Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                          ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
                      1997 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
                        (as amended on January 20, 2000)

1.   PURPOSE OF PLAN

     The purpose of this 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to
advance the interests of Orbital Sciences Corporation and its stockholders by
enabling Orbital and Participating Companies (as defined below) to attract and
retain highly talented employees, directors, consultants and advisers who are in
a position to make significant contributions to the success of Orbital, to
reward them for their contributions to the success of Orbital, and to encourage
them, through stock ownership, to increase their proprietary interest in Orbital
and their personal interest in its continued success and progress.

     The Plan provides for the award of Orbital stock options and Orbital common
stock. Options granted pursuant to the Plan may be incentive or nonstatutory
stock options. Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be presumed to be
nonstatutory options unless expressly designated as incentive options at the
time of grant.

2.   DEFINITIONS

     For the purposes of this Plan and related documents, the following
definitions apply:

     "Award Agreement" means the stock option agreement, restricted stock
agreement or other written agreement between Orbital and a Grantee that
evidences and sets out the terms and conditions of a Grant.

     "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     "Committee" means a committee of, and designated from time to time by
resolution of the Board, which shall consist of no fewer than two members of the
Board, none of whom shall be an officer or other salaried employee of the
Company or any affiliate, and each of whom shall qualify in all respects as a
"non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act
or any successor rule or regulation. Commencing on the Effective Date, and until
such time as the Board shall determine otherwise, the Committee shall be the
Human Resources and Nominating Committee of the Board.

     "Company" or "Orbital" means Orbital Sciences Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, or any successor thereof.

     "Effective Date" means January 24, 1997.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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     "Fair Market Value" means the closing sale price of Stock on the national
securities exchange on which the Stock is then principally traded or, if that
measure of price is not available, on a composite index of such exchanges or, if
that measure of price is not available, in a national market system for
securities on the date of the option grant (or such other date as is specified
herein). In the event that there are no sales of Stock on any such exchange or
market on date of the option grant (or such other date as is specified herein),
the fair market value of Stock on the date of the grant (or such other date as
is specified herein) shall be deemed to be the closing sales price on the next
preceding day on which Stock was sold on any such exchange or market. In the
event that the Stock is not listed on any such market or exchange on the
applicable date, a reasonable valuation of the fair market value of the Stock on
such date shall be made by the Board.

     "Grant" means an award of an option or Restricted Stock under the Plan.

     "Grantee" means a person who receives or holds an option or Restricted
Stock under the Plan.

     "I.R.C." means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from
time to time.

     "Incentive Option" means any option granted under the Plan intended to
satisfy the requirements under I.R.C. Section 422(b) as an incentive stock
option.

     "Nonstatutory Option" means any option granted under the Plan that does not
qualify as an Incentive Option.

     "Old Option Plans" shall mean Orbital's 1990 Stock Option Plan and
Orbital's 1990 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

     "Option Termination Date" is defined in Section 11(c) below.

     "Outside Director" means a member of the Board who is not an officer or
employee of the Company.

     "Parent" means a parent corporation as defined in I.R.C. Section 424(e).

     "Participating Company" means the Company, any Parent of the Company, and
any subsidiary (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended) of the Company or its Parent.

     "Plan" means this 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

     "Restricted Stock" means shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to
Section 13 hereof.

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     "Stock" means shares of the Company's authorized Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share.

     "Subsidiary" means a subsidiary corporation as defined in I.R.C. Section
424(f).

     "Terminating Transaction" means any of the following events: (a) the
dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (b) a reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Company with one or more other persons in which the Company
is not the surviving corporation or becomes a subsidiary of another corporation
other than a corporation that was a Participating Company immediately prior to
such event; (c) a sale of substantially all the Company's assets to a person or
entity other than a corporation that was a Participating Company immediately
prior to such event; or (d) a person (or persons acting as a group or otherwise
in concert) owning equity securities of the Company that represent a majority or
more of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding equity securities of the
Company. As used herein or elsewhere in this Plan, the word "person" shall mean
an individual, corporation, partnership, association or other person or entity,
or any group of two or more of the foregoing that have agreed to act together.

     "Total Disability" means a "total and permanent disability" as defined in
I.R.C. Section 22(e)(3).

3.   ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

         (a) Administration by Board. The Plan shall be administered by the
Board. The Board shall have authority, not inconsistent with the express
provisions of the Plan, to:

               (i) award Grants consisting of options or Restricted Stock, or
          both, to such eligible persons as the Board may select;

               (ii) determine the timing of Grants and the number of shares of
          Stock subject to each Grant;

               (iii) determine the terms and conditions of each Grant, including
          whether an option is an Incentive Option or a Nonstatutory Option
          (consistent with the requirements of the I.R.C.) and the nature and
          duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse
          thereof) relating to the vesting or forfeiture of a Grant;

               (iv) adopt such rules and regulations as the Board may deem
          necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Plan; and

               (v) interpret the provisions of the Plan and of any Grants made
          hereunder and decide any questions and settle all controversies and
          disputes that may arise in connection with the Plan.

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All decisions, determinations, interpretations or other actions by the Board
with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons,
including the Company, Participating Companies and Grantees and their respective
legal representatives, their successors in interest and permitted assigns and
upon all other persons claiming by, through, under or against any of them.

     (b) Administration and Delegation by Committee. The Board, in its sole
discretion, may delegate some or all of its powers with respect to the Plan to a
Committee (in which case references to the Board in this Plan shall be deemed to
refer to the Committee, where appropriate) except for interpreting or making
changes to Section 9 or Section 11(b) and except with respect to any grants to
directors of the Company under Sections 8 and 13. The Committee, in its sole
discretion, may delegate to the Chairman, the President and the Chief Executive
Officer, or any of them, while any such officer is a member of the Board,
authority to award Grants under the Plan. Such authority shall be on such terms
and conditions, and subject to such limitations, as the Committee shall specify
in its delegation of authority. Except to the extent otherwise specified by the
Committee in such delegation, the delegated authority to grant awards of options
and Restricted Stock shall include the power to:

          (i) award Grants consisting of options or Restricted Stock, or both,
     to such eligible persons as the authorized officer may select;

          (ii) determine the timing of Grants and the number of shares of Stock
     subject to each award; and

          (iii) determine the terms and conditions of each Grant, including
     whether an option is an Incentive Option or a Nonstatutory Option
     (consistent with the requirements of the I.R.C.) and the nature and
     duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof)
     relating to the vesting or forfeiture of a Grant.

Except to the extent otherwise specified by the Committee in such delegation,
the authority so delegated shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the
authority of the Committee to make awards under the Plan.

4.   SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     (a) Availailability. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c)
below, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock available for issuance
under the Plan shall be 6,800,000.*

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*Authorized shares increased by action of the Board of Directors on January 20,
2000.

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     (b) Reavailability of Options; Stock to be Delivered. If any Stock covered
by a Grant is not purchased or is forfeited, or if a Grant otherwise terminates
without delivery of any Stock subject thereto, then the number of shares of
Stock so terminated or forfeited shall again be available for making Grants
under the Plan. In the event that Stock that was previously issued by the
Company is reacquired by the Company as part of the consideration received (in
accordance with Section 12(b) below) upon the subsequent exercise of an option,
such reacquired Shares shall again be available for the granting of options
hereunder. Stock delivered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued
shares or, at the Board's discretion, previously issued Stock acquired by the
Company and held in its treasury. No fractional shares of Stock shall be
delivered under the Plan.

