Document:

<PAGE>

[Confidential Treatment Requested. Confidential Portions of this Agreement
have been redacted and filed separately with the Commission.]

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                                            EXECUTION COPY
                      FIRST AMENDMENT OF LICENSE AGREEMENT

     This First Amendment of License Agreement is made and effective as of 25
September 2000, by and between Becton, Dickinson and Company, a New Jersey
corporation through its BD Biosciences Division, having a place of business at 7
Loveton Circle, Sparks, Maryland 21152 (hereinafter "Becton") and Nanogen, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation having its principal office and place of business at
10398 Pacific Center Court, San Diego, California 92121 (hereinafter "Nanogen").

     WHEREAS, Becton and Nanogen are parties to a certain License Agreement
effective 1 October 1997 (hereinafter "LA"); and

     WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend certain provisions of the LA.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby
agree to amend the LA as follows:

     1.   Paragraph 1.5 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          1.5  "Field" shall mean (a) IN VITRO human genetic testing, (b) IN
               VITRO human cancer diagnostics, (c) IN VITRO testing of
               agricultural samples, (d) IN VITRO testing of environmental
               samples, (e) IN VITRO testing of veterinary samples and (f)
               biomedical research applications not required to be reviewed or
               approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or a foreign
               equivalent government organization, all of (a) through (f)
               employing electronically addressable oligonucleotide arrays.

     2.   Paragraph 1.8 is hereby amended by adding after the words "Licensed
          Products by Nanogen" the words "in the Field".

     3.   Paragraph 1.11 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          1.11 "Research Agreement" shall mean the Collaborative Research and
               Development and License Agreement entered into by Becton, Nanogen
               and the Partnership as of October 1, 1997, as amended as of
               September 25, 2000.

     4.   Paragraph 1.12 is hereby amended by adding after "on behalf of
          Nanogen" the words "or by a sublicensee of Nanogen."

     5.   Paragraph 2.2 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          2.2.1 Sublicensing

<PAGE>

               (a)         Nanogen may grant sublicenses in and to the rights
                           licensed hereunder, provided that such sublicenses
                           are in full compliance with all of the provisions set
                           forth in this Section 2.2.

               (b)         No more than five (5) business days after execution
                           of any sublicense agreement pursuant to Paragraph
                           2.2(a), Nanogen shall deliver to Becton a complete
                           and accurate copy of such sublicense agreement.

               (c)         Nanogen shall pay to Becton **********************
                           *********************************** actually paid to
                           Nanogen from sublicensees. Nanogen shall also pay to
                           BD **********************************************
                           *****************************************************
                           unless permitted by Section 4.0 or Section 8.0.

               (d)         All sublicense agreements shall require the
                           sublicensee to comply with all the terms and
                           conditions of this Agreement applicable to Nanogen,
                           provided, however that, such sublicense agreements
                           shall not include grants of rights to the sublicensee
                           to: (a) have made Licensed Products; or (b) grant
                           further sublicenses (except by implication through
                           sale of Licensed Products to end-users of such
                           products).

               (e)         All other terms and conditions of any sublicense
                           agreement shall be consistent with the terms and
                           conditions of this Agreement.

          6. Paragraph 3.1 is hereby amended to add the following sentence at
             the end of the paragraph:

                           If Nanogen or its Affiliates sell Licensed Products
                           to or through a distributor, ***********************
                           ****************************************************
                           ****************************************************
                           ****************

           7.  Paragraph 8 is hereby amended as follows:

                           Paragraph 8.1 is hereby amended by adding after the
                           words "that Nanogen's" the words "or to Nanogen's
                           knowledge, a sublicensee's".

                           Paragraph 8.2 is hereby amended by adding in the last
                           line after the words "action instituted against
                           Nanogen" the words "or a sublicensee".

                           Paragraph 8.3 is hereby amended by adding in the last
                           line after the words "proposed settlement by Nanogen"
                           the words "or a sublicensee".

                           Paragraph 8.4 is hereby amended by adding in the
                           second line after the words "split evenly by Nanogen
                           and Becton" the words "or the sublicensee and Becton
                           as applicable," and in the last line after the words
                           "and paid by, Nanogen" the words "or the sublicensee,
                           as applicable".

