Document:

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                                              * Confidential Treatment Requested

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.11

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                        RESEARCH COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

        This Research Collaboration Agreement (the "Agreement"), effective as of
September 30, 1999 (the "Effective Date"), is made by and between Third Wave
Technologies, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, with a place of business at 502 S.
Rosa Road, Madison, WI 53719 ("TWT"), and THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND
STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY ("STANFORD"), a body having corporate powers under
the laws of the State of California of the United States of America, and sets
forth the agreement of the parties as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1.

                                   DEFINITIONS

        1.1 "Agricultural Applications" shall have the meaning as set forth on
Exhibit 1.1 hereto.

        1.2 "Cleavase Enzyme" shall mean any of the various enzymes with the
ability to cleave a nucleotide sequence at a structure-dependent site and
produced by TWT and marketed under the brand name Cleavase(R).

        1.3 "Control" shall mean possession of the ability to grant a license or
sublicense as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement
or other arrangement with any third party.

        1.4 "Development Program" shall mean, collectively, the Phase I
Development Program and the Phase 2 Development Program.

               1.4.1 "Phase 1 Development Program" shall mean the Phase 1
 Development Program described in Section 3.1.

               1.4.2 "Phase 2 Development Program" shall have the meaning as set
forth in Section 3.2.

        1.5 "Diagnostic Applications" shall mean, collectively, all test
applications the purpose of which is to report patient results, including
without limitation, detection, diagnosis, prognosis or predisposition of disease
states and therapeutic monitoring applications, in each case whether or not such
applications require regulatory approval in any particular jurisdiction.

        1.6 "Diagnostic Product" shall mean a product, composition or material
the manufacture, sale or use of which would but for the licenses granted herein,
infringe a patent claiming Licensed Technology in the country for which such
product is sold, in each case sold for a Diagnostic Application.

        1.7 "Exploit" shall mean to fully use and exploit in any way, including
without limitation to make, use, sell, offer for sale, import, develop, modify,
prepare derivative works of, perform, display, disclose, transmit, reproduce
and/or to have any of the foregoing performed by a third party. As used herein,
the right to "Exploit" shall include the right to grant and authorize
sublicenses.

        1.8 "Field" shall mean any and all genotyping and/or gene expression
analysis applications.

        1.9 "Improvement Technologies" shall mean, collectively, all Program
Technology comprising an improvement, modification or derivative of the TWT
Technology, including without limitation, improvements and enhancements to: (i)
methodologies and software for probe design, synthesis and purification,
including Target and strand selection methodologies and software; (ii) assay
ease of use methodologies, including sample preparation methods or procedures;
(iii) detection methods and protocols; (iv) data collection or analysis; (v)
multiplexing methods; or (vi) automation or miniaturization methodologies,
techniques and equipment.

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        1.10 "Invader Assay" shall mean a method and compositions for detecting
and/or quantifying a specific nucleic acid target sequence within a nucleic acid
mixture that is dependent upon the coordinate actions of two (2) target-specific
probes and a structure-specific nuclease, and that uses TWT Technology.

        1.11 "Invader Squared Assay" shall mean an assay system which uses one
Invader Assay reaction (the "Secondary Invader Reaction") to detect and amplify
the signal generated by the cleavage product of another (either simultaneous or
sequential) Invader Assay reaction (the "Primary Invader Reaction") for
detection and/or quantification of the Target of interest. In the Invader
Squared Assay format the Secondary Invader Reaction uses the cleavage product
from the Primary Invader Reaction (i.e., the oligonucleotide sequence located at
the 5'-end of the Signal Probe of the Primary Invader Reaction) as its Invader
Probe.

        1.12 "Licensed Technology" shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 5.4.3.

        1.13 "Net Sales" shall mean the total amount received on sales of
Diagnostic Products by or under authority of TWT, for which royalties are due
under Article 6 below, less the following reasonable and customary deductions:
(i) all trade, cash and quantity credits, discounts, refunds or rebates; (ii)
amounts for claims, allowances or credits for returns, retroactive price
reductions, or chargebacks; and (iii) packaging, handling fees and prepaid
freight, sales taxes, duties and other governmental charges (including value
added tax). In the event that TWT grants a sublicense hereunder, and receives
payments based upon the sublicensee's sales of Diagnostic Products, TWT may
substitute the definition of "Net Sales," used by the sublicensee to calculate
payments to TWT in place of the foregoing definition of "Net Sales" for purposes
of calculating royalties payable to STANFORD on such sublicensee's sales.

        1.14 "Primary Invader Reaction" shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 1.11.

        1.15 "Probe Set" shall mean the Invader Probes and the Signal Probes to
the particular Target in a particular Primary Invader Reaction (respectively,
the "Primary Invader Probes" and "Primary Signal Probes").

               1.15.1 "Invader Probe" shall mean a probe(1) comprising a region
complementary(2) to the 3'-portion of the sequence of the applicable Target, and
a region that overlaps the duplex formed by the corresponding Signal Probe and
Target by at least a single nucleotide base. The 3'-terminal base of the Invader
Probe may be complementary or noncomplementary to the Target.

               1.15.2 "Signal Probe" shall mean a probe(1) which is overlapped
by the Invader Probe and which comprises a region complementary(2) to the 5'
portion of the sequence of the particular Target. The cleavage or non-cleavage
of the Signal Probe may be detected by label detection, mass spectroscopy,
electrophoritic separation or other detection methods.

        For purposes of this Section 1.15, "overlap" refers to the presence of
one or more nucleotides or other structural moieties on the 3'-end of the
Invader Probe that are in addition to the complementary region that forms a
duplex with the 3' portion of the Target that is contiguous to the duplex formed
by the Signal Probe and the 5' portion of the Target.

        1.16 "program Technology" shall mean any invention, discovery, technical
or scientific information, biological material or other subject matter that is
made or created, using or derived from Invader Assays (including TWT Invader
Assays or Stanford Invader Assays) or TWT Technology, by STANFORD personnel, or
by third parties acting under authority from STANFORD. As used herein, Program
Technology includes all intellectual property rights in the foregoing, including
any patent or patent application that claims subject matter within the Program
Technology.

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   (1) The Invader Probe and/or Signal Probe are generally oligonucleotides, but
may be comprised of structures which hybridize to the Target such as DNA, RNA,
PNA, modified nucleotides, universal bases, adducts, etc. and combinations
thereof.

