Document:

<Page>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

                           CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT

                  AGREEMENT by and between INVITROGEN CORPORATION, a Delaware
Corporation (the "Company"), and John D. Thompson (the "Executive"), dated as of
the 1st day of June 2001.

                  The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change in Control (as
defined below). The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable
distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks
created by a pending or threatened Change in Control and to encourage the
Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the
event of any threatened or pending Change in Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change in Control
which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive
will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

                  1.       CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

                           (a)      The "Effective Date" shall be the first date
during the "Change in Control Period" (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a
Change in Control occurs; provided that the Executive is employed on that date.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated or the Executive ceases to be an
officer of the Company prior to the date on which a Change in Control occurs,
and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of
employment or cessation of status as an officer (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change in
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the Change
in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall
mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment or
cessation of status as an officer.

                           (b)      The "Change in Control Period" is the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of such date,
provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof,
and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof is hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the
Change in Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate two
years from such

<Page>

Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company
shall give notice to the Executive that the Change in Control Period shall not
be so extended.

                  2.       CHANGE IN CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement;

                           (a)      a "Change in Control" shall mean:

                                    (i)      Any acquisition or series of
acquisitions, other than from the Company, by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) of beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company
Common Stock") or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"), PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
(A) any acquisition by the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, (B) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (C) any acquisition or
series of acquisitions which results in any individual, entity or group (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) acquiring
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of more than 50% of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and while such a
beneficial owner such individual, entity or group does not exercise the voting
power of his, her or its Outstanding Company Common Stock or otherwise exercise
control with respect to any matter concerning or affecting the Company and
promptly sells, transfers, assigns or otherwise disposes of that number of
shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock necessary to reduce his, her or its
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of the Outstanding Company Common Stock to below 50%, as the case may be, shall
not constitute a Change in Control; or

                                    (ii)     Individuals who as of April 27,
2001, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board")
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors
of the Company, provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to
April 27, 2001, whose election, or nomination for election, by the Company's
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board, shall be considered as though such individual
were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or
threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of the
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) relating to the election of
directors of the Company; or

                                    (iii)    Approval by the stockholders of the
Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or of the sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
or of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company, in each case,
with respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
who were the respective beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or

                                       2
<Page>

consolidation do not, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation.

                  3.       EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain
in the employ of the Company, for the period commencing on the Effective Date
and ending at the end of the 24th month following the Effective Date (the
"Employment Period").

                  4.       TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

                           (a)      POSITION AND DUTIES.

                                    (i)      During the Employment Period, (A)
the Executive's position, authority, duties and responsibilities shall not be
substantially diminished from the most significant of those held, exercised and
assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the
location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective
Date or any office or location less than 50 miles from such location.

                                    (ii)     During the Employment Period, and
excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is
entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during
normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the
extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive
hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully
and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not
be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate,
civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in
accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to
the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior
to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct
of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective
Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities to the Company.

                           (b)      COMPENSATION.

                                    (i)      BASE SALARY. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base
Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to the highest
annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less
than twelve full months) base salary paid or payable to the Executive by the
Company and its affiliated companies

                                       3
<Page>

in respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in
which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base
Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased at any time
and from time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in
base salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual
Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after
any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement
shall refer to the Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this
Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" includes any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.

                                    (ii)     ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Annual
Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal
to the higher of either (A) the average annualized (for any fiscal year
consisting of less than twelve full months or with respect to which the
Executive has been employed by the Company for less than twelve full months)
bonus paid, or payable but for any deferral to the Executive by the Company and
its affiliated companies under the Company's deferred compensation arrangements,
in respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in
which the Effective Date occurs, or (B) in the event the annual bonus paid, or
payable but for any deferral to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies under the Company's deferred compensation arrangement, in respect of
the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective
Date occurs was based upon a formula or plan in which the Executive
participated, then such Annual Bonus shall be at least equal to the bonus which
would be payable based on such formula or plan had the Executive's participation
therein and level of participation remained in effect following the Effective
Date. Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third
month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual
Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such
Annual Bonus.

                                    (iii)    INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT
PLANS. In addition to Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus payable as hereinabove
provided, the Executive shall be entitled to participate during the Employment
Period in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs generally applicable to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities), savings
opportunities and retirement benefits opportunities, in each case, less
favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans,
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date.

                                    (iv)     WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the
Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may
be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life,
accidental death and travel accident

                                       4
<Page>

insurance plans and programs) to the extent generally applicable to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide benefits which are less
favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices,
policies and programs in effect for the Executive and/or the Executive's family
at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.

                                    (v)      BUSINESS EXPENSES. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the
Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                                    (vi)     FRINGE BENEFITS. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of
the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                                    (vii)    OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices
of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided at any time thereafter
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.

                                    (viii)   VACATION. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the
90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                  5.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

                           (a)      DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's
employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability
(as defined below) of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period,
it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 15(b) of
this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on
the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days

                                       5
<Page>

after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" means the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with
the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result
of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total
and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such
agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).

