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<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B>As filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2004</B></font></td></tr></table>

<table width=600><tr><td align=right><font size=2>Registration No. 333-______ </font></td></tr></table>

<TABLE WIDTH=600><TR><TD>
<HR ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=100% SIZE=4 noshade>
<HR ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 noshade>
</TD></TR></TABLE>


<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td  align=center><font size=4><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
      <br>
      </B></font><font size=1><b>Washington, D.C. 20549</b></font><font size=4><B>
      </B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p>
<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=4><B>FORM S-8</B></font></td></tr></table>

<table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT  <BR>UNDER <BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td  align=center><font size=4><B>ABAXIS, INC. <br>
      </B></font><font size=1>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</font><font size=4><B>
      </B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p>
<p>
<table width=600>
  <tr align="center" valign="bottom">
    <td width="250"><font size=2><b>California</b></font></td>
    <td width="81">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="253"><font size=2> <b>77-0213001</b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="center" valign="top">
    <td width="250"><font size="1">(State or other jurisdiction of <br>
      incorporation or organization)</font></td>
    <td width="81">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="253"><font size=2><font size="1">(I.R.S. Employer <br>
      Identification No.)</font></font></td>
  </tr>
</table>

<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td  align=center><font size=2>3240 Whipple Road <BR>
      Union City, California 94587 <BR>
      (510) 675-6500 <br>
      </font><font size=1>(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
      including area code, of Registrant&#146;s principal executive offices)</font><font size=2>
      </font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p>
<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td  align=center><font size=2><B>Abaxis, Inc. 1998 <br>
      Stock Option Plan <br>
      </B></font><font size=1>(Full title of the plan)</font><font size=2><B>
      </B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p>
<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2>Clinton H. Severson  <BR>President,
Chief Executive Officer,  <BR>and Chairman of the Board  <BR>Abaxis, Inc.  <BR>3240 Whipple Road <BR>
Union City, California 94587  <BR>(510) 675-6500</font></td></tr></table>

<table width=600><tr>
    <td align=center><font size=1>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
      number, including area code, of agent for service)</font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td align=center><font size=1>This registration statement shall hereafter
      become effective in accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under <br>
      the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</font></td>
  </tr></table>

<br>
<table width=640 border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 >
  <tr align="center" valign="bottom">
    <td colspan="9"><font size=2><b>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</b> </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="center" valign="bottom">
    <td colspan="9">
      <hr size="2" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="center" valign="bottom">
    <td width="181"><b><font size=1>Title&nbsp;of Each Class of <br>
      Securities to be Registered(1) </font></b></td>
    <td colspan=2><b><font size=1>Amount to be <br>
      Registered(2) </font></b></td>
    <td colspan=2><b><font size=1>Proposed Maximum <br>
      Offering Price Per <br>
      Share (2)(3) </font></b></td>
    <td colspan=2><b><font size=1>Proposed Maximum <br>
      Aggregate Offering Price (3) </font></b></td>
    <td colspan=2 width="78"><b><font size=1>Amount of <br>
      Registration Fee </font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td align="left" colspan="9">
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td align="left" width="181"><font size=1><u>1998 Stock Option Plan</u> <br>
      <br>
      Common Stock (no par value) </font></td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center"><font size=1>500,000 shares </font></td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center"><font size=1>$18.01 </font></td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center"><font size=1>$9,005,000</font></td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center" width="78"><font size=1>$1,140.93 </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td align="left" colspan="9">
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td align="left" width="181">
      <p><b><font size="1">TOTAL </font></b>
    </td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center">
      <p align="CENTER"><b><font size="1">500,000 shares </font></b>
    </td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center">
      <p align="CENTER"><b><font size="1">$18.01 </font></b>
    </td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center">
      <p align="CENTER"><b><font size="1">$9,005,000 </font></b>
    </td>
    <td colspan=2 align="center" width="78">
      <p align="CENTER"><b><font size="1">$1,140.93 </font></b>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td align="left" colspan="9">
      <hr size="2" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
<table width=600><tr><td width=4% valign=top><font size="1">(1) </font></td><td width=2%><font size="1"></font></td><td width=94%><font size="1"> The
securities to be registered include options to acquire Common Stock.</font></td></tr></table>

