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  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">As
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on&nbsp;August 18, 2021</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Registration
  No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="width: 100%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 2pt solid; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">UNITED
  STATES</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Washington,
  D.C. 20549</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 25%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1.5pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">FORM
  S-8</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><I>UNDER
  </I></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><I>THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</I></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 25%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1.5pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 24pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">NEKTAR
  THERAPEUTICS</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>(Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 25%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1.5pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 2.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; width: 49%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; width: 2%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; width: 49%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>94-3134940</B></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>(State
      or Other Jurisdiction of</B></FONT></P>
      <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Incorporation
      or Organization)</B></FONT></P></TD>
      <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>(I.R.S.
      Employer</B></FONT></P>
      <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Identification
      Number)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
    </TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>455
  Mission Bay Boulevard South</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>San
  Francisco, California 94158</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>(Address
  of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Nektar
  Therapeutics Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>(Full
  Title of the Plan)</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Mark
  A. Wilson</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Senior
  Vice President and General Counsel </B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Nektar
  Therapeutics</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>455
  Mission Bay Boulevard South</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>San
  Francisco, California 94158</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>415-482-5300</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>(Name,
  Address, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="text-align: center; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 25%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1.5pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Indicate
  by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
  or an emerging growth company.&nbsp;See the definitions of &ldquo;large accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;smaller
  reporting company,&rdquo; and &ldquo;emerging growth company&rdquo; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="width: 17%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 2%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 48%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&#9746;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 3%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 23%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 7%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&#9744;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Non-accelerated
      filer</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&#9744;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&#9744;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Emerging growth
      company</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&#9744;</FONT></TD></TR>
    </TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">If an emerging
  growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any
  new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. &#9744;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 1 -->
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  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B></B></FONT></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 25%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1.5pt solid">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Calculation
  of Registration Fee</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
      <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid">Title of Securities to be Registered</TD><TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1.5pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Amount to be<BR> Registered<SUP>(1)</SUP></B></FONT></TD><TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1.5pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid">Proposed<BR> Maximum<BR> Offering<BR>
   Price<BR> Per Share</TD><TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1.5pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid">Proposed<BR> Maximum<BR> Aggregate<BR> Offering<BR>
   Price</TD><TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1.5pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid">Amount of<BR> registration<BR> fee</TD><TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD STYLE="width: 47%; padding-bottom: 4pt; text-indent: -9pt; padding-left: 9pt">Common Stock, $0.0001 par value</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 16%; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 4pt">5,000,000 shares(2)</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 1%; border-bottom: Black 4pt double; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="width: 9%; border-bottom: Black 4pt double; text-align: right">13.57</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt; text-align: left">(3)</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 1%; border-bottom: Black 4pt double; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="width: 9%; border-bottom: Black 4pt double; text-align: right">67,850,000</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 1%; border-bottom: Black 4pt double; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="width: 9%; border-bottom: Black 4pt double; text-align: right">7,402.44</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; padding-bottom: 4pt; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    </TABLE>
  
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; width: 100%"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
  <TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(1)</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pursuant
  to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &ldquo;Securities Act&rdquo;), this Registration Statement shall also
  cover any additional shares of common stock, <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">par value $0.0001 per share (the &ldquo;Common Stock&rdquo;)</FONT>,
  which become issuable under the above-named plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar
  transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant&rsquo;s outstanding
  shares of common stock.</FONT></TD>
  </TR></TABLE>
  
  <P STYLE="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</P>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; width: 100%"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
  <TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(2)</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Consists
  of 5,000,000 shares issuable under the Nektar Therapeutics Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan, pursuant to such plan.</FONT></TD>
  </TR></TABLE>
  
  <P STYLE="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</P>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; width: 100%"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
  <TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">(3)</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Estimated
  in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The price
  represents the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on August 17,
  2021.</FONT></TD>
  </TR></TABLE>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
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  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in"></P>
  
