Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8

                                 INFORMAX, INC.

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

       This Stock Option Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of the December
11, 1997, by and between InforMax, Inc., a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of Delaware (the "Corporation") and Vadim Babenko (the
"Optionee").

              Recital: The Corporation has determined that it is desirable to
       recognize the contributions made to the Corporation by the Optionee, the
       Corporation intends to grant hereunder to the Optionee an option to
       purchase a certain number of shares of common stock of the Corporation,
       all according to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

       1.     Grant of Option. The Corporation hereby affirms the grant to the
Optionee, as of December 11, 1997 (the "Original Grant Date"), the right and
option (the "Option") to purchase from the Corporation, on the terms and subject
to the conditions hereinafter set forth, Four Thousand (4000) shares of common
nonvoting stock of the Corporation (the "Stock"). The Option shall not
constitute an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422A of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Corporation
reserves 4000 shares for Optionee to be exercised as described in Section 3.

       2.     Price. The purchase price (the "Option Price") for the shares of
Stock subject to the Option granted by this Agreement shall be $1 per share and
this Agreement will supersede all previous Option Agreements or Arrangements.

       3.     Exercise of Option. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Option shall be exercised as follows:

              A.     Option Terms. Until the Option is terminated, the Optionee
       may exercise the Option (up to the total number of shares set forth in
       Section 1 above) in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time,
       by delivering written notice of the intention to exercise the Option
       along with proper payment therefore, provided, that in no event may the
       Option

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       be exercised for a fractional share.

              B.     Exercise by Optionee. During the lifetime of the Optionee,
       only the Optionee (or, in the event of the Optionee's legal incapacity or
       incompetence, the Optionee's guardian or legal representative) may
       exercise the Option.

              C.     Termination of Employment. In the event that the Optionee
       is employed by the Corporation, except as provided in subsections D and E
       of this Section 3 the Optionee may exercise the Option only while the
       Optionee is employed by the Corporation or for three months after the
       termination of his employment, after which period the Option shall
       terminate.

              D.     Death. In the event of the Optionee's death prior to the
       termination of the Option, the Optionee's personal representative and/or
       other successors-in-interest, as the case may be, shall have the right
       (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in Subsection F below)
       to exercise all or any part of the Option.

              E.     Disability. If the Optionee's termination of employment is
       by reason of "permanent and total disability" (within the meaning of
       Section 22 (e) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code), the Optionee or his
       guardian or legal representative shall have the right (subject to the
       limitations on exercise set forth in Subsection F below) to exercise all
       or any part of the Option.

              F.     Limitations on Exercise of Option. Notwithstanding the
       foregoing provisions of this Section 3, in no event may the Option be
       exercised, in whole or in part, more than ten years following the
       Original Grant Date, or after the occurrence of an event referred to in
       Section 7 below that results in termination of the Option.

       4.     How to Exercise the Option. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the Option may be exercised by delivering written notice of
exercise to the Corporation, at its principal office. Such notice shall specify
the number of shares for which the Option is being exercised and shall be
accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the shares for which the
Option is being exercised. Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock
purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option shall be made either (i) in
cash or in cash equivalent; (ii) through the tender to the Corporation of shares
of stock, which shares shall be valued, for the purposes of determining the
extent to which the Option Price has been paid thereby, at their fair market
value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation) on the date
of exercise; or (iii) by a combination

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of the methods described in (i) and (ii). If the person exercising the Option is
not the Optionee, such person shall also deliver with the notice of exercise
appropriate proof of his or her right to exercise the Option. An attempt to
exercise the Option granted hereunder other than as set forth above shall be
invalid and of no force and effect. Promptly after proper exercise of the Option
as provided for above, the Corporation shall deliver to the person exercising
the Option a certificate or certificates for the shares of Stock being
purchased;

       5.     Limitations on Transfer. The Option is not transferable by the
Optionee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the
event of death of the Optionee.

