Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

** Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of
redacting a portion of the text indicated by two double-stricken through
asterisks "**". This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Secretary of the
Commission without the ** pursuant to the Registrant's Application Requesting
Confidential Treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.

                                    AGREEMENT

Effective as of August 20, 1997 ("Effective Date"), THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, a body having corporate powers under the laws
of the State of California ("STANFORD"), and TRANSGENOMIC, INC., a Delaware
corporation having a principal place of business at 5600 South 42nd Street,
Omaha, Nebraska 68107 ("LICENSEE"), agree as follows:

1.  BACKGROUND

1.1      STANFORD has an assignment of "Detection of DNA Heteroduplices by
         Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography" from the laboratory
         of Dr. Peter Oefner and Dr. Peter Underhill, as described in Stanford
         Docket S95-024, ("Invention(s)") and any Licensed Patent(s), as
         hereinafter defined.

1.2      STANFORD desires to have the Invention(s) perfected and marketed at the
         earliest possible time in order that products resulting therefrom may
         be available for public use and benefit.

1.3      LICENSEE desires a license under said Invention(s) and Licensed
         Patent(s) for commercialization of this technology.

1.4      The Invention(s) were made in the course of research supported by the
         National Institutes of Health.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1      "Invention(s)" means any invention disclosed in Stanford Docket
         S95-024.

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2.2      "Licensed Patent(s)" means STANFORD's U.S. Patent Application, Serial
         Number 512,681 filed August 8, 1995 and any divisions, continuations,
         continuations-in-part, reexaminations or reissues of any such patent
         applications or patents.

2.3      "Licensed Field of Use" is for the detection of nucleic acid
         heteroduplex molecules.

3. GRANT

3.1      STANFORD hereby grants and LICENSEE hereby accepts a non-exclusive
         license to the Invention(s) and to the Licensed Patents in the Licensed
         Field of Use.

3.2      Said license of Paragraph 3.1 shall commence on August 20, 1997 and
         continue until expiration of the last to expire of Licensed Patent(s).

3.3      STANFORD acknowledges that future inventions and discoveries relating
         to this technology may be useful to LICENSEE in its development and/or
         commercialization process. Subject to STANFORD's obligations to
         sponsored research, STANFORD will, as soon as practicable, bring any
         such new invention and discovery related to this technology to
         LICENSEE's attention and provide LICENSEE a reasonable opportunity to
         negotiate a license therefor.

4.  GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This Agreement is subject to all of the terms and conditions of Title 35 United
States Code Sections 200 through 204, and LICENSEE agrees to take all reasonable
action necessary on its part as licensee to enable STANFORD to satisfy its
obligation thereunder, relating to Invention(s).

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5. REPORTS

PROGRESS REPORT -- On or before August 25 of each year, beginning August 25,
1998, during the term of the Agreement, LICENSEE shall make a written annual
report to STANFORD covering the preceding year ending July 31, regarding the
progress of LICENSEE toward commercial use of the Invention(s) and Licensed
Patent(s). Such report shall include, as a minimum, information sufficient to
enable STANFORD to satisfy reporting requirements of the U.S. Government and for
STANFORD to ascertain progress by LICENSEE toward commercializing the
Invention(s) and Licensed Patent(s).

6. ROYALTIES

6.1      LICENSEE agrees to pay to STANFORD a nonrefundable license issue
         royalty of ** upon signing this Agreement. Such payment is due August
         25, 1997.

6.2      On August 25, 1998 and each August 25 thereafter, LICENSEE agrees to
         pay to STANFORD annual royalty payments of ** each year.

6.3      LICENSEE will also pay to STANFORD a one time, nonrefundable patent
         issue royalty of ** after the issuance of a Licensed Patent(s). Such
         payment is due within thirty (30) days after notification from
         STANFORD.

7.  NEGATION OF WARRANTIES

7.1      Nothing in this Agreement is or shall be construed as:

                  (a)      A warranty or representation by STANFORD as to the
                           validity or scope of any Licensed Patent(s);

                  (b)      A warranty or representation that anything made,
                           used, sold, or otherwise disposed of under any
                           license granted in this Agreement is or will be free
                           from infringement of patents, copyrights, and other
                           rights of third parties;

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                  (c)      An obligation to bring or prosecute actions or suits
                           against third parties for infringement; or

                  (d)      Granting by implication, estoppel, or otherwise any
                           licenses or rights under patents or other rights of
                           STANFORD or other persons other than to the
                           Invention(s) and Licensed Patent(s), regardless of
                           whether such patents or other rights are dominant or
                           subordinate to any Licensed Patent(s).

7.2      Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, STANFORD MAKES NO
         REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
         OR IMPLIED. THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
         MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE USE OF
         THE LICENSED PATENT(S) WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT,
         TRADEMARK, OR OTHER RIGHTS OR ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES.