------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

<PAGE>

                           Paragraph 8.5 is hereby amended by adding in the
                           second line after the words "8.2, Nanogen" the words
                           "or the sublicensee," in the third line after the
                           words "action, Nanogen" the words "or the
                           sublicensee," and in the fifth line after the words
                           "then Nanogen" the words "or the sublicensee".

                           Paragraph 8.6 is hereby amended by adding in the
                           beginning of the second line after the words "action,
                           Nanogen" the words "or the sublicensee" and in the
                           end of the second line after the words "which
                           Nanogen" the words "or the sublicensee".

          8.   Appendix A is hereby amended, and the First Revised Appendix A is
               attached hereto.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this First Amendment of
License Agreement through duly authorized representatives on the dates set forth
below, effective as of the date first written above.

NANOGEN, INC.                               BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                                            THROUGH ITS BD BIOSCIENCES DIVISION

By:      /s/ HOWARD C. BIRNDORF          By:     /s/ VINCENT A. FORLENZA
    ---------------------------------        ----------------------------------
         Authorized Signature                     Authorized Signature

                                             VINCENT A. FORLENZA
       HOWARD C. BIRNDORF                    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
       CHAIRMAN & CEO                        TECHNOLOGY, STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT
   ----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
         Name and Title                           Name and Title

<PAGE>

FIRST REVISED APPENDIX A

U. S. PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

     1.   U. S. Patent No. 5,270,184, entitled "Nucleic Acid Target Generation"

     2.   U. S. Patent No. 5,422,252, entitled "Simultaneous Amplification of
          Multiple Targets"

     3.   U. S. Patent No. 5,624,825, entitled "Simultaneous Amplification of
          Multiple Targets"

     4.   U. S. Patent No. 5,455,166, entitled "Strand Displacement
          Amplification"

     5.   U. S. Patent No. 5,712,124, entitled "Strand Displacement
          Amplification"

     6.   U. S. Patent No. 5,536,649, entitled "Decontamination of Nucleic Acid
          Amplification Reactions"

     7.   U. S. Patent No. 5,648,211, entitled "Strand Displacement
          Amplification Using Thermophilic Enzymes"

     8.   U. S. Patent No. 5,744,311, entitled "Strand Displacement
          Amplification Using Thermophilic Enzymes"

     9.   U. S. Patent No. 5,702,926, entitled "Use of Boronated Nucleotides in
          Strand Displacement Amplification"

     10.  U. S. Patent No. 5,916,779, entitled "Reverse Transcription Strand
          Displacement Amplification"

     11.  ***

     12.  ***

     13.  ***

---------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.<PAGE>

[Confidential Treatment Requested. Confidential Portions of this Agreement
have been separately filed with the Commission.]

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                      PARTNERSHIP PRODUCT COMMERCIALIZATION

                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between Becton, Dickinson and
Company, a New Jersey corporation, through its BD Biosciences Division, having a
place of business at 54 Loveton Circle, Sparks, Maryland 21152 (hereinafter
"BD") and Nanogen, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its principal office and
place of business at 10398 Pacific Center Court, San Diego, California 92121
(hereinafter "Nanogen").

     WHEREAS, BD owns certain patent rights related to its proprietary Strand
Displacement Amplification ("SDA") technology; and

     WHEREAS, BD is the exclusive licensee of certain patent rights owned by The
Nanogen/ Becton Dickinson Partnership (hereinafter "Partnership") and related to
technology developed by the Partnership ("Partnership Technology"); and

     WHEREAS, Nanogen desires to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell and
import certain products which employ BD's SDA technology and/or Partnership
Technology or would enable a purchaser to employ BD's SDA technology and/or
Partnership Technology in certain applications.

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

     1.0 DEFINITIONS

     As used in this agreement:

     1.1 "Affiliate" shall mean any corporation or other business entity
controlled by or in common control of a party. "Control" as used herein means
the ownership directly or indirectly of fifty percent (50%) or the maximum
interest permitted by local law of the voting stock of a corporation or a fifty
percent (50%) or greater interest in the income of such corporation or other

<PAGE>

business entity or the ability otherwise of a party to secure that the affairs
of such corporation or other business entity are managed in accordance with its
wishes.

     1.2 "Agreement" shall mean this agreement and any exhibits, attachments or
addenda hereto, and any renewals or extensions of this agreement.

     1.3 "Arrays" shall mean electronically addressable oligonucleotide arrays.

