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<TITLE>S-8</TITLE>
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<H1 ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2002<BR>
                                                                                                              Registration No. 333- </FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Washington,
D.C. 20549</FONT></H1><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%><BR>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM S-8<BR>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT><BR>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>Under <BR>The Securities Act of 1933</I></FONT></H1><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.</B><BR>
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=33%><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=55%></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=34%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=33%><FONT SIZE=2><B>33-0525145</B></FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=55%></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=33%><FONT SIZE=2>(State of incorporation)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=34%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=33%><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>10555
Science Center Drive<BR>San Diego, California 92121</B><BR>
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)</FONT></P><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>NEUROCRINE
BIOSCIENCES, INC. 2001 STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)<BR></FONT></P><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>GARY A. LYONS<BR>
President, Chief Executive Officer<BR>
and Director<BR>
10555 Science Center Drive<BR>
San Diego, California 92121<BR>
(858) 658-7600</FONT></H1>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)<BR>
</FONT></P><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B><I>Copies to:</I><BR>
Scott N. Wolfe, Esq.<BR>
Latham &amp; Watkins <BR>
12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 300<BR>
San Diego, California 92130<BR>
(858) 523-5400</B><BR>
</FONT></P><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=20%>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT></H1>



<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=25%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=20%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=19%><FONT SIZE=2><B>Proposed</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=18%><FONT SIZE=2><B>Proposed</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=19%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Amount</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Offering</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Aggregate</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>of Securities to</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>to be</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Price</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Offering</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Registration</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Registered (1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Per Share</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Price</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2><B>Fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=25%><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=20%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=19%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=18%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=19%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$0.001 par value (3)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2>400,000</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2>$17,962,881</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2>$1,657</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<HR>
<OL TYPE=1>
<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>A maximum of 1,150,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under
the Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the &#147;2001
Plan&#148;), 750,000 shares of which were previously registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), pursuant to
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-57096). All
shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan that were not previously registered are being registered hereunder.
Pursuant to Rule 416(a), this Registration Statement shall also cover any
additional shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock that become issuable
under the plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization
or other similar transaction effected without receipt of consideration that
increases the number of the Registrant&#146;s outstanding shares of common
stock.</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the registration  fee, and is determined  according
       to the following  offering  price  information:  of the 400,000  shares of common stock  reserved for issuance under the 2001
       Plan being  registered  hereunder,  (i)  40,500  shares of common  stock are  subject  to
       outstanding  options with an exercise price of $45.69 per share, (ii) 9,000 shares of common stock are subject to outstanding
       options  with an exercise  price of $40.58,  (iii) 7,500 shares of common  stock are subject to  outstanding  options with an
       exercise  price of $48.10,  (iv) 2,500 shares of common  stock are subject to  outstanding  options with an exercise  price of
       $46.50,  (v) 1,300 shares of common stock are subject to  outstanding  options  with an exercise  price of $46.21,  (vi) 1,300
       shares of common  stock are subject to  outstanding  options  with an exercise  price of $42.56 and (vii)  337,900  shares of
       common stock are reserved for issuance  upon  exercise of options to be granted in the future.  Pursuant to Rule 457(h),  for
       all shares of common stock being registered hereunder with an exercise price which cannot be presently determined  (337,900),
       the Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share, is $44.85 per share,  which is the average of the high and low sales prices of
       the Registrant&#146;s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on December 4, 2002.
</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Each share of common stock includes a right to purchase
one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.
</FONT></LI></OL>


<HR SIZE=4>



<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>PART I</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10 (a) PROSPECTUS</FONT></H1>

<H2 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 1. <U>Plan Information</U>.</FONT></H2>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not required to be filed with this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>

<H2 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 2.
<U>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information</U>.</FONT></H2>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not required to be filed with this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
<BR>
<BR>


<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>PART II</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 3.
<U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</U>.</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by Neurocrine
Biosciences, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;), are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>

<OL TYPE=a>
<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed March 26, 2002;</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The Company's Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2002, filed May 8, 2002, for the six months ended June 30, 2002, filed August 14, 2002, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, filed November 13, 2002;</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The Company's Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed January 14, 2002 and August 14, 2002;</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The Company's Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 19, 2002 filed in connection with its May 23, 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The description of the Company's Common Stock contained the Registration Statement
on Form 8-A filed on June 16, 1997.</FONT></LI></OL>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), after
the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.  Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>

<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 4.
<U>Description of Securities</U>.</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.</FONT></P>

<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 5. <U>Interests
of Named Experts and Counsel</U>.</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.</FONT></P>

