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  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED
  STATES</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Date
  of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April&nbsp;28, 2008</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SYNTA PHARMACEUTICALS CORP.</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
  charter)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
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    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">001-33277</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">04-3508648</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other jurisdiction</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">of incorporation)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File Number)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Identification No.)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">45
  Hartwell Avenue</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Lexington,
  MA 02421</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal executive offices and
  zip code)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <b>(781) 274-8200</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:-.15pt;">(Former name or former address,
  if changed since last report.)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box
  below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
  filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425
  under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12
  under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant
  to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant
  to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </font></p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;padding:0in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\c900132\08-12879-1\task2901955\12879-1-ba.htm',USER='c900132',CD='Apr 29 18:55 2008' -->
  
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 5.02</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Departure
    of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
    Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(e)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; On April&nbsp;28, 2008, Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (&#147;Synta&#148;)
  entered into severance and change of control agreements (each an &#147;Agreement&#148;
  and together the &#147;Agreements&#148;) with each of its named executive officers, with
  the exception of its President and Chief Executive Officer, and its other key
  executive officers, reflecting terms approved by the Compensation Committee of
  the Board of Directors.&#160; The material
  terms of the severance and change of control agreements are further discussed
  below.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Severance
  and Change of Control Agreements with Synta&#146;s Senior Vice Presidents</font></i></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant
  to the terms of the Agreements entered into with Synta&#146;s Senior Vice
  Presidents, including its named executive officers James G. Barsoum, Ph.D.,
  Senior Vice President, Research; Eric W. Jacobson, M.D., Senior Vice President,
  Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer; and Keizo
  Koya, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Drug Development, in the event of a
  termination by Synta other than for Cause or in the event the officer
  terminates for Good Reason (as such capitalized terms are defined in the
  Agreements), Drs.&nbsp;Barsoum, Jacobson, and Koya are entitled to receive the
  following:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">continuation of salary at
  the officer&#146;s then-current base salary for a period of six months;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">acceleration of vesting of
  outstanding stock option awards that would have vested during the six month
  period following the officer&#146;s date of termination; and</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">continuation of health
  benefits for up to six months.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In
  the event that within one year following a Change of Control (as defined in the
  Agreements) the officer&#146;s employment is terminated other than for Cause or the
  officer terminates his employment for Good Reason, Drs.&nbsp;Barsoum, Jacobson,
  and Koya are entitled to receive the following:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">payment of an amount equal
  to 12 months of the officer&#146;s then-current base salary;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">payment of a separation
  bonus equal to the officer&#146;s target annual bonus for the year in which the
  termination occurs, prorated for the portion of the year in which the officer
  was employed;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">full acceleration of vesting
  of equity awards outstanding immediately prior to termination; and</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">continuation of health benefits for up to 12
  months.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Severance
  and Change of Control Agreements with Synta&#146;s Vice Presidents</font></i></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant
  to the terms of the Agreements entered into with Synta&#146;s Vice Presidents,
  including its named executive officer Keith Ehrlich,</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Vice President, Finance and Administration,
  and Chief Financial Officer, in the event of a termination by Synta other than
  for Cause or in the event Mr.&nbsp;Ehrlich terminates for Good Reason, Mr.&nbsp;Ehrlich
  is entitled to receive the following:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">continuation of salary at
  his then-current base salary for a period of three months;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">acceleration of vesting of
  outstanding stock option awards that would have vested during the three month
  period following Mr.&nbsp;Ehrlich&#146;s date of termination; and</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">continuation of health
  benefits for up to three months.</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\c900132\08-12879-1\task2901955\12879-1-ba.htm',USER='c900132',CD='Apr 29 18:55 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In
  the event that within one year following a Change of Control Mr.&nbsp;Ehrlich&#146;s
  employment is terminated other than for Cause or he terminates his employment
  for Good Reason, Mr.&nbsp;Ehrlich is entitled to the same payments and benefits
  as Drs.&nbsp;Barsoum, Jacobson, and Koya are entitled to under such
  circumstances and described above.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Receipt
  of any payments or benefits under the Agreements at the time of termination
  will be conditioned on the officer executing a written release of Synta from
  any and all claims arising in connection with his employment.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  foregoing descriptions of the Agreements do not purport to be complete and are
  qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Agreements,
  the form of which Agreement entered into with Drs.&nbsp;Barsoum, Jacobson, and
  Koya is filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.1, and which Agreement entered into with Mr.&nbsp;Ehrlich
  is filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.2 to this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K and
  incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01 Financial Statements
  and Exhibits.</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed with
  this Report:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.26%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="89%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:89.24%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.26%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="89%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:89.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">10.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.26%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="89%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:89.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form&nbsp;of
    Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated April&nbsp;28, 2008, between
    Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. and each of James G. Barsoum, Ph.D., Eric W.