7.3      LICENSEE agrees that nothing in this Agreement grants LICENSEE any
         express or implied license or right under or to:

                  (a)      U.S. Patent No. 4,237,224, "Process for Producing
                           Biologically Functional Molecular Chimeras," U.S.
                           Patent No. 4,468,464 and U.S. Patent No. 4,740,470,
                           both entitled, "Biologically Functional Molecular
                           Chimeras" (collectively known as the Cohen/Boyer
                           patents) or reissues thereof; or

                  (b)      U.S. Patent 4,656,134 "Amplification of Eucaryotic
                           Genes" or any patent application corresponding
                           thereto.

<PAGE>

8.  INDEMNITY

8.1      LICENSEE agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend STANFORD and
         Stanford Health Services and their respective trustees, officers,
         employees, students, and agents against any and all claims for death,
         illness, personal injury, property damage, and improper business
         practices arising out of the manufacture, use, sale, or other
         disposition of Invention(s), Licensed Patent(s), or Licensed Product(s)
         by LICENSEE, or their customers.

8.2      STANFORD shall not be liable for any indirect, special, consequential,
         or other damages whatsoever, whenever grounded in tort (including
         negligence), strict liability, contract or otherwise. STANFORD shall
         not have any responsibilities or liabilities whatsoever with respect to
         Licensed Product(s).

8.3      LICENSEE shall at all times comply, through insurance or
         self-insurance, with all statutory workers' compensation and employers'
         liability requirements covering any and all employees with respect to
         activities performed under this Agreement.

8.4      In addition to the foregoing, LICENSEE shall maintain, during the term
         of this Agreement, Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, including
         Products Liability Insurance, with reputable and financially secure
         insurance carrier(s) to cover the activities of LICENSEE. Such
         insurance shall provide minimum limits of liability of Two Million
         Dollars ($2,000,000) and shall include STANFORD, Stanford Health
         Services, their trustees, directors, officers, employees, students, and
         agents as additional insureds. Such insurance shall be written to cover
         claims incurred, discovered, manifested, or made during or after the
         expiration of this Agreement. At STANFORD's request, LICENSEE shall
         furnish a Certificate of Insurance evidencing primary coverage and
         requiring thirty

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         (30) days prior written notice of cancellation or material change to
         STANFORD. LICENSEE shall advise STANFORD, in writing, that it maintains
         excess liability coverage (following form) over primary insurance for
         at least the minimum limits set forth above. All such insurance of
         LICENSEE shall be primary coverage; insurance of STANFORD or Stanford
         Health Services shall be excess and noncontributory.

9.  STANFORD NAMES AND MARKS

9.1      LICENSEE agrees not to identify STANFORD in any promotional advertising
         or other promotional materials to be disseminated to the public or any
         portion thereof or to use the name of any STANFORD faculty member,
         employee, or student or any trademark, service mark, trade name, or
         symbol of STANFORD or Stanford Health Services, or that is associated
         with either of them, without STANFORD's prior written consent.

9.2      LICENSEE with respect to sales, marketing, advertising or promotional
         materials disseminated concerning the technology covered by the
         Invention(s) and Licensed Patent(s) shall have the right to refer to
         and use the name, number(s), and owner(s) of the Invention(s) and
         Licensed Patent(s), as referred to in Paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2. LICENSEE
         may optionally use the following citation, and LICENSEE agrees when
         using said citation for sales, marketing, advertising, or promotional
         materials to use the entire citation written as follows:

         Oefner, Peter J., and Underhill, Peter A. (1995). Comparative DNA
         sequencing by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography
         (DHPLC), Am. J. Hum. Genet. 57 {Suppl.}, A266.

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10.  INFRINGEMENT BY OTHERS: PROTECTION OF PATENTS

During the Non-exclusive period of this Agreement, STANFORD and LICENSEE agree
to discuss the appropriate course of action to be taken should either party be
aware of any suspected infringement of any Licensed Patent(s) by a third party.

11. SUBLICENSE(S)

Purchasers of equipment, columns, reagents and software from
LICENSEE for use in the Licensed Field of Use shall be deemed to have an implied
license under the Licensed Patent(s) to practice the inventions thereof and
shall be free from any suit brought based on the Licensed Patent(s). Otherwise,
LICENSEE may not grant sublicense(s).

12. TERMINATION

12.1     LICENSEE may terminate this Agreement by giving STANFORD notice in
         writing at least thirty (30) days in advance of the effective date of
         termination selected by LICENSEE.

12.2     STANFORD may terminate this Agreement if LICENSEE:

                  (a) Is in default in payment of royalty or providing of
                      reports;
                  (b) Is in breach of any provision hereof; or
                  (c) Provides any false report;

         and LICENSEE fails to remedy any such default, breach, or false report
         within ninety (90) days after written notice thereof by STANFORD.