<table width=600><tr><td width=4% valign=top><font size="1">(2) </font></td><td width=2%><font size="1"></font></td><td width=94%><font size="1"> Pursuant
to Rule 416(a), this registration statement also covers any  additional securities that
may be offered or issued in connection with any  stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction.</font></td></tr></table>

<table width=600><tr><td width=4% valign=top><font size="1">(3) </font></td><td width=2%><font size="1"></font></td><td width=94%><font size="1"> Estimated
solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the  registration fee under Rule 457 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The 1998 Stock Option Plan establishes a
purchase price equal to the fair  market value of the Company&#146;s Common Stock and,
therefore, the price for  purchase rights under this plan is based upon the average of
the high and  low prices of the Common Stock on February 9, 2004 as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market.</font></td></tr></table>


<p>&nbsp;
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;






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<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B>PART II</B></font></td></tr></table>


<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B><u>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT</u></B></font></td></tr></table>


<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp; <u>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</u></B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abaxis, Inc. (the
&#147;Company&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference in this registration statement the
following  documents:</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600>
<tr><td width=30>&nbsp;</td>
<td width=570><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)
The Company&#146;s latest amended annual report on Form 10-K/A  pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;),
containing audited financial statements  for the Company&#146;s fiscal year ended March 31,
2003 as filed with the  Commission on July 8, 2003 (File Number 000-19720).</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600>
<tr><td width=30>&nbsp;</td>
<td width=570><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)
All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a)  or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange  Act&#148;) since the end
of the fiscal year covered by the document referred to  in (a) above.</font></td></tr></table>


<p><table width=600>
<tr><td width=30>&nbsp;</td>
<td width=570><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)
The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the  Company&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 11, 1991  under the Exchange Act, including any
amendment or report filed for the  purpose of updating such description.</font></td></tr></table>


<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents
subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a  post-effective amendment to this registration
statement which indicates that all  securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities  remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this  registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such  documents.</font></td></tr></table>


<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp; <u>Description of Securities</u></B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The class of
securities to be offered is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp; <u>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</u></B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inapplicable.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp; <u>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</u></B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s
Articles of Incorporation provide that the liability of the  directors for monetary
damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent  permissible under California law.
Pursuant to California law, the Company&#146;s  directors shall not be liable for monetary
damages for breach of the directors&#146;  fiduciary duty of care to the Company and its
shareholders. However, this  provision does not eliminate the duty of care, and in
appropriate circumstances,  equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of
nonmonetary relief will  remain available under California law.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, each
director will continue to be subject to liability for  (i) acts or omissions that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing and  culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or
omissions that a director believes to be  contrary to the best interests of the Company
or its shareholders or that  involve the absence of good faith on the part of the
director, (iii) any  transaction from which a director derived an improper personal
benefit, (iv)  acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director&#146;s duty
to the  Company or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or
should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director&#146;s  duties, of a
risk of serious injury to the Company or its shareholders, (v) acts  or omissions that
constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to  an abdication of the
director&#146;s duty to the Company or its shareholders, (vi)  any transaction that
constitutes an illegal distribution or dividend under  California law, and (vii) any
transaction involving an unlawful conflict of  interest between the director and the
Company under California law. The  provision also does not affect a director&#146;s
responsibilities under any other  law, such as the federal securities laws or state or
federal environmental laws.</font></td></tr></table>



<p>&nbsp;
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;






