Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                          AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  THIS AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), effective
as of the 1st day of September, 2002 ("Effective Date"), is by and between
Stratagene Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Employer"), and John R.
Pouk ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

                  Employer wishes to exclusively contract for the managerial and
business skills possessed by Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by
Employer upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided.

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and
the mutual covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                              EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES

                  1.1      Position and Duties. Executive shall serve as Vice
President of Sales of Employer, with such duties and authority as are set forth
on Exhibit A attached hereto, and such duties as the Chief Executive Officer or
Board of Directors may reasonably prescribe. Executive shall discharge his
duties in a diligent and professional manner.

                  1.2      Outside Business Activities Precluded. During his
employment, Executive shall devote his full energies, interest, abilities and
productive time to the performance of this Agreement. Executive shall not,
without the prior written consent of Employer, perform other services of any
kind or engage in any other business activity, with or without compensation.
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of Employer, engage in
any business activity adverse to Employer's interests. Employer shall not
unreasonably withhold its consent where the requested outside activity does not
detract from Executive's ability to devote his full energies, interest,
abilities and productive time to the performance of this Agreement and does not
adversely affect Employer's interests.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                                  COMPENSATION

                  2.1      Salary. For Executive's services hereunder, Employer
shall pay as base salary to Executive the amount of $180,835.00 per year during
each calendar year of the Employment Term (as hereinafter defined), prorated for
any year in which this Agreement is in effect for only a portion of the calendar
year. Said base salary shall be payable in equal installments in conformity with
Employer's normal payroll period. Executive's salary shall be reviewed by
Employer from time to time at its discretion, and Executive shall receive such
salary increases, if any, as Employer, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

                  2.2      Bonus/Other Compensation. In addition to the base
salary set forth in Section 2.1 above, (i) Executive shall be granted deferred
compensation in an amount equal to $268,200 in accordance with the Deferred
Compensation Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit D, and (ii) Executive shall be
eligible for a bonus which is earned and calculated as of the end of each
calendar quarter, pursuant to the formula set forth on Exhibit B attached
hereto. EXECUTIVE AND EMPLOYER ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EXHIBIT B MAY BE
MODIFIED BY EMPLOYER, IN EMPLOYER'S SOLE DISCRETION, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS DURING
THE EMPLOYMENT TERM. Except as expressly provided in this Section 2.2, Executive
must be employed for the entire calendar quarter in order to receive any bonus
payment with respect to such calendar quarter. Thus, Executive shall not be
eligible for or entitled to any bonus or pro rata bonus if his employment is
terminated prior to the final day of the calendar quarter pursuant to Section
3.4 (Early Termination by Executive) or Section 3.5 (Termination for Cause). In
addition, in the event a condition exists which would permit a termination for
Cause under Section 3.5 hereof, if Employer elects not to terminate Executive,
Executive shall nevertheless not be entitled to any bonus payment hereunder,
unless Employer elects, in its sole discretion, to make any such bonus payment.
However, in the event that Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to
Section 3.3 (Early Termination by Employer) or Section 3.6 (Termination Due to
Death or Disability) prior to the final day of the calendar quarter, then and
only then shall Executive be entitled to a bonus for that portion of the
calendar quarter during which he was employed, pursuant to the

                                       2
<PAGE>

formula set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto, prorated proportionately for
that percentage of the calendar quarter during which Executive was employed.

                  2.3      Other Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive
shall be entitled to participate in and receive all other benefits of employment
generally available to Employer's other executive management personnel,
including, but not limited to, inclusion in Employer's retirement plan, medical
plan, disability plan and other similar benefit plans, subject to and on a basis
consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans.
Executive shall not, however, be entitled to participate in the company-wide
quarterly cash bonus plan of Employer, which is available only to employees who
do not participate in a personalized bonus plan. Executive shall be entitled to
three weeks of paid vacation each year, which will accrue and be paid out in
conformity with Employer's normal vacation pay practices. Employer may, in its
sole discretion, grant such additional benefits to Executive from time to time
as Employer deems proper and desirable.

                  2.4      Expenses. With the exception of the automobile
allowances covered in Sections 2.5 below, during the Employment Term, Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
business-related expenses incurred by him, in accordance with the policies and
procedures from time to time adopted by Employer, provided that Executive
properly accounts for such business expenses in accordance with Employer policy.

                  2.5      Automobile Allowance. Employer shall provide
Executive with an automobile allowance of $500 per month, payable in accordance
with the normal practices of Employer.

                  2.6      Stock Options. Executive acknowledges and agrees that
all stock options granted under the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated
as of July 1, 1996 between Executive and Employer have expired. Executive shall
be granted new stock options pursuant to the Non-Qualified Stock Option
Agreements, attached hereto as Exhibits E-1; E-2; E-3; and E-4.

                  2.7      Deductions and Withholdings. All amounts payable or
which become payable under any provision of this Agreement shall be subject to
any deductions authorized by Executive and any deductions and withholdings
required by law.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                               TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

                  3.1      Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on
the Effective Date and shall continue through June 30, 2006, unless extended as
hereinafter provided (the "Employment Term").

                  3.2      Extension of Term. This Agreement may be extended for
successive one-year terms by written amendment signed by both parties.

                  3.3      Early Termination by Employer. Executive's employment
may be terminated at any time during the Employment Term by the Chief Executive
Officer or Board of Directors of Employer, for any or no reason and without
Cause (as hereinafter defined), upon delivery of written notice by Employer.
Employer is not required to give Executive any advance notice of termination
which, in the sole discretion of Employer, may be effective immediately upon
delivery of written notice to Executive.

                  3.4      Early Termination by Executive. Executive may
terminate this Agreement at any time by giving Employer written notice of his
resignation ninety (90) days in advance; however, the Chief Executive Officer or
Board of Directors may determine upon receipt of such notice that the effective
date of such resignation shall be immediate or some time prior to the expiration
of the ninety-day notice period. Executive's employment shall terminate as of
the effective date of his resignation as determined by the Chief Executive
Officer or Board of Directors.

                  3.5      Termination for Cause. Executive's employment may be
terminated for Cause by the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors of
Employer, if the circumstances giving rise to such Cause continue for a period
of thirty (30) days after written notice from Employer to Executive. For these
purposes, termination for "Cause" shall mean termination because of Executive's
(a) material personal dishonesty, willful material misconduct, or breach of
fiduciary duty involving personal profit; (b) intentional or repeated material
failure to perform his duties or obligations hereunder; (c) conviction of a
felony; or (d) material breach of this Agreement or the Employee Invention and
Proprietary Information Agreement.

