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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

        AGREEMENT FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ALLIANCE TO DEVELOP, MANUFACTURE AND
             MARKET A CHIP-BASED SCREENING SYSTEM FOR CELL ANALYSIS

This is an agreement executed this Twenty-sixth day of October, 1999,
hereinafter the "Effective Date") between Cellomics, Inc., 635 William Pitt
Way, Pittsburgh, PA. 15238 (hereinafter CELLOMICS) and ACLARA BioSciences Inc.
1288 Pear Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043-1432 (hereinafter ACLARA).

                                    RECITALS

Whereas CELLOMICS has expertise in drug discovery, patterning cells on
substrates, cell analyses, luminescence detection, imaging science and
informatics;

Whereas ACLARA has expertise in microfluidics, design and engineering of
microdevices in plastic, and process engineering;

Whereas CELLOMICS and ACLARA desire to form a development, manufacturing and
marketing alliance to produce a Screening System for the life sciences to
perform Cell-based Assays.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the covenants and conditions contained
herein, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.   Definitions

1.1  "Cassette" means an assembled unit comprising an operable combination of a
     Cell Plate and Microfluidic Plate.

1.2  "Cell-based Array" means any assay in which a biological target molecule or
     organelle is analyzed in, on and [*]. The cells can be from any life form
     including but not limited to bacteria, animals and plants.

1.3  "Cell Plate" means a glass or plastic plate material having a modified
     surface that supports selective adhesion of cells in discrete regions.

1.4  "EAP" shall mean an Early Access Partner. This is a third party that has
     executed a TAP Agreement approved by the JSC pursuant to which such third
     party (i) is provided access to Prototypes during the Development Phase and
     (ii) pays a fee for having early access under the applicable TAP.

1.5  "High Content Screening (HCS)" means the activity or status of cells in the
     Cassette [*].

1.6  "High Throughput Screening (HTS)" means the measurement of single values
     that represent the average or total of a signal obtained from a single
     well in a Cassette,

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     regardless of whether the signal is produced intra- or extracellularly. The
     single values will be obtained as a group of values as to different
     candidate compounds or different indications resulting from the same
     compound.

1.7  "Intellectual Property Milestone" shall be when the Parties complete a
     Prototype and the aggregate commitment from the TAP shall be [*] based on
     individual EAP fees of at least [*].

1.8  "JSC" shall mean the Joint Steering Committee, which will be composed of
     equal numbers of members from both CELLOMICS and ACLARA, not to exceed a
     total of eight, which members may be changed from time to time by the Party
     whom they represent, and to be chaired by the Project Leaders for the
     Parties.

1.9  "Liquid Transfer System" means any system used for transferring materials
     to the Cassette.

1.10 "Luminescence-based Reagents" are reagents that result in light emission
     for use in Cell-based Assays.

1.11 "Microfluidic Plate" means microfluidic device of an electrically
     non-conducting material designed to mate with the Cell Plate to [*].

1.12 "Microplate" means a standard multiwell plate most commonly of 96 or 384
     wells, but also available in 6, 12, 24, 48, 1536 and other formats with
     overall dimensions of about 3.5 x 4.5 cm.

1.13 "Program" shall mean a research program to develop a Screening System as
     set forth in the Workplan.

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1.14  "Prototype" shall mean a development stage Screening System meeting all or
      most of the specifications set forth in the applicable Workplan, however,
      not in a format useful for general sale and commercial distribution. A
      Prototype is typically suitable for delivery to an EAP.

1.15  "Reader" shall mean the optical system and accompanying software
      developed for reading the Luminescence signals from the cells.

1.16  "Revenue Source" is any source of revenues to support the Program other
      than internal sources, including but not limited to government grants, EAP
      fees, funds from the other Party and funds from collaborators other than
      a Party.

1.17  "Robotics" means the mechanical units for assembling and moving the
      components necessary for performing a Cell-based Assay with a Cassette.

1.18  "Screening System" shall mean the Cassette, Robotics, Reader, Liquid
      Transfer System, software and such other integrated peripheral devices to
      conduct High Throughput and/or High Content Screening, including
      disposables. The Screening System shall be all of the hardware and
      software to provide a complete system for performing Cell-based Assays
      (except for the Luminescence-based Reagents and such other reagents as
      may be used for Cell-based Assays).

1.19  "TAP" shall mean Technology Access Program between ACLARA and CELLOMICS
      with companies which shall serve as EAPs.

1.20  "Workplan" shall list goals and tasks detailing the actual work expected
      to be done, with timelines, budget and a delineation of responsibilities.

2.   Development

      2.1  The "Field" of this collaboration is the development of an automated
           system for [*]. It is an essential term of this agreement that
           CELLOMICS agrees to work exclusively with ACLARA on any and all
           matters involving microfluids in Cell-based Assays and ACLARA
           agrees to work exclusively with CELLOMICS on any and all matters
           involving Cell-based Assays during the Program.

      2.2  This Agreement will become effective on the Effective Date.

      2.3  CELLOMICS is attempting to obtain [*] to be permitted to utilize [*]
           to support ACLARA's research effort for the [*] of the Program.
           Whether or not CELLOMICS ever obtains such approval from [*],
           CELLOMICS is obligated to and hereby commits to pay [*] to support
           ACLARA's said research for the [*] of the

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           Program in [*]. During the period in which CELLOMICS is paying
           ACLARA, ACLARA shall provide CELLOMICS with a statement of the cost
           allocated to the Program as determined in accordance with reasonable
           accounting procedures used internally by ACLARA within thirty (30)
           days of receipt of the quarterly check due ACLARA. The dates on
           which such payments are due may be changed in accordance with the
           date of initiation of work by ACLARA and the rate at which employees
           are hired by ACLARA to perform the Program.

     2.4   During the first year of the term of this agreement ("First Year"),
           the Parties agree to work in accordance with the Workplan set forth
           in Appendix A, with the goal to have a Prototype of the Cassette by
           the first anniversary of the Effective Date. The goal during the [*]
           is to optimize the Cell Plate and Microfluidic Plate design and
           interfacing to enable fabrication of a functional Cassette. This
           Cassette is intended to have the specifications for and serve as a
           testbed for a [*]. In addition, it is intended that the Parties will
           use this Cassette as a working Prototype in a TAP program.
           Development of the Cassette Prototype will be directed to enable:
           [*]. During the First Year and thereafter, each Party will provide
           written reports with thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar
           quarter of the progress it has made during such quarter and the work
           to be performed in the next quarter and a written summation of the
           work accomplished at the end of each calendar year within thirty (30)
           days of the end of such calendar year.

     2.5.  Notwithstanding the intention to achieve the goals of the Workplan
           for the First Year, it is understood that in order to staff the
           Program, ACLARA and CELLOMICS will be required to hire new personnel
           or transfer existing personnel as they may become available. While
           each Party will act diligently to staff the Program in accordance
           with the Program's needs and available funding, the timing of such
           hires or transfers is not completely within the control of the
           Parties and the schedule of the Workplan may be delayed. At each
           quarterly meeting of the JSC, the accomplishment of the previous
           quarter, and the available funding, committed or to be committed,
           will be evaluated and the Workplan modified, if necessary, in light
           of the circumstances then pertaining.

           2.5.i.     If prior to the occurrence of the Intellectual Property
                   Milestone there appears to either Party to be an
                   insufficient Revenue Source at that time or in the
                   reasonably foreseeable future to support the Program in the
                   amounts required by each Party for its performance, the JSC
                   shall review the situation and report to the respective
                   CEO's its recommendation as to how to proceed within sixty
                   (60) days of notification by either Party that such Party
                   believes there is an insufficient Revenue Source to support
                   the Program. If the CEOs cannot agree within sixty (60) days
                   of receiving

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                  notification from the JSC as to how to proceed, either Party
                  may terminate this Agreement upon giving prompt notice of
                  termination to the other Party without obligation to license
                  the other party under the terminating Party's intellectual
                  property. If the Program is terminated for other than material
                  breach prior to the completion of the Intellectual Property
                  Milestone, the parties will negotiate in good faith to allow a
                  continuing party to continue the Program.

         2.5.ii.  Notwithstanding Paragraph 2.5.i, after the Intellectual
                  Property Milestone has been achieved, the terminating Party
                  will be obligated to license the continuing Party under the
                  terminating Party's intellectual property to continue to
                  develop and commercialize the Prototype and Screening System
                  as hereinafter provided. Upon termination by one Party for
                  other than material breach, with the Intellectual Property
                  Milestone having been achieved, the other Party may continue
                  the Program and the terminating Party agrees to enter into
                  negotiations within thirty (30) days of such termination with
                  the other Party over the terms of such license which the
                  terminating Party is obligated to license to the continuing
                  Party under its intellectual property, both background and
                  foreground, on reasonable terms and conditions to make, use
                  and sell Screening Systems substantially conforming to the
                  Screening System which was to be jointly developed.

       2.6   Assuming financing is obtained as required to support the Program
             for the second and third years of the term of this Agreement, or
             such other periods in which the goals of these years are to be
             fulfilled as determined by the JSC, a Screening System will be
             developed, which is intended to offer a complete solution to the
             need for flexibility in Cell-based Assays starting with an initial
             focus on [*]. The Screening System will be designed to have the
             ability to provide a complete portfolio of assays including [*].
             The Screening System will offer a ready-to-use and easy-to-use
             solution for the life scientist and further will promote
             penetration of sophisticated Cell-based Assays HCS in drug
             discovery. The target pharmaceutical customer for the Screening
             System is an entity with significant biological expertise in
             primary screening, a therapeutic group or a specialty such as [*].

       2.7   The development program for [*] of the term of this agreement is
             set forth in Appendix B with the intention of developing a
             Screening System. The 3D Cassette will have a high density plumbing
             architecture for selective addressing of a high density of
             micro-arrayed cells on the Cell Plate. The initial design and
             prototypes will focus on multiples of 96 well patterns in a
             footprint ranging from [*].

       2.8   CELLOMICS shall be responsible for identifying sources for the
             Robotics, Reader and such other equipment, which is not available
             from or to be developed

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            by the Parties to this agreement. Selection of one or more sources
            for providing the additional equipment will begin not later than
            four (4) months after a Cassette Prototype has been shown to be
            satisfactory to the Parties. CELLOMICS shall submit to ACLARA a
            list of potential sources of producing the components of the
            Screening System not already being produced by either ACLARA or
            CELLOMICS. ACLARA and CELLOMICS shall mutually agree on the
            priority in which these sources are to be approached, and
            additional candidates added, neither party shall unreasonably
            withhold such agreement. Such third party(s) and the terms upon
            which they agree to participate in developing the Screening System
            shall be proposed and negotiated by CELLOMICS and shall be subject
            to the review, but not the approval of the JSC.

      2.9   In [*] of the term of this Agreement, the Parties will direct their
            efforts to the development of a Screening System commercial product.
            The Prototype developed in [*] is to be taken through the final
            phase of the product development cycle and to establish
            manufacturing, marketing and sales.

      2.10  A complete Screening System will include all the components
            required by a user to take a library of compounds stored in a
            Microplate format and screen the library of compounds against a
            target, producing a data set in a standard database format for ease
            of access. The responsibilities of the Parties as to the following
            components that are required to accomplish this goal are:

         -  CELLOMICS
         [*]

         -  ACLARA
         [*]

3.    Funding

      3.1   A budget is set forth for the First Year in Appendix B. Promptly
            after execution of this Agreement, the Parties will submit a
            proposed budget for [*], which budget shall be subject to review,
            modification, and approval by the JSC. These budgets will be the
            basis for [*] and provide for the division of money received from
            [*] between the Parties.

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            3.2.  Not later than three (3) months after initiation of the
                  Workplan, the JSC will prepare and submit a budget to [*]
                  based on the budgets submitted by the Parties requesting an
                  increase in the total funding for both companies to accelerate
                  the development of the Screening System. Not later than [*],
                  the Parties will prepare and submit a [*] grant. The budget
                  may reflect provision for sources of components of the
                  Screening System, which the Parties do not intend to develop
                  or supply.