     (c) Changes in Stock. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or
combination of shares, exchange of shares, distribution payable in capital
stock, recapitalization or other change in Orbital's capital stock, the number
and kind of shares of Stock subject to Grants then outstanding or subsequently
awarded under the Plan, the exercise price of any outstanding option, the
maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan, and
other relevant provisions shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board, so that
the proportionate interest of the Grantee immediately following such event
shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event.

5.   EFFECTIVE DATE.

     The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, subject to approval
of the Plan within one year of the Effective Date by Orbital's shareholders.
Upon approval of the Plan by the stockholders of Orbital as set forth above, all
Grants made under the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be fully
effective as if Orbital's stockholders had approved the Plan on the Effective
Date. If the stockholders fail to approve the Plan within one year of the
Effective Date, any Grants made hereunder shall be null and void and of no
effect.

6.   AWARD AGREEMENT

     Each Grant pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement,
to be executed by Orbital and by the Grantee, in such form or forms as the Board
shall from time to time approve. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Grant of
options shall specify whether such options are intended to be Nonstatutory
Options or Incentive Options.

7.   OPTION EXERCISE PRICE

     The option exercise price for shares of Stock to be issued under the Plan
shall be the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the Grant date (or 110% of the
Fair Market Value in the case of an Incentive Option granted to a ten-percent
shareholder).

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8.   DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANTS. Grants may be made under the Plan to any
employee or director of any Participating Company as the Board shall determine
and designate from time to time. Grants of options may be made under the Plan to
any consultant or adviser to any Participating Company whose participation in
the Plan is determined by the Board to be in the best interests of the Company
and is so designated by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, grants to
persons who are not employees of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company shall not be Incentive Options.

9.   OUTSIDE DIRECTOR OPTION GRANTS

     (a) Automatic Grants. On January 2 of each year, each Outside Director
shall automatically be awarded a Grant of a Nonstatutory Option to purchase
3,000 shares of Stock.

     (b) Grants in Lieu of Annual Fee. Each Outside Director shall be entitled
to receive a Nonstatutory Option to purchase a specified number of shares of
Stock in lieu of his or her annual Board retainer fee. Such specified number (i)
shall be calculated by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, using a
Black-Scholes (or other generally accepted) valuation method based on the Fair
Market Value of the Stock on January 15 of the applicable year (or the next
business day, if January 15 falls on a weekend), assuming a ten-year option term
and (ii) shall be adjusted upward by 10% to take into account the one-year
vesting term. The exercise price of such option shall be equal to the Fair
Market Value of Shares on January 15 (or the next business day, if January 15
falls on a weekend), which shall also be the Grant date. Any Outside Director
desiring to receive an option in lieu of cash shall notify the Company of this
election, which shall be irrevocable, by submitting a written notice to the
Corporate Secretary in accordance to procedures as determined by the Board.

10.  LIMITATIONS ON GRANTS

     (a) Limitation on Shares of Stock Subject to Grants. The maximum number of
shares of Stock subject to Options that can be awarded under the Plan to any
person eligible for a Grant under Section 8 hereof is 750,000 shares of Stock
during the first ten (10) calendar years of the Plan, and 100,000 per year
thereafter. The "per individual" limitations described in this paragraph shall
be construed and applied consistent with the rules and regulations under I.R.C.
Section 162(m).

     (b) Limitations on Incentive Options. Incentive Options may only be granted
to employees of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

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11.  VESTING AND TERMINATION OF OPTIONS

     (a) Vesting of Discretionary Options. Subject to the other provisions of
this Section 11, Options granted pursuant to Section 8 shall vest and become
exercisable at such time and in such installments as the Board shall provide in
each individual Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may,
in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which all or any part of an
option may be exercised.

     (b) Vesting of Outside Director Options. Subject to the other provisions of
this Section 11, options granted under Section 9 shall become exercisable as to
100% of the Stock covered thereby on the first anniversary of the Grant date.

     (c) Termination of Options. All options shall expire and terminate on such
date as the Board shall determine ("Option Termination Date"), which in no event
shall be later than ten (10) years from the date such option was granted. In the
case of an Incentive Option granted to a ten-percent stockholder, the option
shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date
such option was granted. Upon termination of an option or portion thereof, the
Grantee shall have no further right to purchase Stock pursuant to such option.

     (d) Termination of Employment or Service.

               (i) Termination of Employment or Directorship. Upon the
termination of the employment or directorship of a Grantee with a Participating
Company for any reason other than for "cause" (pursuant to Section 14 below) or
by reason of death or Total Disability, all options that are not exercisable
shall terminate on the employment/directorship termination date. Options that
are exercisable on the employment/directorship termination date shall continue
to be exercisable for (A) six (6) months following the employment/directorship
termination date (in the case of Nonstatutory Options), (B) three (3) months
following the employment termination date (in the case of Incentive Options), or
(C) the Option Termination Date, whichever occurs first. A Grantee who is an
employee or director of a Participating Company shall be deemed to have incurred
a termination for purposes of this Section 11 (d)(i) if such Participating
Company ceases to be a Participating Company, unless such Grantee is an
employee, director, consultant or adviser of any other Participating Company.

               (ii) Service Termination. In the case of an optionee who is not
an employee or director of any Participating Company, provisions relating to the
exercisability of options following termination of service shall be specified in
the award. If not so specified, all options held by such optionee that are not
then exercisable shall terminate upon termination of service for any reason.
Unless such termination was for "cause" (pursuant to Section 14 below), options
that are exercisable on the date the optionee's service as a consultant or
adviser terminates shall continue to be exercisable for a period of six (6)
months following the service termination date (as defined in a consulting or
similar agreement or as determined by the Board) or the Option Termination Date,
whichever occurs first.

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     (e) Rights in the Event of Death. In the event that the employment and/or
directorship of an optionee with a Participating Company is terminated by reason
of death, all options that are not exercisable shall terminate on the date of
death. Options that were exercisable on the date prior to the optionee's death
may be exercised by the optionee's executor or administrator or by the person or
persons to whom the option is transferred by will or the applicable laws of
descent and distribution, at any time within the one-year period (or such longer
period as the Board may determine prior to the expiration of such one-year
period) beginning with the date of the optionee's death, but in no event beyond
the Option Termination Date.

     (f) Rights in the Event of Total Disability. In the event that the
employment and/or directorship of an optionee with a Participating Company is
terminated by reason of Total Disability, all options that are not exercisable
shall terminate on the employment/directorship termination date. Options that
were exercisable on the employment/directorship termination date may be
exercised at any time within the one-year period (or such longer period as the
Board may determine prior to the expiration of such one-year period) beginning
with the commencement of the optionee's Total Disability (as determined by the
Board) but in no event beyond the Option Termination Date.

     (g) Leave of Absence. An approved leave of absence shall not constitute a
termination of employment under the Plan. An approved leave of absence shall
mean an absence approved pursuant to the policy of a Participating Company for
military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave, not to exceed ninety (90)
days or, if longer, as long as the employee's right to re-employment is
guaranteed by contract, statute or the policy of a Participating Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall an approved leave of absence
extend an option beyond the Option Termination Date.