                  3.6      Termination Due to Death or Disability. Executive's
employment hereunder shall terminate immediately upon his death. In the event
that by reason of injury, illness or other physical or

                                       4
<PAGE>

mental impairment Executive shall be: (a) completely unable to perform his
services hereunder for more than one consecutive month, or (b) unable to perform
his services hereunder for 50% or more of the normal working day throughout two
consecutive months, then Employer may terminate Executive's employment
hereunder. Executive's beneficiaries, estate, heirs, representatives or assigns,
as appropriate, shall be entitled to the proceeds, if any, due under any
Employer-paid life insurance policy held by Executive, as determined by and in
accordance with the terms of any such policy, as well as any vested benefits
such as stock options and accrued vacation benefits.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    BENEFITS AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

                  4.1      Continuation. Upon termination of this Agreement
under Section 3.4 (Early Termination by Executive), Section 3.5 (Termination for
Cause) or Section 3.6 (Termination Due to Death or Disability), all salary and
benefits of Executive hereunder shall cease immediately. Upon termination of
this Agreement under Section 3.3 (Early Termination by Employer) when Employer
is in a bankruptcy proceeding, all salary and benefits of Executive hereunder
shall cease immediately. Upon termination of this Agreement under Section 3.3
(Early Termination by Employer) when Employer is not in a bankruptcy proceeding,
Executive shall be entitled to a severance allowance equal to the continuation
of Executive's base salary for up to one year from the date of termination.
Employer's obligation to continue Executive's base salary shall cease when
Executive accepts employment or becomes eligible for compensation (in the form
of cash or securities), comparable to the compensation provided to Executive
hereunder, from some other source in exchange for Executive's services. In no
event, however, shall Employer's obligation to Executive under this Section 4.1
exceed an amount equal to Executive's base salary minus any compensation payable
to Executive from some other source in exchange for Executive's services. This
severance pay will be payable in installments in conformity with Employer's
normal payroll period. During the period of this severance pay, Executive shall
cooperate with Employer in providing for the orderly transition of Executive's
duties and responsibilities to other individuals, as reasonably requested by
Employer.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  4.2      Rights Against Employer. The benefits payable under
this Article IV are exclusive, and no amount shall become payable to any person
(including the Executive) by reason of termination of employment for any reason,
with or without Cause, except as provided in this Article IV and as described in
Section 3.6 (Termination Due to Death or Disability). Employer shall not be
obligated to segregate any of its assets or procure any investment in order to
fund the benefits payable under this Article IV.

                                    ARTICLE V

               CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

                  5.1      Employer and Executive shall execute concurrently
herewith an Employee Invention and Proprietary Information Agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

                  5.2      Executive, while employed or receiving severance pay
hereunder, shall not take any action without Employer's prior written consent to
establish, form or become employed by a competing business, other than
interviewing with a prospective employer on Executive's own time. Should
Executive violate this provision, then in addition to all other remedies
Employer may have, Employer shall be entitled to reimbursement from Executive
for any benefits or compensation paid to Executive under this Agreement on and
after the date that Executive first breached this provision.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

                  6.1      Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding and sole and entire agreement between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements,
negotiations and discussions between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter covered hereby. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no
representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, have
been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not
embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement or promise not contained
in this Agreement shall be valid or binding. This Agreement may not be modified
or amended by oral agreement,

                                       6
<PAGE>

but rather only by an agreement in writing signed by Executive and the Chief
Executive Officer of Employer which specifically states the intent of the
parties to amend this Agreement.

                  6.2      Assignment and Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement
nor the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable by Executive.
Employer may assign this Agreement to any successor of Employer, and upon such
assignment any such successor shall be deemed substituted for Employer upon the
terms and subject to the conditions hereof.

                  6.3      Final and Binding Arbitration. Except as prohibited
by law, any dispute regarding the termination of Executive's employment, or
relating to or arising from any aspect of the employment of Executive by
Employer, or concerning the scope, interpretation or application of this
Agreement, shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration in San Diego,
California in accordance with the then existing Employment Dispute Resolution
Rules (the "Rules") of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"). Judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrator in such proceeding may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction thereof; provided, however, that the law
applicable to any issues regarding the scope, effectiveness or interpretation of
this arbitration provision shall be the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitration
shall be conducted by a single neutral arbitrator selected by the parties from a
list maintained and provided by the AAA. The arbitrator shall render his/her
decision in writing to Employer, Executive and their respective counsel within
twenty (20) days of the completion of the arbitration. The Executive shall not
be required to pay any administrative fees of the American Arbitration
Association or arbitrator's fees in any amount exceeding the then-current cost
of filing a civil action in the state court of general jurisdiction in the state
in which the Executive worked. Any administrative fees or arbitrator's fees
exceeding that amount shall be paid by Employer. The arbitrator shall have no
power to award costs and attorneys' fees except as provided by statute or by
separate written agreement between the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing in this Agreement shall require either Employer or Executive to
arbitrate any claim or action involving alleged breaches of this Agreement by
Executive of his/her duties to maintain the confidentiality of Proprietary
Information or to disclose and assign Inventions to Employer, which may be the
subject of a court action seeking appropriate legal or equitable relief. In the

                                       7
<PAGE>

event any aspect of this arbitration provision is found unenforceable by a court
of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this arbitration provision shall be
severed from the invalid portion and the remaining portion given its full effect
according to its terms. This arbitration provision supersedes any prior
agreements between the parties on the subject of arbitration of
employment-related claims and shall survive the termination of this Agreement
for any reason.

                  6.4      No Waiver. No waiver of any term, provision or
condition of this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more
instances shall be deemed or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of
any such term, provision or condition, or as a waiver of any other term,
provision or condition of this Agreement.

                  6.5      Governing Law; Rules of Construction. This Agreement
has been negotiated and executed in, and shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of, the State of California. Captions of the several
Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only,
and shall not be considered or referred to in resolving questions of
interpretation with respect to this Agreement.