       6.     Rights as Stockholder. No person shall have any of the rights or
privileges of a stockholder of the Corporation in respect of any shares of Stock
transferable hereunder unless and until (a) such shares have been fully paid and
certificates representing such shares have been endorsed, transferred and
delivered, (b) the name of the person entitled to exercise the Option has been
entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Corporation, and (c)
the person entitled to exercise the Option has taken all steps and executed all
documents required of all other stockholders of the Corporation, including
without limitation evidencing proper agreement to be bound by the terms of any
Stockholder's Agreement that may then be in effect.

       7.     Effect of Changes in Capitalization.

              A.     Changes in Stock. If the outstanding shares of Stock are
       increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different
       number or kind of shares or other securities of the Corporation by reason
       of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, combination of
       shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable
       in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected
       without receipt of consideration by the Corporation occurring after the
       date the Option is granted, to preserve and protect any rights he may
       have pursuant hereunder, the Optionee may exercise his Option before such
       event occurs. In such event, the Optionee shall have the right for 30
       days immediately prior to the occurrence of such event to exercise the
       Option in whole or in part. The Corporation shall send written notice of
       such event to the Optionee not later than the time at which the
       Corporation gives notice thereof to its stockholders.

              B.     Reorganization in Which the Corporation is the Surviving
       Corporation. Subject to Subsection C of this Section 7, if the
       Corporation shall be the surviving corporation in any one or more other
       corporations, to preserve and protect any rights he may have hereunder
       the

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       Optionee may exercise the Option prior to the event of reorganization,
       merger or consolidation. In such event, the Optionee shall have the right
       for 30 days immediately prior to the occurrence of such event to exercise
       the Option in whole or in part. The Corporation shall send written notice
       of such event to the Optionee not later than the time at which the
       Corporation gives notice thereof to its stockholders.

              C.     Reorganization in Which the Corporation Is Not the
       Surviving Corporation or Sale of Assets or Stock. Upon the dissolution or
       liquidation of the Corporation, or upon a merger, consolidation or
       reorganization of the Corporation with one or more other corporations in
       which the Corporation is not the surviving corporation, or upon a sale of
       substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to another
       corporation, or upon any transaction (including, with limitation, a
       merger or reorganization in which the Corporation is the surviving
       corporation) approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation which
       results in any person or entity owning eighty percent (80%) or more of
       the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, the
       Option hereunder shall terminate, except to the extent provision is made
       in connection with such transaction for the continuation and/or the
       assumption of the Option, or for the substitution for the Option of new
       Options or stock appreciation rights covering the stock of a successor
       employer corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate
       adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and exercise prices, in
       which event the Option shall continue in the manner and under the terms
       so provided. In such event, the Optionee shall have the right for 30 days
       immediately prior to the occurrence of such termination to exercise the
       Option in whole or in part. The Corporation shall send written notice of
       an event that will result in such a termination to the Optionee not later
       than the time at which the Corporation gives notice thereof to its
       stockholders.

              D.     Adjustments. Adjustments specified in this Section relating
       to stock or securities of the Corporation shall be made by the Board of
       Directors of the Corporation, whose determination in that respect shall
       be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock or units
       of other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and
       such fractional shares shall be eliminated in each case by rounding
       downward to the nearest whole share or unit.

       8.     General Restrictions. The Corporation shall not be required to
sell or issue any shares of Stock under the Option if the sale or issuance of
such shares would constitute a violation by the individual exercising the Option
or by the Corporation of

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any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority, including,
without limitation, any U.S. Federal securities laws or regulations or any U.S.
state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Corporation shall
determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of
any shares subject to the Option upon any securities exchange or under any
state, or federal law, or the consent or approval of any government regulatory
body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the
issuance or purchase of share, the Option may not be exercised in whole or in
part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent of approval shall
have been effected or obtained free of any conditions that are unacceptable to
the Corporation, and delay caused thereby or failure of the Corporation to take
necessary steps in pursuit thereof shall prolong the date of termination of the
Option for the time required to finalize mentioned above procedures.

        9.   Withholding of Taxes. The Parties hereto recognize that the
Corporation may be obligated to withhold federal and local income taxes and
Social Security taxes to the extent that the Optionee realizes ordinary income
in connection with the exercise of the Option. The Optionee agrees that the
Corporation may withhold amounts needed to cover such taxes from payments
otherwise due and owing to the Optionee, and also agrees that upon demand the
Optionee will promptly pay to the Corporation having such obligation any
additional amounts as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding tax
obligation. Such payment shall be made in cash or equivalent.