            3.3   CELLOMICS and ACLARA will jointly prepare a TAP to attract
                  companies as EAPs that will fund the Program. CELLOMICS and
                  ACLARA will jointly make presentations to the pharmaceutical
                  industry. The Parties will develop jointly the basic terms for
                  a TAP, which shall be the basis for entering into agreements
                  with EAPs. The TAP will be developed not later than one (1)
                  month from the completion of a satisfactory Cassette
                  Prototype.

      4.    Commercialization plan

            4.1.  Final product development and component manufacturing: The
                  Prototype completed in [*] and delivered as a beta test system
                  to at least [*] EAPs in [*] will be developed into a Screening
                  System component for manufacturing. ACLARA will be responsible
                  for final engineering and establishment of manufacturing
                  capability for the Microfluidic Plate. ACLARA is developing a
                  [*], and if applicable, ACLARA will contribute this to the
                  Screening System. If incremental development is required to
                  render this [*] applicable to the Screening System, the JSC
                  may adjust the Workplan accordingly. CELLOMICS will be
                  responsible for Cell Plates, all reagents, assays, and
                  protocols. CELLOMICS will work to ensure that the components
                  which neither Party intends to produce are made available from
                  a third party and are available for commercialization of the
                  Screening System. CELLOMICS will be responsible for the final
                  development and manufacturing of the remaining components of
                  the Screening System.

            4.2.  Manufacturing of the integrated system: The final
                  manufacturing, packaging and delivery of [*] and other
                  Cell-based Assay reagents, Cassettes and Screening Systems to
                  customers will be the responsibility of CELLOMICS. Prior to
                  the initiation of manufacturing of a Cassette, the Parties
                  will enter into a supply agreement in which ACLARA will be
                  responsible for delivering to CELLOMICS, or a third party
                  designated by CELLOMICS, sufficient quantities of Microfluidic
                  Plates for packaging with Cell Plates. Such supply agreement
                  will provide for indemnification of the other Party on
                  conventional terms for the intentional, willful, or negligent
                  act or failure to act of one Party, giving rise to a claim
                  against the other Party. The supply terms for ACLARA's
                  delivery to CELLOMICS shall be conventional, giving due regard
                  to

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          the size of the batches required, the effect of volume on price,
          agreements with third parties for manufacture of the Microfluidic
          Plates and the time required for initiating a run of Microfluidic
          Plates. CELLOMICS will provide ACLARA with sales projections on a
          rolling basis. Inventory shall be the responsibility of CELLOMICS.

     4.3. Deliver Production Systems: For all life science applications,
          CELLOMICS will have full responsibility for ensuring that all
          components of the Screening System are available for marketing,
          marketing of the Screening System, and providing support for the
          Screening Systems and its components. The target markets for these
          systems will include, but not be limited to pharmaceutical discovery
          and development, clinical diagnostics, agriculture biotech, and basic
          biomedical research.

     4.4. Product Designation: ACLARA's name and trademark shall appear
          prominently on the Microfluidic Plate and CELLOMICS shall give due
          credit for ACLARA's contributions in its labeling, advertising and
          promotion. Statements made by CELLOMICS concerning ACLARA shall be
          subject to review and approval by ACLARA, which approval shall not be
          unreasonably withheld.

     4.5. Reader Designation: CELLOMICS's name and trademark shall be use din a
          primary capacity and ACLARA's name and trademark shall be use din a
          secondary capacity on the Reader and CELLOMICS shall give due credit
          for ACLARA's contributions in its labeling, advertising and promotion.
          Statements made by CELLOMICS concerning ACLARA shall be subject to
          review and approval by ACLARA, which approval shall not be
          unreasonably withheld.

5.   Revenue Sharing

     5.1  During the development and commercialization phase, the money obtained
          from third parties from a Revenue Source shall be divided to ensure
          that each Party's expenditure of its own money on a JSC approved
          Workplan is minimized. The exact division of [*] will be decided at
          the time of [*]. The division of TAP fees will be defined by the JCS,
          and approved by the CEO of both Parties, and written into a separate
          agreement between CELLOMICS and ACLARA before a TAP agreement is
          consummated. Funding from a collaborator other than the other Party
          will primarily be used for the purposes of the collaboration.

     5.2  Not later than the end of [*] the Parties shall initiate negotiations
          as to the division of income resulting from the sales of Screening
          Systems and its components. The division of the income will first be
          considered by the JSC with final approval of the CEO's from CELLOMICS
          and ACLARA. ACLARA shall receive from CELLOMICS [*] and a reasonable
          profit margin for items manufactured or supplied by ACLARA;
          Considerations in determining the division of remaining

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          income shall be the financial contribution of each of the Parties,
          except to the extent the Parties have been reimbursed any portion of
          their contribution by a Revenue Source, the novelty of their
          contributions, the value of the intellectual property that protects
          components of the Screening Systems, the competitive advantages
          provided by the contributions of the two Parties, the responsibilities
          of the two Parties in manufacturing, marketing and supporting the
          ongoing expenditures, the risks involved with the continuing
          investments, and the like. The income to ACLARA shall not be less than
          a reasonable royalty on patents and know-how contributed by ACLARA
          with the base being Screening Systems and components, where the
          royalty may vary as to whole Screening Systems and as to individual
          disposable Screening System components. Royalty shall not be paid
          twice for the same component of the Screening System. If there is no
          agreement between the Parties, the matter shall be given to mediation
          as provided for hereinafter. The exact mechanism for delivering the
          value to the Parties will be defined as the program proceeds toward
          commercialization. It may involve strict revenue sharing, licensing,
          royalties or some combination that will be defined by the JSC.

6.   Public Relations

     6.1  All press releases created by an originating Party shall be submitted
          to the other Party for approval and shall not be released without the
          prior written approval of the other Party. In the event of a dispute,
          the matter shall be submitted to the CEOs of the Parties and if the
          issue cannot be reconciled, there shall be no press release containing
          disputed subject matter.

     6.2  Prior to commercial introduction of a Screening System, all public
          presentation relating to this Program, not already made public,
          including Web postings, corporate presentations, investor relations,
          and marketing collateral, must be approved by the other Party, such
          approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

7.   Intellectual Property

     7.1  Ownership. Each of the Parties will own all intellectual property and
          inventions made by individuals who have a duty to assign to that Party
          and will jointly own all inventions co-invented by at least one
          inventor having a duty to assign to each Party. The Party owning the
          invention shall have the exclusive right to file worldwide for patent
          applications covering the invention.

     7.2  Joint Intellectual Property. CELLOMICS and ACLARA will jointly
          determine the advisability of filing a patent application. The JSC
          will appoint one of the Parties to be responsible to prepare, file,
          prosecute diligently and maintain such application(s). The Parties
          will share equally all reasonable costs incurred in

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          connection with such activities (i.e., the non-prosecuting Party will
          promptly reimburse the prosecuting Party), provided, however, that
          either Party may avoid its responsibility for such costs by assigning
          its rights in such Joint Intellectual Property to the other Party. In
          such an event, the other Party may decide at its sole discretion
          whether or not to file or continue prosecution of such applications.
          Also, the assigning Party will provide reasonable assistance to the
          assignee to facilitate the filing and prosecution of all such
          applications. Joint Intellectual Property will be jointly owned, and
          either Party is free to use such Joint Intellectual Property as it
          sees fit, outside the Field of this Agreement. CELLOMICS shall have
          the exclusive right to use such Joint Intellectual Property within the
          Field of this Agreement for the lessor of i) a period of five (5)
          years from the first commercial release of the Screening System, or
          ii) eight years (8) from the Effective Date. Thereafter, either Party
          may use such Joint Intellectual Property without accounting to the
          other Party.

     7.3  Rights. All inventions owned by ACLARA developed as part of the
          program having application to the Cell Plate shall be licensed to
          CELLOMICS on reasonable terms and conditions, if at the time of filing
          of a patent application for such invention, CELLOMICS agrees to pay
          [*] of the out-of-pocket costs of the filing, prosecution and
          maintenance of such application, continuing applications, foreign
          analogs, and Letters Patent issuing thereon. All inventions owned by
          CELLOMICS developed as part of the collaboration having application to
          the Microfluidic Plate shall be licensed to ACLARA on reasonable terms
          and conditions, if at the time of filing of a patent application for
          such invention, ACLARA agrees to pay [*] of the out-of-pocket costs of
          the filing, prosecution and maintenance of such application,
          continuing applications, foreign analogs, and Letters Patent issuing
          thereon.

     7.4  Licensing of Foreground technology. Technical know-how and patent
          rights developed as part of the Program shall be available on
          reasonable terms and conditions after termination of this Agreement in
          the event that one Party wishes to continue the Program.

     7.5  Licenses of Background Technology. Technical know-how and patent
          rights developed prior to initiation of the Program or outside of the
          Program may be licensed for a Screening System developed in the
          Program as set forth in Section 2.5.

     7.6  Label License. All products supplied by ACLARA to CELLOMICS will
          include a label license, granting CELLOMICS a license under ACLARA's
          intellectual property to use, offer to sell, and sell any such
          products for use in the Field, such label license being transferable
          to the purchasers of such products.

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     7.7. Confidentiality. All technical and business information given the
          recipient Party by the disclosing Party shall be assumed to be in
          confidence and if disclosed orally, shall be reduced to writing and
          delivered to the recipient within thirty (30) days of disclosure.
          Information received in confidence shall be used solely for the
          purposes of this Agreement and shall be disclosed to others who assume
          like duties of confidentiality. The restrictions on use and disclosure
          shall not apply where the information is or becomes generally known
          without failure on the part of the recipient; was known to the
          recipient prior to receipt from the discloser; or is given to the
          recipient by a third party who has the right to disclose the
          information, without restriction on use or disclosure. The obligations
          on use and disclosure shall terminate five (5) years from the
          termination of the Program.

8.   Surviving Rights/Termination

     8.1  Surviving Rights and Duties. The right to obtain licenses to
          intellectual property rights covering technology employed in the
          Program as provided for in this Agreement shall survive termination of
          this Agreement. Either Party shall have the right to a license from
          the other Party if such license is requested within two (2) years
          after termination of this Agreement.

     8.2  Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either Party in the
          event of material breach by the other Party, upon giving sixty (60)
          days prior written notice of the intent to terminate, which
          termination will be effective if the breaching Party has not taken
          reasonable steps to correct the material breach. The right to
          terminate is in addition to all other rights the non-breaching Party
          may have against the breaching Party.

     8.3  Permissive termination. Either Party may terminate this Agreement,
          with the acceptance of the other.

9.   Governance

     9.1  Joint Steering Committee. The Program will be governed by the JSC. The
          JSC shall consist of at least one senior executive, one business
          director, and one technical director from each Party. The JSC will
          meet at least once per quarter, alternating between locations selected
          by ACLARA and CELLOMICS, to oversee activities under a Workplan. In
          particular, the JSC will monitor and support collaboration and/or
          supply relationships existing between ACLARA and CELLOMICS, review,
          recommend modifications to, and oversee the implementation of active
          Workplans, define deliverables for TAPs, approve EAPs, review the
          commercial feasibility of Screening Systems being developed under a
          Workplan, review the progress of the Workplan and funding, offer
          modifications to the Workplan in light of changed circumstances,
          discuss new commercial opportunities and develop the objectives and
          terms for additional Programs between the Parties that may be pursued.
          The JSC shall have the authority to make reasonable alterations or
          amendments to the Workplan, which

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               will be considered final after reduction to writing and
               attachment to the Agreement. Significant alterations to the
               Workplan must be approved by the CEO of both Parties. The JSC
               shall have the authority to recommend alterations or amendments
               to this Agreement, which shall not become final until reduced to
               writing and signed by the CEO of each of the Parties. Except as
               otherwise expressly provided herein, decisions of the JSC will be
               made by consensus.