     1.4 "BD" shall include all of the divisions, subsidiaries and Affiliates of
BD.

     1.5  "Effective Date" shall mean September 25, 2000.

     1.6 "Field" shall mean IN VITRO nucleic acid-based diagnostic and
monitoring technology involving tests utilizing Arrays for the detection,
identification and/or determination of susceptibility/resistance of microbial
agents (i.e.) bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites).

     1.7 "Licensed Product(s)" shall mean any assay product that contains
reagents or components which are the subject matter of (a) a claim of the
Partnership Patent Rights (as defined hereinafter) and/or the SDA Patent Rights
(as defined hereinafter), or (b) are used for the practice of a method which is
the subject matter of a claim of the Partnership Patent Rights and/or the SDA
Patent Rights.

     1.8 "Net Sales" shall mean the **************************************
**************************************************************************

     ******************************************************************
          *************************************************************

     ******************************************************************

     ******************************************************************
          *************************************************************
          *************************************************************
          *************************************************************

     1.9   "Nanogen" shall include all of the divisions, subsidiaries and
Affiliates of Nanogen.

     1.10 "Partnership Know-How" shall mean the Partnership's know-how to
practice the Partnership Patent Rights (defined hereinafter) in the Field.

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     1.11 "Partnership Patent Rights" shall mean the U. S. Patents and pending
U. S. patent applications listed in Appendix B to this Agreement and any
divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, re-examinations, reissues,
and all foreign equivalents of any of the foregoing in whole or in part.

     1.12 "Research Agreement" shall mean the Collaborative Research and
Development and License Agreement entered into by BD, Nanogen and the
Partnership on October 1, 1997 and amended on September 25, 2000.

     1.13 "SDA Invention(s)" shall mean any patentable and unpatentable
inventions, ideas, discoveries, improvements, design rights, semiconductor mask
works, trade secrets, know-how and any equivalents thereof which are made,
developed, conceived or reduced to practice by Nanogen, or on behalf of Nanogen
or by a sublicensee of Nanogen during the term of this Agreement, while
conducting activities in accordance with the license granted herein, and which
constitute or employ any improvement(s) related to SDA.

     1.14 "SDA Know-How" shall mean BD's SDA know-how to practice the SDA Patent
Rights (defined hereinafter) in the Field and Becton Intellectual Property as
such term is defined in Paragraph 1.11 of the Research Agreement, which is
directly related to SDA and is used in the manufacture, use, offer for sale,
sale or importation of any Product as such term is defined in the Research
Agreement.

     1.15 "SDA Patent Rights" shall mean the U. S. Patents and pending U. S.
patent applications listed in Appendix A to this Agreement as amended from time
to time to include (a) U.S. Patents and pending U.S. patent applications with
claims to SDA Inventions (b) Becton Patent Rights as such term is defined in the
Research Agreement, as amended from time to time, which are directly related to
SDA and are used in the manufacture, use, offer for sale, sale or importation of
any Product as such term is defined in the Research Agreement and (c) U.S.
Patents and pending U.S. patent applications with claims to SDA Improvements as
such term is defined in the Research Agreement, as amended from time to time,
and any divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, re-examinations,
reissues, and all foreign equivalents of any of the foregoing in whole or in
part.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     2.0 LICENSE GRANT

     2.1 As partial consideration for royalties to be paid by Nanogen to BD
pursuant to this Agreement, BD hereby grants to Nanogen a worldwide,
non-exclusive license in and to the SDA Patent Rights and SDA Know-How to make,
have made, use, offer to sell, sell and import Licensed Products strictly
limited for use only in the Field.

     2.2 As partial consideration for royalties to be paid by Nanogen to BD
pursuant to this Agreement, BD hereby grants to Nanogen a worldwide, exclusive
sublicense in and to the Partnership Patent Rights and Partnership Know-How to
make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell and import Licensed Products strictly
limited for use only in the Field.

     2.3 The non-exclusive license granted to Nanogen in Paragraph 2.1 and the
exclusive sublicense granted to Nanogen in Paragraph 2.2 include a limited right
for Nanogen to grant sublicenses only in accordance with the provisions of
Section 4.0.