12.3     Surviving any termination are:

                  (a) Any cause of action or claim of LICENSEE or STANFORD,
                      accrued or to accrue, because of any breach or default by
                      the other party; and
                  (b) The provisions of Articles 7 and 8.

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13.  ASSIGNMENT

This Agreement may not be assigned except to a successor in business of all or
substantially all the assets of LICENSEE.

14.  ARBITRATION

14.1     Any controversy arising under or related to this Agreement, and any
         disputed claim by either party against the other under this Agreement
         excluding any dispute relating to patent validity or infringement
         arising under this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration in
         accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
         Arbitration Association.

14.2     Upon request by either party, arbitration will be by a third party
         arbitrator mutually agreed upon in writing by LICENSEE and STANFORD
         within thirty (30) days of such arbitration request. Judgment upon the
         award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and nonappealable and
         may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

14.3     The parties shall be entitled to discovery in like manner as if the
         arbitration were a civil suit in the California Superior Court. The
         Arbitrator may limit the scope, time and/or issues involved in
         discovery.

14.4     Any arbitration shall be held at Stanford, California, unless the
         parties hereto mutually agree in writing to another place.

15.  NOTICES

All notices under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been fully given when
done in writing and deposited in the United States mail, registered or
certified, and addressed as follows:

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                              To STANFORD:        Office of Technology Licensing
                                                  Stanford University
                                                  900 Welch Road, Suite 350
                                                  Palo Alto, CA  94304-1850
                                                  Phone:  (650) 723-0651
                                                  Fax:    (650) 725-7295

                              Attention:          Director

                              To LICENSEE:        Transgenomic, Inc.
                                                  5600 South 42nd Street
                                                  Omaha, Nebraska  68107
                                                  Phone:  (402) 738-5480
                                                  Fax:    (402) 733-1264

                              Attention:          P. Thomas Pogge
                                                  General Counsel

Either party may change its address upon written notice to the other party.

16.  WAIVER

None of the terms of this Agreement can be waived except by the written consent
of the party waiving compliance.

17.  APPLICABLE LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California
applicable to agreements negotiated, executed and performed wholly within
California.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between LICENSEE and STANFORD
and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements with
respect to all matters covered in the Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement in duplicate
originals by their duly authorized officers or representatives.

                           THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND
                           STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

                           Signature        /s/ Katharine Ku
                                            --------------------------------
                           Name             Katharine Ku
                                            --------------------------------
                           Title            Director, Technology Licensing
                                            --------------------------------
                           Date             August 25, 1997
                                            --------------------------------

                           LICENSEE

                           Signature        /s/ Collin D'Silva
                                            --------------------------------
                           Name             Collin D'Silva
                                            --------------------------------
                           Title            Chief Executive Officer
                                            --------------------------------
                           Date             August 28, 1997
                                            --------------------------------

** Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of
redacting a portion of the text indicated by two double-stricken through
asterisks "**". This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Secretary of the
Commission without the ** pursuant to the Registrant's Application Requesting
Confidential Treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

** Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of
redacting a portion of the text indicated by two double-stricken through
asterisks "**". This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Secretary of the
Commission without the ** pursuant to the Registrant's Application Requesting
Confidential Treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.

                                SUPPLY AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of March 10, 2000
by and between TRANSGENOMIC, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Transgenomic"), and
HITACHI INSTRUMENTS, INC., a California corporation ("HII"). (TRANSGENOMIC and
HII are hereinafter referred to jointly as the "Parties" and individually as a
"Party.")

         Section 1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE.

         (a)      HII agrees to sell to Transgenomic on a non-exclusive basis
                  certain equipment and related accessories as more fully set
                  forth in Exhibit A hereto ("Equipment") in accordance with the
                  terms and conditions of this Agreement. Exhibit A may be
                  amended from time to time by the addition, substitution or
                  modification of Equipment or the specifications relating
                  thereto as agreed to by the Parties.

         (b)      Transgenomic agrees to purchase from HII Transgenomic's
                  requirements for Equipment; provided that HII is able to
                  supply Equipment to Transgenomic meeting all agreed to
                  specifications set forth in Exhibit A hereto including, but
                  not limited to, those relating to performance and quality of
                  the Equipment, and is able to deliver Equipment to
                  Transgenomic in such quantities and at such times as is
                  required by Transgenomic.

         (c)      HII acknowledges that Transgenomic will incorporate Equipment
                  into one or more products manufactured by Transgenomic,
                  including its WAVE-Registered Trademark- products for the
                  separation of nucleic acids (the "Transgenomic Products").
                  Transgenomic reserves all rights to market Transgenomic
                  Products incorporating Equipment on a worldwide basis either
                  directly or through other third parties. Transgenomic shall
                  have the right to modify the Equipment in order to configure
                  the Equipment for a variety of uses in connection with its
                  needs.