          9.2  Dispute resolution. Should disputes arise, the Parties agree to
               negotiate in good faith to resolve the disputes. Disputes that
               cannot be resolved by the JSC within a reasonable period shall be
               submitted to the CEOs of the Parties. If agreement is still not
               reached, the Parties agree to submit disputes to mediation in
               accordance with the section 9.3, "Mediation", prior to seeking
               any other remedy.

          9.3  Mediation. If the Parties are unable to resolve by negotiation
               within forty-five days of the disputing Party's written request
               for dispute resolution (or such other time period expressly set
               forth in this Agreement), or if the Parties fail to meet within
               twenty (20) days after such notice, the Parties shall endeavor to
               settle the dispute by mediation administered by the American
               Arbitration Association ("AAA") pursuant to the Commercial
               Mediation Rules of the AAA the time of submission prior to
               resorting to any other remedy. Mediation shall be held in a
               location to be decided later. The mediator appointed to assist
               the Parties must possess such credentials as qualify said
               mediator as (1) either an expert in the field being mediated or
               (2) at a minimum as reasonably familiar with the industries and
               specific applications as will enable the mediator to quickly
               understand and assist the Parties in dealing with the issues that
               are in dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that
               any controversy or claim hereunder gives rise to a prayer for
               injunctive relief, equitable action or specific performance, the
               aggrieved Party shall have the right to commence such an action
               in any court of competent jurisdiction.

10.  Representations and Warranties

10.1 Authority. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other that it
     has full power and authority to enter into this agreement and to consummate
     the transactions contemplated hereby. This agreement has been duly executed
     and delivered and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Party,
     enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such
     enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors'
     rights generally from time to time in effect or by general equitable
     principles.

10.2 Corporate Organization and Authority. Each Party hereby represents and
     warrants to the other that it is a corporation duly organized, validly
     existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware as to CELLOMICS
     and California as to ACLARA and has all corporate power and authority to
     carry on its business as

CONFIDENTIAL

                                      -12-
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        now being conducted and to own its properties, is duly qualified and in
        good standing to do business in every jurisdiction in which such
        qualification is necessary because of the nature of the property owned,
        leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it
        except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material
        adverse effect.

10.3    Ability to Carry Out the Agreement: Consents and Waivers. Each Party
        hereby represents and warrants to the other that the execution and
        delivery of this agreement does not, and the consummation of the
        transactions contemplated hereby will not, conflict with, or result in
        any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
        both) under, or give rise to a right of termination under, or accelerate
        the performance required by, or result in the creation of any lien,
        security interest, charge, increase in liability or other encumbrance
        upon any of its assets under, any provision of:

                (i)   any law, statute, rule, regulation or judicial or
                      administrative decision;

                (ii)  any certificate of incorporation or by-laws;

                (iii) any mortgage, deed of trust, lease, note, shareholders'
                      agreement, bond, indenture, contract or other instrument
                      or agreement; or

                (iv)  any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree of any
                      court, governmental body, administrative agency or
                      arbitrator relating to it;

                (v)   other than conflicts, violations, defaults, right of
                      termination or encumbrances which could not reasonably be
                      expected to have a material adverse effect on the
                      enforceability or validity or the agreement.

10.4    Litigation. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other that
        there is no action, suit, or governmental, administrative or regulatory
        proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Party,
        threatened against it at law, in equity or otherwise, in, before, or by
        any court or governmental agency or authority which could reasonably be
        expected to have a material adverse effect on this agreement or the
        transactions contemplated therein. ACLARA is presently involved solely
        in two pieces of litigation; being sued for misappropriation of trade
        secrets; and suing for patent infringement.

10.5    Year 2000. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other that
        software, hardware, equipment and systems owned, leased or licensed by
        it and used in the conduct of its business are Year 2000 Compliant.

CONFIDENTIAL

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10.6    Regulatory Filings. Each of the Parties hereto will furnish to the other
        Party hereto such necessary information and reasonable assistance as
        such other Party may reasonably request in connection with its
        preparation of necessary filings or submissions to any governmental
        entity.

10.7    Announcement. Neither Party nor their respective affiliates will issue
        any press release or other public announcement with respect to this
        agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior
        written approval of the other Party hereto (such approval not to be
        unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

10.8    Indemnification. Each Party agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
        harmless the other and its respective successors and assigns against
        and in respect of:

        (a) any and all losses, damages, deficiencies or liabilities ("Damages")
            caused by, resulting or arising from or otherwise relating to any
            material failure by a Party to perform or otherwise fulfill or
            comply with any undertaking or other agreement or obligation to be
            performed, fulfilled or complied with by the Party resulting from
            its gross negligence, willful misconduct or arising from or
            otherwise relating to any material breach of any representation or
            warranty of the Party contained in this agreement.

10.9    Entire Agreement. The Agreement (including the appendices attached
        hereto, all of which are part hereof) contain the entire understanding
        of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained
        herein, and supersede and cancel all prior agreements, negotiations,
        correspondence, undertakings and communications of the Parties, oral or
        written, respecting such subject matter. There are no restrictions,
        promises, representations, warranties, agreements or undertakings of any
        Party hereto with respect to the transactions under this Agreement
        other than those set forth herein or therein or made hereunder or
        thereunder.

10.10   Amendments. This agreement may be amended only by a written instrument
        executed by the Parties or their respective successors or assigns.

10.11   Headings; References. The article and section headings contained in
        this agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in
        any way the meaning or interpretation of this agreement. All references
        herein to "Articles," "Sections," "Schedules," or "Appendices" shall be
        deemed to be references to Articles or Sections hereof or Schedules or
        Appendices hereto unless otherwise indicated.

11.     Notices

        11.1.  Notices may be given to an officer of a Party by;

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                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15
personal delivery, fax or registered mail addressed as follows:
overnight delivery by an internationally recognized courier service

If to ACLARA Biosciences Inc.:
Joseph M. Limber
President and CEO
ACLARA Biosciences, Inc.
1288 Pear Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043-1432
FAX (650) 210-1210

If to CELLOMICS, Inc.:
D. Lansing Taylor
President and CEO
CELLOMICS, Inc.
635 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
FAX (412) 826-3896

12.  Binding Effect

12.1 This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on each Party's
     successors in interest and assigns.

13.  Assignment

13.1 Either Party may assign this agreement only in connection with the sale or
     disposition of the entire business of such Party or that portion to which
     this agreement pertains. Either Party may assign this Agreement to an
     Affiliate(s) without permission of the other Party. Affiliate shall mean
     an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a Party
     to this Agreement.

14.  Governing Law

14.1 This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the local laws of
     the Party defending any action brought under this Agreement.

[Signature page Follows]

CONFIDENTIAL

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16
 Signature Page for Agreement For An Exclusive Alliance To Develop, Manufacture
           And Market A Chip-Based Screening System For Cell Analysis

In Witness Whereof, this Agreement has been executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall constitute an original Agreement, on behalf of the Parties
by their authorized officers as of the date first written above:

CELLOMICS, INC.

Signature /s/ D. LANSING TAYLOR
          ------------------------------

Print D. Lansing Taylor
      ----------------------------------

Title President & CEO
      ----------------------------------

Date 10/26/99
     -----------------------------------

ACLARA BIOSCIENCES INC.

Signature /s/ JOSEPH M. LIMBER
          ------------------------------

Print Joseph M. Limber
      ----------------------------------

Title President & CEO
      ----------------------------------

Date October 26, 1999
     -----------------------------------

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                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17
                                   APPENDIX A

WORKPLAN
[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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<PAGE>   19
[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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<PAGE>   20
                                   APPENDIX B

                                  FUNDING PLAN

[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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[*]

CONFIDENTIAL

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                      -23-<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT - 10.11

                            COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

     This Collaboration Agreement ("Agreement") dated as of the 19 day of March,
1999 is by and between ACLARA BIOSCIENCES, INC., 3906 Trust Way, Hayward,
California 94545-3716 ("ACLARA") and THE PERKIN-ELMER CORPORATION, having its PE
Biosystems Division at 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, CA 94404
("PERKIN-ELMER").

     A.   WHEREAS, ACLARA has proprietary technology and know-how with respect
to microfluidic electrophoresis devices;

     B.   WHEREAS, ACLARA has certain skills and know-how related to the
manufacture, design and use of such devices;

     C.   WHEREAS, PERKIN-ELMER has certain skills and know-how related to high
throughput screening systems utilizing electrophoresis, and the manufacture,
marketing, sales and support of products incorporating such systems;

     D.   WHEREAS, PERKING-ELMER and Soane Biosciences, Inc. (the predecessor to
ACLARA) entered into a previous Collaboration Agreement dated as of April 25,
1998, with the objective of developing genetic analysis systems incorporating
microfluidic electrophoresis devices;

     E.   WHEREAS, ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER desire to enter into an additional
collaboration with the objective of developing high throughput screening systems
incorporating microfluidic electrophoresis devices;

     F.   WHEREAS, both Parties recognize that each has rights to pre-existing
intellectual properties which may directly or indirectly contribute to the
commercialization of such high throughput screening systems and understand that
in the process of developing the high throughput screening systems contemplated
by the collaboration, both parties will reveal to each other relevant
intellectual property that existed prior to the effective date of the
collaboration under appropriate confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions,
irrespective of whether the intellectual property is an issued patent, a pending
patent application, a trade secret, know-how or otherwise;

     G.   WHEREAS, ACLARA desires to manufacture such microfluidic
electrophoresis devices and supply PERKIN-ELMER'S requirements therefor;

     H.   WHEREAS, PERKIN-ELMER and Soane Biosciences, Inc. (the predecessor to
ACLARA) have entered into a certain Series E Redeemable Preferred Stock Purchase
Agreement dated on or about April 27, 1998;

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

     I.   WHEREAS, the Parties will enter into a Series G Redeemable Preferred
Stock Purchase Agreement within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, under
substantially the same terms as those of the Series E offering, whereby
PERKIN-ELMER will invest Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in ACLARA at a share
price of Four Dollars and Two Cents ($4.02) (the "Equity Agreement");

     NOW THEREFORE, in considerations of the mutual covenants and promises
contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS.

     1.1. "Affiliates" means any corporation, firm, partnership or other entity,
          whether de jure or de facto, which directly or indirectly owns, is
          owned by or is under common ownership with a Party to this Agreement
          to the extent of at least fifty percent (50%) of the equity (or such
          lesser percentage which is the maximum allowed to be owned by a
          foreign corporation in a particular jurisdiction) having the power to
          vote on or direct the affairs of the entity.

     1.2. "Intellectual Property Rights" means all intellectual property rights
          worldwide arising under statutory or common law, and whether or not
          perfected, including, without limitation, all (1) patents, patent
          applications and patent rights; (2) rights associated with the works
          of authorship including copyrights, copyright applications, copyright
          registrations, mask works, mask work applications, mask work
          registrations; (3) rights relating to the protection of trade secrets
          and confidential information; (4) any right analogous to those set
          forth in this definition and any other proprietary rights relating to
          intangible property (other than trademark, trade dress, or service
          mark rights); (5) divisions, continuations, renewals, reissues,
          continuing prosecution, and extensions of the foregoing (as and to the
          extent applicable) now existing, hereafter filed, issued or acquired;
          and (6) know-how.

     1.3. "Pre-Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual Property" means all
          Intellectual Property Rights relating to Microfluidic Electrophoresis
          Devices that are owned by, either partially or wholly, or licensed to,
          ACLARA as of the Effective Date, including without limitation [*]
          and any Related Patents.

     1.4. "Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual Property" means all Intellectual
          Property Rights arising out of work performed pursuant to this
          Agreement, conceived during the Collaboration Period solely by one or
          more employees or agents of ACLARA.