   (2) The Invader Probe and/or Signal Probe allow for areas of
noncomplementarity (i.e., one or more base pair mismatches) to the cognate
sequence of the Target.

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        1.17 "Research Applications" shall mean all applications other than
Diagnostic Applications and Therapeutic Applications.

        1.18 "Secondary Invader Reaction" shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 1.11 above.

        1.19 "Software" shall mean that certain software for use in probe design
and quality control, data collection and analysis that TWT makes available to
STANFORD from time to time for use in designing Probe Sets for Stanford Invader
Assays or otherwise in connection with STANFORD's use of the TWT Technology, in
accordance with Section 5.3 below.

        1.20 "Standard Invader Reagent Plate" shall mean, for the Invader
Squared Assay format for fluorescence resonance energy transfer ("FRET")
detection, a reagent package comprised of a microtiter reaction plate (96, 384
or 1536-well or other similar plate configuration(s) as the parties may agree
from time to time) containing (i) HPLC (high-pressure liquid
chromatography)-purified FRET-Signal Probe/Target complex for the Secondary
Invader Reaction, (ii) buffer solution and (iii) DNA and/or RNA Cleavase
Enzyme(3), as appropriate.

        1.21 "Stanford Human Genome Center" or "SHGC" shall mean the
laboratories under the direction of David Cox, Ph.D.

        1.22 "Stanford Invader Assay" shall mean Invader Squared Assays, which
implement Standard Invader Reagent Plates, developed by or on behalf of STANFORD
or other Invader Assays developed by or on behalf of STANFORD pursuant to mutual
written agreement of the parties from time to time.

        1.23 "Target" shall mean the particular nucleotide sequence to be
detected and/or quantified by a particular Invader Assay.

        1.24 "Therapeutic Applications" shall mean applications comprised of
prevention, treatment or prophylaxsis of human disease.

        1.25 "TWT Invader Assay" shall mean any (i) Invader Assay developed by
TWT in the course of performing the Phase 1 Development Program and provided to
STANFORD or (ii) any such other Invader Assay provided to STANFORD hereunder, in
either case including without limitation TWT Invader Squared Assays and to the
extent the same are Controlled by TWT.

         1.26 "TWT Invader Squared Assay" shall mean an Invader Squared Assay
 for which TWT supplies to STANFORD hereunder, the Probe Set for the Primary
 Invader Reaction as well as the Standard Invader Reagent Plate for the
 Secondary Invader Reaction.

        1.27 "TWT Technology" shall mean TWT Patents and TWT Know-How.

               1.27.1 "TWT Know-How" shall mean technical information consisting
of: (i) probe design, synthesis and purification methods and techniques; (ii)
Target selection methods; (iii) reagent stabilization and packaging; (iv) sample
preparation methods and procedures; (v) assay optimization techniques; (vi)
signal detection methods and protocols; (vii) data collection or analysis
methods; (viii) multiplexing methods; and (ix) automation and miniaturization
methodologies techniques and equipment, in each case to the extent the same is
Controlled by TWT during the term of this Agreement, and to the extent the same
is necessary for STANFORD to (i) develop, manufacture or use Stanford Invader
Assays or (ii) use TWT Invader Assays.

               1.27.2 "TWT Patents" shall mean all patents and all reissues,
renewals, re-examinations and extensions thereof, and patent applications
therefor, and any divisions or continuations, in whole or in part, thereof,
which claim (i) the development, manufacture, (e.g., Probe Set synthesis) or use
of Stanford Invader Assays or (ii) the use of TWT Invader

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    (3) A DNA Cleavase Enzyme is included for genotyping applications and an RNA
Cleavase Enzyme is included for gene expression analysis applications.

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Assays, in each case that are Controlled by TWT during the term of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, TWT Patents shall not include any
patent or patent application to the extent that it claims a Target-specific
implementation of a Stanford Invader Assay (e.g., claims to specific gene
sequences) unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by the parties hereto.

                                   ARTICLE 2.

                               RESEARCH COMMITTEE

        2.1 Research Committee. STANFORD and TWT shall establish a committee to
oversee, review and coordinate the Development Program ("Research Committee").
Each party agrees to keep the Research Committee reasonably informed as to its
conduct of the Development Program. Without limiting the foregoing, each party
shall at least on an annual basis provide to the Research Committee a written
report summarizing the developments and results of the Development Program since
the previous such report.

        2.2 Membership. The Research Committee shall be comprised of two (2)
representatives from each of STANFORD and TWT, selected by such party. Subject
to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2, TWT and STANFORD may replace
its respective Research Committee representatives at any time, with prior
written notice to the other party.

        2.3 Research Committee Meetings. During the term of the Phase 1
Development Program, the Research Committee shall meet quarterly or as otherwise
agreed by the parties, and thereafter as necessary to oversee, review and
coordinate the Development Program, but no less than annually, at such
locations as the parties agree. Decisions of the Research Committee shall be by
unanimous vote of the members.

                                   ARTICLE 3.

                               DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

        3.1 Phase 1 Development Program. The Phase 1 Development Program shall
consist of the following activities: (a) TWT will perform the following tasks
for up to thirty (30) TWT Invader Assays: (i) Probe Set design and optimization,
(ii) Probe Set synthesis, (iii) Signal Probe purification and (iv) Probe Set
quality assurance and delivery; and (b) TWT will transfer to STANFORD the TWT
Know-How (and make available the Software according to the terms of Section 5.3
below and signal probe purification technology) and such other information and
assistance as is reasonably necessary for SHGC to perform tasks (i) - (iv) above
for the Phase 2 Development Program. The 30 TWT Invader Assays to be so
developed by TWT will be established by the Research Committee.

        3.2 Phase 2 Development Program. Upon completion of the technology
transfer contemplated in the Phase 1 Development Program, SHGC will perform
tasks (i) - (iv) described in Section 3.1 above for Stanford Invader Assays to
be developed and used by SHGC. STANFORD's activities in performing such tasks,
and in utilizing the TWT Invader Assays and developing, manufacturing and using
the Stanford Invader Assays are referred to herein as the "Phase 2 Development
Program."

        3.3 Development Program Expenses. Each party shall bear its own expenses
incurred in performing its duties under the Development Program.

        3.4 Support. TWT shall, free of charge, provide to STANFORD reasonable
support as designated by the Research Committee to facilitate the transfer of
TWT Technology and of the TWT Invader Assays developed under Section 3.1 above
and STANFORD's performance of the Phase 2 Development Program.

