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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>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;23, 2004
</FONT>


<P align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration No.&nbsp;333- _____
</FONT>


<P align="center"><HR size="1" noshade>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington. D.C. 20549
</FONT>


<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>FORM S-8<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</FONT>


<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EPOCH BIOSCIENCES, INC.</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><I>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</I>
</FONT>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Delaware</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
91-1311592</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><I>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</I></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<I>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</I></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">21720 23rd Drive, S.E., Suite&nbsp;150, Bothell, Washington 98021
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><I>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</I>
</FONT>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><I>(Full title of the plan)</I>
</FONT>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">William G. Gerber, M.D., Chief Executive Officer
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><I>(Name and address of agent for service)</I>
</FONT>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">(425)&nbsp;482-5555
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><I>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</I>
</FONT>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copy to:<BR>
C. Craig Carlson, Esq.<BR>
Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth, A Professional Corporation<BR>
660 Newport Center Drive, Suite&nbsp;1600, Newport Beach, California 92660
</FONT>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of Securities</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount To Be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Offering Price Per</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount Of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>To Be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Share (2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Price (2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Common Stock,<BR>
$.01 par value</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
1,249,531<BR>
shares (1)(2)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">2.26<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">2,823,941<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">230<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">Shares issuable pursuant to the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">Includes 249,531 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 May&nbsp;22, 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.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">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 January&nbsp;20, 2004 which was $2.26 per share.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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

<P><CENTER>
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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II 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;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a95765exv4w1.htm">EXHIBIT 4.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a95765exv5w1.htm">EXHIBIT 5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a95765exv23w2.htm">EXHIBIT 23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This registration statement relates to the Epoch Biosciences, Inc.
(&#147;Epoch&#148; or the &#147;Registrant&#148;) 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the &#147;2003 Plan&#148;).
Epoch&#146;s Board of Directors approved the 2003 Plan on February&nbsp;20, 2003, subject
to stockholder approval, and the stockholders of Epoch approved the 2003 Plan
at Epoch&#146;s 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May&nbsp;22, 2003. Initially, an
aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock are available for grant or award
under the 2003 Plan, and 249,531 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 May&nbsp;22, 2003 pursuant to the terms of
the 2003 Plan, when such shares could no longer under any circumstances be
exercised. All 1,249,531 shares available under the 2003 Plan and registered
hereunder had previously been available under Epoch&#146;s Incentive Stock Option,
Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan-1993 or Epoch&#146;s
Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase
Plan-1991, both of which have terminated.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;3. <U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</U>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">There are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement the
following documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission:
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2002;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ended March&nbsp;31, 2003, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;9, 2003;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on June&nbsp;16, 2003;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ended June&nbsp;30, 2003, filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;8, 2003;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on September&nbsp;30, 2003;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on October&nbsp;14, 2003;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ended September&nbsp;30, 2003, filed with the Commission on November&nbsp;7, 2003;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All other reports filed by the Registrant 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 Annual Report referred to in
(a)&nbsp;above, except for information furnished under Item&nbsp;9 or Item&nbsp;12 of Form
8-K, which is not deemed filed and not incorporated by reference herein;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock that is contained in
the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under Section&nbsp;12 of
the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating that description;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or which deregisters all of such securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents, except as to any portion of any
future annual or quarterly report to stockholders or document that is not
deemed filed under such provisions. For the purposes of this registration
statement, any statement in a document incorporated by reference shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in
this registration statement modifies or supersedes
</FONT>



<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">a statement in such document. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this registration statement.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Description of Securities.
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;6. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Epoch&#146;s by-laws provide for indemnification of its directors and officers
to the fullest extent permitted by law. Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to Epoch&#146;s directors or
officers or controlling persons of Epoch pursuant to its certificate of
incorporation, as amended, the by-laws and the Delaware General Corporation
Law, Epoch has been informed that, in the SEC&#146;s opinion, this indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
certificate of incorporation may include a provision which eliminates or limits
the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability: (1)&nbsp;for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the company
or its stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3)&nbsp;under Section
174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, relating to prohibited dividends
or distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock, or (4)&nbsp;for any
transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.
Epoch&#146;s certificate of incorporation includes this kind of provision. As a
result of this provision, Epoch and its stockholders may be unable to obtain
monetary damages from a director for breach of his or her duty of care.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exemption from Registration Claimed.
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits.
</FONT>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
4.1<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">2003 Stock Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
5.1<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
23.1<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
23.2<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Consent of KPMG LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
24.1<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Undertakings.
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>



<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3
</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of this 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;
</FONT>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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>


<P align="left" style="margin-left:0%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) shall not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by these paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, 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>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act 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>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act 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
Securities 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 whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</FONT>