     3.0 PAYMENT AND RECORDS

     3.1 Nanogen shall pay to BD a royalty of ****************************. If
Nanogen or its Affiliates sell Licensed Products through a distributor, ***
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************

     3.2 Nanogen shall submit to BD within ********** days after ****** **, ****
**, ********* ** and ******** ** of each calendar year during the term of this
Agreement, and upon the expiration or effective termination of this Agreement,
reports for the preceding three month period identifying the Net Sales, and the
amount of royalty due to BD together with payment of such royalty amount. If no
royalties are due to BD for any reporting period, the written report shall so
state. All royalties due hereunder shall be payable in United States Dollars;
provided, however, that if any payment on account of Net Sales is received by
Nanogen in any currency other than United States Dollars, such amount shall be
converted to United States

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       4
<PAGE>

Dollars at the exchange rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the date
of remittance of such payment to BD.

     3.3 Nanogen shall maintain complete and accurate books of accounts and
records showing all sales of Licensed Products and all Net Sales attributable to
such sales. For purposes of verifying the accuracy of the royalties paid by
Nanogen pursuant to this Agreement, such books and records shall be open to
inspection, during usual business hours, by an independent certified public
accountant acceptable to Nanogen. In the event that any such inspection shows
any underreporting and underpayment by Nanogen in excess of *****************
for any fiscal year, then Nanogen shall pay the cost of such examination, the
amount of any underpaid royalty. Such books and records shall be maintained for
at least three full years after each accounting period has ended.

     4.0 SUBLICENSING

     4.1 Nanogen may grant sublicenses in and to the rights licensed hereunder,
provided that such sublicenses are in full compliance with all of the provisions
set forth in this Section 4.0.

     4.2 No more than ********* business days after execution of any sublicense
agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4.1, Nanogen shall deliver to BD a complete and
accurate copy of such sublicense agreement.

     4.3 Nanogen shall pay to BD ********************************************
******** actually paid to Nanogen from sublicensees. Nanogen shall also pay to
BD royalties from sales by sublicensees, and such royalties shall not be ****
******************** unless permitted by Section 5.0 or Section 9.0.

     4.4 All sublicense agreements shall require the sublicensee to comply with
all the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to Nanogen, provided
however that, such sublicense agreements shall not include grants of rights to
the sublicensee to: (a) have made Licensed Products; or (b) grant further
sublicenses (except by implication through sale of Licensed Products to
end-users of such products).

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     4.5 All other terms and conditions of any sublicense agreement shall be
consistent with the term and conditions of this Agreement.

     5.0 ***

     ************************************************************************
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************

     6.0 SDA INVENTIONS

     6.1 As partial consideration for the license of SDA Patent Rights and SDA
Know-How granted by BD to Nanogen pursuant to this Agreement, Nanogen hereby
agrees that all SDA Inventions shall be owned exclusively by, and vest entirely
in, BD.

     6.2 In order to facilitate the provisions of Paragraph 6.1, Nanogen shall
promptly notify BD, in writing, of all SDA Inventions.

     6.3 Nanogen shall, and does hereby, irrevocably grant and assign to BD the
entire assignable right, title and interest, without further compensation, in
and to any and all SDA Inventions, together with: (a) the right to apply for
patents thereon in any and all countries of the

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       6
<PAGE>

world, and (b) the entire right, title and interest in and to any and all
applications for patents which may be prepared or filed thereon at BD's
discretion and expense, and in and to any and all of the eventuating patents.

     6.4 Nanogen shall execute and deliver to BD all descriptions, applications,
assignments and other documents and instruments necessary or proper to carry out
the provisions of this License Agreement without further compensation. Nanogen
shall also cooperate with and assist BD or its nominees in all reasonable ways
and at all reasonable times, including, but not limited to, testifying in all
legal proceedings, signing all lawful papers and in general performing all
lawful acts reasonable, necessary or proper, to aid BD in obtaining,
maintaining, defending and enforcing all lawful patent, trade secret, know-how
and the like related to SDA Inventions in the United States and elsewhere; and
Nanogen shall maintain all information and communications related thereto in
confidence.

     7.0 LICENSED PRODUCT MARKING

     Nanogen shall mark all Licensed Products made, used, offered for sale, sold
or imported into the United States with applicable United States Patent numbers
in accordance with United States Patent Laws. Nanogen shall also mark all
Licensed Products made, used, offered for sale, sold or imported into any other
country with applicable patent numbers in accordance with such country's patent
law.