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<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table>
<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, the
Company&#146;s Articles of Incorporation provide that the  Company is authorized to provide
indemnification of agents (as defined under  California law) for breach of duty to the
Company and its shareholders through  bylaw provisions or through agreements with the
agents, or through shareholder  resolutions, or otherwise, in excess of the
indemnification otherwise permitted  by California law, subject to the limits on such
excess indemnification set  forth in California law.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s
Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors  and executive officers and
may indemnify its other officers, employees and other  agents to the fullest extent
permitted by California law. Such indemnification  is intended to provide the full
flexibility available under California law and  may, under certain circumstances, include
indemnification for negligence, gross  negligence and certain types of recklessness.
Under California law and the  Company&#146;s Bylaws, the Company will be permitted to
indemnify its directors,  executive officers, officers, employees and other agents,
within the limits  established by law and public policy, pursuant to an express contract,
bylaw  provision, shareholder vote or otherwise, any or all of which could provide
indemnification rights broader than those expressly available under California  law.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company is
also empowered under its Bylaws to enter into  indemnification agreements with its
directors and officers and to purchase  insurance on behalf of any person whom it is
required or permitted to indemnify.  The Company has entered into agreements with its
directors and certain of its  executive officers that require the Company to indemnify
such persons against  expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually
and  reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in connection  with
any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such person may  be made a
party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or  an executive
officer of the Company or any of its affiliated enterprises,  provided such person acted
in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Company and, with  respect to any criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his  conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements
also set forth certain  procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for
indemnification  thereunder.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 317 of the
California Corporations Code makes provisions for the  indemnification of officers,
directors and other corporate agents in terms  sufficiently broad to indemnify such
persons, under certain circumstances, for  liabilities (including reimbursement of
expenses incurred) arising under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;). Section 317 also  provides that the indemnification provided
by this section is not exclusive to  the extent additional rights are authorized in a
corporation&#146;s articles of  incorporation.</font></td></tr></table>


<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2><B>Item 7. &nbsp;<u>Exemption From Registration Claimed</u></B></font></td>
  </tr></table>


<br>
<table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inapplicable.</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<br>
<table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td><font size=2><b>Item 8. &nbsp;<font size="2"><u>Exhibits</u></font></b></font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<br>
<table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Exhibit Index. </font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<br>
<table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2><B>Item 9. &nbsp;<u>Undertakings</u></B></font></td>
  </tr></table>

<P>
<table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width=10% valign=top>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=90% valign="top" colspan="2"><font size="2">The undersigned registrant
      hereby undertakes:</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>

<P><table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width=10% valign=top>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=10% valign="top"><font size="2">1. </font></td><td width=80%><font size="2"> To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being  made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration  statement:</font></td></tr></table>

<P><table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width=10% valign=top>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=10%><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width=10% valign="top"><font size="2">i. </font></td>
    <td width=70%><font size="2">To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of  the Securities Act of 1933;</font></td></tr></table>

<P><table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width=10% valign=top>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=10%><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width=10% valign="top"><font size="2">ii. </font></td>
    <td width=70%><font size="2"> To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of  the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)  which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the  information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of  securities
offered would not exceed that which </font></td></tr></table>





<p>&nbsp;
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;






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<P><table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width=10% valign=top>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=10%><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width=10% valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=70%><font size="2">was
registered) and any deviation from  the low or  high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the  form of  prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the  aggregate, the  changes in volume and price represent
no more than a 20% change in the  maximum aggregate  offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the  effective registration
statement; and</font></td></tr></table>

<P><table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width=10% valign=top>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width=10%><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width=10% valign="top"><font size="2">iii. </font></td>
    <td width=70%><font size="2"> To
include any material information with respect to  the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in  the registration statement or any material change to  such information in
the registration statement.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr>
    <td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided,
      however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) above
      do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
      amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by
      the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
      statement.</font></td>
  </tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. That, for the
purpose of determining any liability under the  Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be  a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the  offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona  fide offering thereof.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. To remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment  any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of  the offering.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned
registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of  determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the  registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where
applicable, each filing of an  employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to section
15(d) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement  relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities  at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities  Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of  the registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the  registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange  Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act  and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the registrant  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter  has
been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction the
question of whether such indemnification by it is against  public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final  adjudication of such issue.</font></td></tr></table>



<p>&nbsp;
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;





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<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B>SIGNATURES</B></font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&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 Union City, State of California on
February 13, 2004.</font></td></tr></table>

<p>
<table width=600>
  <tr>
    <td width="268">&nbsp;</td>
    <td colspan="2"><font size=2><b>ABAXIS, INC.</b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="268">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="25">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="291">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="268">&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="25" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2>By:</font></td>
    <td width="291" align="left" valign="bottom"><font size=2>/s/ Clinton H. Severson</font>
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="268">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="25">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="291" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2>Clinton H. Severson
      <br>
      President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board </font></td>
  </tr>
</table>



