Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.52

                       CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                       AND GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS

     This Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release of All Claims
("AGREEMENT") is made by and between Invitrogen Corporation ("INVITROGEN" or
"COMPANY") and Lyle C. Turner ("EXECUTIVE") with respect to the following facts:

     A.   Executive has been employed by Company as President and Chief
Executive Officer ("CEO"). Executive also serves as Chairman of Company's Board
of Directors.

     B.   Executive has determined to resign from all positions with Company.

     C.   Executive has been granted stock options to purchase shares of
Company's common stock pursuant to Company's stock option plans and stock
option agreements.

     D.   Executive and Company are also currently parties to a
Change-in-Control Agreement dated June 1, 2001 and an Indemnification Agreement
dated January 22, 2002 (the "INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT," a copy of which has
been attached at Exhibit A).

     E.   The parties desire to settle all claims and issues that have, or
could have been raised, in relation to Executive's employment with, and/or
service as a member of the Board of Directors of, Company and arising out of or
in any way related to the acts, transactions or occurrences between Executive
and Company to date, including, but not limited to, Executive's employment
with, and/or service as a member of the Board of Directors of, Company or the
termination of that employment, on the terms set forth below.

     THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual agreements
hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the undersigned as follows:

     1.   Resignation.  Executive agrees to tender a written resignation letter
that communicates his resignation from his employment with the Company as
President effective December 5, 2002, and as CEO, and in all other employment
capacities, and as Director and Chairman of Company's Board of Directors,
effective December 31, 2002 ("SEPARATION DATE").

     2.   Severance and Consulting Package.  Company agrees to provide
Executive with the following payments and benefits ("SEVERANCE AND CONSULTING
PACKAGE") to which he is not otherwise entitled. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that this Severance and Consulting Package constitutes adequate legal
consideration for the promises and representations made by him in this
Agreement.

          2.1  Consulting Engagement.  Following the Separation Date, Company
will engage Executive as a consultant, in an independent contractor
relationship, for a period of one (1) year to provide special expertise to
Company, or Company's successor or assignee on request, as set forth in an
Independent Contractor Services Agreement ("CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT"), to be
executed by the parties contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement.

          2.2  Severance Payment.  Subject to the provisions of section 2.4
below, Company agrees to pay Executive a "SEVERANCE PAYMENT" equal to the sum
of (i) One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) and (ii) that portion of Company's
contribution to Executive's 401(k), savings or other similar individual account
plan that is not vested as of the Separation Date (the "UNVESTED COMPANY
CONTRIBUTION") plus an amount that when added to the Unvested Company
Contribution would be sufficient after Federal, state and local income taxes
(based on

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the tax returns filed by Executive most recently prior to the Separation Date)
to enable Executive to net an amount after taxes equal to the Unvested Company
Contribution. The Severance Payment will be paid no later than December 31,
2002 in a lump sum by wire transfer to Executive's account pursuant to wiring
instructions that shall be provided to Company in writing by Executive.

          2.3  Continuation of Group Health Benefits. Company agrees to pay the
premiums required to continue Executive's group health care coverage for the
eighteen (18) month period following the Separation Date, under the applicable
provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
("COBRA"), provided that Executive elects to continue and remains eligible for
these benefits under COBRA, and does not obtain health coverage through another
employer during this period.

          2.4  Accelerated Stock Option Vesting and Extension of Period to
Exercise. Any and all of Executive's stock options that remain unvested will
immediately vest and become exercisable on the date this Agreement is executed
by the parties, and such stock options shall be exercisable at any time on or
before December 31, 2007. Company shall provide to Executive an executed
original Unanimous Written Consent of the Compensation and Organization
Committee of Company's Board of Directors, amending the stock option agreements
between Company and Executive in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, dated
as of the date of the execution of this Agreement. If on the date of the
execution of this Agreement, the closing price of Company's common stock on the
NASDAQ stock market is higher than the exercise price of the options described
at Exhibit B (which will hereafter be referred to as being "in the money"),
then the Severance Payment set forth in section 2.2 above shall be reduced by
an amount equal to the product of the following equation: X(x)Y, where X is the
number of Executive's stock options that are in the money and Y is the amount
by which Executive's stock options are in the money. For example, if on the
date of the execution of this Agreement, the closing price of Company's common
stock on the NASDAQ stock market is $36.00, the Severance Payment would be
reduced by $149,000 (100,000 x $1.49 = $149,000).