        10.  Disclaimer of Rights. No provision in this Agreement shall be
construed to confer upon the Optionee the right to be employed by the
Corporation, or to interfere an any way with the right and authority of the
Corporation either to increase or decrease the compensation of the Optionee at
any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between the
Optionee and the Corporation.

        11.  Interpretation of this Agreement. All decisions of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation with regard to any questions arising under this
Agreement shall be binding and conclusive on the Corporation and the Optionee
and any other person entitled to exercise the Option as provided for herein.

        12.  Governing Law. This Agreement is executed pursuant to and shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Maryland (but not including the choice of
law rules thereof).

        13.  Binding Effect. Subject to all restrictions provided for in this
Agreement and the Option provided for herein, this Agreement shall be biding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors,

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administrators, successors and assigns.

        14.  Notice. Any notice hereunder by the Optionee to the Corporation
shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given if mailed or delivered to the
Corporation at its principal office, or if so mailed or delivered to such other
address as the Corporation may hereafter designate by notice to the Optionee.
Any notice hereunder by the Corporation to the Optionee shall be in writing and
shall be deemed duly given if mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address
specified below by the Optionee for such purpose, or if so mailed or delivered
to such other address as the Optionee may hereafter designate by written notice
given the Corporation.

        15.  Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, written or oral, of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, including, but not
limited to, the Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be
amended, waived, discharged, or terminated except by a written instrument signed
by the Corporation unilaterally may waive any provision hereof in writing to the
extent that such a waiver does not adversely affect the interests of the
Optionee hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate as or be construed to be a
subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver of any other provision
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf, as of
the day and year first above written.

        InforMax, Inc.                           Optionee

        By:    /s/ ALEX TITOMIROV                 By:  /s/ VADIM BABENKO
           ----------------------                  ---------------------
        Name:  ALEX TITOMIROV
             --------------------
        Title: PRESIDENT/CEO                    Name:  VADIM BABENKO
             --------------------                     ------------------

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                  FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

               THIS FIRST AMENDMENT to the STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the
"Amendment") is effective as of January 1, 1999, by and between InforMax, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("Corporation"), and Vadim Babenko ("Optionee").

               WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15 of the Stock Option Agreement
between Corporation and Optionee dated December 11, 1997 (the "Stock Option
Agreement"), the parties hereto desire to amend certain provisions of the Stock
Option Agreement to clarify Optionee's rights in the event of a change in
capitalization of Corporation;

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties do hereby agree as
follows:

               1. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stock Option
Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.

               2. SECTION 7.A. Section 7.A is amended and replaced in its
entirety with the following:

               "A. Changes in Stock. If the outstanding shares of Stock are
increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or
kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of any
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, combination of shares,
exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital
stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company occurring after the date the Option is granted, a
proportionate and appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Company in the
number and kind of shares subject to the Option, so that the proportionate
interest of the Optionee immediately following such event shall, to the extent
practicable, be the same as immediately prior to such event. Any such adjustment
in the Option shall not change the total Option Price with respect to shares
subject to the unexercised portion of the Option but shall include a
corresponding proportionate adjustment in the Option Price per share."

               3. SECTION 7.B. Section 7.B is amended and replaced in its
entirety with the following:

               "B. Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving
Corporation. Subject to Subsection C of this Section, if the Company shall be
the surviving corporation in any reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Company with one or more other corporations, the Option shall pertain to and

                                       1
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apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock
subject to the Option would have been entitled immediately following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate
adjustment of the Option Price per share so that the aggregate Option Price
thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price of the shares
remaining subject to the Option immediately prior to such reorganization, merger
or consolidation."

                4.     CONTINUED EFFECT. Except as modified herein, all terms
and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect, which terms and conditions the parties hereby ratify and affirm.

                5.     INTENT. The parties intend that this Amendment apply to
the stock split of the Corporation's capital stock, which occurred on March 29,
1999.