     8.0 MAINTENANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF PATENT RIGHTS

     8.1 Nanogen shall notify BD promptly in writing if Nanogen becomes aware of
any infringement or suspected infringement of any Partnership Patent Right or of
and SDA Patent Right by an unlicensed party.

     8.2 In the event of infringement of any Partnership Patent Right by an
unlicensed party, BD and Nanogen shall mutually agree upon a course of action to
address such infringement.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     8.3 In the event of infringement of any SDA Patent Right by an unlicensed
party, **********************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

     9.0 DEFENSE OF PATENT INFRINGEMENT ACTIONS

     9.1 Nanogen shall give BD prompt written notice of each claim or allegation
that Nanogen's or a sublicensee's use of **************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

     9.2 If such claim or allegation referenced in Paragraph 9.1 is *******
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

     9.3 If BD ***************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

     9.4 All attorney's fees and disbursements related thereto incurred in ***
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     9.5 During the time period that ****************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

     9.6 In the event that following ****************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

     9.7 In the event a claim or notice that Nanogen's or a sublicensee's use of
the Partnership Patent Rights constitutes an infringement of any U.S. patents
rights held by a third party, BD and Nanogen shall mutually agree upon a course
of action to address such claim or notice.

     10.0 TERM AND TERMINATION

     10.1 This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period ending: (a) on the
date on which the last to expire of the Partnership Patent Rights has expired
and the last to expire of the SDA Patent Rights has expired; (b) on the date on
which all of the Partnership Patent Rights and all of the SDA Patent Rights have
been finally adjudicated to be invalid and/or unenforceable; or (c) on the date
of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Paragraph 10.2, Paragraph
10.3 or Paragraph 10.4, whichever occurs sooner.

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     10.2 Prior to expiration or termination of this Agreement by any of the
occurrences specified in Paragraph 10.1 (a), or (b), Nanogen may, at any time,
without cause, terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written
notice to BD.

     10.3 This Agreement may also be terminated by either party upon default or
breach of a material obligation or condition by the other, such termination
being effective sixty (60) days after receipt by the alleged defaulting or
breaching party of written notice of such termination under this Paragraph
specifying the default or breach; provided, however, that if the default or
breach is cured or shown to be non-existent within the sixty (60) day period
after receipt of written notice, the notice shall be deemed automatically
withdrawn and of no effect. If the parties do not agree on whether a default or
breach is of a "material" obligation or condition, then the parties shall
resolve such a dispute in accordance with Paragraphs 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and 14.4
of this Agreement, and no termination shall occur.

     10.4 In the event that either party shall make an assignment for the
benefit of creditors, voluntarily or involuntarily file a petition for
bankruptcy or reorganization, or substantially discontinue its business with
respect to this Agreement, the other party shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement effective immediately upon written notice, but without prejudice
to any other rights of either party.

     10.5 Upon termination of this Agreement under Paragraph 10.2, Paragraph
10.3 or Paragraph 10.4, all rights in and to the Partnership Know-How and the
Partnership Patent Rights shall immediately revert to the Partnership.

     10.6 Following termination of this Agreement under Paragraph 10.2,
Paragraph 10.3 or Paragraph 10.4, Nanogen shall have the right for six (6)
months to sell all Licensed Products on hand at the time of termination so long
as the royalties from such sales due BD are paid to and statements rendered to
BD with respect to such sales of Licensed Products when due in accordance with
this Agreement.

     10.7 Upon termination, the parties hereto will have no further obligations
to each other except for those obligations pursuant to Paragraphs 3.2, 3.3, 6.1,
6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 10.5 and 13 of this Agreement, which shall survive termination.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     11.0 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     11.1 BD hereby represents and warrants to Nanogen that it is the owner of
the entire right, title and interest to the SDA Patent Rights and SDA Know-How
and that it has full authority and power to enter into this Agreement and to
grant the rights and license specified herein, that it has secured any and all
necessary approvals, permits or consents deemed necessary or advisable for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and that upon execution by
BD and Nanogen, this Agreement shall immediately be a valid and binding
obligation of BD, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

     11.2 Nanogen hereby represents and warrants to BD that it has full
authority and power to enter into this Agreement, that it has secured any and
all necessary approvals, permits or consents deemed necessary or advisable for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and that upon execution
by BD and Nanogen, this Agreement shall immediately be a valid and binding
obligation of Nanogen enforceable in accordance with its terms.