     3.   General Release.

          3.1 Executive unconditionally, irrevocably and absolutely releases
and discharges Company, and any parent and subsidiary corporations, divisions
and affiliated corporations, partnerships or other affiliated entities of
Company, past and present, as well as Company's employees, officers, directors,
shareholders, agents; successors and assigns (collectively, "RELEASED
PARTIES"), and Company hereby unconditionally, irrevocably and absolutely
releases and discharges Executive, from all claims related in any way to the
transactions or occurrences between them to date and all actions taken by
Executive on behalf of or relating to Company, in either case to the fullest
extent permitted by law, including, but not limited to, Executive's employment
with Company, the termination of Executive's employment with Company,
Executive's service on the Company's Board of Directors, Executive's service as
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Company, and all other losses,
liabilities, claims, charges, demands and causes of action, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, arising directly or indirectly out of or in any way
connected with Executive's employment with Company, service on the Company's
Board of Directors, and/or Executive's service as Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Company. This release is intended to have the broadest possible
application and includes, but is not limited to, any tort, contract, common
law, constitutional or other statutory claims, including, but not limited to,
alleged violations of the California Labor Code or the federal Fair Labor
Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California
Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended ("ADEA"), all claims for
reprisal or retaliation under federal or state law, and all claims for
attorney's fees, costs and expenses.

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          3.2  The parties acknowledge that they may discover facts or law
different from, or in addition to, the facts or law that they know or believe
to be true with respect to the claims released in this Agreement and agree,
nonetheless, that this Agreement and the releases contained in it shall be and
remain effective in all respects notwithstanding such different or additional
facts or the discovery of them.

          3.3  The parties declare and represent that they intend this
Agreement to be complete and not be subject to any claim of mistake, and that
the releases herein express final, full and complete releases, and regardless
of the adequacy or inadequacy of the consideration, the parties intend the
releases herein to be final and complete. The parties execute these releases
with the full knowledge that these releases cover all possible claims between
them to date, to the fullest extent permitted by law, except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement.

          3.4  The parties expressly waive their right to recovery of any type,
including damages or reinstatement, in any administrative or court action,
whether state or federal, and whether brought by either party, or on either
party's behalf, related in any way to the matters released herein.

          3.5  The general release and other provisions contained in this
section 3 (the "RELEASE") and the terms of section 4 below shall become
effective immediately upon execution of this Agreement by the Parties;
provided, however, that to the extent the Release and the terms of section 4
relate to age discrimination under the ADEA they shall not be effective until
the Effective Date of this Agreement, as described in Section 12.4 below.

     4.   California Civil Code Section 1542 Waiver. The parties expressly
acknowledge and agree that all rights under Section 1542 of the California
Civil Code are expressly waived. That section provides:

          A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES
          NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE
          RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
          SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

     5.   Representation Concerning Filing of Legal Actions. Executive
represents that, as of the date of this Agreement, he has not filed any
lawsuits, charges, complaints, petitions, claims or other accusatory pleadings
against Company or any of the other Released Parties in any court or with any
governmental agency. Executive further agrees that, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, he will not prosecute, nor allow to be prosecuted on his
behalf, in any administrative agency, whether state or federal, or in any
court, whether state or federal, any claim or demand of any type related to the
matters released above, it being the intention of the parties that with the
execution of this release, the Released Parties will be absolutely,
unconditionally and forever discharged of and from all obligations to or on
behalf of Executive related in any way to the matters discharged herein.