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3
1.5.    "Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property" means all Intellectual
        Property Rights arising out of work performed pursuant to this
        Agreement, which is jointly conceived during the Collaboration Period by
        one or more employees or agents of ACLARA, and by one or more employees
        or agents of PERKIN-ELMER.

1.6.    "Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER Intellectual Property" means all
        Intellectual Property arising out of work performed pursuant to this
        Agreement, conceived during the Collaboration Period solely by one or
        more employees or agents of PERKIN-ELMER.

1.7.    "Collaboration Period" means the term beginning on the Effective Date
        and ending [*] thereafter.

1.8.    "Exclusive Period" means the term beginning on the Effective Date and
        ending [*] thereafter.

1.9.    "Effective Date" means the date of this Agreement first written above
        or such later date as the Parties will determine by mutual agreement.

1.10.   "Net Sales" means (1) with respect to sales by a Party, or an Affiliate
        of a Party, to non-affiliated third party purchasers, the actual amount
        of gross sales of Collaboration Product to a third party, less: trade,
        cash and quantity discounts, if any, actually allowed, amounts refunded
        for faulty or defective product, returns, rejections, freight, insurance
        and other transportation costs, tariffs, duties and similar governmental
        charges paid (except income taxes); (2) with respect to sales by a Party
        made to any Affiliate or to any entity enjoying a special course of
        dealing with a Party, the Net Sales will be determined based on the
        first resale in a bona fide arms-length transaction of Collaboration
        Product by such Affiliate, person, firm or corporation to third parties;
        and (3) with respect to Collaboration Product which are used by a Party,
        or an Affiliate of a Party, to supply services or information to a third
        party for commercial purposes, or are otherwise disposed of, excluding
        demonstration or other marketing activities performed for no or de
        minimis compensation, the Net Sales will be determined as if such
        Collaboration Product had been sold to a non-affiliated third party
        purchaser at the average Net Sales for such Collaboration Product during
        the immediately preceding one hundred and twenty (120) days.

1.11.   "Residual Net Sales" means Net Sales minus Manufacturing Cost.

1.12.   "Party" means ACLARA or PERKIN-ELMER and, when used in the plural,
        means ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER.

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4
1.13.   "Subject Patent" means any patent or patent application claiming or
        disclosing Pre-Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual Property, Collaboration
        ACLARA Intellectual Property, Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property,
        and/or Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER Intellectual Property, including any
        Related Patents.

1.14.   "Collaboration Product" means any product for use in the Collaboration
        Field which, but for the licenses granted hereunder, manufacture, use
        or sale thereof would infringe a Valid Claim of a Subject Patent.

1.15.   "Valid Claim" means a claim of a patent or patent application that has
        not been held invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of
        competent jurisdiction or has not otherwise finally been held
        unpatentable by an appropriate administrative agency.

1.16.   "Prosecute" means, in the context of prosecuting pending patent
        applications, taking necessary actions, including conducting
        oppositions and interferences, to perfect patent rights to an invention.

1.17.   "High Throughput Screening" means methods utilizing Microfluidic
        Electrophoresis Devices in which [*] candidate compounds are contacted
        with [*], and an extent of [*] interaction is determined based on [*].
        For avoidance of doubt, the definition of High Throughput Screening
        expressly excludes methods not employing an electrophoretic separation
        step.

1.18.   "Assay Development System" means an HTS System useful for optimizing
        conditions for carrying out High Throughput Screening assays, and having
        a throughput of approximately [*] assays per
        day.

1.19.   "Secondary Screening System" means an HTS System capable of performing
        multiple candidate-versus-target concentration titration assays, e.g.,
        IC50 titration assays, and having a throughput of approximately [*]
        assays per day.

1.20.   "Collaboration Field" means the field of High Throughput Screening.

1.21.   "Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device" means a device comprising
        intersecting electrophoresis channels formed in a monolithic solid
        substrate, e.g., glass or plastic, which may comprise one or more
        layers, which manufacture, use or sale thereof would infringe at least
        one Valid Claim of a Subject Patent.

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       4

<PAGE>   5
1.22.   "HTS Systems" means instruments or instrument systems for performing
        High Throughput Screening which are adapted to utilize one or more
        Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices.

1.23.   "Related Patent" means any patent or patent application owned, held, or
        otherwise controlled, in whole or in part by ACLARA that (1) claims
        substantially the same subject matter as a Subject Patent, (2) claims
        improvements to inventions disclosed or claimed in a Subject Patent and
        requires rights under the Subject Patent to exploit such improvements,
        (3) claims priority to, a Subject Patent, including but not limited to
        continuation applications and patents, continuation-in-part
        applications and patents, divisional applications and patents,
        reexamination applications and patents, reissue applications and
        patents, and continuing prosecution applications and patents, (4) is a
        parent of a Subject Patent, and/or (5) any foreign equivalents of a
        Subject Patent or any patent or patent application in (1), (2), (3) or
        (4) above.

1.24.   "Start Development Checkpoint" means a point in a project at which a
        report is produced which documents that the following parameters have
        been established with respect to a Collaboration Product: [*].

1.25.   "Technology Access Partner" means a third party who receives early
        access to HTS Systems and Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices
        developed pursuant to this Agreement.

1.26.   "Technology Access Agreement" means an agreement between one or both
        Parties and a Technology Access Partner defining the terms and
        conditions under which the Technology Access Partner provides funding in
        return for receiving early access to HTS Systems and Microfluidic
        Electrophoresis Devices.

1.27.   "Manufacturing Cost" means the fully-burdened manufacturing cost of a
        product including the direct material costs and material overhead cost,
        direct labor costs, and fixed, variable and semi-variable manufacturing
        overhead costs, as determined using a Party's customary practices and
        procedures in accordance with United States generally accepted
        accounting procedures (GAAP).

1.28.   "Quarter" means a three month period beginning on the first day of
        January, April, July or October next following the Effective Date, and
        each three month period thereafter, except that the first Quarter will
        include the

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

        period from the Effective Date to the first day of the nearest three
        month period after the Effective Date.

1.29.   "Confidential Information" means confidential knowledge, know-how,
        practices, processes, equipment or information that a receiving party
        has a reasonable basis to believe is confidential to the disclosing
        party or is treated by the disclosing party as confidential.
        Notwithstanding the above, Confidential Information will not include,
        and nothing in Section 6 will in any way restrict the rights of either
        ACLARA or PERKIN-ELMER to use, disclose or otherwise deal with any
        information which:

        (a)   can be demonstrated to have been in the public domain as of the
              Effective Date or comes into the public domain during the term of
              this Agreement through no act of the receiving party; or

        (b)   can be demonstrated to have been independently known to the
              receiving party prior to the receipt thereof, or made available to
              the receiving party as a matter of lawful right by a third party;
              or

        (c)   can be demonstrated to have been rightfully received by the
              receiving party from a third party who did not require the
              receiving party to hold it in confidence or limit its use, or on
              the basis of a restriction that has lapsed, and who did not
              acquire it, directly or indirectly, from the other Party to this
              Agreement under a continuing obligation of confidentiality; or

        (d)   will be required for disclosure to any governmental regulatory
              agencies pursuant to approval for use; or

        (e)   is independently conceived, invented or acquired by researches of
              the receiving party who have not been personally exposed to the
              information provided to the receiving party hereunder.

2.    Feasibility Phase.

      2.1.    Purpose. During the feasibility phase the Parties will work both
              jointly and independently to establish technical and commercial
              feasibility of all Collaboration Product. All jointly developed
              Collaboration Product must be approved by the Joint Steering
              Committee per Section 4. The feasibility phase of a project will
              continue until a Start Development Checkpoint has been achieved
              for that project.

      2.2.    Responsibilities. FERKIN-ELMER will have primary responsibility
              for system development and integration, including software,
              optical, mechanical and fluidic subsystems. ACLARA will have
              primary

                                       6
<PAGE>   7
            responsibility for development of Microfluidic Electrophoresis
            Devices, and ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER will share responsibilities for
            assay development; provided, however, that such primary
            responsibilities may be reallocated by the Joint Steering Committee.

      2.3   Work Plan. Feasibility and commercial development of Collaboration
            Product will be established by the Parties in accordance with a Work
            Plan. The Work Plan will set forth at least a plan of action to
            achieve a Start Development Checkpoint. The Work Plan will be
            defined and modified as required from time to time by the Joint
            Steering Committee. An initial Work Plan is set forth in Exhibit 1
            attached hereto.

      2.4   [*] System. Within four (4) months after the Effective Date, the
            Parties will develop a Work Plan to achieve a Start Development
            Checkpoint for an [*] System within [*] after the Effective Date.
            If, [*] after the Effective Date, a Party (the "Proposing Party")
            desires to commercially develop an [*] System, then the Proposing
            Party will so notify the other Party (the "Reviewing Party") of such
            desire in writing, such notice to include a reasonable description
            of the proposed [*] System sufficient for the Reviewing Party to
            meaningfully evaluate the technical and commercial merits of such
            [*] System. Thereafter, the Reviewing Party will have a period of
            [*] to evaluate the [*] System and to notify the Proposing Party in
            writing that the Reviewing Party has elected to commercially develop
            such [*] System jointly with the Proposing Party pursuant to this
            Agreement, in which case the Parties will promptly amend the Work
            Plan to include such commercial development plans. Alternatively, if
            the Reviewing Party declines to develop such [*] System, or fails to
            notify the proposing Party of its election to develop such [*]
            System, within the [*] period, the development of such [*] System
            will be excluded from the exclusivity provisions of Section 3.3.1,
            and the Reviewing Party will grant a non-exclusive license under
            Subject Patents, as necessary to effect commercialization of such
            [*] System, as such non-exclusive licenses are set forth in Sections
            5.4.1, 5.4.4, and 5.4.5.

      2.5   Secondary Screening System. Within [*] after the Effective Date, the
            Parties will develop a Work Plan to achieve a Start Development
            Checkpoint for a Secondary Screening System within [*] after the
            Effective Date; except that, if the Work Plan requires four (4) or
            more persons beyond those persons already committed to any Work
            Plans then in place, then the Work Plan will achieve a Start
            Development Checkpoint for a Secondary Screening System within [*]
            after the Effective Date. If, [*] after the Effective

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

          Date, depending upon when the Work Plan calls for achieving a Start
          Development Checkpoint, a Party (the "Proposing Party") desires to
          commercially develop a Secondary Screening System, then the Proposing
          Party will so notify the other Party (the "Reviewing Party") of such
          desire in writing, such notice to include a reasonable description of
          the proposed Secondary Screening System sufficient for the Reviewing
          Party to meaningfully evaluate the technical and commercial merits of
          such Secondary Screening System. Thereafter, the Reviewing Party will
          have a period of [*] to evaluate the Secondary Screening System and to
          notify the Proposing Party in writing that the Reviewing Party has
          elected to commercially develop such Secondary Screening System
          jointly with the Proposing Party pursuant to this Agreement, in which
          case the Parties will promptly amend the Work Plan to include such
          commercial development plans. Alternatively, if the Reviewing Party
          declines to develop such Secondary Screening System, or fails to
          notify the proposing Party of its election to develop such Secondary
          Screening System, within the [*] period, the development of such
          Secondary Screening System will be excluded from the exclusivity
          provisions of Section 3.3.1, and the Reviewing Party will grant a
          non-exclusive license under Subject Patents, as necessary to effect
          commercialization of such Assay Development System, as such
          non-exclusive licenses are set forth in Sections 5.4.1, 5.4.4, and
          5.4.5.

     2.6  Feasibility Teams. Each Party will assign personnel to its feasibility
          team with the appropriate skills and experience to accomplish the work
          established in the Work Plan. It is expected that such teams will work
          together to accomplish the objective of the collaboration including,
          if appropriate, conducting efforts at the same facility.