  
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      <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></DIV>
      <DIV STYLE="break-before: page; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt"></P></DIV>
      <!-- Field: /Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>EXPLANATORY
  NOTE</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 29.7pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">On
  March 24, 2021, the board of directors of the Registrant approved an amendment to the Registrant&rsquo;s Amended and Restated 2017 Performance
  Incentive Plan (as amended, the &ldquo;PIP&rdquo;), pursuant to which the number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for
  issuance under the PIP increased by 5,000,000 shares subject to stockholder approval, which was received on June 10, 2021. This Registration
  Statement on Form S-8 registers these 5,000,000 additional shares of Common Stock. The additional shares available for issuance under
  the PIP are of the same class as other securities relating to the PIP for which the Registrant&rsquo;s registration statements filed
  on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-218777) on June 15, 2017, on Form&nbsp;S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-226004) on June 29, 2018, and
  on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-242327) on August 7, 2020 are effective.</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 29.7pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">The
  information contained in the Registrant&rsquo;s prior registration statements on Form S-8 is hereby incorporated by reference pursuant
  to General Instruction&nbsp;E, except for &ldquo;Item 8. Exhibits.&rdquo;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 29.7pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 29.7pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"></FONT></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 3 -->
      <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></DIV>
      <DIV STYLE="break-before: page; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt"></P></DIV>
      <!-- Field: /Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 29.7pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>PART
  II</B></FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">INFORMATION
  REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: italic bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-style: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: italic bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; text-indent: 0in; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-style: normal">Item
  8. Exhibits.</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; width: 10%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; width: 2%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; width: 88%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.1*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/0001047469-98-031070.txt">Certificate of Incorporation of Inhale Therapeutic Systems (Delaware), Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1998).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.2*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000091205700037283/ex-3_3.txt">Certificate of Amendment of the Amended Certificate of Incorporation of Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company&rsquo;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2000).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.3*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000104746903002325/a2101294zex-3_1.htm">Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Nektar Therapeutics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on January&nbsp;23, 2003).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.4*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000114420410011093/v176023_ex3-6.htm">Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Nektar Therapeutics AL, Corporation with and into Nektar Therapeutics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company&rsquo;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2009).</A>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.5*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000121390020043821/ea132008ex3-1_nektartherap.htm">Amended and Restated Bylaws of Nektar Therapeutics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on December 21, 2020).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.6*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000090670921000014/nktr2021-06x30xexx101.htm">Nektar Therapeutics Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.7*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000104746903002325/a2101294zex-4_1.htm">Specimen Stock Certificate Evidencing the Shares of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on January&nbsp;23, 2003).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">4.8*</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906709/000090670920000004/nktr20191231ex44.htm">Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company&rsquo;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2020).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">5.1**</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="ea145918ex5-1_nektarthera.htm">Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP with respect to the validity of the securities.</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">23.1**</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="ea145918ex23-1_nektarthera.htm">Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">23.2**</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="ea145918ex5-1_nektarthera.htm">Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">24.1**</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A HREF="#poa_001">Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of this Registration Statement).</A></FONT></TD></TR>
    </TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"></FONT></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-bottom: 0pt; width: 25%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1.5pt solid">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; width: 100%"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
  <TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">*</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Previously
  filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></TD>
  </TR></TABLE>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; width: 100%"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
  <TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">**</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Filed
  herewith</FONT></TD>
  </TR></TABLE>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>
  
  <!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 4; Options: NewSection; Value: 1 -->
      <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid"><P STYLE="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt">II-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->1<!-- Field: /Sequence --></P></DIV>
      <DIV STYLE="break-before: page; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt"></P></DIV>
      <!-- Field: /Page -->
  
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">SIGNATURES</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">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 Francisco, State of California, on August 18, 2021.</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white"><B>NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS</B></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="width: 60%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="width: 36%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">By:</FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ Howard W. Robin</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Howard W. Robin</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Chief Executive Officer and President</FONT></TD></TR>
    </TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><A NAME="poa_001"></A>POWER
  OF ATTORNEY</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Each
  person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Howard W. Robin and Gil M. Labrucherie, and each of them, acting individually
  and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
  for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
  amendments, exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with
  all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  and each of them, full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
  about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
  that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their, his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
  do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">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.</FONT></P>
  