<H2 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 6.
<U>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</U>.</FONT></H2>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally allows the Company to indemnify directors
and officers for all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts in settlement actually paid and reasonably incurred in
connection with any proceedings so long as such party acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the Company's best interests and, with respect to any criminal proceedings, if such party had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct to be unlawful.  Indemnification may only be made by the Company if
the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 145 has been met by the indemnified party upon a
determination made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such
proceedings, even though less than a quorum, (ii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the stockholders.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article VII of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Article VI, Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 of
the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of its directors and officers, and permit indemnification of
employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.  In addition, the
Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors.</FONT></P>

<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 7. <U>Exemption
From Registration Claimed</U>.</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.</FONT></P>

<H2 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 8.
<U>Exhibits</U>.</FONT></H2>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated
herein:</FONT></P>

<TABLE WIDTH=70% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=20%><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibit</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Number</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=45% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Document</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=100% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1 (1)</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Form of Common Stock Certificate</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Latham &amp; Watkins</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>23.1*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Auditors</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>23.2*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Latham &amp; Watkins (contained in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>24.1*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Power of Attorney (included in the signature page of this Registration Statement)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=15% ALIGN=LEFT><BR>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Filed herewith.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement filed on April 3, 1996 on Form S-1, as
         amended (File No. 333-03172).</FONT></P>

<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 9. <U>Undertakings</U>.</FONT></H1>
<OL TYPE=a>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT><BR><BR>
<OL TYPE=1>
<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:</FONT><BR><BR>
<OL TYPE=i>
<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
         Act;</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>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 this Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
         volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
         which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering
         range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
         the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
         maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
         effective Registration Statement;</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>To include any material information with respect to the plan of
         distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
         information in this Registration Statement;</FONT></OL>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
if the Registration Statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by
the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement.</FONT></P>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=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.</FONT><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>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></OL><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>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 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this 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><BR><BR>

<LI><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>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 SEC 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></OL>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company 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 San Diego, State of
California, on this 10th day of December 2002.</FONT></P>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=3%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=47%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN=TOP><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Gary A. Lyons </FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=25% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
</TR>


<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Gary A. Lyons </FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>President, Chief Executive Officer and Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each such person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints, jointly and severally, Gary A. Lyons and Paul W. Hawran his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8
(including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</B></FONT></P>