     12.0 NOTICES

     Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder
shall be deemed validly given, if in writing and delivered personally, by
overnight courier, or sent by U.S. certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, as follows:

                           If to Nanogen:

                           Nanogen, Inc.
                           10398 Pacific Center Court
                           San Diego, California 92121
                           Attn:  Chief Executive Officer
                           facsimile - (858) 410-4949

                           with a copy to:

                           Nanogen, Inc.
                           10398 Pacific Center Court
                           San Diego, California 92121
                           Attn:  General Counsel
                           facsimile -  (858) 410-4949

                                       11
<PAGE>

                           and if to BD:

                           BD Biosciences
                           54 Loveton Circle
                           Sparks, Maryland 21152
                           Attn:  Vice President, Licensing and Patents
                           facsimile - (410) 316-3509

                           with a copy to:

                           Becton, Dickinson and Company
                           1 Becton Drive
                           Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417
                           Attention:  Vice President and Chief Intellectual
                           Property Counsel
                           facsimile - (201) 848-9228

     Alternatively, notices and other communications may be sent by facsimile
transmission with a confirmation copy sent by one of the forms of delivery set
forth above. All notices and other communications shall be deemed delivered on
the date of actual receipt.

     13.0 CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

     That certain Confidentiality Agreement between Becton and Nanogen dated
February 6, 1997 as amended shall remain in full force and effect, except that
the terms "Becton Information", "Nanogen Information" and "Information" shall
include information provided pursuant to this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, all terms and provisions of this Agreement and all Appendices
hereto, the "Stated Purpose" shall include activities contemplated by this
Agreement, and the term of confidentiality and limited use of such information
provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be until ************** following the
termination or expiration of this Agreement.

     14.0 DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     14.1 Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the parties
shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or related to
this Agreement, including but not limited to any claim of breach, termination or
invalidity, promptly by negotiations between the

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       12
<PAGE>

****************************************************************************
****************** or other executives of the parties who have authority to
settle the dispute. Either party may give the other party written notice of any
dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. Within ****************
after delivery of such notice, executives of both parties shall discuss by
telephone or meet at a mutually acceptable time and place, and thereafter as
often as they reasonably deem necessary, to exchange relevant information, and
to attempt to resolve the dispute. If the matter has not been resolved within
************* of the disputing party's notice, the matter shall be referred to
****************************************************************************
************************************* for further consideration in an attempt to
resolve the matter. If a negotiator intends to be accompanied at a meeting by an
attorney, the other negotiator shall be given at least *** working days'
notice of such intention, and may also be accompanied by an attorney. All
negotiations pursuant to Paragraph 14.1 and pursuant to Paragraph 14.2 are
confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for
the purposes of the Federal Rules of Evidence and any state rules of evidence.

     14.2 If a matter has not been resolved under the procedures set forth in
Paragraph 14.1 above within *** days of the disputing party's notice, or if
the parties fail to discuss or meet within *** days, then within *** days
thereafter, either party may, but shall not be obligated to, initiate
nonbinding mediation of the controversy or claim under the Center for Public
Resources Model ADR Procedures for Mediation of Business Disputes (the "CPR
Procedures"). Once the mediation is initiated by one party, the other party
agrees to participate in and conduct mediation in accordance with the CPR
Procedures in good faith and not pursue other legal remedies while such
mediation is proceeding. If neither party initiates mediation within the
*************, or if the dispute has not been resolved by such mediation
within *********** following initiation of mediation, either party may pursue
all remedies available.

     14.3 All applicable statutes of limitations and defenses based on the
passage of time shall be tolled while the negotiation and mediation procedures
set forth in Paragraphs 14.1 and

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       13
<PAGE>

14.2 are pending. The parties will take such action, if any, as may be
reasonably required to effectuate such tolling.

     14.4 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the remedy at law for any breach of the
provisions of this Agreement may be inadequate, and, accordingly, an aggrieved
party seeking equitable relief or remedies for such a breach shall have the
right and is hereby granted the privilege, in addition to all other remedies at
law or in equity, to proceed directly in a court of competent jurisdiction to
seek temporary or preliminary equitable relief.