12.  EXERCISE OF OPTIONS; NON-TRANSFERABILITY

     (a) Exercise of Options. Vested options may be exercised, in whole or in
part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, which notice shall
specify the number of shares of Stock to be purchased and shall be accompanied
by payment in full of the purchase price in accordance with Section 12(b) below
and the full amount of any federal and state withholding and other employment
taxes applicable to such person as a result of such exercise. No shares of Stock
shall be issued until full payment of the purchase price and applicable
withholding tax has been made. Until the issuance of stock certificates, no
right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall
exist with respect to optioned shares notwithstanding the exercise of the
option.

     (b) Payment. Full payment of the purchase price for the Stock as to which
an option is being exercised shall be made (i) in United States dollars in cash
or by check in a form satisfactory to the Company, (ii) at the Grantee's
election, and subject to discretion of the Board, through delivery of Shares
having a Fair Market Value on the day immediately preceding the day notice of
exercise is received by the Company equal to the cash exercise price of the
option, (iii)
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in accordance with a so-called cashless exercise plan established with a
securities brokerage firm, or (iv) by any combination of the permissible forms
of payment.

     (c) Non-Transferability of Options. Except as the Board may otherwise
determine, no option may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and during an optionee's lifetime an option may be
exercised only by the Grantee.

13.  RESTRICTED STOCK

     (a) Grant of Restricted Stock. The Board may from time to time grant
Restricted Stock to certain employees and directors of a Participating Company,
subject to such restrictions, conditions and other terms, if any, as the Board
may determine.

     (b) Restrictions. At the time a Grant of Restricted Stock is made, the
Board may establish a period of time (the "Restricted Period") during which a
Grantee's right to all or a portion of such Restricted Stock shall vest over
time, subject to certain terms and conditions. Each Grant of Restricted Stock
may be subject to a different Restricted Period. The Board may, in its sole
discretion, at the time a Grant of Restricted Stock is made, prescribe
forfeiture or vesting conditions in addition to or other than the expiration of
the Restricted Period. The Board also may, in its sole discretion, shorten or
terminate the Restricted Period or waive any other restrictions applicable to
all or a portion of the Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock may not be sold,
transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the
Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions
prescribed by the Board with respect to such Restricted Stock.

     (c) Restricted Stock Certificates. Orbital shall issue, in the name of each
Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, stock certificates
representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the
Grantee. The Secretary of Orbital shall hold such certificates for the Grantee's
benefit until such time as the restrictions lapse or the Restricted Stock is
forfeited to Orbital.

     (d) Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. Unless the Board otherwise
provides in an Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right
to vote such Stock and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with
respect to such Stock. The Board may provide that any dividends paid on
Restricted Stock must be reinvested in Stock, which may or may not be subject to
the same vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted
Stock. All distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to
Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of
shares, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the restrictions
applicable to the original Grant.

     (e) Termination of Employment. Upon termination of the
employment/directorship of a Grantee with Orbital, other than by reason of death
or Total Disability, any Restricted Stock held by such Grantee that has not
vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have
not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited, unless the Board, in its

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discretion, determines otherwise. Upon forfeiture of Restricted Stock, the
Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to such Grant, including but
not limited to any right to vote Restricted Stock or any right to receive
dividends with respect to shares of Restricted Stock.

     (f) Rights in the Event of Total Disability or Death. The rights of a
Grantee with respect to Restricted Stock in the event such Grantee terminates
employment/directorship with Orbital by reason of Total Disability or death
shall be determined by the Board at the time of Grant.

     (g) Delivery of Stock and Payment Therefor. Upon the expiration or
termination of the Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other
conditions prescribed by the Board, the restrictions applicable to shares of
Restricted Stock shall lapse, and, upon payment by the Grantee to Orbital, in
cash or by check, of the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented
by such Restricted Stock, a stock certificate for such shares shall be
delivered, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee or the Grantee's
beneficiary or estate, as the case may be.

14.  FORFEITURE CONDITIONS.

     The Board may provide in an Award Agreement for conditions of forfeiture
for "cause" of any Grantee's rights with respect to a Grant. "Cause" shall
include engaging in an activity that is detrimental to the Company including,
without limitation, criminal activity, failure to carry out the duties assigned
to the Grantee as a result of incompetence or willful neglect, conduct casting
such discredit on the Company as in the opinion of the Board justifies
termination or forfeiture of the Grant, or such other reasons, including the
existence of a conflict of interest, as the Board may determine. "Cause" is not
limited to events that have occurred prior to the Grantee's termination of
service, nor is it necessary that the Board's finding of "cause" occur prior to
such termination. If the Board determines, subsequent to a Grantee's termination
of service but prior to the exercise of any rights under a Grant, that either
prior or subsequent to the Grantee's termination the Grantee engaged in conduct
that would constitute "cause," then the rights with respect to a Grant shall be
forfeited.

15.  COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS.

     (a) The delivery of Stock upon the exercise of an option or lapse of a
Restricted Period shall be subject to compliance with (i) applicable federal and
state laws and regulations, (ii) all applicable listing requirements of any
national securities exchange or national market system on which the Stock is
then listed or quoted, and (iii) Company counsel's approval of all other legal
matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such Stock. If the sale
of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the option or receipt of
Restricted Stock, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company
may consider appropriate to avoid violation of such Act and may require that the
certificates evidencing such Stock bear an appropriate legend restricting
transfer.

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     (b) It is the intent of the Company that Grants pursuant to the Plan and
the exercise of options granted hereunder will qualify for the exemption
provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision
of the Plan or action by the Board does not comply with the requirements of Rule
16b-3 in respect of an employee or director subject to Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act, it shall be deemed inoperative to the extent permitted by law and
deemed advisable by the Board, and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In
the event that Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board may exercise its
discretion to modify this Plan in any respect necessary to satisfy the
requirements of, or take advantage of any features of the revised exemption or
its replacement.

16.  MERGERS, etc.

     (a) Effect on Options and Plan. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
options outstanding under the Plan shall accelerate and become immediately
exercisable for a period of fifteen days (or such longer or shorter period as
the Board may prescribe) immediately prior to the scheduled consummation of a
Terminating Transaction, which exercise shall be (i) conditioned upon the
consummation of the Terminating Transaction and (ii) effective only immediately
before the consummation of such Terminating Transaction. Upon consummation of
any such event, the Plan and all outstanding but unexercised options shall
terminate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent provision is made in
writing in connection with such Terminating Transaction, for the continuation of
the Plan and the assumption of options under the Plan theretofore granted, or
for the substitution for such options of new options covering the stock of a
successor company, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate
adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares or units and exercise prices,
then the Plan and options theretofore granted shall continue in the manner and
under the terms so provided, and the acceleration and termination provisions set
forth in the first two sentences of this Section 16(a) shall be of no effect.
The Company shall send written notice of a Terminating Transaction to all
individuals who hold options not later than the time at which the Company gives
notice thereof to its stockholders.

     b. Effect on Restricted Stock. All outstanding shares of Restricted Stock
shall be deemed to have vested, and all restrictions and conditions applicable
to such shares of Restricted Stock shall be deemed to have lapsed immediately
prior to the occurrence of a Terminating Transaction.

17.  TAXES

     The Board shall make such provisions and take such steps as it deems
necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any federal, state, local and
other tax required by law to be withheld with respect to the grant or exercise
of options, or the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to
Restricted Stock, or with respect to the disposition of Stock acquired pursuant
to the Plan, including, but without limitation, the deduction of the amount of
any such withholding tax from any compensation or other amounts payable to a
Grantee, or requiring a
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Grantee (or the optionee's beneficiary or legal representative), as a condition
of a Grant or exercise of an option or receipt of Restricted Stock, to pay to
the appropriate Participating Company any amount required to be withheld, or to
execute such other documents as the Board deems necessary or desirable in
connection with the satisfaction of any applicable withholding obligation.