                           (b)      CAUSE. The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment during the Employment Period for "Cause." For purposes of
this Agreement, "Cause" means (i) repeated violations by the Executive of the
Executive's responsibilities and duties under Section 4(a) of this Agreement
which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Executive's part and which
are not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice
from the Company, (ii) commission of an intentional act of fraud, embezzlement
or theft by the Executive in connection with the Executive's duties or in the
course of the Executive's employment with the Company or its affiliated
companies, (iii) causing intentional wrongful damage to property of the Company
or its affiliated companies, (iv) intentionally and wrongfully disclosing secret
processes or confidential information of the Company or its affiliated
companies, or (v) participating, without the Company's express written consent,
in the management of any business enterprise which engages in substantial and
direct competition with the Company or its affiliated companies, and any such
act shall have been materially harmful to the Company or its affiliated
companies.

                           (c)      GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may
be terminated during the Employment Period by the Executive for "Good Reason."
For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means

                                    (i)      a substantial diminution in the
Executive's position, authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
Section 4(a) of this Agreement, excluding non-substantial changes in title or
office, and excluding any isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of written notice thereof given by the Executive;

                                    (ii)     any failure by the Company to
comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than
an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith
and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice
thereof given by the Executive;

                                    (iii)    the Company requiring the Executive
to be based at any office or location other than that described in Section
4(a)(i)(B) hereof or, requiring the Executive to travel away from his or her
office in the course of discharging responsibilities or duties in a manner which
is inappropriate for the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder and
which is significantly more frequent (in terms of either consecutive days or
aggregate days in any calendar year) than was required prior to the Change in
Control;

                                       6
<Page>

                                    (iv)     any purported termination by the
Company of the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by
this Agreement; or

                                    (v)      any failure by any successor to the
Company to comply with and satisfy Section 14(c) of this Agreement, provided
that such successor has received at least ten (10) days prior written notice
from the Company or the Executive of the requirements of Section 14(c) of this
Agreement.

For the purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.

                           (d)      NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by
the Company for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason shall be communicated
by "Notice of Termination" to the other party hereto given in accordance with
Section 15(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets
forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than
the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date
shall be not more than fifteen days after the giving of such notice). The
failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of
Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good
Reason or Cause, as the case may be, shall not waive any right of the Executive
or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting
such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights
hereunder.

                           (e)      DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination"
means the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date
specified therein, as the case may be; provided, however, that (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company
notifies the Executive of such termination and (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.

                  6.       OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION

                           (a)      DEATH. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than the following obligations: (i)
payment of the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to
the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) payment of the product of (x) the Annual
Bonus paid or payable but for any deferral (and annualized for any fiscal year
consisting of less than twelve full months or for which the Executive has been
employed for less than twelve full months) to the Executive for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, and (y) a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through
the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (iii) payment
of any compensation

                                       7
<Page>

previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest
thereon) and not yet paid by the Company and any accrued vacation pay not yet
paid by the Company (the amounts described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above
are hereafter referred to as "Accrued Obligations"). All Accrued Obligations
shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, at the
option of the Company, either (x) in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the
Date of Termination or (y) in twelve equal consecutive monthly installments,
with the first installment to be paid within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive's
family shall be entitled to receive benefits at least equal to the most
favorable benefits provided generally by the Company and any of its affiliated
companies to surviving families of peer executives of the Company and such
affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating
to family death benefits, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive
and/or the Executive's family as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.

                           (b)      DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive,
other than for Accrued Obligations. All Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive at the option of the Company, either (x) in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination or (y) in twelve equal consecutive monthly
installments, with the first installment to be paid within 30 days of the Date
of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive
disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled peer executives
and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to
other peer executives and their families at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter through the
Date of Termination generally with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their families.

                           (c)      CAUSE. If the Executive's employment shall
be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination
plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in
each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good
Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations. In such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive at the option of the Company, either
(x) in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination, or (y) in
twelve equal consecutive monthly installments, with the first installment to be
paid within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

                                       8
<Page>

                           (d)      Good Reason. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for
Cause or Disability, or the Executive shall terminate employment under this
Agreement for Good Reason:

                                    (i)      the Company shall pay to the
Executive the aggregate of the following amounts, such amounts to be payable by
the Company in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of termination.