                6.     COUNTERPARTS. To facilitate execution, this Amendment may
be executed in counterparts, and all counterparts shall collectively constitute
a single agreement.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as
of the date first above written.

INFORMAX, INC.                              OPTIONEE

By: /s/ Alex Titomirov                      By: /s/ VADIM  BABENKO
   ---------------------                        ---------------------------
Alex Titomirov                              Name:
Chairman and CEO                                 --------------------------
                                            Date:     April 9, 1999
                                                 --------------------------
Date:  4/9/99
     -------------------

                                       2<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.9

                                 INFORMAX, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

       This Stock Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement") is made as of the
19th day of March, 1999, by and between INFORMAX, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and Vadim Babenko, an employee of the Company or its
subsidiaries (the "Optionee").

       WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is desirable and in its best
interest to grant to the Optionee, an option to purchase a certain number of
shares of the Company's Non-Voting Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Stock") in
consideration for the Optionee's exceptional contributions made to the Company
over the prior five years, and to provide the Optionee with an incentive to
advance the interests of the Company, all according to the terms and conditions
set forth herein;

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

       1.     GRANT OF OPTION.

              A.     The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and
option (the "Option") to purchase from the Company, on the terms and subject to
the conditions hereinafter set forth, 1,600,000 shares of Stock.

              B.     The date of grant of this Option is March 20, 1999 (the
"Grant Date").

       2.     PRICE. The purchase price (the "Option Price") for the shares of
Stock subject to the Option granted by this Option Agreement is $0.50 per share.

       3.     EXERCISE OF OPTION. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Option granted pursuant to this Option Agreement shall be subject to exercise as
follows:

              A.     Time of Exercise of Option. The Optionee may exercise the
Option (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in Subsection G below),
in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, after the Grant Date and
prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Subsection F below.

              B.     Exercise by Optionee. During the lifetime of the Optionee,
only the Optionee (or, in the event of the Optionee's legal incapacity or
incompetency, the Optionee's guardian or legal representative) may exercise the
Option.

              C.     Termination of Service. The Optionee may exercise the
Option only while the Optionee is an employee or Director of the Company or any
"subsidiary corporation" thereof within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (a "Subsidiary") or for
three years

<PAGE>   2

thereafter, after which the Option shall terminate, except as provided in
Subsection D and E of this Section. Upon the Optionee's termination of service,
the Optionee may (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in Subsection
G below) exercise all or any part of the Option, to the extent that it was
exercisable at the time of the termination of service, at any time within three
years after the termination of service and prior to the termination of the
Option, as set forth in Subsection F of this Section.

              D.     Death.

              (a)    In the event of the Optionee's death while providing
service to the Company or a Subsidiary, the personal representative or legatees
or distributees of the Optionee's estate, as the case may be, shall have the
right (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in Subsection G below)
to exercise all or any part of the Option, to the extent that the Option was
exercisable on the date of the Optionee's death, at any time within three years
after the date of the Optionee's death.

              (b)    In the event of the Optionee's death within the period
following the termination of service for the Company or a Subsidiary during
which the Option was exercisable pursuant to Subsection C or E of this Section,
the personal representative or legatees or distributees of the Optionee's
estate, as the case may be, shall have the right (subject to the limitations on
exercise set forth in Subsection G below) to exercise all or any part of the
Option, to the extent that the Option was exercisable on the date of the
Optionee's death, at any time within the later of (i) one (1) year after the
date of the Optionee's death or (ii) the period following the termination of
service for the Company or a Subsidiary during which the Option would have been
exercisable by Optionee pursuant to Subsection C or E of this Section had
Optionee not died.

              E.     Disability. If the Optionee's termination of service is by
reason of "permanent and total disability" (within the meaning of Section
22(e)(3) of the Code), the Optionee or the guardian or legal representative
shall have the right (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in
Subsection G below) to exercise all or any part of the option, to the extent
that the Option was exercisable at the time of the termination of service, at
any time within three years after termination of service.