     2.7  Provision of HTS Systems to ACLARA. PERKIN-ELMER will provide
          prototype HTS Systems to ACLARA at PERKIN-ELMER's internal transfer
          cost, as such systems become available to PERKIN-ELMER, for ACLARA's
          use and not for resale, subject to any prior commitments to a
          Technology Access Partner. The number of systems so provided will be
          determined by the Joint Steering Committee.

     2.8  Technology Access Program (TAP). Funding for the Work Plan may be
          obtained through a TAP between one or both Parties and a Technology
          Access Partner. Terms governing a TAP must be mutually agreed to by
          the Parties through the Joint Steering Committee. Neither Party will
          enter into a TAP without the prior written consent of the other Party.
          However, terms and conditions relating directly to the purchase of
          equity in ACLARA will be at the sole discretion of ACLARA.

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       8

<PAGE>   9
3.   COMMERCIALIZATION PHASE.

     3.1  Purpose. The purpose of the commercialization phase of the
          collaboration is the facilitation of a cost effective manufacturing,
          marketing, sales and support program for a Collaboration Product. The
          commercialization phase of a project will commence upon reaching a
          Start Development Checkpoint for that project.

     3.2  Marketing, Sales and Support. In order to effectively market a
          Collaboration Product the Parties agree that:

          3.2.1.    a Collaboration Product will be exclusively marketed, sold
                    and supported (including customer training and application
                    support of customers) through the sales and service
                    organization of PERKIN-ELMER, its Affiliates and
                    distributors, in accordance with a marketing plan to be
                    developed by PERKIN-ELMER;

          3.2.2.    PERKIN-ELMER will be responsible for all expenses for the
                    marketing, sales and support of a Collaboration Product; and

          3.2.3.    Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices, HTS Systems, and
                    related marketing literature will be marked so as to
                    indicate that such devices are a product of both
                    PERKIN-ELMER and ACLARA.

     3.3  Sale and Purchase of Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices. Subject to
          the terms and conditions of this Agreement, ACLARA will sell to
          PERKIN-ELMER and PERKIN-ELMER will purchase from ACLARA Microfluidic
          Electrophoresis Devices.

          3.3.1.    During the Exclusive Period. Within the Collaboration Field,
                    and during the Exclusive Period, ACLARA will sell
                    Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices solely to PERKIN-ELMER
                    and PERKIN-ELMER will purchase Microfluidic Electrophoresis
                    Devices solely from ACLARA.

          3.3.2.    After Expiration of the Exclusive Period. After the
                    expiration of the Exclusive Period, if PERKIN-ELMER desires
                    to develop a Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device for use in
                    the Collaboration Field, then PERKIN-ELMER will so notify
                    ACLARA in writing. Thereafter, ACLARA will have a period of
                    three (3) months to evaluate PERKIN-ELMER's proposed
                    Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device and to notify
                    PERKIN-ELMER in writing that ACLARA has elected to develop
                    and supply such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device jointly
                    with PERKIN-ELMER pursuant to terms to be negotiated in good
                    faith, such terms to be in accordance

                                       9
<PAGE>   10
                    with Section 3, in which case the Parties will promptly
                    enter into a collaboration and supply agreement with respect
                    to such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device. If the Parties
                    cannot agree to the terms of such agreement within ninety
                    (90) days after ACLARA's election to develop and supply such
                    Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device, the Parties will
                    resolve the outstanding issues pursuant to the procedures
                    set forth in Section 4.4. Conversely, if, after the
                    expiration of the Exclusive Period, ACLARA declines to
                    develop and supply such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device,
                    or fails to notify PERKIN-ELMER of its election to develop
                    and supply such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device, within
                    the three (3) month period, the development and manufacture
                    of such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device may be performed
                    by PERKIN-ELMER or its designate pursuant to the
                    non-exclusive license set forth in Section 5.4.1.

          3.3.3.    Supply Agreement. Prior to ninety (90) days before a first
                    commercial sale of a Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device,
                    the Parties will enter into a supply agreement which,
                    consistent with this Agreement, will govern the purchase and
                    sale of Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices. Such supply
                    agreement will contain provisions which, in addition to
                    customary warranty, representations and indemnification
                    provisions, will (1) set forth a commercially reasonable
                    plan for ACLARA to supply Microfluidic Electrophoresis
                    Devices to PERKIN-ELMER in satisfaction of PERKIN-ELMER's
                    requirements as to volume, cost, physical specifications,
                    regulatory requirements and schedule, and (2) obligate
                    ACLARA to provide technical support to PERKIN-ELMER (but not
                    directly to PERKIN-ELMER's customers). Reasonable minimum
                    purchase quantities will be negotiated between the Parties
                    in good faith. With respect to the supply of a Microfluidic
                    Electrophoresis Device jointly developed pursuant to this
                    Agreement, the supply agreement will also include
                    exclusivity provisions stating that ACLARA will supply such
                    Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device solely to PERKIN-ELMER
                    and that PERKIN-ELMER will purchase such Microfluidic
                    Electrophoresis Device solely from ACLARA during the term of
                    this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 3.3.7
                    and Section 3.3.6.

          3.3.4.    Purchase Orders. PERKIN-ELMER will purchase Microfluidic
                    Electrophoresis Devices from ACLARA by issuing a written
                    purchase order identifying the quantity, shipping
                    instructions, delivery dates, and any other special
                    information. To the extent the terms of any such purchase
                    order differ from or conflict with the

                                       10
<PAGE>   11
                  terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will
                  govern. Within forty-five (45) days prior to the date of
                  commercial introduction, and prior to the end of each
                  calendar month thereafter, PERKIN-ELMER will submit a
                  six-month rolling forecast of estimated requirements of
                  Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices. The forecast for the
                  first three (3) months of the six (6) month period will
                  constitute a binding purchase order and the balance of such
                  forecast will be non-binding. The Joint Steering Committee
                  will determine a maximum rate of increase for forecast orders.

          3.3.5.  Transfer Price. ACLARA will supply Microfluidic
                  Electrophoresis Devices to PERKIN-ELMER at a transfer price
                  equal to [*] for such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices.
                  [*].

          3.3.5.[SIC] Label License. Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices
                  supplied to PERKIN-ELMER pursuant to this Section 3.3 will
                  include a label license as set forth in Section 5.4.3.

          3.3.6.  ACLARA Unable to Supply Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices
                  to PERKIN-ELMER. If, during the Exclusive Period, ACLARA is
                  unable to supply Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices to
                  PERKIN-ELMER in accordance with this Section 3, such
                  Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices may be made by
                  PERKIN-ELMER or its designate, pursuant to the conditional
                  non-exclusive license set forth in Section 5.4.1; provided,
                  however, that ACLARA will have sixty (60) days following
                  notice by PERKIN-ELMER to remedy any cause for non-compliance
                  with the requirements of this Section 3.

          3.3.7.  Minimum Net Sales and Early Termination of Exclusive Period.
                  If, after a first commercial sale of a Microfluidic
                  Electrophoresis Device that is subject to the exclusivity
                  obligations of Sections 3.3.1 or 3.3.3, the Net Sales of such
                  Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device does not meet or exceed a
                  minimum value ("Minimum Net Sales"), ACLARA's obligation to
                  exclusively supply that particular Microfluidic
                  Electrophoresis Device to PERKIN-ELMER will immediately
                  terminate, but PERKIN-ELMER's obligation to exclusively
                  purchase such Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device from ACLARA
                  will remain in effect. Such Minimum Net Sales will be
                  determined as follows. For the first year after a first
                  commercial sale of a Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device,
                  there will be no Minimum Net Sales. For the second year after
                  a first commercial sale of a Microfluidic Electrophoresis
                  Device, the Minimum Net Sales will

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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<PAGE>   12
            equal [*] of the actual Net Sales for that Microfluidic
            Electrophoresis Device in the first year after a first commercial
            sale. For the third year after a first commercial sale of a
            Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device, and each year thereafter, the
            Minimum Net Sales will equal [*] of the average actual annual Net
            Sales realized for that Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device in the
            preceeding [*] years. For the purpose of this Section 3.3.8, a sale
            of a Microfluidic Electrophoresis Device to a Technology Access
            Partner under a Technology Access Agreement will not constitute a
            commercial sale.

      3.4.  Sales Price. The sales price of Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices
            to third party purchasers will be determined by the Joint Steering
            Committee. In the event a price change of a Microfluidic
            Electrophoresis Device becomes necessary for any reason, such as a
            model change, a major change of a competitive situation with respect
            to price performance or any other reasonable cause, the Parties
            will, in good faith, negotiate, primarily through the Joint Steering
            Committee, to establish a reasonable sales price.

      3.5.  Value Sharing. With respect to the sale of Microfluidic
            Electrophoresis Devices supplied to PERKIN-ELMER by ACLARA pursuant
            to Section 3.3.1, PERKIN-ELMER will pay ACLARA [*] of such
            Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices sold by PERKIN-ELMER, its
            Affiliates, distributors and sublicensees, and the balance of Net
            Sales will be retained by PERKIN-ELMER, as determined at the end of
            each Quarter.

4.    Joint Steering Committee.

      4.1.  Purpose. A Joint Steering Committee will be established to oversee
            the collaboration established by this Agreement throughout the term
            of this Agreement. The purpose of the Joint Steering Committee will
            be:

            (a)   to oversee all aspects of the collaboration, including
                  development and implementation of the Work Plan, manufacturing
                  (supply), marketing, sales, and support of a Collaboration
                  Product;

            (b)   to review and evaluate progress under the Work Plan with
                  respect to the development of a Collaboration Product,
                  including annual budgets;

            (c)   to recommend and ensure implementation of changes to the Work
                  Plan as appropriate;

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.
                                       12

<PAGE>   13
                  (d)   to approve any Technology Access Partner and to
                        negotiate and approve any Technology Access Agreement;

                  (e)   to organize the Feasibility Team(s) and oversee and
                        direct their activities; and

                  (f)   to resolve disputes arising under this Agreement.

            4.2.  Membership. The Joint Steering Committee will be comprised of
                  three employees each from ACLARA and PERKINS-ELMER, appointed
                  at the sole direction of the respective Parties. Substitute
                  employees may be appointed at any time. The Joint Steering
                  Committee will be chaired in the first year by a senior
                  representative from ACLARA, and thereafter on a rotating
                  annual basis, by a senior representative from ACLARA or
                  PERKIN-ELMER.

            4.3.  Meetings. The Joint Steering Committee will meet as often as
                  is reasonably necessary to accomplish its purpose but at least
                  quarterly, on a mutually agreeable date and at a place
                  selected initially by ACLARA and then by each party in turn
                  thereafter, such place to be located in the San Francisco bay
                  area. Representatives of ACLARA or PERKIN-ELMER, or both, in
                  addition to members of the Joint Steering Committee, may
                  attend such meetings at the invitation of either Party.

            4.4.  Joint Steering Committee Decisions and Dispute Resolution.
                  Decisions by the Joint Steering Committee will be made by
                  consensus. If the Joint Steering Committee is unable to reach
                  agreement, within ten (10) days the matter will be submitted
                  for resolution to the President of ACLARA and the President of
                  the PE Biosystems Division of PERKIN-ELMER. In the event that
                  the Presidents for each Party cannot reach agreement within
                  ten (10) days after receiving notice from the Joint Steering
                  Committee, which period may be extended by mutual agreement of
                  the Parties, then either Party may initiate arbitration in
                  accordance with this section under the rules of the American
                  Arbitration Association then in effect. A Party will notify
                  the other in writing should it intend to arbitrate. The
                  Parties will select, by mutual agreement, a neutral expert
                  from the National Panel of Arbitrators of the AAA, within
                  thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice. Should no
                  arbitrator be chosen within the above period, the AAA will
                  appoint the arbitrator within thirty (30) days after the end
                  of such period. The Laws of the State of California will apply
                  to the arbitration proceedings. The decision of the
                  arbitrators with respect to this Agreement will be final and
                  binding on the Parties and their legal successors.

