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  <TITLE>Current Report dated February 25, 2003</TITLE>
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  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>CURRENT REPORT
  </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) <U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;February 25, 2003&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>TheraSense, Inc. </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B><U>
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;000-33139&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>94-3267373</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>of Incorporation)</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Commission File Number)</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(IRS Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="3" NOWRAP WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>1360 South Loop Road, Alameda, California</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>94502</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="33%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
  </TABLE><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (510) 749-5400&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>______________________________________________________ </B></FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
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  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B><I>Item
  5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Events. </I></B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">On February 25, 2003, TheraSense, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) announced that its Board of Directors adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). The Plan, while not adopted in response to any specific effort to
  acquire control of the Company, is designed to enhance the ability of the Board to maximize stockholder value in the event of an acquisition attempt. Under the Plan each common stockholder of record at the close of business on March 14, 2003, will
  receive a dividend of one right for each share of Common Stock held. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of a new series of participating Preferred Stock at an initial purchase price of $100.00.
  If a person or group acquires 15.0% or more of the Company&#146;s outstanding Common Stock, holders of the rights (other than the person or group triggering their exercise) will be able to purchase, in exchange for the $100.00 exercise price, shares
  of the Company&#146;s Common Stock having twice the value of the exercise price. If, following an acquisition of 15.0% or more of the Company&#146;s Common Stock by a stockholder, the Company is involved in certain mergers or other business
  combinations, each right will entitle the holder to purchase, in exchange for the exercise price, common stock of the other party to such transaction having twice the value of the exercise price. The rights expire on February 25, 2013 unless earlier
  exchanged or redeemed. The Company&#146;s Board of Directors may extend the established expiration date of the rights. </FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">1 </FONT></P>
  
  
  <p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>SIGNATURE
  </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to the requirements of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><DIV
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right">
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  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="52%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">TheraSense, Inc.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD HEIGHT="32"></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="2%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">By:</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="52%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W. M<SMALL>ARK</SMALL> L<SMALL>ORTZ</SMALL></FONT></P><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
  ALIGN="left"></TD></TR>
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  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="52%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;W. Mark Lortz</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="52%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></P></TD></TR>
  </TABLE></DIV><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">February 25, 2003
  </FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "THERASENSE INC", "cik": "0001073695", "assigned-sic": "3841", "irs-number": "943267373", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-33139", "film-number": "03579848"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1360 S LOOP RD", "street2": "SUITE 2000", "city": "SAN FRANCISCO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94502", "phone": "5107495400"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1360 S LOOP RD", "city": "SAN FRANCISCO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94502"}}
text: Current Report dated February 25, 2003
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, DC 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
  February 25, 2003
  TheraSense, Inc.
  (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
  Delaware
  000-33139
  94-3267373
  (State or Other Jurisdiction
  of Incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)
  (IRS Employer
  Identification No.)
  1360 South Loop Road, Alameda, California
  94502
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  (510) 749-5400
  ______________________________________________________
  (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
  Item
  5.    Other Events.
  On February 25, 2003, TheraSense, Inc. (the "Company") announced that its Board of Directors adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan, while not adopted in response to any specific effort to
  acquire control of the Company, is designed to enhance the ability of the Board to maximize stockholder value in the event of an acquisition attempt. Under the Plan each common stockholder of record at the close of business on March 14, 2003, will
  receive a dividend of one right for each share of Common Stock held. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of a new series of participating Preferred Stock at an initial purchase price of $100.00.
  If a person or group acquires 15.0% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, holders of the rights (other than the person or group triggering their exercise) will be able to purchase, in exchange for the $100.00 exercise price, shares
  of the Company's Common Stock having twice the value of the exercise price. If, following an acquisition of 15.0% or more of the Company's Common Stock by a stockholder, the Company is involved in certain mergers or other business
  combinations, each right will entitle the holder to purchase, in exchange for the exercise price, common stock of the other party to such transaction having twice the value of the exercise price. The rights expire on February 25, 2013 unless earlier
  exchanged or redeemed. The Company's Board of Directors may extend the established expiration date of the rights.
  1
  SIGNATURE
  Pursuant to the requirements of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
  TheraSense, Inc.
  By:
  /s/    W. M
  ARK
  L
  ORTZ
  Name:  W. Mark Lortz
  Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
  February 25, 2003