         (d)      HII agrees to assist and support Transgenomic in modifications
                  of source code of the software HSM 3.0-20 as required for
                  implementation of Transgenomic applications. If such support
                  is deemed to be of significant expense to HII, then a mutually
                  agreed to fee will be paid by Transgenomic.

         Section 2. PURCHASING PROCEDURES.

         (a)      All purchases of Equipment by Transgenomic shall be made by
                  written purchase order issued to HII (a "Purchase Order") in a
                  form agreed to by the parties. Each Purchase Order shall
                  include, among other things, a description of Equipment to be
                  purchased, the quantity to be purchased, routing instructions,
                  delivery schedule, destination and confirmation of price. HII
                  agrees to accept telegraphic or telecopied (fax) Purchase
                  Orders. HII will deliver confirmation of the receipt of each
                  Purchase Order to Transgenomic within five (5) business days
                  of receipt by email or fax.

<PAGE>

          (b)     Except for the specific items set forth in Section 2(a),
                  special instructions or different or additional terms which
                  appear either on Transgenomic's Purchase Order or on HII's
                  confirmation form shall not apply unless mutually agreed to in
                  writing by duly authorized officers of each of the Parties.

          (c)     HII shall only accept blanket Purchase Orders that originate
                  from the following Transgenomic facility or other locations
                  designated by Transgenomic:

                             Transgenomic, Inc.
                             [Purchasing Department]
                             5600 South 42 Street
                             Omaha, NE  68107

          (d)     Under no circumstances is HII to proceed with the manufacture
                  or delivery of Equipment for Transgenomic under this Agreement
                  or otherwise without the receipt and confirmation of a
                  Purchase Order relating thereto. HII acknowledges and agrees
                  that Transgenomic will not be responsible for any costs or
                  expenses incurred by HII for materials, supplies, labor or
                  other commitments relating to the manufacture or delivery of
                  Equipment other than as authorized by Purchase Order duly
                  delivered to HII.

         Section 3. PRICES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

         (a)      PRICES. The price of Equipment and other terms and conditions
                  of sale are as stated in Exhibit B. Either Party may request a
                  renegotiation of the price together with the date on which
                  such price change will become effective. In the event the
                  Parties agree to a change in the specifications of Equipment,
                  such change will not become effective until the Parties have
                  agreed on a revised price and the conditions of sale for the
                  newly specified Equipment. Changes in specifications may only
                  be initiated by the following named individuals on behalf of
                  HII and Transgenomic:

                  Changes may be accepted only by Mark McDonald or his designee
                  on behalf of HII.

                  Changes may be accepted only by Collin J. D'Silva or his
                  designee on behalf of Transgenomic.

                  New Equipment types will be added to Exhibit A upon the mutual
                  agreement of both Parties. New Equipment added to Exhibit A
                  shall be accompanied by an amendment to Exhibit B which will
                  specify price and other terms and conditions.

         (b)      TAXES. The amount of any present, retroactive or future sales,
                  use, excise or similar tax applicable to Transgenomic's
                  purchase of Equipment shall be added to the HII invoice and
                  paid by Transgenomic unless Transgenomic provides HII with tax
                  exemption certificates acceptable to the appropriate taxing
                  authorities.

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         (c)      PAYMENT. HII may invoice Transgenomic for Equipment sold
                  hereunder immediately upon delivery and Transgenomic shall pay
                  the full invoiced amount within forty five (45) days after the
                  date of HII's invoice.

         Section 4a. FORECASTS. Transgenomic will provide HII with a rolling
forecast of Transgenomic's estimated requirements for Equipment ("Forecast").
Each Forecast will relate to a four month period and will be delivered in
writing to HII at the address specified in Section 15 hereof no later than five
(5) business days after the first day of each month. In addition, no Forecast
shall be construed as a purchase order for Equipment. Transgenomic agrees to
place orders for a minimum of 75% of its Forecast for a given period. An initial
Forecast form is set forth in Exhibit C.

         Section 4b. DELIVERY. All deliveries shall be made FOB HII's San Jose
facilities, and title and risk of loss shall pass to Transgenomic at such
delivery point. HII will use reasonable efforts to deliver Equipment to a
carrier at such delivery point on the estimated shipment date for transportation
to the location(s) specified in Transgenomic's Purchase Order. Shipments shall
be in quantities specified in Purchase Orders. Shipping dates shall be the later
of five (5) days within receipt of the Purchase Order, or a date as specified on
the order, provided that if the quantity of Equipment which Transgenomic orders
for delivery in a month exceeds the quantity forecast for that month by more
than 25%, HII may exceed the five (5) day delivery requirement for a reasonable
period for that quantity that exceeds the Forecast. In the event HII is unable
to deliver to Transgenomic quantities as specified in Transgenomic's Purchase
Orders, Transgenomic reserves the right to cancel those Purchase Orders and
purchase from alternate sources. When HII is able to satisfy the production
requirements of Transgenomic, Transgenomic will resume purchasing from HII.