            4.5.  Expenses. The Parties shall each bear all expenses of their
                  respective members related to their participation on the Joint
                  Steering Committee.

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<PAGE>   14

      5.    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; PATENT PROSECUTION AND LITIGATION; LICENSES;
            TRADEMARKS.

            5.1.   Ownership of Intellectual Property

                   5.1.1. Pre-Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual Property and
                          Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual Property. All rights
                          and title to Pre-Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual
                          Property and Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual
                          Property, whether patentable or copyrightable or not,
                          will belong to ACLARA and will be subject the terms
                          and conditions of this Agreement.

                   5.1.2. Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property. All rights
                          and title to Collaboration Joint Intellectual
                          Property, whether patentable or copyrightable or not,
                          will belong jointly to PERKIN-ELMER and will be
                          subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

                   5.1.3. Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER Intellectual Property. All
                          rights and title to Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER
                          Intellectual Property, whether patentable or
                          copyrightable or not, will belong to PERKIN-ELMER and
                          will be subject to the terms and conditions of this
                          Agreement.

            5.2.   Invention Disclosures. ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER agree to use
                   reasonable efforts to report inventions conceived and/or
                   reduced to practice that are within the scope of the
                   collaboration intellectual property described in Sections
                   1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 within thirty (30) days of their
                   identification thereof.

            5.3.   Filing of Patent Applications.

                   5.3.1  Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual Property. ACLARA
                          will have the first right, using in-house or outside
                          legal counsel selected at ACLARA's sole discretion, to
                          prepare, file, Prosecute, maintain and extend patent
                          applications for Collaboration ACLARA Intellectual
                          Property in countries of ACLARA's choosing, and ACLARA
                          will bear all costs relating to such activities which
                          occur at ACLARA's request or direction. ACLARA will
                          solicit PERKIN-ELMER's advice and review of ACLARA's
                          patent applications and other official communications
                          concerning the protection of Collaboration ACLARA
                          Intellectual Property relating to a Collaboration
                          Product, and take into consideration PERKIN-ELMER's
                          advice thereon. If ACLARA elects not to prepare, file,

                                       14

<PAGE>   15
        Prosecute or maintain certain of such patent applications or certain
        claims encompassed within such applications, in one or more countries,
        ACLARA will give PERKIN-ELMER notice thereof within a reasonable period
        prior to allowing such patents or claims to lapse or become abandoned
        or unenforceable, and PERKIN-ELMER will thereafter have the right, at
        its sole expense, to prepare, file, Prosecute, and maintain such
        applications in its own name in such one or more countries. ACLARA
        will, at PERKIN-ELMER's expense, provide reasonable assistance to
        PERKIN-ELMER to facilitate the filing and prosecution of all such
        applications and will execute all documents deemed necessary or
        desirable therefor. PERKIN-ELMER and ACLARA will each hold all
        information it presently knows or acquires under this Section 5.3.1 as
        Confidential Information in accordance with Section 6.

5.3.2   Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER Intellectual Property. PERKIN-ELMER will have
        the first right, using in-house or outside legal counsel selected at
        PERKIN-ELMER's sole discretion, to prepare, file, Prosecute, maintain
        and extend patent applications for Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER
        Intellectual Property in countries of PERKIN-ELMER's choosing, and
        PERKIN-ELMER will bear all costs relating to such activities which occur
        at PERKIN-ELMER's request or direction. PERKIN-ELMER will solicit
        ACLARA's advice and review of PERKIN-ELMER's applications relating to
        Collaboration Product and take into consideration ACLARA's advice
        thereon. If PERKIN-ELMER elects not to prepare, file, Prosecute or
        maintain certain of such patent applications or certain claims
        encompassed within such applications, in one or more countries,
        PERKIN-ELMER will give ACLARA notice thereof within a reasonable period
        prior to allowing such patents or claims to lapse or become abandoned or
        unenforceable, and ACLARA will thereafter have the right, at its sole
        expense, to prepare, file, Prosecute, and maintain such applications in
        its own name in such one or more countries. PERKIN-ELMER will, at
        PERKIN-ELMER's expense, provide reasonable assistance to ACLARA to
        facilitate the filing and prosecution of all such applications and will
        execute all documents deemed necessary or desirable therefor.
        PERKIN-ELMER and ACLARA will each hold all information it presently
        knows or acquires under this Section 5.3.2 as Confidential Information
        in accordance with Section 6.

5.3.3   Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property. With respect to
        Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property, PERKIN-ELMER and

                                       15
<PAGE>   16
               ACLARA will jointly determine the advisability of filing a
               patent application for other intellectual property thereon. The
               Joint Steering Committee, as appropriate, will appoint one of the
               Parties the responsibility to prepare, file, Prosecute diligently
               and maintain such application(s). The Parties will share equally
               all reasonable costs incurred in connection with such activities
               (the non-prosecuting Party will promptly reimburse the
               prosecuting Party); provided, however, that either Party may
               avoid its responsibility for such costs by assigning its rights
               in such Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property to the other
               Party. If either Party assigns to the other its rights in such
               Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property as set forth above, the
               assignee Party will be free to decide, in it sole discretion,
               whether or not to file or continue prosecution or maintain any
               such application(s), and whether or not to maintain any
               protection issuing thereon in the U.S. and in any foreign
               country. Any such filing, prosecution or maintenance will then be
               at the assignee Party's sole expense. The assigning Party will,
               at its own expense, provide reasonable assistance to the assignee
               Party to facilitate the filing and prosecution of all such
               application(s) and will execute all documents deemed necessary or
               desirable therefor. Both Parties will hold all information it
               presently knows or acquires under this Section 5.3.3 as
               Confidential Information in accordance with Section 6.

5.4. Licenses of Intellectual Property.

     5.4.1.    Conditional Non-Exclusive License to PERKIN-ELMER for
               Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices. If, after the expiration of
               the Exclusive Period, ACLARA declines to supply Microfluidic
               Electrophoreses Devices to PERKIN-ELMER pursuant to Section
               3.3.2, or, if during the Exclusive Period, ACLARA is unable to
               supply Microfluidic Electrophoreses Devices to PERKIN-ELMER
               pursuant to Section 3.3.6, or, as a Reviewing Party, ACLARA
               elects not to commercially develop an Assay Development System
               pursuant to Section 2.4 or a Secondary Screening System pursuant
               to Section 2.5, ACLARA grants to PERKIN-ELMER a non-exclusive
               royalty-bearing world-wide license under ACLARA's interest in
               Subject Patents to make, have made, use, import, offer to sell,
               and sell Microfluidic Electrophoreses Devices in the
               Collaboration Field, subject to the exclusion of Section 5.4.2,
               and the royalty obligation of Section 5.4.7.

     5.4.2.    [*] Exclusion From License to PERKIN-ELMER. The conditional
               non-exclusive license granted in Section 5.4.1, the

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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<PAGE>   17
        label license granted in Section 5.4.3, and the non-exclusive license
        granted in Section 5.4.4, each expressly excludes the sale of
        Collaboration Product [*].

5.4.3.  Label License for Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices. Microfluidic
        Electrophoresis Devices supplied to PERKIN-ELMER pursuant to Section 3.3
        will include a label license granting PERKIN-ELMER a license under
        ACLARA's interest in Subject Patents to use, offer to sell, and sell
        Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices in the Collaboration Field,
        including the right to grant sublicenses to customers to use such
        Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices, subject to the exclusion of
        Section 5.4.2.

5.4.4.  Non-Exclusive License to PERKIN-ELMER for HTS Systems. ACLARA grants to
        PERKIN-ELMER a non-exclusive royalty-bearing world-wide license under
        ACLARA's interest in Subject Patents to make, have made, use, import,
        offer to sell, and sell HTS Systems in the Collaboration Field, subject
        to the exclusion of Section 5.4.2.

5.4.5.  Conditional Non-Exclusive License to ACLARA for Collaboration Product.
        If, as a Reviewing Party, PERKIN-ELMER elects not to commercially
        develop an [*] System pursuant to Section 2.4 or a Secondary Screening
        System pursuant to Section 2.5, PERKIN-ELMER grants to ACLARA a
        non-exclusive royalty-bearing world-wide license under PERKIN-ELMER's
        interest in Subject Patents to make, have made, use, import, offer to
        sell, and sell Collaboration Product in the Collaboration Field, subject
        to the royalty obligation of Section 5.4.7. In addition, if ACLARA
        desires rights under any other Intellectual Property Rights owned or
        controlled by PERKIN-ELMER for the purpose of commercializing such [*]
        System or Secondary Screening System, PERKIN-ELMER will consider, in
        good faith, granting a royalty-bearing non-exclusive license under such
        rights to ACLARA for the limited purpose of commercializing such
        systems, the decision to grant such license being solely at the
        discretion of PERKIN-ELMER.

5.4.6.  Restriction on Sale and Licensing of Collaboration Intellectual
        Property. During the Exclusive Period and within the Collaboration
        Field, except as required for effecting the purposes of this Agreement,
        (1) PERKIN-ELMER is prohibited from granting a license or otherwise
        transferring to any third party any portion of its interest in Subject
        Patents, and (2) ACLARA is prohibited from

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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<PAGE>   18
                  granting a license or otherwise transferring to any third
                  party any portion of its interest in Subject Patents.

          5.4.7.  Royalties. PERKIN-ELMER will pay to ACLARA a royalty of [*] on
                  Net Sales of Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices sold or
                  otherwise disposed of under the conditional non-exclusive
                  license granted under Section 5.4.1. PERKIN-ELMER will pay to
                  ACLARA a royalty of [*] on Net Sales of HTS Systems sold or
                  otherwise disposed of under the non-exclusive license granted
                  under Section 5.4.4. ACLARA will pay to PERKIN-ELMER a royalty
                  of [*] on Net Sales of Collaboration Product sold or otherwise
                  disposed of under the conditional non-exclusive license
                  granted under Section 5.4.5.

          5.4.8.  Most Favored Licensee. If a Party grants a license under
                  Subject Patents at a royalty rate lower then the applicable
                  royalty rate set forth in Section 5.4.7, that Party will (1)
                  promptly notify the other Party in writing of such license,
                  and (2) extend to the other Party the lower royalty rate,
                  effective as of the date on which the lower royalty rate
                  became effective in such license. This Section 5.4.8 will not
                  apply to a license granted by a Party for which the
                  consideration consists in whole or in part of patent rights or
                  other rights of such substantial value as, in the judgement of
                  the licensing Party, to warrant a reduction in royalty rates
                  below the rates provided in this Agreement, or the acceptance
                  of such rights in lieu of royalties.

      5.5.  Patent Litigation.

          5.5.1.  In the event of the institution of any suit by a third party
                  against ACLARA or PERKIN-ELMER alleging that the manufacture,
                  use, sale, distribution or marketing of Collaboration Product
                  infringes a third party patent, the Party sued will promptly
                  notify the other Party in writing. The other Party will have
                  the right but not the obligation to defend or participate in
                  the defense of such suit at its own expense. ACLARA and
                  PERKIN-ELMER will assist one another and cooperate in any such
                  litigation at the other's reasonable request without expense
                  to the requesting Party. The Party conducting such action will
                  have full control over its conduct, including settlement
                  thereof; except that, if the allegedly infringing
                  Collaboration Product consists solely of a Microfluidic
                  Electrophoresis Device, ACLARA will have full control over the
                  conduct of the action. However, no settlement of an action
                  will be made without the prior written consent of the other
                  Party if such

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

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<PAGE>   19
            settlement would adversely affect the rights of the other Party,
            such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

     5.5.2. In the event that ACLARA or PERKIN-ELMER becomes aware of actual or
            threatened infringement of a patent resulting from Collaboration
            ACLARA Intellectual Property, Collaboration PERKIN-ELMER
            Intellectual Property, or Collaboration Joint Intellectual Property,
            that Party will promptly notify the other Party in writing. Either
            owner of a patent resulting from such intellectual property will
            have the first right but not the obligation to bring, at its own
            expense, an infringement action against any third party and to use
            the other Party's name in connection therewith. If an owner of the
            patent does not commence a particular infringement action within [*]
            the other Party, after notifying the owner in writing, will be
            entitled to bring such infringement action at its own expense. The
            Party conducting such action will have full control over its
            conduct, including settlement thereof provided such settlement will
            not be made without the prior written consent of the other Party if
            it would adversely affect the rights of the other Party; such
            consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. In any event,
            ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER will assist one another and cooperate in any
            such litigation at the other's reasonable request without expense to
            the requesting Party, and, if a Party is necessary in order to
            institute and maintain an infringement suit by the other Party as
            defined by law, that Party will join such suit, represented by its
            own counsel.