                  6.6      Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other
communication required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed to be properly
given when personally served in writing, or when deposited in the United States
mail, postage pre-paid, addressed to Employer or Executive at his last-known
address. Each party may change its address by written notice in accordance with
this Section.

                  Address for Employer:

                           Stratagene Holding Corporation
                           11011 North Torrey Pines Road
                           La Jolla, California 92037

                  Address for Executive:

                           John R. Pouk
                           [Intentionally Omitted]
                           [Intentionally Omitted]

                  6.7      Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are
severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or
otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder of

                                       8
<PAGE>

the provisions or enforceable parts hereof shall not be affected thereby and
shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                  6.8      Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  6.9      Effect on Previous and Existing Agreements. This
Agreement shall supercede and extinguish the prior Employment Agreement entered
into between Executive and Stratagene, a California corporation, dated July 1,
1996, and any other written, verbal or implied agreements between Executive and
Stratagene, except as provided in this paragraph. This Agreement shall not
affect in any way any Employee Invention and Proprietary Information Agreements
previously entered into between Executive and Stratagene or between Executive
and any other entity affiliated with Employer, which shall nonetheless remain in
full force and effect. This Agreement shall not affect or limit any obligation
of Executive, written, verbal, contractual or otherwise, with respect to the
intellectual property, trade secrets or proprietary information of Stratagene,
Stratagene Holding Corporation, BioCrest Manufacturing, L.P., or BioCrest Sales,
L.P., or any other entity affiliated therewith.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and
delivered by the parties hereto as of the date first above written.

                                                  STRATAGENE HOLDING CORPORATION

      /s/ JOHN R. POUK
----------------------------
JOHN R. POUK
                                                  By: /s/ JOSEPH A. SORGE
                                                      --------------------------

                                                  Name:  Joseph A. Sorge

                                                  Title: CEO

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                    DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE

1.       Manage the North American sales force

                  -        develop sales organization structure

                  -        recruit and develop sales employees

                  -        coordinate training programs

                  -        define sales territories size and make-up

                  -        implement time and territory management process

                  -        set territory and region sales and profit goals

                  -        construct compensation plans for sales positions

                  -        establish performance criteria for sales employees

2.       Develop and execute sales plan

                  -        prepare sales forecasts

                  -        develop strategic sales plan

                  -        facilitate target account program

                  -        manage sales profitability

                  -        work with key customers

                  -        coordinate contracting processes

                  -        establish pricing policies

3.       Coordinate with Marketing personnel

                  -        standardize and synchronize marketing and sales
                           promotions

                  -        monitor effectiveness of promotional activity

                  -        supervise tele-marketing and telesales efforts

                  -        develop field communication tool

                  -        define sales report formats

                  -        review and enhance PC-based sales tools

4.       Manage selling expenses

                  -        prepare draft selling expense plan

                  -        forecast sales force additions

                  -        assign expense budgets to sales force

                  -        monitor performance to plan

                  -        remain within approved expense budgets

5.       Report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                  -        communicate strategic sales plan

                  -        keep apprised of sales team performance

                  -        review selling expense performance

                  -        present new business opportunities

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B

                                 BONUS FORMULA

FOR PERFORMANCE OF UP TO 15% GROWTH:

         Bonus =           [(30% * Base Salary) * ((YTD Estimated Profit
                           Growth - 8%)/7%) * (No. of Months/12)] - (Prior
                           Payments Made YTD).

         For purposes of the above formula, capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:

         "Average Selling Price" means the average price at which a Product is
Sold in the Territory during any given period.

         "Base Salary" means the base salary payable by Employer to Executive in
any given calendar year.

         "Estimated Cost" means the estimated "standard cost" amount associated
with selling a Product in any given period, as determined in the sole discretion
of Employer. Where such estimated "standard cost" amount is not available,
Employer shall use an inflation adjusted figure based on the Estimated Cost of
such Product in the prior comparable period. Once Employer has established an
Estimated Cost for a Product in any given period, Employer shall continue to use
such Estimated Cost for such Product in future calculations with respect to such
period.

         "Estimated Product Profit" means the product of (Average Selling Price
of each Product minus Estimated Cost of such Product) multiplied by the number
of units Sold of such Product in the Territory.

         "Estimated Profit" means the aggregate of the Estimated Product Profits
for all Products Sold in the Territory during any given period.

         "Estimated Profit Growth" means, expressed as a percentage, the
Estimated Profit for any given period divided by the Estimated Profit for the
prior comparable period minus 100%.

         "No. of Months" means the number of months since the beginning of any
given calendar year.

         "Prior Payments Made YTD" means any bonus payments made to Executive
since the beginning of any given calendar year.

         "Products" mean the products that Employer has asked Executive to be
responsible for which are Sold directly to end-users by Employer (not through a
distributor) in the Territory.

         "Sold" with respect to any Product means the completion of a sale for
which Employer has received payment net of any shipping and handling charges,
rebates, returns, credits, discounts or refunds.

         "Territory" means worldwide.

         "YTD" means the "year to date" (i.e., since the beginning of any given
calendar year).

         In no event shall the Bonus be less than zero, nor shall the Bonus for
any given calendar year exceed Executive's Base Salary paid in such calendar
year. Bonus payments, if any, shall be calculated and paid to Executive within
sixty (60) days following the end of each calendar quarter.

         By way of example:

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

         If Employer had two Products, Product A with an Estimated Cost of
$10/unit and Product B with an Estimated Cost of $20/unit, and if the Average
Selling Price of Product A was $20/unit and the Average Selling Price of Product
B was $30/unit and Employer Sold 50,000 units of each product in the first
quarter of a given calendar year, then Estimated Product Profit for Product A
would be $500,000 and Estimated Product Profit for Product B would also be
$500,000 and total Estimated Profit would be $1,000,000. If Estimated Profits in
the same quarter in the prior calendar year were $800,000, the final bonus
calculation for the first quarter of the given calendar year would be as
follows:

                                    $1,000,000
         Estimated Profit Growth =  ---------- - 100% = 25%
                                     $800,000

         Bonus = 30% * $180,835 * 25%-8% * 3 - 0 = $30,375.
                                  ------  --
                                    7%    12

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D

                         DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, effective as of September 1, 2002, is made by
and between Stratagene Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, hereinafter
referred to as the "COMPANY," and John Pouk, an employee of the Company,
hereinafter referred to as "EMPLOYEE."