<P align="center"><FONT size="2">4
</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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 22nd day of
January, 2004.
</FONT>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><FONT size="2">EPOCH BIOSCIENCES, INC</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">William G. Gerber, M.D.<br>
Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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.
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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.
</FONT>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Frederick B. Craves, Ph.D.
<HR size="1" noshade>
Frederick B. Craves, Ph.D.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman of the Board of Directors
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.
<HR size="1" noshade>
William G. Gerber, M.D.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Richard L. Dunning
<HR size="1" noshade>
Richard L. Dunning</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.
<HR size="1" noshade>
Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Michael Y. Lucero
<HR size="1" noshade>
Michael Y. Lucero</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Riccardo Pigliucci
<HR size="1" noshade>
Riccardo Pigliucci</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Sanford S. Zweifach
<HR size="1" noshade>
Sanford S. Zweifach</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
 Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Bert W. Hogue
<HR size="1" noshade>
Bert W. Hogue</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">January 22, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center"><FONT size="2">5
</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="left">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" width="15%" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
2003 Stock Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson &#038; Rauth (Included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of KPMG LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the
Registration Statement)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>




<P align="center"><FONT size="2">6
</FONT>


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Epoch Biosciences Inc
Table of Contents
As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 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
91-1311592
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(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:
C. Craig Carlson, 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 Per
Aggregate Offering
Amount Of
To Be Registered
Registered
Share (2)
Price (2)
Registration Fee
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
1,249,531
shares (1)(2)
$
2.26
$
2,823,941
$
230
(1)
Shares issuable pursuant to the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.
(2)
Includes 249,531 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 May 22, 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.
(3)
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 January 20, 2004 which was $2.26 per share.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 4.1
EXHIBIT 5.1
EXHIBIT 23.2
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This registration statement relates to the Epoch Biosciences, Inc.
("Epoch" or the "Registrant") 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2003 Plan").
Epoch's Board of Directors approved the 2003 Plan on February 20, 2003, subject
to stockholder approval, and the stockholders of Epoch approved the 2003 Plan
at Epoch's 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 22, 2003. Initially, an
aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock are available for grant or award
under the 2003 Plan, and 249,531 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 May 22, 2003 pursuant to the terms of
the 2003 Plan, when such shares could no longer under any circumstances be
exercised. All 1,249,531 shares available under the 2003 Plan and registered
hereunder had previously been available 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, both of which have terminated.
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
There are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement the
following documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission:
(a)    The Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002;
(b)    The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 2003, filed with the Commission on May 9, 2003;
(c)    The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on June 16, 2003;
(d)    The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ended June 30, 2003, filed with the Commission on August 8, 2003;
(e)    The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on September 30, 2003;
(f)    The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on October 14, 2003;
(g)    The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 2003, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2003;
(h)    All other reports filed by the Registrant 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 Annual Report referred to in
(a) above, except for information furnished under Item 9 or Item 12 of Form
8-K, which is not deemed filed and not incorporated by reference herein;
(i)    The description of the Registrant's common stock that is contained in
the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of
the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating that description;
(j)    All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or which deregisters all of such securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents, except as to any portion of any
future annual or quarterly report to stockholders or document that is not
deemed filed under such provisions. For the purposes of this registration
statement, any statement in a document incorporated by reference shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in
this registration statement modifies or supersedes
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a statement in such document. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this registration statement.
Item 4.    Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.    Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Epoch's by-laws provide for indemnification of its directors and officers
to the fullest extent permitted by law. Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to Epoch's directors or
officers or controlling persons of Epoch pursuant to its certificate of
incorporation, as amended, the by-laws and the Delaware General Corporation
Law, Epoch has been informed that, in the SEC's opinion, this indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
certificate of incorporation may include a provision which eliminates or limits
the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability: (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the company
or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section
174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, relating to prohibited dividends
or distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock, or (4) for any
transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.
Epoch's certificate of incorporation includes this kind of provision. As a
result of this provision, Epoch and its stockholders may be unable to obtain
monetary damages from a director for breach of his or her duty of care.
Item 7.    Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
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
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement)
Item 9.    Undertakings.
(a)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
3
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(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;
(ii)      To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of this 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;
(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 paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) shall not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by these paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, 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.
(b)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act 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.
(c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act 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
Securities 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 whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
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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 22nd day of
January, 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
January 22, 2004
/s/ William G. Gerber, M.D.
William G. Gerber, M.D.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
January 22, 2004
/s/ Richard L. Dunning
Richard L. Dunning
Director
January 22, 2004
/s/ Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.
Herbert L. Heyneker, Ph.D.
Director
January 22, 2004
/s/ Michael Y. Lucero
Michael Y. Lucero
Director
January 22, 2004
/s/ Riccardo Pigliucci
Riccardo Pigliucci
Director
January 22, 2004
/s/ Sanford S. Zweifach
Sanford S. Zweifach
Director
January 22, 2004
/s/ Bert W. Hogue
Bert W. Hogue
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
January 22, 2004
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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
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the
Registration Statement)
6