     15.0 MISCELLANEOUS

     15.1 This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all prior
agreements, understandings, writings and discussions between the parties
relating to said subject matter. No change or amendment hereof shall be
effective unless in writing and signed by the parties. Any and all previous
agreements and understandings between the parties regarding the subject matter
hereof, whether written or oral, are superseded by this Agreement.

     15.2 Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by
the party entitled to the benefit thereof, but only by a written instrument
executed by such party or a duly authorized officer of any such party hereto.

     15.3 This Agreement shall not be assignable by Nanogen without BD's prior
written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if notified in writing by
Nanogen of a party to which Nanogen desires to assign this Agreement in
conjunction with a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Nanogen,
and such other party requires a license from BD to conduct for itself certain of
those assets to be acquired from Nanogen, BD agrees to negotiate with such
party, and attempt in good faith for a period of not more than six (6) months to
conclude, a license agreement for the same Field as this Agreement.

     15.4 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     15.5 The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement are for the sole benefit of the parties and their successors and
permitted assigns, and they shall not be construed as conferring and are not
intended to confer any rights on any other persons.

     15.6 All section headings and the use of a particular gender are for
convenience only and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or
provisions hereof.

     15.7 This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, and each of the parties may become a party hereto
by executing a counterpart hereof. This Agreement and any counterpart so
executed shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

     15.8 If any provision of this Agreement or application thereof to anyone or
under any circumstance is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without
the invalid or unenforceable provision or application and shall not invalidate
or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     15.9 Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to create a
partnership between BD and Nanogen. Neither party shall be liable for the act of
the other party unless such act is expressly authorized in writing by all of the
other party.

     15.10 This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted without
application of any principle or rule to the effect that ambiguities are to be
construed against the party responsible for drafting the agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement through duly
authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

NANOGEN, INC.                                     BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

                                       15
<PAGE>

By:      /s/ HOWARD C. BIRNDORF       By:  /s/ VINCENT A. FORLENZA
     --------------------------------      ------------------------------------
Printed                               Printed
Name HOWARD C. BIRNDORF               Name VINCENT A. FORLENZA
    ---------------------------           -------------------------

Title CHAIRMAN  & CEO                 Title SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
      ----------------------------          TECHNOLOGY, STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT
                                         -------------------------------------

Date      9-27-00                     Date SEPTEMBER 28, 2000
    ----------------------------          --------------------------

#36052 v2

                                       16
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                            PARTNERSHIP PATENT RIGHTS

1.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

2.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

3.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

4.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

5.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

6.   U. S. Patent No. 6,066,461, entitled "Amplification and Detection of
     Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli"

7.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

8.   U. S. Patent No. 6,060,252, entitled "Amplification and Detection of
     Shigella spp. and Enteroinvasive Strains of Escherichia coli"

9.   ************************************************************************
     ************************************************************************

10.  U. S. Patent No. 6,043,041, entitled "Amplification and Detection of
     Shiga-like Toxin II Producing Organisms"

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       17
<PAGE>

11.  *******************************************************************

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

                                SDA PATENT RIGHTS

1.   U. S. Patent No. 5,270,184, entitled "Nucleic Acid Target Generation"

2.   U. S. Patent No. 5,422,252, entitled "Simultaneous Amplification of
     Multiple Targets"

3.   U. S. Patent No. 5,624,825, entitled "Simultaneous Amplification of
     Multiple Targets"

4.   U. S. Patent No. 5,455,166, entitled "Strand Displacement Amplification"

5.   U. S. Patent No. 5,712,124, entitled "Strand Displacement Amplification"

6.   U. S. Patent No. 5,536,649, entitled "Decontamination of Nucleic Acid
     Amplification Reactions"

7.   U. S. Patent No. 5,648,211, entitled "Strand Displacement Amplification
     Using Thermophilic Enzymes"

8.   U. S. Patent No. 5,744,311, entitled "Strand Displacement Amplification
     Using Thermophilic Enzymes"

9.   U. S. Patent No. 5,702,926, entitled "Use of Boronated Nucleotides in
     Strand Displacement Amplification"

10.  U. S. Patent No. 5,916,779, entitled "Reverse Transcription Strand
     Displacement Amplification"

11.  **********************************************************************
     **********************************************************************

12.  **********************************************************************
     **********************************************************************

13.  **********************************************************************
     **********************************************************************

-------------------
*** Confidential material redacted and separately filed with the Commission.

                                       19

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00017-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00017-of-00352.parquet"}]]