18.  EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

     Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the making of any Grants shall confer
upon any Grantee any right to continue as an employee or director of, or
consultant or adviser to, any Participating Company or affect in any way the
right of any Participating Company to terminate them at any time. Except as
specifically provided by the Board in any particular case, the loss of existing
or potential profit in Grants under this Plan shall not constitute an element of
damages in the event of termination of the relationship of a Grantee even if the
termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company to the Grantee by
contract or otherwise.

19.  AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN

     (a) Neither adoption of the Plan nor the making of any Grants shall affect
the Company's right to make awards to any person that is not subject to the
Plan, to issue to such persons Stock as a bonus or otherwise, or to adopt other
plans or arrangements under which Stock may be issued.

     (b) The Board may at any time discontinue granting awards under the Plan.
With the consent of the Grantee, the Board may at any time cancel an existing
Grant in whole or in part and make any other Grant for such number of shares as
the Board specifies. The Board may at any time, prospectively or retroactively,
amend the Plan or any outstanding Grant for the purpose of satisfying the
requirements of I.R.C. Section 422 or of any changes in applicable laws or
regulations or for any other purpose that may at the time be permitted by law,
or may at any time terminate the Plan as to further grants of awards, but no
such amendment shall materially adversely affect the rights of any Grantee
(without the Grantee's consent) under any outstanding Grant.

     (c) In the Board's discretion, the Board may, with an optionee's consent,
substitute Nonstatutory Options for outstanding Incentive Options, and any such
substitution shall not constitute a new option grant for the purposes of the
Plan, and shall not require a revaluation of the option exercise price for the
substituted option. Any such substitution may be implemented by an amendment to
the applicable option agreement or in such other manner as the Board in its
discretion may determine.

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20.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

     (a) Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of the Plan are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of any
provision of the Plan.

     (b) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, interpreted under and
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws, and not the laws
pertaining to conflicts or choice of laws, of the State of Delaware, applicable
to agreements made and to be performed wholly within the State of Delaware.

     (c) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall
be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any
jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and
enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain
enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

                                      * * *

     The Plan was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as of
January 24, 1997.

                                       /s/ Leslie C. Seeman
                                      Leslie C. Seeman
                                      Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
                                      Secretary of the Company

         The Plan was duly approved by the stockholders of the Company on April
24, 1997.

                                       /s/ Leslie C. Seeman
                                      Leslie C. Seeman
                                      Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
                                      Secretary of the Company<PAGE>   1

EXHIBIT 10.9

                                              CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT

                                    GENOMETRIX INCORPORATED HAS REQUESTED THAT
                                    THE MARKED PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT BE
                                    ACCORDED CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT PURSUANT TO
                                    RULE 406 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
                                    AS AMENDED.

                             GENOMETRIX INCORPORATED

                           GENOMIC SERVICES AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of March 3, 2000, (the "Effective Date") is
entered into by GENOMETRIX INCORPORATED, a DELAWARE corporation with its
principal place of business at 2700 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX,
77381 ("Genometrix") and PROCTER & GAMBLE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., an Ohio
corporation with its principal place of business at 8700 Mason-Montgomery Road,
Mason, OH 45040 ("Customer").

1.       DEFINITIONS.

         1.1  "CUSTOMER AFFILIATE" means any individual or entity directly or
indirectly under the control of Customer. For purposes of this Section 1.21,
"control" means (i) the direct or indirect ownership of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the outstanding voting securities of an entity, or (ii) the right to
receive fifty percent (50%) or more of the profits or earnings of an entity, or
(iii) such other relationship as in fact results in actual control over the
management, business and affairs of an entity, shall be deemed to constitute
control.

         1.2  "CUSTOMER ARRAY FABRICATION REAGENTS" shall mean any synthetic
polynucleotide DNA reagents that are provided by Customer to Genometrix for use
in the preparation of a Custom VistaArray(TM) for either expression or
polymorphism analysis in a manner that is consistent with specifications
determined by Genometrix.

         1.3  "CUSTOMER EXPRESSION REAGENTS" shall mean any reagents that are
provided by Customer to Genometrix for use in the preparation of VistaArray(TM)
Targets by Genometrix. Customer Expression Reagents include tissue samples,
total RNA, and mRNA.

         1.4  "CUSTOMER GENOTYPING REAGENTS" shall mean any reagents that are
provided by Customer to Genometrix for the preparation of VistaArray(TM) Targets
by Genometrix. Customer Genotyping Reagents include tissue samples, blood
samples, and DNA.

         1.5  "CUSTOM VISTAARRAY(TM)" means a VistaArray(TM) fabricated using
genes and reagents specified by Customer and provided by Customer, or both
Customer and Genometrix.

         1.6  "EXPRESSARRAY(TM)" means a VistaArray(TM) designed to enable
analysis of gene expression from a sample of either mRNA or DNA that has been
labeled appropriately.

         1.7  "GENOMETRIX ARRAY FABRICATION REAGENTS" shall mean any synthetic
polynucleotide DNA reagents of Genometrix that are used in the preparation of
VistaArrays(TM).

         1.8  "GENOVISTA(TM) SOFTWARE" means the Genometrix software programs
useful for (a) managing the fabrication of VistaArrays(TM), (b) using the
VistaArrays(TM), and (c) analyzing image data and/or electronically storing,
manipulating, visualizing or analyzing VistaArray(TM) Expression Data and/or
VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data.

         1.9  "MORPHARRAY(TM)" means a VistaArray(TM) designed to enable
analysis of polymorphisms or other variations from a sample of DNA that has been
labeled appropriately.

         1.10 "STANDARD VISTAARRAY(TM)" means a VistaArray(TM) fabricated using
genes and reagents specified and provided solely by Genometrix.

         1.11 "TARGET PREPARATION SERVICES" means preparation by Genometrix of
VistaArray(TM)

                                     1.
<PAGE>   2
Targets using Genometrix specified procedures and/or VistaArray(TM) Technology.

         1.12 "THIRD PARTY" means any entity that is not a party to this
Agreement and is not an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement.

         1.13 "VISTAARRAY(TM)" means a microarray having a plurality of
site-specific elements placed on a proprietary substrate in a specified format.
VistaArray(TM) shall include both Custom VistaArrays(TM) and Standard
VistaArrays(TM).

         1.14 "VISTAARRAY(TM) FABRICATION SERVICES" means fabrication by
Genometrix of Custom VistaArrays(TM).

         1.15 "VISTAARRAY(TM) ELEMENT" means a single sample of synthetic
nucleic acid DNA placed at a designated location on a VistaArray(TM).

         1.16 "VISTAARRAY(TM) EXPRESSION DATA" means data generated that
indicates the expression of the genes represented by the VistaArray(TM) Elements
on an ExpressArray Array.

         1.17 "VISTAARRAY(TM) EXPRESSION SERVICES" means the processing of
samples, and application of processed samples to VistaArrays(TM), and the
analysis of the VistaArrays(TM) for the purposes of assessing the expression
levels of genes represented on the VistaArrays(TM).

         1.18 "VISTAARRAY(TM) GENOTYPE DATA" means data generated that indicates
the DNA makeup of a particular site or sites on genes represented by the
VistaArray(TM) Elements on a MorphArray(TM) Array.

