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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;17, 2001  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>Form&nbsp;S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>Matrix Pharmaceutical, Inc.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>94-2957068</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B> 34700 Campus Drive<BR>
Fremont, California<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>94555<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=2 ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B> 1988 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN<BR>
1991 DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plans)</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Copy to:</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
MICHAEL D. CASEY<BR>
Chairman, President and<BR>
Chief Executive Officer<BR>
34700 Campus Drive<BR>
Fremont, CA 94555<BR>
(510) 742-9900</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
THOMAS E. SPARKS, JR.<BR>
Pillsbury Winthrop LLP<BR>
50 Fremont Street<BR>
P.O. Box 7880<BR>
San Francisco, CA 94120-7880<BR>
(415) 983-1000</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(Name, address and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="34%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be Registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="34%"><FONT SIZE=2>1988 Restricted Stock Plan, Common Stock par value $0.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1,050,000 shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$9.865</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$10,358,250</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$2589.56</FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=9 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="34%"><FONT SIZE=2>1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, Common Stock, par value $0.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>200,000 shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$9.865</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$1, 973,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$493.25</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Pursuant
to Rule&nbsp;416 (a)&nbsp;under the Securities Act, this registration statement also includes an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and
issued in connection with any stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457, based upon the average of the high and low prices as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market on July&nbsp;11, 2001.   </FONT></DD></DL>
<BR>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><B>The Registration Statement shall become effective upon filing in accordance with Rule&nbsp;462 under the Securities Act of 1933.  </B></FONT></P>

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NAME="page_de2011_1_2"> </A> </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_part_i_information_requ__de202241"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_1._plan_information."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_2"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 1. Plan Information.*    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_2._registrant_information__ite02621"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_3"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Information
required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the Section&nbsp;10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance
with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities act of 1933 and the Note to Part&nbsp;I of Form&nbsp;S-8. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_part_ii_information_req__de202460"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_4"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_3._incorporation_o__de202146"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_5"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this registration statement: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;Our
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K (File No.&nbsp;000-19750) for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2000. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;Our
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q (File No.&nbsp;000-19750) for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2001. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;The
description of our Common Stock contained in our registration statement No.&nbsp;0-19750 on Form&nbsp;8-A, filed December&nbsp;19,
1991 together with Amendments No.&nbsp;1 and No.&nbsp;2 on Form&nbsp;8 filed January&nbsp;23, 1992 and January&nbsp;27, 1992, respectively, in which there is described the terms, rights and
provisions applicable to our outstanding Common Stock. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_4._description_of_securities."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_6"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4. Description of Securities.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_5._interests_of_named_experts_and_counsel."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_7"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of securities offered hereby has been passed upon by Pillsbury Winthrop LLP. A partner at Pillsbury Winthrop
LLP has options to purchase 40,000&nbsp;shares of our common stock. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_6._indemnification_of_directors_and_officers."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_8"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware GCL") permits our board of directors to indemnify any person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of his being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of ours, in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under
certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Delaware GCL provides that indemnification
pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights of </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;X
of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Article&nbsp;VII, Section&nbsp;6 of our Bylaws, provide for indemnification of our directors,
officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, we have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain
liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by law. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_7._exemption_from_registration_claimed."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_9"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_8._exhibits."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_10"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8. Exhibits.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Index to Exhibits. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2011_item_9._undertakings."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2011_11"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9. Undertakings.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;We
hereby undertake: </FONT></P>