        3.5 Other. It is understood that after the Effective Date, both TWT and
STANFORD will use reasonable efforts to seek funding from one or more third
parties to provide financial support to the Development Program conducted by
SHGC.

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                                   ARTICLE 4.

                           RECORD KEEPING: PUBLICATION

        4.1 Records. Each party shall maintain records of its activities under
the Development Program (or cause such records to be maintained) in sufficient
detail and in good scientific manner as will properly reflect all work done and
results achieved in the performance of the Development Program. In addition,
each party shall have reasonable access upon advance notice to such records of
the other party.

        4.2 Review of Publications. TWT recognizes the value of disseminating
results of the Development Program and STANFORD will be free to publish the
results of the Development Program, subject to the obligations of this Section
4.2 below. STANFORD agrees to furnish TWT with a written copy of any proposed
publication or disclosure (including without limitation, disclosures at research
seminars, lectures and professional meetings and the submission of papers for
publication) at least thirty (30) days prior to submission for publication or
disclosure so that TWT may have a reasonable opportunity to propose protection
of proprietary rights in information, inventions, or products developed under
the Development Program. Further, if such material contains information of a
confidential nature to TWT ("Confidential Information"), STANFORD agrees to
remove such Confidential Information from the proposed publication or
disclosure.

               4.2.1 Publication Rights. After the expiration of thirty (30)
days from the date of receipt of such disclosure or manuscript, unless STANFORD
has received the written notice specified below, STANFORD shall be free to
submit such manuscript for publication or to orally disclose or publish the
particular research results in any manner consistent with academic standards.
STANFORD agrees to provide TWT with a copy of such publication or materials used
in such disclosure.

               4.2.2 Delay of Publication. Prior to the expiration of the thirty
(30)-day period specified in Section 4.2 above, TWT may notify in writing
STANFORD of its determination that such oral presentation or manuscript contains
Confidential Information or material that consists of patentable subject matter
for which patent protection should be sought. STANFORD agrees to withhold its
proposed public disclosure and confer with TWT to determine the best course of
action to take in order to modify the disclosure (including removing
Confidential Information) or to obtain patent protection. After resolution of
the confidentiality, regulatory or other issues, or the filing of a patent
application or due consideration as to whether a patent application can
reasonably be filed, but in no event more than sixty (60) days after
notification of STANFORD as provided above, STANFORD shall be free to submit the
manuscript and/or make its public oral disclosure in a manner consistent with
academic standards.

                                   ARTICLE 5.

                                 GRANT OF RIGHTS

        5.1 Grant of Rights to STANFORD. TWT hereby grants to STANFORD a
non-exclusive, non-transferable license under the TWT Technology, to develop,
make and use Stanford Invader Assays and use TWT Invader Assays, in each case
solely for the internal research applications within the Field at SHGC or such
other entities within STANFORD as the parties may mutually agree in writing.

        5.2 Restrictions. STANFORD hereby agrees that it will not develop, make
or use any Invader Assay, and will not use any Standard Invader Reagent Plate,
Software or other materials supplied by TWT, for any Agricultural Application
without the prior written consent of TWT or except as expressly permitted
herein. Without limiting the foregoing and unless otherwise agreed in writing by
TWT, STANFORD shall not use any Invader Assay in any application that would
conflict with the rights granted to TWT herein or on behalf of any third party
(e.g., on a service basis) or allow any third party access to any Invader Assay.
For avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that STANFORD's license to
use Stanford Invader Assays is limited to use of Probe Sets made by or on behalf
of STANFORD with Standard Invader Reagent Plates transferred by TWT. Manufacture
and supply of TWT Invader Squared Assays and Standard Invader Reagent Plates to
STANFORD shall be governed by that certain Material Transfer Agreement between
the parties, on or about the Effective Date.

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        5.3 Software Access. STANFORD shall use that certain Software, known as
InvaderCreator(TM), together with quality control protocols designated by TWT
for the design, development and quality control of Probe Sets hereunder. During
the course of Phase 1 Development Program, TWT agrees to make such Software
available to SHGC personnel for use in performing the Phase 2 Development
Program in accordance with Sections 3.2 and 5.1 above; and from time to time
such upgrades and enhancements thereto and such other software, in each case by
means of providing controlled access to a site specified by TWT on the world
wide web maintained by or at the direction of TWT. Such access will be provided
to SHGC personnel in accordance with reasonable procedures established by TWT
from time to time, which will include (without limitation) password-protected
access by SHGC personnel. STANFORD shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that
only those employees and contractors of STANFORD who need to have access to the
Software for purposes of this Agreement have access to the passwords therefor.

        5.4 Grant of Rights to TWT. STANFORD hereby grants to TWT the following
worldwide, irrevocable rights and licenses under the Program Technology:

               5.4.1 with respect to any Improvement Technology, a fully
paid-up, non-exclusive license to Exploit the same for any purpose;

               5.4.2 with respect to any Program Technology that comprises a
Probe Set or a Stanford Invader Assay ("Assay Components"), a fully paid-up,
non-exclusive license to Exploit the same for any purpose; and

               5.4.3 with respect to all Program Technology (excluding
Improvement Technology and Assay Components, the "Licensed Technology"), an
exclusive license to Exploit the same for Research Applications and/or
Diagnostic Applications, for which TWT shall pay a royalty in accordance with
Article 6 below.

        5.5 Therapeutic Applications. In the event that either party determines
that any particular Licensed Technology has been developed which has Therapeutic
Application, it shall notify the other party hereto and the parties shall
promptly meet to discuss the exploitation of such Licensed Technology for
Therapeutic Applications and the same shall be commercially exploited as
mutually agreed by the parties; provided that in the event that the parties are
unable to agree with respect to such exploitation within thirty (30) days,
either party may request arbitration in accordance with Section 5.5.2 below.

               5.5.1 Revenue Sharing. [****] For avoidance of doubt, the
foregoing obligation shall not include an obligation to share proceeds arising
from the exploitation of Licensed Technology for other than Therapeutic
Applications.

