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<TITLE>Epoch Biosciences, Inc.</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As Filed With the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;27, 2004



<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333- _____



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington. D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></DIV>



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>EPOCH BIOSCIENCES, INC.</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</I></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Delaware<BR>
<I>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">91-1311592<BR>
<I>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</I></TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">21720 23rd Drive, S.E., Suite&nbsp;150, Bothell, Washington 98021<BR>
<I>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</I>



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<P>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>(Full title of the plan)</I></DIV>



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">William G. Gerber, M.D., Chief Executive Officer<BR>
<I>(Name and address of agent for service)</I>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(425)&nbsp;482-5555<BR>
<I>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</I>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Copy to:<BR>
Lawrence B. Cohn, Esq.<BR>
Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth, A Professional Corporation<BR>
660 Newport Center Drive, Suite&nbsp;1600, Newport Beach, California 92660



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="26%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount To Be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount Of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>To Be Registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Share (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Price (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock, $.01
par value
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">843,596 shares (1)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">1.61</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">1,358,190</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">173</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Includes 500,000 additional shares authorized to be issued under the 2003
Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to the terms thereof and 343,596 shares
formerly granted or offered under Epoch&#146;s Incentive Stock Option,
Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan&#151;1993 or
Epoch&#146;s Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted
Stock Purchase Plan&#151;1991 that became available for grant or issuance under
the 2003 Plan following July&nbsp;29, 2003 pursuant to the terms of the 2003
Stock Incentive Plan, when such shares could no longer under any
circumstances be exercised or were reacquired by Epoch.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, in
accordance with Rule&nbsp;457(h), on the basis of the price of securities of
the same class, as determined in accordance with Rule&nbsp;457(c), using the
average of the high and low prices reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market
for the Common stock on August&nbsp;25, 2004 which was $1.61 per share.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#005">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a01537exv4w1.htm">EXHIBIT 4.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a01537exv5w1.htm">EXHIBIT 5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a01537exv23w2.htm">EXHIBIT 23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">EXPLANATORY NOTE



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement has been prepared in accordance with General
Instruction E to Form S-8, as amended, and relates to (i)&nbsp;an increase of
500,000 shares of common stock of Epoch Biosciences, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;),
reserved under the Registrant&#146;s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, authorized pursuant
to an &#147;evergreen&#148; clause increase for the 2004 fiscal year and (ii)&nbsp;an
additional 343,596 shares of common stock formerly granted or offered under
Epoch&#146;s Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Purchase Plan&#151;1993 or Epoch&#146;s Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option
and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan&#151;1991 that became available for grant or
issuance under the 2003 Plan following July&nbsp;29, 2003 pursuant to the terms of
the 2003 Plan, when such shares could no longer under any circumstances be
exercised.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Item&nbsp;3. <U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</U>.



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The contents of the Registrant&#146;s previously filed Registration statement
on Form S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-112141), relating to shares issuable under
the Registrant&#146;s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, are hereby incorporated by
reference.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Item&nbsp;8. <U>Exhibits</U>.


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">2003 Stock Incentive Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Bothell, State of Washington, on the 19th day of
August, 2004.


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3">EPOCH BIOSCIENCES, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">William G. Gerber, M.D.&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>




<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned directors and officers of Epoch Biosciences, Inc., do
hereby make, constitute and appoint William G. Gerber, M.D. and Bert W. Hogue,
and each of them acting individually, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with power to act without any other and with full power of
substitution, to do any and all acts and things in our name and behalf in our
capacities as directors and officers, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, or any related
Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Frederick B. Craves, Ph.D.<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Frederick B. Craves, Ph.D.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board of Directors
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
William G. Gerber, M.D.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Richard L. Dunning<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Richard L. Dunning</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Michael Y. Lucero<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Michael Y. Lucero</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ R. Janet Whitmore<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
R. Janet Whitmore</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Sanford S. Zweifach<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Sanford S. Zweifach</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Bert W. Hogue<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Bert W. Hogue</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 19, 2004</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Number</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">2003 Stock Incentive Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>

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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a01537sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 23262}]
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Epoch Biosciences, Inc.
Table of Contents
As Filed With the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2004
Registration No. 333- _____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington. D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
EPOCH BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
91-1311592
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
21720 23rd Drive, S.E., Suite 150, Bothell, Washington 98021
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
William G. Gerber, M.D., Chief Executive Officer
(Name and address of agent for service)
(425) 482-5555
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Lawrence B. Cohn, Esq.
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, A Professional Corporation
660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1600, Newport Beach, California 92660
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities
Amount To Be
Offering Price
Aggregate Offering
Amount Of
To Be Registered
Registered
Per Share (2)
Price (2)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $.01
par value
843,596 shares (1)
$
1.61
$
1,358,190
$
173
(1)
Includes 500,000 additional shares authorized to be issued under the 2003
Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to the terms thereof and 343,596 shares
formerly granted or offered under Epoch's Incentive Stock Option,
Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan—1993 or
Epoch's Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted
Stock Purchase Plan—1991 that became available for grant or issuance under
the 2003 Plan following July 29, 2003 pursuant to the terms of the 2003
Stock Incentive Plan, when such shares could no longer under any
circumstances be exercised or were reacquired by Epoch.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, in
accordance with Rule 457(h), on the basis of the price of securities of
the same class, as determined in accordance with Rule 457(c), using the
average of the high and low prices reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market
for the Common stock on August 25, 2004 which was $1.61 per share.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 8. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 4.1
EXHIBIT 5.1
EXHIBIT 23.2
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement has been prepared in accordance with General
Instruction E to Form S-8, as amended, and relates to (i) an increase of
500,000 shares of common stock of Epoch Biosciences, Inc. (the "Registrant"),
reserved under the Registrant's 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, authorized pursuant
to an "evergreen" clause increase for the 2004 fiscal year and (ii) an
additional 343,596 shares of common stock formerly granted or offered under
Epoch's Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Purchase Plan—1993 or Epoch's Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option
and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan—1991 that became available for grant or
issuance under the 2003 Plan following July 29, 2003 pursuant to the terms of
the 2003 Plan, when such shares could no longer under any circumstances be
exercised.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
The contents of the Registrant's previously filed Registration statement
on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-112141), relating to shares issuable under
the Registrant's 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, are hereby incorporated by
reference.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
4.1
2003 Stock Incentive Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.
23.1
Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement).
2
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Bothell, State of Washington, on the 19th day of
August, 2004.
EPOCH BIOSCIENCES, INC.
By:
/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.
William G. Gerber, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and officers of Epoch Biosciences, Inc., do
hereby make, constitute and appoint William G. Gerber, M.D. and Bert W. Hogue,
and each of them acting individually, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with power to act without any other and with full power of
substitution, to do any and all acts and things in our name and behalf in our
capacities as directors and officers, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, or any related
Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Frederick B. Craves, Ph.D.
Frederick B. Craves, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
August 19, 2004
/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.
William G. Gerber, M.D.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
August 19, 2004
/s/ Richard L. Dunning
Richard L. Dunning
Director
August 19, 2004
/s/ Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.
Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.
Director
August 19, 2004
/s/ Michael Y. Lucero
Michael Y. Lucero
Director
August 19, 2004
/s/ R. Janet Whitmore
R. Janet Whitmore
Director
August 19, 2004
/s/ Sanford S. Zweifach
Sanford S. Zweifach
Director
August 19, 2004
/s/ Bert W. Hogue
Bert W. Hogue
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
August 19, 2004
3
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
2003 Stock Incentive Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.
23.1
Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement).
4