                                             A.       All Accrued Obligations;
and

                                             B.       2.0 times the sum of the
Executive's Annual Base Salary and the higher of either (i) the average
annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less
than twelve full months) bonus paid, or payable but for any deferral to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies under the Company's
deferred compensation arrangements, in respect of the three fiscal years
immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs, or
(ii) the targeted annual bonus payable to the Executive pursuant to the
Company's Incentive Compensation Plan for the fiscal year in which the Date of
Termination occurs (assuming 100% achievement of the Company performance factor
and 100% achievement of the Executive's personal performance factor; and

                                             C.       An amount equal to that
portion, if any, of the Company's contribution to the Executive's 401(k),
savings or other similar individual account plan which is not vested as of the
Date of Termination (the "Unvested Company Contribution"), plus an amount which
when added to the Unvested Company Contribution would be sufficient after
Federal, state and local income taxes (based on the tax returns filed by the
Executive most recently prior to the Date of Termination) to enable the
Executive to net an amount equal to the Unvested Company Contribution; and

                                    (ii)     the Company shall pay the Executive
up to $25,000 for executive outplacement services utilized by the Executive upon
the receipt by the Company of written receipts or other appropriate
documentation; and

                                    (iii)    for the remainder of the Employment
Period, or such longer period as any plan, program, practice or policy may
provide, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and, where
applicable, the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been
provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment
had not been terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated companies generally
applicable to other peer executives and their families during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families;
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes employed elsewhere during the
Employment Period and is thereby afforded

                                       9
<Page>

comparable insurance and welfare benefits to those described in Section
4(b)(iv), the Company's obligation to continue providing the Executive with such
benefits shall cease or be correspondingly reduced, as the case may be. For
purposes of determining eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits
pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be
considered to have remained employed until the end of the Employment Period and
to have retired on the last day of such period; and

                                    (iv)     All outstanding stock options held
by the Executive pursuant to any Company stock option plan shall immediately
become vested and exercisable as to all or any part of the shares covered
thereby, with the Executive being able to exercise his or her stock options
within a period of three months following the Date of Termination or such longer
period as may be permitted under Executive's stock option agreements; and

                                    (v)      If, in the calendar year
immediately preceding the Date of Termination, the Executive had relocated the
Executive's primary residence from one location (the "Point of Origin") to its
location at the Date of Termination at the request of the Company, then any
relocation expenses that are actually incurred in the year immediately following
the Date of Termination by the Executive in moving the Executive's primary
residence to any location shall be reimbursed by the Company to the extent such
expenses do not exceed the cost of relocating the Executive's primary residence
to the Point of Origin, provided such expenses are substantiated by means of
written receipts. The cost of relocating the Executive's primary residence to
the Point of Origin shall be determined by averaging estimates obtained by the
Company in writing from three reputable moving companies, selected by the
Company in good faith. It shall be the obligation of the Executive to notify the
Company in advance of any such relocation so that such estimates may be
obtained.

The amounts required to be paid under this Section 6(d) shall be reduced by any
other amount of severance (i.e., relating solely to salary or bonus continuation
or actual or deemed pension or insurance continuation) received by the Executive
upon such termination of employment under any severance plan, policy or
arrangement of the Company applicable to the Executive or a group of employees
of the Company, including the Executive, and applicable without regard to the
occurrence of a Change in Control prior to such termination of employment. The
amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement will not be subject
to any requirement of mitigation, nor, except as specifically set forth herein,
will they be offset or otherwise reduced by reason of the Executive's receipt of
compensation from any source other than the Company.

                  7.       NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
benefit, bonus, incentive or other plans, programs, policies or practices
provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the
Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under any other agreements with the Company or
any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to
the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy,
practice or program except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

                                       10
<Page>

                  8.       FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 6(d), shall not be
affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right
or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no
event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any
other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay, to the full
extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur, including the costs and expenses of any arbitration
proceeding, as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by
the Company or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any content by the Executive about the amount of any
payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed
payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); PROVIDED that the
Executive's claim is not determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or an
arbitrator to be frivolous or otherwise entirely without merit.

                  9.       RELEASE. Upon fulfillment of the Company's obligation
to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder, the Executive fully and unconditionally releases and
discharges all claims and causes of action which the Executive or his or her
heirs, personal representatives, successors, or assigns ever had, now have, or
hereafter may have against the Company and any of its affiliated companies on
account of any claims and causes of action arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, any other document relating hereto or delivered in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  10.      CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.

                           (a)      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that, as a result, directly
or indirectly, of the operation of any of the Company's existing stock option
plans, or any successor option or restricted stock plans (collectively, the
"Option and Restricted Stock Acceleration"), either standing alone or taken
together with the receipt of any other payment or distribution by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Executive whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment")
the Executive would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the amount
payable to the Executive hereunder or as a result of the Option and Restricted
Stock Acceleration shall be reduced in an amount that would result in the
Executive being in the most advantageous net after-tax position (taking into
account both income taxes and any Excise Tax). For purposes of this
determination, the "base amount" as defined in Section 280G(b)(3)(A) of the Code
shall be allocated between the Option and Restricted Stock Acceleration, on the
one hand, and Payments, on the other hand, in accordance with Section
280G(b)(3)(B) of the Code.

                                       11
<Page>

                           (b)      All determinations required to be made under
this Section, including the amount of any reduction that will be made in the
payments made pursuant to this Agreement and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determinations, shall be made by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
(the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and the Executive. All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm for tax and accounting advice provided to the Executive, up to a maximum of
$15,000, shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines
that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive
with an opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's
applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a
negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be
binding upon the Company and the Executive.