                  WHEREAS, the Company and Employee are parties to that certain
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2002 (the "EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT");

                  WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have agreed to modify the
Employment Agreement to their mutual satisfaction; and

                  WHEREAS, in consideration of the amendment of the Employment
Agreement and the continued employment of Employee with the Company, the Company
and Employee wish to enter into this Deferred Compensation Agreement (the
"AGREEMENT").

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto
do hereby agree as follows:

         1.       Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective as of the
date indicated above (the "EFFECTIVE DATE").

         2.       Deferred Compensation. Effective as of the Effective Date, the
Company shall credit to an account maintained for Employee (the "ACCOUNT") an
amount equal to $268,200.00 (the "PRINCIPAL AMOUNT"). The Account shall be
credited with interest credits on the Principal Amount at a simple interest rate
of 6.25% per annum for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
June 30, 2004 (the "DISTRIBUTION DATE").

         3.       Distribution. The Principal Amount credited to the Account
shall be paid to Employee (or in the event of Employee's death, to Employee's
estate) in the form of a one-time lump-sum payment payable on the Distribution
Date, or as soon thereafter as administratively feasible. Interest credits on
the Principal Amount shall be paid to Employee (or in the event of Employee's
death, to Employee's estate) on (i) the first anniversary of the Effective Date
(or as soon thereafter as administratively feasible), (ii) the second
anniversary of the Effective Date (or as soon thereafter as administratively
feasible) and (iii) the Distribution Date (or as soon thereafter as
administratively feasible).

         4.       No Right to Continued Employment; Termination of Employment.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to give Employee the right to be
retained in the service of the Company. This Agreement shall remain binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties in the event of the termination of
Employee's employment with the Company. In the event of Employee's termination
from employment prior to payment of benefits hereunder, payment shall be made by
the Company pursuant to Section 3 hereunder at the last known mailing address of
Employee on file with the Company or at such other place as Employee designates
in writing for such purpose from time to time.

         5.       Release. The Company previously granted to Employee a
Non-Qualified Option (as defined in the Stock Option Plan of Stratagene Holding
Corporation) (the "OPTION") to purchase 52,500 shares (as adjusted for a 4:1
stock split of the Company's common stock effected in March 2000) of the
Company's Class B non-voting Common Stock, as evidenced by the "STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT" dated as

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D

of July 1, 1996 and attached hereto as Exhibit 1. Employee acknowledges that the
Option has expired by its terms and that the obligations of the Company
thereunder terminated upon the expiration of the Option. Employee waives any and
all rights, claims, benefits and awards under the Stock Option Agreement and
releases the Company from liability for any and all rights, claims, benefits or
awards due Employee thereunder.

         6.       Severability. If it is determined that any of the provisions
of this Agreement are invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions
of this Agreement shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect,
without regard to the invalid portions.

         7.       Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement that is not resolved
by Employee and the Company shall be submitted to arbitration in San Diego
County, California, in accordance with California law (without regard to
principles of choice of law) and the procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. The determination of the arbitrators shall be conclusive and
binding on the Company and Employee and judgment may be entered on the
arbitrators' award in any court having jurisdiction. Each party shall be
responsible for its own legal fees and expenses incurred as a result of such
arbitration.

         8.       Unfunded Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the
Company under this Agreement shall be unfunded and unsecured, and nothing
contained herein shall be construed as providing for assets to be held in trust
or escrow or any other form of segregation of the assets of the Company for the
benefit of Employee. The interest of Employee shall be limited to the right to
receive the benefits as set forth herein. Employee's rights hereunder shall be
no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company, and,
except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, Employee's rights shall be
wholly subordinate and junior in right of payment to any and all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding as of the date hereof or
incurred after such date. For purposes of the foregoing, "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS"
shall mean the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on any
indebtedness of the Company and all fees, expenses, reimbursements, indemnities
and other amounts payable with respect to such indebtedness, whether such
indebtedness is outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred,
assumed or guaranteed by the Company unless, in the case of any particular
indebtedness, (a) the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the
assumption or guarantee thereof expressly provides that such indebtedness shall
not be senior, or (b) such indebtedness is pari passu or subordinate, in right
of payment to the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

         9.       Assignments, etc. Prohibited. This Agreement, and Employee's
rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by Employee, and any
purported assignment by Employee in violation hereof shall be null and void. In
the event of any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the Company's assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, the Company will require any successor or assignee (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in
form and substance satisfactory to Employee, expressly, absolutely and
unconditionally to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no
such succession or assignment had taken place.

         10.      Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D

         11.      Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended,
superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived,
only by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto or, in the
case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any
party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right,
power or privilege nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power
or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other such right, power or privilege. All remedies, rights, undertakings,
obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be cumulative, and
none of them shall be in limitation of any other remedy, right, undertaking,
obligation or agreement of either party.

         12.      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with California law without regard to principles of
choice of law. The parties hereto hereby expressly consent to be subject to the
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California and to arbitration in the
County of San Diego, State of California.

         13.      Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from
any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to
be required by law.

         14.      Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, permitted
assigns, heirs, executors or legal representatives.

         15.      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered
shall be an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and
the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of two copies hereof each
signed by one of the parties hereto.

         16.      Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference
only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed their names as of the day and
year first above written.

STRATAGENE HOLDING CORPORATION

By:    _______________________

Name:  _______________________

Title: _______________________

EMPLOYEE

By:    _______________________

Name: John Pouk

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E-1

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E-2

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E-3

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E-4

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, dated SEPTEMBER 1, 2002, is made by and
between Stratagene Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, hereinafter
referred to as the "Company," and JOHN POUK, an Employee of the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company, hereinafter referred to as "Optionee."