         1.19 "VISTAARRAY(TM) GENOTYPING SERVICES" means the processing of
samples, and application of processed samples to VistaArrays(TM), and analysis
of the VistaArrays(TM) for the purposes of assessing specific nucleotide
information at specific locations within genes represented on the
VistaArrays(TM).

         1.20 "VISTAARRAY(TM) PLATE" means a plate or surface containing a
plurality of VistaArrays(TM). The plate has a proprietary surface in a format
specified by Genometrix. Multiple identical or different VistaArrays(TM) may be
contained within a single plate.

         1.21 "VISTAARRAY(TM) SERVICES" means one or more of the following:
VistaArray(TM) Fabrication Services, VistaArray(TM) Expression Services,
VistaArray(TM) Genotyping Services and/or related services for sample
preparation, processing, imaging, and analysis.

         1.22 "VISTAARRAY(TM) TARGETS" means appropriately labeled DNA or cDNA
materials for hybridization with a VistaArray(TM). VistaArray(TM) Targets may be
made by Customer or by Genometrix using specified procedures.

         1.23 "VISTAARRAY(TM) TECHNOLOGY" means all technology, including but
not limited to, all inventions, processes, procedures, protocols, know-how,
algorithms, biological materials, chemical materials, software, hardware, and
information that is owned or controlled by Genometrix and which is: (a) utilized
to perform the VistaArray(TM) Services, or (b) utilized to develop, make, have
made, use, sell or import VistaArrays(TM), or (c) utilized to develop, make,
have made, use, sell or import the GenoVista Software and/or is incorporated in
or is a component of the GenoVista Software. VistaArray(TM) Technology includes,
without limitation, the Genometrix Array Fabrication Reagents, VistaArrays(TM)
and the GenoVista Software.

         1.24 VISTAARRAY DATA" means collectively VistaArray Expression Data and
VistaArray Genotype Data.

2.       PROJECT INITIATION AND PAYMENT.

         2.1  The Pricing and Deliverables Form attached as Exhibit A details
the specific VistaArray(TM) Services and GenoVista(TM) Software that Customer
may obtain, purchase or license, as the case may be, under this Agreement.

         2.2  Customer may order the VistaArray(TM) Services included in Exhibit
A by submitting to Genometrix a VistaArray fabrication request and completing a
wire transfer for the appropriate amount to an account specified by Genometrix.
Any purchase order submitted to Genometrix shall be governed exclusively by the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.

                                       2.
<PAGE>   3
                                    CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED AND FILED
                                    SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                    COMMISSION. ASTERISKS DENOTE SUCH OMISSIONS.

3.       PERFORMANCE OF VISTAARRAY(TM) SERVICES.

         3.1   Customer shall prepare, at Customer's expense, the relevant
Customer Array Fabrication Reagents, Customer Expression Reagents, Customer
Genotyping Reagents, or VistaArray(TM) Targets using specified protocols and
quality control procedures provided by Genometrix. Customer shall provide such
reagents to Genometrix according to a mutually determined schedule as set forth
on Exhibit A, to allow Genometrix sufficient time to perform the VistaArray(TM)
Services identified on Exhibit A and to be provided under this Agreement. Any
such protocols or quality control procedures provided to Customer by Genometrix
pursuant to this Agreement shall be the Confidential Information of Genometrix,
and shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.

         3.2   Genometrix shall provide training for Customer's personnel to
enable efficient utilization of VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or VistaArray(TM)
Genotype Data, for the number of days set forth on Exhibit A.

         3.3   Upon the reasonable request of Customer, Genometrix will provide
Customer with periodic written reports of the status of the performance of the
VistaArray(TM) Services to be provided by Genometrix under this Agreement.
Customer and Genometrix researchers will jointly determine the format of the
report.

         3.4   Genometrix will provide a technical liaison to work directly with
the main contact designated by Customer.

         3.5   VISTAARRAY(TM) FABRICATION SERVICES.

         3.5.1 Customer shall provide a sufficient quantity of Customer Array
Fabrication Reagents to fabricate the desired number of Custom VistaArrays(TM).
With respect to Genometrix Array Fabrication Reagents, Genometrix will provide
sufficient quantities of Genometrix Array Fabrication Reagents for fabrication
of the desired Custom VistaArrays(TM).

         3.5.2 Customer Array Fabrication Reagents shall be provided in 96-well
plates. ******* ************, ** *********, ** ******** ** **** ** ***********
*********** ******** and will be performed by Genometrix.

         3.5.3 For each Custom VistaArray(TM) fabricated by Genometrix for
Customer pursuant to this Agreement, Genometrix may, at its discretion and at
Genometrix's sole expense, add VistaArray(TM) Elements made using the Genometrix
Array Fabrication Reagents that may serve as quality control, comparative
analysis, and sensitivity calibration standards.

         3.5.4 The number of Custom VistaArrays(TM) ordered in any single batch
shall be no less than ***.

         3.5.5 In order to ensure appropriate yield, Genometrix may, at its own
expense, fabricate more Custom VistaArrays(TM) than the amount ordered by
Customer. However, except as provided in section 3.5.4, Customer shall only be
billed for the number of VistaArrays(TM) actually ordered by Customer. ***
****** ************* ***** ** ********* ** ********** ******* *** **** *****
********** *** ********* *** ********** ************ *********** *********
********* ** ********.

         3.5.6 Customer Array Fabrication Reagents will be stored in secure
Genometrix facilities until Genometrix performs the VistaArray(TM) Fabrication
Services. All VistaArray(TM) Fabrication Services will be performed at
Genometrix laboratories. All Customer Array Fabrication Reagents in Genometrix's
possession will be returned to Customer at Customer's request and expense within
30 days of Customer's written request.

         3.5.7 Customer shall provide Genometrix with a quarterly forecast of
Customer's demand for Custom VistaArrays(TM) and all VistaArray(TM) Services for
the immediately following calendar quarter. Such forecasts will represent a
reasonable estimate of Customer's requirements for Custom VistaArrays(TM), and
shall be provided to Genometrix at least thirty (30) days in advance of the
quarter in which the VistaArray(TM) Fabrication Services will be provided.

                                       3.
<PAGE>   4
                                 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED AND
                                 FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. ASTERISKS
                                 DENOTE SUCH OMISSIONS.

         3.5.8 The standard time required for the fabrication of a standard
order of Custom VistaArrays(TM) (defined to be between *** and ****** arrays) is
********** **** business days following receipt of Customer Array Fabrication
Reagents in sufficient amounts and meeting Genometrix quality standards. It is
expected that provision of the VistaArray(TM) Fabrication Services, will, in
most instances be completed within the above-noted standard time periods.
However, if Genometrix reasonably determines that Customer's forecast
requirements cannot be handled on such standard schedule, Genometrix shall,
within one (1) month of receipt of the Customer's forecast, provide Customer
with notice of any non-standard delivery schedule; provided, however, that any
non-standard delivery schedule is subject to the mutual agreement of Customer
and Genometrix.

         3.5.9 In the case of the provision of VistaArray(TM) Fabrication
Services for greater than ****** Custom VistaArrays(TM), Customer shall notify
Genometrix at least ten (10) business days in advance of the standard request
schedule set forth in Section 3.5.8 above. Where such advance notification has
not been provided, or where the quarterly forecast has not been provided, or
where Customer's demand exceeds Customer's quarterly forecast by ***** *******
***** ** ****, Genometrix will make reasonable efforts to provide the
VistaArray(TM) Fabrication Services in a timely manner.