                  11.      CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the
Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to
anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In addition, to the
extent that the Executive is a party to any other agreement relating to
confidential information, inventions or similar matters with the Company, the
Executive shall continue to comply with the provisions of such agreements. In no
event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section constitute a
basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the
Executive under this Agreement.

                  12.      PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Executive shall consult
with the Company before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public
statement with respect to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Executive shall not
issue any such press release or make any such public statement without the prior
written approval of the Company, except as may be required by applicable law,
rule or regulation or any self regulatory agency requirements, in which event
the Company shall have the right to review and comment upon any such press
release or public statement prior to its issuance.

                  13.      ARBITRATION. Any dispute, controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any breach thereof, shall be
determined and settled by arbitration to be held in the City of New York
pursuant to the labor rules of the American Arbitration Association or any
successor organization. Any award rendered thereunder shall be final, conclusive
and binding on the parties. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 hereof, each
party shall pay one-half of all costs and expenses of any arbitration proceeding
brought pursuant to this Section, and each party shall pay its own attorneys'
fees and expenses.

                                       12
<Page>

                  14.      SUCCESSORS.

                           (a)      This Agreement is personal to the Executive
and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by
the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representatives.

                           (b)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

                           (c)      The Company will require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly 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
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.

                  15.      MISCELLANEOUS

                           (a)      This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Sate of Delaware, without reference
to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part
of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may
not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

                           (b)      All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other
party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:

                                    If to the Executive:
                                    -------------------

                                    John D. Thompson

                                    If to the Company:
                                    -----------------

                                    Invitrogen Corporation
                                    1600 Faraday Avenue
                                    Carlsbad, CA 92008
                                    (ATTN:  General Counsel)

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

                                       13
<Page>

                           (c)      The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.

                           (d)      The Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                           (e)      The Executive's or the Company's failure to
insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof in any particular
instance shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or any other
provision thereof.

                           (f)      This Agreement supersedes any previous
agreement between the Company and the Executive to the extent such agreement
relates to the subject matter hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his or her hand and, pursuant
to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these
presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year
first written above.

                                              INVITROGEN CORPORATION

/s/ John D. Thompson                         By: /s/ James R. Glynn
---------------------------------                -------------------------------
John D. Thompson                                 James R. Glynn
Vice President Corporate                         Executive Vice President and
Development                                      Chief Financial Officer

                                       14<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                  INVITROGEN CORPORATION 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

1.   ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.

     1.1 ESTABLISHMENT. The Invitrogen Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan (the
"PLAN") is hereby established effective as of May 28, 1997 (the "EFFECTIVE
DATE").

     1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the
Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive to
attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating
Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and
profitability of the Participating Company Group.

     1.3 TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of
its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the shares of Stock
available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on
such shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements evidencing Options
granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Options shall be granted, if at
all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by
the Board or the date the Plan is duly approved by the stockholders of the
Company.

2.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

     2.1 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their
respective meanings set forth below:

          (a) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or
     more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan,
     "Board" also means such Committee(s).

          (b) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
     any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (c) "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee or other committee of
     the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having,.such powers as
     shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee have
     been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of
     the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend
     or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any
     applicable limitations imposed by law.

          (d) "COMPANY" means Invitrogen Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or
     any successor corporation thereto.

          (e) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by a
     Participating Company to render services other than as an Employee or a
     Director.

          (f) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board or of the board of
     directors of any other Participating Company.

          (g) "EMPLOYEE" means any person treated as an employee (including an
     officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of
     a Participating Company, and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option
     granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of
     the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment
     of a director's fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for
     purposes of the Plan.

                                       1
<Page>

          (h) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended.

          (i) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of a share of
     Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion,
     or by the Company, in its sole discretion, if such determination is
     expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

               (i) If, on such date, there is a public market for the Stock, the
          Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing sale price
          of a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices
          of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) as quoted on
          the Nasdaq National Market, the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market or such other
          national or regional securities exchange or market system constituting
          the primary market for the Stock, as reported in the WALL STREET
          JOURNAL or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the
          relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on
          such securities exchange or market system, the date on which the Fair
          Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the
          Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other
          appropriate day as shall be determined by the Board, in its sole
          discretion.

               (ii) If, on such date, there is no public market for the Stock,
          the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by
          the Board without regard to any restriction other than a restriction
          which, by its terms, will never lapse.

          (j) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to be (as set
     forth in the Option Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock
     option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

          (k) "INSIDER" means an officer or a Director of the Company or any
     other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the
     Exchange Act.

          (l) "NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director of the Company who is not
     an Employee.

          (m) "NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTION" means a right to purchase Stock
     (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2) pursuant to the terms
     and conditions of Section 6.5 below. Nonemployee Director Options shall be
     Nonstatutory Stock Options.