              F.     Termination of Option. The Option shall terminate upon the
earliest of (i) the expiration of a period of ten (10) years from the date of
grant of the Option, as set forth in Section 1 above, (ii) three years after the
Optionee's termination of service to the Company or a Subsidiary, unless such
termination falls within the scope of Subsection D or E of this Section, or
(iii) in the event the Optionee's termination of service falls within the scope
of Subsection D or E of this Section, upon the expiration of the period after
the Optionee's termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary within
which the Option is exercisable as specified in Subsection D or E of this
Section, whichever is applicable.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

              G.     Limitations on Exercise of Option. Notwithstanding the
foregoing Subsections of this Section, in no event may the Option be exercised,
in whole or in part, after ten years following the date upon which the Option is
granted, as set forth in Section 1 above, or after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 7 below which results in termination of the Option. In no
event may the Option be exercised for a fractional share.

       4.     METHOD OF EXERCISE OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised by delivering written
notice of exercise to the Company, at its principal office, addressed to the
attention of the Board) which notice shall specify the number of shares for
which the Option is being exercised, and shall be accompanied by payment in full
of the Option Price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised,
except as provided below. Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock
purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option shall be made (i) in cash or in
cash equivalents; (ii) through the tender to the Company of shares of Stock,
which shares shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which
the Option Price has been paid thereby, at their fair market value (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) on the date
of exercise, provided that the Stock being exchanged must have been held by the
Optionee for at least six (6) months; (iii) in the event that the Stock is
listed on an established national or regional stock exchange, is admitted to
quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System, or is publicly traded in an established securities market, by delivering
a written direction to the Company that the Option be exercised pursuant to a
"cashless" exercise/sale procedure (pursuant to which funds to pay for exercise
of the option are delivered to the Company by a broker upon receipt of stock
certificates from the Company) or a cashless exercise/loan procedure (pursuant
to which the Optionees would obtain a margin loan from a broker to fund the
exercise) through a licensed broker acceptable to the Company whereby the stock
certificate or certificates for the shares of Stock for which the Option is
exercised will be delivered to such broker as the agent for the individual
exercising the Option, and the broker will deliver to the Company cash (or cash
equivalents acceptable to the Company) equal to the Option Price for the shares
of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option plus the amount (if
any) of federal and other taxes that the Company, may, in its judgment, be
required to withhold with respect to the exercise of the Option; or (iv) by a
combination of the methods described in (i), (ii), and (iii) above. Payment in
full of the Option Price need not accompany the written notice of exercise if
the Option is exercised pursuant to the cashless exercise/sale procedure. If the
person exercising the Option is not the Optionee, such person shall also deliver
with the notice of exercise appropriate proof of his or her right to exercise
the Option. An attempt to exercise the Option granted hereunder other than as
set forth above shall be invalid and of no force and effect. Promptly after
exercise of the Option, as provided for above, the Company shall deliver to the
person exercising the Option a certificate or certificates for the shares of
Stock being purchased.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

       5.     LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFER.

              (a)    Transferability. The Option shall not be assignable or
transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. No
holder of shares acquired pursuant to this Option Agreement shall sell, assign,
transfer, pledge or hypothecate such shares except in accordance with the terms
of this Option Agreement. No holder of shares acquired pursuant to this Option
Agreement will pledge or hypothecate such shares without the prior consent of
the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Stock acquired
pursuant to this Option Agreement may be transferred by gift to the holder's
"Family", provided that any such transferee shall enter into a written agreement
to be bound by the terms of this Option Agreement. For this purpose, "Family"
shall mean the siblings, children, parents and spouse of the holder of such
shares.

              (b)    Right of First Refusal.

                     (i)    The Optionee shall not sell, pledge, assign, gift,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the
Option Agreement to anyone without first offering them to the Company for
purchase on the same terms and conditions as those offered the proposed
transferee. Any individual who proposes such a transfer (the "Transferor") shall
notify the Company, in writing, of the identity of the transferee and the terms
and conditions of such transfer. The Company may exercise its right of first
refusal within sixty (60) days after receiving such notice of the proposed
transfer. If the Company (or its permitted assignee) fails to exercise such
right of first refusal during this sixty (60) day period, the Transferor may
proceed with the proposed transfer at any time within the next sixty (60) days,
and if he does not do so, the restrictions of this Subsection shall re-apply.
The restrictions of this Subsection shall re-apply to any person to whom Stock
that was originally acquired pursuant to the Option Agreement is sold, pledged,
assigned, bequeathed, gifted, or otherwise transferred, without regard to the
number of such subsequent transferees or the manner in which they acquire the
Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions of this Subsection shall
not apply to a transfer of Stock that occurs as a result of the death of the
Transferor or of any subsequent transferee (but shall apply to the executor,
administrator or personal representative, the estate and the legatees,
beneficiaries and assigns thereof). The right of first refusal granted in this
Section shall terminate on the closing of an initial public offering of the
Company's Stock under the Securities Act.