         Section 5. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE. Transgenomic will inspect any
shipment of Equipment received from HII and will notify HII of any defects
within five (5) days after Transgenomic has discovered such defects. If
Transgenomic fails to notify HII of any such defects within such period, the
shipment shall be deemed accepted. Transgenomic will allow HII to inspect any
defective Equipment at Transgenomic's site. At the request of HII, Transgenomic
will ship to HII Equipment that Transgenomic believes is defective, provided HII
pays for the freight charges. HII agrees to replace all defective Equipment
rejected by Transgenomic or, at HII's option, to reimburse Transgenomic for the
full purchase price thereof, including any related shipping costs and taxes.

         Section 6. WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF REMEDIES AND DISCLAIMER.

         (a)      HII warrants the Equipment to be free from defects in material
                  and manufacture and to conform to specifications set forth in
                  Exhibit A at the time of shipment. If any Equipment fails to
                  conform to the specifications or any defect in material or
                  manufacture appears within 24 months from the date of
                  shipment, HII's entire liability, and Transgenomic's exclusive
                  remedy, shall be, at HII's option, either to repair or replace
                  such defective Equipment within a reasonable time after
                  written notification thereof and return of the defective
                  Equipment to HII in San Jose, California.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         (b)      THIS WARRANTY IS MADE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
                  OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
                  WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS
                  FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING OUT OF
                  A COURSE OF DEALING OR OF PERFORMANCE, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF
                  TRADE EXCEPT OF TITLE AND AGAINST PATENT INFRINGEMENT.

         Section 7.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES; TIME LIMIT FOR FILING ACTION.

         (a)      NEITHER PARTY SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE TO EACH
                  OTHER FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
                  DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
                  (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE OR
                  BUSINESS) RESULTING FROM OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE
                  EQUIPMENT, ANY OF TRANSGENOMIC'S PURCHASE ORDERS, THIS
                  AGREEMENT OR THE TERMINATION OR NONRENEWAL OF THIS AGREEMENT.
                  This limitation applies regardless of whether such damages are
                  sought based on breach of contract, negligence, strict
                  liability in tort or any other legal theory.

         (b)      Any action for breach of warranty or any other obligation
                  under this Agreement must be commenced within one year after
                  the breach occurs.

         (c)      Each limitation on liability or limited or exclusive remedy
                  set forth in this Agreement is independent of any other
                  limitation or remedy and if any such limitation or remedy
                  fails of its essential purpose or is otherwise held to be
                  unenforceable, that shall not affect the validity of any other
                  such limitation or remedy.

         Section 8.  TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICING OF EQUIPMENT.

         (a)      HII agrees to provide all available technical support and
                  literature, including information on the use of the Equipment
                  being supplied to Transgenomic to facilitate its use in
                  Transgenomic Products.

         (b)      HII shall make available for purchase all necessary
                  consumables, accessories and spare parts for the operation,
                  repair and proper servicing of each unit of Equipment to
                  Transgenomic and to Transgenomic's customers for a period of
                  seven years following the date of the delivery of the
                  Equipment. This provision shall survive termination of this
                  Agreement.

         (c)      HII shall provide, free of charge, Transgenomic with all
                  necessary copies (maximum of three copies) of all manuals,
                  brochures and part price lists concerning the servicing of
                  each unit of Equipment. Hitachi will make no provision to
                  re-label or otherwise modify such manuals, brochures and part
                  price lists without a prior written agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>

         Section 9. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND LABELING. All Transgenomic
Products shall carry the Transgenomic name (or other name designated by
Transgenomic) and will not use the HII brand name except as mutually agreed to
by the Parties. There shall be no obligation on the part of Transgenomic to
purchase or acquire any right to use the HII name or any other trademark,
tradename or other symbol or designation used by HII or to make any reference to
HII on any Equipment or Transgenomic Products incorporating Equipment.

         Section 10.  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

         (a)      "Confidential Information" shall mean all such confidential
                  and proprietary information of any kind, whether or not fixed
                  in a tangible medium, including, without limitation, systems
                  concepts, drawings, models, software embodiments,
                  specifications, plans, designs, marketing plans, identity of
                  customers, trade secrets and technical data, as either of the
                  Parties (the disclosing Party) may designate as confidential
                  upon disclosure to the other (the receiving Party). For the
                  purposes of this Agreement, appropriate words of designation
                  include, without limitation, the words "Confidential" or
                  "Proprietary." Any information disclosed orally by either
                  Party shall not be considered "Confidential Information"
                  unless clearly identified as confidential or proprietary at
                  the time of such oral disclosure and summarized by the
                  disclosing Party in a writing which is clearly marked
                  "confidential" or "proprietary" and sent to the recipient
                  Party within 30 days after the initial oral disclosure.
                  Confidential Information includes the existence and terms of
                  this Supply Agreement.