     6.   Nondisparagement. Executive agrees not to disparage, defame or make
negative or critical statements, written or oral, regarding the personal or
business reputation, technology, products, practices or conduct of Company or
any of the other Released Parties. In addition, except as required by law,
Executive shall not, without the prior written approval of Company's Board of
Directors, make any statements regarding Company or the Released Parties that
Executive knows, or reasonably should know, would lead to such statements being
publicly disseminated in the media. Likewise, Company agrees that its officers
and directors will

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not disparage, defame or make negative or critical statements, written or oral,
regarding the personal or business reputation, practices or conduct of
Executive.

     7.   Confidentiality and Return of Company Property.

          7.1  Confidential Separation Information. Executive agrees that the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, as well as the discussions that led to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement (collectively referred to as the
"CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION INFORMATION") are intended to remain confidential
between Executive and Company. Executive further agrees that he will not
disclose the Confidential Separation Information to any other persons, except
that Executive may disclose such information to his immediate family members
and to his attorney(s), advisor(s) and accountant(s), if any, to the extent
needed for legal or investment advice or income tax reporting purposes. When
releasing this information to any such person, Executive shall advise the
person receiving the information of its confidential nature. Neither Executive,
nor anyone to whom the Confidential Separation Information has been disclosed,
will respond to, or in any way participate in or contribute to, any public
discussion, notice or other publicity concerning the Confidential Separation
Information; provided however, that Company shall not be prohibited from filing
this Agreement and related agreements with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and/or other governmental agencies to the extent required by
applicable laws or regulations. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Executive specifically agrees that neither he, his immediate family,
his attorney nor his accountant, if any, shall disclose the Confidential
Separation Information to any current, former or prospective employee of
Company. Nothing in this section will preclude Executive or Company from
disclosing information required in response to a subpoena duly issued by a
court of law or a government agency having jurisdiction or power to compel such
disclosure, or from giving full, truthful and cooperative answers in response
to a duly issued subpoena or as otherwise may be required by law.

          7.2  Confidential or Proprietary Information. Executive also agrees
that he will not use, remove from Company's premises, make unauthorized copies
of or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of Company or any
affiliated or related entities, including but not limited to, their trade
secrets, copyrighted information, customer lists, any information encompassed
in any research and development, reports, work in progress, drawings, software,
computer files or models, designs, plans, proposals, marketing and sales
programs, financial projections, and all concepts or ideas, materials or
information related to the business or sales of Company and any affiliated or
related entities that has not previously been released to the public by an
authorized representative of those companies.

          7.3  Continuing Obligations. Executive agrees that the Trade Secrets
New Employee Orientation Agreement dated August 12, 1997 and the Employee's
Agreement Relating to Company Information and Technology dated May 14, 1997 that
he signed in connection with his employment and the Company's Insider Trading
Policy executed by Executive contemporaneously with this Agreement (collectively
referred to as the "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS") shall remain in effect during
the consulting engagement described in section 2.1 above. Executive agrees to
continue to comply with the Confidentiality Agreements during the consulting
engagement and understands that certain terms and conditions of these agreements
survive the termination of the consulting engagement and agrees to abide by such
surviving provisions of the Confidentiality Agreements. The parties agree that
the provisions of Item 6.2 and 8 of The Employee's Agreement Relating to Company
Information and Technology dated May 14, 1997 that Executive signed in
connection with his employment as continued during the term of the consulting
engagement described in section 2.1 above are limited in their application to
matters which relate to the business of Company, which are based on or derived
from Company Information, which result from work performed for

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Company, or which are made with the use of Company equipment, supplies or
facilities. A copy of the Confidentiality Agreements has been attached at
Exhibit C.

          7.4  Return of Company Property. By signing this Agreement, Executive
represents and warrants that he will have returned to Company on or before the
Separation Date, all Company property, including all confidential and
proprietary information, as described in the Confidentiality Agreements, and
all materials and documents containing trade secrets and copyrighted materials,
including all copies and excerpts of the same and all digital or electronic
files.

     8.   Cooperation. Due to Executive's former position with Company,
Company may require his assistance and cooperation with respect to patents,
administrative matters, litigation or government agencies or institutions.
Accordingly, Executive agrees that should Company request his assistance with
respect to such matters, he will fully cooperate and assist Company in
responding to and resolving such matters.