<UL>

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

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement; </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>provided,
however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)&nbsp;and (a)(1)(ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the registration statement is on Form&nbsp;S-3 or Form&nbsp;S-8, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by us pursuant to section&nbsp;13 or section&nbsp;15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;We
hereby further undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of our annual report pursuant to
section&nbsp;13(a) or section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we
have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than our payment of expenses incurred or paid by our directors, officers or controlling persons in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we 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 Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="dg2011_signatures"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_dg2011_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, we certify that we have reasonable grounds to believe that we meet all of the requirements for
filing on Form&nbsp;S-8, and have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fremont, State of
California, on July&nbsp;17, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="4%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>MATRIX PHARMACEUTICAL,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Michael D. Casey</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Michael D. Casey<BR>
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="dg2011_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_dg2011_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael D. Casey and David W. Pritchard, and each of
them his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated: </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Michael D. Casey</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Michael D. Casey</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>July 17, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ David W. Pritchard</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David W. Pritchard</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July 17, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Eric K. Brandt</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Eric K. Brandt</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July 17, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Stephen B. Howell, M.D.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Marvin E. Jaffe</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Marvin E. Jaffe, M.D.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July 17, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Bradley G. Lorimier</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Bradley G. Lorimier</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July 17, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Julius L. Pericola</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Julius L. Pericola</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July 17, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ea2011_index_to_exhibits"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ea2011_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="79%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Number<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="88%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>*</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Specimen Common Stock Certificate.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion regarding legality of securities to be offered.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Auditors.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Power of Attorney (see page 5).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>1988 Restricted Stock Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>99.7</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>1991 Directors Stock Option Plan.</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>*</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 of our Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated January&nbsp;23, 1992. </FONT></DD></DL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>6</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_2">Item 1. Plan Information.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_3">Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_4">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_5">Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_6">Item 4. Description of Securities.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_7">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_8">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_9">Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_10">Item 8. Exhibits.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2011_11">Item 9. Undertakings.</A></FONT><BR>

<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_dg2011_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_dg2011_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ea2011_1">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2054286zs-8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 30012}]
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 17, 2001
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Matrix Pharmaceutical, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
94-2957068
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
34700 Campus Drive
Fremont, California
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
94555
(Zip Code)
1988 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
1991 DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plans)
Copy to:
MICHAEL D. CASEY
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
34700 Campus Drive
Fremont, CA 94555
(510) 742-9900
THOMAS E. SPARKS, JR.
Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
50 Fremont Street
P.O. Box 7880
San Francisco, CA 94120-7880
(415) 983-1000
(Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2)
Amount of Registration Fee
1988 Restricted Stock Plan, Common Stock par value $0.01
1,050,000 shares
$9.865
$10,358,250
$2589.56
1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, Common Stock, par value $0.01
200,000 shares
$9.865
$1, 973,000
$493.25
(1)
Pursuant
to Rule 416 (a) under the Securities Act, this registration statement also includes an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and
issued in connection with any stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457, based upon the average of the high and low prices as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market on July 11, 2001.
The Registration Statement shall become effective upon filing in accordance with Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
*    Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance
with Rule 428 under the Securities act of 1933 and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this registration statement:
(1) Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-19750) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
(2) Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-19750) for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.
(3) The
description of our Common Stock contained in our registration statement No. 0-19750 on Form 8-A, filed December 19,
1991 together with Amendments No. 1 and No. 2 on Form 8 filed January 23, 1992 and January 27, 1992, respectively, in which there is described the terms, rights and
provisions applicable to our outstanding Common Stock.
In
addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of securities offered hereby has been passed upon by Pillsbury Winthrop LLP. A partner at Pillsbury Winthrop
LLP has options to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware GCL") permits our board of directors to indemnify any person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of his being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of ours, in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under
certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Delaware GCL provides that indemnification
pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights of
2
indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Article X
of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Article VII, Section 6 of our Bylaws, provide for indemnification of our directors,
officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by law.
In
addition, we have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain
liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by law.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
See Index to Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) We
hereby undertake:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided,
however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by us pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b) We
hereby further undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of our annual report pursuant to
section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we
have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than our payment of expenses incurred or paid by our directors, officers or controlling persons in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we 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 Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, we certify that we have reasonable grounds to believe that we meet all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8, and have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fremont, State of
California, on July 17, 2001.
MATRIX PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.
By
/s/ Michael D. Casey
Michael D. Casey
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael D. Casey and David W. Pritchard, and each of
them his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Michael D. Casey
Michael D. Casey
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
July 17, 2001
/s/ David W. Pritchard
David W. Pritchard
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
July 17, 2001
/s/ Eric K. Brandt
Eric K. Brandt
Director
July 17, 2001
Stephen B. Howell, M.D.
Director
/s/ Marvin E. Jaffe
Marvin E. Jaffe, M.D.
Director
July 17, 2001
/s/ Bradley G. Lorimier
Bradley G. Lorimier
Director
July 17, 2001
/s/ Julius L. Pericola
Julius L. Pericola
Director
July 17, 2001
5
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Number
Exhibit
4.1
*
Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
5.1
Opinion regarding legality of securities to be offered.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2
Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (see page 5).
99.1
1988 Restricted Stock Plan.
99.7
1991 Directors Stock Option Plan.
*
Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 of our Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated January 23, 1992.
6
QuickLinks
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
INDEX TO EXHIBITS