                  WHEREAS, the Company wishes to afford the Optionee the
opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Year 2000 Stock
Option Plan of Stratagene Holding Corporation (the "Plan") (the terms of which
are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement); and

                  WHEREAS, the Administrator of the Plan has determined that it
would be to the advantage and best interest of the Company and its stockholders
to grant the Non-Qualified Stock Option (the "Option") provided for herein to
the Optionee as an inducement to enter into or remain in the service of the
Company or its Subsidiaries and as an incentive for increased efforts during
such service and has advised the Company thereof and instructed the undersigned
officers to issue said Option.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

                  Whenever the following terms are used in this Agreement, they
shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to
the contrary. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and neuter, and
the singular the plural, where the context so indicates. Any term not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

                  1.1      Administrator. "Administrator" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 1.1 of the Plan.

                  1.2      Board. "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of
the Company.

                  1.3      Cause. "Cause" shall mean (a) the commission by or
indictment of the Optionee for (i) a felony or (ii) any misdemeanor involving
moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud ("indictment," for these purposes,
meaning an indictment, probable cause hearing or any other procedure pursuant to
which an initial determination of probable or reasonable cause with respect to
such offense is made), (b) the perpetration by the Optionee of an act of fraud,
dishonesty, or misrepresentation against, or breach of fiduciary duty toward,
the Company or a Subsidiary, (c) any willful act or omission by the Optionee
which is damaging in any material respect to the financial condition or business
reputation of the Company or a Subsidiary or (d) willful or repeated failure to
perform Optionee's duties as an Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary as
directed by the Company or a Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an
Optionee has entered into a written employment agreement with the Company or a

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

Subsidiary which contains a definition of "Cause," such definition shall apply
with respect to such Optionee.

                  1.4      Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  1.5      Common Stock. "Common Stock" shall mean the Class A
Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, or shares of stock or
other securities into which such shares are converted, reclassified or
exchanged.

                  1.6      Company. "Company" shall mean Stratagene Holding
Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

                  1.7      Director. "Director" shall mean a member of the
Board.

                  1.8      Employee. "Employee" shall mean any employee (as
defined in accordance with the regulations and revenue rulings then applicable
under Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company, or of any corporation which
is then a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary, whether such employee is so
employed at the time the Plan is adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to
the adoption of the Plan.

                  1.9      Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" shall mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                  1.10     Fair Market Value. "Fair Market Value" of a share of
Common Stock as of a given date shall be: (a) the average of the daily closing
or sales prices of a share of Common Stock on the principal exchange or on
Nasdaq on which shares of Common Stock are then trading or quoted, if any, for
the ten trading day period ending on the trading day previous to such date; or
(b) if such Common Stock is not publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on
Nasdaq, the fair market value established by the Board acting in good faith.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board determines that the value of the
Common Stock determined under clause (a) above does not accurately reflect the
fair market value of the Common Stock as of a given date, then the Board acting
in good faith shall establish the fair market value of such stock.

                  1.11     Option. "Option" shall mean the Non-Qualified Option
granted under this Agreement and Article III of the Plan.

                  1.12     Optionee. "Optionee" shall mean the Employee granted
the Option under this Agreement.

                  1.13     Plan. "Plan" shall mean The Year 2000 Stock Option
Plan of Stratagene Holding Corporation, as amended from time to time.

                  1.14     Secretary. "Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of
the Company.

                  1.15     Securities Act. "Securities Act" shall mean the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                  1.16     Subsidiary. "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation
in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns
stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

                                                                               2
<PAGE>

                  1.17     Termination of Employment. "Termination of
Employment" shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between
the Optionee and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason,
with or without Cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by
resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding (a) at
the discretion of the Administrator, any termination where there is a
simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment of the Optionee by the
Company or any Subsidiary, (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, any
termination which results in a temporary severance of the employee-employer
relationship, and (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, any termination
which is followed by the simultaneous establishment of a consulting relationship
by the Company or a Subsidiary with the former employee. The Administrator, in
its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions
relating to Termination of Employment, including, but not by way of limitation,
the question of whether a Termination of Employment resulted from a discharge
for Cause, and all questions of whether a particular leave of absence
constitutes a Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary shall have an absolute and unrestricted
right to terminate an Optionee's service at any time for any reason whatsoever,
with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in
writing.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                 GRANT OF OPTION

                  2.1      Grant of Option. In consideration of the Optionee's
agreement to remain in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries and for
other good and valuable consideration, effective as of September 1, 2002 (the
"Date of Grant"), the Company irrevocably grants to the Optionee the option to
purchase any part or all of an aggregate of 119,100 shares of Common Stock upon
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  2.2      Purchase Price. The purchase price of the shares of
Common Stock covered by the Option shall be $6.00 per share without commission
or other charge.

                  2.3      Consideration to Company. In consideration of the
granting of the Option by the Company, the Optionee agrees to render faithful
and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary, with such duties and
responsibilities as the Company shall from time to time prescribe for a period
of at least one (1) year from the date this Option is granted. Nothing in the
Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in
the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict
in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which are hereby
expressly reserved, to discharge the Optionee at any time for any reason
whatsoever, with or without Cause.

                                   ARTICLE III

                            PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

                  3.1      Commencement of Exercisability.

                  (a)      Subject to Sections 3.3 and 5.15, the Option shall
become exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in Exhibit
A hereto.

                  (b)      No portion of the Option which is unexercisable at
Termination of Employment shall thereafter become exercisable.

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

                  3.2      Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided
for in Section 3.1 are cumulative. Each such installment which becomes
exercisable pursuant to Section 3.1 shall remain exercisable until it becomes
unexercisable under Section 3.3.

                  3.3      Expiration of Option. The Option may not be exercised
to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

                  (a)      The expiration of seven (7) years from the Date of
Grant; or

                  (b)      The time of the Optionee's Termination of Employment
by reason of the Optionee's discharge for Cause; or

                  (c)      The expiration of three (3) months from the date of
the Optionee's Termination of Employment (other than in the event that such
Termination of Employment is by reason of the Optionee's death or disability or
the Optionee's discharge for Cause), unless the Optionee dies within said
three-month period; or

                  (d)      The expiration of one (1) year from the date of the
Optionee's Termination of Employment by reason of the Optionee's disability; or

                  (e)      The expiration of one (1) year from the date of the
Optionee's death.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                               EXERCISE OF OPTION

                  4.1      Person Eligible to Exercise. During the lifetime of
the Optionee, only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof.
After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may,
prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be
exercised by a beneficiary designated by the Optionee, the Optionee's personal
representative or by any person empowered to do so under the Optionee's will or
under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

                  4.2      Partial Exercise. Any exercisable portion of the
Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in
whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion
thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3; provided, however, that each
partial exercise shall be for not less than One Thousand (1,000) shares (or the
minimum installment set forth in Section 3.1, if a smaller number of shares) and
shall be for whole shares only.