     5.5.3. ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER have the right to recover their respective
            actual out-of-pocket expenses, or proportionate share thereof, in
            connection with any litigation or settlement thereof from any
            recovery made by any Party. Any excess amount will be shared
            between PERKIN-ELMER and ACLARA in an amount proportional to their
            respective lost revenues.

     5.5.4. The Parties will keep one another reasonably informed of the status
            of their respective activities regarding any such litigation or
            settlement thereof.

5.6. Effect of Bankruptcy. All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to
     this Agreement by one Party to the other Party are, and will irrevocably
     be deemed to be, "intellectual property" as defined in Section 101(56) of
     Title 11, U.S. Code ("Bankruptcy Code"). In the event of the commencement
     of a case by or against either Party under any Chapter of the Bankruptcy
     Code, this Agreement will be deemed an executory contract and all rights

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       19

<PAGE>   20
          and obligations hereunder will be determined in accordance with
          Section 365(n) thereof.

     5.7. Trademarks and Non-Proprietary Names

          5.7.1. PERKIN-ELMER, at its expense, will be responsible for the
                 selection, registration and maintenance of all trademarks
                 which it employs in connection with Collaboration Product,
                 except for Microfluidic Electrophoresis Devices, and will own
                 and control such trademarks. Nothing in this Agreement will be
                 construed as a grant of rights, by license or otherwise, to
                 ACLARA to use such trademarks for any purpose other than
                 co-promotion as provided in this Agreement.

          5.7.2. PERKIN-ELMER, at its expense, will be responsible for the
                 selection of non-proprietary names for Collaboration Product
                 sold by PERKIN-ELMER.

          5.7.3. ACLARA, at its expense, will be responsible for the selection,
                 registration and maintenance of all trademarks that it
                 employs in connection with Microfluidic Electrophoresis
                 Devices, and will own and control such trademarks. Nothing in
                 this agreement will be construed as a grant of rights, by
                 license or otherwise, to PERKIN-ELMER to use such trademarks
                 for any purpose other than co-promotion as provided in this
                 Agreement.

6.   CONFIDENTIALITY

     6.1  Non-Disclosure. Because ACLARA and PERKIN-ELMER will be cooperating
          with each other pursuant to this Agreement, each may reveal
          Confidential Information to the other. The Parties agree, by using
          the same degree of care as each uses for information of like
          importance, but not less than a reasonable degree of care (1) to
          hold in confidence any Confidential Information disclosed by the other
          Party hereunder and (2) not to disclose any Confidential Information
          to any third party without the express written consent of the other
          Party, except to the extent that may be required for purposes of
          advancing the developing, manufacturing or marketing of Collaboration
          Product, or to conduct any litigation concerning the same, provided
          that each such third party is informed of the confidentiality of such
          information and that each said third party agrees to be bound to at
          least the same degree of confidentiality as the Parties are bound
          under this Agreement. With respect to any Confidential Information
          that is revealed by a Party to the other Party, this confidentiality
          requirement will remain in force for a period of five (5) years
          following the date such Confidential Information is revealed.

                                       20
<PAGE>   21
     6.2  Responsibility over Employees and Agents. Each of the Parties agrees
          to assume individual responsibility for the actions and omissions of
          its respective employees, agents and assigns, and to inform same of
          the responsibilities for confidentiality and disclosure under this
          Agreement, and to obtain their agreement to be bound in the same
          manner that the Party is bound.

     6.3  Affiliates. Nothing herein will be construed as preventing either
          Party from disclosing any information to an Affiliate of PERKIN-ELMER
          or ACLARA or to a sub-licensee, distributor or joint venture or other
          associated company of either Party for the purpose of developing or
          commercializing Collaboration Product, provided such Affiliate,
          sub-licensee, distributor or joint venture or other associated
          company has undertaken a similar obligation of confidentiality with
          respect to the Confidential Information.

     6.4  Bankruptcy. All Confidential Information disclosed by one Party to
          the other will remain the intellectual property of the disclosing
          Party. In the event that a court or other legal or administrative
          tribunal, directly or through an appointed master, trustee or
          receiver, assumes partial or complete control over the assets of a
          Party to this Agreement based on the insolvency or bankruptcy of such
          Party, the bankrupt or insolvent Party will promptly notify the court
          or other tribunal (1) that Confidential Information received from the
          other Party under this Agreement remains the property of the other
          Party and (2) of the confidentiality obligations under this
          Agreement. In addition, the bankrupt or insolvent Party will, to the
          extent permitted by law, take all steps necessary or desirable to
          maintain the confidentiality of the other Party's Confidential
          Information and to ensure that the court or other tribunal such
          information in confidence in accordance with the terms of this
          Agreement.

     6.5  Publication. Neither PERKIN-ELMER nor ACLARA will submit for written
          or oral publication any manuscript, abstract or the like which
          includes data or other information generated and provided by the
          other Party or otherwise developed by either Party in the performance
          of activities in furtherance of this Agreement without first
          obtaining the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent
          will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, except that the
          foregoing will not apply to customary non-confidential literature
          which is prepared for marketing and sales purposes.

     6.6  Publicity. Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, the
          Parties will make reasonable efforts to agree on the form and
          language of a joint press release related to this agreement. However,
          neither Party nor any of

                                       21
<PAGE>   22
          its Affiliates will originate any news relating to this Agreement
          without the prior written approval of the other Party, which approval
          will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

     6.7  Compliance with Statutory Requirements. Nothing in this Agreement will
          be construed as preventing or in any way inhibiting either Party from
          complying with statutory and regulatory requirements governing the
          development, manufacture, use and sale or other distribution of
          Collaboration Product in any manner which it reasonably deems
          appropriate, including, for example, by disclosing to regulatory
          authorities Confidential Information or other information received
          from a Party or third parties. The Parties will take reasonable
          measures to assure that no unauthorized use or disclosure is made by
          others to whom access to such information is granted.

7.   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

     Each Party represents, warrants and covenants to the other Party that:

     (a)  it has the corporate power and authority and legal right to enter into
          this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

     (b)  the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of
          the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly authorized by all
          necessary corporate action of such Party;

     (c)  the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by
          such Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement do not and
          will not (1) conflict with, or constitute a breach or violation of,
          any other contractual obligation to which it is a party, any judgment
          of any court or governmental body applicable to such Party or its
          properties or, to such Party's knowledge, any statute, decree, order,
          rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body
          applicable to such Party or its properties, and (2) require any
          consent or approval of any governmental authority or other person;

     (d)  each Party will to the best of its knowledge without undertaking a
          special investigation, disclose to the other Party any material
          adverse proceedings, claims or actions that arise that would
          materially interfere with that party's performance of its obligations
          under this Agreement; and

     (e)  each Party's employees have executed or will execute agreements
          whereby all right, title and interest in any technology and
          invention(s) will be assigned to their respective employers.

                                        22

<PAGE>   23
8.   INDEMNIFICATION.

     8.1. PERKIN-ELMER Indemnification of ACLARA. PERKIN-ELMER will defend,
          indemnify and hold harmless ACLARA, Affiliates of ACLARA, and their
          respective directors, officers, shareholders in their capacity as
          shareholders, agents and employees, from and against any and all loss,
          damage, liability, or expenses (including attorney's fees) resulting
          from claims, demands, costs or judgments which may be made or
          instituted against any of them by a third party arising out of (1) the
          untruth, inaccuracy, breach, or nonfulfillment of any representation
          or warranty or any covenant or agreement of PERKIN-ELMER contained in
          or made pursuant to this Agreement or (2) the manufacture,
          distribution, sale or other disposition by or through PERKIN-ELMER or
          its Affiliates of Collaboration Product or part thereof.
          PERKIN-ELMER's obligation to defend, indemnify and hold harmless will
          include claims, demands, or judgments, whether for money damages or
          equitable relief by reason of alleged personal injury (including
          death) to any person or alleged property damage, provided, however,
          the indemnity will not extend to any claims against ACLARA to the
          extent resulting from (i) the negligence or willful misconduct of
          ACLARA, (ii) a claim of patent infringement, or (iii) where such
          claims result from a modification of Collaboration Product by ACLARA
          which was not approved by PERKIN-ELMER. PERKIN-ELMER will have the
          exclusive right to control the defense of any action which is to be
          indemnified in whole by PERKIN-ELMER hereunder, including the right to
          select counsel acceptable to ACLARA to defend ACLARA and to settle
          any claim, provided that, without the written consent of ACLARA (which
          will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), PERKIN-ELMER will not
          agree to settle any claim against ACLARA to the extent such claim has
          a material adverse effect on ACLARA. The provisions of this Section
          8.1 will survive and remain in full force and effect after any
          termination, expiration or cancellation of this Agreement and
          PERKIN-ELMER'S obligation hereunder will apply whether or not such
          claims are rightfully brought.

     8.2. ACLARA Indemnification of PERKIN-ELMER. ACLARA will defend, indemnify
          and hold harmless PERKIN-ELMER, Affiliates of PERKIN-ELMER and their
          respective directors, officers, shareholders in their capacity as
          shareholders, agents and employees, from and against any and all loss,
          damage, liability, or expenses (including attorney's fees) resulting
          from claims, demands, or judgments which may be made or instituted
          against any of them by a third party arising out of (1) the untruth,
          inaccuracy, breach, or nonfulfillment of any representation or
          warranty or any covenant or agreement of ACLARA contained in or made
          pursuant to this Agreement or (2) the manufacture by or through
          ACLARA or its Affiliates of any Collaboration Product or part
          thereof. ACLARA'S

                                       23
<PAGE>   24
            obligation to defend, indemnify and hold harmless will include
            claims, demands, or judgments, whether for money damages or
            equitable relief by reason of alleged personal injury (including
            death) to any person or alleged property damage, provided, however,
            the indemnity will not extend to any claims against PERKIN-ELMER
            that results (i) from the negligence or willful misconduct of
            PERKIN-ELMER, or (ii) a claim of patent infringement, or (iii) where
            such claims result from a modification of Collaboration Product by
            PERKIN-ELMER which was not approved by ACLARA. ACLARA will have the
            exclusive right to control the defense of any action which is to be
            indemnified in whole by ACLARA hereunder, including the right to
            select counsel acceptable to PERKIN-ELMER to defend PERKIN-ELMER and
            to settle any claim, provided that, with the written consent of
            PERKIN-ELMER (which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),
            ACLARA will not agree to settle any claim against PERKIN-ELMER to
            the extent such claim has a material adverse effect on PERKIN-ELMER.
            The provisions of this Section 8.2 will survive and remain in full
            force and effect after any termination, expiration or cancellation
            of this Agreement and ACLARA's obligations hereunder will apply
            whether or not such claims are rightfully brought.