         3.6   VISTAARRAY(TM) TARGET PREPARATION SERVICES.

         3.6.1 Customer must provide, at its own expense, a sufficient quantity
of Customer Expression Reagents or Customer Genotyping Reagents to react with
the number of VistaArrays(TM) that have been ordered by Customer. Genometrix
shall provide Target Preparation Services to make sufficient VistaArray(TM)
Targets from Customer Expression Reagents or Customer Genotyping Reagents.

         3.6.2 VistaArray(TM) Targets and/or Customer Expression Reagents and/or
Customer Genotyping Reagents will be stored in Genometrix facilities until
Genometrix performs the VistaArray(TM) Services. All such VistaArray(TM) Targets
or Customer Expression Reagents or Customer Genotyping Reagents in Genometrix's
possession **** ****** ** *** ********* ****** *** **** ***** ********** ***
********* *** ************ ******** * ** **** ******** ** ******** ** **********
******* *** ******* ****** ****** **** **** ** *********** ******* *******.

         3.7   All consumed VistaArrays(TM) in Genometrix's ********** **** **
********* ****** *** **** ***** ********** *** ********* *** ************
********.

4.       REPORTING AND OWNERSHIP OF VISTAARRAY(TM) DATA.

         4.1   If Genometrix is performing VistaArray(TM) Expression Services or
VistaArray(TM) Genotyping Services, the standard time required for Genometrix to
report VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data to
Customer, as the case may be, is ******* **** business days following receipt
from Customer or manufacture by Genometrix of sufficient VistaArray(TM) Targets
meeting Genometrix's quality standards.

         4.2   If Genometrix is performing VistaArray(TM) Fabrication Services
as well as VistaArray(TM) Expression Services or VistaArray(TM) Genotyping
Services, the standard time required for Genometrix to report VistaArray(TM)
Expression Data or VistaArray(TM) Genotyping Data is ******* **** business days
after the later of: (a) the end of the ****** fabrication period referred to in
Section 3.5.8, or (b) the receipt from Customer or manufacture by Genometrix of
sufficient VistaArray(TM) Elements meeting Genometrix quality standards.

         4.3   Genometrix will provide Customer with VistaArray(TM) Expression
Data or VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data through an Internet-based virtual private
network or other mutually agreeable format as detailed in Exhibit A.

         4.4   Customer shall own all VistaArray(TM) Expression Data generated
by Genometrix on its behalf pursuant to this Agreement; provided, that, Customer
and its Affiliates shall use

                                       4.
<PAGE>   5
                                 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED AND
                                 FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. ASTERISKS
                                 DENOTE SUCH OMISSIONS.

the VistaArray(TM) Data solely for their respective internal research and
development purposes.

         4.5 *********** ***** *** *** *** ************ **** ***** ** ********
*** *** ******* ***** **** *** *********** ** *** *********** ***** ****
********** * *** ***** *** ********* ** ******** ********** ************ **** **
*** ***** ***** ****** ************ ********** ** ** ** ** ********. The
foregoing notwithstanding, in no event shall Genometrix be prevented from
providing any VistaArray(TM) Services, or making, selling and/or providing any
VistaArrays(TM), or any other services or products provided, incorporating or
based on the use of the VistaArray(TM) Technology or the GenoVista Software.

5.       LICENSE AND DELIVERY OF GENOVISTA(TM) SOFTWARE

         Access to the GenoVista Software, or any components thereof, is hereby
granted according to the following terms:

         5.1 The GenoVista Software and display screens are protected by
copyright, patent, trade secret and other intellectual property laws. Genometrix
hereby grants to Customer and its Affiliates a non-exclusive, non-transferable
license to use the GenoVista Software solely for the following permitted
purposes at the facilities of Customer or its Affiliates: (a) to send requests
for VistaArray(TM) Services (and related information) to Genometrix; (b) to
receive VistaArray(TM) Expression Data and/or VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data, as
applicable and in accordance with this Agreement; and (c) to facilitate
Customer's analysis of the VistaArray(TM) Expression Data and/or VistaArray(TM)
Genotype Data. Customer shall not copy such software or display screens, nor
shall Customer reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the GenoVista Software
or display screens or any component thereof. The GenoVista Software embodies
trade secrets of Genometrix that are considered the Confidential Information of
Genometrix and are subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 8
hereof.

         5.2 Any access to or use of the GenoVista Software for purposes in
addition to the purposes set forth in this Agreement, or any access to databases
or other software of Genometrix in addition to the GenoVista Software, whether
during the Term of this Agreement or thereafter, shall be provided only pursuant
to a separate written agreement between Genometrix and Customer.

         5.3 Genometrix reserves the right to provide periodic updates and
patches to the GenoVista Software directly or through an internet connection.

         5.4 Any inventions, discoveries, ideas, conceptions, technical data,
programs, algorithms, whether patentable or not, relating to the GenoVista
Software, an improvement thereof or the use thereof, created, discovered,
identified or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Customer or its
Affiliates during the Term (as defined in Section 10.1) (hereinafter "Software
Technology"), shall be promptly disclosed to Genometrix, and Customer shall
promptly assign to Genometrix its entire right, title and interest in and to
such Software Technology. At any time during or after the Term of this
Agreement, Customer agrees that it will fully cooperate with Genometrix, its
attorneys and agents, in the preparation and filing of all papers and other
documents as may be required to perfect Genometrix's rights in and to any of
such Software Technology, including, but not limited to, joining in any
proceeding to obtain letters patent, copyrights, trademarks or other legal
rights of the United States and of any and all other countries on such Software
Technology; provided, that, Genometrix will bear the expense of such
proceedings.

6.       PAYMENTS.

         6.1 Customer will pay Genometrix according to the terms set forth in
Exhibit A. The initial payment shall be due upon completion by Genometrix of the
array design and validation activities identified in Exhibit A.

         6.2 All other amounts payable under this Agreement will be invoiced to
Customer and will be due within thirty (30) days after the date of Customers
receipt of the invoice.

                                       5.
<PAGE>   6
         6.3 Custom VistaArrays(TM) will be invoiced to Customer once they are
fabricated, pass Genometrix quality control procedures, and are stored in
Genometrix facilities prior to performing the applicable VistaArray(TM) Service

         6.4 Standard VistaArrays(TM) will be invoiced to Customer once they are
stored in Genometrix facilities at Customer's request prior to performing
VistaArray(TM) Services.

         6.5 All transportation and insurance costs shall be paid by Customer
and will be set forth separately on the invoice submitted to Customer.

         6.6 All fees payable under this Section 6 shall exclude any applicable
sales, use or other taxes, import or export fees, and other charges imposed on
the delivery, license or use of the VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data, the
VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or the GenoVista Software or any other
VistaArray(TM) TechnolOgy by Customer. All such amounts (and any related
interest or penalties) will be paid by Customer to the appropriate governmental
authority or, if Genometrix is required under law to collect and pay any such
taxes or fees, such amounts will be invoiced to Customer. Customer will provide
to Genometrix a sales tax exemption certificate and Customer agrees that it is
responsible for paying any sales taxes assessed by the State of Ohio on all
services provided by Genometrix. Customer will self assess these taxes and pay
the State of Ohio directly and will not be billed for these taxes by Genometrix.