         (b)      Confidential Information shall not include any information
                  that the receiving Party reasonably establishes:

                  (i)      was in the public domain at the time the receiving
                           Party learns of it, or later becomes publicly known
                           through no wrongful act of the receiving Party;

                  (ii)     was known to the receiving Party prior to the date of
                           their Agreement, as shown by written records of the
                           receiving Party, and was not subject to prior
                           confidentiality obligations with the disclosing
                           Party;

                  (iii)    was received by the receiving Party from a third
                           party who had a lawful right to disclose it to the
                           receiving Party and no obligation to maintain the
                           confidentiality of such information;

                  (iv)     was independently developed by the receiving Party
                           without the use of or reference to the Confidential
                           Information of the disclosing Party; provided,
                           however, that such information as is not included
                           within Confidential Information because it meets the
                           conditions of subsection (b)(i), (iii), or (iv) or of
                           this Section 10 shall be deemed to be Confidential
                           Information until the date it becomes public
                           knowledge, is independently developed, is received
                           from a third party or is approved for release, as the
                           case may be.

         (c)      All Confidential Information received under this Agreement
                  shall be treated by the recipient Party with reasonable care
                  to assure that the confidentiality of such

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  Confidential Information is maintained, and that such
                  Confidential Information is not distributed, disclosed or
                  disseminated in any way to anyone except employees of the
                  recipient Party who are involved in the work related to this
                  Agreement and who have a need to know such information.

         (d)      All rights the disclosing Party may have in Confidential
                  Information prior to disclosure, including, without
                  limitation, rights of patent, copyright and trade secret,
                  shall remain exclusively with the disclosing Party, and
                  nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as granting any
                  license, waiver or other right to the receiving Party with
                  respect to Confidential Information.

         (e)      Each of the Parties shall have the right to refuse to receive
                  any information under this Agreement and nothing in this
                  Agreement shall obligate either Party to disclose to the other
                  any information whatsoever.

         (f)      The receiving Party shall promptly return all Confidential
                  Information to the disclosing Party upon termination of this
                  Agreement or at any time upon request and shall certify,
                  represent and warrant that all such Confidential Information
                  and copies and extracts thereof have been returned or
                  destroyed, provided that the recipient Party may retain one
                  copy of the Confidential Information for archival purposes in
                  the event of a dispute as to the Confidential Information
                  received.

         (g)      The Parties agree that the production processes used by HII to
                  manufacture Equipment covered by this Agreement are
                  confidential and will be treated as Confidential Information
                  under this Agreement and are proprietary to HII. In addition,
                  the Parties agree that the specifications of Equipment covered
                  by this Agreement as supplied by Transgenomic are Confidential
                  Information and proprietary to HII and will be treated as
                  Confidential Information under this Agreement. The Parties
                  agree that the production processes used by Transgenomic to
                  manufacture Transgenomic Products are confidential and will be
                  treated as Confidential Information under this Agreement and
                  are proprietary to Transgenomic. In addition, the Parties
                  agree that the specifications of Transgenomic Products are
                  Confidential Information and proprietary to Transgenomic and
                  will be treated as Confidential Information under this
                  Agreement. All such treatment shall be effective without
                  regard to whether the subject information is specifically
                  designated as confidential under Section 10(a).

         Section 11.  INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a)      HII will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Transgenomic and
                  its directors, officers, agents and employees from any loss,
                  claim, liability and expense (including reasonable attorneys'
                  fees and other expenses of litigation) with respect to:

                  (i)      workers' compensation benefits payable on account of
                           sickness, injury or death of any HII employee, or to
                           any employee of HII's subcontractors, agents or
                           delegates, where the sickness, injury or death arises
                           out of or is in

                                       6
<PAGE>

                           any way related to the work performed or to be
                           performed under this Agreement; and

                  (ii)     claims for sickness, bodily injury, personal injury,
                           death, property damage or loss as asserted by third
                           parties (including employees of HII or by HII's
                           subcontractors, agents or delegates, or by any other
                           person at HII's plant), where the claim is based in
                           whole or in any part on, or is in any way related to,
                           any act or omission attributable to HII, its agents,
                           employees or subcontractors, or in any way related to
                           the work performed or to be performed or the
                           Equipment supplied under this Agreement, except to
                           the extent that such claims are due solely and
                           directly to the negligence of Transgenomic.

         (b)      HII agrees that the indemnities stated in subsection 11(a)
                  should be construed and applied in favor of indemnification.
                  To the extent permitted by law, the stated indemnities apply
                  (i) regardless of any strict liability or negligence
                  attributable to Transgenomic (excluding sole negligence) and
                  (ii) regardless of the extent to which the underlying harm is
                  attributable to the negligent or otherwise wrongful act or
                  omission (including breach of contract) of HII, its
                  subcontractors, agents or employees. HII also agrees that if
                  applicable law limits or precludes any aspect of the stated
                  indemnities, then the indemnities will be considered limited
                  only to the extent necessary to comply with that applicable
                  law. The stated indemnities continue until all applicable
                  statutes of limitations have run.