    Jacobson, M.D., and Keizo Koya, Ph.D.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.26%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="89%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:89.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">10.2</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.26%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="89%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:89.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Severance
    and Change of Control Agreement, dated April&nbsp;28, 2008, between Synta
    Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Keith S. Ehrlich.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='3',FILE='C:\JMS\c900132\08-12879-1\task2901955\12879-1-ba.htm',USER='c900132',CD='Apr 29 18:55 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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 hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SYNTA PHARMACEUTICALS CORP.</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dated:
    April&nbsp;29, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
    Safi R. Bahcall</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Safi
    R. Bahcall, Ph.D.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">President
    and Chief Executive Officer</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a08-12879_18k.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 33034}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SYNTA PHARMACEUTICALS CORP", "cik": "0001157601", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "000000000"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-33277", "film-number": "08785760"}, "business-address": {"street1": "45 HARTWELL AVE", "city": "LEXINGTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02421", "phone": "781-274-8200"}}
text: UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 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): April 28, 2008
  SYNTA PHARMACEUTICALS CORP.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its
  charter)
  Delaware
  001-33277
  04-3508648
  (State or other jurisdiction
  of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)
  (IRS Employer
  Identification No.)
  45
  Hartwell Avenue
  Lexington,
  MA 02421
  (Address of principal executive offices and
  zip code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
  (781) 274-8200
  (Former name or former address,
  if changed since last report.)
  Check the appropriate box
  below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
  filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  o
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
  under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12
  under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant
  to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant
  to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 5.02
  Departure
    of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
    Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
  (e)           On April 28, 2008, Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. ("Synta")
  entered into severance and change of control agreements (each an "Agreement"
  and together the "Agreements") with each of its named executive officers, with
  the exception of its President and Chief Executive Officer, and its other key
  executive officers, reflecting terms approved by the Compensation Committee of
  the Board of Directors.  The material
  terms of the severance and change of control agreements are further discussed
  below.
  Severance
  and Change of Control Agreements with Synta's Senior Vice Presidents
  Pursuant
  to the terms of the Agreements entered into with Synta's Senior Vice
  Presidents, including its named executive officers James G. Barsoum, Ph.D.,
  Senior Vice President, Research; Eric W. Jacobson, M.D., Senior Vice President,
  Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer; and Keizo
  Koya, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Drug Development, in the event of a
  termination by Synta other than for Cause or in the event the officer
  terminates for Good Reason (as such capitalized terms are defined in the
  Agreements), Drs. Barsoum, Jacobson, and Koya are entitled to receive the
  following:
  ·
  continuation of salary at
  the officer's then-current base salary for a period of six months;
  ·
  acceleration of vesting of
  outstanding stock option awards that would have vested during the six month
  period following the officer's date of termination; and
  ·
  continuation of health
  benefits for up to six months.
  In
  the event that within one year following a Change of Control (as defined in the
  Agreements) the officer's employment is terminated other than for Cause or the
  officer terminates his employment for Good Reason, Drs. Barsoum, Jacobson,
  and Koya are entitled to receive the following:
  ·
  payment of an amount equal
  to 12 months of the officer's then-current base salary;
  ·
  payment of a separation
  bonus equal to the officer's target annual bonus for the year in which the
  termination occurs, prorated for the portion of the year in which the officer
  was employed;
  ·
  full acceleration of vesting
  of equity awards outstanding immediately prior to termination; and
  ·
  continuation of health benefits for up to 12
  months.
  Severance
  and Change of Control Agreements with Synta's Vice Presidents
  Pursuant
  to the terms of the Agreements entered into with Synta's Vice Presidents,
  including its named executive officer Keith Ehrlich,
  Vice President, Finance and Administration,
  and Chief Financial Officer, in the event of a termination by Synta other than
  for Cause or in the event Mr. Ehrlich terminates for Good Reason, Mr. Ehrlich
  is entitled to receive the following:
  ·
  continuation of salary at
  his then-current base salary for a period of three months;
  ·
  acceleration of vesting of
  outstanding stock option awards that would have vested during the three month
  period following Mr. Ehrlich's date of termination; and
  ·
  continuation of health
  benefits for up to three months.
  2
  In
  the event that within one year following a Change of Control Mr. Ehrlich's
  employment is terminated other than for Cause or he terminates his employment
  for Good Reason, Mr. Ehrlich is entitled to the same payments and benefits
  as Drs. Barsoum, Jacobson, and Koya are entitled to under such
  circumstances and described above.
  Receipt
  of any payments or benefits under the Agreements at the time of termination
  will be conditioned on the officer executing a written release of Synta from
  any and all claims arising in connection with his employment.
  The
  foregoing descriptions of the Agreements do not purport to be complete and are
  qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Agreements,
  the form of which Agreement entered into with Drs. Barsoum, Jacobson, and
  Koya is filed as Exhibit 10.1, and which Agreement entered into with Mr. Ehrlich
  is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and
  incorporated herein by reference.
  Item 9.01 Financial Statements
  and Exhibits.
  (d) The following exhibits are filed with
  this Report:
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  10.1
  Form of
    Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated April 28, 2008, between
    Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. and each of James G. Barsoum, Ph.D., Eric W.
    Jacobson, M.D., and Keizo Koya, Ph.D.
  10.2
  Severance
    and Change of Control Agreement, dated April 28, 2008, between Synta
    Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Keith S. Ehrlich.
  3
  SIGNATURES
  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 hereunto duly authorized.
  SYNTA PHARMACEUTICALS CORP.
  Dated:
    April 29, 2008
  /s/
    Safi R. Bahcall
  Safi
    R. Bahcall, Ph.D.
  President
    and Chief Executive Officer
  4