                  4.3      Manner of Exercise. The Option, or any exercisable
portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary or the
Secretary's office of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or
such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3:

                  (a)      Notice in writing signed by the Optionee or the other
person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the
Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all
applicable rules established by the Administrator; and

                  (b)      (i)      Full payment (in cash or by check) for the
         shares with respect to which such Option or portion thereof is
         exercised; or

                                                                               4
<PAGE>

                           (ii)     With the consent of the Administrator, the
         delivery of shares of Common Stock which have been owned by the
         Optionee for at least six months, duly endorsed for transfer to the
         Company, or, subject to the timing requirements of Section 5.4 of the
         Plan, the surrender of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon
         exercise of the Option, with a Fair Market Value on the date of Option
         exercise equal to the aggregate purchase price of the shares with
         respect to which such Option or portion thereof is exercised; or

                           (iii)    With the consent of the Administrator, the
         delivery of a promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such
         rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code)
         and payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Administrator.
         The Administrator may also prescribe the form of such note and the
         security to be given for such note. The Option may not be exercised,
         however, by delivery of a promissory note or by a loan from the Company
         when or where such loan or other extension of credit is prohibited by
         law; or

                           (iv)     With the consent of the Administrator, the
         delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order
         with a broker with respect to shares of Common Stock then issuable upon
         exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a
         sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in
         satisfaction of the exercise price, provided that payment of such
         proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale; or

                           (v)      With the consent of the Administrator, any
         combination of the consideration provided in the foregoing
         subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv); and

                  (c)      A bona fide written representation and agreement, in
a form satisfactory to the Administrator, signed by the Optionee or other person
then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof, stating that the
shares of stock are being acquired for the Optionee's own account, for
investment and without any present intention of distributing or reselling said
shares or any of them except as may be permitted under the Securities Act and
then applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and that the Optionee or other
person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof will indemnify
the Company against and hold it free and harmless from any loss, damage, expense
or liability resulting to the Company if any sale or distribution of the shares
by such person is contrary to the representation and agreement referred to
above. The Administrator may, in its absolute discretion, take whatever
additional actions it deems appropriate to ensure the observance and performance
of such representation and agreement and to effect compliance with the
Securities Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator may require
an opinion of counsel acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent
transfer of shares acquired on an Option exercise does not violate the
Securities Act, and may issue stop-transfer orders covering such shares. Share
certificates evidencing Common Stock issued on exercise of this Option shall
bear an appropriate legend referring to the provisions of this subsection (c)
and the agreements herein. The written representation and agreement referred to
in the first sentence of this subsection (c) shall, however, not be required if
the shares to be issued pursuant to such exercise have been registered under the
Securities Act, and such registration is then effective in respect of such
shares;

                  (d)      Full payment to the Company (or other employer
corporation) of all amounts which, under federal, state or local tax law, it is
required to withhold upon exercise of the Option; with the consent of the
Administrator, (i) shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by the Optionee
duly endorsed for transfer, or (ii) subject to the timing requirements of
Section 5.4 of the Plan, shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable to the
Optionee upon exercise of the Option, having a Fair Market Value at the date of
Option exercise equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld based on the

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes that apply to
supplemental taxable income, may be used to make all or part of such payment;
and

                  (e)      In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be
exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons other than the
Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise
the Option.

                  4.4      Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates. The
shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any
portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or
issued shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such shares shall
be fully paid and non-assessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or
deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon the
exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the
following conditions:

                  (a)      The admission of such shares to listing on all stock
exchanges on which such Common Stock is then listed; and

                  (b)      The completion of any registration or other
qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other
governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute
discretion, deem necessary or advisable; and

                  (c)      The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from
any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its
absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and

                  (d)      The receipt by the Company of full payment for such
shares, including payment of all amounts which, under federal, state or local
tax law, it is required to withhold upon exercise of the Option; and

                  (e)      The lapse of such reasonable period of time following
the exercise of the Option as the Administrator may from time to time establish
for reasons of administrative convenience.

                  4.5      Rights as Stockholder. The holder of the Option shall
not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the
Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of
the Option unless and until certificates representing such shares shall have
been issued by the Company to such holder.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                OTHER PROVISIONS

                  5.1      Administration. The Administrator shall have the
power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the
administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent
therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken
and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good
faith shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the Company and all other
interested persons. No member of the Administrator shall be personally liable
for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect
to the

                                                                               6
<PAGE>

Plan or the Option. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and
from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator
under the Plan and this Agreement.

                  5.2      Option Not Transferable. Neither the Option nor any
interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts,
contracts or engagements of the Optionee or the Optionee's successors in
interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation,
anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such
disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment,
levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings
(including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and
void and of no effect; provided, however, that this Section 5.2 shall not
prevent (a) transfers by will or by the applicable laws of descent and
distribution, (b) the designation by the Optionee of a beneficiary to exercise
the Optionee's Option (or any portion thereof) under this Agreement after the
Optionee's death, or (c) transfers in accordance with such requirements as are
prescribed by the Administrator and in accordance with the Code and applicable
regulations.

                  5.3      Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company,
                           Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other
                           Corporate Events.

                  (a)      Subject to Section 7.3 of the Plan, in the event that
the Administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in
the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property),
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or
exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of
warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the
Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, in the Administrator's
sole and absolute discretion, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment
is determined by the Administrator to be appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan or with respect to an Option, then the
Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all
of

                           (i)      the number and kind of shares of Common
         Stock (or other securities or property) subject to the Option, and

                           (ii)     the exercise price with respect to the
         Option.

Any such adjustment made by the Administrator shall be final and binding upon
the Optionee, the Company and all other interested persons.

                  (b)      Subject to Section 7.3 of the Plan, in the event of
any transaction or event described in Section 5.3(a) or any unusual or
nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the
Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, or of
changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, the
Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and
conditions as it deems appropriate, by action taken prior to the occurrence of
such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Optionee's
request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions
whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order
to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits
intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to the Option under
the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such
changes in laws, regulations or principles:

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

                           (i)      To provide for either the purchase of the
         Option for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been
         attained upon the exercise of the Option or realization of the
         Optionee's rights had the Option been currently exercisable or payable
         or fully vested or the replacement of the Option with other rights or
         property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion;

                           (ii)     To provide that the Option cannot vest, be
         exercised or become payable after such event;

                           (iii)    To provide that the Option shall be
         exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything
         to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Option;

                           (iv)     To provide that the Option be assumed by the
         successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof,
         or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards
         covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a
         parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the
         number and kind of shares and prices; and

                           (v)      To make adjustments in the number and type
         of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to
         the Option, and in the number and kind and conditions of (including the
         exercise price), and the criteria included in, the Option.