     9.   No Admissions. By entering into this Agreement, the Released Parties
make no admission that they have engaged, or are now engaging, in any unlawful
conduct. The parties understand and acknowledge that this Agreement is not an
admission of liability and shall not be used or construed as such in any legal,
administrative or other similar proceeding.

     10.  No Other Severance Benefits. Executive acknowledges and agrees that
the Severance and Consulting Package provided pursuant to this Agreement is in
lieu of any other severance benefits for which Executive may be eligible under
any other agreement, including the Change-in-Control Agreement, and/or any
other Company severance plan or practice.

     11.  Indemnification. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or should
be construed to contradict, modify or alter the terms and conditions of the
Indemnification Agreement.

     12.  Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act. This Agreement is intended to
satisfy the requirements of the Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C.
sec. 626(f). The following general provisions, along with the other provisions
of this Agreement, are agreed to for this purpose:

          12.1 Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has read and
understands the terms of this agreement.

          12.2 Executive acknowledges that this Agreement advises him in writing
that he should consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement, and
that he has obtained and considered such legal counsel as he deems necessary,
such that he is entering into this Agreement freely, knowingly, and voluntarily.

          12.3 Executive acknowledges that he has been given at least
twenty-one (21) days in which to consider whether or not to enter into this
Agreement. Executive understands that, at his option, Executive may elect not
to use the full 21-day period.

          12.4 Except as otherwise provided in sections 2.4 and 3.5 above, this
Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the eighth day after
Executive signs this Agreement. In other words, Executive may revoke his
acceptance of all provisions of this Agreement, except for those rights and
obligations that become effective upon execution of this Agreement as provided
in sections 2.4 and 3.5 above, within seven (7) days after the date he signs
it. Executive's revocation must be in writing and received by Company's Vice
President of Human Resources, Lewis J. Runchey, by 5:00 p.m. P.S.T. on the
seventh day in order to be

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effective. If Executive does not revoke acceptance within the seven (7) day
period, Executive's acceptance of this entire Agreement shall become binding and
enforceable on the eighth day ("EFFECTIVE DATE"). The payments and benefits
described in section 2 above shall become due and payable on or after the eighth
day after Executive signs this Agreement provided it has not been revoked.

          12.5 This Agreement does not waive or release any rights or claims
that Executive may have under the ADEA that arise after the execution of this
Agreement.

     13.  Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be
found unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision shall be
deemed modified to the extent necessary to allow enforceability of the provision
as so limited, it being intended that the parties shall receive the benefits
contemplated herein to the fullest extent permitted by law. If a deemed
modification is not satisfactory in the judgment of such court, the
unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted, and the validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

     14.  Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation and performance of this
Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the United
States of America and the State of California.

     15.  Binding on Successors. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be
binding on, and inure to the benefit of, his or its successors, heirs and/or
assigns.

     16.  Full Defense. This Agreement may be pled as a full and complete
defense to, and may be used as a basis for an injunction against, any action,
suit or other proceeding that may be prosecuted, instituted or attempted by
Executive in breach of this Agreement. Each party agrees that in the event an
action or proceeding is instituted by the other party in order to enforce the
terms or provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
an award of reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred in connection with
enforcing this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by law.

     17.  Good Faith. The parties agree to do all things necessary and to
execute all further documents necessary and appropriate to carry out and
effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.

     18.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. The
execution of a signature page of this Agreement shall constitute the execution
of the Agreement, and the Agreement shall be binding on each party upon the date
of signature, if each party executes such counterpart.

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     19.  Entire Agreement; Modification.  This Agreement, including Exhibits
A, B and C, each of which are herein incorporated by reference, is intended to
be the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and cancels any and
all other and prior agreements, written or oral, between the parties regarding
this subject matter, including but not limited to the Change in Control
Agreement, which is hereby superseded in its entirety. It is agreed that there
are no collateral agreements or representations, written or oral, regarding the
terms and conditions of Executive's separation of employment with Company and
settlement of all claims between the parties other than those set forth in this
Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed
by all parties hereto.

THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY
UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES
HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW AND SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AS
TO SEPARATE PORTIONS HEREOF ON THE RESPECTIVE DATES SET FORTH ABOVE.

Dated: 12/13/02                         By: /s/ Lyle C. Turner
---------------------------------           -----------------------------------
                                            Lyle C. Turner

Dated: 12/13/02                         By: /s/ John A. Cottingham
---------------------------------           -----------------------------------
                                            Invitrogen Corporation
                                            John A. Cottingham
                                            Vice President, General Counsel
                                            & Secretary

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.53

                   INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SERVICES AGREEMENT

     This Independent Contractor Services Agreement ("CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT") is
made and entered into by and between Invitrogen Corporation ("COMPANY"), a
Delaware corporation, having a principal place of business at 1600 Faraday
Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008, and Lyle C. Turner, an individual
("CONTRACTOR") whose address is PO Box 906, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 92067. In
consideration of the promises and mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and
expressly contingent on Contractor fully executing and not revoking the
Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release of All Claims ("SEPARATION
AGREEMENT") of even date herewith, it is agreed by and between the undersigned
as follows:

     1.   Engagement of Services. Company hereby agrees to retain Contractor as
a consultant, in an independent contractor relationship, effective January 1,
2003 ("EFFECTIVE DATE"), pursuant to the terms of this Contractor Agreement.
Contractor's consulting services will include, but not be limited to, advising
management and Company's Board of Directors on matters relating to strategic
direction and merger and acquisition strategy. Company will consult with
Contractor on an as-needed basis, at the discretion of the Company. Contractor
agrees to make himself available for consulting services for up to ten (10)
hours per month.

     2.   Compensation.

          2.1  Fees for Services. Company shall pay Contractor a total fee for
services rendered of One Million Four Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars
($1,430,000) (the "FEE"). The Fee will be paid in four (4) equal quarterly
installments by wire transfer to Contractor's account pursuant to wiring
instructions that shall be provided to Company in writing by Contractor. Such
payments will be made on the dates set forth below.

          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          INSTALLMENT                        PAYMENT DATE
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          1st Installment                    March 31, 2003
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          2nd Installment                    June 30, 2003
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          3rd Installment                    September 30, 2003
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          4th and Final Installment          December 31, 2003
          --------------------------------------------------------------------

          2.2  Expenses. Company shall reimburse Contractor for reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with Contractor's performance of services under
this Contractor Agreement, provided that expenses in excess of $500 are approved
in advance by Company and Contractor promptly provides documentation
satisfactory to Invitrogen to support Contractor's request for reimbursement and
provided further that Contractor may require Company to advance approved
expenses in excess of $500. Reimbursements for such expenses shall be made
within thirty (30) days of receiving supporting documentation from Contractor.

     3.   Independent Contractor Relationship. Contractor's relationship with
Company will be that of an independent contractor, and nothing in this
Contractor Agreement is intended to, or should be construed to, create a
partnership, agency, joint venture or employment

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relationship. Contractor will not be entitled under this Contractor Agreement to
any of the benefits that Company may make available to its employees,
including, but not limited to, group health, life insurance, profit-sharing or
retirement benefits, paid vacation, holidays or sick leave, or workers'
compensation insurance. Contractor will not be authorized to make any
representation, contract or commitment on behalf of Company unless specifically
requested or authorized in writing to do so by Company's Board of Directors.
Contractor will be solely responsible for obtaining any business or similar
licenses required by any federal, state or local authority. In addition,
Contractor will be solely responsible for, and will file on a timely basis, all
tax returns and payments required to be filed with, or made to, any federal,
state or local tax authority with respect to the performance of services and
receipt of fees under this Contractor Agreement. No part of Contractor's
compensation will be subject to withholding by Company for the payment of any
social security, federal, state or any other employee payroll taxes. Company
will regularly report amounts paid to Contractor by filing a Form 1099-MISC
with the Internal Revenue Service as required by law.