7.       INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

         7.1 Except as expressly provided in Section 4.4, Section 5, and Section
9 of this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring
on Customer any rights to the VistaArray(TM) Technology, the GenoVista Software,
the VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or the VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data, or
conferring on either party a license or option to license any information,
discoveries, inventions, or intellectual property rights owned or controlled by
the other party.

         7.2 Except as provided in Sections 5.4 and 7.3, nothing herein shall be
construed as conferring on Genometrix any license or other rights to any
Customer Array Fabrication Reagents, Customer Genotyping Reagents, Customer
Expression Reagents or under any of Customer's patent applications or patents
relating thereto, all of which shall remain the sole property of Customer.

         7.3 Except as provided in Section 5 with respect to the GenoVista
Software, and except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4 below, any invention,
development or discovery, whether or not patentable, made during Term of this
Agreement or through use of the VistaArray(TM) Technology (hereinafter "New
Technology") shall be owned according to inventorship of the relevant patents or
patent applications, and inventorship shall be determined under the patent laws
of the United States. New Technology invented solely by employees or others
acting on behalf of Customer shall be owned by Customer. New Technology invented
solely by employees or others acting on behalf of Genometrix shall be owned by
Genometrix, and inventions invented solely by employees or others acting on
behalf of Customer together with employees or others acting on behalf of
Genometrix shall be owned jointly by Genometrix and Customer. Except as provided
in Section 7.4 below, Genometrix shall have, and Customer hereby grants to
Genometrix, a non-exclusive, world-wide, sublicensable, fully-paid irrevocable
license under its interest in any New Technology which is an improvement to the
VistaArray(TM) Technology.

         7.4 The provisions of Section 7.3 notwithstanding, the parties
acknowledge and agree that Genometrix's performance of VistaArray(TM) Services
for Customer hereunder shall not be construed as constituting inventorship with
respect to any inventions or discoveries made by or on behalf of Customer
through the use of the VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or the VistaArray(TM)
Genotype Data developed by Genometrix through the use of Customer Expression
Reagents or Customer Array Fabrication Reagents.

8.       CONFIDENTIALITY.

         8.1 It is contemplated that each party will disclose certain of its
confidential and proprietary information to the other party pursuant to the
conduct of activities under this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term
"Confidential Information" means any technical, scientific or business
information furnished by one party (the "Disclosing Party") to the other party
(the "Receiving Party") in connection with this Agreement, regardless of whether
such information is specifically designated as confidential and regardless of
whether

                                       6.
<PAGE>   7
such information is in written, oral, electronic, or other form. Such
Confidential Information may include, without limitation, trade secrets,
know-how, inventions, technical data, operational protocols, sample processing
protocols, data analysis algorithms, research results or specifications, testing
methods, clinical trial data, information regarding proprietary compounds or
agents, business or financial information, research and development activities,
product and marketing plans, and customer and supplier information.

         8.2  During the Term of this Agreement and thereafter, Genometrix will
hold in strict confidence and shall not disclose or use for any purpose not
permitted by this Agreement any Confidential Information received from Customer
or any Custom VistaArray(TM) or VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or VistaArray(TM)
Genotype Data generated by Genometrix on behalf of Customer pursuant to this
Agreement.

         8.3  During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Customer will
hold in strict confidence and shall not disclose or use for any purpose not
permitted by this Agreement any Confidential Information received from
Genometrix pursuant to this Agreement (hereinafter "Genometrix Confidential
Information"). Genometrix Confidential Information includes, without limitation
the VistaArray(TM) Technology and the GenoVista Software and any information
related thereto, and any protocols, procedures, specifications or quality
standards provided by Genometrix to Customer.

         8.4  The obligations of confidentiality and non-use set forth in
Sections 8.2 and 8.3 above shall not apply to information which the Receiving
Party can demonstrate by written records: (a) was in the public domain at the
time of its receipt by the Receiving Party; (b) entered the public domain after
receipt thereof by the Receiving Party other than through a breach of this
Agreement by the Receiving Party, (c) was known to the Receiving Party at the
time of receipt from the Disclosing Party; or (d) is subsequently developed by
the Receiving Party independently and without breach of any obligation of
confidentiality or non-use under this Agreement; or (e) is disclosed to the
Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis by a third party having the right to
make such disclosure without breach of any confidentiality obligation; or (f) is
legally required to be disclosed by the Receiving Party; provided, that, (i)
prior written notice is given to the Disclosing Party in sufficient time to
enable it to seek a protective order with respect to such information; and (ii)
the Receiving Party shall only disclose that information that it is advised by
its legal counsel it is legally obligated to disclose, regardless of whether the
Disclosing Party seeks a protective order.

         8.5  The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the expiration or
termination of this Agreement.

9.       PUBLICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES. Customer retains all publication rights
to VistaArray(TM) Data provided to or generated by Customer pursuant to this
Agreement; provided, that, Customer shall not publish or otherwise disclose the
confidential or proprietary information of Genometrix or the VistaArray(TM)
Technology without obtaining the prior written consent of Genometrix. Customer
shall acknowledge the contribution of Genometrix in any such publication or
other disclosure. Customer shall provide Genometrix with a copy of any such
disclosure at least thirty (30) days prior to such disclosure by Customer.
During such thirty (30) day period, Genometrix shall have the right to review
the publication to confirm that it does not contain any Confidential Information
of Genometrix, and if Genometrix notifies Customer within such thirty (30) day
period that the proposed disclosure does contain the Confidential Information of
Genometrix, then Customer shall not publish or otherwise disclose the disclosure
until such Confidential Information of Genometrix has been removed therefrom.
Genometrix shall have the right to disclose publicly that it is performing
VistaArray(TM) Services for Customer. Genometrix will provide a copy of the
public announcement prior to release for review by Customer.

10.      TERM; TERMINATION.

         10.1 The term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date
and expire at the end of the Access Term as defined in Exhibit A, unless earlier
terminated according to the provisions of this Section 10 (hereinafter the
"Term").

                                       7.
<PAGE>   8
                                    CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED AND FILED
                                    SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                    COMMISSION. ASTERISKS DENOTE SUCH OMISSIONS.

         10.2 ******** *** ********* **** ********* *** ******** ****** **
********** * ********* ***** ******* ****** * * ** ********** ***** ** **** ****
****** ****** ** **** ***** ************ ******* ** ******* ****** ******* ****
********.

         10.3 Genometrix may terminate this Agreement if Genometrix fails to
receive any payment when due from Customer. Such termination shall be effective
thirty (30) business days after notice to Customer by Genometrix that such
payment has not been received, unless Customer has made such payment within such
30-day notice period. Upon any such termination, Genometrix will be entitled to
retain any fees paid by Customer prior to the termination date for services
already performed and for custom products that have already been fabricated.

         10.4 Either party may, in addition to any other remedies available to
it in law or in equity, terminate this Agreement with no prior notice if the
other party shall have become insolvent or bankrupt, or shall have made an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or there shall have been appointed a
trustee or receiver of the other party for all or a substantial part of its
property, or any case or proceeding shall have been commenced or other action
taken by or against the other party in bankruptcy or seeking reorganization,
liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, arrangement, composition or readjustment
of its debts or any other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar act or law of any jurisdiction now or hereafter
in effect.