<p>&nbsp;
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;







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<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS
BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature  appears below constitutes and
appoints Clinton H. Severson and Alberto R. Santa  Ines, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,  with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name,  place and stead, in any and all capacities, to
sign any and all amendments  (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement on Form  S-8, and to file the same, with all 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 and necessary to be done  in
connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or  could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said  attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
either of them, or their or his substitute or  substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.</font></td></tr></table>

<p><table width=600><tr><td><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this  Registration Statement has been signed
by the following persons in the  capacities indicated on February 13, 2004:</font></td></tr></table>


<br>
<table cellspacing=0 border=0 cellpadding=0 width=600>
  <tr align="center" valign="bottom">
    <td width="232"> <b><font size=2>Name </font></b>
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <b><font size=2>Title </font></b>
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Clinton H. Severson <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Clinton H. Severson</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman
      of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Alberto Santa Ines <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Alberto Santa Ines</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
      Officer)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Richard Bastiani <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Richard Bastiani, Ph.D.</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Brenton G.A. Hanlon <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Brenton G.A. Hanlon</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Henk Evenhuis <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Henk Evenhuis</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Prithipal Singh <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Prithipal Singh, Ph.D.</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="232"> <u></u> <font size=2><u> /s/ Ernest S. Tucker <br>
      </u></font><font size=2>Ernest S. Tucker III, M.D.</font></td>
    <td width="103">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="265"> <font size=2> Director</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p>&nbsp; </p>
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;






<!-- *************************************************************************** -->
<!-- MARKER PAGE="sheet: 7; page: 7" -->




<p><table width=600><tr><td  align=center><font size=2><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B></font></td></tr></table>


<br>
<table cellspacing=0 border=0 cellpadding=0 width=600>
  <tr valign="bottom" align="center">
    <td width="60"> <font size="2"><b> Exhibit <br>
      Number</b> </font>
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"><b> Description</b> </font>
      <hr size="1" noshade>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.1</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
      of the Company dated January 30, 1992 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1
      to the Company&#146; Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 filed with the Securities
      and Exchange Commission on September 19, 1994 (File No.&nbsp;33-83852) </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.2</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Amendment of Incorporation
      of the Company incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement
      on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September
      29, 1997 (File No. 333-36705)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.3</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Bylaws of the Company are incorporated by
      reference to an Exhibit&nbsp;to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on
      Form&nbsp;S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;11,
      1991 (File No.&nbsp;33-44326)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.4</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company&#146;s quarterly report
      on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February
      14, 1997 (File No. 000-19720)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.5</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company&#146;s quarterly report
      on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August
      14, 1997 (File No. 000-19720)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.6</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company&#146;s current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November
      25, 1998 (File No. 000-19720)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.7</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company&#146;s current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
      19, 2000 (File No. 000-19720)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.8</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Company&#146;s current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13,
      2002 (File No. 000-19720)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 4.9</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company&#146;s current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16,
      2003 (File No. 000-19720)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 5.1</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Opinion of Gray Cary Ware&nbsp;&amp; Freidenrich&nbsp;LLP.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 23.1</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Consent of Gray Cary Ware&nbsp;&amp; Freidenrich&nbsp;LLP
      (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 23.2</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Consent of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP, Independent
      Auditors.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="28">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="512">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top" align="left">
    <td align="center" width="60"> <font size="2"> 24</font></td>
    <td width="28"><font size="2"></font></td>
    <td width="512"> <font size="2"> Power of Attorney (contained in the signature
      page hereof).</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p>&nbsp; </p>
<table width=600><tr><td width=60 align=left><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td><td width=480 align=center><font size="2">
</font></td><td width=60 align=right><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;<hr size=5 noshade width=600 align=LEFT><p>&nbsp;