          3.1  Method of Performing Services; Results. In accordance with
Company objectives, Contractor will determine the method, details and means of
performing the services required by this Contractor Agreement. Company shall
have no right to, and shall not, control the manner or determine the method of
performing Contractor's services. Contractor shall provide the services for
which Contractor is engaged to the reasonable satisfaction of Company.

          3.2  Workplace, Hours and Instrumentalities. Contractor may perform
the services required by this Contractor Agreement at any place or location and
at such times as Contractor shall determine. Contractor agrees to provide all
tools and instrumentalities, if any, required to perform the services under
this Contractor Agreement.

     4.   Protection of Proprietary Rights.

          4.1  Definition of Confidential Information. "CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION" as used in this Contractor Agreement shall mean any and all
technical and non-technical information including patent, copyright, trade
secret, and proprietary information, techniques, sketches, drawings, models,
inventions, know-how, processes, apparatus, equipment, algorithms, software
programs, software source documents, computer files and models, and formulae
related to the past, current, future and proposed products and services of
Company, Company's suppliers and customers, and includes, without limitation,
Company innovations, Company property, and Company's information concerning
research, experimental work, development, design details and specifications,
engineering, financial information, procurement requirements, purchasing
manufacturing, customer lists, business forecasts, sales and merchandising and
marketing plans and information.

          4.2  Nondisclosure and Nonuse Obligations. Contractor agrees to
protect the confidentiality of all Confidential Information and, except as
permitted in this section, Contractor shall neither use nor disclose the
Confidential Information. Contractor may use the Confidential Information
solely to perform services as a consultant under this Contractor Agreement for
the benefit of the Company. Contractor will immediately give notice to Company
of any unauthorized use or unauthorized disclosure of the Confidential
Information. Contractor agrees to assist Company in remedying any such
unauthorized use or unauthorized disclosure of the Confidential Information.
Contractor also agrees not to communicate any information to Company in
violation of the proprietary rights of any third party.

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          4.3  Exclusion from Nondisclosure and Nonuse Obligations. Contractor's
obligations under Section 4.2 ("NONDISCLOSURE AND NONUSE OBLIGATIONS") with
respect to any portion of the Confidential Information shall not apply to any
such portion which Contractor can demonstrate, (a) was in the public domain at
or subsequent to the time such portion was communicated to Contractor by Company
through no fault of Contractor; (b) was rightfully in Contractor's possession
free of any obligation of confidence at or subsequent to the time such portion
was communicated to Contractor by Company; or (c) was developed by Contractor
independently of and without reference to any information communicated to
Contractor by Company. A disclosure of Confidential Information by Contractor,
either (i) in response to a valid order by a court or other governmental body,
(ii) otherwise required by law, or (iii) necessary to establish the rights of
either party under this Contractor Agreement, shall not be considered to be a
breach of this Contractor Agreement or a waiver of confidentiality for other
purposes; provided, however, that Contractor shall provide prompt prior written
notice thereof to Company to enable Company to seek a protective order or
otherwise prevent such disclosure.

          4.4  Ownership and Return of Company Property. All materials
(including, without limitation, documents, drawings, models, apparatus,
sketches, designs, lists, and all other tangible media of expression) furnished
to Contractor by Company, whether delivered to Contractor by Company or made by
Contractor in the performance of services under this Contractor Agreement, and
all other property of Company (including, without limitation, all Confidential
Information, computers, computer software and computer disks), (collectively,
the "COMPANY PROPERTY") are the sole and exclusive property of Company or
Company's suppliers or customers, and Contractor hereby does and will assign to
Company all rights, title and interest Contractor may have or acquire in the
Company Property. Contractor also acknowledges and agrees that all work product
developed by him alone or in conjunction with others in connection with the
performance of services pursuant to this Contractor Agreement is and shall be
the sole property of Company, and Contractor shall retain no ownership, interest
or rights therein. Upon termination of this Contractor Agreement, for any
reason, or no later than five (5) days after Company's request, Contractor will
immediately destroy or deliver to Company, at Company's option, (a) all Company
Property, including all copies and excerpts of same, (b) all tangible media of
expression in Contractor's possession or control which incorporate or in which
are fixed any Confidential Information, and (c) written certification of
Contractor's compliance with Contractor's obligations under this sentence.