          (n) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to be (as
     set forth in the Option Agreement) or which does not qualify as an
     Incentive Stock Option.

          (o) "OPTION" means a right to purchase Stock (subject to adjustment as
     provided in Section 4.2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
     An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
     Option.

          (p) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the Company
     and an Optionee setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the
     Option granted to the Optionee and any shares acquired upon the exercise
     thereof.

          (q) "OPTIONEE" means a person who has been granted one or more
     Options.

          (r) "PARENT CORPORATION" means any present or future "parent
     corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                                       2
<Page>

          (s) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY" means the Company or any Parent
     Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.

          (t) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY GROUP" means, at any point in time, all
     corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.

          (u) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended
     from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

          (v) "STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from
     time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.

          (w) "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" means any present or future "subsidiary
     corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

          (x) "TEN PERCENT OWNER OPTIONEE" means an Optionee who, at the time an
     Option is granted to the Optionee, owns stock possessing more than ten
     percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
     a Participating Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the
     Code.

     2.2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the
Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include
the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term "or" is
not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

3.   ADMINISTRATION.

     3.1 ADMINISTRATION BY THE BOARD. The Plan shall be administered by the
Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Option shall be
determined by the Board, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon
all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the company
with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which
is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided
the officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right,
obligation, determination or election.

     3.2 ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO INSIDERS. With respect to participation
by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the
Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall
be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3. In
addition, the Board may establish a Committee of "outside directors" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code to approve the grant of any Option which
might reasonably be anticipated to result in the payment of employee
remuneration that would otherwise exceed the limit on employee remuneration
deductible for income tax purposes pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code.

     3.3 POWERS OF THE BOARD. In addition to any other powers set forth in the
Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the full
and final power and authority, in its sole discretion:

          (a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which,
     Options shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject to
     each Option;

          (b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory
     Stock Options;

                                       3
<Page>

          (c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other
     property;

          (d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to
     each Option (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired upon the
     exercise thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price of
     the Option, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the
     exercise of the Option, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax
     withholding obligation arising in connection with the Option or such
     shares, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of stock, (iv)
     the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability of the Option or the
     vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, (v) the time of
     the expiration of the Option, (vi) the effect of the Optionee's termination
     of employment or service with the Participating Company Group on any of the
     foregoing, and (vii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions
     applicable to the Option or such shares not inconsistent with the terms of
     the Plan;

          (e) to approve one or more forms of Option Agreement;

          (f) to amend, modify, extend, cancel, or renew, any Option or to waive
     any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Option or any shares
     acquired upon the exercise thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that without the
     approval of the Company's stockholders, the Board shall not reprice,
     replace, regrant through cancellation, or regrant by lowering the exercise
     price of any Option and/or award previously granted under the Plan;

          (g) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any
     Option or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof,
     including with respect to the period following an Optionee's termination of
     employment or service with the Participating Company Group;

          (h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies
     relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions
     of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Board deems necessary
     or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy
     or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted Options;

          (i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
     inconsistency in the Plan or any Option Agreement and to make all other
     determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any
     Option as the Board may deem advisable to the extent consistent with the
     Plan and applicable law; and

          (j) to delegate the power to grant Options to any Employee or
     Consultant who is not a Director, Insider, or other officer of the Company
     in an amount not to exceed Options to purchase 25,000 shares of Stock
     (subject to adjustment to reflect changes in capital structure covered by
     Section 4.2 below); PROVIDED that any such grant shall be made only in
     accordance with a Stock Option Program or other program, plan, or procedure
     approved by the Board.

4.   SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.

     4.1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued
under the Plan shall be the sum of (a) five million three hundred fifty-nine
thousand six hundred eight-five (5,359,685) shares, and (b) the number of shares
of Stock, as of the Effective Date, subject to outstanding options or reserved
and available for grant pursuant to the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the
"1995 PLAN OPTIONS") resulting in an aggregate total of eight million four
hundred eight-five thousand four hundred seventy-nine (8,485,479) shares (the
"SHARE RESERVE") and shall consist of authorized and unissued or reacquired
shares of Stock or any combination thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Share Reserve, determined at any time, shall be

                                       4
<Page>

reduced by (a) the number of shares remaining subject to outstanding 1995 Plan
Options, and (b) the number of shares issued upon the exercise of 1995 Plan
options. If an outstanding Option for any reason expires or is terminated or
canceled, or if the shares of Stock acquired, subject to repurchase, upon the
exercise of an Option are repurchased by the Company, the shares of Stock
allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option or such repurchased shares
of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.

     4.2 ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of any stock
dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company,
appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject
to the Plan, the individual share limit set forth in Section 4.3 below, the size
of the automatic Nonemployee Director Option grants set forth in Section 6.5
below and to any outstanding Options and in the exercise price per share of any
outstanding Options. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as
the shares that are subject to outstanding Options are exchanged for, converted
into, or otherwise become, (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change
Event, as defined in Section 8.1) shares of another corporation (the "NEW
SHARES"), the Board may unilaterally amend the outstanding Options to provide
that such Options are exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such
amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise price per share of,
the outstanding Options shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as
determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2
shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the
Board, and in no event may the exercise price of any Option be decreased to an
amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The
adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be final,
binding and conclusive.