         Section 12.  TERM AND TERMINATION.

         (a)      TERM. The term of this Agreement begins on the date first
                  above written and continues until terminated by either Party
                  as provided herein.

         (b)      TERMINATION WITH CAUSE. Either Party may terminate this
                  Agreement during the term of this Agreement, upon written
                  notice, sent registered or certified mail, return receipt
                  requested, in the event the other Party fails to perform a
                  material obligation under this Agreement or otherwise is in
                  breach of any of its material obligations hereunder. Failure
                  to perform or breach of a material obligation includes,
                  without limitation, (i) failure to deliver Equipment as agreed
                  to by the Parties or (ii) failure of the Equipment delivered
                  to Transgenomic to conform to the specifications. The Party
                  receiving such notice shall have 30 days from the date of
                  receipt thereof to cure the failure or breach. If the Party
                  receiving such notice does not cure the failure or breach
                  within such cure period, the Party claiming breach may
                  terminate this Agreement by sending written notice of
                  termination, by certified mail, return receipt requested. The
                  issuance of a Blanket Purchase Order Release during the 30-day
                  cure period does not waive the notice of breach. If HII has
                  the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
                  12(b), or has demanded cure of a Transgenomic default pursuant
                  hereto which has not yet been cured, HII may also suspend its
                  performance under this Agreement and any individual sales
                  contracts concluded pursuant hereto and, by written demand to
                  Transgenomic, cause all amounts owed to it by Transgenomic
                  which are not yet due to become immediately due and payable.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         (c)      TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Transgenomic or HII may terminate
                  this Agreement at any time without having to state,
                  demonstrate or possess cause by giving written notice of
                  termination to the other party at least 180 days prior to the
                  effective date of termination.

         (d)      ORDER AFTER TERMINATION. Any order placed by Transgenomic and
                  accepted by HII after the termination of this Agreement is
                  governed by the provisions of this Agreement. The placing or
                  acceptance of post-termination or shipment of post-termination
                  orders does not otherwise extend the term of this Agreement.
                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if terminated by HII pursuant
                  to Section 12(c), Transgenomic shall have the option to
                  purchase during the six month period after termination, the
                  quantity of Equipment equivalent to three times its previous
                  six-month's purchases and such purchases shall be governed by
                  this Agreement, and if terminated by Transgenomic pursuant to
                  Section 12(c), Transgenomic shall have the obligation to
                  purchase the quantity of Equipment equal to its current four
                  month Forecast or the prior four month period if no forecast
                  has been provided, and such purchases shall be governed by
                  this Agreement.

         (e)      EFFECT OF TERMINATION OR NONRENEWAL. The termination of this
                  Agreement shall not release either Party from the obligation
                  to pay any sum that may be owing (whether then or thereafter
                  due) or operate to discharge any liability that had been
                  incurred by either Party prior to any such termination. The
                  provisions of Sections 3(b), 3(c), 6, 7, 10, 11, 12(d), 12(e),
                  and 13 through 21, shall survive any termination of this
                  Agreement.

         Section 13. EXCUSED PERFORMANCE. No Party shall be liable for or be
deemed to be in default on account of any failure to perform (except payment of
HII's invoices) if due to any cause or condition beyond reasonable control of
the nonperforming Party.

         Section 14. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. The relationship established
between HII and Transgenomic by this Agreement is that of a vendor to its
vendee. No Party is an agent of another Party and no Party has authority to bind
another Party, transact any business in another Party's name or on its behalf in
any manner or make any promises or representations on behalf of another Party.

         Section 15. NOTICES. All notices and other communications shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received. Any notice to be
given to Transgenomic shall be addressed to:

                            Transgenomic, Inc.
                            5600 South 42 Street
                            Omaha, NE  68107
                            USA
                            Attention:  Collin J. D'Silva
                            Telephone:  (402) 738-5480
                            Telecopier:  (402) 733-1264

                                       8
<PAGE>

Any notice to HII shall be addressed to:

                            Hitachi Instruments, Inc.
                            3100 North First Street
                            San Jose, CA 95134
                            USA
                            Attention:  Mark McDonald
                            Telephone: (408) 955-7001
                            Telecopier: (408) 432-8258

Any change in address shall be promptly communicated by either Party to the
other Party.

         Section 16. NO ASSIGNMENT. No Party shall assign its rights or delegate
its duties under this Agreement without written consent of the other Party. Any
assignment, delegation or transfer of this Agreement or any interest herein is
void and cause for termination of this Agreement.