      8.3.  Notice; Choice of Attorney. A Party that intends to claim
            indemnification under this Section 8 (the "indemnitee") will
            promptly notify the other Party (the "Indemnitor") of any loss,
            claim, damage, liability, action, expenses (including attorney's
            fees), claims, demands, or judgments in respect of which the
            Indemnitee intends to claim such indemnification, and the
            Indemnitor, after it determines that indemnification is required of
            it, will assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
            satisfactory to the Parties; provided, however, that an Indemnitee
            will have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and
            expenses to be paid by the Indemnitor if Indemnitor does not assume
            the defense; or, if representation of such Indemnitee by the counsel
            retained by the Indemnitor would be inappropriate due to actual or
            potential differing interests between such Indemnitee and any other
            Party represented by such counsel in such proceedings. The failure
            to deliver notice to the Indemnitor within a reasonable time after
            the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability
            to defend such action, will relieve such Indemnitor of any liability
            to the Indemnitee under this Section 8, but the omission to deliver
            notice to the Indemnitor will not relieve it of any liability that
            it may have to any Indemnitee otherwise than under this Section 8.

      8.4.  Consent Required. The indemnity agreement in this Section 8 will not
            apply to amounts paid in settlement of any loss, claim, damage,
            liability or action if such settlement is effected without the
            consent of the Indemnitor, which consent will not be unreasonably
            withheld or delayed.

                                       24
<PAGE>   25
     8.5. Cooperation. The Indemnitee under this Section 8, its employees and
          agents, will cooperate fully with the Indemnitor and its legal
          representatives in the investigations of any action, claim or
          liability covered by this indemnification. In the event that each
          Party claims indemnity from the other and one Party is finally held
          liable to indemnify the other, the Indemnitor will additionally be
          liable to pay the reasonable legal costs and attorneys' fees incurred
          by the Indemnitee in establishing its claim for indemnity.

9.   TERM AND TERMINATION

     9.1  Term. Unless terminated earlier as provided herein, this Agreement
          will commence on the Effective Date and will remain in full force
          until the expiration of the last to expire Subject Patent.

     9.2. Termination.

          9.2.1.    This Agreement may be terminated without cause by mutual
                    written agreement of the Parties, effective as of the time
                    specified in such written agreement.

          9.2.2.    This Agreement may be terminated by either Party.

                    (a)  in the event the other Party will file in any court or
                         agency pursuant to any statute or regulation of any
                         state or country, a petition in bankruptcy or
                         insolvency or for reorganization or for the appointment
                         of a receiver or trustee of the other Party or of its
                         assets, or if the other Party proposes a written
                         agreement of composition or extension of its debts, or
                         if the other Party will be served with an involuntary
                         petition against it, filed in any insolvency
                         proceeding, and such petition will not be dismissed
                         within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof, or if
                         the other Party will propose or be a Party to any
                         dissolution or liquidation, or if the other Party will
                         make an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

                    (b)  upon any material breach of this Agreement by the other
                         Party; provided, however, that the Party alleging such
                         breach must first give the other Party written notice
                         thereof, which notice must state the nature of the
                         breach in reasonable detail and the Party receiving
                         such notice must have failed to cure such alleged
                         breach within sixty (60) days after receipt of such
                         notice.

                                       25
<PAGE>   26
     9.3  Survival of Obligations. Upon any termination of this Agreement, by
          expiration of the term or otherwise, neither Party will be relieved of
          any obligations incurred prior to such termination. Despite any
          termination of this Agreement, the obligations of the Parties under
          Sections 3, 5, 6, 8, 9.3, 10 and 11, as well as any other provisions
          which by their nature are intended to survive any such termination,
          will survive and continue to be enforceable. With respect to the
          survival of licenses granted in Section 5.4, if termination of this
          Agreement is a result of a material breach of this Agreement by a
          Party under Section 9.2.2.(b), such licenses will survive the
          termination of this Agreement only to the extent that such licenses
          relate to Collaboration Product that have been commercialized; except
          that, if termination of this Agreement is a result of a Party's
          failure to pay royalties under Section 5.4.7, or failure to payment of
          a share of Residual net sales under Section 3.5, such licenses will
          not survive termination of this Agreement.

10.  OBSERVATION RIGHTS

     So long as PERKIN-ELMER (or an affiliate of PERKIN-ELMER) continues to hold
at lease fifty percent 50% of the total number of shares of Series E Stock
originally purchased by PERKIN-ELMER pursuant to the Series E Redeemable
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 26, 1998, and shares of Series G
Stock pursuant to the Equity Agreement entered into in conjunction with this
Agreement, PERKIN-ELMER will be entitled to appoint a representative (the
"PERKIN-ELMER Representative") to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors
of ACLARA, and ACLARA will provide PERKIN-ELMER with copies of all notices of
such meetings and all other written materials provided to the Directors of
ACLARA at the same time as such notices and written materials are provided to
the Directors of ACLARA. PERKIN-ELMER acknowledges and agrees that ACLARA's
management will have the right to exclude the PERKIN-ELMER Representative from
all or portions of meetings of the Board of Directors, or omit to provide the
PERKIN-ELMER Representative with certain information, if ACLARA's management
believes it is necessary in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, or
fulfill ACLARA's obligations with respect to confidential or proprietary
information of third parties, or if such meeting or information involves matters
concerning ACLARA's relationship or prospective relationship with PERKIN-ELMER
or its affiliates or competitors of PERKIN-ELMER or its affiliates, or other
situations where a director would customarily not participate in a meeting or be
provided such information. In addition, PERKIN-ELMER and the PERKIN-ELMER
Representative will maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained
through the PERKIN-ELMER Representative's position, except to the extent that
(1) such information is already in PERKIN-ELMER's possession, (2) such
information becomes public knowledge other than as a result of PERKIN-ELMER's
actions or inactions, (3) PERKIN-ELMER rightfully obtains such information
subsequently from a third

                                       26
<PAGE>   27
     party, (4) PERKIN-ELMER develops such information independently and without
     use of the information provided by ACLARA, or (5) such information is
     approved in writing for release by ACLARA.

11.  MISCELLANEOUS

     11.1 Force Majeure. If the performance of any part of this Agreement by
          either Party, or of any obligation under this Agreement, is prevented,
          restricted, interfered with or delayed by reason of any cause beyond
          the reasonable control of the Party liable to perform, unless
          conclusive evidence to the contrary is provided, the Party so affected
          will, upon giving written notice to the other Party, be excused from
          such performance to the extent of such prevention, restriction,
          interference or delay; provided, however, the affected Party will use
          its reasonable best efforts to avoid or remove such causes of
          non-performance and will continue performance with the utmost dispatch
          whenever such causes are removed. When such circumstances arise, the
          Parties will discuss what, if any, modification of the terms of this
          Agreement may be required in order to arrive at an equitable solution.

     11.2 Governing Law. This Agreement will be deemed to have been made in the
          State of California and its form, execution, validity, construction
          and effect will be determined in accordance with the laws of the State
          of California.

     11.3 Books and Records. Each Party will keep and maintain proper and
          complete records and books of account sufficient in detail to enable
          the verification of Actual Profit, Manufacturing Cost and Net Sales.
          Such books and records shall be retained for a period of at least six
          (6) years. Each Party will have the right from time to time (not to
          exceed once during each calendar year) during normal business hours
          and upon reasonable notice to inspect in confidence, or have an agent,
          accountant or other representative inspect in confidence, such books
          and records. The Party initiating such inspection will bear the costs
          thereof unless the inspection reveals a discrepancy unfavorable to
          that Party of at least ten percent (10%), in which case the other
          Party will pay the costs of such inspection; provided, however, if the
          amount of such discrepancy is greater than or equal to Fifty Thousand
          Dollars ($50,000), the other Party will pay the costs of such
          inspection regardless of percentage. If such inspection results in a
          final determination that amounts have been overstated or understated,
          the applicable amount will be refunded or paid promptly by the
          appropriate Party.

     11.4 Payments. All payments under this Agreement will be made in United
          States dollars by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the
          party receiving the payment, without deduction of taxes charges and
          any other

                                       27
<PAGE>   28
     duties that may be imposed. For converting payments due on sales made in
     currencies other than United States dollars into United States dollars,
     such payments will be converted at the closing commercial sell rate of
     exchange for United States dollars and each currency involved as quoted by
     Citibank, N.A., or any successor thereto, in New York on the last business
     day of the relevant period.

11.5 Severability. In the event any portion of this Agreement will be held
     illegal, void or ineffective, the remaining portions hereof will be
     interpreted to maintain the intent of the Parties. If any of the terms or
     provisions of this Agreement are in conflict with any applicable statute or
     rule of law, then such terms or provisions will be deemed inoperative to
     the extent that they may conflict therewith and will be deemed to be
     modified to conform with such statute or rule of law.

11.6 Entire Agreement. The Agreement and the Equity Agreement constitute the
     sole agreements between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof
     and supersede all previous writings and understandings. This Section 11.6
     does not relate to or affect the previously executed Collaboration
     Agreement between the Parties dated April 25, 1998, or the previously
     executed Series E Redeemable Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement between the
     Parties dated March 26, 1998. Confidential disclosures made pursuant to
     previously executed Confidentiality Agreements between ACLARA and
     PERKIN-ELMER will remain subject to the terms of those Confidentiality
     Agreements. No terms or provisions of this Agreement will be varied or
     modified by any prior or subsequent statement, conduct or act of either of
     the Parties, except that the Parties may amend this Agreement by written
     instruments specifically referring to and executed in the same manner as
     this Agreement.

11.7 Assignment. This Agreement and the licenses herein granted will be binding
     upon and inure to the benefit of the successors in interest of the
     respective Parties. Neither Party has the power to assign this Agreement
     nor any interest hereunder without the written consent of the other Party;
     provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement or any of
     its rights or obligations to any Affiliate or to any third party with which
     it may merge or consolidate, or to which it may transfer all or
     substantially all of its assets to which this Agreement relates, without
     obtaining the consent of the other Party, subject to the other Party
     assuming all liabilities and obligations under the Agreement.

11.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each such counterpart will be deemed an original instrument,
but all such counterparts together will constitute but one agreement.

                                       28
<PAGE>   29
            11.9. Notices. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement
                  will be sent by air mail, postage pre-paid, or Federal
                  Express, to the following addresses of the Parties:

                  If to ACLARA:
                  ACLARA BioSciences,       with copy to  ACLARA BioSciences,
                  Inc.                                    Inc.
                  3906 Trust Way                          3906 Trust Way
                  Hayward, CA 94545-3716                  Hayward, CA 94545-3716
                  Attn.: President                        Attn.: General Counsel

                  If to PERKIN-ELMER:
                  The PERKIN-ELMER        with copy to  The PERKIN-ELMER
                  Corp.                                 Corp.
                  850 Lincoln Centre Drive              850 Lincoln Centre Drive
                  Foster City, CA 94404                 Foster City, CA 94404
                  Attn.: Michael Albin                  Attn: Legal Department
                                                                 and
                                                        PerSeptive Biosystems
                                                        500 Old Connecticut Path
                                                        Framingham, MA 04701
                                                        Attn: Legal Department

[Signature Page Follows]

                                       29
<PAGE>   30
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties, through their authorized officers, have
executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

ACLARA BIOSCIENCES, INC.                  THE PERKIN-ELMER CORPORATION,
                                          THROUGH ITS PE BIOSYSTEMS
                                          DIVISION

By: /s/ JOSEPH M. LIMBER                  By: /s/ MICHAEL HUNKAPILLER
   ----------------------------------         ---------------------------------

Name: Joseph M. Limber                    Name:  Michael Hunkapiller
------------------------------                  -------------------------------

Title: President, CEO                     Title:  Executive Vice President
      -------------------------------           -------------------------------

Date:  March 19, 1999                      Date:   3/19/99
      -------------------------------           -------------------------------

                                       30
<PAGE>   31
                                   EXHIBIT 1

                                   WORK PLAN

[*]

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       1

<PAGE>   32
[*]

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       2
<PAGE>   33
[*]

[*]  CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
     BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED.

                                       3

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