                     (ii)   The Company may assign its right of first refusal
under this Section 5, in whole or in part, to a Shareholder, a Plan or an
Affiliate. The Company shall give reasonable written notice to the Transferor of
any assignment of its rights.

              (d)    Legend. In order to enforce the restrictions imposed upon
shares under this Option Agreement, the Board may cause a legend or legends to
be

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
placed on any certificate representing shares issued pursuant to this Option
Agreement which legend or legends shall make appropriate reference to the
restriction imposed under it.

                6.     RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Neither the Optionee nor any
executor, administrator, distributee or legatee of the Optionee's estate shall
be, or have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in
respect of any shares of Stock transferable hereunder unless and until such
shares have been fully paid and certificates representing such shares have been
endorsed, transferred and delivered, and the name of the Optionee (or of such
personal representative, administrator, distributee or legatee of the Optionee's
estate) has been entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the
Company.

                7.     EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.

                       A.     Changes in Stock. If the outstanding shares of
Stock are increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different
number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of any
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, combination of shares,
exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital
stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company occurring after the date the Option is granted, a
proportionate and appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Company in the
number and kind of shares subject to the Option, so that the proportionate
interest of the Optionee immediately following such event shall, to the extent
practicable, be the same as immediately prior to such event. Any such adjustment
in the Option shall not change the total Option Price with respect to shares
subject to the unexercised portion of the Option but shall include a
corresponding proportionate adjustment in the Option Price per share.

                       B.     Reorganization in Which the Company Is the
Surviving Corporation. Subject to Subsection C of this Section, if the Company
shall be the surviving corporation in any reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Company with one or more other corporations, the Option
shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of
shares of Stock subject to the Option would have been entitled immediately
following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, with a corresponding
proportionate adjustment of the Option Price per share so that the aggregate
Option Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price of the
shares remaining subject to the Option immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation.

                       C.     Reorganization in Which the Company Is Not the
Surviving Corporation or Sale of Assets or Stock. Upon the dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, or upon a merger, consolidation or reorganization of
the Company with one or more other corporations in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation, or upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company to another

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

corporation, or upon any transaction (including, without limitation, a merger or
reorganization in which the Company is the surviving corporation) approved by
the Board which results in any person or entity owning eighty percent (80%) or
more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the
Option hereunder shall terminate, except that, to the extent that, in connection
with such transaction, holders of shares of Stock receive stock of a successor
corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, either (i) the Options shall be
assumed by such successor corporation, or such parent or subsidiary, and shall
continue in effect and apply to such stock or (ii) such corporation shall
substitute for such Options new options covering the stock of such successor
corporation, or such parent or subsidiary, with appropriate adjustments as to
the number and kinds of shares and exercise prices, and the Options so assumed
or such substituted options shall continue in the manner and under the terms so
provided. In the event of any such termination of the Option, the Optionee shall
have the right (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in Subsection
G of Section 3 above), for thirty (30) days immediately prior to the occurrence
of such termination, to exercise the Option in whole or in part, whether or not
the Optionee was otherwise entitled to exercise such Option at the time such
termination occurs. The Company shall send written notice of an event that will
result in such a termination to the Optionee not later than the time at which
the Company gives notice thereof to its shareholders.

                       D.     Adjustments. Adjustments specified in this Section
relating to stock or securities of the Company shall be made by the Board, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. No
fractional shares of Stock or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant
to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment
shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share
or unit.