<TABLE WIDTH=90% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Signature</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2><B>Title&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Gary A. Lyons</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>President, Chief Executive Officer and Director <BR>(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gary A. Lyons</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
 <TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Paul W. Hawran</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Paul W. Hawran</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Joseph A. Mollica</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joseph A. Mollica</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ W. Thomas Mitchell</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W. Thomas Mitchell</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Richard F. Pops</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Richard F. Pops</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Stephen A. Sherwin</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stephen A. Sherwin</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Lawrence  Steinman</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lawrence  Steinman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Wylie W. Vale</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=60% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>December 5, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wylie W. Vale</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=30%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</FONT></H1>
<TABLE WIDTH=70% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=20%><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibit</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Number</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=45% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Document</FONT><HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=100% ALIGN=LEFT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1 (1)</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Form of Common Stock Certificate</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Latham &amp; Watkins</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>23.1*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Auditors</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>23.2*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Latham &amp; Watkins (contained in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>24.1*</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=2>Power of Attorney (included in the signature page of this Registration Statement)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=15% ALIGN=LEFT><BR>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Filed herewith.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement filed on April 3, 1996 on Form S-1, as
         amended (File No. 333-03172).</FONT></P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES INC", "cik": "0000914475", "assigned-sic": "2836", "irs-number": "330525145", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-101756", "film-number": "02853672"}, "business-address": {"street1": "10555 SCIENCE CENTER DRIVE", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92121", "phone": "8586587600"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "10555 SCIENCE CENTER DRIVE", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92121"}}
S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2002
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
33-0525145
(State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
10555
Science Center Drive
San Diego, California 92121
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)
NEUROCRINE
BIOSCIENCES, INC. 2001 STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED
(Full title of the plan)
GARY A. LYONS
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
10555 Science Center Drive
San Diego, California 92121
(858) 658-7600
(Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Scott N. Wolfe, Esq.
Latham & Watkins
12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92130
(858) 523-5400
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Maximum
Maximum
Title
Amount
Offering
Aggregate
Amount of
of Securities to
to be
Price
Offering
Registration
be Registered
Registered (1)
Per Share
Price
Fee
Common Stock
$0.001 par value (3)
400,000
(2)
$17,962,881
$1,657
A maximum of 1,150,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under
the Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "2001
Plan"), 750,000 shares of which were previously registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-57096). All
shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan that were not previously registered are being registered hereunder.
Pursuant to Rule 416(a), this Registration Statement shall also cover any
additional shares of the Registrant's common stock that become issuable
under the plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization
or other similar transaction effected without receipt of consideration that
increases the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of common
stock.
This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the registration  fee, and is determined  according
       to the following  offering  price  information:  of the 400,000  shares of common stock  reserved for issuance under the 2001
       Plan being  registered  hereunder,  (i)  40,500  shares of common  stock are  subject  to
       outstanding  options with an exercise price of $45.69 per share, (ii) 9,000 shares of common stock are subject to outstanding
       options  with an exercise  price of $40.58,  (iii) 7,500 shares of common  stock are subject to  outstanding  options with an
       exercise  price of $48.10,  (iv) 2,500 shares of common  stock are subject to  outstanding  options with an exercise  price of
       $46.50,  (v) 1,300 shares of common stock are subject to  outstanding  options  with an exercise  price of $46.21,  (vi) 1,300
       shares of common  stock are subject to  outstanding  options  with an exercise  price of $42.56 and (vii)  337,900  shares of
       common stock are reserved for issuance  upon  exercise of options to be granted in the future.  Pursuant to Rule 457(h),  for
       all shares of common stock being registered hereunder with an exercise price which cannot be presently determined  (337,900),
       the Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share, is $44.85 per share,  which is the average of the high and low sales prices of
       the Registrant's common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on December 4, 2002.
Each share of common stock includes a right to purchase
one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.
PART I
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10 (a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1.
Plan Information
.
Not required to be filed with this Registration Statement.
Item 2.
Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
.
Not required to be filed with this Registration Statement.
PART II
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by Neurocrine
Biosciences, Inc. (the "Company"), are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed March 26, 2002;
The Company's Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2002, filed May 8, 2002, for the six months ended June 30, 2002, filed August 14, 2002, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, filed November 13, 2002;
The Company's Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed January 14, 2002 and August 14, 2002;
The Company's Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 19, 2002 filed in connection with its May 23, 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and
The description of the Company's Common Stock contained the Registration Statement
on Form 8-A filed on June 16, 1997.
All documents filed by the Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after
the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.  Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement.  Any such 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
.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally allows the Company to indemnify directors
and officers for all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts in settlement actually paid and reasonably incurred in
connection with any proceedings so long as such party acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the Company's best interests and, with respect to any criminal proceedings, if such party had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct to be unlawful.  Indemnification may only be made by the Company if
the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 145 has been met by the indemnified party upon a
determination made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such
proceedings, even though less than a quorum, (ii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the stockholders.
Article VII of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Article VI, Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 of
the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of its directors and officers, and permit indemnification of
employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.  In addition, the
Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors.
Item 7.
Exemption
From Registration Claimed
.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated
herein:
Exhibit
Number
Document
4.1 (1)
Form of Common Stock Certificate
4.2*
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended
5.1*
Opinion of Latham & Watkins
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2*
Consent of Latham & Watkins (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1*
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page of this Registration Statement)
*       Filed herewith.
(1)     Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement filed on April 3, 1996 on Form S-1, as
         amended (File No. 333-03172).
Item 9.
Undertakings
.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
         Act;
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 this Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
         volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
         which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering
         range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
         the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
         maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
         effective Registration Statement;
To include any material information with respect to the plan of
         distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
         information in this Registration Statement;
provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
if the Registration Statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by
the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement.
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.
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 SEC 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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company 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 San Diego, State of
California, on this 10th day of December 2002.
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
By:
/s/ Gary A. Lyons
Gary A. Lyons
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each such person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints, jointly and severally, Gary A. Lyons and Paul W. Hawran his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8
(including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Gary A. Lyons
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
December 5, 2002
Gary A. Lyons
/s/ Paul W. Hawran
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
December 5, 2002
Paul W. Hawran
/s/ Joseph A. Mollica
Chairman of the Board of Directors
December 5, 2002
Joseph A. Mollica
/s/ W. Thomas Mitchell
Director
December 5, 2002
W. Thomas Mitchell
/s/ Richard F. Pops
Director
December 5, 2002
Richard F. Pops
/s/ Stephen A. Sherwin
Director
December 5, 2002
Stephen A. Sherwin
/s/ Lawrence  Steinman
Director
December 5, 2002
Lawrence  Steinman
/s/ Wylie W. Vale
Director
December 5, 2002
Wylie W. Vale
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Document
4.1 (1)
Form of Common Stock Certificate
4.2*
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended
5.1*
Opinion of Latham & Watkins
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2*
Consent of Latham & Watkins (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1*
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page of this Registration Statement)
*       Filed herewith.
(1)     Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement filed on April 3, 1996 on Form S-1, as
         amended (File No. 333-03172).