          4.5  Continuing Obligations Under Confidentiality Agreements.
Contractor acknowledges that the Trade Secrets New Employee Orientation
Agreement dated August 12, 1997 and the Employee's Agreement Relating to Company
Information and Technology dated May 14, 1997, he signed during his employment
with Company and the Company's Insider Trading Policy executed by Contractor
contemporaneously with this Contractor Agreement (collectively referred to as
the "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS") will remain in effect during the term of this
Contractor Agreement, and Contractor agrees to continue to comply with the
Confidentiality Agreements during the term of this Contractor Agreement.
Contractor also recognizes that certain provisions of the Confidentiality
Agreements survive the termination of this Contractor Agreement, and Contractor
agrees to comply with all such surviving provisions. The parties agree that the
provisions of Item 6.2 and 8 of The Employee's Agreement Relating to Company
Information and Technology dated May 14, 1997 that Contractor signed in
connection with his employment as continued during the term of this Contractor
Agreement are limited in their application to matters which relate to the
business of Company, which are based on or derived from Company Information,
which result from work performed for Company, or which are made with the use of
Company equipment, supplies or facilities.

                                      -3-

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     5.   No Conflict of Interest. During the term of this Contractor Agreement,
Contractor will not accept work, enter into a contract, provide financial
support, or accept an obligation, inconsistent or incompatible with his
obligations, or the scope of services rendered for Company under this Contractor
Agreement, including, but not limited to, directly or indirectly competing with
Company in any way, including, without limitation, engaging in competitive
research and development activities, or acting as an officer, director, partner,
manager, employee, consultant, stockholder, volunteer, lender, principal or
agent of any business enterprise of the same nature as, or which is in direct
competition with, any business in which Company is now engaged or in which
Company becomes engaged during the term of this Contractor Agreement. Contractor
warrants that, to the best of his knowledge, there is no other contract or duty
on his part that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this Contractor
Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, Contractor is permitted to own up to 1% of
the listed or traded stock of any publicly held corporation. For purposes of
this section 5, the term "Company" shall mean and include Company, any
subsidiary or affiliate of Company and any successor to the business of Company
(by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or stock or otherwise).

     6.   Term and Termination.

          6.1  Automatic Termination Upon Expiration of Term. The term of this
Contractor Agreement will commence on January 1, 2003 and terminate
automatically on December 31, 2003.

          6.2  Early Termination by Company. Company may terminate this
Contractor Agreement (a) immediately upon Contractor's material breach of
section 4 ("PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS"), section 5 ("CONFLICT OF
INTEREST") or the Separation Agreement; or (b) thirty (30) days after Company's
delivery to Contractor of written notice of Contractor's material breach of any
other provision or obligation owed by Contractor under this Contractor Agreement
which is not cured by him within such thirty (30) day period.

          6.3  Early Termination by Contractor. Contractor may terminate this
Contractor Agreement for a material breach by Company if Company has not cured
the breach within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice from Contractor;
provided, however, that no such notice or cure provision shall apply with
respect to the payment of the Fee described in section 2.1 above.

          6.4  Payment of Fees Cease Upon Termination. Upon termination of this
Contractor Agreement pursuant to section 6.2, Company shall immediately cease
payment of the Fee described in section 2 above. Upon termination of this
Contractor Agreement pursuant to section 6.3, any portion of the Fee not yet
paid to Contractor shall become due and payable upon demand by Contractor. Any
amount not timely paid to Contractor shall bear interest at the rate of two
percent (2%) per month, compounded daily.