     4.3 INDIVIDUAL SHARE LIMIT. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock
with respect to which Options may be granted during any calendar year to any
Employee may not exceed 500,000 shares or, in the case of the calendar year
during which an Employee first commences employment with any Participating
Company, 1,000,000 shares (subject to adjustment to reflect changes in capital
structure covered by Section 4.2 above).

5.   ELIGIBILITY AND OPTION LIMITATIONS.

     5.1 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONS. Options may be granted only to Employees,
Consultants, and Directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, "Employees,"
"Consultants," and "Directors" shall include prospective Employees, prospective
Consultants and prospective Directors to whom Options are granted in connection
with written offers of employment or other service relationship with the
Participating Company Group. Eligible persons may be granted more than one (1)
Option.

     5.2 OPTION GRANT RESTRICTIONS. Any person who is not an Employee on the
effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only a
Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective
Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed
granted effective on the date such person commences service as an Employee with
a Participating Company, with an exercise price determined as of such date in
accordance with Section 6.1.

     5.3 FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. To the extent that options designated as
Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of the
Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by an
Optionee for the first time during any calendar year for stock having an
aggregate Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount shall be
treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3, options
designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be
determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If
the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in
this Section 5.3, such

                                       5
<Page>

different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the
date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment
to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as
a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in
this Section 5.3, the Optionee may designate which portion of such Option the
Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Optionee shall
be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option
first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon
the exercise of the Option.

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. Options shall be evidenced by Option
Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such
form as the Board shall from time to time establish. No Option or purported
Option shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced
by a fully executed Option Agreement. Option Agreements may incorporate all or
any of the terms of the Plan by reference, and except as otherwise set forth in
Section 6.5 with respect to Nonemployee Director Options, shall comply with and
be subject to the following terms and conditions:

     6.1 EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price for each Option shall be established
in the sole discretion of the Board; provided, however, that (a) the exercise
price per share for an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than the Fair
Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option,
(b) the exercise price per share for a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not
less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair market Value of a share of Stock
on the effective date of grant of theOption, and (c) no Option granted to a Ten
Percent Owner Optionee shall have an exercise price per share less than one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the
effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option
(whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be
granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth
above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for
another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of
the Code.

     6.2 EXERCISE PERIOD. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or
upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance
criteria, and restrictions as shall be determined by the Board and set forth in
the Option Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no
Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the
effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to
a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall be exercisable after the expiration of five
(5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, and (c) no Option
granted to a prospective Employee, prospective Consultant or prospective
Director may become exercisable prior to the date on which such person commences
service with a Participating Company.

     6.3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.

          (a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as otherwise provided
     below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock
     being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check,
     or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company of shares of Stock owned
     by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Company
     without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable to such
     stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with an
     underwriter for the Company) not less than the exercise price, (iii) by the
     assignment of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of
     the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including,
     without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of
     Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of
     the Federal Reserve System) (a "CASHLESS EXERCISE"), (iv) by the Optionee's
     promissory note in a form approved by the Company, (v) by such other
     consideration as may be approved by the Board from time to time to the
     extent permitted by applicable law, or (vi) by any combination thereof. The
     Board may at any time or from time to time, by adoption of or by amendment
     to the standard forms of Option Agreement described in Section 7, or by
     other means,grant options which do not permit all of the

                                       6
<Page>

     foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise
     price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

          (b) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not
     be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to the extent such
     tender of Stock would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law,
     regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company's stock.
     Unless otherwise provided by the Board, an Option may not be exercised by
     tender to the Company of shares of Stock unless such shares either have
     been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months or were not
     acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

          (c) CASHLESS EXERCISE. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the
     right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline
     to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of
     Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.

          (d) PAYMENT BY PROMISSORY NOTE. No promissory note shall be permitted
     if the exercise of an Option using a promissory note would be a violation
     of any law. Any permitted promissory note shall be on such terms as the
     Board shall determine at the time the Option is granted. The Board shall
     have the authority to permit or require the Optionee to secure any
     promissory note used to exercise an Option with the shares of Stock
     acquired upon the exercise of the Option or with other collateral
     acceptable to the Company. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if the
     Company at any time is subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board
     of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other governmental entity
     affecting the extension of credit in connection with the Company's
     securities, any promissory note shall comply with such applicable
     regulations, and the Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal and accrued
     interest, if any, to the extent necessary to comply with such applicable
     regulations.