                  5.4      Shares to Be Reserved. The Company shall at all times
during the term of the Option reserve and keep available such number of shares
of stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

                  5.5      Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of
this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of its
Secretary, and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be addressed to the
Optionee at the address given beneath the Optionee's signature hereto. By a
notice given pursuant to this Section 5.5, either party may hereafter designate
a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is
required to be given to the Optionee shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be
given to the Optionee's personal representative if such representative has
previously informed the Company of such representative's status and address by
written notice under this Section 5.5. Any notice shall be deemed duly given
when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid,
deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office
regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

                  5.6      Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience
only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this
Agreement.

                  5.7      Construction. This Agreement shall be administered,
interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware without regard
to conflicts of laws thereof.

                  5.8      Conformity to Securities Laws. The Optionee
acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with
all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all
regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be
administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a
manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended
to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

                  5.9      Lock-Up Period. The Optionee hereby agrees that if so
requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the
"Managing Underwriter") in connection with any

                                                                               8
<PAGE>

registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the
Securities Act, the Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any shares of
Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Option or other securities of the
Company during the 180-day period (or such longer period as may be requested in
writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company)
(the "Market Standoff Period") following the effective date of a registration
statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that
such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the
Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to
be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public
offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions
until the end of such Market Standoff Period.

                  5.10     Company's Right of First Purchase. Any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to this Option (the "Option Shares") shall be
subject to the Company's right of first purchase (the "Right of First Purchase")
as set forth in this Section 5.10.

                  (a)      By virtue of the Right of First Purchase, (a) the
Option Shares may not be transferred during the Optionee's lifetime to any
person other than members of the Optionee's Immediate Family (as defined below),
a partnership whose members are the Optionee and/or members of the Optionee's
Immediate Family, or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee and/or members of
the Optionee's Immediate Family, unless (x) the Company has been given a written
notice which (i) correctly identified the prospective transferee or transferees
and the other terms and conditions of the proposed transfer (including the
price, if any, for the Option Shares being transferred) and (ii) offered the
Company an opportunity to purchase such Option Shares at their Fair Market Value
in cash, (y) such offer was not accepted within thirty (30) days after the
Company's receipt of such notice and (z) such transfer occurs within fifteen
(15) days following the expiration of thirty (30) days after the Company has
received the written notice referred to in clause (x) above upon terms and
conditions no more favorable to the prospective transferee than those specified
in the notice; and (b) upon the Optionee's death, the Company shall have the
right to purchase all or some of such Option Shares at their Fair Market Value
within twelve (12) months after the date of death. The Right of First Purchase
shall continue to apply to any such Option Shares after the transfer during the
Optionee's lifetime of such Option Shares to a member of the Optionee's
Immediate Family or to a family partnership or trust as aforesaid, and after any
transfer of such Option Shares with respect to which the Company expressly
waived its Right of First Purchase without also waiving it as to any subsequent
transfers thereof, but it shall not apply after a transfer of such Option Shares
(i) with respect to which the Company was offered but did not exercise or
otherwise expressly waive its Right of First Purchase or (ii) more than twelve
(12) months after the Optionee's death. The Company may assign all or any
portion of its Right of First Purchase to a pension or retirement plan or trust
for employees of the Company, which may then exercise the Right of First
Purchase so assigned. Stock certificates evidencing Option Shares subject to the
Right of First Purchase shall be appropriately legended to reflect that right.

                  (b)      The Right of First Purchase shall terminate as to all
Option Shares ninety days after a sale of Common Stock of the Company to the
general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared
effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

                  (c)      An individual's "Immediate Family" includes only his
or he spouse, parents or other ancestors, and children or other direct
descendants of that individual or of his or her spouse (including such ancestors
and descendants by adoption), as defined in Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act.

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

                  5.11     Dispute Resolution. Any controversy or claim arising
out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, that cannot be
resolved between the parties in a timely manner shall be resolved through final
and binding arbitration in San Diego, California in accordance with the
then-existing commercial arbitration rules (the "Rules") of the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA") and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrators may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction thereof;
provided, however, that the law applicable to any controversy shall be the law
of the State of Delaware, regardless of its or any other jurisdiction's choice
of law principles. In any such arbitration, the award or decision shall be
rendered by a majority of the members of a Board of Arbitration consisting of
three (3) members, one of whom shall be appointed by each party and the third of
whom shall be the chairman of the panel and be appointed by mutual agreement of
the two party-appointed arbitrators. In the event that either party shall fail
to appoint an arbitrator within ten (10) days after the demand for arbitration,
such arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA in accordance with the Rules. The
arbitration shall take place within forty-five (45) days of the demand for
arbitration. The arbitrators shall render their decision in writing to the
Company, the Optionee and their respective counsel within twenty (20) days of
the completion of the arbitration. In no event shall the demand for arbitration
be made after the date when institution of a legal or equitable proceeding based
on such a claim, dispute or other matter in question would be barred by the
applicable statute of limitations. In the event of any such arbitration, the
parties shall bear their own costs. Notwithstanding the above, nothing herein
shall require the Company to arbitrate any claim involving alleged breaches by
the Optionee of his or her duties to maintain the confidentiality of the
Company's confidential or proprietary information, including trade secrets, or
to disclose and assign inventions to the Company. Such claims may be the subject
of a court action seeking legal or equitable relief.

                  5.12     Power of Attorney. The Optionee's spouse hereby
appoints the Optionee his or her true and lawful attorney in fact, for his or
her and in his or her name, place and stead, and for his or her use and benefit,
to agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement and to execute such
further instruments and take such further actions as may reasonably be necessary
to carry out the intent of this Agreement. The Optionee's spouse further gives
and grants to the Optionee as his or her attorney in fact full power and
authority to do and perform every act necessary and proper to be done in the
exercise of any of the foregoing powers as fully as he or she might or could do
if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that the Optionee shall lawfully do and cause to be
done by virtue of this power of attorney.