     7.   Nonsolicitation. Contractor understands and agrees that Company
believes its employees and customers and any information regarding Company's
employees and/or customers is confidential and constitutes trade secrets.
Accordingly, Contractor agrees that during the term of this Contractor Agreement
and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Contractor
Agreement, Contractor will not, either directly or indirectly, separately or in
association with others: (a) take action likely to interfere with, impair,
disrupt or damage Company's relationship with any of its customers, customer
prospects, vendors, contractors, collaborators, joint venturers, partners,
licensors, or licensees by soliciting or encouraging others to solicit any of
them for the purpose of diverting or taking away business or

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
opportunities from Company; or (b) interfere with, impair, disrupt or damage
Company's business by soliciting or attempting to hire any of Company's
employees or causing others to solicit or encourage any of Company's employees
to discontinue their employment with Company; provided, however, that
Contractor being named as a referral on the resume of a Company employee and
Contractor responding to inquiries resulting therefrom shall not violate this
Agreement.

     8.   General Provisions.

          8.1  Successors and Assigns.  Contractor may not subcontract or
otherwise delegate Contractor's obligations under this Contractor Agreement
without Company's prior written consent. Subject to the foregoing, this
Contractor Agreement will be for the benefit of Company's successors and
assigns, and will be binding on Contractor's assignees.

          8.2  Notices.  Any notice required or permitted by this Contractor
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered as follows, with notice
deemed given as indicated: (a) by personal delivery, when delivered personally;
(b) by overnight courier, upon written verification of receipt; (c) by telecopy
or facsimile transmission, upon acknowledgment of receipt of electronic
transmission; or (d) by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
upon verification of receipt. Notice shall be sent to the addresses set forth
above or to such other address as either party may specify in writing.

          8.3  Governing Law.  This Contractor Agreement shall be governed in
all respects by the laws of the United States of America and by 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. Each of
the parties irrevocably consents to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the
federal and state courts located in California, as applicable, for any matter
arising out of or relating to this Contractor Agreement, except that in actions
seeking to enforce any order or any judgment of such federal or state courts
located in California, such personal jurisdiction shall be nonexclusive.

          8.4  Severability. If any provision of this Contractor Agreement is
held by a court of law to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) that
provision shall be deemed amended to achieve as nearly as possible the same
economic effect as the original provision, and (b) the legality, validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Contractor Agreement shall
not be affected or impaired thereby.

          8.5  Waiver; Modification. No term or provision hereof will be
considered waived by either party, and no breach excused, unless such waiver or
consent is in writing and signed by Company's Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Contractor. The waiver of, or consent to, a breach of any
provision of this Contractor Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of, consent to, or excuse of any other or subsequent breach by either
party. This Contractor Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing by
mutual agreement of authorized representatives of the parties.

          8.6  Injunctive Relief for Breach. Contractor agrees that his
obligations under this Contractor Agreement are of a unique character that
gives them particular value; Contractor's breach of any of such obligations
will result in irreparable and continuing damage to Company for which there
will be no adequate remedy at law; and, in the event of such breach, Company
will be entitled to injunctive relief and/or a decree for specific performance,
and such other and further relief as may be proper (including monetary damages
if appropriate).

                                      -5-

<PAGE>
     8.7  Survival. The definitions contained herein and the rights and
obligations contained in sections 4 ("Protection of Proprietary Rights"), 7
("Nonsolicitation"), and 8 ("General Provisions") will survive any termination
or expiration of this Contractor Agreement.

     8.8  Counterparts. This Contractor Agreement may be executed in
counterparts. The execution of a signature page of this Contractor Agreement
shall constitute the execution of the Contractor Agreement, and the Contractor
Agreement shall be binding on each party upon the date of signature, if each
party executes such counterpart.

     8.9  Entire Agreement. This Contractor Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties relating to the provision of consulting services
by Contractor to Company and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or
written agreements concerning this subject matter. The terms of this Contractor
Agreement will govern all consulting services undertaken by Contractor for
Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Contractor Agreement on
12/13, 2002.

INVITROGEN CORPORATION                       CONTRACTOR

By: /s/ John A. Cottingham                   By: /s/ Lyle C. Turner
   -------------------------------              -------------------------------
   John A. Cottingham                           Lyle C. Turner
   Vice President, General Counsel
     and Secretary

                                      -6-

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