     6.4 TAX WITHHOLDING. The Company shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of an
Option, or to accept from the Optionee the tender of, a number of whole shares
of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all
or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by
law to be withheld by the Participating Company Group with respect to such
Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof. Alternatively or in
addition, in its sole discretion, the Company shall have the right to require
the Optionee, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including
by means of a Cashless Exercise, to make adequate provision for any such tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group arising in connection
with the Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof. The Company
shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock or to release shares of
Stock from an escrow established pursuant to the Option Agreement until the
Participating Company Group's tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by
the Optionee.

     6.5 NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTIONS.

          (a) AUTOMATIC GRANT. Subject to the execution by a Nonemployee
     Director of an appropriate Option Agreement, Nonemployee Director Options
     shall be granted automatically and without further action of the Board, as
     follows:

               (i) INITIAL OPTION. Each person who first becomes a Nonemployee
          Director on or after the November 20, 1998 shall be granted on the
          date such person first becomes a Nonemployee Director a Nonemployee
          Director Option to purchase ten thousand (10,000) shares of Stock (an
          "INITIAL OPTION"); provided, however, that an Initial Option shall not
          be granted to a Director who previously did not qualify as a
          Nonemployee Director but subsequently becomes a Nonemployee Director
          as a result of the termination of his or her status as an Employee.

                                       7
<Page>

               (ii) ANNUAL OPTION. Each Nonemployee Director (including any
          Director who previously did not qualify as a Nonemployee Director but
          who subsequently becomes a Nonemployee Director) shall be granted on
          the date immediately following each annual meeting of the stockholders
          of the Company which occurs on or after November 20, 1998 (an "ANNUAL
          MEETING") a Nonemployee Director Option to purchase ten thousand
          (10,000) shares of Stock (an "ANNUAL OPTION"); provided, however, that
          a Nonemployee Director granted an Initial Option less than six months
          prior to date of an Annual Meeting shall not be granted an Annual
          Option pursuant to this Section on the date immediately following the
          same Annual Meeting.

               (iii) RIGHT TO DECLINE NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTION.
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person may elect not to receive a
          Nonemployee Director Option by delivering written notice of such
          election to the Board no later than the day prior to the date such
          Nonemployee Director Option would otherwise be granted. A person so
          declining a Nonemployee Director Option shall receive no payment or
          other consideration in lieu of such declined Nonemployee Director
          Option. A person who has declined a Nonemployee Director Option may
          revoke such election by delivering written notice of such revocation
          to the Board no later than the day prior to the date such Nonemployee
          Director Option would be granted pursuant to Section 6.5(a)(i) or
          6.5(a)(ii), as the case may be.

          (b) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock subject to a
     Nonemployee Director Option shall be the Fair Market Value of a share of
     Stock on the date the Nonemployee Director Option is granted.

          (c) EXERCISE PERIOD. Each Nonemployee Director Option shall terminate
     and cease to be exercisable on the date ten (10) years after the date of
     grant of the Nonemployee Director Option unless earlier terminated pursuant
     to the terms of the Plan or the Option Agreement.

          (d) RIGHT TO EXERCISE NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTIONS.

               (i) INITIAL OPTIONS. Except as otherwise provided in the Option
          Agreement, each initial Option shall become vested and exercisable
          cumulatively for 1/3 of the shares of Stock initially subject to the
          Option on each of the first three (3) anniversaries of the date on
          which the initial Option was granted, provided that the Optionee's
          Service has not terminated prior to the relevant date.

               (ii) ANNUAL OPTIONS. Except as otherwise provided in the Option
          Agreement, each Annual Option shall become fully vested and
          exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided
          the Optionee's Service has not terminated prior to such date.

          (e) EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTIONS.

               (i) OPTION EXERCISABILITY. Subject to earlier termination of the
          Nonemployee Director Option as otherwise provided herein, a
          Nonemployee Director Option shall be exercisable after an Optionee's
          termination of Service as follows:

                    (A) DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Service with the
               Participating Company Group is terminated because of the
               Disability of the Optionee, the Nonemployee Director Option, to
               the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the
               Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee
               (or the

                                       8
<Page>

               Optionee's guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to
               the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the
               Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the
               date of expiration of the Option Expiration Date.

                    (B) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service with the Participating
               Company Group is terminated because of the death of the Optionee,
               the Nonemployee Director Option, to the extent unexercised and
               exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service
               terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee's legal
               representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise
               the Nonemployee Director Option by reason of the Optionee's death
               at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after
               the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any
               event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Optionee's
               Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if
               the Optionee dies within six (6) months after the Optionee's
               termination of Service.

                    (C) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's Service
               with the Participating Company Group terminates for any reason,
               except Disability or death, the Nonemployee Director Option, to
               the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the
               date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised
               by the Optionee within six (6) months after the date on which the
               Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the
               Option Expiration Date.

               (ii) EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b).
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time
          periods set forth in section 6.5(e)(i) of shares acquired upon the
          exercise of the Nonemployee Director Option would subject the Optionee
          to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Nonemployee
          Director Option shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur
          of (i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on which a sale of such
          shares by the Optionee would no longer be subject to such suit, (ii)
          the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day after the Optionee's
          termination of Service, and (iii) the Option Expiration Date.