               5.5.2 Arbitration. If the parties do not agree upon the
exploitation of Licensed Technology for Therapeutic Applications in accordance
with this Section 5.5 above, then such matters in issue shall be determined by
binding arbitration conducted pursuant to this Section 5.5.2 by one (1)
arbitrator. In such arbitration, the arbitrator shall be an independent expert
in worldwide business development in the biotechnology industry mutually
acceptable to the parties. If the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator,
the arbitrator shall be an independent expert as described in the preceding
sentence selected by the chief executive of the San Francisco office of the
American Arbitration Association. With respect to such arbitration, each party
to the arbitration shall prepare a written report setting forth its position
with respect to the substance of the exploitation of the particular Licensed
Technology for Therapeutic Applications. The arbitrator shall select one of the
requested positions as his decision, and shall not have authority to render any
substantive decision other than to so select the position of either STANFORD or
TWT. The costs of such arbitration shall be shared equally by the parties, and
each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with such arbitration. Any
such arbitration shall be completed within thirty (30) days following a request
by any party for such arbitration.

        5.6 Reservation of Rights is by STANFORD. Notwithstanding Section 5.4.2
and 5.4.3 above, STANFORD hereby retains a non-exclusive right to use Stanford
Invader Assays for its own purposes as the parties may mutually agree in writing
for Diagnostic Applications; provided, however, that STANFORD shall obtain from
TWT or its designee all (i) analyte-specific reagents (ASR) (as such term is
defined in 21 CFR 864.4020) and Cleavase Enzymes and/or (ii) in vitro diagnostic
products (as such term is defined in 21 CFR 809.3) for performing such Stanford
Invader Assays. TWT (itself or through its designee) agrees to provide such
reagents to STANFORD as the same become available at a discount off of TWT's
then-standard list price therefor, subject to availability and on TWT's
then-standard terms and conditions therefor.

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        5.7 Technology Transfer. STANFORD shall disclose to TWT all Program
Technology through SHGC's use of the Software and by other means sufficient to
allow TWT to exercise fully its rights under this Agreement. Without limiting
the foregoing, the parties agree that TWT shall have the right to access and
Exploit any such Program Technology received by TWT through SHGC's use of the
Software.

                                   ARTICLE 6.

                                    ROYALTIES

        6.1 Royalty. [****]

        6.2 Single Royalty/Non-Royalty Sales. In no event shall more than one
royalty be due hereunder with respect to any Diagnostic Product unit; nor shall
a royalty be payable under this Article 6 with respect to transfers of
Diagnostic Products for use in clinical trials or as samples.

        6.3 Combination Products. In the event that a Diagnostic Product is sold
in combination with another product, component or service for which no royalty
would be due hereunder if sold separately, Net Sales from such combination sales
for purposes of calculating the amounts due under this Article 6 shall be
calculated by multiplying the Net Sales of the combination product by the
fraction A/(A + B), where A is the average gross selling price during the
previous calendar quarter of the Diagnostic Product sold separately and B is the
gross selling price during the previous calendar quarter of the combined
product(s), component(s) and/or service(s). In the event that a substantial
number of such separate sales were not made during the previous calendar quarter
then the Net Sales shall be as reasonably allocated by TWT between such
Diagnostic Product and such other product(s), component(s) or service(s) based
upon their relative importance and proprietary protection.

        6.4 Records. TWT shall keep (or cause to be kept) complete and accurate
records of Net Sales in sufficient detail to enable the amounts payable under
this Article 6 to be determined. Upon STANFORD's written request, but not more
frequently than once per calendar year, TWT shall permit representatives or
agents of STANFORD, at STANFORD's expense, to examine such records during
regular business hours for the purpose of and to the extent necessary to verify
any report required under this Agreement with respect to Net Sales received not
more than three (3) years prior to the date of STANFORD's request. To the extent
that TWT does not have the right to grant STANFORD the right to audit its
sublicensees' books and records hereunder, TWT shall obtain for itself such
right and, at the request of STANFORD, TWT shall exercise such audit right with
respect to Sublicensees and provide the results of such audit for inspection by
STANFORD pursuant to this Section 6.4. In the event that the amounts due to
STANFORD are determined to have been underpaid, TWT shall pay to STANFORD any
amount due and unpaid, together with interest on such amount at the rate per
annum as quoted in the "Prime Rate" section of the "Money Rates" column of the
Wall Street Journal (U.S., Western Edition) on the date such amount was due, or
at the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower.

        6.5 Reports/Payment. Beginning with the first accrual of Net Sales on
which a royalty is due hereunder, TWT shall provide to STANFORD a quarterly
royalty report as follows: Within ninety (90) days after the end of each
calendar quarter, TWT shall deliver to STANFORD a true and accurate report,
giving such particulars of the business conducted by or under authority of TWT,
if any, during such calendar quarter as are pertinent to account for royalties
due under this Article 6. Such report shall include at least (i) the total of
Net Sales during such quarter; (ii) the calculation of royalties; and (iii) the
total royalties so calculated and due STANFORD. Simultaneously with the delivery
of each such report, TWT shall pay to STANFORD the total royalties, if any, due
to STANFORD for the period of such report. If no royalties are due, TWT shall so
report. STANFORD shall not provide to third parties any information contained in
reports provided to STANFORD under this Section 6.5, or learned by STANFORD
under Section 6.4 above.

        6.6 Payments. All amounts payable hereunder by TWT shall be payable in
United States Dollars. If any currency conversion shall be required in
connection with the payment of royalties hereunder, such conversion shall be
made by using the exchange rates used by TWT in calculating TWT's own revenues
for financial reporting purposes.

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                                   ARTICLE 7.

                              INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

        7.1 Ownership of Inventions. Title to all inventions and other
intellectual property made solely by STANFORD personnel in connection with the
Development Program shall be owned by STANFORD. Title to all inventions and
other intellectual property made solely by TWT personnel in connection with the
Development Program shall be owned by TWT. Title to all inventions and other
intellectual property made jointly by personnel of TWT and STANFORD in
connection with the Development Program shall be jointly owned by STANFORD and
TWT. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement (including the rights
granted under Section 5.4 above), it is understood that neither party shall have
any obligation to account to the other for profits, or to obtain any approval of
the other party to license or exploit a joint invention, by reason of joint
ownership of any invention or other intellectual property and each party hereby
waives any right it may have under the laws of any country to require such
accounting or approval.

        7.2 Patent Prosecution.

               7.2.1 TWT Technology. TWT shall have the right, at its expense,
to control the preparing, filing, prosecuting and maintaining of solely owned
patent applications and patents within the TWT Technology worldwide, in such
countries as it deems appropriate, and the conducting of any interferences,
re-examinations, reissues, oppositions or requests for patent term extensions
relating to the TWT Technology using counsel of its choice.

