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL. As of the
effective time and date of any Change in Control, this Agreement and the Option
will automatically terminate unless: (a) provision is made in writing in
connection with such transaction for the continuance of this Agreement and the
Option and for the assumption of this Agreement and the Option, or for the
substitution for such Option of new awards covering the securities of a
successor entity or an affiliate thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the
number and kind of securities and exercise prices, in which event this Agreement
and the Option will continue or be replaced, as the case may be, in the manner
and under the terms so provided; or (b) the Board otherwise provides in writing
for such adjustments as it deems appropriate in the terms and conditions of the
Option, including, without limitation, providing for the cancellation of the
Option and its automatic conversion into the right to receive the securities,
cash or other consideration that Optionee would have been entitled to receive
upon consummation of such Change in Control had such shares been issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the effective date and time of the Change in
Control (net of the appropriate option exercise prices). If, pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this SECTION 6 (b), this Agreement and the Option
terminate by reason of the occurrence of a Change in Control without provision
for any of the action(s) described in clause (a) or (b) hereof, then Optionee
will have the right, at such time prior to the consummation of the Change in
Control as the Board designates, to exercise or receive the full benefit of the
Option to the full extent not theretofore exercised.

         7.       DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES. As soon as practicable after any
proper exercise of the Option in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, the Company shall deliver to Optionee at the main office of the
Company, or such other place as shall be mutually acceptable, a certificate or
certificates representing such shares of Common Stock to which Optionee is
entitled upon exercise of the Option.

         8.       NO RIGHTS IN SHARES BEFORE ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY. Neither
Optionee, his estate nor his transferees by will or the laws of descent and
distribution shall be, or have any rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the
Company with respect to any shares issuable upon exercise of the Option, unless
and until certificates representing such shares shall have been issued and
delivered. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or their rights where the
record date is prior to the date such stock certificates are issued.

                                       4
<Page>

         9.       NONASSIGNABILITY. The Option is not assignable or transferable
by Optionee except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, pursuant to
a qualified domestic relations order, or, in the discretion of the Company and
under circumstances that would not adversely affect the interests of the
Company, pursuant to a nominal transfer that does not result in a change in
beneficial ownership, or as otherwise permitted by rule or interpretation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff as an exception to the general
proscription on transfer of derivative securities set forth in Rule 16b-3 (or
any successor rule) under the Exchange Act or interpretation thereof. In
addition, during Optionee's lifetime the Option (as a whole or in part) may also
be transferred to one or more members of Optionee's immediate family, or a
partnership whose members include only Optionee and/or members of Optionee's
immediate family, or a trust for the benefit of only Optionee and/or members of
Optionee's family. Any permitted transfer of the Option shall not prevent or
otherwise modify termination of the Option and its vesting following Optionee's
termination of employment (as provided in Section 3 above) or in connection with
a Change in Control (as provided in Section 4 above). In addition, the Option
shall terminate immediately if and to the extent it has been transferred to a
partnership or trust as permitted above and any person who is not a member of
Optionee's immediate family becomes a member of such partnership or a
beneficiary of such trust. As used herein, Optionee's immediate family includes
only Optionee's spouse, parents or other ancestors, and children and other
direct descendants of Optionee or of Optionee's spouse (including such ancestors
and descendants by adoption). During the lifetime of Optionee, the Option shall
be exercisable only by Optionee (or Optionee's permitted transferee(s)) or his
or their guardian or legal representative.

         10.      CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Optionee expressly
acknowledges, represents and agrees as follows:

                  (a)      If Optionee proposes to transfer all or any part of
the Option or the Optioned Shares or uses Common Stock of the Company to pay the
Option Price, Optionee has been advised to consult with a competent tax advisor
regarding the applicable tax consequences prior to making such transfer or
utilizing such Common Stock to exercise the Option; and

                  (b)      If Optionee is (as expected) a person subject to the
provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Optionee has been advised to
consult with a competent federal securities law advisor as to the reporting
obligations and potential liability for profits under said Section 16 with
respect to the granting, exercise and transfer of the Option.

         11.      NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS. Nothing in the Plan or in
this Agreement shall be construed to create or imply any contract of employment
between the Company and Optionee. Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement shall
confer upon Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or
confer upon the Company any right to require continued employment by Optionee.
Optionee acknowledges and agrees that the employment of Optionee by the Company
is expressly at the will of the Company, and the Company may terminate
Optionee's employment by the Company at any time for any reason or for no
reason. Similarly, Optionee may terminate his employment with the Company at any
time for any reason or for no reason. Any questions as to whether and when there
has been a termination of Optionee's employment, the reason (if any) for such
termination, and/or the

                                       5
<Page>

consequences thereof under the terms of the Plan, shall be determined by the
Board in its sole discretion, and the Board's determination thereof shall be
final, binding and conclusive.

         12.      GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by,
interpreted under, and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal
laws, and not the laws pertaining to conflicts or choice or laws, of the State
of California applicable to agreements made and to be performed wholly within
the State of California.

         13.      AGREEMENT BINDING ON SUCCESSORS. The terms of this Agreement
shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors,
transferees and assigns of Optionee.

         14.      NECESSARY ACTS. Optionee agrees to perform all acts and
execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Agreement, including but not limited to all acts and
documents related to compliance with federal and/or state securities and/or tax
laws.

         15.      FUTURE OPTIONS. The parties acknowledge and agree that future
stock options or equity incentive awards, if any, that may be granted by the
Company to Optionee shall have such terms and conditions as shall be determined
by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and may not, for example,
have the automatic acceleration of vesting provisions or extended exercise
periods as are provided for in this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Optionee have executed this
Agreement effective as of the Grant Date.

QUIDEL CORPORATION,                           S. WAYNE KAY
a Delaware corporation

By:                                           By:
       ------------------------------              -----------------------------
                                                   S. Wayne Kay
Title:
       -----------------------------

                                       6
<Page>

         By her signature below, the spouse of Optionee, if Optionee is legally
married as of the date of execution of this Agreement, acknowledges that she has
read this Agreement and is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and
agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of said Agreement.

                                          Susan H. Kay
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Spouse's Signature

                                          Susan H. Kay
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Printed Name

                                          Dated:  August 13, 2001
                                                --------------------------------

         By his signature below, Optionee represents that he is not legally
married as of the effective date of this Agreement.

                                               /s/ S. Wayne Kay
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          S. Wayne Kay

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

                                      7

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