         Section 17. WAIVER. Any failure or delay by any Party in exercising any
right or remedy in one or many instances will not prohibit a Party from
exercising it at a later time or from exercising any other right or remedy.

         Section 18. MODIFICATION. No part of this Agreement may be waived,
modified or supplemented in any manner whatsoever (including a course of dealing
or of performance or usage of trade) except by a written document signed by
authorized officers of the Parties.

         Section 19. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and any questions, claims,
disputes or litigation concerning or arising from this Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of California, United States of America without giving
effect to the conflicts of law doctrines of any state, provided that the Federal
Arbitration Act shall apply in place of and instead of the California
Arbitration Act and the California International Arbitration Act.

         Section 20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Exhibits referred
to in this Agreement, which Exhibits are incorporated and made a part of this
Agreement by this reference, supersede and terminate any and all prior
agreements, if any, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect to
the subject matter contained herein. Each Party agrees that it has not relied on
any representation, warranty or provision not explicitly stated in this
Agreement and that no oral statement has been made to either Party that in any
way tends to waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement. This
Agreement constitutes the final written expression of all terms of the
Agreement, and it is a complete and exclusive statement of those terms.

         Section 21. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties agree that all disputes
arising in connection with this Agreement shall be finally settled by binding
arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association by one or more arbitrators appointed in accordance with said rules
and taking place in San Jose, California USA. If a party commences any action or
proceeding against the other party to enforce this Agreement or any rights
related thereto, the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be
entitled to recover from the other party the reasonable attorneys' fees and
other costs and expenses incurred

                                       9
<PAGE>

by that prevailing party in connection with such action or proceeding and in
connection with enforcing any judgment, award or order thereby obtained.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

                                TRANSGENOMIC, INC.

                                By  /s/ COLLIN J. D'SILVA
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   Collin J. D'Silva, Chief Executive Officer

                                HITACHI INSTRUMENTS, INC.

                                By /s/ MARK MCDONALD
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                Mark McDonald, President

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                    EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS

The nucleic acid analysis unit shall contain at a minimum the following
components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM P/N          DESCRIPTION                  QPA
--------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>                          <C>

                  **

</TABLE>

Changes in specifications may be initialized only by authorized individuals on
behalf of HII and Transgenomic.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                           EQUIPMENT PRICES AND TERMS

The instrument as specified in Exhibit A will be $** per system with no
minimum purchase order requirement, or for individual components, prices will be
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM  P/N           DESCRIPTION                     QPA    UNIT PRICE   EXTENSION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>   <C>           <C>                              <C>       <C>       <C>

                    **

</TABLE>

NOTE: COMMENCING MAY 15, 2000, ITEMS 19 AND 20 WILL REPLACE ITEMS 4 AND 5,
RESPECTIVELY. AT SUCH TIME THE EFFECTIVE SYSTEM PRICE WILL BE $**.

                                       12
<PAGE>

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TERMS

         I.     The following terms apply to all purchase orders. These terms
                supersede the terms that may be printed on the purchase order.

                A. FOB Point is "San Jose, CA".
                B. Shipments will not be insured unless they are in excess of
                   $400,000. If a shipment is in excess of $400,000, HII will
                   insure the shipment at Transgenomic's expense.
                C. Shipment charges will be prepaid by HII and added to invoice.
                D. For orders in excess of $75,000, payment will be due 45
                   days from date of shipment with payment secured by Bank
                   Draft for an additional charge of $120. For orders of
                   $75,000 or less, payment will be due 30 days from date of
                   shipment.

         II.    All Orders are subject to credit review. Current Bank Draft
                Credit Limit is $1,000,000 and the open line of credit is
                $120,000. Credit limits are subject to periodic review.

         III.   HII will not accept unsigned purchase orders or unsigned
                releases against a signed purchase order.

         IV.    For purchase orders where the shipping method is either
                unspecified or specified as "Best Way", shipment will be (3-5
                day ground service) determined by HII.

CONDITIONS

         I.     The accompanying pricing schedule may be voided, at HII's
                discretion, if a system component supplied by HII is removed
                from the system configuration by Transgenomic. The only
                exception to this condition is AN0-0371, the modified L-7300
                column oven.

         II.    Pricing is effective immediately upon execution of this
                document by both parties.

         III.   This agreement does not provide for modifications to any
                existing purchase order. Such modifications, cancellations,
                substitutions, or otherwise, to purchase orders that have
                already been received by HII, are expressly forbidden.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                INITIAL FORECAST

Pursuant to Section 4(a), Transgenomic forecasts the following items of
Equipment for delivery in each of the initial four months of this Agreement:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONTH                                EQUIPMENT
----------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>

April 2000

May 200

June 2000

July 2000
</TABLE>

** Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of
redacting a portion of the text indicated by two double-stricken through
asterisks "**". This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Secretary of the
Commission without the ** pursuant to the Registrant's Application Requesting
Confidential Treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.

                                       14

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