                  5.13     Integration. This Agreement represents the entire
agreement and understanding among the parties as to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral.
The Optionee agrees that this Agreement is in full and final satisfaction of any
commitments, liabilities or other obligations of the Company with respect to the
subject matter hereof and any and all rights of the Optionee to purchase shares
of stock of the Company not otherwise set forth in this Agreement or another
express written agreement which has been duly executed and delivered by both the
Company and the Optionee.

                  5.14     Amendments, etc.. This Agreement may not be modified,
amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the
Optionee or such other person as may be permitted to exercise the Option
pursuant to Section 4.1 and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

                  5.15     Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be submitted for
approval by the Company's stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date
the Plan was initially adopted by the Board. The Option may not be exercised to
any extent by anyone prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the
stockholders, and if such approval has not been obtained by the end of said 12
month period, the Option shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

                                                                              10
<PAGE>

                  5.16     Waiver of Option Contingent on Initial Public
Offering. To the extent that the Company previously proposed to grant to the
Optionee an option to purchase shares of the Company's non-voting Class B Common
Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in connection with and subject to the
initial public offering of such Common Stock by the Company, the Optionee hereby
acknowledges and agrees that (i) the proposed option was not granted to the
Optionee by the Company and (ii) in consideration of the Company's grant of the
Option under this Agreement, the Optionee hereby agrees to waive any and all
interest or right under or with respect to the grant of such proposed option.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the
parties hereto.

                                         STRATAGENE HOLDING CORPORATION

                                         By:        /s/ JOSEPH SORGE
                                             -----------------------------------

                                         Its: CEO

         /s/ JOHN R. POUK
-----------------------------------
             Optionee

    [Intentionally Omitted]
    [Intentionally Omitted]
            Address

Optionee's Social Security Number:

     [Intentionally Omitted]

The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the foregoing
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement. In consideration of the Company's granting
the Optionee the right to acquire shares of its Common Stock in accordance with
the terms of such Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be irrevocably
bound by all of the terms and provisions of such Agreement, including, without
limitation, the right of the Company to purchase any and all interest or right
the undersigned may have in such shares pursuant to community property laws or
other marital property rights.

      /s/ [Signature Illegible]
-----------------------------------
      Optionee's Spouse

                                                                              12
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                            DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2002,
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                         STRATAGENE HOLDING CORPORATION
                                  AND JOHN POUK

         In accordance with Section 3.1(a) of the Agreement and subject to
approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders, the Option shall become
exercisable as follows (CAPITALIZED TERMS NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN SHALL
HAVE THE MEANINGS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
SEPTEMBER 1, 2002 BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND OPTIONEE):

         (a)      IF OPTIONEE ACHIEVES ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH OF 10% OR LESS IN
ANY GIVEN PERIOD, NO SHARES COVERED BY THE OPTION SHALL BECOME EXERCISABLE IN
SUCH PERIOD.

         (b)      IF OPTIONEE ACHIEVES ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH OF GREATER THAN
10% BUT LESS THAN 14% IN ANY GIVEN YEAR-LONG PERIOD, A NUMBER OF SHARES COVERED
BY THE OPTION CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMULA SHALL BECOME
EXERCISABLE UPON THE END OF SUCH YEAR-LONG PERIOD: ((ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH -
10%)/1%) * 3,000. IF OPTIONEE ACHIEVES ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH OF GREATER THAN
10% BUT LESS THAN 14% IN ANY GIVEN SIX-MONTH PERIOD, A NUMBER OF SHARES COVERED
BY THE OPTION CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMULA SHALL BECOME
EXERCISABLE UPON THE END OF SUCH SIX-MONTH PERIOD: ((ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH -
10%)/1%) * 1,500.

         (c)      IF OPTIONEE ACHIEVES ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH OF 14% OR GREATER
IN ANY GIVEN YEAR-LONG PERIOD, A NUMBER OF SHARES COVERED BY THE OPTION
CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMULA SHALL BECOME EXERCISABLE
UPON THE END OF SUCH YEAR-LONG PERIOD: 18,000 + ((ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH -
14%)/1%) * 3,000. IF OPTIONEE ACHIEVES ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH OF 14% OR GREATER
IN ANY GIVEN SIX-MONTH PERIOD, A NUMBER OF SHARES COVERED BY THE OPTION
CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMULA SHALL BECOME EXERCISABLE
UPON THE END OF SUCH SIX-MONTH PERIOD: 9,000 + ((ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH -
14%)/1%) * 1,500.

         AT NO TIME SHALL THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES EXERCISABLE PURSUANT TO
THE ABOVE FORMULAS EXCEED THE LESSER OF (i) 119,100 AND (ii) THE PRODUCT OF
13,233 MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF FULL SIX-MONTH INTERVALS SUBSEQUENT TO
JANUARY 1, 2002 FOR WHICH OPTIONEE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY COMPANY.

         FOR PURPOSES OF THE ABOVE FORMULAS, "PERIOD" MEANS, AS APPLICABLE,
JANUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2002, THE CALENDAR YEAR 2003, 2004, 2005 OR
THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2006 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006.

         FOR PURPOSES OF THIS EXHIBIT A, "ESTIMATED PROFIT GROWTH" SHALL MEAN,
EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE, THE ESTIMATED GROSS PROFIT OF THE COMPANY FOR ANY
GIVEN PERIOD DIVIDED BY THE ESTIMATED GROSS PROFIT OF THE COMPANY FOR THE PRIOR
COMPARABLE PERIOD MINUS 100%. "GROSS PROFIT" SHALL MEAN NET SALES PLUS NET
SHIPPING REVENUE MINUS THE COST OF GOODS SOLD.

(d)      NO SHARES COVERED BY THE OPTION SHALL BECOME EXERCISABLE DURING ANY
PERIOD IN WHICH A CONDITION EXISTS WHICH WOULD PERMIT OPTIONEE TO BE TERMINATED
FOR CAUSE BY THE COMPANY UNDER SECTION 3.5 OF HIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED AS
OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2002, WHETHER OR NOT OPTIONEE IS ACTUALLY TERMINATED BY THE
COMPANY.

                                                                              13

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00060-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00060-of-00352.parquet"}]]