               7.2.2 Program Technology. TWT, at its expense, shall have the
first right to pursue patent or other intellectual property protection for
Program Technology as the parties may mutually agree, and STANFORD agrees to
take all reasonable actions to cooperate with TWT in this regard. Intellectual
property rights claiming Program Technology owned solely by STANFORD shall be
prosecuted and maintained solely in STANFORD's name; and intellectual property
rights claiming Program Technology jointly owned by STANFORD and TWT shall be
prosecuted and maintained jointly in STANFORD's and TWT's names. In all such
events TWT shall keep STANFORD reasonably informed with respect to its
prosecution and maintenance of intellectual property protection for the Program
Technology and shall seek the advice of STANFORD with respect to such
prosecution and maintenance and shall give reasonable consideration to any
suggestions or recommendations of STANFORD concerning the preparation, filing,
prosecution and maintenance thereof. Without limiting the foregoing, in the
event that TWT fails or declines to take such actions with respect to any such
intellectual property rights, then STANFORD shall have the right to file,
prosecute and maintain such intellectual property rights at its sole expense and
the subject matter thereof shall no longer be within the definition of Program
Technology hereunder. In such event TWT shall notify STANFORD at least sixty
(60) days prior to the date the next action or filing is due to be taken with
respect to a jointly owned invention, patent application or patent, as to
whether TWT intends to take any of the foregoing actions with respect to such
invention, patent application or patent. Each party shall cooperate with the
other and assist the other in connection with their activities pursuant to this
Section 7.2.2, at the other party's request, and shall use good faith efforts to
consult with each other regarding the prosecution and maintenance of such
intellectual property rights as is reasonably appropriate.

        7.3 Enforcement.

               7.3.1 By TWT. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7.3, in
the event that TWT reasonably believes that any Program Technology is infringed
or misappropriated by a third party or is subject to a declaratory judgment
action arising from such infringement in such country within a field of use
licensed exclusively to TWT under Article 5 above, TWT shall have the initial
right (but not the obligation) to enforce (directly or through designees) any
intellectual property rights in and to the Program Technology with respect to
such infringement, or defend any declaratory judgment action with respect
thereto (for purposes of this Section 7.3, an "Enforcement Action").

               7.3.2 By STANFORD. In the event that TWT fails to initiate an
Enforcement Action to enforce such intellectual property rights in the Program
Technology within a reasonable period after a request by STANFORD to initiate
such Enforcement Action, STANFORD may initiate an Enforcement Action against
such infringement. The party initiating or defending any such Enforcement Action
shall keep the other party hereto reasonably informed of the progress of any
such Enforcement Action, and such other party shall have the right to
participate with counsel of its own choice.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

               7.3.3 Recoveries. The party that controls any Enforcement Action
shall have the right to retain any recoveries received as a result of such
action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent an Enforcement Action is
directed to an activity (i) for which the parties would be obligated to share
proceeds under Section 5.5.2, any Net Recovery shall be shared equally between
the parties to the extent it relates to Therapeutic Applications or (ii) is
directed to a sale of a product which would be a Diagnostic Product if sold by
or under authority of TWT, any Net Recovery shall be treated as Net Sales
hereunder. For purposes of this Section 7.3.3, "Net Recovery" shall mean the
amount of the recovery received by the party initiating the Enforcement Action
less costs and expenses (including attorneys' and other professional fees)
incurred in connection with such Enforcement Action.

        7.4 Cooperation. With respect to the conduct of the activities provided
for in Sections 7.2 and 7.3 above, the party not controlling such activities
agrees to cooperate with the controlling party, as reasonably necessary for the
controlling party to conduct such activities. Without limiting the foregoing,
upon the reasonable request of and, at the expense of the party controlling such
activities, the other party shall join an action as a party-plaintiff, execute
such documents, and use reasonable efforts to make available at reasonable times
and under appropriate conditions all relevant personnel, records, papers,
information, samples, specimens and other similar materials in such other
party's possession.

                                   ARTICLE 8.

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

        8.1 TWT Warranties. TWT warrants and represents to STANFORD that (i) it
has the full right and authority to enter into this Agreement and grant the
rights and licenses granted herein; (ii) it has not previously granted and will
not grant any rights in conflict with the rights and licenses granted herein;
(iii) as of the date of the Agreement, TWT has not received from a third party
notice that the manufacture, sale or use of TWT Invader Squared Assays or
Standard Invader Reagent Plates would infringe any intellectual property rights
of such third party and to its knowledge and belief, no action, suit or claim
has been initiated or threatened against TWT with respect to the TWT Technology
or its right to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and
(iv) it has not previously granted, and will not grant during the term of this
Agreement, any right, license or interest in or to the TWT Technology, or any
portion thereof, to manufacture, sell or use a TWT Invader Squared Assay or
Standard Invader Reagent Plate that is in conflict with the rights or licenses
granted under this Agreement.

        8.2 Disclaimer of Warranties.

               8.2.1 BY TWT. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 8.1 ABOVE, TWT
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR
OTHERWISE, WITH RESPECT TO THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND THE TWT TECHNOLOGY,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT,
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, VALIDITY OF TWT TECHNOLOGY, PATENTED OR
UNPATENTED, AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIRD
PARTIES.

               82.2 By Stanford. STANFORD MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, AS TO ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE RESULTS
OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OR ANY INVENTION, PROCESS OR PRODUCT, WHETHER
TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE, CONCEIVED, DISCOVERED, OR DEVELOPED UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT; OR THE OWNERSHIP, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OR ANY SUCH INVENTION OR PRODUCT. STANFORD
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER DAMAGES SUFFERED BY TWT OR
ANY OTHERS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES ARISING FROM LOSS OF DATA OR
DELAY OR TERMINATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, OR FROM THE USE OF THE RESULTS
OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, OR ANY SUCH INVENTION OR PRODUCT.

        THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 8.2 SHALL SURVIVE TERMINATION OF THIS
AGREEMENT.

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

                                   ARTICLE 9.

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

        9.1 Indemnification of STANFORD. TWT shall indemnify each of STANFORD
and its trustees, directors, officers, and employees of STANFORD and the
successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (each a "STANFORD Indemnitee"),
and hold each STANFORD Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all
liabilities, damages, settlements, penalties, fines, costs or expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and other expenses of
litigation) arising out of any claim, complaint, suit, proceeding or cause of
action brought against a STANFORD Indemnitee by a third party (any of the
foregoing, a "Claim") alleging damage arising from or occurring as a result of
the Exploitation of any Program Technology by TWT or by a third party under
authority from TWT.