7.   STANDARD FORMS OF OPTION AGREEMENT.

     7.1 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board at the
time the Option is granted, an Option designated as an "Incentive Stock Option"
shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement adopted by the Board concurrently with
its adoption of the Plan and as amended from time to time.

     7.2 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board at
the time the Option is granted, an Option designated as a "Nonstatutory Stock
Option" shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in the form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement adopted by the Board
concurrently with its adoption of the Plan and as amended from time to time.

     7.3 STANDARD TERM OF OPTIONS. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.2
or by the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall
have a term of ten (10) years from the effective date of grant of the Option.

     7.4 AUTHORITY TO VARY TERMS. The Board shall have the authority from time
to time to vary the terms of any of the standard forms of Option Agreement
described in this Section 7 either in connection with the grant or amendment of
an individual Option or in connection with the authorization of a new standard

                                       9
<Page>

form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new,
revised or amended standard form or forms of Option Agreement are not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

8.   TRANSFER OF CONTROL.

     8.1 DEFINITIONS.

          (a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred if
     any of the following occurs with respect to the Company:

               (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series
          of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of more
          than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;

               (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;

               (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all
          of the assets of the Company; or

               (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          (b) A "TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership Change Event or a
     series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, the "TRANSACTION")
     wherein the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction
     do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same
     proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
     immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership
     of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
     outstanding voting stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations
     to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE
     CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be. For purposes of the preceding
     sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation,
     an interest resulting from ownership of the voting stock of one or more
     corporations which, as a result of the Transaction, own the Company or the
     Transferee Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through
     one or more subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to
     determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting stock of the
     Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its
     determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

     8.2 EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CONTROL ON OPTIONS. In the event of a Transfer of
Control, the percentage of the Option that has vested shall be adjusted to 100%
(if not already at that percentage) on the date that the Company mails the
Optionee notice of the Transfer of Control at the last address shown on the
records of the Company for such Optionee (the "NOTICE"), unless the surviving,
continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof,
as the case may be (the "ACQUIRING CORPORATION"), either assumes the Company's
rights and obligations under outstanding Options or substitutes for outstanding
Options substantially equivalent options for the Acquiring Corporation's stock.
Any Options which are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring
Corporation in connection with the Transfer of Control nor exercised as of the
date fifteen days after the Notice of the Transfer of Control shall terminate
and cease to be outstanding effective upon the later of (i) the date of the
Transfer of Control or (ii) fifteen days after mailing of the Notice. For
purposes of this Section 8.2, an Option shall be deemed assumed if, following
the Transfer of Control, the Option confers the right to purchase in accordance
with its terms and conditions, for each share of Stock subject to the Option
immediately prior to the Transfer of Control, the consideration (whether stock,
cash or other securities or property) to which a holder of a share of Stock on
the effective date of the Transfer of Control was entitled. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, shares acquired upon

                                       10
<Page>

exercise of an Option prior to the Transfer of Control and any consideration
received pursuant to the Transfer of Control with respect to such shares shall
continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of the Option Agreement
evidencing such Option except as otherwise provided in such Option Agreement.
Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of
which is subject to the outstanding options immediately prior to an Ownership
Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i) constituting a Transfer of Control
is the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such ownership
Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
its voting stock is held by another corporation or by other corporations that
are members of an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the
Code without regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the
outstanding options shall not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in
its sole discretion.

9. PROVISION OF INFORMATION. At least annually, copies of the Company's balance
sheet and income statement for the just completed fiscal year shall be made
available to each Optionee and purchaser of shares of Stock upon the exercise of
an Option. The Company shall not be required to provide such information to
persons whose duties in connection with the Company assure them access to
equivalent information.

10. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. During the lifetime of the Optionee, an
Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the
Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

11. INDEMNIFICATION. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they
may have as members of the Board or officers or employees of the Participating
Company Group, members of the Board and any officers or employees of the
Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board or the
Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable
expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in
connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection
with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason
of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or
any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement
thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel
selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any
such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it
shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable
for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided,
however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit
or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the
opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

12. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan
at any time. However, subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules
that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company's stockholders
there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of
Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions
of Section 4.2), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive
Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would
require approval of the Company's stockholders under any applicable law,
regulation or rule. In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may
adversely affect any then outstanding Option or any unexercised portion thereof,
without the consent of the Optionee, unless such termination or amendment is
required to enable an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any applicable law,
regulation or rule.

13. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Plan or any increase in the maximum number of
shares of Stock issuable thereunder as provided in Section 4.1 (the "MAXIMUM
SHARES") shall be approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12)
months of the date of adoption thereof by the Board. Options granted prior to
stockholder approval of the Plan or in excess of the maximum Shares previously,
approved by the stockholders shall become exercisable no earlier than the date
of stockholder approval of the Plan or such increase in the Maximum Shares, as
the case may be.

                                       11

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00028-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00028-of-00352.parquet"}]]