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  <p align="center" style="border:none;color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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 style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;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 style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;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.&#160;
  20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;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="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;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 style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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)&nbsp;of the</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report
  (Date of earliest event reported): &#160;<b>May&nbsp;6,
  2008</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">RIGEL
  PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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 align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;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>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other
  jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
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    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">0-29889</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">94-3248524</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File
    No.)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer
    Identification No.)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1180
  Veterans Boulevard</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">South
  San Francisco, CA 94080</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;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 style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;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="color:windowtext;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><font style="font-weight:bold;">(650)</font> 624-1100</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font> Written
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)</p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font> Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)</p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the
  Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the
  Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p align="left" style="border:none;color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\dsadagopan\08-13564-1\task2917400\13564-1-ba.htm',USER='105234',CD='May  6 15:29 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-align:left;text-indent:-1.0in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ITEM 2.02.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b>RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
  CONDITION.</b></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-align:left;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">On May&nbsp;6, 2008,
  Rigel Pharmaceuticals,&nbsp;Inc. announced certain financial results for its
  first quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2008.&#160;
  A copy of Rigel&#146;s press release, entitled &#147;Rigel Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial Results,&#148; is
  furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto.</font></p>
  
  <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="color:#666666;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ITEM&nbsp;9.01.</font></b><b><font size="1" color="black" style="color:windowtext;font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font color="black" style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;">FINANCIAL
  STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(d)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Exhibits.</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="92%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:41.2pt;width:92.4%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="9%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:9.72%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.12%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="87%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.16%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="9%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:9.72%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.12%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="87%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.16%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:9.72%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.12%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.16%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><font style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated May&nbsp;6, 2008, entitled &#147;</font>Rigel Announces First Quarter 2008
    Financial Results</font><font color="black" style="color:windowtext;">.&#148;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, shall not
  be deemed to be &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
  that Section&nbsp;11 and 12(a)(2)&nbsp;of the Securities Act of 1933, as
  amended. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall
  not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the U.S. Securities and
  Exchange Commission made by Rigel Pharmaceuticals,&nbsp;Inc., whether made
  before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation
  language in such filing.</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\dsadagopan\08-13564-1\task2917400\13564-1-ba.htm',USER='105234',CD='May  6 15:29 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-indent:.25in;"><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 align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><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="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="54%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:54.58%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="54%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:54.58%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.02%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.98%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.02%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dated: May&nbsp;6, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.98%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in .25in .0001pt 0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.02%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.92%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Ryan D. Maynard</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.02%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.92%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;Ryan D. Maynard</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.02%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.92%;">
    <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&nbsp;Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</font></i></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr height="0">
    <td width="340" style="border:none;"></td>
    <td width="27" style="border:none;"></td>
    <td width="23" style="border:none;"></td>
    <td width="358" style="border:none;"></td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
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  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT
  INDEX</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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    <td width="9%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:9.48%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.84%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:86.68%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
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    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.84%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:86.68%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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    <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:9.48%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.84%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:86.68%;">
    <p style="color:#666666;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><font style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated May&nbsp;6, 2008, entitled &#147;</font>Rigel Announces First Quarter 2008
    Financial Results</font><font color="black" style="color:windowtext;">.&#148;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>
  
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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):
  May 6,
  2008
  RIGEL
  PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  (Exact name of
  registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  (State or other
  jurisdiction of incorporation)
  0-29889
  94-3248524
  (Commission File
    No.)
  (IRS Employer
    Identification No.)
  1180
  Veterans Boulevard
  South
  San Francisco, CA 94080
  (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
  Registrant's
  telephone number, including area code:
  (650)
  624-1100
  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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
  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 2.02.
  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
  CONDITION.
  On May 6, 2008,
  Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced certain financial results for its
  first quarter ended March 31, 2008. 
  A copy of Rigel's press release, entitled "Rigel Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial Results," is
  furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
  ITEM 9.01.
  FINANCIAL
  STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
  (d)           Exhibits.
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  99.1
  Press Release, dated May 6, 2008, entitled "
  Rigel Announces First Quarter 2008
    Financial Results
  ."
  The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, shall not
  be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
  that Section 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
  amended. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall
  not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the U.S. Securities and
  Exchange Commission made by Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., whether made
  before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation
  language in such filing.
  2
  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.
  RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  Dated: May 6, 2008
  By:
  /s/ Ryan D. Maynard
  Ryan D. Maynard
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  3
  EXHIBIT
  INDEX
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  99.1
  Press Release, dated May 6, 2008, entitled "
  Rigel Announces First Quarter 2008
    Financial Results
  ."
  4