</body>
</html>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "e16919s_8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 38616}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ABAXIS INC", "cik": "0000881890", "assigned-sic": "2835", "irs-number": "770213001", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-112815", "film-number": "04598090"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3240 WHIPPLE", "street2": "ROAD", "city": "UNION CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94587", "phone": "(510) 675-6500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3240 WHIPPLE", "street2": "ROAD", "city": "UNION CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94587"}}
As filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2004
Registration No. 333-______
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ABAXIS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
California
77-0213001
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3240 Whipple Road
Union City, California 94587
(510) 675-6500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
      including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Abaxis, Inc. 1998
Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Clinton H. Severson
President,
Chief Executive Officer,
and Chairman of the Board
Abaxis, Inc.
3240 Whipple Road
Union City, California 94587
(510) 675-6500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
      number, including area code, of agent for service)
This registration statement shall hereafter
      become effective in accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered(1)
Amount to be
Registered(2)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (2)(3)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price (3)
Amount of
Registration Fee
1998 Stock Option Plan
Common Stock (no par value)
500,000 shares
$18.01
$9,005,000
$1,140.93
TOTAL
500,000 shares
$18.01
$9,005,000
$1,140.93
(1)
The
securities to be registered include options to acquire Common Stock.
(2)
Pursuant
to Rule 416(a), this registration statement also covers any  additional securities that
may be offered or issued in connection with any  stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction.
(3)
Estimated
solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the  registration fee under Rule 457 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The 1998 Stock Option Plan establishes a
purchase price equal to the fair  market value of the Company's Common Stock and,
therefore, the price for  purchase rights under this plan is based upon the average of
the high and  low prices of the Common Stock on February 9, 2004 as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Abaxis, Inc. (the
"Company") hereby incorporates by reference in this registration statement the
following  documents:
(a)
The Company's latest amended annual report on Form 10-K/A  pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
containing audited financial statements  for the Company's fiscal year ended March 31,
2003 as filed with the  Commission on July 8, 2003 (File Number 000-19720).
(b)
All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a)  or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act") since the end
of the fiscal year covered by the document referred to  in (a) above.
(c)
The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the  Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 11, 1991  under the Exchange Act, including any
amendment or report filed for the  purpose of updating such description.
All documents
subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a  post-effective amendment to this registration
statement which indicates that all  securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities  remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this  registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such  documents.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
The class of
securities to be offered is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Inapplicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Company's
Articles of Incorporation provide that the liability of the  directors for monetary
damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent  permissible under California law.
Pursuant to California law, the Company's  directors shall not be liable for monetary
damages for breach of the directors'  fiduciary duty of care to the Company and its
shareholders. However, this  provision does not eliminate the duty of care, and in
appropriate circumstances,  equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of
nonmonetary relief will  remain available under California law.
In addition, each
director will continue to be subject to liability for  (i) acts or omissions that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing and  culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or
omissions that a director believes to be  contrary to the best interests of the Company
or its shareholders or that  involve the absence of good faith on the part of the
director, (iii) any  transaction from which a director derived an improper personal
benefit, (iv)  acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty
to the  Company or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or
should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director's  duties, of a
risk of serious injury to the Company or its shareholders, (v) acts  or omissions that
constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to  an abdication of the
director's duty to the Company or its shareholders, (vi)  any transaction that
constitutes an illegal distribution or dividend under  California law, and (vii) any
transaction involving an unlawful conflict of  interest between the director and the
Company under California law. The  provision also does not affect a director's
responsibilities under any other  law, such as the federal securities laws or state or
federal environmental laws.
In addition, the
Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the  Company is authorized to provide
indemnification of agents (as defined under  California law) for breach of duty to the
Company and its shareholders through  bylaw provisions or through agreements with the
agents, or through shareholder  resolutions, or otherwise, in excess of the
indemnification otherwise permitted  by California law, subject to the limits on such
excess indemnification set  forth in California law.
The Company's
Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors  and executive officers and
may indemnify its other officers, employees and other  agents to the fullest extent
permitted by California law. Such indemnification  is intended to provide the full
flexibility available under California law and  may, under certain circumstances, include
indemnification for negligence, gross  negligence and certain types of recklessness.
Under California law and the  Company's Bylaws, the Company will be permitted to
indemnify its directors,  executive officers, officers, employees and other agents,
within the limits  established by law and public policy, pursuant to an express contract,
bylaw  provision, shareholder vote or otherwise, any or all of which could provide
indemnification rights broader than those expressly available under California  law.
The Company is
also empowered under its Bylaws to enter into  indemnification agreements with its
directors and officers and to purchase  insurance on behalf of any person whom it is
required or permitted to indemnify.  The Company has entered into agreements with its
directors and certain of its  executive officers that require the Company to indemnify
such persons against  expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually
and  reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in connection  with