        9.2 Procedure. In the event that STANFORD intends to claim
indemnification under this Article 9 for itself or a STANFORD Indemnitee (the
"Indemnitee") STANFORD shall promptly notify TWT in writing of any Claim in
respect of which the Indemnitee intends to claim such indemnification, and TWT
shall have sole control of the defense and/or settlement thereof, provided that
the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate, at its own expense, with
counsel of its own choosing in the defense and/or settlement of such Claim. The
indemnification under this Article 9 shall not apply to amounts paid with
respect to settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the
consent of TWT. The Indemnitee and STANFORD and its employees, at TWT's request
and expense, shall provide full information and reasonable assistance to TWT and
its legal representatives with respect to such Claims. It is understood that
only STANFORD may claim indemnity under this Article 8 (on its own behalf or on
behalf of a STANFORD Indemnitee), and other STANFORD Indemnitees may not
directly claim indemnity hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE 10.

                              TERM AND TERMINATION

        10.1 Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective
Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the other provisions of this
Article 10, shall continue in full force and effect for a period of five (5)
years. This Agreement may be extended for additional periods by mutual written
consent of STANFORD and TWT; provided, however, that neither STANFORD nor TWT
shall be obligated to approve any such extension and shall have no liability
whatsoever by reason of any failure to agree on any such extension.

        10.2 Termination for Cause. Either party to this Agreement may terminate
this Agreement in the event the other party shall have materially breached or
defaulted in the performance of any of its material obligations hereunder, and
such default shall have continued for sixty (60) days after written notice
thereof was provided to the breaching party by the nonbreaching party. Any
termination shall become effective at the end of such sixty (60) day period
unless the breaching party (or any other party on its behalf) has cured any such
breach or default prior to the expiration of the sixty (60) day period.

        10.3 Termination Upon Notice. STANFORD shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to TWT at anytime.

        10.4 Effects of Expiration or Termination. Termination of this Agreement
for any reason shall not release any party hereto from any liability which, at
the time of such termination, has already accrued to the other party or which is
attributable to a period prior to such termination nor preclude either party
from pursuing all rights and remedies it may have hereunder or at law or in
equity with respect to any breach of this Agreement.

        10.5 Survival. Articles 1, 6, 9, 10 and 11, and Sections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6,
7.1, 7.2.2, 7.3 and 8.2 shall survive expiration or termination of this
Agreement for any reason. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 10, all
rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall terminate upon
expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11

                                   ARTICLE 11.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        11.1 Governing Law. This Agreement and any dispute arising from the
performance or breach hereof shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without reference to
conflicts of laws principles

        11.2 Force Majeure. Nonperformance of any party shall be excused to the
extent that performance is rendered impossible by strike, fire, earthquake,
flood, governmental acts or orders or restrictions, failure of suppliers, or any
other reason where failure to perform is beyond the reasonable control of the
nonperforming party.

        11.3 No Implied Obligations. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed
to create any implied obligations of either party.

        11.4 No Implied Waivers; Rights Cumulative. No failure on the part of
TWT or STANFORD to exercise and no delay in exercising any right under this
Agreement, or provided by statute or at law or in equity or otherwise, shall
impair, prejudice or constitute a waiver of any such right, nor shall any
partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right.

        11.5 No Consequential Damages. IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE
TO THE OTHER PARTY OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST OR ANTICIPATED REVENUES OR PROFITS
RELATING TO THE SAME), ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT
MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, AND EVEN IF SUCH PARTY IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OR LIKELIHOOD OF SAME. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE
OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OR ANY LIMITED REMEDY PROVIDED HEREIN.

        11.6 Independent Contractors. Nothing contained in this Agreement is
intended implicitly, or is to be construed, to constitute TWT or STANFORD as
partners in the legal sense. No party hereto shall have any express or implied
right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of or in the
name of any other party or to bind any other party to any contract, agreement or
undertaking with any third party.

        11.7 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or sent via facsimile
in each case to the respective address specified below, or such other address as
may be specified in writing to the other parties hereto:

               STANFORD:                  Industrial Contracts Office
                                          Leland Stanford Junior University
                                          900 Welch Road Suite 350
                                          94305-1850
                                          Stanford, California
                                          Attn: Glennia Campbell
                                          Fax: 650-725-7295

               TWT:                       Third Wave Technologies, Inc.
                                          502 S. Rosa Road
                                          Madison, WI 53719-1256
                                          Attn: President
                                          Fax: (608) 273-6989

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

                with a copy to:                Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                                               Professional Corporation
                                               650 Page Mill Road
                                               Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
                                               Attn: Kenneth A. Clark, Esq.
                                               Fax: (650) 493-6811

        11.8 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party
to any third party hereto without the written consent of the other party hereto,
except TWT may assign this Agreement without STANFORD's consent to an entity
that acquires all or substantially all of the business or assets of TWT (or that
portion thereof to which this Agreement relates), in each case whether by
merger, acquisition, or otherwise, provided that such assignee agrees in writing
to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

        11.9 Modification. No amendment or modification of any provision of this
Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by all parties hereto. No
provision of this Agreement shall be varied, contradicted or explained by any
oral agreement, course of dealing or performance or any other matter not set
forth in an agreement in writing and signed by both parties.

        11.10 Severability. If any provision hereof should be held invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the parties shall negotiate in
good faith a valid, legal and enforceable substitute provision that most nearly
reflects the original intent of the parties and all other provisions hereof
shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and shall be
liberally construed in order to carry out the intentions of the parties hereto
as nearly as may be possible. Such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in
any other jurisdiction.

        11.11 Public. Each of the parties hereto agrees not to disclose to any
third party the financial terms of this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the other party hereto, except to advisors, investors and others on a
need-to-know basis under circumstances that reasonably ensure the
confidentiality thereof, or to the extent required by law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, within five (5) days after the Effective Date, the parties shall
agree upon and issue a press release announcing the execution of this Agreement
and describing the collaboration, together with a corresponding Question &
Answer outline for use in responding to inquiries about the Agreement and
collaboration of the parties; thereafter, each party may disclose to third
parties the information disclosed in such press release and Question & Answer
outline without the need for further approval by the other party.

        11.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together, shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

        11.13 Headings. Headings used herein are for convenience only and shall
not in any way affect the construction of or be taken into consideration in
interpreting this Agreement.

        11.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Exhibits hereto
constitute the entire agreement, both written or oral with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings
or agreements, whether written or oral, between TWT and STANFORD with respect to
such subject matter.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered in duplicate originals as of the date first above
written.

THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.                LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

By:    /s/ IAN B. EDVALSON                   By:    /s/ GLENNIA R. CAMPBELL
   --------------------------------             -------------------------------
Name:  Ian B. Edvalson                       Name:  Glennia R. Campbell
     ------------------------------               -----------------------------

Title: Vice President                        Title: Industrial Contracts Officer
      ----------------------------                 -----------------------------

                                      -12-

<PAGE>   13

                                   EXHIBIT 1.1

                     DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

        "Agricultural Applications" shall mean applications relating to (i)
cultivating, characterizing or modifying soil; (ii) producing, growing,
improving, protecting, treating or modifying crops or forest products; (iii)
raising, harvesting, improving, protecting, treating or modifying livestock,
poultry, fish or shellfish; and (iv) the preparation, marketing or treatment of
products resulting from the activities described in (i)-(iii) above.
Agricultural Applications shall include applications involving the improvement
or modification of soil, crops, livestock, poultry, fish or shellfish and their
resulting products as they relate to human health, as well as foods from plants
and animals designed or modified to enhance their health attributes, in each
case for nutraceutical applications but not therapeutic applications in humans.
Agricultural Applications shall also include agricultural applications relating
to bacteria, fungi, and viruses, as well as pest organisms with respect to, and
only to the extent of, such bacteria, fungi, viruses or pest organisms'
interaction with soil, plants, livestock, poultry, fish or shellfish. For
avoidance of doubt it is acknowledged and understood that Agricultural
Applications includes genes and gene-based or genetic technologies useful for
achieving the above described activities, in particular:

         -  Gene-based assays for pesticide discovery;

         -  Gene-based diagnostics of agricultural pests;

         -  Gene-based analysis of metabolism of pesticides in plants and pest
            organisms;

         -  Gene-based analysis of metabolism and physiological state of plants;
            livestock, poultry, fish, shellfish, or their pests;

         -  Genetic modification of pest organism for functional analysis of
            pest-related properties;

         -  Genetic modification of pest, bacteria, fungi, or viruses for
            functional analysis and optimization as protectants or growth
            stimulators of plants, livestock, poultry, fish or shellfish;

         -  Functional genetic analysis of the genomes of plants, livestock,
            poultry, fish, or shellfish or their pest for applications in
            agriculture;

         -  Genetic modification of plants, livestock, poultry, fish, or
            shellfish or their pests with the goal of enhancing properties
            relevant to production and end-use (i.e.; input and output traits);

         -  Gene-based diagnostics for determining seed and crop composition and
            quality; and

         -  Gene-based markers for facilitation of the breeding of plants,
            livestock, poultry, fish, or shellfish or their pests for
            applications in agriculture.

        Agricultural Applications shall further include food safety applications
relating to crops or livestock up to the stage at which the crops are processed
into materials or food ingredients for human consumption or the livestock are
slaughtered (i.e., unprocessed food safety applications). Without limiting the
foregoing, the Agricultural Applications shall not include any application
relating to crops or livestock after the stage at which the corps are processed
into materials or food ingredients for human consumption or the livestock are
slaughtered (i.e., processed food applications).

        Agricultural Applications shall exclude all applications not expressly
described above. For avoidance of doubt, the Agricultural Applications shall in
no case include human applications (e.g., research, diagnostic or therapeutic)
nor any application for the discovery, production, or development of products
for therapeutic applications in humans, including without limitation, the
discovery, development, use and raising of animal models of human disease.

                                      -13-<PAGE>   1
                                               *Confidential Treatment Requested

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                      COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

This Collaborative Development Agreement (the "Agreement") effective as of June
21, 2000 (the "Effective Date") outlines the terms and conditions pursuant to
which Third Wave Technologies, Inc. ("TWT") is willing to develop and transfer
to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (together with Novartis Pharma AG,
Novartis AG and all of its affiliates including GNF "Novartis") 10,000 unique
genotyping assays based on TWT's proprietary Invader(R) assay platform (each
such assay an "Assay") for detection of certain single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) mutually designated by the parties to be approximately evenly spaced over
the human genome. Each assay shall be specific for one SNP.

1.      Invader SNP Assays: Each Assay (FRET-detection format) will be comprised
        of the following:

        A. Primary Probe Set including a SNP-specific Primary Invader Probe and
        Primary Probes for each allele of the SNP for which TWT will perform:
        (i) oligonucleotide probe design, (ii) probe synthesis, (iii) probe
        purification (as necessary) and (iv) probe set quality control and
        packaging; and

        B. Standard Invader Reagent Set including: (i) purified Secondary
        Signal/target probe complex oligonucleotide, (ii) Cleavase enzyme, and
        (iii) buffers. All together in each well of a 384-well microtiter plate.

2.      Transfer: TWT will transfer each of the 10,000 Assays to Novartis FOB
        (UCC) TWT's facilities Madison, WI, in accordance with a mutually agreed
        schedule. Each Assay so transferred will be in 384-well format and
        include materials sufficient to perform 384 genotype determinations in
        accordance with TWT's standard protocols therefor. It being understood
        that the total number of determinations to be transferred hereunder will
        be 3,840,000. TWT will use its best efforts to transfer the first 5,000
        Assays to Novartis within 6 months of the Effective Date and the
        remaining 5,000 Assays within 1 year of the Effective Date.

3.      Payment:

        A. Initiation Payment. In consideration of TWTs development of the
        Assays, Novartis will pay to TWT [****] within 10 days of the Effective
        Date which total amount will be creditable against 1/2 of the amounts
        due on transfer of the Assays below.

        B. Assay Payments. In consideration of TWT transferring the Assays,
        Novartis will pay to TWT [****] per genotyping determination ([****] per
        384 determinations) plus any costs incident to the transfer initially
        paid by TWT but to be borne by Novartis hereunder, within 30 days of
        receipt of the invoice therefor. It being understood that the total
        payments for Assays hereunder will be [****].

4.      Use: All Assays will be used by Novartis solely for its own internal R&D
        applications on a world-wide basis.

5.      Intellectual Property:

        A. General. All right, title and interest in and to all Assays
        transferred hereunder will remain vested in TWT. Novartis will own all
        right, title and interest in and to all Inventions. "Invention" means
        any and all discoveries, inventions, information and other subject
        matter (whether patentable or not) made in the course of Novartis' use
        of the Assays hereunder and all intellectual property rights therein.