                8.     GENERAL RESTRICTIONS. The Company shall not be required
to sell or issue any shares of Stock under the Option if the sale or issuance of
such shares would constitute a violation by the individual exercising the Option
or by the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental
authority, including without limitation any federal or state securities laws or
regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that
the listing, registration or qualification of any shares subject to the Option
upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent
or approval of any government regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a
condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares, the
Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing,
registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay
caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of the Option.
Specifically in connection with the Securities Act of 1933 (as now in effect or
as hereafter amended), unless a registration statement under such Act is in
effect with respect to the shares of Stock covered by the Option, the Company
shall not be required to sell or issue such shares unless the Company has
received evidence

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

satisfactory to it that the holder of the Option may acquire such shares
pursuant to an exemption from registration under such Act. Any determination in
this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The
Company may, but shall in no event be obligated to, register any securities
covered hereby pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (as now in effect or as
hereafter amended). The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative
action in order to cause the exercise of the Option or the issuance of shares
pursuant thereto to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental
authority. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that
the Option shall not be exercisable unless and until the shares of Stock covered
by the Option are registered or are subject to an available exemption from
registration, the exercise of the Option (under circumstances in which the laws
of such jurisdiction apply) shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness
of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.

                9.     WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The parties hereto recognize that
the Company or a Subsidiary may be obligated to withhold federal and local
income taxes and Social Security taxes to the extent that the Optionee realizes
ordinary income in connection with the exercise of the Option or in connection
with a disposition of any shares of Stock acquired by exercise of the Option.
The Optionee agrees that the Company or a Subsidiary may withhold amounts needed
to cover such taxes from payments otherwise due and owing to the Optionee, and
also agrees that upon demand the Optionee will promptly pay to the Company or a
Subsidiary having such obligation any additional amounts as may be necessary to
satisfy such withholding tax obligation. Such payment shall be made in cash or
cash equivalent.

                10.    DISCLAIMER OF RIGHTS. No provision in this Option
Agreement shall be construed to confer upon the Optionee the right to be
employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, or to interfere in any way with the
right and authority of the Company or any Subsidiary either to increase or
decrease the compensation of the Optionee at any time, or to terminate any
employment or other relationship between the Optionee and the Company or any
Subsidiary.

                11.    INTERPRETATION OF THIS OPTION AGREEMENT. All decisions
and interpretations made by the Board of Directors of the Company with regard to
any question regarding this Option Agreement shall be binding and conclusive on
the Company and the Optionee and any other person entitled to exercise the
Option as provided for herein.

                12.    GOVERNING LAW. This Option Agreement is executed pursuant
to and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (but not including
the choice of law rules thereof).

                13.    BINDING EFFECT. Subject to all restrictions provided for
in this Option Agreement and by applicable law relating to assignment and
transfer of this Option Agreement and the option provided for herein, this
Option Agreement shall be

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

                14.    NOTICE. Any notice hereunder by the Optionee to the
Company shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given if mailed or
delivered to the Company at its principal office, addressed to the attention of
the Board, or if so mailed or delivered to such other address as the Company may
hereafter designate by notice to the Optionee. Any notice hereunder by the
Company to the Optionee shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given if
mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address specified below by the
Optionee for such purpose, or if so mailed or delivered to such other address as
the Optionee may hereafter designate by written notice given to the Company.

                15.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Option Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, written
or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Neither this Option Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived,
discharged or terminated except by a written instrument signed by the Company
and the Optionee; provided, however, that the Company unilaterally may waive any
provision hereof in writing to the extent that such waiver does not adversely
affect the interests of the Optionee hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate
as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver
of any other provision hereof.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Option Agreement, or caused this Option Agreement to be duly executed on their
behalf, as of the day and year first above written.

ATTEST:                                        INFORMAX, INC.

  /s/ James E. Bernstein                       By: /s/ Dr. Alexander Titomirov
--------------------------------                 ------------------------------

                                               Title:  President / CEO
                                                     --------------------------

                                               OPTIONEE:

                                                        /s/ Vadim Babenko
                                               --------------------------------

                                               ADDRESS FOR NOTICE TO OPTIONEE:

                                               7501 Heatherton Lane
                                               Potomac, MD 20854

                                      -9-

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