any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such person may  be made a
party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or  an executive
officer of the Company or any of its affiliated enterprises,  provided such person acted
in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Company and, with  respect to any criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his  conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements
also set forth certain  procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for
indemnification  thereunder.
Section 317 of the
California Corporations Code makes provisions for the  indemnification of officers,
directors and other corporate agents in terms  sufficiently broad to indemnify such
persons, under certain circumstances, for  liabilities (including reimbursement of
expenses incurred) arising under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). Section 317 also  provides that the indemnification provided
by this section is not exclusive to  the extent additional rights are authorized in a
corporation's articles of  incorporation.
Item 7.
Exemption From Registration Claimed
Inapplicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
Item 9.
Undertakings
The undersigned registrant
      hereby undertakes:
1.
To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being  made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration  statement:
i.
To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of  the Securities Act of 1933;
ii.
To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of  the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)  which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the  information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of  securities
offered would not exceed that which
was
registered) and any deviation from  the low or  high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the  form of  prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the  aggregate, the  changes in volume and price represent
no more than a 20% change in the  maximum aggregate  offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the  effective registration
statement; and
iii.
To
include any material information with respect to  the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in  the registration statement or any material change to  such information in
the registration statement.
Provided,
      however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) above
      do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
      amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by
      the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
      statement.
2. That, for the
purpose of determining any liability under the  Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be  a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the  offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona  fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment  any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of  the offering.
The undersigned
registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of  determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the  registrant's annual report pursuant to
section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where
applicable, each filing of an  employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section
15(d) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement  relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities  at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities  Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of  the registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the  registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange  Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act  and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the registrant  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter  has
been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction the
question of whether such indemnification by it is against  public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final  adjudication of such issue.
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 Union City, State of California on
February 13, 2004.
ABAXIS, INC.
By:
/s/ Clinton H. Severson
Clinton H. Severson
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS
BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature  appears below constitutes and
appoints Clinton H. Severson and Alberto R. Santa  Ines, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,  with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name,  place and stead, in any and all capacities, to
sign any and all amendments  (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement on Form  S-8, and to file the same, with all 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 and necessary to be done  in
connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or  could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said  attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
either of them, or their 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, this  Registration Statement has been signed
by the following persons in the  capacities indicated on February 13, 2004:
Name
Title
/s/ Clinton H. Severson
Clinton H. Severson
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman
      of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Alberto Santa Ines
Alberto Santa Ines
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
      Officer)
/s/ Richard Bastiani
Richard Bastiani, Ph.D.
Director
/s/ Brenton G.A. Hanlon
Brenton G.A. Hanlon
Director
/s/ Henk Evenhuis
Henk Evenhuis
Director
/s/ Prithipal Singh
Prithipal Singh, Ph.D.
Director
/s/ Ernest S. Tucker
Ernest S. Tucker III, M.D.
Director
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
      of the Company dated January 30, 1992 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
      to the Company' Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities
      and Exchange Commission on September 19, 1994 (File No. 33-83852)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment of Incorporation
      of the Company incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
      on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September
      29, 1997 (File No. 333-36705)
4.3
Bylaws of the Company are incorporated by
      reference to an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on
      Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11,
      1991 (File No. 33-44326)
4.4
Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's quarterly report
      on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February
      14, 1997 (File No. 000-19720)
4.5
Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's quarterly report
      on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August
      14, 1997 (File No. 000-19720)
4.6
Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November
      25, 1998 (File No. 000-19720)
4.7
Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
      19, 2000 (File No. 000-19720)
4.8
Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Company's current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13,
      2002 (File No. 000-19720)
4.9
Certificate of Determination of the Company
      incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company's current report
      on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16,
      2003 (File No. 000-19720)
5.1
Opinion of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP.
23.1
Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
      (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent
      Auditors.
24
Power of Attorney (contained in the signature
      page hereof).