        B. Improvements. Novartis hereby grants to TWT a non-exclusive, fully
        paid-up, worldwide right and license, with the right to grant and
        authorize sublicenses, in and to improvements, "Improvement" means any
        Invention which comprise an improvement, modification, or derivative of
        the Assays, including without limitation, improvements and enhancements
        to: (i) assay ease of use methodologies, including sample preparation
        methods or procedures; (iii) detection methods and protocols; (iv) data
        collection or analysis; (v) multiplexing methods; or (vi) automation or
        miniaturization methodologies, techniques and equipment.

        C. Diagnostic Rights. Novartis hereby grants to TWT a first right of
        refusal to obtain an exclusive, worldwide license for all Diagnostic
        Applications to any Patent Rights claiming an Invention that Novartis
        wishes to license to a third party for Diagnostic Applications. For such
        purposes the parties agree as follows: (i) Novartis will promptly
        provide to TWT a copy of each US patent application within the Patent
        Rights that Novartis proposes to license to a third party for Diagnostic
        Applications, referencing this paragraph 5 together with such other
        information as TWT may reasonably request, (ii) TWT will have 45 days
        after receipt of the application and information described in clause (i)
        to notify Novartis of its interest in negotiating such license, (iii) if
        TWT so notifies Novartis, the parties will negotiate in good faith for a
        period of not less than 90 days the terms and conditions of such license
        under the Patent Rights, (iv) thereafter, Novartis may offer such
        license under the Patent Rights to third parties on the same terms and
        conditions as offered to TWT, provided that Novartis offer any more
        favorable terms or conditions to TWT first. "Diagnostic Applications"
        means all applications the purpose of which is to report a patient
        result, including without limitation, detection, diagnosis,

<PAGE>   2
        prognosis or predisposition of disease states and therapeutic monitoring
        applications, in each case whether or not such applications require
        regulatory approval in any particular jurisdiction; and "Patent Rights"
        means all US patent applications and foreign counterpart patent
        applications claiming an Invention, all divisions, continuations,
        continuations-in-part, substitutions, patents of additions thereof and
        all patents issuing on any of the foregoing, together with all
        registrations, reissues, reexaminations or extensions of any kind with
        respect to any of the foregoing patents.

        D. Other. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein is to be
        construed as granting a license from one party to the other, under any
        patent or other intellectual property rights owned by such party.

6.      Confidentiality: For a period of five (5) years from the date of this
        Agreement, each of Novartis and TWT agrees that the receiving party
        shall not publish or otherwise disclose and shall not use for any
        purpose any information furnished to it by the other party hereto
        pursuant to this Agreement which if disclosed in tangible form is marked
        "Confidential" or with other similar designation to indicate its
        confidential or proprietary nature, or if disclosed orally is confirmed
        as confidential or proprietary by the party disclosing such information
        at the time of such disclosure ("Confidential Information"). Without
        limiting the foregoing, it is understood that the Assays will be deemed
        to be Confidential Information of TWT whether or not marked as such and
        that any patent application furnished by Novartis to TWT pursuant to
        paragraph 5 shall be deemed to be Confidential Information of Novartis,
        whether or not marked as such. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is
        understood and agreed that Confidential Information shall not include
        information that, in each case as demonstrated by written documentation:
        (a) was already known to the receiving party, other than under an
        obligation of confidentiality, at the time of disclosure; (b) was
        generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain
        at the time of its disclosure to the receiving party; (c) became
        generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain
        after its disclosure and other than through any act or omission of the
        receiving party in breach of this Agreement; or (d) was subsequently
        lawfully disclosed to the receiving party by a person other than a party
        hereto or developed by the receiving party without reference to any
        information or materials disclosed by the disclosing party.
        Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 6 above, each
        party hereto may disclose the other's Confidential Information to the
        extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary, in filing or prosecuting
        patent applications, prosecuting or defending litigation, complying with
        applicable governmental regulations, submitting information to tax or
        other governmental authorities, or in exercising its rights hereunder
        (including granting any permitted sublicenses), provided that if a party
        is legally required to make any such disclosure of another party's
        Confidential Information, to the extent it may legally do so, it will
        give reasonable advance written notice to the latter party of such
        disclosure and, save to the extent inappropriate in the case of patent
        applications, will use its reasonable efforts to secure confidential
        treatment of such Confidential Information prior to its disclosure
        (whether through protective orders or otherwise), This paragraph 6 will
        survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.

7.      Term and Termination. This Agreement will be effective as of the
        Effective Date and will remain in effect for 14 months and may be
        extended by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto. Either party
        may terminate this Agreement on 60 days written notice in the event that
        the other party is in material breach of the Agreement and the other
        party fails cure during such 60-day period. In the event that Agreement
        is terminated by Novartis as a result of TWT's breach, TWT will repay
        the amount paid under paragraph 3A less amounts credited for Assays
        transfered. In the event of expiration or termination of this Agreement
        the provisions of paragraphs 4, 5, 6 and 8 will survive. For avoidance
        of doubt, it is understood that Novartis' right to use information
        arising out of its use of the Assays is perpetual.

8.      General: This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance
        with, the laws of the State of New York, without reference to conflicts
        of laws principles. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
        between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and
        supersedes all previous or contemporaneous understandings with respect
        thereto. Nonperformance of any party will be excused to the extent that
        performance is rendered impossible by strike, fire, earthquake, flood,
        governmental acts or orders or restrictions, failure of suppliers, or
        any other reason where failure to perform is beyond the reasonable
        control of the nonperforming party. This Agreement may be amended or any
        right or obligation waived only with a written document signed by
        authorized representatives of the parties. Novartis may not assign or
        otherwise transfer its rights and obligations hereunder without the
        prior written approval of TWT. TWT and Novartis agree not to disclose to
        any third party the financial terms of this Agreement without the prior
        written consent of the other party hereto, except to advisors, investors
        and others on a need-to-know basis under circumstances that reasonably
        ensure the confidentiality thereof, or to the extent required by law.
        Notwithstanding the foregoing, within five (5) days after execution
        hereof, the parties will agree upon and issue a press release describing
        the collaboration of the parties.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to he duly
executed and effective as of the Effective Date.

THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.               NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION

By: /s/ LANCE FORS                          By: /s/ R. M. CALIFRE
   --------------------------                  ---------------------------------
Name:  Lance Fors                              Name:  R. M. Califre
      -----------------------                        ---------------------------
Title: President & CEO                         Title: SVP R&D OPS
      -----------------------                        ---------------------------

                                       3

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