  <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; width: 25%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: center; width: 2%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: center; width: 46%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: center; width: 2%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: center; width: 25%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ Howard W. Robin</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Chief Executive Officer, </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">President,
      and Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Howard W. Robin</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Gil M. Labrucherie</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer,
      and Chief&nbsp;Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Gil M. Labrucherie</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Jillian B. Thomsen</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief&nbsp;Accounting&nbsp;Officer</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Jillian B. Thomsen</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Robert B. Chess</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; background-color: white">Director, Chairman of the </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Board
      of Directors</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Robert B. Chess</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Jeffrey R. Ajer</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Jeffrey R. Ajer</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Myriam J. Curet</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Myriam J. Curet</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Karin Eastham</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Karin Eastham</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">R. Scott Greer</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">R. Scott Greer</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">/s/ <FONT STYLE="background-color: white">Roy A. Whitfield</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">August 18, 2021</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
      <TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Roy A. Whitfield</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    </TABLE>
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "ea145918-s8_nektarthera.htm", "description": "REGISTRATION STATEMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 63221}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS", "cik": "0000906709", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "943134940", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-258900", "film-number": "211186788"}, "business-address": {"street1": "455 MISSION BAY BOULEVARD SOUTH", "city": "SAN FRANCISCO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94158", "phone": "4154825300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "455 MISSION BAY BOULEVARD SOUTH", "city": "SAN FRANCISCO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94158"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "INHALE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS INC", "date-changed": "19980723"}, {"former-conformed-name": "INHALE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS", "date-changed": "19940303"}]}
text: As
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2021
  Registration
  No. 333-
  UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington,
  D.C. 20549
  FORM
  S-8
  REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  NEKTAR
  THERAPEUTICS
  (Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  94-3134940
  (State
      or Other Jurisdiction of
  Incorporation
      or Organization)
  (I.R.S.
      Employer
  Identification
      Number)
  455
  Mission Bay Boulevard South
  San
  Francisco, California 94158
  (Address
  of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
  Nektar
  Therapeutics Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan
  (Full
  Title of the Plan)
  Mark
  A. Wilson
  Senior
  Vice President and General Counsel
  Nektar
  Therapeutics
  455
  Mission Bay Boulevard South
  San
  Francisco, California 94158
  415-482-5300
  (Name,
  Address, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
  Indicate
  by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
  or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller
  reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
  Large accelerated filer
  ☒
  Accelerated filer
  ☐
  Non-accelerated
      filer
  ☐
  Smaller reporting company
  ☐
  Emerging growth
      company
  ☐
  If an emerging
  growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any
  new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
  Calculation
  of Registration Fee
  Title of Securities to be Registered
  Amount to be
  Registered
  (1)
  Proposed
  Maximum
  Offering
  Price
  Per Share
  Proposed
  Maximum
  Aggregate
  Offering
  Price
  Amount of
  registration
  fee
  Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
  5,000,000 shares(2)
  $
  13.57
  (3)
  $
  67,850,000
  $
  7,402.44
  (1)
  Pursuant
  to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement shall also
  cover any additional shares of common stock,
  par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock")
  ,
  which become issuable under the above-named plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar
  transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding
  shares of common stock.
  (2)
  Consists
  of 5,000,000 shares issuable under the Nektar Therapeutics Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan, pursuant to such plan.
  (3)
  Estimated
  in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The price
  represents the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on August 17,
  2021.
  EXPLANATORY
  NOTE
  On
  March 24, 2021, the board of directors of the Registrant approved an amendment to the Registrant's Amended and Restated 2017 Performance
  Incentive Plan (as amended, the "PIP"), pursuant to which the number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for
  issuance under the PIP increased by 5,000,000 shares subject to stockholder approval, which was received on June 10, 2021. This Registration
  Statement on Form S-8 registers these 5,000,000 additional shares of Common Stock. The additional shares available for issuance under
  the PIP are of the same class as other securities relating to the PIP for which the Registrant's registration statements filed
  on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-218777) on June 15, 2017, on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-226004) on June 29, 2018, and
  on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-242327) on August 7, 2020 are effective.
  The
  information contained in the Registrant's prior registration statements on Form S-8 is hereby incorporated by reference pursuant
  to General Instruction E, except for "Item 8. Exhibits."
  PART
  II
  INFORMATION
  REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item
  8. Exhibits.
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  4.1*
  Certificate of Incorporation of Inhale Therapeutic Systems (Delaware), Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998).
  4.2*
  Certificate of Amendment of the Amended Certificate of Incorporation of Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000).
  4.3*
  Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Nektar Therapeutics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 23, 2003).
  4.4*
  Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Nektar Therapeutics AL, Corporation with and into Nektar Therapeutics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
  4.5*
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Nektar Therapeutics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 21, 2020).
  4.6*
  Nektar Therapeutics Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021).
  4.7*
  Specimen Stock Certificate Evidencing the Shares of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 23, 2003).
  4.8*
  Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020).
  5.1**
  Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP with respect to the validity of the securities.
  23.1**
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23.2**
  Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24.1**
  Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of this Registration Statement).
  *
  Previously
  filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference.
  **
  Filed
  herewith
  II-
  1
  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 Francisco, State of California, on August 18, 2021.
  NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
  By:
  /s/ Howard W. Robin
  Howard W. Robin
  Chief Executive Officer and President
  POWER
  OF ATTORNEY
  Each
  person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Howard W. Robin and Gil M. Labrucherie, and each of them, acting individually
  and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
  for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
  amendments, exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with
  all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  and each of them, full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
  about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
  that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their, his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
  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/ Howard W. Robin
  Chief Executive Officer,
  President,
      and Director
  August 18, 2021
  Howard W. Robin
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  /s/
  Gil M. Labrucherie
  Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer,
      and Chief Financial Officer
  August 18, 2021
  Gil M. Labrucherie
  (Principal Financial Officer)
  /s/
  Jillian B. Thomsen
  Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer
  August 18, 2021
  Jillian B. Thomsen
  (Principal Accounting Officer)
  /s/
  Robert B. Chess
  Director, Chairman of the
  Board
      of Directors
  August 18, 2021
  Robert B. Chess
  /s/
  Jeffrey R. Ajer
  Director
  August 18, 2021
  Jeffrey R. Ajer
  /s/
  Myriam J. Curet
  Director
  August 18, 2021
  Myriam J. Curet
  /s/
  Karin Eastham
  Director
  August 18, 2021
  Karin Eastham
  /s/
  R. Scott Greer
  Director
  August 18, 2021
  R. Scott Greer
  /s/
  Roy A. Whitfield
  Director
  August 18, 2021
  Roy A. Whitfield
  II-2