         10.5 RETURN OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE. Upon
the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party shall
return to the Disclosing Party all of its Confidential Information, and, in
particular, any VistaArray(TM) Technology or GenoVista Software in the
possession of Customer shall be returned to Genometrix within 60 days, and
Customer shall have no continued rights of use or access to the GenoVista
Software, the VistaArray(TM) Software, the VistaArray(TM) Technology or any
other Confidential Information of Genometrix.

         10.6 SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS. Any termination of this Agreement
shall be without prejudice to the rights of any party then accruing or otherwise
accruing under this Agreement. The provisions of Sections 5.4,7, 8, 9, 10.5,
10.6, 11 and 12 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

11.      WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

         11.1 WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER. Except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement, Genometrix makes no other warranties, express or implied, regarding
the VistaArray(TM) Services, the GenoVista Software, the Vista Array Technology
or any data or other products, services or documents provided to Customer under
this Agreement and specifically disclaims all express or implied warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement of
third-party rights. Genometrix makes no warranties of any kind hereunder
regarding the VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or the VistaArray(TM) Genotype
Data. No information or advice concerning the VistaArray(TM) Services or the
VistaArray(TM) Expression Data or the VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data given by
Genometrix's employees or agents, whether oral or written, will be construed as
a warranty or will expand the scope of the limited warranty stated above, and
Customer is not entitled to rely on any such information or advice.

         11.2 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE
FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING ANY LOST DATA AND LOST PROFITS, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE PROVISION OF ANY DATA OR SERVICES HEREUNDER, OR THE USE OF THE
GENOVISTA SOFTWARE. GENOMETRIX WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY HEREUNDER WITH RESPECT TO
ANY DATA, THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE, OR EQUIPMENT USED BY CUSTOMER.

                                       8.
<PAGE>   9
         11.3 Customer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Genometrix from
any and all damages, costs or expenses arising out of the use of any products,
services, data or information provided to Customer under this Agreement, except
to the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct
of Genometrix.

         11.4 Genometrix shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Customer from
any and all damages, costs or expenses arising out of any third party claim of
patent infringement relating to the VistaArray(TM) Technology used in the
performance of this Agreement or arising from the performance of VistaArray(TM)
Services by Genometrix hereunder, except to the extent caused by the negligence,
recklessness or intentional misconduct of Customer.

12.      GENERAL TERMS.

         12.1 Customer shall comply with all applicable export and import
control laws and regulations with regard to the GenoVista Software, the
VistaArray(TM) Expression Data and the VistaArray(TM) Genotype Data, and, in
particular, Customer will not export or re-export such software or data without
all required United States and foreign government licenses. Customer agrees to
indemnify and hold Genometrix harmless from and against any violation of such
laws or regulations by Customer or any of its agents, officers, directors, or
employees.

         12.2 Customer will permit an agent appointed by Genometrix and
acceptable to Customer to review Customer's relevant records and inspect
Customer's facilities to ensure compliance with this Agreement; provided, that,
such agent has entered into a suitable confidentiality agreement with Customer.
Genometrix will give Customer at least forty-five (45) days advance notice of
any such inspection and will conduct the same during normal business hours in a
manner that does not unreasonably interfere with Customer's normal operations.
Genometrix's agent shall only report to Genometrix the results of such
inspection (i.e., whether or not Customer is in compliance with its obligations
under this Agreement), and shall not disclose to Genometrix any of Customer's
confidential or proprietary information provided to it or to which it may have
access during the conduct of the inspection.

         12.3 This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the
prior written consent of the other party, except that each party may assign this
Agreement and its rights, obligations and interests hereunder, in whole or in
part, to any purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets in the line of
business to which this Agreement pertains, or to any successor corporation
resulting from any merger or consolidation of such party with or into such
corporation.

         12.4 Any notice required under this Agreement shall be delivered to the
addresses below:

If to Genometrix:
         Genometrix Incorporated
         2700 Research Forest Drive
         The Woodlands, TX  77381

If to Customer:
         Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
         8700 Mason-Montgomery Road
         Mason, OH 45040

         12.5 The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International
Sale of Goods does not apply to this Agreement.

         12.6 All waivers must be in writing; any waiver or failure to enforce
any provision hereof on one occasion will not be deemed a waiver of any other
provision or of such provision on any other occasion.

         12.7 If any provision hereof is unenforceable, the remaining provisions
will nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

         12.8 This Agreement supersedes any prior or contemporaneous agreement
or communication between the parties regarding such services and may be amended
or supplemented only by a written document signed by both parties.

                                       9.
<PAGE>   10
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereby execute this Agreement, which is
deemed effective as of the Effective Date.

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
GENOMETRIX INCORPORATED                  CUSTOMER

By: Mitchell D. Eggers                   By: D.W. Axelrod, M.D., Ph.D.
    ------------------                       -------------------------

Title: Chief Executive Officer           Title: Director, Discovery Projects & Biological Sciences
       -----------------------                  --------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      10.
<PAGE>   11
                                    CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED AND FILED
                                    SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                    COMMISSION. ASTERISKS DENOTE SUCH OMISSIONS.

                                    EXHIBIT A
                          PRICING AND DELIVERABLES FORM

Genometrix will provide the following products and services:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        ACCESS
               PRODUCT                            PARAMETERS/COMMITMENTS                                 TERMS
<S>                                   <C>                                                             <C>
  GENOVISTA(TM) PROGRAM               Expression Program

     Vista Array(TM) Expression       -  Design, fabrication and validation of ExpressChip
     Array Services                      arrays for expression analysis of *** genes with              ********
                                         VistaArray Fabrication Services.

                                         - Complete processing and analysis of experimental            **** ***
                                           samples on custom VistaArray microarray using Target         ******
                                           Preparation Services for a minimum of *** samples

                                         - Installation and evaluation of VistaExpress (Beta)         ******** **
                                           module upon release.                                       **********
</TABLE>

Access Terms:  ** ****** from effective date of Genomics Services Agreement.

ARRAY SERVICES USAGE FOR THE GENOVISTA PROGRAM:

-        Genometrix will:

         -        Assign a Client Business Manager at Genometrix to work
                  directly with Procter & Gamble to facilitate the GenoVista
                  Program.

         -        Design, fabricate, and validate custom arrays using standard
                  VistaArray Fabrication Service procedures. A payment of
                  ******** will be due upon design, fabrication and validation
                  of initial batch of VistaArray microarrays as determined by
                  standard Genometrix evaluation procedures. Fees for
                  fabrication of requested quantities of VistaArray will be due
                  upon completion of fabrication and standard QC validation.

         -        Provide to Procter & Gamble data in predefined standard files
                  and, when available, in the appropriate GenoVista module.
                  Standard turn around for data from samples shipped according
                  to specifications is ** ******* *****.

-        Procter & Gamble will:

         -        Procter & Gamble will designate a main contact person for the
                  pilot program. This individual will be authorized by Procter &
                  Gamble to provide appropriate forecasts and approve new
                  projects and services requested from Genometrix under the
                  terms of the Agreement.

         -        Provide sequence data for VistaArray design. Standard turn
                  around for microarray design, fabrication, and validation is
                  ** ******** ****.

         -        Supply experimental samples using Genometrix defined
                  procedures (to be provided after initiation of the Genomic
                  Services Agreement).

         -        Provide an array usage forecast as described in the Genomics
                  Services Agreement detailing design and quantities of each
                  VistaArray required. The mutually determined schedule for
                  delivery of services as identified in Section 3.1 of the
                  Agreement will be based on the forecast.

                                      11.

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